Mera Peak, the loftiest trekking peak, proudly stands at an elevation of 6476 m above sea level in the Mahalangur section, Barun sub-section of the Himalayas. Nestled in the secluded Hinku Valley, south of Mt. Everest, Mera Peak boasts three significant summits: Mera North (6476 m), Mera Central (6461 m), and Mera South at (6065 m).
Historical Significance:
This region has been extensively explored by renowned British Expedition teams, including the legendary Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Before and after their triumphant ascent of Everest, Mera Peak (North) witnessed its first climb in 1975 by Marcel Jolly, G. Baus, and L. Honills. Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing achieved the feat of climbing Mera Central in May 1953.
Climbing Routes:
The standard route to the summit lies to the North and involves high-altitude glacier walking. While various routes lead to the summit, the West and South-facing ridges present a more challenging climb, demanding technical skills. On the other hand, the North route is relatively easier, making it the standard choice. Mera Peak is accessible to any keen trekker with experience in high-altitude trekking, offering a technically straightforward ascent. The summit rewards successful climbers with breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and other snow-capped peaks in the Khumbu region.
The Journey:
Embarking on the standard route, climbers traverse the Zwatra La Pass at 4160 m, providing an opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and the lifestyle of the Sherpas. The diverse ecosystem, floras, and faunas, along with unique landscapes, accompany the journey. Witness the remoteness and serenity of the lesser-visited Hinku Valley, characterized by fewer teahouses compared to the Everest trail. Expect rugged and steep paths, requiring physical strength and mental preparedness for this exotic yet challenging trip to Mera Peak.
Victory at 6000m:
Ultimately, the climb culminates in the triumph over the snowy peak above 6000 m with basic trekking skills. Join Taktok Brothers on this adventurous journey to Mera Peak, where we ensure your travel is not just challenging but also fun-filled and memorable like no other.
Upon your anticipated arrival at the airport, our team will be ready to warmly welcome you. Tracking your flight details, we'll be waiting to assist you. Once you complete your VISA procedures, we'll transfer you to a comfortable hotel where you can relax and rest. Consider exploring the vibrant streets of Thamel in the evening, soaking in the local atmosphere.
The second day involves completing all official formalities, including obtaining permits necessary for Mera Peak climbing and other required documents. Our experienced guide will accompany you for general shopping in the city. In the evening, we'll conduct a comprehensive briefing and assist in packing for the upcoming trek and peak climbing adventure.
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, a short and scenic flight takes us to Lukla, home to one of the highest altitude airports. Upon landing, we'll meet our local team and porters who will assist in carrying our luggage to Chutenga. The trail leads southeast of Lukla, taking us through the Makalu Barun Conservation Area, where we'll obtain necessary entry permits. The path includes crossing small rivers and passing monasteries until we reach the Chutenga village. We'll spend the following day here for acclimatization, taking a short hike to Zwatra La at 4000m.
Following acclimatization at Chutenga, we embark on a journey to cross Zwatra La Pass at 4610 m. After a steep ascent, our trail descends toward Thuli Kharka. The day's trek takes us through barren lands, providing mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains. The gradual walk, lasting about 6-7 hours, eventually brings us to Thuli Kharka.
Post a delightful breakfast at the lodge in Thuli Kharka, we proceed towards Kothe. The trail takes us through the Hinku Valley, with a descent offering captivating views of the mountains. As we traverse hills through dense green forests, we enter the Hinku valley, catching the first sight of Mera Peak, our ultimate destination. A steep descent to the Hinku River is followed by a gentle uphill climb to reach our resting place for the night.
After a restful night in Kothe, we continue our journey to Thangnag. Following the Hinku river's bank, we halt for lunch at Gondishung, known for its 200-year-old monastery, Lungsumgba Gompa, and other cultural heritages. Legend has it that offering prayers at this Gompa ensures success in climbing Mera Peak. Our trek continues until we reach Thangnak, a pastureland widely used in summer for yak grazing. The night is spent in a teahouse.
The next destination after Thangnak is Khare. The trail from Thangnak to Khare presents a challenging and demanding path, as it involves walking on steep moraine ridges from Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, situated in front of Charpate Himal, or the Four-Sided Hill. This segment includes a 3-4 hour steep climb above the tree line. A day's rest in Khare allows for acclimatization.
Approaching the Mera Peak Base Camp, we navigate a steep trail on Mera Glacier, demanding caution due to technical challenges. Crossing the glacier leads us to the base camp, where our Sherpa team sets up camps. The evening is spent enjoying a delicious meal prepared by our chefs, nestled under the shadow of Mera Peak within warm branded tents.
An early wake-up call is followed by a delightful breakfast at the base camp. We pack only essential climbing equipment and ascend to the high camp set at 5780 m. En route, we traverse Mera La Pass, a steep climb through rocky and snowy terrain. Upon reaching Mera High Camp, breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Makalu unfold. While enjoying the scenery, our team sets up tents and prepares hot suppers for all members.
A pivotal day as we ascend the highest trekking peak, Mera Peak, standing at 6476 meters above sea level. We start early, around midnight, have breakfast, and commence climbing by 1 a.m. to reach the summit before noon. Strong winds at high altitudes in the late afternoon can pose challenges, so the climb is strategically timed. Following our experienced guide/climber, we celebrate reaching the summit, mesmerized by the Himalayan beauty. The descent takes us back to Khare, where we rest in a teahouse.
Reserved for contingencies, this day provides flexibility in case of unfavorable weather or unforeseen difficulties after the summit. If the weather and health conditions permit, the summit will be attempted on Day 12, and Day 13 serves as a rest day if needed.
Retracing our steps, we trek back to Kothe, walking alongside the Hinku River. The trail involves climbing uphill and descending through lush forests, eventually reaching Kothe for an overnight stay.
After an early morning breakfast in Kothe, we continue retracing our path back to Thuli Kharka, climbing uphill until reaching our destination. The night is spent at a teahouse.
On our return journey, we trek to Zwatra La Pass and then descend to Chutenga. After lunch, we make our way to Lukla, with the entire walk spanning around 6-7 hours. The sight of settlements after an extended period in remote and isolated regions is sure to amaze. The night is spent at a hotel in Lukla.
Returning to Kathmandu, you'll have the opportunity to explore the city after landing. Take in the vibrant culture and landmarks that Kathmandu has to offer.
A free day allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of Kathmandu. Explore tourist destinations like Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Patan Durbar Square, Basantapur, Thamel, Bhaktapur, and more. In the evening, join us for a farewell dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant.
With heartfelt gratitude, we'll drop you off at the airport for your final departure to your home destination. We sincerely hope to travel with you again.
Trekking and mountain expeditions in the Himalayas are highly dependent on weather conditions. While we aim to schedule our trips during the most favorable times, in case of extreme scenarios, domestic flights to Lukla may experience delays or cancellations. In such cases, we would like to inform you that, apart from the total number of days outlined in the itinerary section, expenses for additional days will be the responsibility of the client. However, Taktok Brothers will make necessary arrangements for the accommodation of porters and guides. If you prefer alternative arrangements, such as a helicopter flight to avoid flight delays, we can organize it at a nominal extra charge.
Additionally, Taktok Brothers will not be liable for any compensation for losses due to missed international flights. Nevertheless, we are committed to assisting you in making necessary arrangements to minimize any potential loss. To prevent missing flights, we recommend maintaining some flexible time frames both before and after the trip departure.
Expedition costs vary based on factors such as group size, royalty and permit costs in different seasons, the category of hotel accommodation, the number of Sherpas allocated, equipment, type of arrangement, and package customization. Therefore, we prefer discussing these details with our clients before providing the final cost. Please feel free to contact Taktok Brothers for any information regarding your selected package.