Nepal·29 October - 9 November 2024
Climb Mera Peak, 6457m, in 12 Days with Our Top Guides and Return Kathmandu Helicopter Fights from Khare
BOOK NOWAway from the crowds of the Everest Basecamp trek, in what has to be one of the most beautiful parts of Nepal, lies the secluded Hinku Valley and the beautiful Mera Peak, the highest of Nepal’s so-called ‘trekking’ peaks at 6,457m. Our Mera Peak expedition is awesome as a standalone adventure or the perfect next challenge for anyone looking to step up from Kilimanjaro or Mont Blanc. It is also ideal for anyone seeking out their first high mountain experience in the Himalayas. This "Express Edition" takes expedition members to the summit of Mera Peak via the Zatwra Le Pass and includes helicopter flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, and from Khare to Kathmandu. This allows adventurers to complete the trek in under two weeks whilst not compromising on acclimatisation or safety.
Mera Peak is an epic challenge and the perfect introduction to Himalayan mountaineering.
See five 8000m peaks in one place: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kachenchunga.
Our itinerary gets you to the summit of Mera Peak and home in the quickest, safest time - perfect for adventurers short on time.
Helicopter is the fastest and safest way to get to the Khumbu region and flying back to KTM from Khare shortens the total time required in Nepal.
We always choose the best accommodation options for our guests. This is particularly important for high-altitude tea houses where quality can vary massively.
TSA CEO, Oliver Browne, leads this expedition alongside our top Nepalese guides Angkaji and Kami Fura.
Oliver is the Founder of True Summit Adventures, a certified Mountain Leader and experienced adventurer and alpinist.
Oliver has climbed many mountains of five and six thousand metres, as well as reaching 7000m on Mount Everest in Spring 2021 before becoming ill with Covid19.
Oliver has climbed Mera Peak once, in 2023 with Any Kaji and Kami Fura.
One of our favourite people in Nepal.
Kami Fura Sherpa hails from the famed village of Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region and began working in the mountain industry as a teenager, when as a porter he reached the South Col (8000m) on Mount Everest an incredible five times.
Kami has a great flair for looking after people on expedition, always going above and beyond to make people feel looked after and safe. He also has an unmatched sense of humour.
Kami has climbed Mera Peak six times, Lobuche East twice, Island Peak seven times, and Thapa Peak once.
Ang Kaji Sherpa hails from Sankhuwa Sabha in Eastern Nepal, an area renowned for producing high-altitude mountaineers.
He has worked in the mountain industry for more than ten years, is an accredited trekking and climbing guide and has climbed Ama Dablam (three times), Island Peak (four times), Lobuche Peak (three times), and Pokalde Peak (once).
He has also reached Camp 4 on Mount Everest before being forced to descend after his climbing partner suffered a serious injury.
Ang Kaji has climbed Mera Peak twice and brings great experience and knowledge of the Khumbu region to True Summit Adventures, along with a kind, conscientious, yet determined manner.
He is married and lives in Kathamndu when not in the mountains.
The Mera Peak Route via Zatwra La Pass
Not for the fainthearted, the Zatwra La Pass route of Mera Peak is an epic challenge that takes you through some of the most beautiful and most scenic parts of Nepal.
Whilst previous experience at altitude is beneficial, climbing Mera Peak is achievable for anyone with a very good level of fitness and endurance.
Mera Peak is an ideal first foray into high-altitude mountaineering in Nepal either as a step up from our Kilimanjaro or Everest Basecamp Trek, or as a step towards your first 8000m mountain.
An unbeatable Mega Peak itinerary
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Welcome to Nepal and to the trip of a lifetime.
Regardless of whether this is your first time in the country or your tenth, we are hope you will return home amazed, delighted, and inspired by this carefully-curated expedition.
On arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by a member of the True Summit Adventures team and transferred to the team hotel.
Our base for this expedition is the Aloft Hotel, a popular choice with international climbers.
Located in Kathmandu's Thamel neighbourhood, Aloft is a modern hotel with comfortable rooms and an excellent restaurant serving local and International food. It's equipped with a spa, indoor swimming pool, and gym.
The hotel is close to the best bars and restaurants, international climbing shops, and the indoor climbing wall at Astrek Park.
We gather in the evening as a group for personal introductions, an expedition briefing, and a dinner with Oliver Browne and our Nepalese partners.
Today we take you on a tour of some of the main sites of interest in Kathmandu, an extraordinary and ancient city which is home to around 1.5m people.
To start, we take in the incredible Pashupatinath Hindu Temple and cremation site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the eleventh century.
We then visit the incredible Bouda Stupa, after which we stop for lunch at the renowned Roadhouse Restaurant overlooking this incredible structure. We continue to the Swayambhu or 'Monkey' Temple, and will also aim to take in the beauty of Durbar Square.
Before returning to the hotel, we finish at the climbing shops of Thamel where expedition members can make any last minute purchases.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport and make the one hour helicopter flight to the Sherpa town of Lukla; the gateway to the Everest Region.
Helicopter is the safest and most convenient way to get to Lukla as fixed wing flights now depart from Ramechappe, a 5 hour journey from Kathmandu. We use Heli Everest and their fleet of Eurocopter A350's.
We take a quick stroll through the market at Lukla before lunch and then begin our Mera Peak epic in the early afternoon.
The trek begins on a path winding gently upwards through the forest and rhododendron bushes to Chhuthang, making for a relaxed start.
There is no getting around this: today will be a tough haul as we cross the famous Zatrwa La Pass at 4600m. Getting up and over is a challenge, but a rewarding one as the views from the pass are beautiful.
We continue uphill through the forest to Kharki Deng, a small hamlet below the pass where we stop for lunch. The food here is really good and like all lunch stops in the Everest region, made to order.
After lunch we head steeply upwards to the pass, before coming down the other-side and back towards the tree line and our stop for the night, the village of Thuli Kharka.
Today we continue down through the forest to the village of Kothe.
It is likely big cats still live in the area, although they are rarely seen, but it is easy to imagine them in the higher parts of the densely wooded slopes we pass on route to Kothe.
This is a picturesque village on the banks of the Hinku Khola River. Our base for the night will be Himalayan Lodge, one of the best tea house in the Everest Region.
Owned and run by Angello Sherpa, an experienced high-altitude mountaineer and guide with many summits of 8000m mountains under his belt - we highly recommend the yak burger.
From Kothe we follow the trail up the bank of the Hinku Khola River to Thagnak. Along the way there are plenty of opportunity to take in views of our ultimate destination, as well as its surrounding mountains.
We will stop for more honey and lemon tea at Taktor and view the now abandoned monastery carved out of the hillside.
Once in Thagnak, we can enjoy further Sherpa hospitality, and lots more tea!
Today is one of the harder days on the expedition, with various steeper sections combined with an increase in altitude.
Along the way, we leave the trail to marvel at Sabai Tsho Lake, one of the highlights of the expedition. The lake is fed by Sabai Glacier, and the regular ice and rock fall makes a roaring sound as it meets the lake's water.
In Khare we stay at the awesome Refuge Mera Lodge, the best tea house in the valley where views from the lounge include Mera Peak - now looming large over us!
Today we take a pause in the exp.edition and stay in Khare to rest and acclimatise. We can head slightly higher up the mountain towards the lower basecamp and those who newer to alpine climbing, there is the opportunity to practice crampon skills ahead of our summit push.
Today we see the first really good views of Mount Everest and Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, as we ascend to Mera Peak high camp at 5700m.
Leaving Khare immediately after breakfast, today's trek will last around six hours and is divided into two distinct sections.
The first section takes us up and along from Khare, though basecamp to the glacier. The second section sees us trek across the glacier itself on a long, slowly ascending climb to high camp.
Once there we settle into expedition life and prepare for the summit push to come.
After some warming tea and a light breakfast, we leave high camp around 2am, wearing crampons from the start.
The journey to the summit will take between four and five hours depending on our speed. Although it's not technically demanding, there is some crevasse risk requiring climbers to be roped up and remain alert at certain crossing points.
We slowly wind our way up the glacier towards the summit dome, enjoying breathtaking views of Everest and Makalu as the sun rises.
The final section to the summit is steep, but the views from the top are out of this world. It is possible to see as many as five of the 14 8000m peaks; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kachenchunga, as well as other Himalayan greats, Pumori, Nuptse, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam.
The descent to the high camp takes us three hours. Here we refuel with tea and soup before heading back to Khare for a well deserved dinner.
After breakfast in Khare we wait for the helicopters to arrive to take us back to Lukla and on to Kathmandu.
It is incredible to see the landmarks made familiar during the trek from above as we follow the Hinku Khola river downstream and head back over towards our starting point at Lukla, crossing the Zatwra Le Pass on route.
Once back in Kathmandu, decompression begins in earnest. We suggest treating yourself to a massage, a beer, or both, ahead of our celebration dinner and presentation of climbing certificates.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end!
Today we say our goodbyes and team members will be on had to take you to the airport whether you are returning home or spending a little longer exploring more of Nepal.
We recommend visiting Bardia National Park in western Nepal near the border with India, which is best reached via a short flight to Nepalgunge.
Stay at the magnificent Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge and you will have the chance to see a plethora of animals including tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, Asian rhinos, fresh water dolphins, and crocodiles.
Aloft is one of the most popular hotels in Kathmandu for climbers and the perfect place from which to launch our Mera Peak expedition. Located in the vibrant Thamel district, Aloft is within easy reach of all the city's best restaurants and bars.
On the trek, accommodation is in the famous tea houses. We always choose the best tea house option in each village.
Return Helicopter Flights
Expedition Duffle Bag
Welcome and Farewell Dinners
Hotel Transfers on Arrival and Departure
Accomodation on a Full Board Basis
Porters
Western and Nepali Guides
All Meals
Dedicated First Responder and First Aid Kit
Oxygen Cylinder for Emergency Use
Iridium Satellite Phone
International Flights
Personal Insurance
Nepal Entry Visa
Alcoholic Drinks
WIFI in the Tea Houses
Showers in Higher Tea Houses
Travel Insurance
Tip For the Mountain Crew
Mera Peak is a high altitude ascent that requires little or no technical skills, but previous experience at altitude is an advantage. Like all multi-day treks, Mera Peak requires a good level of fitness and endurance.
Lobuche East definitely requires more mountain awareness and technical proficiency, i.e. use of fixed ropes, rappelling, etc; Mera Peak is higher but requires little in the way of technical experience.
Typically the temperature at the summit of Mera Peak will be between -5 and -10 degrees Celsius. A thick down jacket and mountaineering trousers is required.
Double layer boots are advised; La Sportiva G2s or Scarpa Phantoms are ideal.
Temperatures on Mera Peak can be very cold. Double layer boots, a thick down jacket, insulated trousers, and mittens will make your journey to the summit more comfortable.
US dollars are best for purchasing entry visas at the airport (for those eligible) and larger items such as climbing gear while in Nepal.
Decompress after your ascent with a safari in Bardia National Park, where you can see tigers, leopards, elephants, rhino, crocodiles, and freshwater dolphins.
