Mera Peak

Day 01:           Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport, you will be met outside the customs and immigration area for transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, meet with your guide for a trip orientation.

Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02:           In Kathmandu

Visit Swyambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Bungamati & Khokana.

Swayambhunath Stupa also known as the Monkey Temple is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. It rests on a hillock 3 km towards the western edge of Kathmandu and is one of the most important and the most sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Bodhisatva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Thus Swayambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa.

This stupa is the most ancient and the perhaps the most enigmatic of all holy shrines in Kathmandu. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.

Patan also known as Lalitpur, the city of artisans is a paradise of fine arts and one of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Located 5 miles southeast from the Kathmandu City, Patan is best known for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures. The city retains much of its old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars) and monuments. The predominant sound in Patan is that of the tinkering of craftsmen bent over the statuettes they are shaping. The city of Patan offers visitors the chance to see an abundance of exquisite works of religious art and architecture. Patan is enclosed within four stupas, built in the 3^rd century AD by Emperor Ashoka. Each stupa is symbolic of the Buddhist Wheel of Righteousness (‘Dharma Chakra’). In the heart of Patan, amidst the Patan marketplace lays the Patan Durbar Square, an area filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, engravings and bronze cravings. The Palace of the Malla Kings is one of the highlights of Patan. The palace complex lays the stone temple of Lord Krishna, which was built in the 16^th century A.D. The Royal Bath (known as 'Tushahity') is another showpiece of fine stone and bronze carving in the palace complex.

Bungamati is a typical medieval Newari village perched near the Bagmati River, 10 km north from the capital city Kathmandu. Less influenced by modern life and abiding by its old culture and civilization, Bungamati exemplifies true beauty. This village was the origin of the procession of the chariot of Lord Machindranath, the God of Rain and Compassion, one of the most important gods of the Kathmandu Valley, worshipped equally by Hindus and Buddhists. It is one of the most important festivals of the Newari community.   

A tour through the village of Bungamati gives a clear picture of the primitive lifestyle of the Newari community. The village streets have quite a few woodcarving shops and once on the streets, one can see the local Newari people busy working intricate designs on wood or stone. Most of the people in the village make their living through woodcarving, an art that has been passed down through generations.

Khokana is a small Newari village on the southern flank of the Kathmandu valley. Located about 8 km from the Kathmandu city, Khokana was established in the 7^th century by the mighty Licchhavi rulers of Nepal. A village of its own, Khokana is unique in many ways. Khokana has its own history and over the years it is less affected by modern civilization and has managed to retain its own culture and tradition.

The village is famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process which till date is done in a traditional way using a heavy wooden beam to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil. The villagers are mostly involved in farming or spinning wool yarn. Their daily activities include women sitting outside spinning while men are busy crushing seeds. The oil extracted from the seeds can be consumed. The purity of the extraction makes this oil rich in therapeutic benefits.

Khokana is the first habitation to be electrified, even before the Kathmandu city. Nominated to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khokana represents itself as a vernacular village and for its industrial heritage of mustard-oil seed.

Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

 Day 03:           Fly to Lukla, trek to Chutunga (3100 m) 04 hours

Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the hotel to the domestic airport, a short drive of 20-30 minutes, and board a small twin otter or similar type of aircraft for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla. In Lukla you will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load of camping equipment and baggage on the Ghopkyo (mix breed of Yak & normal cow, as the Yak cannot survive below 3000m). We start the trek in earnest, heading south-east towards Chutanga (3100m), where we camp for the night.

Overnight at Camp

Day 04:           Trek from Chutunga and Cross Zetra La to Thule Karka.( 4600m) 07 hours

Today we cross Zetra La Pass Today we cross the Zatr La into the Hinku Valley. At 4600m the pass is high and hence we will make a slow ascent before continuing down the hillside into the Hinku valley, to Thule Kharka where we will camp. On crossing the pass we obtain fantastic views of Kwangde to the east and even up to Cho Oyu in the north.

Overnight at Camp

 Day 05:           Thule Karka to Khote (3600 m) 06 hours

We are now in the Hinku valley proper with its forested hillsides and wilderness environment. From Tuli Kharka we initially traverse the hillside, crossing several spurs, and eventually reaching a point where we obtain our first view of Mera. From here the trail descends steeply through forest to reach the river, and this is where we take our lunch. After lunch we continue up the west side of the Hinku Drangka to our campsite at Kothe (3600m). This is a wonderful spot by the river with incredible views up the valley.

Overnight at Camp

Day 06:           Khote to Tangnag (4350 m) 04 hours

The trail follows the west bank of the Hinku Valley northwards; the trail is simple and it is a gentle climb through a wide valley and at all times we are surrounded by amazing mountains - Kusum Kanguru to the west and Mera to the east. We make our way to Tangnag (4350m) where we will stay for a overnight in camp.

Overnight at Camp

Day 07:           Tangnag to Khare (5100 m) 06 hours

From Tangnag the trail turns eastwards where it follows the lateral moraine of the Dig glacier. We pass the stunningly beautiful glacial lake of Sabai Tsho and continue ever upwards to our campsite at Khare (5100m), situated below the Mera glacier. The distance from Tangnag to Khare is short, but we are now above 5000m for the first time and hence we trek very slowly up to Khare, stopping often to take in the stunning views.

Overnight at Camp

Day 08:           Acclimatization Day at Khare.

Today will be the acclimatization day and it will pay additional as we trek higher towards our ascent of Mera. The day can be spent exploring or simply resting for the climb ahead.

Overnight at Camp

Day 09:           Khare to Mera La (5415 m) 04 hours

From Khare we climb onto the Mera glacier and follow it to Mera La (5415m). Again this is a short day in terms of distance but we will take our time and implement a secure pace to ensure that we allow for the gain in altitude. The Mera La is a fabulous camp site and we have great views up to Mera Peak.

Overnight at Camp

 Day 10:           Mera La to High Camp (5800 m) 02 hours

We will establish a high camp at 5800m near a rocky outcrop on the Mera glacier. From here we will be treated to outstanding views of many of the Himalayan ranges in the surrounding region. Above us, we can see the Central Summit which stands at the head of a wide glacier flanked by two ridges.

Overnight at Camp

 Day 11:           Ascent Mera Peak (6654 m), Return to Khare (07 hours)

Today, early in the morning we will make the ascent of Mera Peak. Although, technically, Mera is relatively simple ascent, it still takes us between 6-7 hours to reach the higher Northern Summit at 6476m. However, our hard work will be rewarded when we will witness the one of the finest mountain views in the world giving fantastic views of five 8000m peaks - Everest and Lhotse to the north, Kanchenjunga and Makalu to the east, and Cho Oyu to the north-west. We then return to Khare.

Overnight at Camp

Day 12:           Descend into the Tangnag (04 hours)

With the ascent of Mera behind us we will relax and repeat our steps back down the Hinku Valley.

Overnight at Camp

Day 13:           Tangnag to Kothe (06 hours)       

We continue to repeat our steps and make an easy descent to Kothe where we set up a camp again by the river.

Overnight at Camp

 Day 14:           Kothe to Chutunga (07 hours)

We retrace continue our trail to Chutunga from where we have started our trek to Mera Peak.

Overnight at Camp

Day 15:           Chutunga to Lukla (03 hours)

The final day of our trip - we ascend to the Zatr La and cross the pass, leaving the Hinku Valley behind. From here it is all downhill as we descend back to Lukla and a well deserved beer.

Overnight at Camp

Day 16:           Fly to Kathmandu

Today you will return back to Kathmandu and you will be transferred to the hotel. Your day will be at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 17:           Free day in Kathmandu.

Today you are free to explore the city on your own.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 18:           Final departure

Transfer to the airport for final departure flight.