Day
01:
Arrive
Kathmandu
and
Transfer to Hotel.
Day
02: Full day guided sightseeing around of
the Kathmandu valley, taking
in such sights as Swayambhunath,
one of world's most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and holiest of Buddhist
Chaitya, Bouddhanth,
a colossal and ancient Stupa; Guheshwari,
which is where Sati, the consort of Siva, immolated herself due to her
father's insult and Pashupatinath
with two tiered golden roof and silver doors.
Later, a welcome dinner with Nepalese music.
Day
03: Flight: Kathmandu (1,310m) - Lukla (2,840m) – Trek to Puyan (2,800m)
We will be
taken to the airport for one of the great flights of the Himalaya . If the
sky is clear during our flight, we will get our first views of Everest and
the region in which we will be climbing. The Twin Otter aircraft will take
us to the hillside village of Lukla , which is the start of our trek to
Mera. Here we will meet our camp staff and porters and set off straight
away for our first camp at Puyan (2,800m). Camp (BLD)
Day
04: Pangkongma (2,846m) After crossing the Poyan Khola, we turn
off the main trade route coming up from the south and join an older route,
which climbs steeply to the ridge-line overlooking the Khare Khola.
Descending the other side of the ridge, we then contour along the hillside
before climbing steadily up to the attractive farming and trading village
of Pangkongma (2,846m). Many expedition members have been made welcome by
the villagers here, spending several pleasant hours warming themselves in
front of an open fire in the enveloping and welcoming atmosphere of the
local's traditional Sherpa homes. Camp (BLD)
Day
05: Nash ing Dingma (2,600m)
With fine
views westwards towards Takshindu monastery and Lamjura, we climb through
thick rhododendron forest and bamboo leading to the Pangkongma La. From
here, we have good views of the south face of Mera with its twin peaks and
of its neighbour Naulekh. We then make a scenic descent with beautiful
views looking south across the endless foothills rising each side of the
Hinku valley. This steep descent leads down to the wire rope bridge that
spans the Hinku Khola. A steep, strenuous climb on the opposite side leads
to Nash ing Dingma (2,600m). We stay here for the night at the excellent
campsite established by the Makalu National Park . (BLD)
Day
06: Chalem Kharka (3,600m)
Gaining height
gradually through pasture and lush greenery, the trail steepens as we
climb up to the Surke La. It is possible to take a nice, welcome cup of
tea in a lodge just over the pass. Walking on, eventually, we reach an
attractive campsite at a col 1km beyond Chalem Kharka (3,600m), set among
fir trees and rhododendron bushes. Camp. (BLD)
Day
07: Chunbu Kharka (4,200m)
Climbing the
side of a ridge, we emerge from the last traces of rhododendron and the
terrain becomes more rugged. Passing through high grazing country and
crossing a small pass, we are treated to some excellent views of
Kangchenjunga and Jannu to the east. We continue climbing to Panch Pokari
and then on to camp at Chunbu Kharka (4,200m). Camp (BLD)
Day
08: Trek to Hinku Valley . Continue to Thaksingdingma (3600m)
We ascend
slowly passing through the jungle. We find virtually no human settlement
on the trail. This will be one of our longest walking days, mostly
downhill. We will traverse several flats and spurs until we gain our first
view of Mera Peak . From here we will drop down into the isolated Hinku
Valley . Aside from mountaineers, the Hinku Valley is sparsely populated
and very pristine. We will ascend a steep section of trail until we enter
the forest, where we will stop for lunch. Eventually we will drop down
into the humid, bamboo forests, before turning north up along the west
side of the Hinku River towards Mera Peak . We will slowly ascend to
Thaksingdingma. Camp (BLD)
Day
09: Trek to Thangnak (4350m)
Today we will
have amazing mountain views as we continue north up the Hinku Valley . The
trail gently climbs along the west bank of the Hinku River . Spectacular
mountains, such as Kusum Kangari to the west and Mera Peak to the east,
will be in view throughout the morning. We will make our way up onto the
meadows on the western side of the Hinku Valley as we climb above the tree
line. Here we will stop for lunch. Throughout the afternoon, we will
traverse meadows and hill slopes, dotted with grazing yaks, until we reach
the settlement of Tangnak (4,350m, 14,268ft). If it’s been a snowy
season, the sound of avalanches will soon be familiar. We are approaching
the heart of the high Himalaya . Camp (BLD)
Day
10: Trek to Khare (5100m)
Today we will
climb above 5,000 m (16,400ft) for the first time. Our hike up to Khare
(5,100m, 16,728ft) is short, but we will take it slowly, with frequent
stops to soak up the incredible surroundings. The trail heads eastward out
of Tangnag, along the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier. We will pause to
climb up the moraine for a view of the pristine Sabai Tso glacial lake. A
drop in lake level, caused by a recent rupture of the natural dam the held
the lake, is clearly visible. We will arrive at Khare in the early
afternoon and have lunch. From Khare, the beautiful north face of Mera
Peak is in plain view and Mera glacier spills steeply down into the
valley. Camp. (BLD)
Day
11: Trek to Mera La (5400m)
Today we will
travel a short distance, slowly ascending up onto Mera glacier. The climb
is initially steep, but flattens out as we reach the crest of the glacier.
We will traverse a long flat on top of the glacier as we make our way to
the pass, called Mera La (5,400m, 17,710ft). From here, the views are
stunning. Crevasse fields gently stretch out in front of the pass and we
are literally enclosed by a ring of jagged peaks and blue-green glaciers.
The remaining route up to the summit of Mera Peak is clearly visible. We
will have lunch at Mera La and spend the afternoon relaxing and staying
warm. Camp (BLD)
Day
12: Rest / Exploration Day for Acclimatization
Rest day for
acclimatization. Camp for the night. (BLD)
Day
13: Continue to High Camp (5800m)
We have a
short, steep climb up to High camp, but we will take it very slowly so
that we allow for the altitude gain. At 5,800 m (19,025ft), high camp is
nestled behind a large rock outcrop. We will arrive here by lunch and
spend the afternoon relaxing and further acclimatizing. Bill O’Conner in
the book ‘Trekking Peaks of Nepal” describes high camp as “one of
the most glorious viewpoints in Nepal, with a panarama that takes in
Kanchenjunga, Chamlang, Makalu and Baruntse sweeping round from the east,
whilst due north Everest peers over…the massive unclimbed South Face of
Lhotse and Nuptse. Sitting on that rock outcrop, listnening to the wind
and looking out across untracked glaciers remains a highlight of my Mera
expedition. We make preparation for the next day to get to the summit.
Camp. (BLD)
Day
14: Summit the Mera Peak (6,654 m)
Today we go to
the summit at 21,830 ft from where the views of Pumori (7,161 m) Lhotse
(8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Lobuche (6,145 m) Cho Oyu (8,201 m) are
spectacular. We will depart high camp before dawn. The climb up to the
higher northern summit is straight forward, but will take 6-7 hours. The
reward is one of the world’s most spectacular mountain views, including
Everest and Lhotse just to the north, Cho Oyu to the northwest, and
Kanchenjunga and Makalu to the east. We will then make our way down to
Mera La for lunch and to Khare to camp for the night. (BLD)
Day 15
- 18: Over the course of the next four days, e retrace our steps
and head back down to Lukla, camping overnight. (BLD)
Day
19: Flight: Lukla (2,840m) - Kathmandu (1,310m). Hotel Overnight (B)
Day
20: Free day in Kathmandu , Hotel
Day
21: Transfer to airport. Final departure.
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