Mera Peak Expedition Nepal

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to hotel.
• Equipment check, expedition briefing, and permit verification with your Summit Routes guide.
• Review technical gear requirements and summit day protocol.
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.
• Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860m) — Trek to Chutanga (3,050m)

• Flight: 35 minutes to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla.
• Trek Distance: ~5 km | 2–3 hours.
• The Mera Peak route diverges immediately south of Lukla — away from the busy EBC trail into the far less-travelled Hinku Valley.
• Gentle introductory day through pine forest to Chutanga camp.
• Overnight: Tea house / camp at Chutanga.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Trek Chutanga to Kothe (3,600m)

• Trek Distance: ~14 km | 6–7 hours.
• Descend steeply through rhododendron and oak forest into the Hinku Drangka gorge — one of the most dramatic valley descents in the Khumbu region.
• Cross the Hinku river and climb to the small settlement of Kothe.
• Note: This day involves significant descent before re-ascending — poles recommended.
• Overnight: Tea house at Kothe.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Trek Kothe to Thangnak (4,358m)

• Trek Distance: ~10 km | 5–6 hours.
• Steady ascent through the upper Hinku Valley — increasingly alpine terrain with the first glacier views appearing above Gondishung.
• Pass the small monastery at Gondishung before arriving at Thangnak, a seasonal herders’ settlement at the base of the Hinku glacier.
• Overnight: Tea house at Thangnak.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Acclimatisation Day — Hike above Thangnak (to ~4,700m)

• Mandatory rest and acclimatisation day — the first of two before the summit push.
• Guided acclimatisation hike above Thangnak to approximately 4,700m for altitude adaptation.
• Pulse oximeter readings taken morning and evening. Guide monitors all team members individually.
• Technical briefing on crampon fitting, ice axe arrest, and rope technique in the afternoon.
• Overnight: Tea house at Thangnak.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Trek Thangnak to Khare (5,045m)

• Trek Distance: ~5 km | 4–5 hours.
• Khare is the last permanent settlement before the glacier and the base for all Mera Peak expeditions.
• Short distance but significant altitude gain — take it slowly and arrive by early afternoon.
• Afternoon rest. Final equipment inspection and summit day clothing layering review.
• Overnight: Tea house at Khare.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: Acclimatisation & Pre-Climb Training at Khare (5,045m)

• Second full acclimatisation day. Rest morning.
• Afternoon practical training on the glacier above Khare: crampon technique on ice, ice axe self-arrest, fixed-line clipping, roped glacier travel, and rope team protocols.
• This training session is mandatory and covered in full by your Summit Routes guide — no prior experience needed.
• Early dinner and sleep by 8pm in preparation for high camp the following morning.
• Overnight: Tea house at Khare.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Trek Khare to Mera La (5,415m) — Mera High Camp (5,800m)

• Trek Distance: ~6 km | 5–6 hours.
• Cross the Mera La pass at 5,415m and ascend the Mera Glacier to high camp at 5,800m.
• All climbing on glacier terrain — crampons required from the Mera La onwards.
• High camp is a small tent camp on the glacier. Wind can be strong — secure all equipment.
• Dinner at 5pm. Sleep by 7pm. Wake call at midnight for summit push.
• Overnight: Tents at Mera High Camp (5,800m).
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Summit Day — Mera Peak (6,476m) — Descend to Khare (5,045m)

• Ascent Distance: ~3 km | 4–5 hours to summit. Descent to Khare: 4–5 hours.
• Depart high camp at 1:00–2:00am by headlamp. The summit route ascends the Mera Glacier on a 30–40° snow slope — strenuous but non-technical with guide support.
• Summit of Mera Peak (6,476m): on a clear day, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu are all visible simultaneously — the finest high-altitude panorama available from any trekking peak in Nepal.
• Return to high camp, collect tents, and descend fully to Khare by mid-afternoon.
• Overnight: Tea house at Khare.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 10: Buffer / Rest Day at Khare (Weather Contingency)

• This day is built into the itinerary as a weather contingency for the summit push.
• If summit was completed on Day 9, use this as a full rest and recovery day at Khare before the descent.
• If summit was not possible on Day 9 due to weather, this is the reserve summit attempt day.
• Overnight: Tea house at Khare.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11: Trek Khare to Kothe (3,600m)

• Trek Distance: ~15 km | 6–7 hours.
• Long descent back down the Hinku Valley — bodies are tired after summit day but the altitude drop brings a rapid return of energy.
• Overnight: Tea house at Kothe.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 12: Trek Kothe to Lukla (2,860m)

• Trek Distance: ~16 km | 6–7 hours.
• Final trek day through the lower Hinku gorge back to Lukla. Celebration dinner.
• Overnight: Tea house in Lukla.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 13: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

• Flight: 35 minutes.
• Transfer to hotel. Rest day or Kathmandu sightseeing — Boudhanath Stupa, Thamel, Pashupatinath.
• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu.
• Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu

• Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward travel.
• Meals: Breakfast.