Mera Peak Climbing

Early morning, we fly across the Himalayas on a small plane to Lukla in the Everest region; a thrilling but breathtaking air journey. Keeping your camera ready would be wise. Started at 1350m you land at 2860m in 35 minutes.

We meet your porters’ team who re-arrange the luggage while you drink a cup of tea or breakfast (if you have not already) and we make our way up and across the Chutok La Pass to Paiya. If its spring and pre-autumn to autumn expect lots of greenery and the occasional mule trains hard at work, transporting anything from food to fuel up to the villages.

Today’s walk is a hard walk but the pleasant environment makes a feel-better type of thing. Today, walk through forests, bushes and uneven trails with steep inclines. Today almost we go 1700 downhill and again almost the same altitude uphill. The lunch stop would be Karte. 

Fluttering Buddhist flags (Lungta) welcome you to the village of Panggom. Upon reaching Panggom, if you have some energy left, there’s a small hike up to a monastery which is great.

The trek today starts with a slow decrease in elevation up to Ningsow followed by a steady increase. We pass through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests and a lot of mani stones and start over the Panggom La Pass (3,174m) on the route. We walk through the point that separates the Dudh Koshi River Valley and Hinku Valley. Enjoy inspiring views of Kongde, Manju Peak and Number Himal. We follow a gradual incline to the settlement of Ningsow, where we stop for lunch.

After lunch at Ningsow, there’s a steep incline going up to Ramailo Danda too hard but a beautiful walk. Some people stop at Ningsow and keep uphill walk for the next day which we think is not a good decision. You could see very nice views from Ramailo Danda including the Mera itself, so it’s worth climbing to Ramailo Danda. 'Ramailo Danda' means 'enjoyable hill', someone named this place Ramailo Danda because of the beautiful and pleasurable views it offers.

We can say today is an excruciating day through the dense forest of Makalu Barun National Park. The way to Chetra Khola dives right into the bamboo forest. We ascend along the winding Chhetra Khola River and then join the Pasang Lhamu trail (named after first women to scale Mt. Everest) as it enters Barun National Park, you may encounter the national park's residents like red panda, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, pale blue flycatcher, snow leopard, spiny babbler, etc. If you sit around very quietly for long enough, you might get a chance to spot the rare red panda. However, the path is not easy to follow, and the area is not well-traveled. No teahouses along the way, we will eat packed lunch that we take from our teahouse in Ramailo Danda.

Head north to Kothe across a lush bamboo forest, passing the surreal shapes of moss-covered trees as you go. At Tok-tok we stop for lunch at a seasonal teahouse and see the landscape change by the moment as you enter the rocky, glacial moraine that surrounds the Hinkhu Khola River. We join the larger trail and more activities of humans as the trail from Zatrwa La pass (the harder trail) joins our trail here. 

Today is an easier day compared to previous days. Surprisingly leading to a sign “Welcome to Makalu Barun National Park”. You have arrived in Khote! At Kothe, we see impressive views of Mera peak. After walking through 'no civilization' zone for a few days you feel relaxed reaching the 'big town' of Kothe.

 Easy walk with slight incline along the glacial river bank.

Compelling views of Mera Peak, Charpati Himal, Kusum Kanguru, and Thamserku. No more forest and the vegetation become sparse. Now we walk through meadows (Kharkas-means grazing ground in Nepali). After walking for some time, we reach Gondishung, where we stop for tea and refreshments. We also stop by an ancient 200-year old Lungsumgba Gompa, a Buddhist shrine. The shrine is sheltered by a huge rock. The mountaineers usually burn incense or juniper and pray for good weather and a successful ascent to Mera Peak. An hour’s walk from here brings us to Thaknak, a summer camp used by yak herders. Charpati Himal lies very close and we see the whole mountain, from the base to the summit. There are a couple of newly built teahouses offering food and shelter to trekkers and climbers heading to Mera Peak. Overnight in Thaknak.

The route turns to the east as we walk through Dig Kharka and Charpati Tal. We trek through the valley floor and slowly make our way past stunning high-altitude peaks, Black Mera is a spectacular mountain rising right out of the valley, we pass amazing lakes, glaciers, in one of the great Himalayan valleys. We can enjoy mesmerizing views of the Kyeshar glacier, Charpati Himal and Mera Peak. From Dig Kharka a steep ascent through the Hinku Nup and Shar glaciers brings you to Khare. It has a few teahouses and climbing gear and equipment outlets. From here you get a close-up view of the north face of Mera Peak. Head to your teahouse and have lunch. We can relax for the rest of the day. 

A day spent at Khare for acclimatization purposes. There is a hill which is although not much higher than Khare, it’s still a good acclimation hike. Most people stop at the prayer flags, we suggest you go to the top. The hike only takes an hour, and although it’s steep, it has incredible views from the top facing the opposite direction of the village and Mera La. You will also receive a pre-climb rehearsal from your climbing guide. Final gear checks up and packing for the final climb will be done too. You can go ahead with renting your climbing gear at Khare from some equipment outlets. The quality of the equipment is good enough. 

During the pre-climbing training and discussion/briefing, your guide will instruct you on the basic climbing techniques along with instructions on how to use climbing equipment (ice axe, jumar/ascender, crampon, the figure of 8, harness, etc.). This training is important, especially if you are a novice climber. Listening to your climbing guide share some practical tips on how you can keep yourself safe in the mountains could be valuable.

Today we continue to the high camp. We will be blessed with the stunning panoramas of giant mountains rising above 7000m i.e. Chamlang (7290m), Makalu (8475m) and Baruntse (7220m) to the east, Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8501m) and Nuptse to the north and Ama Dablam, Cho Oyo (8153meters) and Kantega to the west. Overnight stay tented camp, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Enjoying the successful journey, we hike downhill passing Hinku valley. Passing moraines of Dig glacier, Dig Kharka, Thankak, some streams, summer settlements, pasturelands, lavish forests, having the magnificent scene of snow-clad and dazzling mountains we reach Kothe for our overnight stay at the end of the day.

Day by day, we are trekking towards lower elevation. We trek along with the Inkhu River. Crossing an ancient gompa, lavish forests, some streams, several rhododendron trees, and some summer settlements, we reach Tashing Ongma. Further marching downhill, through lavish hills and valleys, greeneries, viewing Mera peak from different angles, we reach Thuli Kharka today.  

It is the last day of trekking. Having an early meal, we head towards Zatrwa La Pass. Following the trial further, passing many colorful flags, we reach Zatrwa La Pass. Further marching from the pass, we reach Chutanga. After some breaks and refreshments, we bustle downhill towards our destination Lukla. Finally, we reach Lukla. In the evening, we conclude the trek forgetting all the struggles and pain which occurred throughout our journey. 

Being aware of the afternoon strong wind, most of the flights are scheduled in the morning at Lukla. So, having a morning meal we head towards Lukla Airport for our scheduled flight for Kathmandu. Flying over the lush hills and forests, valleys and snow-clad mountains, we land Kathmandu at around 30 minutes later. As you land at Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your respective hotel. Being refreshed you can stroll around Thamel area buying some souvenirs for your beloved ones. 

You endured with us for 15 days. You did such a wonderful trek/climbing. Keeping all these things as a memory, you are leaving this amazing country today. We will transfer you at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) 3 hours before your flight. Expecting positive recommendations, we baby goodbye. 

Have a safe journey!!! See you again.