Mera peak (6654m) is one of the highest permitted peaks for climbing in Nepal. It is also one of the frequently visited peaks in the country. This peak is located to the Everest region. It is located to the south of Everest. Mera Peak itself rises to the south of Everest. The ascent of Mera peak is technically straightforward, however, the heavy snow and the maze of crevasses can make the way longer to the summit. The first ascent of Mera Peak was made by Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing on 20 May 1953 but the region was first explored extensively by British expeditions in the early 50's. Members of those teams included Edmund Hillary, Eric Shipton and Geroge Lowe. The most rewarding aspect of the trip to Mera peak is that you will have a chance to venture into little-visited and as yet unspoiled areas in the region, where the hillsides are still densely forested. Furthermore, during the peak climbing one can have an opportunity to explore the rich Sherpa culture their tradition specially in the Hinku valley. Mera peak is not only famous and highest peak in Nepal, but you can have better chance and have feeling as if you are on the top of the highest peak of the earth, as the Highest peak of the world Mt. Everest (8848m) is rightly in front of you, so as, you can have views of other highest mountains namely, Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mt.Makalu (8463m),Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) and other mountains lying along the Everest region. The trekking for the Mera peak climbing can either began from Phaplu, or Lukla or Tumlingtar, whereby, it is easily accessible by some 30-min direct flight from Kathmandu.
Day 01: Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m.). Trek Lukla to Chutanga (3050m.)
Day 02: Chutanga to Zatrawala Pass (4610m.) to Zatrabok (4704m.)
Day 03: Zatrabok to Kothe (m.)
Day 04: Kothe to Tangnang (4356m.)
Day 05: Rest day at Thangnang.
Day 06: Tangnang to Dig Kharka (4659m.)
Day 07: Dig Kharka to Khare (5045m.)
Day 08: Rest day at Khare.
Day 09: Khare to Mera La (Pass) (5350m.)
Day 10: Mera La (Pass) to Mera Peak High Camp.
Day 11: Climb High Camp (5780m.).
Day 12: Climb Mera Peak and return to Khare
Day 13: Khare to Kothe
Day 14: Kothe to Zatrabok
Day 15: Zatrabok to Chutanga
Day 16: Chutanga to Lukla
Day 17: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
This morning we take the short but spectacular flight to Lukla where we meet our crew. We then begin walking for 3 to 4 hours due east from Lukla, passing through a number of tiny hamlets before entering thick forest on the hillside below the Kalo Himal Ridge. Be careful to stay with the group on this section as there are many trails leading away from the main path. There are many streams with numerous places for the first camp, all of which are loosely referred to as Chutanga.
You trek steep ascent path to cross Zatrawala Pass. From here you can enjoy the spectacular views of Numbur Himal, Kongdi Ri, Karyolang peak and many other mountains and peaks. Now you walk along the leveled trail for almost one and half hours and then the trail turns downhill and you trek through this descent path all the way to Zatrabok. This is campsite surrounded by hills.
To reach Kothe you trek steep descent path all the way. En route, you pass forests of juniper, rhododendron and other local vegetation. The views you can enjoy are of Mera peak, Nauleku peak and many other mountains and peaks.
You trek along the bank of river and find bush on both sides. The path is gradual ascent and you can enjoy the views of Kusum Kanguru peak and many more.
This will be a rest day to let your bodies recover from the past days of hiking. You will relax and soak up the beautiful views of peaks and glaciers surrounding the head of the Hinku Valley.
We now walk towards the mountain as the trail swings to the east. We gain height gradually until we find ourselves at Dig Kharka (4,650m), close to the foot of the Hinku Nup Glacier. This is a pleasant, grassy camp in an impressive situation.
Today we will climb above 5,000 m (16,400ft) for the first time. Our hike up to Khare (5,100m, 16,728ft) is short, but we will take it slowly, with frequent stops to soak up the incredible surroundings. The trails heads eastward out of Tangnag, along with the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier. We will pause to climb up the moraine for a view of the pristine Sabai Tso glacial lake. A drop in lake level, caused by a recent rupture of the natural dam the held the lake, is clearly visible. We will arrive at Khare in the early afternoon and have lunch. From Khare, the beautiful north face of Mera Peak is in plain view and Mera glacier spills steeply down into the valley.
This is an acclimatization day as you can prepare yourself for the Mera Peak climb.
Today you will travel a short distance, slowly ascending up onto Mera glacier. The climb is initially steep, but flattens out as you reach the crest of the glacier. You will traverse a long flat on top of the glacier as you make your way to the pass, called Mera La (5,400m, 17,710ft). From here, the views are stunning. Crevasse fields gently stretch out in front of the pass and you are literally enclosed by a ring of jagged peaks and blue-green glaciers. The remaining route up to the summit of Mera Peak is clearly visible.
This day you trek gradual ascent path all the way. This area is quite covered by ice glacier. The views make you speechless as you can enjoy the Everest, Makalu, Baruntse, Kusum Kanguru and many other mountains and peaks in panorama. Moreover you feel chill by the magnificent views of Mera Glacier.
This is located at about 5,800 metres on the Northern slopes of the upper mountain. It provides an excellent launch pad for the final climb to the summit. There is no need to make an early start but we must get our equipment ready so that the Sherpas can help with carrying this and the camp stores to the high camp. Having gained the Mera La, the route turns left (south) and follows easy angled snow slopes. After a short distance an area of crevasses is reached. Under normal conditions these can be walked around very easily, although looking into their deep, dark depths is always impressive. The crevasses soon give way to slightly steeper but open snow slopes that lead without difficulty to the high camp. This camp is in an excellent setting with wonderful views of Everest, Makalu and the Nuptse, Lhotse wall directly ahead. The setting sun casts an unbelievably magic light on these awesome mountains.
The climb to the summit of Mera starts gradually and much will depend on snow and general weather conditions. The central summit will soon appear above the head of a wide glacier flanked by two ridges. We climb the centre of this over open snowfields and avoiding crevasses. The route then swings south-east, skirting below and to the east of the left-hand ridge before turning back rightwards towards the main summit ridge of Mera. Mera actually has three summits; the highest is our objective. We reach this by following a classic snow-ridge to just below the final wall that guards the top. This short steep snow slope is easily climbed but there is a big effort required to climb this last 50 metres. Your reward, however, is a feeling of ecstatic jubilation as you survey the magnificent panorama from the top. After taking pictures and enjoying the view, we descend by the same route back to our campsite below the Mera La.
This day you walk along the gradual descent path passing through Tangnang. This is a small village and you find yak settlement here. To reach Kothe you follow the same kind of path. On the way you pass forests covered with fir, rhododendron and local vegetation.
The trail goes steep up all the way to Zatrabok. On the way you pass forests and green hills.
Till Zatrawala Pass the trail is ascent and then you trek descent path to reach Chutanga. En route, you walk through rocky path.
You trek through forests of fir, rhododendron, oak, juniper and local vegetation. The trail you walk along moves downhill all the way to Lukla. You can enjoy the views of Numbur Himal, Kongdi Ri, Karyolang peak and many other mountains and peaks.
CUSTOM TREK NEPAL
Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 4362946
Mobile: +977 98 511 06243 (Ambir Gurung)
Email: info@customtreknepal.com
