Mera Peak Expedition

Kathmandu is the gateway to the Himalayas and the starting point of our Mera Peak Expedition. It is vibrant, colourful, chaotic, and full of life, which is why we love beginning the journey here.

On arrival, you will be met by an LHO representative at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to our centrally located hotel. Kathmandu airport can feel like an adventure in itself, so we will send detailed arrival instructions before the trip to help you move through the airport smoothly.

Your LHO Team Leader will be waiting to receive you at the hotel, help you settle in, and make sure you have everything you need for the expedition ahead. If you arrive early, your Team Leader will share recommendations for restaurants, coffee shops, heritage sites, and markets so you can make the most of your first day in Kathmandu.

Our first official event is a team dinner at 7:30 pm hosted by your LHO Team Leader and local lead guide. This is where we meet the group, set expectations, answer questions, and begin building the rhythm of the expedition together. Although Kathmandu nightlife is tempting, we recommend an early rest so you can recover from your travels before the journey begins.

Our first full day together gives us time to explore Kathmandu, check our gear, and prepare properly before heading into the mountains. We will visit nearby cultural sites such as Durbar Square and the Monkey Temple, while also getting our first taste of Nepali cuisine during a team lunch.

This is also the day we review equipment and make sure everyone is prepared for the trail, camping sections, glacier training, high camp, summit day, and optional ski descent if selected. The expedition is supported by your LHO Team Leader, who works closely with the local trekking and climbing team to keep the journey organised from the start.

Because aviation into the Everest region is highly weather dependent, the exact Lukla travel plan is confirmed close to departure. Your itinerary includes one helicopter sector between Kathmandu and Lukla and one fixed wing domestic flight sector between Kathmandu and Lukla. The helicopter may be used on the way into Lukla or on the way back from Lukla, depending on weather, airport operations, and the plan that gives the group the smoothest overall journey.

Your LHO Team Leader will confirm the plan in Kathmandu and make sure everyone is clear before we leave for the mountains. If flights are operating from an alternative airport outside Kathmandu, we may move closer to that airport the night before departure so the team can rest properly rather than waking extremely early for a long transfer.

Dinner will be at the accommodation where we sleep that night.

Distance: 9.9 KM | Ascent: 800 M | Descent: 875 M | Max Altitude: 2,820 M

Our day starts after breakfast as we make our way to the airport for the journey to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. Depending on conditions, this sector may be operated by helicopter or fixed wing flight. Your expedition includes one helicopter sector between Kathmandu and Lukla, used either inbound or outbound, and one fixed wing domestic flight sector for the other direction.

This gives us more flexibility around one of the most delay prone parts of the Mera Peak Expedition while keeping the itinerary sensibly priced. Patience is still part of Himalayan travel, but the included helicopter sector gives us a stronger operational tool when conditions around Lukla are difficult.

Once in Lukla, we meet our porter team, who will collect the duffle bags and help move the expedition into trail mode. Lukla is one of the most important villages in the Khumbu region, both as a transport hub and as a gateway to the sacred high altitude valleys above.

The trek to Puyan begins on the south side of Lukla. We pass near the runway of Tenzing Hillary Airport before leaving the town and joining a forested trail. The route descends to the small village of Surke, then follows a series of gradual climbs along the side of the mountain.

The trail moves through small settlements, quiet forest sections, and remote corridors along the mountainside. These early days are important because they take us away from the busier Everest trail and into the quieter approach toward the Hinku Valley.

From Chheubas, it may be possible to see Puyan, our final stop for the day. The final approach is mostly gentle, with small descending sections before we reach the village. On arrival, the trekking team will help everyone settle into the tea house and understand the rhythm of the evenings on trail.

Dinner will be at our tea house, followed by a briefing for the next day.

Distance: 10 KM | Ascent: 936 M | Descent: 816 M | Max Altitude: 2,860 M

Our second day on the trail is our first full trekking day. After breakfast, we continue east toward the Khari La Pass at 2,860 meters.

The morning routine will quickly become familiar. Duffle bags need to be packed before breakfast so the porters can get a proper head start. The trekking team and LHO support structure will help keep the rhythm smooth, clear, and efficient so everyone understands how the expedition mornings work.

The trail to the pass is a gradual but sustained ascent, with limited flat sections. Our trekking team will set a steady pace that allows the group to move efficiently without wasting energy. This expedition is a marathon, not a sprint, and good pacing in the early days matters.

From the pass, it may be possible to see Pangum. Although it can feel close, the trail descends well below the village before climbing again to reach the settlement. The descent passes through forest, with occasional openings that reveal the white peaks above.

We stop at a tea house on the trail for a hot lunch and rest before continuing toward the final ascent to Pangum. The village sits on a plateau overlooking the forest and the Khari La Pass.

Dinner will be at our tea house.

Distance: 6.1 KM | Ascent: 709 | Descent: 624 M | Max altitude: 3,010 M

After breakfast, we start the day with a direct ascent to the Pangum La Pass at 3,010 meters. This is our first move above the 3,000 meter mark and an important early milestone in the long acclimatisation journey ahead.

From the pass, we begin crossing into the wild and quiet Hinku Valley. The trail reaches a junction lined by small tea houses in a tiny village called Bhusme. This is significant because it is the last permanently habitable village on our approach for some time. We stop here for lunch and rest.

From the junction, the trail turns toward Ningsow. This section is characterised by what we often call Nepali flat, which means the trail moves through small rises and drops while largely staying within a similar altitude range.

With a little luck, we may catch our first glimpse of Mera Peak peering over the hills at the far end of the valley. Arriving in Ningsow marks another expedition milestone because this is the first time we sleep in a campsite rather than a tea house.

On arrival, the expedition team will help everyone settle into camp, understand the tent setup, and prepare for the evening routine. Dinner will be prepared by our expedition chef and served in the mess tent, where we will receive the briefing for the next day.

Distance: 7.3 KM | Ascent: 1,321 M | Descent: 809 M | Max Altitude: 4,150 M

Checking out from camp can feel unfamiliar at first, but it quickly becomes part of the rhythm. It is best to pack duffle bags first and make sure personal equipment is ready before breakfast so the porters and camp team can begin their work efficiently.

After breakfast, we continue north into the Hinku Khola Valley. The trail begins with an ascent through thick pine forest, where rhododendrons may add colour to the green surroundings. The ascent is sustained and eventually breaks out of the forest onto open hillside, revealing views of the peaks above.

We continue along the valley before descending to cross the Hinku Khola. After the river crossing, we ascend to the small settlement of Pangkongma, where we stop for lunch.

The afternoon is spent climbing toward Chhetra Thanga. The trail moves through dense forest and steep terrain, making this a challenging but rewarding day. As we gain altitude, the scenery changes from lush greenery toward a more alpine environment.

Chhetra Thanga is a beautiful campsite near the meeting point of rivers, surrounded by mountain views. The team will set up camp, and the evening will be spent resting, eating, and preparing for the next stage of the expedition.

Distance: 6.1 KM | Ascent: 905 M | Descent: 508 M | Max Altitude: 3,600 M

By now, the camp routine should feel more natural. After breakfast, we begin walking deeper into the Hinku Valley toward Kothe. This day is shorter than the previous two trail days and gives the team a chance to settle into the rhythm of the journey.

The trail begins with an ascent along the mountainside before connecting with a small ridge above camp. From there, we follow the thinning tree line as the valley floor begins to rise and meet the trail. Kothe becomes visible from the ridge as we begin descending toward it.

As we approach the village, our route merges with the high pass trail coming down from Thuli Kharka before joining the Hinku Drangka River. From there, it is a short walk to Kothe, where we will have lunch and spend the afternoon resting.

At Kothe, we usually stay in tea houses rather than tents. However, because this is not a permanent settlement in the same way as the lower villages, accommodation can vary depending on the season and whether the tea houses are open. The trekking team and LHO support structure will confirm the final setup closer to the time.

Dinner will be followed by a briefing for the next day.

Distance: 10.1 KM | Ascent: 891 M | Descent: 20 M | Max Altitude: 4,700 M

From here onward, the expedition begins to feel more like a high Himalayan journey. The forests and lower streams gradually give way to glaciers, moraine, and towering summits.

After breakfast, we continue north through the Hinku Valley. The valley narrows, with cliffs rising on either side as the river leads us deeper into the mountains. Peak 43 stands ahead of us, with Mera Peak nearby on the right.

Because the trail is gradual, it can be tempting to move too quickly. Our trekking team will keep the pace steady and sustainable so the group can acclimatise properly and reduce unnecessary exposure to altitude symptoms.

We stop for a picnic lunch and rest at the midway point. From there, the trail begins to ascend toward the glacier moraine formed by the retreat of the glaciers beneath Peak 43 and Mera Peak.

We climb along the moraine to our campsite at Thangnak. The beauty of this place is difficult to overstate. We are near the Sabai Tsho glacier lake, at the junction of multiple glaciers, and beneath the 6,000 meter summits of Kusum, Kyashar, and Mera Peak.

After checking in, there may be time for a short walk to the glacier lake viewpoint. Dinner will be served in the mess tent, followed by a briefing for the next day.

Finally, a rest day. Sort of.

The good news is that we do not need to pack up our tents today. After breakfast, we start a little later with the aim of moving higher before returning to sleep at camp. The goal is to encourage acclimatisation while still protecting rest and recovery.

Climbing higher and sleeping lower helps the body adapt by exposing it to altitude during the day, then allowing it to recover at a lower sleeping elevation. Although reaching a higher point is useful, it is equally important not to exhaust the team unnecessarily.

The trekking and climbing team will assess the group’s energy, weather, and conditions before deciding how far we walk. If the team is tired or the weather is poor, we may keep the day lighter or remain at camp.

Lunch and dinner will be at camp. This day is deliberately flexible because the goal is adaptation, not ego. The stronger we feel here, the better prepared we are for the glacier days ahead.

Distance: 4.5 KM | Ascent: 633 M | Descent: 10 M | Max Altitude: 5,045 M

Our final day on the dry trail begins after breakfast. We pack everything and head northeast along the glacier moraine. The summit of Mera Peak will be visible to our right as we circle around the northwest face toward Khare.

The trail is mostly gradual, moving across interconnected moraines before climbing slowly toward the terminal moraine of the Hinku Shar and Mera La glaciers.

Khare is the last major stopping point before we move onto the glacier. The tea houses here are less predictable than those on the Everest trail because the region is less frequented. If they are open, we will use them for lunch, dinner, and the night. If they are closed, the LHO team will set up camp as we have done on earlier nights.

Arriving in Khare is a major milestone. It means the trekking portion of the expedition is almost complete and the glacier phase is about to begin. The climbing team will brief the group on the days ahead, including technical equipment, glacier movement, and training.

The views from Khare are extraordinary and make every step into the valley feel worthwhile.

Distance: 5.3 KM | Ascent: 552 M | Descent: 552 M | Max Altitude: 5,300 M

We spend a second night in Khare, which means we do not need to pack up today. After breakfast, we head toward the Mera La glacier for our first full technical training session.

This day is significant for two reasons. First, we move above the 5,000 meter threshold, which is a major achievement in itself. Second, we begin using technical mountaineering equipment on the glacier.

The climbing team will brief the group on what to pack. You will need your mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, and other technical equipment. The approach from Khare begins on dry trail before moving across small rocks and scree toward the glacier.

The lead climbing guide will determine the safest entry point onto the glacier. Once there, we take time to put on technical gear properly and receive a full briefing before stepping onto the ice.

Training will focus on crampon technique, ice axe use, movement on gradual glaciated terrain, fixed rope practice, jumar use, and abseiling. We do not try to do everything at once. There will be further opportunities to practise before summit day.

We have a picnic lunch on or near the glacier before descending back to Khare for rest. Dinner will include a full briefing for the next stage of the expedition.

Distance: 2.7 KM | Ascent: 566 M | Descent: 0 M | Max Altitude: 5,300 M

Mera Peak Base Camp will feel familiar when we arrive because it sits only a few hundred meters beyond the area where we trained the previous day. Although many expeditions start late because the journey is short, we choose to depart early and use the full day properly.

We pack everything and retrace our steps from Khare toward the Mera La glacier. Once at the glacier access point, we put on technical gear and begin ascending the ice. This time, we pass our training spot and continue onto the wider section of the glacier, heading south toward Base Camp.

The glacier here is wide and gradual, but crevasses are the main objective hazard. Crevasses are openings in the glacier that may be hidden by snow. For that reason, we move roped together during the ascent to Base Camp.

Once at camp, we check in, have lunch, and rest. In the afternoon, we head out for another training session. This session focuses on more advanced crampon movement, efficient use of fixed lines, keeping weight on the feet rather than the arms, and safe descending techniques.

The training also works as a mini acclimatisation opportunity because we may ascend above Base Camp before returning to sleep lower. Dinner will be served at camp, followed by a full briefing for the next day.

Distance: 1.9 KM | Ascent: 347 M | Descent: 83 M | Max Altitude: 5,800 M

Our second day on the glacier takes us higher along the Mera La glacier toward High Camp. After breakfast, we leave Base Camp in a southbound direction. The summit remains directly ahead for much of the day.

The trail is gradual but sustained as we move past crevassed sections on the glacier. We will use the skills developed during training to move safely and efficiently into higher altitude.

For ski mountaineers who have selected the ski descent add on, it may be possible to skin up on skis during this section if conditions allow. The LHO Team Leader will advise whether skinning is appropriate, where skis should be used, and when it is better to move on foot with the rest of the team.

Because the day is relatively short, we use the ascent as another opportunity to build confidence. The exact line may include features that help us practise skills in a controlled way, provided weather and conditions allow. If not, we save training for arrival at High Camp.

High Camp sits on a small rocky spur on the east side of the glacier. Behind us, the Everest region opens up, with possible views of Ama Dablam, Taboche, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest.

On arrival, we check in, have lunch, and rest. The afternoon is dedicated to recovery. The climbing team will confirm the wake up time, breakfast time, and summit plan during dinner. We strongly recommend sleeping shortly after dinner, even if excitement makes that difficult. The body needs every possible chance to recover before summit day.

Distance: 8.5 KM | Ascent: 605 M | Descent: 1,504 M | Max altitude: 6,461 M

The departure from High Camp usually takes place in the pre dawn hours, often between midnight and 3 am. The climbing team will confirm wake up time and breakfast during the briefing the night before.

We have a light breakfast before leaving camp. It is important to keep sugary snacks in accessible pockets so we can eat quickly without taking long breaks in the cold. The colder we get, the harder it is to restart, and the more energy we lose.

The trail from High Camp continues on a gradual incline along the Mera La glacier, following the same general direction as the previous days. The glacier leads south toward a shoulder above the icefall of the summit ridge. As we approach, Mera Peak appears to our right before we move onto the icefall.

On the shoulder, we need to be alert for large crevasses that can be concealed by snow. The route then turns west toward the final sharp ascent to the summit dome.

Mera Peak is a dome surrounded by glaciers. The final summit section requires fixed ropes and abseiling for safe ascent and descent. We climb the dome one by one, following the systems set by the climbing team. From the summit, the panorama is extraordinary, with views of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Everest, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga in clear conditions.

Summit time depends on weather, temperature, wind, visibility, team energy, and other climbers. We will take photos, appreciate the achievement, and then begin the descent as efficiently as conditions require.

For those who have chosen the ski descent add on, this is where the ski portion of the expedition begins. After leaving the summit area and reaching the appropriate transition point on the glacier, skiers will switch into ski mode under the leadership of the LHO Team Leader. This is a specialist part of the expedition because glacier skiing requires alpine ski judgment, snow assessment, spacing, descent management, and terrain selection that sit outside the normal local guiding tradition in Nepal.

The LHO Team Leader will lead the ski descent, assess whether conditions are suitable, choose the safest available line, and manage the pace and spacing of the ski team. If conditions are not suitable, the ski descent may be shortened, modified, or cancelled, and skiers will descend with the rest of the team on foot. Safety and conditions come first.

The non skiing team will descend on foot with the local climbing guides, retracing the route back toward High Camp and then Khare. Skiers will also stop at High Camp to pack any remaining equipment and continue skiing where snow conditions allow, usually until the snow line.

The whole team will regroup in Khare for a well deserved dinner.

Extra days are built into the expedition for adverse weather, additional acclimatisation, route adjustments, training needs, or delays on the way up.

If this day is not needed before the summit, it may support recovery, descent logistics, or operational flexibility. Unused contingency days at the end of the expedition cannot be converted into extra hotel nights in Kathmandu.

The purpose of this day is simple: mountains do not follow fixed calendars, and good expedition planning gives the team space to make better decisions.

This is a second built in contingency day for weather, acclimatisation, training, or summit timing. Mera Peak is a high altitude objective, and conditions on the glacier can change quickly.

If the summit has already been completed, this day may help support the descent plan. If the summit has not yet happened, the climbing team will continue assessing weather, route conditions, snow cover, team energy, and safety.

As with the previous contingency day, unused buffer days at the end cannot be used as additional nights in Kathmandu. They exist to protect the expedition, not to extend the city stay.

Distance: 14.3 KM | Ascent: 37 M | Descent: 1,504

After breakfast, we begin descending along the same trail used for the ascent. We leave the glacier environment behind and return toward the moraine, the valley, and the river systems that carried us toward the mountain.

The trail begins along the glacial moraine before veering toward Sabai Tsho Lake. Passing our previous campsite, we rejoin the Hinku Drangka River as it cuts through the valley.

The trail is generally easy and gradual, but there is a substantial horizontal distance to cover. We stop for a picnic lunch near the start of the lower valley before continuing riverside toward our overnight stop.

Accommodation in this region depends on the season and what is open. We may use a tea house or our camp setup. Dinner will include a briefing for the next part of the descent.

Distance: 6.8 KM | Ascent: 1086 M | Descent: 429 M

Our last full day before Lukla is still a serious mountain day. The summit may be behind us, but the expedition is not over yet.

After breakfast, we follow the trail away from the river and begin moving toward the route that connects us back toward Lukla. The terrain returns to the familiar pattern of Nepali flat before we reach the junction that leads toward the pass.

After lunch and rest, we begin the climb toward Thuli Kharka. The switchbacks are demanding, and the trail rises back above 4,000 meters. Forest gradually gives way to shorter vegetation and a drier mountain environment similar to what we experienced higher in the valley.

The south face of Mera Peak dominates the skyline behind us, giving the team one last powerful view of the mountain we have just climbed.

Our final stop is near the pass, where the Thuli Kharka lodge sits in a dramatic expanse of Himalayan views. Depending on the season and availability, we will either stay in the lodge or use camp. Dinner will include our final full trail briefing.

Distane: 10.1 KM | Ascent: 489 M | Descent: 1867 M

Our final day on the trail is not a leisurely stroll. After breakfast, we ascend to Zatrwa La Pass at 4,540 meters, the final high point of the expedition.

The ascent to the pass moves through rocky trail, scree, and small switchbacks. From the top, Lukla and the runway of Tenzing Hillary Airport come back into view. It is a powerful moment because the end of the trail is finally visible.

We begin descending directly from the pass, following a scree trail along the mountainside before merging into drier trail and short grass vegetation. As we lose altitude, trees reappear, then denser forest, and eventually the signs of village life return.

We stop for lunch at a tea house along the trail. After lunch, the route introduces us again to small villages, local trade, donkey caravans, tea houses, and the movement of the lower Khumbu.

The final descent leads into Lukla, where we check into our tea house, enjoy a well deserved shower, and explore the cafes, pubs, markets, and stores of the Sherpa town.

Because the expedition includes one helicopter sector between Kathmandu and Lukla, the final aviation plan will depend on how the inbound journey was operated and what conditions allow. If the helicopter sector has not yet been used, it may be used from Lukla to Kathmandu to reduce the risk of delay. If it was used on the way in, the return from Lukla is usually by fixed wing flight, subject to weather and airport operations.

Dinner will include information about the aviation plan back to Kathmandu.

Hot showers await us on our return to Kathmandu. Depending on how the journey into Lukla was operated, today may involve either the included helicopter sector from Lukla to Kathmandu or the fixed wing flight back toward Kathmandu. The decision is made according to weather, airport operations, and the best available plan for the group.

Patience is key when it comes to aviation in Nepal, although including one helicopter sector gives us more flexibility around one of the most unpredictable parts of the Mera Peak Expedition. Depending on when we move, lunch may be in Lukla, Kathmandu, or the alternative airport sometimes used to manage Lukla air traffic into Kathmandu.

Wherever we finally land, the LHO team will do everything possible to get you to the hotel smoothly so you can shower, rest, and enjoy Kathmandu before our farewell dinner.