Mera Peak Climbing 16 Days via Surke

Today is dedicated to final preparations. Your guide will help you with a thorough gear check, ensuring boots, crampons, harness, helmet, and jumars fit properly. Permits are finalized, including the Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000) and the Mera Peak Climbing Permit, issued by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (US$350 in spring, US$175 in autumn/winter/summer). If time permits, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath Temple.

A long but scenic private jeep drive takes you through the BP Highway, rolling Solu hills, and rural villages toward Surkhe, located just below Lukla airstrip. This avoids the crowded Lukla flight and helps with gradual acclimatization. You’ll arrive in the evening, check into a local teahouse, and have an early dinner before resting for the trek ahead.

Leaving Surkhe, the trek follows the quieter Hinku Valley trail. The path winds through forests of oak and rhododendron, crossing suspension bridges and small streams. After some ups and downs on stone staircases, you’ll arrive at Paiya (also called Chutok), a peaceful settlement with a few teahouses. This is your first night in the remote trekking zone.

Today’s walk climbs steadily along terraced fields and ridges, with occasional views toward the Mera Peak region. By afternoon, you’ll reach Panggom, a traditional Sherpa village with a monastery. This stop provides a glimpse into Sherpa culture and is an important acclimatization stage before moving higher.

This relatively shorter day is designed for gradual altitude adjustment. The trail undulates through dense forested valleys, alive with bird calls and occasional wildlife sightings. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Ningsow, a small settlement where you’ll spend the night.

A long day of trekking through rolling ups and downs. The trail first climbs to Ramailo Danda, offering your first broad view of Mera Peak. Entering the Makalu-Barun National Park, you’ll descend through bamboo forests, which are known as red panda habitat. The day ends at Chhatra Khola, a riverside stop.

Following the Hinku River upstream, the trail gradually climbs into the upper valley. The scenery shifts from dense rhododendron and birch forests to more open alpine landscapes. You’ll arrive in Kothe, a small settlement on the west bank of the Hinku Valley, with impressive views of snow-capped peaks surrounding the valley headwall.

A shorter day focused on controlled altitude gain. The route climbs gently along lateral moraines with views of Charpate Himal. You’ll reach Thaknak (Thangnak) by midday, leaving plenty of time to rest or take an acclimatization hike to nearby ridges. This is an important stop for building strength before heading higher.

From Thaknak, the trail follows the Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, then ascends steadily along moraine ridges toward the Hinku Nup and Shar glaciers. The day is deliberately short to allow adaptation at 5,000 m. You’ll arrive at Khare, the base camp area for Mera Peak, which offers spectacular views of the mountain and surrounding glaciers.

A crucial training and acclimatization day at Khare. Under your guide’s supervision, you’ll learn and practice essential climbing techniques: walking with crampons, handling an ice axe, ascending with a jumar, moving in rope teams, and using a belay device. Training usually takes place on nearby snow slopes, preparing you for summit conditions.

Leaving Khare, you’ll rope up and climb onto the Mera Glacier. A gradual ascent leads to Mera La (5,415 m), from where the trail continues across the broad glacier toward Mera High Camp. The camp sits beside a protective rock outcrop with breathtaking sunset views over Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga. Expect a cold and windy night at this exposed site.

Your summit push begins around 2–3 a.m. under headlamps. The climb follows gentle glacial slopes (30–35°), with a final steeper pitch usually fixed with ropes for safe ascent. Reaching the summit at 6,476 m, you’ll witness one of the world’s greatest panoramas—Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kanchenjunga all in view. After celebrations, descend carefully to High Camp for a short break, then continue down to Khare for a well-earned rest.

Retracing your steps, the trail descends past the glaciers to Thaknak, then continues to Kothe. This is a long but easier downhill day, with opportunities to relax back in the forests of the Hinku Valley. Strong teams may choose to push farther toward Thuli Kharka to position for the Lukla exit.

The trail climbs up to Thuli Kharka and then crosses the Zatrwa La Pass (4,600 m), marking the final mountain barrier before Lukla. Descend to Lukla in time for your flight. Depending on season, flights operate to Kathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali), followed by a drive to Kathmandu. Evening free in the capital.

After breakfast, enjoy some final hours in Kathmandu for souvenir shopping or relaxation. Your team will arrange the airport transfer for your international flight. With unforgettable memories of your climb, you’ll depart Nepal, marking the end of the expedition.