Climb Mera Peak in the Himalayas Expedition
€2500
(One tour per person)
Climb Mera Peak: The Ultimate Himalayan Trekking Experience
About Mera Peak
Mera Peak, standing tall at an altitude of 6,461m, is the highest trekking peak in the Himalayas. This mighty summit offers an unparalleled introduction to the world of mountaineering, presenting an opportunity to challenge yourself in a high-altitude environment like no other.
Situated on the edge of the renowned Khumbu Region, Mera Peak basks in the shadow of the “Big E” herself – Mount Everest. This prime location affords climbers some of the most mind-blowing and panoramic views imaginable. From the summit, you can feast your eyes on five of the most famous peaks soaring above 8,000m, including Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,201m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), and Kanchenjunga (8,856m).
The Climb to the Summit
The ascent to the summit of Mera Peak is via the North, and it’s essentially a high-altitude glacial trek. While the climbing route is relatively straightforward, you’ll need to be prepared for the challenges posed by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. This means equipping yourself with specialized gear, such as high-altitude boots, crampons, down jackets, and other mountaineering apparel that will make for an epic Tinder profile picture.
What Makes the Mera Peak Climb So Appealing?
Attainable Challenge for Adventure Seekers
The peak is an attainable challenge for anyone with a sense of adventure, regardless of their fitness level. Classified as a “non-technical” mountain, Mera Peak does not require advanced mountaineering skills. However, you will learn essential techniques like walking with crampons, trekking while roped to your climbing buddies, using an ice axe, and navigating through crevasse fields safely.
Introduction to Himalayan Mountaineering
The Mera Peak expedition serves as an incredible introduction to the Himalayan mountaineering environment. A significant portion of the trek is conducted on a high-altitude glacier, giving you a taste of the character and challenges that define any other major Himalayan mountain.
Affordable and Achievable Summit
Mera Peak offers an opportunity to experience a high-altitude mountain at a fraction of the cost of more challenging peaks. If you have aspirations of climbing Everest but find the cost and difficulty level daunting, Mera Peak is a totally affordable and achievable alternative. With slopes rarely exceeding 30 degrees, the primary challenge lies in how your body adapts to the thinning air at altitude.
Unparalleled Panoramic Views
From the summit of Mera Peak, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Feast your eyes on a panoramic vista of Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu – a sight that will etch itself into your memory forever.
Excellent Acclimatization Itinerary
The trek to Mera Peak incorporates an excellent acclimatization itinerary, ensuring your body has the best chance to adapt to the high-altitude environment gradually.
Scenic Trekking Experience
The journey to Mera Peak’s base camp takes you through the stunning forests of the Hinku Valley, traditional Sherpa villages, and rhododendron forest trails, providing a scenic and culturally immersive trekking experience.
Climb Mera Peak with Summit Mountaineering
Experienced Expedition Leaders
Summit Mountaineering, a South African-based adventure company, has been involved in climbing and trekking expeditions in the Himalayas for over 15 years (and counting). Their guides possess an impressive mountaineering resume, including summits of Aconcagua, Island Peak, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, and even 89.34% of Everest (and 12% of a 6-foot ladder).
Comprehensive Support
Summit Mountaineering’ Mera Peak trek is fully supported, with porters, climbing Sherpas, fixed ropes, trekking guides, and assistance with flights included. Their commitment to safety is evident in their strict guide-to-client ratio of 3:1, ensuring personalized attention and guidance throughout the expedition.
High Summit Success Rate
With an impressive 80% summit success rate on Mera Peak (the remaining 20% due to altitude-related illnesses), Summit Mountaineering offers a high probability of reaching the summit, provided you follow their instructions and acclimatization protocols.
No Mountaineering Qualification Required
One of the most appealing aspects of the Mera Peak expedition is that it does not require a mountaineering qualification. As a high-altitude trek, the primary challenge lies in acclimatizing to the altitude and navigating glacial terrain safely. Summit Mountaineering provides comprehensive training and guidance to equip you with the necessary skills, such as walking with crampons, using an ice axe, and crevasse navigation.
Cost and Value for Money
Compared to other mountains worldwide, Mera Peak is an affordable and value-for-money expedition. While the cost may still require some saving and hard work, the experience of summiting a Himalayan peak and the memories you’ll create make it a worthwhile investment.
Effects of Altitude on Your Body
Mera Peak is considered a high-altitude destination, with the summit situated at 6,461m above sea level (3,456m above the beer and wine drinking level). The most significant challenge when climbing Mera Peak is how your body adapts to the altitude, which is difficult to predict until you’re actually at high elevation.
Summit Mountaineering closely monitors their clients for symptoms of Pulmonary and Cerebral Edema, two potentially life-threatening conditions related to altitude sickness. They also watch for signs of Acute Mountain Sickness, which can be uncomfortable but is usually short-lived.
Before the expedition, Summit Mountaineering provides “high-altitude” lectures to educate you on the effects of altitude on your body and how to recognize and manage altitude-related illnesses.
Conclusion
Climbing Mera Peak with Summit Mountaineering offers an unforgettable Himalayan trekking experience. From the stunning panoramic views to the cultural immersion and the thrill of summiting a high-altitude peak, this expedition promises to challenge and inspire you. With experienced guides, comprehensive support, and a focus on safety, Summit Mountaineering ensures you have the best possible chance of achieving your mountaineering dreams.
INCLUDED
- All Airport Transfers in Kathmandu
- 2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu at a 3 star hotel (sharing)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek (notice the words ‘on the trek’)
- Travel lodge accommodation during the trek
- Tented accommodation at Mera Base Camp
- Dry one liners to motivate you up the mountain. We only allow 3 jokes per hour. Extra jokes cost a beer for pack of 10.
- Government licensed Trek/climbing guides, plus experienced porters (including their food, salary, accommodation, equipment, medicine and insurance)
- Return flights from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
- All necessary permits and entry fees including climbing permit for Mera
- All government taxes
- Day tour of Khathmandu
- Our loving and kind motivational speeches to get your ass up the mountain
- Free stone that we pick up on day 4. It is situated 152m from the start of the hike.
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals in Kathmandu. (Breakfast in the hotel is included)
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fee ($40)
- Your travel insurance (should include your medical and helicopter rescue).
- My wife
- Climbing equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons, boots etc)
- Any personal expenses like shower and battery charges in the mountain
- Bar bills
- Advice on the stock exchange fluctuations and how they will affect the global economy.
- Any extra night’s accommodation in Kathmandu if we get down early. (We have included extra days in case of bad weather. If all goes according to plan, then we will be back down early. So maybe keep a few dollars spare in case)
- Any abuse about how horrible we are for not telling you about the difficulty of the climb which usually starts in at about 5,967m at 3:45 am. And of course, we would have told you how difficult it CAN be, but you would have forgotten by then. Poor us.
- Staff tipping
Day 1
Itsy Bitsy spider, its time for you to become a flier. We fly from Johannesburg to Dubai or Doha depending on what the best options are in terms of price and flight schedules.
Day 2
We arrive in Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we will have a transfer waiting at the arrivals hall. We then take the 45 minute drive though to the hotel in the Thamel district. We check into the hotel, have a shower and 784ml of Everest beer. We will then do a gear check and make sure you have all the right gear for your climb of Mera. You can also pick up some last minute items in Kathmandu before heading into the mountains. We usually have a traditional dinner in a secret restaurant only known by a man called Kishwor-our main Sherpa lead guide. A brother from another mother who I have been climbing in the Himalayas with for 10 years
Day 3 – Fly to Lukla (2800m.) and Trek to Poyan(2,800m.)
A pack of rabid penguins will be sent into your room at 5am to entice you form the slumber process-Ready to leave for Kathmandu airport by 5:45am. An early start I’m afraid. We want ti get into Lukla as soon as we can. The weather conditions can be very volatile and flights are sometimes cancelled. If we are luck…we can fly into Lukla without any problems. The flight in a twin prop plane takes 45 minutes. The views of the Himalayas are mind-blowing. You are going to love the landing. Best you wear a nappy.
What if there is bad weather?
Right. Lets get this topic out of the way shall we. Sometimes the flights are cancelled due to bad weather. This means there is no way to get into Lukla unless you are up for a 200km walk taking over 2 weeks. And no….we are not responsible for the bad weather. We did not bring it on because we didn’t feel like trekking. Weather is something beyond our control and stresses us out as much as it does our clients. If flights are cancelled or delayed we have to adjust the trip itinerary to compensate for the lost day or days. Please bare with us on this. And that does not mean take your clothes off either. We would have said bear with us but that could be a bit grizzly.
Once we arrive in Lukla, we will meet our team of porters for the trek. We then have some breakfast and a spot of tea before we start the first day of trekking. The first part of the trek heads up pretty steeply for about a hour util it levels off for the rest of the hike. We will spend the night in Poyan at 2,800m.
Day 4 – Trek to Pangkongma (2,846m)
Today we drop down into Khare Khola and then head up a relatively path into Pangkongma at 2,846m-our humble abode for he night. There is a super cool monastery here that we visit. The village is a perfect example of how the local Himalayan people live.
Day 5 – Trek to Nashing Dingma (2,600m)
The trek today takes us through epic the Rhododendron forest and leads up some pretty steep and winding stairs up to the Pangkongma at 3,174m. We then follow the ridge line before you trek down into Hinku Khola where we have lunch. After we have stuffed our pie hole and rekindled some energy, we ascend up 600m into Nashing Dingma for the night.
Day 6 – Trek to Chalem Kharka ( 3,600m)
An early start today sunshine. Up at 7am. The start of the hike is pretty easy before we head up some steep stairs yet again. We should reach Suka Le in about 2 hours. After some lunch we continue the Mera peak trek into Chalem Kharka for the night.
Day 7 – Trek to Chunbu Kharka ( 4,200m)
A long day again. Our aim to reach a high point of 4,500m before descending back into a lower elevation for the night. The trek today is beautiful and we sometime stretch the snow-line depending on the season. The highlight is definitely the mountain lakes that we pass. We overnight in Chunbu Kharka 4,200m/ 13,779ft
Day 8 – Trek to Khote (3,600m)
A long downhill trek today. We contour along the Hinku Valley along some pretty cool paths. We descend thought the forest to Khote for the night.
Day 9 – Trek to Tangnag (4,360m)
A pretty easy hike into Tangnag. No nagging allowed.
Day 10 – Trek to Khare(5,100m)
A spectacular hike today as we hike pas some epic glacier and lakes. We overnight in Khare.
Day 11 – Rest day and acclimatisation climb
We will send the day in Khare. We will do an early morning aclimitisation climb up to 5,300m. The views are super cool from here. You will get a glimpse of Mera and the glaciers.
Day 12 – Rest day and mountaineering skills training
We spend the day resting and taking you through some mountaineering skills needed for the summit night on Mera. We will take you through the use of crampons and ice axe self arrests. We will also teach you how to use a Jumar. These are of course things that we will spend time with you teaching back in SA.
Day 13 – Trek to Mera Base Camp
We make our way up to base camp today at 5,300m. We also take a few hours c=treking across the glacier. What an amazing day!!! The views and expericen of trekking on a glacier will stay with you forever. Safety is the name of the game today as there is the chance of rocks falling from high above. So yes..you will be wearing climbing helmets and crampons. We overnight in tents at the base camp.
Day 14 – Trek to high camp at 5,800m.
We climb up towards high camp today. Situated at 5,800m. The route is over the glacier and some easy snow covered slopes. We will get some of the best views of Everest, Nuptse, Makalu and Lhotse on this part of the climb. We overnight in a small area of rocks set aside for tents. We should be in camp by 12pm. Then its time to chill and recover for the summit push.
Day 15 – Climb to Mera Summit
We wake up at 12am. Ready to start the final summit push at 2am. We should reach the summit in about 6 hours. There are a few crevasses that we ned to navigate around. The last 30m of the summit is pretty steep but is well worth the effort. You will need to Jumar yourself on fixed ropes up the last ice cliff to the top at 6,461m. After reaching the summit and enjoying amazing views over the Himalayas, wyou will have abseil down the 30m summit cliff before the long descent back to High camp. We will rest for one hour before descending back down to Khare at 5,100m.
Day 16 – Trek to Khote
After a good nights sleep we will get up early and make our way back to Khote 3,600m/ 11,811ft. It will take two hours to retract our steps to Tangnag 4,360m and then another 3 hours back to Khote.
Day 17 -Trek to Chhatrabuk (4,300m)
The route back to Lukla takes us over the shorter route. We make our descent back to Chhatrabuk 4,300m
Day 18 – Trek to Chhutanga
Today be move head on down from Chhatrabuk to Chhutanga. This is another long day hiking as we move closer to Lukla.
Day 19 – Trek to Lukla
This is the easiest and shortest day of the trek. We descend from Chhutanga to Lukla through the dense forest which takes about 3 hours. We will arrive back into Lukla and relax for the rest of the day. We overnight here.
Day 20 – Fly to Kathmandu
We take the early flight into Kathmandu. The rest of the day is set aside for showers, beers and chilling
Day 21 -Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Sight seeing day. We also use this day as a ‘spare’ day in case of bad weather.
Day 22 – Fly to Dubai/Doha
Day 23 – Fly to SA
