| Mera Peak is a very impressive free standing mountain that is one of
the highest trekking Peaks in the world. It is situated in an as yet
un-spoilt part of Nepal and provides you with an extremely varied
mountain adventure. A fantastic flight into Lukla brings you to the
starting point of this trek. Whilst here you are also at the beginning of
the Everest Base Camp route, the trail soon leaves the crowds and
takes you into the spectacular and seldom visited Makalu Barun
National Park. Besides the charm of climbing Mera Peak, the trek to
its base camp from Lukla is hugely rewarding as it winds it way through
densely forested hill sides and over stunning high mountain passes.
The route we follow goes via the Hinku Valley and onto Thagnak,
turning east to Khare before you get to the Base Camp at 5300m.
From here a high camp is set at 5,800m near a rocky outcrop on the Mera
Glacier. The high camp
proves to be one to the most glorious viewpoints in
Nepal offering the panoramic views of Kanchenjunga, Chamlang,
Makalu and Baruntse sweeping around from the east and Amadablam, Cho Oyu and Kangtega to the west. The giant
faces of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse appear in the north. The ascent of the peak is technically straightforward;
however, the heavy snow and the maze of crevasses can make the summit bid quite demanding. Mera peak is not
likely to be forgotten in a hurry and is an immensely rewarding achievement.
Day 1: Depart the UK
Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu where you will be transferred to a comfortable hotel in the middle of the Thamel district. This
quiet haven offers peace and tranquillity whilst the streets outside are heaving with life. Thamel is a fascinating
area of good restaurants and shops offering a profusion of eastern handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, and exquisite
jewellery - many bargains. During the rest of the day you will have an opportunity to settle after your flight. There will
be a comprehensive brief by your leader to ensure everyone is prepared for the exciting journey ahead.
Day 3. Fly to Lukla (2840m)
We take the morning flight to the dramatic airfield at Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the spectacular Nepali
Himalayas. From here we head south keeping high above the spectacular Dudh Khosi. Lunch is at Surkhe and our
camp at the Sherpa village of Phuiyan (2796m).
Day 4: Phuiyan (2796m) - Pangkongma (2946m)
We set off early and soon climb up to the pass of Khari La (2,990m). The view to the north and west is fantastic all the
way to Cho Oyu. We stop for lunch at a small lodge which seems suspended over the wide Kharikhola valley below.
The trail continues through gorgeous forests with many high waterfalls visible before reaching the village of
Pangkongma (2,846m). Here we camp near a Sherpa family house, where we catch a glimpse into traditional
Sherpa family life.
Day 5: Pangkongma (2946m) - Narjing Dingma (2650m)
Another early morning start soon brings us up to the Pangkongma La pass (3,180m) which is marked by some very
ancient chortens. From here we enter the Hinku valley and immediately there is a feel of unspoilt remoteness. After
a short while our objective Mera Peak comes into view standing at the head of the valley. From this angle it looks
very impressive as its immense walls reach straight out of the valley. We also get our first glimpse of the Hinku River
crashing through inaccessible gorges down from the north. The afternoon takes us down a steep path to cross the
river then into deep forests before emerging to camp in the pastures of Narjing Dingma (2,650m).
Day 6:Narjing Dingma (2650m) - Chalem Kharka (3450m)
Another spectacular day awaits. We now enter rhododendron forest and climb the Surkie La (3,085m) from where
the whole of Eastern Nepal opens out in front of us visible is Kangchenjunga and below us stretches the remote
Hongu valley. We follow the north ridge for the day and camp in the grassy pastures at 3450m.
Day 7: Chalem Kharka (3450m) - Khula Kharka (4120m)
Today we continue along the ridge which in some places narrows dramatically and gullies drop away steeply on
either side. One final pass at 4330m brings us to the five sacred lakes of Panch Pokhari, a pilgrimage site for both
Buddhists and Hindus. A short descent from here brings us to our night camp at Khula Kharka (4,120m).
Day 8: Khula Kharka (4120m) - Khote (3480m)
Deeper into the Hinku valley to our night’s camp at the established summer village of Khote (3480m). We pass
through majestic forest and have lunch near a roaring Hinku river. Evidence of the devastation caused by a huge flood
when the Sabai Tcho glacial lake broke its moraine dam is clearly visible around us. Mera Peak offers us glimpses
of its summit at the end of the valley head.
Day 9: Khote (3480m) - Tagnak (4140m)
The forest gives way to open valley and by mid-morning the summits of more 6000m peaks are revealed. By early
afternoon we’ll reach the summer settlement of Tagnak (4140m) and setup camp. Towering over our heads the
sheer flank of the Mera ridge dramatically dominates the skyline.
Day 10: Tagnak glacier acclimatisation day
We will spend two nights in the village acclimatising to the altitude we have reached so far. This spectacular place is
surrounded by dramatic peaks including Kussum Kangu (6200m ) and the dramatic unclimbed spire of Peak 35.
(6100m). Today will be spend taking it easy and doing short explorative walks up to the glacier beyond the village .
Day 11: Tagnak (4140m) - Khare (4940m)
This mornings walk up alongside the Dig glacier is easy and relaxed. We cross the braided river and head into the
valley as dramatic views of the surrounding peaks continue to open up before us. We camp near the village of Khare,
our Base camp and home for two nights.
Day 12: Glacier training
We head up to the start of the Mera glacier by climbing a steep ridge that we will later follow to the Mera La pass.
Here we will practice crampon use and ice axe technique as well as self arresting and we get the feel of jumaring on
a fixed rope. Later in the day we return to Khare for a good night’s sleep.
Day 13: Khare (4940m) - Mera La (5410m)
Today our freshly learned crampon and ice axe techniques will come in useful as we first climb back up the ridge
and then onto the back of the Mera Glacier. After a roped up glacier crossing we make a short descent to the Mera
La. (5410m) This exposed pass serves as a camp before climbing up to Mera’s high camp the next day. Striking
views stretching as far as Kangchenjunga lay before us as the sun descends and we settle in for a good nights sleep.
Day 14: Mera La (5410m) - Mera High Camp (5800m)
An unforgettable day. The views that open out beyond are really fantastic;
Kanchanjunga, Chamlang, Makalu and Baruntse sweeping around from the east and Ama-dablam, Cho Oyu and
Kangtega to the west slowly but surely come into view. The giant faces of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse rise up in the
north. The slopes are easy angled, and the snow is usually in firm condition, but as the altitude increases it will be
breathless work to reach the high camp. High camp is on a rock outcrop (5800m) which separates the Mera from
the Naulekh glacier sweeping down from the peaks along the continuous ridge to the south. This has got to be one
of the most amazing camp view points in the entire Himalaya and as an additional finale to a spectacular day we
are likely to get an amazing sunset.
Day 15: Mera High Camp (5800m) - Mera summit (6654m) – Khare (4940m)
We get awakened early by smiling Sherpa’s offering hot cups of tea and head out into the cold on our way to the
summit of Mera Peak! Temperatures are likely to be below -10 but soon we warm up as we continue up the glacier
and onto the snow hump-back 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 but surely 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 conditions. The summit is only a few metres away!
Then that moment we have all been working so hard to achieve: the summit itself! A moment that is simply
unbeatable! Before us lies the 360 panorama that is simply the best from all the Himalayan peaks. Only this summit
can boast such a spectacle. We spend some time taking it all in and after taking so many photos our cameras glow
hot we descend back down to Khare where tired or not we have a well deserved round of celebratory drinks.
Day 16: Contingency Day
A build-in contingency day should our attempt be delayed due to bad weather or the need to rest for another
day prior to the ascent. The 360 team have in the past descended via a long day from Tagnak directly to Lukla and
have built this as a contingency plan should the need arise.
If this day is not utilised as a contingency day, then it will be used as a free day in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Khare (4940m) - Khote (3840m)
Day 18: Khote (3840m) - Chetera (4100m)
A new route has now been completed which stays high on the open hillsides west of the Hinku River making for a
quicker return with some fantastic views back of Mera herself from a completely different angle. Camp is at
Chetera (4100m), a small pastoral settlement by an enormous free-standing rock.
Day 19: Chetera (4100m) - Lukla (2840m)
The trail climbs to the Zatrawa La (4,580m) from where we get the last views of the mighty peak we have just
climbed. From here we traverse to the rocky outcrop of the Zatr Og before descending steeply down into the
Sherpa populated Dudh Kosi valley. We reach the tourist bustle of Lukla (2840m) by late afternoon and spend
the night. A wild party is inevitable.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu
The scenic morning flight back to Kathmandu gives us one last chance to say farewell to the mountains.
We will have the day to explore, go shopping, visit the palaces and markets. An enduring favourite destination is the
Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or perhaps we will
join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in
Nepal. The day is for you to enjoy, relax and recover in this remarkable city.
Day 21: Fly to UK
Day 22: Arrive in UK
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