Ultimate Mera Peak Expedition

Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with EverTrek. Once you’ve passed through passport control and collected your bags, you’ll head out to the front of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to be greeted by one of our friendly team members  - look for the EverTrek sign, you won’t miss them! They will be there to pick you up and transport you to your hotel in Thamel.

Today, the itinerary is clear, as EverTrekkers will be arriving throughout the day at differing flight times. This means that you will have a chance to rest and relax after your journey to Nepal, and may also have the opportunity to meet some of the team and fellow trekkers, to discuss details of your upcoming trek.

Kathmandu Valley is a fantastic place with numerous natural, cultural and historical sites. Today, you will be taken on a tour around Kathmandu to visit some of these major attractions. Kathmandu lies at 1300m above sea level so it’s important to get out and about today and let your body acclimatise.  After spending a few hours observing these wonderful sites, you will meet with the team and guides to finalise your equipment and trekking gear required during the trek, if you haven’t already checked these on Day 1.

In the evening you will enjoy a delicious welcome meal with your fellow EverTrekkers. In previous years this had been on the first day of the trip, however it has recently been moved to Day 2 to ensure that those trekkers on later flights don’t miss out on this enjoyable experience. If in Kathmandu, (see below), you'll be taken to one of the most popular local restaurants where you can enjoy Nepali food along with cultural music and ethnic dance.

Today also gives you the opportunity to grab any last-minute items in the trekking hub of Thamel and get an early night ready for the trek tomorrow.

*Something to note*

Due to ongoing development and important maintenance at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport, your flight to Lukla may be rerouted to Ramechhap Airport. This is because the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) ruled that flights to and from Lukla during the 2019 post-monsoon season would operate through Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. This action has been prolonged longer than expected and the CAAN is looking at permanently moving all flights that go to Lukla from Ramechhap. While some flights will certainly still go from Kathmandu, they are not always guaranteed, even when booked in advance and can be subject to unplanned and prolonged delays. 

If flying to Lukla from Ramechhap Airport, the journey to Ramechhap will start on day two of your itinerary. After a part-day tour of Kathmandu, you will drive for approx. four to five hours to the town of Mulkot where EverTrek will provide accommodation and your evening meal. As with all Nepalese roads, the journey will be a bumpy one, but it’s necessary to ensure your dream of Base Camp becomes a reality! It will be an early start on day three, as you wake up at 3:30/4:30 am and take a short 30-minute drive to the airport. The flight to Lukla is shorter from Ramechhap than from Kathmandu which means we can monitor the weather windows with greater accuracy.  EverTrek will get you on one of the first flights to Lukla where you can have a hearty breakfast and celebrate the start of your trek!

On the return journey, you will fly from Lukla to Ramechhap and then take the long bumpy adventurous drive back to Kathmandu. The traffic going into Kathmandu can be severe, so this may take approximately six to seven hours (with breaks for food and a stretch).

Although this has been an enforced change for everyone from CAAN, our ultimate aim is to get you on the trek safely and to make it to Everest base camp so we have made plans to make sure there will be as minimal disruption as possible. We will provide all the additional staff and accommodation for the diversion, absolutely no cost will be passed onto you, our awesome EverTrekkers, but we do ask for your patience with the potential change with the itinerary.

(Highlights of the day: Visiting Centuries-old cultural, historical & religious sites around Kathmandu including World Heritage Sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swyambhunath and Boudhanath. An awesome day!)

We will grab an early flight to Lukla airport. It all starts here! The flight to Lukla is one of our favourite parts of the trek. Landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla is on many peoples Bucket List upon landing we will meet the remaining crew members, who will be assisting us throughout the trek. We will descend down towards Surke through the jungle. The trail then continues  through traditional mountain villages before reaching Paiya where we will spend the night. Overnight in a tented camp at Paiya.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Take in the amazing views of the Himalayan mountains. Walk through the traditional Sherpa villages and through forests of birch, pine, fir and rhododendron.)

Pangkoma is the destination set for the day. After a hearty breakfast we will depart Paiya and walk down to the wooden bridge and trail leading up to Kari La Pass. After crossing the pass, the narrow mountain trail leads us to the beautiful village of Pangkoma. The night will be spent at a lodge in Pangkoma.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Stunning views of the Dudhkoshi River Valley and Dudh Kund Himal, mountain trail surrounded by rhododendron and bamboo forests and the beautiful Sherpa village of Pangkongma.)

Nigmsa is the destination set for the day. After breakfast we will follow the rocky path that first leads us through the rhododendron forest and continues through the hills and mountain ridges. Here we can enjoy the views of the south face of Mera Peak. We then walk down to the village for lunch and continue on a zigzag route trail through the pine forest and descend to get to our destination for the day, Nigmsa. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Nigmsa.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Gripping views of the southern face of Mera Peak and Naulekh Peak from the trail ridge)

Chetrakhola is the destination for the day. After leaving the village of Nigmsa, the trail starts to get steep and narrow. As we cross the local stream and walk through the rhododendron forest we might get a chance to see some local wildlife. We will eventually get to our destination for the day, Chetrakhola. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Chetrakhola.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Steep and Narrow trails. Chance to see some local wildlife)

Kothe is the destination for the day. We get up nice and early and head for the village of Kothe. First we reach the awesome viewpoint of the Hinku Valley. Take in the views and the mountains around. The trail is still narrow and we navigate through the local forest once more. Once again you may spot some local wildflie including the sloth bear and jungle cat. We will eventually reach the village of Kothe. The night will be spent at a lodge in Kothe.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Holy cave lined with wood that shows the three elements of Buddha- Padmashambav, Shyakyamuni Boudha and Chhirenji,  beautiful views of Mera Peak- north, central and south and the Hinku Valley.)

Tangnag is the destination for the day. This is a superb place to enjoy the views of the beautiful Mera North. Tangnag is a summer village with primitive lodges and just a few tea houses and is only 3-4 hours away from Kothe. Leaving Kothe, the route ascends gradually along the ridge of the Hinku River. We stop for lunch at Gondishung and then pay a visit to a 200 year-old  Lungsumgba Gompa, which is on the way to  Tangnang. We spend some time exploring the monastery. A short walk from the monastery will take us to Tangnag. The night will be spent at a lodge in Tangnag.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Awesome views of Mera North, a visit to a 200 year old monastery that exhibits a beautiful Mera Peak and a route to Mera peak scripted on a rock and the summer grazing area of Tangnag) 

We will spend today acclimatising as we are reaching some serious altitude. We will hike up to the Charpate Himal Glacier which should take us around three hours or so. Upon reaching the top you will see the views of the Mera North Peak and glacier. After spending some time here letting our bodies adjust we will descend back to the camp site at Tangnag. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Tangnag.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Close view of Charpate Himal, which is a holy mountain also worshipped by traditional Sherpas, amazing views of Mera North Peak and the glacier.)

Khare is the destination set for the day. We now head east towards Khare and follow the glacial moraine of the Dig Glacier to a pasture called Dig Kharka. This rugged and challenging trail leads us to the Shar Glacier. From here the route is steep but we will press on until we reach the campsite at Khare. The views here are immense and what a place to spend the night. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Khare.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Great views of Charpate Himal and the north face of Mera Peak, view of Dig glacier and Shar glacier)

Mera Base Camp is the destination of the day. Today leaving Khare, we head towards the Mera Glacier up to the Mera La Pass. Its an exciting climb and the superb views from the pass are simply breakthtaking. We make a short ascent to set up our camp. We also have time to get some rope and winter skills practice which our climbing guide will go through with you. We will spend the rest of the time relaxing and preparing the muscles for the next day’s walk. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the Mera Peak Base Camp.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: The steep route towards the  Mera Glacier, the magnificent surrounding views  from the Mera La Pass.)

We are so close. The summit is not far away at all. Today we will head to the High Camp of Mera Peak. Departing base camp we continue our ascent of the north face of Mera peak to a spectacular porch nestled just below the cairn where we will set up our high camp. The trail is rock-strewn for about two hours before we reach our destination. After camp is set up we will relax and save our energy for the big day tomorrow. The ascent of Mera Peak. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the high camp.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Stunning views of 8000m peaks, Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the south face of Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse and the sunset view over these mountains.)

Summit day! We normally start our ascent at around 2:30 am where we will get our equipment ready and our crampons on. After about a 4-5 hour journey and with tired legs you will reach the summit of Mera Peak. You did it! 6000m peak ticked off the Bucket List. We take some photos and enjoy the moment before we descend back to high camp for lunch and then continue down till Khare. Overnight in a tented camp at Khare.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Mera Peak summit and awesome views of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga (over 8,000m) Nuptse, Chamlang, Baruntse (over 7000m), Ama Dablam, Kangtega and other peaks.)

Weather in the Himalayas can be a challenge. Sometimes, due to unfavourable weather conditions, we might not be able to summit Mera Peak so today is a contingency day. If everything goes well, this day can be cut off from the itinerary.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kothe is the destination for the day. We retrace our footsteps back to the village of Kothe. Once again we get a chance to enjoy the views of the valley, the glaciers, the rocky paths and the summer settlement before reaching Kothe. Time for a celebration tonight as we try the local beer and enjoy the summit success. Overnight at a lodge in Kothe.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thuli Kharka is the destination for the day. We leave the harsh rock terrain and make our way  towards Thuli Kharka. You can almost taste the extra oxygen in the air as we reach this lush landscape. We once again follow the Hinku River ridge trekking down towards Tashing Ongma and then leaving the river ridge walk up towards the Thuli Kharka.  We are greeted with a grand view of Mera peak at this place. Overnight at Thuli Kharka.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Great views of  Mera Peak-North, Central and South from Thuli Kharka.)

Lukla is the destination for the day. We hike for about 2 hours upwards fromThuli Kharka to Zatrwa La Pass. As we traverse the pass, leaving the Makalu Barun National Park behind, we are welcomed with a grand view of the Lukla Valley. This is an easy, straightforward walk which will take us to the village of Lukla. The night will be spent at a lodge in Lukla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Great views of the Lukla Valley, Cho Oyu, Kongde RI, Nambur Himal, Kusum Kangru and other towering peaks of the Khumbu region)

We finally leave the mountains after an amazing life changing trip to Mera Peak. We will depart Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu early morning. After arriving back to the hotel in Thamel we will relax and take a massage and enjoy some well earned beer. In the evening we will head out for our final dinner at one of our favourite restaurants in Kathmandu.

Meals included: Dinner

(Highlights of the day: 40-45 mins scenic flight, farewell dinner)

Today is the last day of your trip in Nepal with EverTrek. What a journey its been! We will transfer you to Kathmandu airport and bid you a farewell and a high five on a job well done.