Located on top of the Chukung glacier between Ama Dablam and Lhotse Mountains, Island Peak is the most sought after trekking destination because of its challenging geographical conditions...

MERA PEAK

DAY 1 : Depart HOME

DAY 2 : Arrive Kathmandu

We arrive into Kathmandu mid-afternoon and will transfer to our hotel, before some free time to explore the local area. We will meet back up late afternoon to have a briefing, and kit check, before what is sure to be a lively group dinner!

* For all 2022 itineraries, we will be driving directly to Ramechhap airport on the day of our arrival into Kathmandu. 

DAY 3 : Kathmandu to Mulkot

We have the morning to explore Kathmandu, a great opportunity to tour the city. In the early afternoon we depart for our transfer to the town of Mulkot, approximately a 3 to 4 hour drive. Here, we will spend the night ready for our early morning flight to Lukla and the start of our trek tomorrow. (BLD)

DAY 4 : Fly to Lukla (2,840m)

We take the morning flight to the dramatic airfield at Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the spectacular Nepali Himalayas.

At Lukla we meet the sherpas who will be looking after us for the duration of our expedition and begin our trek south keeping high above the spectacular Dudh Khosi. We have lunch at Surkhe and then stop for the day at the Sherpa village of Phuiyan (2,796m). (BLD)

DAY 5 : Phuiyan (2,796m) - Pangkongma (2,946m)

We set off early and soon climb up to the pass of Khari La (2,990m). The view to the north and west is fantastic all the way to Cho Oyu. We stop for lunch at a small lodge, seemingly suspended over the wide Kharikhola valley below.

The trail continues through gorgeous forests with many high waterfalls visible before reaching the village of Pangkongma (2,946m). Here we rest near a Sherpa family house, where we catch a glimpse into traditional Sherpa family life. (BLD)

DAY 6 : Pangkongma (2,946m) - Narjing Dingma (2,650m)

Another early morning start soon brings us up to the Pangkongma La pass (3,180m), which is marked by some very ancient chortens. From here we enter the Hinku valley and immediately there is a feeling of unspoilt remoteness. After a short hike, our objective Mera Peak comes into view standing at the head of the valley. From this angle, it looks hugely impressive as its immense walls reach straight out of the valley. We also get our first glimpse of the Hinku River crashing through inaccessible gorges down from the north. The afternoon takes us down a steep path to cross the river, then into deep forests before emerging to rest in the pastures of Narjing Dingma (2,650m). (BLD)

DAY 7 : Narjing Dingma (2,650m) - Chalem Kharka (3,450m)

Another spectacular day awaits. We now enter the rhododendron forest and climb Surkie La (3,085m) from where the whole of Eastern Nepal opens out in front of us. Kangchenjunga is visible from here and below us stretches the remote Hongu valley. We follow the north ridge for the day and spend the night in the grassy pastures at 3,450m. (BLD)

DAY 8 : Chalem Kharka (3,450m) - Khula Kharka (4,120m)

Today we continue along the ridge which in some places narrows dramatically and gullies drop away steeply on either side. One final pass at 4,330m brings us to the five sacred lakes of Panch Pokhari, a pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. A short descent from here brings us to our rest point at Khula Kharka (4,120m). (BLD)

DAY 9 : Khula Kharka (4,120m) - Khote (3,480m)

Today we progress deeper into the Hinku valley to our night’s camp at the established summer village of Khote (3,480m).

We pass through the majestic forest and have lunch near a roaring Hinku river. Evidence of the devastation caused by a huge flood when the Sabai Tcho glacial lake broke its moraine dam is clearly visible around us. Mera Peak offers us glimpses of its summit at the end of the valley head. (BLD)

DAY 10 : Khote (3,480m) - Tagnak (4,140m)

The forest gives way to an open valley and by mid-morning the summits of more 6,000m peaks are revealed. By early afternoon we’ll reach the summer settlement of Tagnak (4,140m) where we will spend the night. Towering over our heads the sheer flank of the Mera ridge dramatically dominates the skyline. (BLD)

DAY 11 : Tagnak glacier acclimatisation day

We will spend two nights in the village acclimatising to the altitude we have reached so far. This spectacular place is surrounded by dramatic peaks including Kussum Kangu (6,200m) and the unclimbed spire of Peak 35 (6,100m). Today will be spent taking it easy and doing short explorative walks up to the glacier beyond the village. (BLD)

DAY 12 : Tagnak (4,140m) - Khare (4,940m)

This morning’s walk up alongside the Dig Glacier is easy and relaxed. We cross the braided river and head into the valley, as dramatic views of the surrounding peaks continue to open up before us. We stop near the village of Khare, our home for two nights. (BLD)

DAY 13 : Glacier Training

We head up to the start of the Mera Glacier by climbing a steep ridge that we will later follow to the Mera La Pass. Here we will practice crampon use, ice axe technique and self-arrest as we get the feel of jumaring on a fixed rope. Later in the day we return to Khare for a good night’s sleep. (BLD)

DAY 14 : Khare (4,940m) - Mera La (5,410m)

Today our freshly learned crampon and ice axe techniques will come in useful as we first climb back up the ridge and then onto the back of the Mera Glacier. After a roped-up glacier crossing we make a short descent to the Mera La (5,410m). This exposed pass serves as a camp before climbing up to Mera’s high camp the next day.

Striking views stretching as far as Kangchenjunga lie before us, as the sun descends and we settle in for a good night’s sleep. (BLD)

DAY 15 : Mera La (5,410m) - Mera High Camp (5,800m)

An unforgettable day. The views that open out beyond are really fantastic: Kanchanjunga, Chamlang, Makalu and Baruntse sweeping around from the east and Ama-Dablam, Cho Oyu and Kangtega to the west slowly but surely come into view.

The giant faces of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse rise up in the north. The slopes are gently angled and the snow is usually in firm condition, but as the altitude increases it will be breathless work to reach the high camp. High camp is on a rock outcrop (5,800m) which separates the Mera from the Naulekh Glacier sweeping down from the peaks along the continuous ridge to the south. This has to be one of the most amazing camp viewpoints in the entire Himalaya and as an additional finale to a spectacular day, we are likely to get an amazing sunset. (BLD)

DAY 16 : Mera High Camp (5,800m) - Mera summit (6,476m) - Khare (4,940m)

We will be woken early by smiling Sherpas offering hot cups of tea and head out into the cold on our way to the summit of Mera Peak. Temperatures are likely to be ten degrees below zero but soon warm up as we continue up the glacier and onto the snow hump-back ridge. The first rays of the sun hit the big peaks in an amazing red glow. The route is still non-technical as we climb slowly but surely higher into the ever-thinning air. The slope steepens for a section behind the ridge and the summit comes back into view. At the foot of the final steep summit cone, we may attach to a fixed rope depending on conditions. The summit is only a few metres away. Shortly ahead will be the moment we have been working so hard to achieve: the summit itself. It’s a moment that is unforgettable. Before us will lie the 360 panorama of the Himalayan peaks, and only from Mera can you witness such a spectacle. We will spend some time taking it all in before we finally descend back down to Khare for a well-deserved round of celebratory drinks. (BLD)

DAY 17 : Contingency Day

A built-in contingency day should our attempt be delayed due to bad weather or the need to rest for another day prior to the ascent. The 360 team have in the past descended via a long day from Tagnak directly to Lukla and have built this as a contingency plan should the need arise. If this day is not utilised as a contingency day, then it will be used as a free day in Kathmandu. (BLD)

DAY 18 : Khare (4,940m) - Khote (3,840m)

We retrace our steps back down the valley and alongside the Dig Glacier before passing back through Tagnak where we have our last good view of Mera before reaching Khote where we will spend the night. (BLD)

DAY 19 : Khote (3,840m) - Chetera (4,100m)

A new route has now been completed which stays high on the open hillsides west of the Hinku River making for a quicker return with some fantastic views back on Mera itself from a completely different angle. We spend the night at Chetera (4,100m), a small pastoral settlement by an enormous free-standing rock. (BLD)

DAY 20 : Chetera (4,100m) - Lukla (2,840m)

The trail climbs to the Zatrawa La (4,580m) from where we get the last views of the mighty peak we have just climbed. From here we traverse to the rocky outcrop of the Zatr Og before descending steeply down into the Sherpa populated Dudh Kosi valley. We reach the tourist bustle of Lukla (2,840m) by late afternoon and spend the night. (BLD)

DAY 21 : Fly Lukla to Ramechhap. Transfer to Kathmandu

The scenic morning flight back to Ramechhap gives us one last chance to say farewell to the mountains.  We transfer back to Kathmandu, then the afternoon is yours to enjoy, shop for fascinating souvenirs, visit the palaces and markets, or simply enjoy some down time in this vibrant city. A couple of favorites are the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city, and the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal. Tonight, we regroup for a celebration meal. (BLD)

DAY 22 : Depart Kathmandu

Today’s timings are dependent on your international flights.