Nepal's Mera Peak Summit Hike - 20 Days

Highlights

• Visit palaces in ancient cities near Kathmandu, like Patan and Bhaktapur
• Spend over two weeks trekking from river valleys up to the summit of Mera Peak
• Visit mountain villages, monasteries, and shrines as you explore the Himalaya
• Conquer the Mera trail, which is the highest trekking route in the world

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, Optional Activities

Welcome to Nepal! Sitting between Tibet and India within the mighty Himalaya range, this mountainous nation draws travelers from around the world. They come to embark on bucket-list hikes around famous mountain peaks, as well as to experience a rich history of dynasties and kingdoms dating back thousands of years. Also, due to its location on a once vital trading route, today this nation is a melting pot of cultures. There are over 100 languages spoken here, with locals practicing a handful of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.

Though you've come to conquer Nepal's mountains on multiday treks, there will also be plenty of time for cultural experiences. They'll begin right away with your arrival in the capital of Kathmandu. Located in the fertile valley of the same name and hemmed in by soaring mountain peaks, this city of around 1.5 million people is home to some of the most historic landmarks in the country, including temples, durbars (plazas), and stupas (shrines).

At the airport, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, feel free to stretch your legs with a walk around town. For dinner, head to the bustling hub of Thamel. There's a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, offering both Western and local Nepali dishes. Then, if it's not too late, you can visit the busiest bazaar in the city, Asan Tole. It's lined with authentic displays of spice, produce, and curio vendors that make for great photo ops. It's also a good opportunity to practice some basic Nepali phrases as you chat with friendly locals.

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour: Monkey Temple, Patan & Bhaktapur

Meet your English-speaking guide this morning for a full-day sightseeing tour. It begins west of Kathmandu City at Swayambhunath, also known as the "Monkey Temple." Sitting on a hill overlooking the city and valley, this religious complex dates to the fifth century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the holiest places in the country and a popular pilgrimage site for Nepal's Tantric Buddhists. While here, you can admire its ornate temples and impressive dome-shaped stupa. Also milling about are hundreds of monkeys who are considered sacred to local Buddhists. 

The tour continues in Patan (also known as Lalitpur), a city a few miles southeast of Kathmandu just across the Bagmati River. Dating back over 2,000 years, it's one of the oldest cities in Nepal and has been a center for culture, arts, and architecture since ancient times. Nowhere in Patan is this more evident than at its Durbar Square. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this main plaza features a dazzling collection of palaces, courtyards, and temples built primarily during the era of the Malla kings (1200-1769 CE).

After walking amid history and snapping plenty of pics, you'll travel east of the capital to Bhaktapur. Also known as Bhadagaun (which means "City of Devotees"), Bhaktapur, along with Kathmandu and Patan, rounds out the three ancient cities in the Kathmandu Valley. It reached the height of development beginning in the 12th century during the Malla period, and its Durbar Square is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll find an awe-inspiring collection of pagoda and shikhara-style temples, including the Vatsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, and the 55-Window Palace.

Day 3: Transfer to Phaplu

Time to head into the mountains! It's a (very) early start as you leave Kathmandu with your driver this morning on the 10-hour ride east to Phaplu. Located in Koshi province of eastern Nepal, this mountain village serves as the administrative center of Solukhumbu district, which is a gateway to popular trekking destinations around Mount Everest, including the circuit up to Mera Peak. With an ascent of 21,246 feet (6,476 m), Mera is the highest trekking route in Nepal.

During the long and scenic drive, there will be plenty of stops to admire the valley and mountain scenery. You'll cross rushing rivers and stop in highland towns like Khurkot and Dolalghat, where you can enjoy refreshments as you snap pictures of the surrounding landscapes. Eventually, you'll arrive in Phaplu, which sits at an elevation of 7,915 feet (2,413 m). Once here, you'll check into your lodge and can spend the evening relaxing and acclimating.

Day 4: Trek to Thaksindo (10,075 ft/ 3,071 m)

After a good night's rest, you'll enjoy breakfast at the lodge, then meet your crew and prepare for the day ahead. Along with porters, you'll organize your gear, load up your pack, and then set off on a six-hour hike through the mighty Himalaya. The ascending trail will take you up over hills, alongside valleys, and through local villages to the lakeside town of Ringmo. Here, your path meets up with the Everest trail, and you'll follow it over a mountain pass to the village of Thaksindo, where you'll overnight. 

Day 5: Trek to Kharikhola (7,011 ft/ 2,137 m)

The day begins with breakfast, followed by a long descent of 4,265 feet (1,300 m), passing mountain villages on your way to the Dudh Kosi River. In Nepali, Dudh Kosi means "Milk River" and its dazzling snow-white color comes directly from the snowmelt at Everest as it flows down into the valley and to the plains of India. You'll make a fun crossing over the run on a suspension bridge, on the other side of which is the small settlement of Jubhing. From there, you'll continue to the town of Kharikhola, where you'll overnight. 

Day 6: Trek to Panggom (9,335 ft/ 2,846 m)

Today you'll enjoy a bit of respite as you leave Kharikhola on an easy, four-hour trek up to the village of Panggom. The scenic forest trail will take you through the gorgeous Dudh Koshi Valley alongside traditional terraced farms and colorful villages. Eventually, you'll arrive in the charming settlement of Panggom, home to farmers, traders, and Sherpas. You'll spend the night here in a local teahouse. 

Day 7: Trek to Ramailo Danda (10,746 ft/ 3,276 m)

Following a hearty breakfast, leave Panggom on the first leg of a six-hour hike that will take you over the Panggom La Pass. From there, it's a steady climb north to Peseng Kharka River, which you'll cross on your way to Peeng Kharka Danda. In Nepali, Danda means "hill" or "ridge," and you'll enjoy fine views of the surrounding countryside from this elevated position.

Later, you'll cross another river, Ningsow Khola to the village of Ningsow. Continue the ascent to Ramailo Danda, which offers even more incredible views of the surrounding hills, terraced fields, and the Salpa and Mera Peaks. You'll overnight here in Ramailo Danda.

Day 8: Trek to Chatra Khola (9,184 ft/ 2,800 m)

Today's hike also lasts about six hours and will take you on a slight descent to the Chatra Khola (Chatra River). Leaving Ramailo Danda, you'll enter Makalu Barun National Park. This protected area encompasses 579 square miles (1,500 sq km) of rugged Himalayan terrain, including Mount Makalu, the fifth-highest peak in the world. This elevation range creates a diverse range of habitats, from tropical forests to alpine meadows and glaciers. The trail passes some dense forests, and if you're lucky, you'll spot red pandas in the trees. Eventually, you'll reach the river, where you'll overnight in a settlement.

Day 9: Trek to Kothe (12,107 ft/ 3,691 m)

After breakfast, leave Chatra Khola and head north on a 6.5-hour hike along the main trail leading up to Mera Peak. The ascending route will take you alongside another scenic river, the Majang Khola, before connecting with a different path that follows the Hinku Khola River, which is lined with flourishing wildflowers. Continue to Tashing Onggma, a charming village home to a large number of artisan tea businesses. From here, you'll cross the Sanu River bridge and arrive at the settlement of Kothe, where you'll overnight. 

Day 10: Trek to Tagnag (14,295 ft/ 4,358 m)

The ascent continues! Set off from Kothe this morning on a rugged four-hour hike further up into the mountains. The four-hour journey will take you along the Hinku Khola ridge, in the shadow of Mera Peak. On the way, you'll pass by Gondishung, a summer yak-herding community on the west bank of Hinku Drangka River. From there, you'll pass another incredible landmark: Lungsumbga Gompa, a Buddhist monastery dating back 200 years. Finally, after a brief stroll from Lungsumbga, you'll reach Tagnag, an area used for summer grazing dotted with a few historic lodges and stores.

Day 11: Trek to Khare (16,547 ft/ 5,045 m)

Bid farewell to Tagnag this morning and continue the journey toward Mera Peak. Today's hike lasts about four hours and follows a path leading up through high-altitude pastures and around the Ganesh Himal range, which is located in the northern region of the Himalaya. This area features rugged terrain with numerous high peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys.

For example, as you hike, you'll be treated to views of Charpate Himal, one of the region's most prominent peaks. You'll also pass the ice fields, crevasses, and moraines of Dig Glacier, another star landmark. Eventually, you'll arrive in the village of Khare, where you'll spend the night in a mountain lodge. While here, enjoy the epic views of Mera Peak's north face. 

Day 12: Khare Acclimatization & Pre-Climb Training

Now that you've arrived at the main hub for summit trips up Mera Peak, you'll want to spend the day acclimating to the high altitude. Take the morning to relax and sleep in, followed by a hearty breakfast. Then meet your group and guides for some foundational climbing instructions in which you'll learn to use requisite gear like ice axes, harnesses, and crampons. Once the training is over, spend the rest of the day enjoying the fine views of the mountain you'll be conquering over the next couple of days.

Day 13: Trek to Mera Peak Base Camp (18,958 ft/ 5,780 m)

The last leg of the summit journey up Mera Peak begins early this morning. Leave Khare on a six-hour hike up a scenic route that features phenomenal views of surrounding mountain peaks. These include Mera as well as its satellite mountains, Mera Central, Mera North, and Mera South. Part of the trail will take you up a boulder-strewn path until you reach the Mera Peak Base Camp. After settling into your tent, you can continue on a short hike to Mera La Pass, where you'll be treated to great views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other famous peaks.

Day 14: Summit Mera Peak (21,193 ft/ 6,461 m), Descend to Khare

This is it—the day you've been waiting for! The final push up Mera Peak begins after breakfast with an 11-hour out-and-back summit hike. Equipped with your crampons and front lamp, you'll follow your guide with the help of fixed ropes up steep inclines. The cold and thin air will test you, but even so, this is a non-specialized climb. Eventually, you'll reach the mountain pinnacle, where you'll be rewarded with the finest views yet of Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, and other peaks. After some time to celebrate and snap pics, you'll backtrack to base camp.

Day 15: Summit Contingency Day

In the high Himalaya, nothing is guaranteed—certainly not the weather. If atmospheric conditions and/or inclement weather prevented you from summiting Mera yesterday, there's no need to worry. Today is reserved as a contingency day, so you'll have another option for a summit hike. The day's itinerary follows the same schedule as yesterday, so plan on an 11-hour roundtrip hike.

Day 16: Descend to Kothe

Say goodbye to Mera Peak as you begin the journey back down the Himalaya to the valley. Today's route involves about 5.5 hours of descent down to Kothe, where you'll overnight. It's a welcome journey, as you'll leave the freezing chill and thin air behind—plus you'll get to sleep in a lodge rather than a tent.

Day 17: Trek to Thuli Kharka (14,107 ft/ 4,300 m)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast indoors before hitting the trail again. Today's route involves an ascent on forest paths that also pass through meadows dotted with grazing yaks. You'll overnight at one such pastoral rest area, Thuli Kharka, which sits at an altitude of 14,107 feet (4,300 m). 

Day 18: Descend to Lukla (9,316 ft/ 2,840 m) via Zatrwa La Pass

Head out on the final descent this morning as you follow a trail to Lukla. This is the final stop in the mountain portion of the itinerary as Lukla is the only such town in the area with an airstrip, which you'll use to return to Kathmandu. The day's hike takes about 5.5 hours and will take you over the famous Zatrwa La Pass (expect incredible views of the surrounding valley and mountains). Once in Lukla, you'll check into a traditional teahouse and can then enjoy a hot shower followed by a celebratory dinner in town. 

Day 19: Fly to Kathmandu

After all those hiking adventures, it's time to start the journey home. After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airstrip and board the small plane for the 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu. During the short flight, keep an eye on the Himalaya and try to spot the routes you followed over the previous couple of weeks. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to your hotel.

Day 20: Depart Kathmandu

The time has come to say goodbye to Kathmandu and Nepal. After breakfast, you can take one more stroll around Kathmandu before transferring to the airport and catching your flight home. Safe travels!

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