Snow Dragons Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd.
Himalayan Explorers
Trip Name: Mera Peak Climbing
Destination: Mera Peak
Grade: Strenuous
Walking Duration: Between 5 to 7 hours, plus rests.
Support: Guide and porters.
Activities: Trekking and Climbing
Max Elevation: 6,476m
Cost: By request, dependent on number in party and total number of days.
Deposit: Confirmation of trek will be sent on receipt of 30% deposit.
Duration: 19 days
To reach the summit of a Himalayan mountain requires experience, skills, expensive equipment and time. Thankfully, Mera Peak is suitable for all adventure junkies, or budding mountaineers. Yes, an ideal goal for experienced trekkers seeking an expedition style trip. The first of the three peaks was first summited in 1953 by Jimmy. Roberts and Sen Tenzing. With the northern peak (highest) being reached by French climbers Jolly, Baus and Honnis in 1975.
Our Mera Peak Expedition itinerary has been planned to allow trekking with a gradual ascent to ensure proper acclimatization. This trek and climb takes you off the beaten path, into a wild and rarely visited part of the Khumbu, as such you should be prepared for an adventurer of a lifetime. Once Lukla is left, there is no permanent habitation, i.e. no towns and no villages. From the summit you should receive dramatic views of Everest (8848m), Cho Oyu (8210m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Nuptse (7855m) and Chamlang (7319m).
We provide full-support tented camping, led by an experienced climbing guide, backed by an expert cook to provide fresh, hygienic and tasty food. Our support guide is also experienced, as are our porters. All having suitable equipment and insurance. In addition, we provide a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) or Oxygen cylinder, a group medical kit and a satellite phone in case of emergencies. Plus suitable glacier equipment.
On reaching the glacier area we establish a Base Camp, and here your Guide will demonstrate the use of crampons, ice axe and rope. Here he goes through the basic techniques of glacier travel, including rescue in the unlikely event of one member falling into a crevasse.
The Mera Peak summit day starts very early in the morning and we choose to climb via the northern route which involves a gradual ascent along a giant snow terrace and crevassed glacier. At no point is it steep, and we avoid the crevasses as we meander our way up this amazing snow covered landscape. As we gain height the view becomes more and more breathtaking.
PS. Proficient skiers or snowboarders can always ski down to Base Camp, to prepare hot drinks for the rest of the party!!
Day 1. Welcome to Nepal. Airport pick up and transfer to your hotel, trip planning (permits, equipment check etc.).
Day 2. After breakfast, we visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and gain a view of the Kathmandu valley and city. The afternoon is free to explore and shop, with a quick trip-planning meet before bed.
Day 3. (1). Very early breakfast, followed by a scenic mountain flight to Lukla (2800m), with your guide. Here you meet your porters, sort equipment, and spend the night.
Day 4. (2). We trek east for 4-5 hours to camp at Chhuthang (3020m/9905ft).
Day 5. (3). We now make a steep ascent and cross the Zatrawala Pass at 4600m. From here the trail is reasonably level before we descend to Tuli Kharka (4,400m/14,436ft).
Day 6. (4). We continue through a forest of rhododendrons, oak, pine and juniper with Mera Peak as a back drop. We then descend steeply to the Hinku River before ascending to Kothe (721 m).
Day 7. (5). We follow the river, then cross it to reach the two hundred year old Lungsumgba Gompa (monastery/temple). We continue to the summer grazing area of Thangnak (XXXXm), passing interesting rock carvings on the way.
Day 8. (6). We cross the lateral moraine towards Hinku Nup and Shar Glacier, then it’s uphill to Khare (XXXXm), with a view of the North Face of Mera Peak.
Day 9. (7). Rest, with a short acclimatization walk.
Day 10. (8). We now have a short but complex ascent to reach Mera Peak Base Camp (XXXXm). Big walls, waterfalls, the stereophonic noise of falling rocks and ice all add to the atmosphere, and at any moment you expect to see a Yeti.
Day 11. (9). Today we ascend to the Mera La Pass, and establish our High Base Camp (XXXXm). We go over our equipment, and practice glacier travel techniques as a team. In the event of deep snow the guide and assistant guide will start the next days route, to establish a safe way through the crevasses.
Day 12. (10). 2 am start!! We don our crampons, harnesses and tie into the rope. We start by the light of our headlamps, following the footstep of the guide. Its a long 'walk', but never steep and always with safe places to rest. Eventually, the sun having already risen over the horizon, we reach the summit. Here we share magical moments, gazing at virtually hundreds of peaks - in every direction! Technically not a difficult ascent, but rewarding in every way. Pleased with our efforts we follow our foot prints back down to High Camp, and onwards to Khare. Arrive, exhausted but content.
Day 13. (11). This day is set aside in case of any unexpected contingencies eg sickness, weather. Should we not have needed this day, we start our trek back to Lukla, and spend an extra day there.
Day 14. (12). We trek back to Kothe via Thangnak following the same route.
Day 15. (13). From Kothe, we trek uphill to reach Tuli Kharka.
Day 16. (14). Trek to Tuli Kharka, then over the Zatrawala Pass to descend to Lukla (farewell dinner/party!)
Day 17. (15). Fly back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free.
Day 18. Free day. Visit temples, shop until you drop, or just rest in the hotels garden (also reserve day in case of flight delays from Lukla).
Day 19. Depart.
Dragon Eggs Reserve Days.
Some groups go to the first camp site the same day they land at Lukla, at 2700m, i.e. day (1) of the trek. We consider this to be 'too high too fast', so we spend the first night at Lukla, and have a short day (2) to the first camp. Crossing a pass at over 4000m on day two is exhaustive, and can lead to altitude sickness later on. If this happens on the other side of the pass, then evacuation is not always easy. We corss on trek day (3). In addition, we have built in a reserve day (trek day: (11) to allow for bad weather, sickness or for extra acclimatization.
