Trip Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival day
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trip preparation
Day 03: Fly to Lukla and trek to Paiya (Chutok) [2730m/8954ft]:3-4 hrs
Day 04: Paiya to Pangkoma [2850m/93,48ft]: 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Pangkoma to Nigmsa (Shibuche)[2745m/90,003ft]: 4-5 hrs
Day 06: Nigmsa (Shibuche) to Chetrakhola [3150m/10332ft]: 7-8 hrs
Day 07: Chetrakhola to Kothe [3600m/11808ft]: 6-7 hrs
Day 08: Kothe to Tangnang [4,350m/14,270ft]: 3-4 hrs
Day 09: Acclimatization Day: Hiking to Charpate Himal Glacier
Day 10: Tangnang to Khare [5,045m/16,486ft]: 2-3 hrs
Day 11: Khare to Mera Base Camp [5300m/17,384ft]: 3-4 hrs
Day 12: Mera Base Camp to High camp [5,780m/18,958ft]: 4-5 hrs
Day 13: Mera High Camp to Summit[6,461m/21,1907ft] and back to Khare [5045m/16,547ft]: 8-9 hrs
Day 14: Reserve day for Contingency
Day 15: Khare to Kothe [3600m/11808ft]: 4-5 hrs
Day 16: Kothe to Thuli Kharka: 5-6 hrs
Day 17: Thuli Kharka to Lukla: 6-7 hrs
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 19: Departure day
Detail Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Day[1300m/4264ft]
Upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport, Adventure Mountain Explore Treks (AME) will greet you and assist you to the Hotel. We can meet later on that day (if possible) or the next day to take you to our head office to brief you on your upcoming Trek with us. At that time we will introduce you to your trekking guide and Sherpa. If your flight arrives on time, we will take you to one of the most popular local restaurants with delicious Nepalese food, cultural music and ethnic dance. This will give you a glimpse into the different ethnic groups of the country. If you arrive late in the evening we can do this the next day.
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trip preparation
After breakfast, you will begin a city tour of Kathmandu where you will see the main attractions of the valley. On this tour you will visit the Boudhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath temple, Swyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and Kathmandu Durbar Square (the old palace). After finishing the city tour, we will meet again to check your clothing and trekking equipment (sleeping bag, down jacket and trekking boots). This evening will be spent in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla and trek to Paiya (Chutok) [2730m/8954ft]:3-4 hrs
Early morning after breakfast, we get transferred to domestic airport to fly to Lukla. After an adventurous 40-minute flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. At the airport, we meet our other crew members. We get time to stroll around while the guide divides and manages baggage to be carried by porters. We start our trek down from Lukla. It will make sense to fly up to Lukla for acclimatization and walk down. We walk through the jungle down to Surke then a bit ahead we have lunch at Pakhapani or ahead nearby. Continuing ahead through many traditional villages, jungles, and hills, we gradually reach the vicinity of Paiya for the first night's camp. We see number of peaks from here such as Knogde Ri, Khatang, Tang Ragi Tu and other peaks above 7 thousand meters from Paiya. Overnight at Paiya.
Day 04: Paiya to Pangkoma [2850m/93,48ft]: 5-6 hrs
After breakfast, we march a little down until we reach wooden bridge and then carefully we have to go ahead through the slippery trail to cross Kari La Hill (pass). We have our lunch in the village ahead and start up walking through the rhododendron and bamboo forest through the narrow mountain trail. We need to keep our cameras ready with full charge to catch the outstanding views of Dudhkoshi River valley and Dudh Kund Himal before reaching the farming and trading village of Pangkongama for night`s rest.
Day 05: Pangkoma to Nigmsa (Shibuche)[2745m/90,003ft]: 4-5 hrs
The trail descends the rock-strewn path leading to the rhododendron forest. We come across a lot of Mani walls through the trail. Passing again through hills, ridges and teahouses, we start downwards and have lunch around there in village nearby. Mesmerizing views of the south face of Mera Peak (6064m/19890ft) and Naulekh Peak awaiting our insight ahead. The trail zigzags through forested areas and then descends steeply. We experience the most interesting and charming feelings as we walk past forests of pine and rhododendron to reach Nigmsa (Shibuche) where we camp for the night's rest
Day 06: Nigmsa (Shibuche) to Chetrakhola [3150m/10332ft]: 7-8 hrs
After breakfast, we start up though a steep and slope trail through narrow and typical mountain trail, a bit complicated ahead through rhododendron and bamboo forests, we pass in the course of landslides and down we reach to the stream. By the side of the crystal clear stream we have our lunch today. Straight ahead and up through the rhododendron forests we may encounter wild animals if we are lucky. A little down through the bamboo jungle and past a nice stone cave by the side of a river, we will camp for the night's rest. Overnight at Chhatra Khola.
Day 07: Chetrakhola to Kothe [3600m/11808ft]: 6-7 hrs
Chirping birds wake us up early in the morning. We start after breakfast and reach a fine vantage point of the Hinku Valley where we line around in the splendor of nature surrounding us. Straight through the bamboo and pine forest in the narrow trails while enjoying the views of Mera and the Hinku Valley, there is possibility of encountering with mountain wild animals like sloth bear, jungle cat, etc., among the tall pine trees. Past Tashing Dingma we find shops and teahouses where we have lunch. We continue ahead by the ridge of the river in the Hinku valley all the way up and reach Kothe where we have the night's rest in a camp. Overnight in Kothe.
Day 08: Kothe to Tangnang [4,350m/14,270ft]: 3-4 hrs
Today is another short-trek day in which 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. We pray for our successful ascent of Mera Peak in the boulder of the Gompa offering incense. A short walk takes us to Thagnag, which is a summer grazing area with the primitive lodges and shops. Overnight in Thagnag at the camp.
Day 09: Acclimatization Day: Hiking to Charpate Himal Glacier
Today is our rest day. It is not recommend to stay idle although it is a rest day instead we have to stay active to be ready for next day's adventure. So after breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours up to Charpate Himal Glacier. Seen very close from the Thangnag, Charpate Himal is regarded holy by the Sherpa community and is worshiped by traditional Sherpas of the mountains. We will observe Mera North very close and outstanding from here. After an hour's pleasant hike downwards, we will be back at the camp at Thangnang. Overnight at Thangnang.
Day 10: Tangnang to Khare [5,045m/16,486ft]: 2-3 hrs
We head towards Mera Base Camp at Khare. We follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The trail climbs through moraines and to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers and then climbs more steeply to our camping spot at Khare. The camping experience at Khare is something that would cherish us throughout our life. It is pleasure to view beautiful North face of Mera Peak from our campsite at Khare. Overnight at Khare.
Day 11: Khare to Mera Base Camp [5300m/17,384ft]: 3-4 hrs
Today after breakfast, we walk through boulder strewn course to reach Base Camp of Mera Peak. We have to march through steep route (about 260 meters ) and it takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach Base Camp. Upon reaching there after a short rest accompanied with our lunch, we start ice climbing training with our climbing guide. Inexperienced climbers need to learn much more today. After about 2-3 hours training, we might choose to go to Mera La. However, as we will be taking the route to High Camp through Mera La the next day, we might opt to rest at our camp at Base camp today admiring the eye-catching views the area offers.
Day 12: Mera Base Camp to High camp [5,780m/18,958ft]: 4-5 hrs
We take the route through Mera La to reach the Mera High Camp today. You need to walk through rock-strewn area for about two hours while making your way to Mera High Camp and this can be a bit 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. We set up a high camp and enjoy rest of the day the sunrise and sunset view along with the Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and south face of Lotshe, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse are outstanding and seems like they are piercing the skyline. We overnight in Mera High Camp.
Day 13: Mera High Camp to Summit[6,461m/21,1907ft] and back to Khare [5045m/16,547ft]: 8-9 hr
This is really a big day. Our crew will wake up around 1 a.m. for preparation. You should also wake up around 2.30 am and you will have very early breakfast today. After breakfast, your group will put on crampons and rope and set up for special journey to the summit. If you are a well-acclimatized group, it takes around 4-6 hours to reach the summit of Mera central for you. From the summit can be seen the magnificent views of Mt. Everest (8,848m/29,021ft), Cho-Oyu (8,210m/26,928ft), Lhotse (8,516m/27,935ft), Makalu (8,463m/27,760ft), Kangchenjunga (8,586m/28,165ft), Nuptse (7,855m/25,765ft), Chamlang (7,319m/24,010ft), Baruntse (7 ,129m 23,383ft) Ama Dablam (6,812m/22,343ft) Kangtega (6,779m/22,235) and many peaks over six thousand. After achieving the summit, you retrace your steps down to high camp. After having a rest accompanied with some hot soups/tea at the high camp, we will continue down to Khare for the night's rest. You will really find this day really long but inspirational one for your life! Overnight at Khare.
Day 14: Reserve Day for Contingency
There is no such guarantee that we can get quite a favorable weather on our planned day for the summit (day 13), so this day is used as a contingency in case if we are unable to summit the Mera on day 13 due to bad weather condition or some other reasons. If weather became exceptionally unfavorable we wisely have to postpone the program of summiting the peak on day 13 for toady (Day 14). Sometimes somebody in the group may get some problems in acclimatizing well enough to make the ascent; the day can be used in that condition too. If the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day.
Day 15: Khare to Kothe [3600m/11808ft]: 4-5 hrs
After a great success of the expedition to Mt. Mera we descend to Hinku valley to Kothe for our overnight stop at camp. Leaving behind the outstanding Himalayan background, you arrive Kothe. The night we enjoy with local wines and foods and relax at the camp and overnight.
Day 16: Kothe to Thuli Kharka: 5-6 hrs
Today, we again climb up about two hours through the lush forest on the west side of the Hinku Valley to Thuli Kharka. It's nice walk through the red Rhododendron forest with beaten trail of Himalaya of Nepal. We observe the wide range of Mera peaks, Mera North, Mera Central, Mera South from Thuli Kharka. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.
Day 17: Thuli Kharka to Lukla: 6-7 hrs
Two hours up from Thuli Kharka we walk to reach Zatrwa La pass. After crossing the pass we see beautiful view of Lukla valley. Cho yu, Kongde peak, Numbur Himal, Kusum Khangru and so many others. From Zatrwa La we walk all the way down to Chutanga and then straight forward easy walk takes us to Lukla village where we conclude the trekking and this evening we enjoy the last dinner in mountain with our crew. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu
Normally flights are always in the morning due to the weather. So guide will do all airport formalities by the time you can have a breakfast at the lodge. Your luggage will get in to the airport already with the help of our sherpas and porters. Once guide get news about your flight arrival at Lukla airport, will call you to watch how the small aircraft get lands in to the small airstrip. After quick photograph, get in to the airport and straight away get in to the plane to fly out to Kathmandu. Once you are at the airport at Kathmandu, guide will assist to get in to your hotel by private vehicle.
Day 19: Departure Day
Today is the last day of the trip with us. If you would like to extend your holiday with us, we will help you if you require otherwise we will assist you to the airport as per your flight departure time. If your flight is late evening, you can do last minute shopping or manage your photos of the trip then final departure from the airport.
Trip Facts
Mera Peak Climbing Information
Special train for beginners before fly to Lukla
Mera peak is not very difficult climbing but it is technical enough to climb and it is one of the most common trekking peak for adventure climbing experience so you could easily join us for this lifetime adventure. Basic technique and information of mountaineering (such as using crampons on boots, using climbing ropes, ice axe, harness, carabineers, Descender device etc ) is required to plan this trip. So you should have basic knowledge about this. Do not worry if you do not have basic knowledge we are here to train before you head for this adventure. We do train for beginners in Kathmandu before fly to Lukla to start this trip. You need to have an extra day for this as we do take you to the rocky cliff to train you the basic ideas about the climb as you will learn basic ideas to use climbing tools to ensure your successful climbing trip.
Important Trip Notes & Activities
Pleased acknowledge that you are joining us for the adventure climbing trip in the remote Himalayan region, where weather conditions, health and fitness of the member or unexpected natural disaster can compel us to change the itinerary and if so you have to understand it but we would try our best to keep the suggested itinerary as per the original schedule. Your safety and satisfaction of the trip is our prime concern while travelling with us and we ensure you our best team, logistics, professional services to make sure that you would have an amazing trip of a lifetime with us. Also note that our trip leader deserved the final decision if the trip has to amend, change the route or cancel due to the extreme conditions for the safety precaution. However, he will try his best to ensure that the trip runs as according to the stated plan but be prepared for flexibility if necessary.
Train Yourself
This trip requires walking on maximum altitude above 3500m – 6189m from sea level for the duration of 7 to 8 days. So it is very essential that you should be preparing for this trek before reaching to join us at our trek date at Kathmandu. The best preparation you can do is to hike, even if it is under gym conditions. Running will help your stamina but does not fully prepare your muscles for a strenuous hike. Go for walks. It is advisable to go for frequent walks which should include some uphill and downhill sections if possible in your surroundings. Take your daypack with you with at least a weight of three kilograms or more. This will simulate the conditions you will encounter while on your trekking with us. Join a gymnasium. Ask your gym instructor to work out a fitness program that consists of progressive resistance exercises. An experienced instructor will be able to tailor a safe exercise regime based on your age, condition and strength. Work with a schedule that progresses to higher resistance or weights as you develop your fitness.
Visit Your Medical Doctor:
Please do visit your medical doctor, consult him before heading to such altitude trekking destination. Those who have a problem of heart, lung, respiratory or blood should talk with their medical doctor and take his reference and report us before planning this trip with us.We deserve not to take those on our trip who are having such medical conditions.
Why to Trek with us!
We are passionate to deliver real adventure experience that allows you to visit places that unseen and cultures and traditions that untouched. Trip itineraries are optimized to the best of our knowledge to cover the most famous travel routes and interests of the discerning traveler. We have put our heart, soul and over 15 years of experience into an outstanding adventure trips. We are committed to a high level of service so that all of our customers' expectations are met. Our local Sherpas and Leaders are very much dedicated to their services. It is our highest priority to provide you with the best services available through our company. We are here to fulfill your desire. We can tailor trips to your liking. We know how to cater to the needs of our valuable clients. Our specially trained staff understands the best destinations for people with varying interests, physical abilities, budgets, and ages. Customer care is our priority. We also pass your day to day trip update to your family if required. Our guide and Sherps will have cell phone which works most places on this route. Hence, you can tell us what to write to your family about your trip so that they should not worry about your adventure trip.
Our legal documents
We are a government authorized and certified company. We have special authorization from the government of Nepal to operate trekking tours, expeditions, Tibetan tours, Bhutan tours and many other tourism related services. Besides being registered with the government, we are proud to be members of different professional organizations such as the following:
Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation PAN No. 304585539
Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd. No. 79438/067/068
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry License No. 1288/067
Central Bank of Nepal, Nepal Rasta Bank Foreign Exchange Department License No. 1159/1/068
Nepal Tourism Board
Trekking Agent Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP)
Travel Insurance
You should have travel insurance to be adequately protected in terms of insurance. A travel insurance policy that should cover cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft,liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all theactivities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal. If a clientbecomes ill, all hospital expenses, doctors' fees and repatriation costs are the client's responsibility.If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you havedefinite proof you can pay for it. They pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from youifyou have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers those.
Health and Fitness for trekker
We strongly recommend you to consult the doctor before planning your holidays. You should obtain professional advice from a travel clinic or your local GP about which vaccinations to have before you arrive inNepal. Your doctor will advise current inoculation requirements. If a doctor has recommended against travel orindicated travel may be inconvenient then kindly inform us of the details. On all trekking and exploratory tripstechnical experience is not required, hiking/camping experience is an advantage, but by far the most importantthing is a positive attitude and a generous amount of determination. We run regular first aid courses for our all trekking guides and Sherpa helpers.
Meals and Accommodation
In Kathmandu we use tourist standard hotel to ensure a comfortable stay and relaxed environment before and after youradventure. All breakfasts are included at the hotel in Kathmandu. Rooms are generally twin share – dependingon group size and room availability, triple share may be offered up on your request. A single supplement room isavailable at an additional cost for accommodation and required expenses during the trek to provide good quality food and services. For breakfast you expect to haveporridge, toast or chapattis, omelet and local bread. We will provide all meals on full board(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea & coffee) from the teahouse menu during the trekking period. Whilst trekkingon the Everest, the accommodation is in guesthouses or Lodges which are basic with shared facilities.Some lodgesoffers shower and mostly offers bucket hot water up on request. During the trip you can expect for 2 times hot shower.
While you are on a trek
While you are on a trek, there are not much communication facilities so that we would pass your message to your family and friends if required. Our guide will have cell phone and we often speak with you so that easy for us to deliver message. Our every effort will be made to keep to the proposed itinerary, however as this is adventure travel in a remote Himalayan region. The health of member, weather conditions can all contribute to changes the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary. If you are delayed longer than the itinerary date we can help reschedule your international flights but prepare to pay some extra charge if required.
Climbing Gears
Personal Climbing Gears:
-Ice axe
-Crampons
-Harness
-Tape Slings (2)
-Screwgate Karabiners (2 lock, 2 unlock)
-Descender/Abseil Device
-Plastic Mountaineering Boots
-Ascender
-Helmet (optional)
Group Climbing Gears:
-Snow bar
-Ice Hamer
-Rope
-Ice Screw
Clothing
Head:
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Lower Body:
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet:
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals) Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp
-Gaiters
Upper Body:
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket
Passport & Visa Information
Nepal visa is the easiest visa to obtain; you may buy your Nepal visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad or buy this upon on arrival to Kathmandu international airport as per your convenient. You have to have 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US cash & valid passport at least for 6 months valid at the starting of the trip. Nationals of SAARC countries and China do not need visa when visiting Nepal. As per this rule, Indian nationals do not require visa. Transit visa is provided for foreign nationality for 3 days. Visa must be obtained for staying over the initial period of three days. Currently, foreign national can obtain Nepalese visa from the following border.
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
Tourist Visa Fees
3 days transit visa - Free of cost
Multiple entry 15 days - US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days - US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days - US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
(For further information, please, contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu
Tel: 00977-1 4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868, Download visa form-: www.immi.gov.np