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 Trip
Profile: 21 Days Trip
04
Night in Kathmandu
17
Days Trekking with peak climbing
At
the lofty height of 6476m, Mera is Nepal’s highest trekking peak and
boasts an absolutely stunning summit panorama that includes 5 of the
world’s 8000m peaks - Kanchenjunga, Malaku, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Everest.
Flying into the Khumbu by way of the airstrip at Lukla allows our groups
to spend as much time as possible acclimatizing in the high and lovely
Hinku Valley below Mera. Although physically very demanding, the climbing
itself is quite technically straightforward, on snow slopes which rarely
exceed 30 degrees. Far and above the most rewarding aspect of a trip to
Mera is a chance to venture into an isolated and unspoilt wilderness of
massive moraines, glacial lakes and spectacular peaks in Nepal and, also
the amazing spectacle of sunrise on Everest and Kanchenjunga, as we slowly
ascend to Mera’s triple summits, makes this one of the finest vantage
points in Nepal.
ITINERARY
 DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive
in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will
have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting
ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time
to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening
delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you.
O/N in Kathmandu.
DAY
02: KATHMANDU CITY TOUR
After
breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years
stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will
then processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch
we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is
the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its
Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch
the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N
in Kathmandu. O/N in KTM.
DAY 03: KATHMANDU – LUKLA
Breakfast served
in the early morning and drive to Kathmandu airport for your domestic
flight to Lukla. It's takes approximately 40 minutes. Upon arrival in
Lukla, you'll be met with our local guides and porters. There'll be time
to explore the village whilst the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment.
Lukla lies at an altitude of
2850m and was laid out by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1964, he wanted to show the
Sherpas, his true friends and companions, gratitude and respect. With the
building of the airfield, the old Lukla times were over ("luk
la" = place of sheep) (2840m). Meet Sherpa & crew, and free at
leisure to explore around. Tent-Camping.
DAY
04: LUKLA - CHUTANGA (Trek)
Embark on trek traversing through thick forest, cascading streams & 2
passes to Chutanga (3060m). Tent-Camping.
DAY
05: CHUTANGA - HIGH CAMP (Trek)
Trek on wild, rugged & rock landscape towards Zatrwa La Pass (4610m)
and harbouring at Chutanga High Camp for acclimatisation. Tent-Camping.
DAY
06: HIGH CAMP - TULI KHARKA (Trek)
Push on towards Zatrwa La Pass (4610m), marked by mani & chorten,
before dropping steeply into the stream-filled, boulder strew valley of
Tuli Kharka (4380m). Tent-Camping.
DAY
07: TULI KHARKA - TASHING ONGMA (Trek)
The trail crosses several steep spurs with tall blue Himalayan pine and
there are glimpses of the South face of Mera along the way. A steep
descent to the river put us in Tashing Ongma (3580m). Tent-Camping.
DAY
0 8: TASHING ONGMA - TANGNAG (Trek)
Following the west bank of Hinku Drangka northwards, we ascend gradually
via the kharkas of Godishung, Dupishung & Lungsamba where a gompa sits
by the way. Beyond Lungsamba the valley narrows between the flanks of
Kusum Kanguru & Mera before reaching Tangnag (4360m) in a superb
setting. Tent-Camping.
DAY
09: TANGNAG - KHARE (Trek)
From Tangnag the valley steepens and bends sharply to the east towards Dig
Glacier & Dig Kharka (4660m), and followed by more moraines &
streams of the Hinku Nup & Shar Glacier. Climb steeply to Khare
(5090m) overlooking the Mera La Pass. Tent-Camping / Teahouse.
DAY
10: KHARE (Acclimatization)
The most important key to acclimatization to high altitudes is a slow
ascent. Therefore it’s imperative that we spend an additional night at
Khare to aid our acclimatization process. There’re lots of things to do
here. Explore around, climb higher for good mountain views, learn to use
the equip. or eat apple pie while lying outside your tent. Hiking will
help acclimation more than the apple pie, however. Tent-Camping /
Teahouse.
DAY
11: KHARE - MERA LA / BASE CAMP (Trek)
Getting on the ice can prove tricky & care should be taken with snow
covered crevasses. Once again the views from the pass are magnificent.
Cross Mera La (5415m) & descend to Base Camp (5320m). It’s a
fabulous site for early morning sun and there's plenty of running water
during the day. Tent-Camping.
DAY
12: BASE CAMP - HIGH CAMP (Trek)
The most rewarding style of ascent is to establish a high camp at 5780m,
near a rocky outcrop on the Mera Glacier, providing one of the most
glorious viewpoints in Nepal, with a panorama that takes in Kanchenjunga,
Chamlang, Makalu & Baruntse sweeping from the east, whilst due north
Everest & Lhotse. Continuing westward, the peaks of Ama Dablam, Cho
Oyu & Kangtega fill the horizon. Sitting on that rock outcrop,
listening to the wind & looking out across untracked glacier remains a
highlight of any Mera expedition. Tent-Camping.
DAY
13: SUMMIT TRAIL - BASE CAMP (Trek)
Above us, the Central Summit stands at the head of a wide glacier bay
flanked by 2 ridges. Ascend towards the main bay over open snowfields, the
way then swings around to the main summit ridge of Mera. All three summits
of Mera are climbable without much difficulty. The South Summit (6065m) is
the most accessible with the North Summit (6476m) the highest. Feel the
exhilaration of standing on top of the highest Trekking Peaks in Nepal,
and at this altitude, we’re far above the highest points in Europe
(5633m), Africa (5895m), North America (6194m), Oceania (5030m), and
Antarctica (5140m)! Descend by the same route to Base Camp. The night,
however, will be much more comfortable than the previous one due to the
discomfort of high altitude at High Camp despite the extra time taken for acclimatization. Tent-Camping.
DAY
14: HIGH CAMP (Trek)
Reserve day for summit assault. Tent-Camping.
DAY
15-18: BASE CAMP - LUKLA (Trek)
Return trek descending back to Lukla, should be able to make it in 4
days’ time since the trail is mostly downhill. The steep descents at
certain points are a bit rough on the knees, but the warmer climate offers
good opportunity to finally shed downfallen jackets & woolen thermal
wear. At Lukla, it’s a good place to engage an overdue hot-shower bath.
Tent-Camping.
DAY
19: LUKLA - KATHMANDU (Fly)
The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu takes 35 minutes and is a jarring
return to the noise, pollution, confusion & rush of a large city.
Kathmandu Guesthouse
DAY
20: KATHMANDU
Free day. Check out the many temples & palaces in Durbar Square, as
well as the 3 important religious sites in the valley. Kathmandu
Guesthouse.
DAY 21:
DEPARTURE
After breakfast,
you're free before airport drop for your final departure.
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