Mera Peak Climbing – 19 Days

On Day 3 of our Mera Peak adventure, we kick off early in the morning after having breakfast. Our first exciting task is to head to the domestic airport for a thrilling flight to Lukla. The 40-minute flight treats us to breathtaking views of lush greenery and majestic white-capped mountains. The highlight? The dramatic landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, nestled amidst towering peaks.

Once we touch down, we’re greeted by our fellow crew members. While our guide organizes the baggage with the help of porters, we have time to wander around and soak in the surroundings. Then, it’s time to hit the trail! Our trek starts with a descent from Lukla, taking us through enchanting jungles. We go to Surke, enjoying the serene beauty along the path. Soon, hunger pangs kick in, and we stop for a well-deserved lunch break at Pakhapani or a nearby spot.

Continuing through many traditional villages, jungles, and hills, we gradually reach the vicinity of Paiya for the first night’s camp. We see several peaks from here, such as Knogde Ri, Khatang, Tang Ragi Tu, and others above 7 thousand meters from Paiya.

After breakfast, we slowly march until we reach a wooden bridge. Then, carefully, we must go through the slippery trail to cross Kari La Hill (pass). We have our lunch in the village ahead and start walking through the rhododendron and bamboo forest through the narrow mountain trail.

Throughout the journey, we keep our cameras handy, ensuring they’re fully charged to capture the stunning vistas of the Dudhkoshi River valley and the majestic Dudh Kund Himal. These breathtaking views serve as a reminder of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty.

As the day progresses, we finally arrive at the quaint farming and trading village of Pangkongama. Here, we settle in for the night, resting our weary bodies and reflecting on the day’s adventures.

The trail descends the rock-strewn path leading to the rhododendron forest. We encounter many Mani walls along the trail. Passing again through hills, ridges, and teahouses, we start downwards and have lunch in a nearby village. Mesmerizing views of the south face of Mera Peak (6064m/19890ft) and Naulekh Peak await our insight ahead.

The trail zigzags through forested areas and then descends steeply. We experience the most interesting and charming feelings as we walk past pine and rhododendron forests to reach Nigmsa (Shibuche), where we camp for the night’s rest.

After breakfast, we start up a steep and sloped trail through a narrow and typical mountain trail, a bit complicated ahead through rhododendrons and bamboo forests; we pass through landslides, and down we reach the stream. We have our lunch today by the side of the crystal clear stream.

Continuing our trek, we ascend further through the enchanting rhododendron forests, keeping our eyes peeled for glimpses of wild animals that might cross our path. With luck on our side, we may catch sight of some of the region’s indigenous fauna. We descend through a bamboo jungle, eventually arriving at a tranquil spot by the river. We set up camp for the night, nestled beside a char.

On Day 7, the sweet songs of birds wake us up early, filling us with excitement for the day ahead. After a tasty breakfast, we set off on our trek, feeling energized by the beauty of nature all around us. From a special spot, we see the Hinku Valley spread out below us like a painting come to life. We walk through forests filled with bamboo and tall pine trees.

The trails are narrow but full of wonders. We might also glimpse Mera Peak and the stunning Hinku Valley. As we pass by Tashing Dingma, we find cozy little shops and teahouses where we take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch. Then, we continue our journey, following the winding path along the river in the Hinku Valley. Finally, after a day of adventure, we arrive at Kothe. It’s a peaceful place nestled in the valley.

Today is another short trek day. We trek along the ridge of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak. We take lunch at Gondishung, the summer herders’ settlement on the west bank of the Hinku Drangka. Beyond Gondishung, we pass a 200-year-old Lungsumgba Gompa, where we can find Mera peak scripted in rock along with its route to Mera.

We pray for our successful Mera Peak ascent in the Gompa boulder, offering incense. A short walk takes us to Thagnag, a summer grazing area with primitive lodges and shops. Despite its simplicity, Thagnag exudes a tranquil charm, offering us a peaceful haven to rest and recharge after our trek.

Today is our rest day. It is not recommended to stay idle although it is a rest day; instead, we must remain active to prepare for the next day’s adventure. So after breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours up to Charpate Himal Glacier. The Sherpa community regards Charpate Himal as holy and worships it, especially the traditional Sherpas of the mountains, who see it very close to the Thangnag. We will observe Mera North very close and outstanding from here. After an hour’s pleasant hike downwards, we will return to the camp at Thangnang.

We head towards Mera Peak Base Camp at Khare. The path takes us along the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier, leading us to Dig Kharka. Along the way, we’re treated to breathtaking views of the Charpate Himal, which will leave us in awe. As we continue our ascent, the trail winds through moraines, eventually bringing us to the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers snout.

Our journey becomes more challenging as we climb steeply towards Khare, our destination for the day. Despite the exertion, the anticipation of reaching our base camp keeps us motivated. And when we finally arrive, the sight that greets us is nothing short of magical. Khare welcomes us with open arms, offering a camping experience to stay with us for a lifetime.

After breakfast, we walked through a boulder-strewn course to reach Base Camp of Mera Peak. We have to march through a steep route (about 260 meters), and reaching Base Camp takes around 2 to 3 hours. Upon reaching there after a short rest accompanied by our lunch, we start ice climbing training with our climbing guide. Inexperienced climbers need to learn much more today. After 2-3 hours of training, we might go to Mera La Pass. However, as we will be taking the route to High Camp through Mera La the next day, we might rest at our Base camp today, admiring the eye-catching views the area offers.

Here, amidst the pristine beauty of the Himalayas, we take a well-deserved rest and enjoy a delicious lunch. But our adventure doesn’t end here. With the guidance of our experienced climbing guide, we embark on ice climbing training, preparing ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead. There’s much to learn for those new to climbing, and our training session lasts a few hours.

Today, we will take the route through Mera La to reach the Mera Peak High Camp. You will need to walk through a rock-strewn area for about two hours, and this can be a bit hazardous if it has recently snowed, as there are several crevasses here.

We made our way to the top of the rock band, marked by a large cairn. We set up a high camp and enjoyed the rest of the day. The sunrise and sunset views, along with Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the south faces of Lotshe, Nuptse, Chamlang, and Baruntse, are outstanding and appear to pierce the skyline.

This is a big day. Our crew will wake up around 1 a.m. for preparation. You should also wake up around 2.30 a.m., and you will have a very early breakfast today. After breakfast, your group will put on crampons and rope and set up for a special journey to the summit. If you are a well-acclimatized group, it takes around 4-6 hours for you to reach the summit of Mera Peak.

From the summit can be seen the magnificent views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Nuptse (7,855m), Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m) Ama Dablam (6,812m) Kangtega (6,779m) and many peaks over six thousand. After achieving the summit, you retrace your steps down to high camp. After resting, accompanied by some hot soups/tea at the high camp, we will continue to Khare for the night’s rest. You will find this day a long but inspirational one for your life!

After the success of our expedition to Mt. Mera, we begin our descent from Khare back to the tranquil Hinku Valley, heading towards Kothe, where we’ll spend the night. As we leave behind the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Himalayas, we’re filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for our journey. Upon reaching Kothe, we’re greeted with warm hospitality and delicious local wines and foods, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind and reflect on our achievements at the camp.

On Day 15, our trek continues as we make our way to Thuli Kharka. The day begins with a two-hour ascent through lush forests on the western side of the Hinku Valley. Surrounded by vibrant red rhododendron trees and well-worn trails, we’re treated to a scenic walk showcasing Nepal’s Himalayas’ natural beauty.

Upon reaching Thuli Kharka, we’re rewarded with panoramic views of the Mera peaks, including Mera North, Mera Central, and Mera South. It’s a sight that leaves us in awe of the majestic mountains that surround us, offering a fitting conclusion to another day of adventure in the heart of the Himalayas.

Two hours up from Thuli Kharka, we walk to reach Zatrwa La pass. After crossing the pass, we see the beautiful view of Lukla Valley. Cho yu, Kongde Peak, Numbur Himal, Kusum Khangru, and many others. From Zatrwa La, we walk down to Chutanga, and then a straightforward, easy walk takes us to Lukla village, where we conclude the trekking. This evening, we enjoyed the last dinner in the mountain with our crew.

Typically, airlines schedule the flight time to Kathmandu in the morning because Lukla experiences strong winds in the afternoon. We fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us off in Kathmandu. We can rest and relax throughout the day in our hotel. If we are interested in taking some Nepalese souvenirs for friends and relatives, we can visit some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods.

After breakfast, we take off for a full-day interesting sightseeing tour of Patan, one of Nepal’s ancient and biggest cities, known for its beautiful handcrafted and architectural works. After a stop, we go to Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, the most famous devotee city of the gods and goddesses. This city is exclusively rich in its own culture and traditional life.

After having breakfast, it’s finally time to say goodbye to your trekking adventure in Nepal. Our climbing leader will pick you up and drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Arriving at the airport, we say our goodbyes, knowing that while our trek may have ended, the memories and lessons from our adventure will stay with us forever.