Mera Peak Climbing via Phaplu - 19 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

We complete our custom formalities at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Afterwards, there is a Himalayan Traverse representative waiting for us at the gate who will take us to our hotel.  We can then spend the rest of the day taking a rest. Overnight in Kathmandu.

 

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing & Trip preparation

Sightseeing and Preparation for Everest Expedition. While the leader attends a formal briefing in the Ministry of Tourism, you will explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. Take rest, familiarize, and make a sightseeing tour to Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites. We make a guided tour to some of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhu, and Boudhnath. We rest for most of the day and unpack. Our climbing leaders will check our set of climbing equipment to make sure that they are in good condition for our coming journey. We also get introduced to fellow participants, and discuss our trip. In the evening, we get to try Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner hosted by Himalayan Traverse. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals: Breakfast Dinner

 

Day 03: Ride Kathmandu to Phaplu(2,416m/7,918ft.-Solu) 8-9 hrs.

Early morning, we take a ride from Kathmandu to Phaplu in a tourist standard vehicle enjoying the hills, river and the views that the altitude provides. (Majorly in pattale area) We finally reach Phaplu, a city of the area which is facilitated with airport, hospital (Supported by Edmund Hilary), horses services are available. With spectacular views of Numbur(6,958m/22,828ft.), Hills (Pikey Peak-Highest). Majorly Buddhist (Tamang, Sherpa) Reside in that area with languages differing from one another. Overnight in Phaplu Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 04: Phaplu to Nunthala(2,194m/7,198ft)- 5/6 hrs.

Early morning after breakfast, Starting from Phaplu we to the Greenery (jungle area) straight to Ringmo Village (Slanted terrain where Sherpas reside) for lunch. Then after lunch we head to higher elevation- Taksindu Pass (3,130m./10,269ft.) offering views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Thamserku etc. in support of clear weather. We descend enjoying the view of mountain, hills (Pikey Peak-Highest) to the Buddhist monastery School further to our destination (Nunthala). Enjoying the environment, culture of the place we finally reach to Nunthala (Majorly People reside here) which lies under the Karyolung Peak (6,511m) this day.

Overnight in Nunthala.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 05: Nunthala to Panggom (2,846m/9,337ft): 5-6 hours

We descend for a while and reach a small bridge. From here the trail is slippery until we cross the Kari La pass. We walk through rhododendron and bamboo forests on a narrow mountain trail. On today’s trip we also get to be in awe of the Dudhkoshi Valley. We continue our trek to Panggom Village whose settlers are dependent on farming and trading. Overnight in Panggom.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 06: Panggom to Ningsow (2,863m/9,393ft): 4-5 hours

We begin our trek after breakfast. After trekking out of Panggom, we cross the Panggom La pass. Then we ascend, walk on a steady path and turn north. We cross Peseng Kharka Khola first then after walking for some time, reach Peeng Kharka Danda. We cross Ningsow Khola (stream) before reaching the Ningsow Village. Overnight in Ningsow.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 07: Ningsow to Chhatra Khola (2,800m/9,186ft): 7-8 hours

From Ningsow, we climb first then descend for a while and climb some more to reach Ramailo Danda. From here we get extraordinary views of Mera Peak and Salpa. After ascending and descending on our trail, we enter the Makalu Barun National Park. Our trail from here to Chhatra Khola is called Pasang Lhamu trail. On the way, if we are lucky, we might even come across the elusive Red Panda. Overnight in Chhatra Khola.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 08: Chhatra Khola to Kothe (3,691m/12,109ft): 6-7 hours

We walk towards the north on the main trail to Mera Peak. After walking on a trail next to the the Majang Khola, we merge with another trail which moves alongside the Hinku Khola. Our trail moves straight ahead towards Tashing Ongma which has seasonal tea shops. We continue our trek and cross the bridge over the Sanu Khola before reaching Kothe. Overnight in Kothe.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 09: Kothe to Thaknak (4,358m/14,297ft): 3-4 hours

We trek along the ridge of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak. We take lunch at Gondishung, the summer herders' settlement in 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 reach Mera. A short walk takes us to Thaknak, which is a summer grazing area with primitive lodges and shops. Overnight in Thaknak.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 10: Thaknak Acclimatization/Rest Day

This day is going to be an acclimation day in thaknak. Overnight in Thaknak.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 11: Thaknak to Khare (5,045m/16,486ft): 2-3 hours

Leaving Thaknak, we follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The trail climbs through moraines to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar glaciers, and then climbs more steeply to Khare. From here, we can see the northern face of Mera Peak which will be an amazing experience. After lunch we can hike in and around Khare. Overnight at Khare.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

(Note: Here we also rent our climbing gear for mera peak climbing)

Day 12: Khare: Acclimatization and pre–climb training

We have a separate day set aside solely for acclimatization and basic training just to prepare ourselves better for the Mera Peak climb. Our climbing leader will help us polish our basic climbing techniques and demonstrate the best ways to use our climbing gears like the ice axe, harness, ascender climbing boots and crampons. The training will also include learning the best technique to use the rope for climbing up and down. Overnight in Khare. 

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

(Note: Member Personal climbing Gear can be hired from this place. The members gears will be rechecked accordingly)

Day 13: Khare to Mera High Camp (5,780m/18,958ft): 6-7 hours

We walk through a boulder-strewn course on a steep trail to reach the Mera Peak Base Camp. From here, we continue further through the Mera La pass to reach the Mera High Camp. Our path is along a rocky trail, which can be hazardous if it has recently snowed, as there are a number of crevasses here. We make our way to the top of the rock band, which is marked by a large cairn. Then set up a high camp while enjoying excellent views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, the south face of Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse. Overnight at Mera High Camp.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 14: Summit Mera Peak (6,461m/21,190ft), Retrace Khare(5,045m/16,486ft):10-11 hours

We wake up around 2 in the morning for breakfast. It’s going to be very cold in the beginning but we get warmer as we continue up the glacier and onto a peculiar ridge. The first rays of the sun hit the big peaks in an amazing red glow. The route is still non-technical as we slowly climb higher into the ever-thinning air. The slope steepens for a section behind the ridge and the summit comes back into view. At the foot of the final steep summit cone, we may attach to a fixed rope depending on the conditions. The summit is only a few meters away. From the summit, we take in amazing views of the mighty Himalayas including Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Nuptse (7,855m), Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7 ,129m) and others. Later, we retrace our steps back to the high camp where we rest for a while before descending to Khare. Overnight in Khare.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 15: Retrace Kote

Overnight in Lukla.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 16: Retrace Chattre(38000): 5/6 hrs. hike

Then this route differs after we reach chattre khola(lunch spot),we hike higher to the bamboo/rhododendron forest area. We cross that then we reach chattre. There are limited (about 2/3) so we overnight there.

Overnight in Chattre hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 17: Chattre to Lukla (3,800m/12,467ft): 6-7 hours

Then other day we do Chattre la pass (4,610m/15,125ft) entering Khumbu region. We descend kharki teng for lunch where these are some hotels and being through chu thanga before reaching Lukla. After reaching Lukla we spend the rest of the day taking a rest as today will be our last day on the mountains. Overnight in Lukla.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 18: Fly back to Kathmandu

The flights to Kathmandu are usually scheduled for morning due to safety reasons. After reaching the capital city, we have the rest of the day off to past the time as we please. We could take a rest in our hotel room or shop for souvenirs for our loved ones. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals: Breakfast

 

Day 19: Final departure

We check our hotel room for one last time and make sure that we have not forgotten to pack any of our belongings. A Himalayan Traverse representative will take us to the Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours earlier before our scheduled flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

Departure Detail