Photo: Cristian Grecu ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Five 8,000ers from one summit.
Mera Peak is the highest of Nepal’s trekking peaks, and from its top Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kangchenjunga stand in one sweep. Technically it is a long glacier and a gentle snow dome; the difficulty lies in the altitude and the remote Hinku valley, reached over a week of passes from Lukla. Eighteen days with a tented high camp at 5,780 m. For those who want serious altitude experience without technical walls.
- 6,476 m, higher than anything in Europe
- Five 8,000-metre peaks on the horizon
- The wild Hinku valley via the Zatrwa La
- High camp at 5,780 m
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu
Arrival and meeting at the hotel at 1,400 m. Gear laid out, boots tried, route briefing.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · 10 km, 5 hours
Lukla to Paiya
Flight to Lukla at 2,840 m; instead of Namche we turn south and drop to Paiya at 2,730 m. A quiet trail with hardly any trekkers.
Overnight: Lodge in Paiya - DAY 3 · 12 km, 6 hours
Pangkongma over the Kari La
Up to the Kari La pass at 3,145 m and down to the village of Pangkongma at 2,850 m. Terraces, a monastery and Mera Peak far ahead.
Overnight: Lodge in Pangkongma - DAY 4 · 11 km, 6 hours
Ningsow
Over the Pangkongma La at 3,170 m and along the ridge to Ningsow at 2,860 m. Plenty of up and down through forest.
Overnight: Lodge in Ningsow - DAY 5 · 13 km, 7 hours
Chhatra Khola
A trail through the dense forest of Makalu-Barun National Park to Chhatra Khola at 2,800 m. Red pandas live here, though few ever see one.
Overnight: Lodge at Chhatra Khola - DAY 6 · 12 km, 800 m of ascent
Kothe, the Hinku valley
Into the Hinku valley and up along the river to Kothe at 3,600 m. The valley narrows; glaciers ahead.
Overnight: Lodge in Kothe - DAY 7 · 9 km, 750 m of ascent
Thangnak
A gentle climb up the valley to the pastures of Thangnak at 4,356 m, past the Lungsumgba gompa under its overhang. A short day for acclimatisation.
Overnight: Lodge in Thangnak - DAY 8 · 7 km, 700 m of ascent
Khare
Over the Dig glacier moraines to Khare at 5,045 m, the last settlement below the mountain. In the afternoon we study the line over the Mera La.
Overnight: Lodge in Khare - DAY 9 · Acclimatisation to 5,400 m
Acclimatisation and ice practice
Onto the glacier to 5,400 m: crampons, rope teams, jumar and abseiling on fixed ropes. Back to Khare to rest.
Overnight: Lodge in Khare - DAY 10 · 4 km, 400 m of ascent
Mera La
Roped across the glacier to the Mera La at 5,415 m. Camp goes just beyond the pass on the ice; windy evening.
Overnight: Tent, Mera La 5,415 m - DAY 11 · 3 km, 370 m of ascent
High camp
A gentle glacier to the high camp on a rock outcrop at 5,780 m, 3–4 hours. Everest and Makalu are already in view. Early dinner, asleep before dark.
Overnight: Tent, high camp 5,780 m - DAY 12 · Summit 6,476 m, 12–14 hours
Summit day on Mera Peak
Away at 2:00. A broad glacier of up to 30 degrees, a final rise on fixed ropes and the Central summit at 6,476 m by 8 or 9 in the morning. Descent over the Mera La to Khare — a long day.
Overnight: Lodge in Khare - DAY 13 · Reserve, descent to 3,600 m
Reserve day
A buffer for weather or a second attempt. If the summit is done — rest in Khare and descend to Kothe.
Overnight: Lodge in Kothe - DAY 14 · 9 km, 700 m of ascent
Thuli Kharka
A steep climb from Kothe to the Thuli Kharka pastures at 4,300 m below the Zatrwa La. A last look back at Mera Peak.
Overnight: Lodge at Thuli Kharka - DAY 15 · 14 km, 1,800 m of descent
Zatrwa La and Lukla
The Zatrwa La at 4,610 m, often snowy, then a long 1,800 m descent to Lukla. Dinner with the team.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla - DAY 16 · Flight
Flight to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap. Shower, laundry, an evening in Thamel.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 17 · Reserve, sightseeing
Kathmandu, weather buffer
Buffer for delayed Lukla flights. If all is on time — Swayambhunath and Durbar Square.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 18 · Transfer
Flight home
Transfer to Tribhuvan airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges in the Hinku valley and tents above Khare
Three meals a day, cook at the high camps
Certified climbing guide per 3 participants
Flights Kathmandu — Lukla — Kathmandu
NMA permit for Mera Peak, Makalu-Barun park fee
Porters, ropes, tents, emergency oxygen
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
High-altitude boot and crampon rental
Meals in Kathmandu
Helicopter evacuation
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need experience above 5,000 m, cold tent nights and confident crampon technique. Ivan builds preparation around long trekking days and an Elbrus or Kazbek ascent the summer before.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.