Mera Peak-amphu lapcha pass

Reception by the Office Representative at the airport and we shall transfer you by our comfortable vehicle to a hotel located in the downtown.

We set off early morning from our hotel to domestic airport for Lukla flights. After a 35 minute scenic mountain flight by a small aircraft, we land in Lukla airport (Tenzing-Hillary airport). Today we stay in Lukla and prepare for Mera Peak expedition.

From Lukla we will then commence the first part of our trek to Chutanga. This trek takes us through pine and rhododendron forests. Trekking time 5-6 hours.

Today we trek through a landscape which is wild, rocky and impressive passing through the Zatrwa la pass with its cairns and prayer flags on top. Trekking time 6-7 hours.

From Tuli Kharka the path traverses the hillside first south eastwards crossing several spurs. Our trek will take us through blue Himalayan pine, rhododendron, hemlock and birch there is also a variety of alpine scrub plants which decorate the hillside and include the unusual “Snowball flower” (Saussurea Gossypiphora). Trekking time 4-5 hours.

We trek the path which follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, gradually climb and reach Kothe. Trekking time 4-5 hours.

Today we trek via the Kharkas of Gondishung. Not far from Gondishung beneath a great rock overhang is a small gompa and prayer flags. The Buddha statue is especially impressive in such a remote setting. Beyond Gondishung the valley narrows between the flanks of the Kusum Kangaru (6,367m/20,889ft) to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera (6,225m/20,424ft) to the east. This peak has a magnificent 1800 meters (5,905ft) rock face first climbed by the Japanese in 1985. Trekking time 4-5 hours.

From Tangnag the valley steepens and bends to the east where the path follows the moraine of the Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka. The setting is spectacular with the view dominated by the crest of the Charpati Himal. Trekking time 5-6 hours

Today we will aid acclimatisation by ascending the moraine above Khare to the start of the Mera Glacier (5,300m/17,389ft). It is demanding climb as it is quite steep apart from a short flat section approximately halfway to the glacier. Once we have reached the first ridge we will have first-rate views of our route via the Mera la (5,415m/17,766ft) to high camp and the summit. We will also take the opportunity to get familiar with our equipment; using crampons and ice axe, walking in plastic boots, fixed ropes will be set by our guide so that we can put into practice ascending using a “jumar” and descending using a “figure-of-8” or belay device. We will then descend for a late lunch.

Climbing day: This morning we will leave Khare and follow the trail for 1-2 hours to the top of the moraine above Khare, before continuing the climb up a rough scree slope to the area just below the lower region of the Mera Glacier. We will then crossover and climb to the right of the glacier. Crampons will be required for the short climb to reach the plateau of Mera la where we will see the route to High Camp and the summit of Mt. Mera. We climb further for the High Camp where we will rest for the night. It is a steep ascent for around 5-7 hours with wonderful views of five of the world’s highest peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga. We will camp overnight in this spectacular Himalayan location.

Summit day: The climb begins at around 2am so that we can make it during the best part of the day. Crampons, ice axe and ropes are required for the summit approach. We will climb a number of easy slopes before reaching the central summit (6,461m/21,198ft) and from here we will use a fixed rope for the last steep part of the climb. Whilst ascending we will have the breathtaking sun rise view of Kanchenjunga to the east and the peaks of Makalu and Everest as we climb. At the summit there are fantastic views across the Himalaya; Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyo and of course Everest an opportunity for a great photo shoot. We then make a careful descent back to the Base Camp for overnight halt. Total climbing/trekking time 8-10 hours.

The spare day is for smooth journey. We can use this day if the weather gets worse and we are unable to complete the summit on the planned day. This day can be useful if someone gets problems in acclimatising well enough to make the ascent.

Today we continue into the upper yak pastures of this incredible remote valley. We have a great view of Chamlang (7,319m/24,013ft) on our left while the Baruntse (7,129m/23,390ft) comes beyond. Overnight in camp. Trekking time 5-6 hours.

We continue along this lonely trail with the great views of the majestic mountains. We camp overnight in Panch Pokhari (Five Lakes). Trekking time 5-6 hours.

Today we trek to Amphu Lapcha Base Camp. Amphu Lapcha is one of the challenging high passes in the Khumbu valley. We climb steadily experiencing the wilderness of the Honku Valley. This is one of the remotest trekking regions in Nepal. We see Chamlang (7,319m/24,013ft) with hanging glaciers on its South-West and North-West faces on the right. We camp overnight in Amphu Lapcha Base Camp. Trekking time 6-7 hours.

Today we start our early climb on the steep sections of rock and ice. Rope climbing is required for today’s trek. It is better to start the climb before the snow melts. The last sections of the Amphu Lapcha pass winds up through snow shelves. We still have a steep descent to cover on ropes leading down to the moraine. We are now at the Amphu Lapcha (North) Base Camp; we camp and spend the night there. We continue our trek downhill and arrive at Chukkung. We are again back into the civilization after the wilderness of the Honku valley. We stay overnight at Chhukung. Trekking time 8-9 hours.

Chhukung is the starting point of the Island Peak. We continue our trek to Dingboche and deviate towards Lobuche. This is a busy place with trekkers camping in various spots on the far side of the stream and around the lodges. We stay overnight at Lobuche. Trekking time 4-5 hours.

Today, we set off to the Everest Base Camp with the trail initially crossing a stream below Lobuche and then progressing along the left-hand side of the valley, before rising to a higher narrower step. Soon we will reach a point where a narrow side valley cuts off to the left. After about 200m it takes us to the “Italian Pyramid”, a stone-built lodge and scientific station which collects meteorological and seismic (earthquake) data. Continuing on, the main trail comes to a more open area, climbs a moraine where edelweiss grows on a slope – crosses a sandy stretch, weaves among heaps of moraine, climbs once again and then drops down to Gorakshep. The trail to Base Camp begins just beyond the Gorakshep Lake, runs for some way along the moraine crest and then appears to descend to the Khumbu glacier. Once in the centre of the glacier, the route signs are somewhat dubious – e.g. the occasional cairn of yak dung! – but we will be okay with our experienced guide. Although Everest Base Camp does not provide a view of the world’s highest mountain itself, tomorrow’s trek will more than compensate for this – today we will get a real close-up of the impressive Khumbu ice fall. The Base Camp can be quite a bustling place with expeditions camping, porters, trekkers and yaks, etc. Having achieved our first goal, and after resting, we will return to Gorakshep for our overnight stay. It consists of three lodges on the rim of a level basin of glacial sand, with the small lake nearby. Tibetan snow cocks chase one another noisily across this sand flat. Although it is very close, Everest is not visible from Gorakshep, however there is a stunning view of the majestic Nuptse, soaring high in the east. We stay overnight at Gorakshep. Trekking time 7-8 hours.

Today’s trip is not only literally the “high point” of our entire trek but it also has the absolutely high point with unbelievable views from the summit of Kalapatthar. The long awaited trek starts around 5.00am. The climb takes about 1-2 hours (depending upon the route chosen) to reach the summit. On the arrival at the summit, one can experience the most fantastic sunrise over Mt. Everest. Kalapatthar is a spur of Pumori (7,165m/23,507ft) and in Hindi means “black rock” which is appropriate. It has two summits and two ascent routes, both paths being clearly visible from Gorakshep. The left-hand path which wriggles its way to the secondary summit (5,545m/18,192ft) takes 1-1:30 hours and the other which zig-zags up the eastern flank to the higher summit (5,623m/18,448ft) takes 1:30-2 hours. Neither route is technically difficult. Another alternative is available which takes in both summits, climb the left-hand trail to gain the lower top, marked with a number of slender cairns and then continue along the ridge scrambling over rocks and reach the higher summit with its flutter of prayer flags. From both summits, a truly incredible panorama is spread before you. Although Everest is of course the main focus of attention, the ice cone of Nuptse which from this view point appears higher than Everest, has stunning beauty. Having really soaked up these incredible views we will return downhill to Gorakshep and then continue our trek to Thokla for overnight rest. Trekking time 5-6 hours.

From Thokla/Dughla, we re-cross the Khumbu Khola on the wooden bridge and and continue on to Pangboche. There is a famous gompa at Pangboche believed to have been the oldest in the Khumbu region. We stay overnight at Pangboche. Trekking time 4-5 hours.

We take the 35 minute breathtaking flight from Lukla. Transfer to hotel.