Mera Peak Climbing – 18 Days

Today, you travel around in the cultural heart of Nepal with a guided sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Later in the afternoon, you’ll attend a trek briefing, finalize permits, and check your climbing gear with your guide to ensure everything is ready for the expedition.

A stunning 35-minute flight brings you to Lukla, the entrance to Everest and Mera, where inspiring scenery of the Himalayas welcomes you. You begin the trek after handing over to your porters, with a gentle walk down and mix of up-and-down trails through rhododendron and pine trees. After crossing the Handi Khola and suspension bridges, you reach Paiya, a tiny village surrounded by hills. Overnight stay in a local teahouse.

Leaving Paiya, the trail winds through narrow ridges and forested paths with occasional views of the Dudhkoshi River below. The trek passes small farming villages where you’ll see traditional terraced fields of barley, potatoes, and maize. After a series of ups and downs, you’ll arrive at Pangkoma Village, a Sherpa settlement known for its yak herding and Buddhist culture. Overnight in a teahouse.

The day's hike is panoramic and exciting with you ascending forest ridges and descending precipitous ground with the Mera Peak beginning to come into view on the horizon. The trail passes by Mani walls, prayer flags, and potential wildlife such as Himalayan Thars or multicolored pheasants. There are river crossings and forest paths after which you reach the serene Ningsow Village on a hill slope. Overnight stay at a teahouse.

A long but rewarding day of trekking awaits. The trail enters the Makalu Barun National Park, home to rare flora and fauna, and follows the ridge of the Ningsow Khola Valley. You’ll ascend and descend multiple times before finally reaching the serene Chhatra Khola, also known as the bamboo forest area. This region is often called the “trail of the Red Panda” as the elusive species is sometimes spotted here. Overnight in a teahouse.

The trek today continues through dense rhododendron and pine forest along the Hinku River Valley. The trail consistently rises, and the ridges of Mera South, Mera North, and Mera Central rise picture-perfectly in the distance. It is a consistent climb to Kothe, a small village surrounded by alpine woods where you have your first close-up views of Mera Peak. Overnight at a teahouse.

Today’s trail follows the Hinku Khola upstream, gradually ascending towards Thaknak. Along the way, you’ll pass pastures, yak grazing areas, and summer herder settlements. The trek provides incredible views of Charpate Himal and surrounding glaciers. Thaknak is a beautiful village located at the foot of Mera Glacier and serves as an acclimatization stop before moving higher. Overnight in a teahouse.

Today's hike is a relatively short but tough hill climb to Khare, the last village before Mera Peak. Dig Glacier is traversed by the path before going up along the moraine with spectacular views of Mera Peak's North Face. Khare is also known as Mera Base Camp and is the base for climbers acclimatizing to prepare for the summit attempt. Overnight in Khare.

This is an important acclimatization and preparation day before moving higher. In the morning, your climbing guide will take a pre-climbing training session where you’ll learn essential mountaineering techniques such as using crampons, ice axes, fixed ropes, and harnesses. You’ll also practice ascending and descending on a rope, which helps boost your confidence for the summit climb. The rest of the day is spent resting, hydrating, and exploring Khare with its breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Overnight in Khare.

Leaving Khare, the trail rises steeply on a rock ridge before reaching Mera La Pass (5,415 m). From here, the trail continues on the Mera Glacier, requiring steady pacing and sound acclimatization. With the help of your guide and fixed ropes, you gradually climb up towards Mera High Camp, which is nestled on a rock outcrop with stunning sunset views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kanchenjunga. Overnight in a high-altitude tented camp.

The most awaited day of the expedition begins before dawn (around 2–3 am). Equipped with headlamps and climbing gear, you’ll follow your guide across the glacier with a gradual climb. As the sun rises, golden hues light up Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Cho Oyu, a once-in-a-lifetime view. The final 100 meters to the summit are steep, requiring fixed ropes and crampon work.

At Mera Peak (6,476 m), Nepal's highest trekking peak, you are rewarded with one of the finest panoramic views in the Himalayas. Following a celebration and photo session, you carefully descend to Khare for a rest. Overnight at a teahouse.

One day is kept as a buffer in the event of bad weather, altitude issues, or other unforeseen delays in the climb to the top. If the ride is smooth, the day can also be spent resting or simply walking around Khare.

After a successful summit, you backtrack on the glacier moraine and descend through alpine forests on the Hinku Valley trail to Kothe. Warm air at lower elevation makes it a gentle walk. Dine with a celebratory meal and your trekking crew in the evening. Overnight at a teahouse.

The route goes up steadily through rhododendron forests and crosses yak grazing fields on the way to Thuli Kharka. The landscape of Mera Peak, Kusum Kanguru, and other peaks in the vicinity is captivating throughout the journey. Teahouse stay overnight in Thuli Kharka.

One of the final trekking days today. The path goes across the high Zatrwa La Pass (4,610 m), and you receive stunning views of Numbur Himal, Dudh Kunda region, and the rolling hills of the lower Everest zone. Descend on stone-paved paths and ancient Sherpa villages down to Lukla. Overnight teahouse with farewell dinner and partying with your crew and porters.

A brief but breathtaking flight returns you from Lukla to Kathmandu. You will be driven to your hotel upon arrival. The afternoon is at leisure to rest, do some last-minute shopping of souvenirs or visit local markets. In the evening, enjoy a farewell Nepali dinner with Nepali cultural dance performances. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Your wonderful Himalayan expedition is coming to an end today. After breakfast, our representative will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your continuing flight. You will leave Nepal with memories to be cherished for a lifetime of your Mera Peak expedition and a certificate of attainment.