MERA PEAK EXPEDITION

A full expedition briefing in the morning covers the route, safety protocols, equipment checks, and permit formalities. You receive your Alpinist Climber Expeditions duffel bag and cap at the team meeting. The afternoon is spent visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu — temples, stupas, and Newari courtyard architecture that provide a meaningful cultural start to the expedition.

An early departure from Kathmandu by private jeep. The drive takes approximately seven to eight hours through the Nepali countryside, offering views of terraced farmland, river valleys, and distant peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Mera Peak itself on a clear day. Overnight at a local lodge in Patale Danda.

Continuing by jeep through rugged mountain roads — the terrain becomes more remote and the road more demanding as the vehicle descends into the Solu-Khumbu foothills. Brief stops in local villages for tea and lunch provide a first real encounter with the traditional life of this part of Nepal. Overnight at a local lodge in Bung.

The trek begins early from Bung. The trail climbs through rhododendron and pine forest toward Surke La, passing through the Sherpa village of Khiraule for a lunch break. With luck, wildlife including red pandas, musk deer, and Himalayan black bears inhabit this forest corridor. A briefing for the following day's activities is held over dinner at the lodge.

From Surke La, the trail descends and climbs through dense forest where the biodiversity of Makalu Barun National Park is most apparent. The environment transitions from subtropical forest to more alpine terrain as the altitude rises. CholimKharka is reached after a full day of forest trekking — one of the most ecologically vivid sections of the entire approach.

The trail steepens considerably today as it climbs above the tree line into rocky, exposed alpine terrain. The highest point of the day reaches approximately 4,500m before the path descends to Kholakharka. En route, the Panch Pokhari — a series of sacred glacial lakes — are visible from the trail. A long but rewarding day with expanding high-altitude views throughout.

The route descends steeply through forest and across a river valley to Kothe — a small settlement at the entrance to the upper Hinku Valley. The national park permit and climbing permit checkpoint is located here. Kothe sits in a dramatic river setting surrounded by dense vegetation. The first views of Mera Peak's outline begin to appear from the upper sections of this day's trail.

Leaving Kothe, the trail follows the Hinku Khola upstream through open valley terrain with yak grazing grounds and a traditional Buddhist monastery visible from the path. The Mera Peak massif grows larger with every step and surrounding 6,000-metre peaks begin to appear in all directions. Thangnak provides a comfortable overnight stop with excellent mountain views.

The final approach to Khare — Mera Peak's Base Camp settlement — follows the rocky valley floor through dramatic high-altitude scenery. Khare sits beneath the Mera La at 4,900m, with single private rooms and hot shower facilities available at the lodge. This is the team's home for the next three nights, and the gateway to the technical climbing phase of the expedition.

A structured rest and acclimatization day. The body is adapting rapidly to 4,900m and a day of relative rest — with a short hike above the lodge if conditions are good — significantly improves the quality of the acclimatization before training begins tomorrow. Hydration and nutrition are the priorities throughout the day.

The team ascends to the Mera La (5,415m) for a structured technical training session in the actual terrain of the climb. The session covers crampon technique on glacier ice, ice axe use and self-arrest, fixed rope technique with jumar, and safe movement on crevassed glacier. Training at 5,415m in real terrain is the most effective preparation possible for the summit day. The team descends to Khare for the night, having gained critical acclimatization at altitude.

From Khare, the route crosses the Mera La and ascends the open glacier to High Camp at 5,800m — one of the most celebrated viewpoints in the Everest region. Kanchenjunga, Chamlang, Makalu, Baruntse, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse all fill the horizon from this perch. Equipment is checked, a hot meal is prepared, and the team rests as early as possible in preparation for the pre-dawn summit start.

Summit day begins at approximately 2:30am. Moving by headlamp, the team dresses carefully, takes a light breakfast, and begins the ascent of the Southeast Ridge. The route climbs through open glacier terrain with some crevasse crossings that require confident rope and crampon technique. A steeper section leads to the base of the summit cone, where the angle increases before easing onto the broad summit plateau of Mera North at 6,476 metres.

From the summit, five 8,000-metre peaks are visible simultaneously — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kanchenjunga — spread across the horizon alongside Pumori, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Chamlang, and dozens of other peaks. The descent returns to High Camp and then all the way down to Khare for the night.

A reserve day for weather flexibility. If conditions prevented a safe summit on Day 14, today provides a second opportunity. If the summit was reached, this becomes a well-earned rest day at Khare before the return trek begins.

The return trek begins through the Hinku Valley. The trail back to Kothe is familiar — seen now through the perspective of a completed summit. The drop in altitude brings a welcome return of energy and appetite.

The trail ascends from Kothe through juniper and rhododendron forest toward Thulikharka — the high camp before the Zatrwa La Pass that leads back to Lukla on the final trekking day.

An early start for the crossing of the Zatrwa La Pass (4,600m) before the trail descends to Lukla. From Lukla, an early flight returns the team to Kathmandu. The evening closes with a farewell dinner — a celebration of the summit and the journey through one of Nepal's finest and most remote valley approaches.

Private airport transfer is arranged for your outbound flight. The Mera Peak Expedition concludes — with the summit, the Hinku Valley, and the five 8,000-metre peaks clearly in memory.