A stunning expedition to the highest trekking peak in Nepal!
Mera Peak
6654 metres
NEPAL TRIP GENERAL INFORMATION
OVERSEAS COURSES HOME
PLEASE EMAIL US IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, EITHER TO BOOK OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
This trip will be of 25 days duration, and is open to people who just want to trek as well as those who wish to climb. For non-climbers, there would be 2 days at base camp from where the area could be explored whilst the climbers are on the mountain. The peak rises to the south of Everest, with spectacular views for many miles all around. It will be led by Pete Hill, who has climbed in the Himalaya on many expeditions.
Mera Peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal, as well as being the highest. However, its ascent is not technically demanding, although it does require fitness and competence in walking in crampons.
Once we have flown to Lukla airstip, the trail to the mountain winds among forests of pine and rhododendron along a remote and uninhabited valley, which eventually leads to Mera Base Camp. Besides the charm of climbing Mera Peak, the trek to its base camp from Lukla is rewarding for experiencing little-visited and as yet un-spoilt region of Nepal with densely forested hillsides.
The high camp, from where we will climb to the summit, is one of the most glorious viewpoints in Nepal, offering superb panoramic views of Kanchanjunga, Chamlang, Makalu and Baruntse sweeping around from the east and Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and Kangtega to the west. The giant faces of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse appear in the north. Stunning scenery.
There are three main summits which are climbable without too much difficulty. The South Summit (6,065m) is the most accessible, with the higher Northern Summit (6,654m) again being relatively straightforward. This can be reached by skirting the Central Summit (6,461m) to the north and following a snow ridge to its top. Climbing the middle summit requires an ascent on steep snow and is more technical but very rewarding.
THE ITINERARY
The following itinerary is for guidance only, as things are subject to change at the last minute. We will, however, endeavour to keep as close to this as possible.
DAY 01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU Arrive in Kathmandu, meet our staff, and you will be transferred to your hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing about the trip. (D)
DAY 02: KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing around the city while we arrange the trek and climbing paperwork. (B)
DAY 03: FLY TO LUKLA, SLEEP AT SURKIE We take the spectacular 50 minute flight to Lukla, 2850m. This is a growing Sherpa town with plenty of lodges, and so is a gentle introduction to rural Nepal. The crew have a big job today organizing the loads and the porters, so we have plenty of time for a look around before trekking the short distance to Surkie, only an hour or so below Lukla. (B,L,D)
DAY 04: PUIYAN 2780m Our first real day of trekking is a relaxing easy day with plenty of time to soak up the local atmosphere. The walk takes us through a pleasant forest as we traverse the side of the deep Dudh Kosi valley. (B,L,D)
DAY 05: PANGKONGMA 2850m/SHUBUCHE We leave the Jiri-Namche trail behind as we climb up to the small Sherpa village of Pangkongma/Pangum. This is now the Salpa-Arun trail, which heads, via Bung, to Tumlingtar and Hille. (B,L,D)
DAY 06: NAJI DINGMA 2650m The Pangum La (pass) 3173m is close by. From the top we should be able to see the village of Naji Dingma, also comparatively close by. The only problem is the valley in-between, the bridge across is 1300m below...! From the small Sherpa village of Shubuche the descent is very steep, seeing is believing! (B,L,D)
DAY 07: SURKIE DANDA 3950m The Surkie La 3085m is not too far and the ascent to the pass allows for a good session of extra fitness training! On the other side is some ancient rhododendron forest. Here we leave the 'main' trekking trail and head up the ridge to some grazing areas to camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 08: CHANBU KHARKA 4200m 'Panch Pokhari' means 'Five Lakes' and although it is an isolated region, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, two festivals a year are held up at these holy lakes. We camp at Chanbu Kharka. It is a short days walk to allow for the altitude. (B,L,D)
DAY 09: KOTHE 3700M From the lakes we wind our way through tricky terrain to gain the more gentle floor of the valley. We should all be coping well with the altitude now. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: THANG NAK (TAGNAG) 4350m What mountains! The village of Thang Nak sits in a wide U-shaped valley, dwarfed by the surrounding mountains. There is a simple settlement here where the crew can restock some supplies. (B,L,D)
DAY 11: THANG NAK 4350m A well-deserved rest day, that will further aid our acclimatization. Options include a walk to the beautiful moraine-dammed lake, the Sabai Tsho, which is hidden behind the Sabai Glacier, climbing up onto an outlying peak of Kusum Kanguru, where we can reach an altitude of nearly 5,000 metres, eating and relaxing. (B,L,D)
DAY 12: DIG KHARKA 4720m It is only a half day walk to the broad basin of Dig Kharka, where we stay the night to acclimatize. (B,L,D)
DAY 13: KHARE 5025m Dig Kharka to Khare is only a few hours walk, so while the crew leave to set up camp we have the opportunity of exploring the Hinku Nup Glacier, which leads north toward Kang Taiga. At Khare there are numerous sites for the camp, with the most popular being at the upper end of the Khare by a group of boulders. Here the huge north face of Mera and the peaks of the Hinku Shar Glacier dominate. From just above our camp we can clearly see the Mera La. (B,L,D)
DAY 14: KHARE Day for rest and acclimatization, on the West side of the Hinku Nup Glaciers is a 5500m peak with stunning views of Mera La and Mera Peak. This peak would make a good objective and be a further aid to fitness and acclimatization. Alternatively, you may choose to stay near camp and rest. (B,L,D)
DAY 15: MERA LA 5400m/HONGU LEDGE 5800m A 2 hour walk across the rocks and scree leads to the first snow and ice, the tongue of the glacier flowing down from the Mera La. Big boots and crampons are the order of the day as we climb up onto the glaciated terrain which leads to the Mera La Pass. (B,L,D)
DAY 16: HONGU LEDGE 5800m (HIGH CAMP) We establish high camp on the Hongu Ledge, at 5800m. Although this is a short day, we must prepare everything for tomorrow. (B,L,D)
DAY 17: HONGU LEDGE/MERA LA This is the big day as we go for the summit. Several false summits finally lead to a view of the north summit, which is often climbed on its left side. The view from here is one of the best in the entire Himalaya, and no less than 5 of the world's fourteen 8,000 metre peaks can be seen. Depending upon conditions, we should be able to return to Hongu Ledge by lunch time. Then we will descend the mountain and see how far down into the valley we can get today. A party in the evening will usually be the order of the day! (B,L,D)
DAY 18: SPARE DAY A spare day for all those 'incases'! This could be used at the start of the climbing section to allow for further acclimatization if necessary, or in case of bad weather. (B,L,D)
DAY 19: KHARE/DIG KHARKA/THANG NAK Today we should be off the mountain and down to Khare as a minimum. (B,L,D)
DAY 20: DUPISHUNG/THANG NAK We head down the valley to camp in one of the Kharkas. (B,L,D)
DAY 21: TULI KHARKA We ascend through lush forest on the West side of the Hinku Valley, climbing beyond the tree-line to the open alpine meadows and the flat, boulder strewn site that is Tuli Kharka. (B,L,D)
DAY 22 - LUKLA From Tuli Kharka we climb then traverse across a couple of passes before the descent to Lukla. (B,L,D)
DAY 23: FLY TO KATHMANDU (B)
DAY 24: Free day in Kathmandu. We meet up for our farewell dinner and party. (B, D)
DAY 25 We transfer to the airport for our homeward flights. "B"
For general information about our Nepal trips, click here.
PRE-TRIP MEETING.
We wll be offering at least one informal pre-trip meeting, at a date and location to suit group members. This will be so that everyone can get together and meet prior to the trip, at a place where we can walk or climb, as well as having a meal and a beer or two in the evening.
FLIGHTS
This trip is priced excluding international flights. This is to allow a flexible approach for anyone wishing to travel out early, stay on later, or join from another country. We will, however, give you full help and guidance in booking an appropriate flight, and this often means that many of the team will travel together. Further details will be supplied with your booking confirmation, but as a guideline you should allow a cost of around £600 for a return flight from the UK.
COST
The cost for the trip KTM-KTM is £1695.00.
To book, enquire about availability or for further information, please email Pete or call 01340 871071.
DATES 2008
September 14th - Oct 9th
DATES 2009.
March 1st - March 26th.
September 13th - Oct 8th.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Airport pickup and drop offs.
Welcome and farewell dinner.
3 star category hotel accommodation in Kathmandu.
Meals as detailed above (B,L,D).
Tent accommodation during trek.
Return flights to Lukla airstrip.
Government licensed climbing guide.
Support guide (if appropriate).
Climbing permit for Mera Peak.
Guide's climbing equipment fee.
Required numbers of porters.
Meal/accommodation/salary/insurance/equipments for guide/cook and porters.
Conservation permit.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights.
Personal climbing equipment.
Meals other than mentioned above.
Drinks and bar bill.
Tipping.
Personal insurance, emergency evacuation insurance and visas.
Airport departure tax.
Any other things that are not mentioned in 'included'.
For any further information or to book, please email Pete and we'll answer any questions that you may have. Alternatively, 'phone us on 01340 871071.