Mera Peak and Island Peak Climbing via Amphu Labchaa Pass-Itinerary, Cost, Distance, In Nepal

You are cordially invited to visit Nepal, the Himalayan country. The experience of flying to Nepal is always unique, as it feels like you're on an adventure journey with panoramic views of snow-capped mountains beneath your plane. After clearing immigration and customs, a representative will show your name on the firm signboard at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu's exit airport terminals. Then, in a private conveyance, you will be welcomed, greeted, and guided to the hotel in the heart of Thamel, which is a really delightful area in the heart of the city. Thamel is a wonderful neighborhood with excellent restaurants and stores. Following check-in at the hotel, there will be a meeting and travel briefing orientation session later that evening. Then it's up to you to settle in and take in your new surroundings. Our helpful staff is here to offer any guidance or assistance.

Today, after breakfast, we will go on a full-day sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley, taking in the most important cultural, religious, and historic monuments as well as world heritage sites. The tour guide leads us to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, one of the world's largest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the famous "Monkey Temple" Swyambhunath, an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu valley, and the Buddhist shrine Buddhanath, the world's largest Buddhist Stupa, which dominates the skyline. Following the trip, a trekking briefing orientation, guide introduction, and final check of climbing equipment for hike will ensure that you are fully prepared for the thrilling journey ahead.

We arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu for an early morning flight to Lukla, a dramatic mountain little airfield that serves as the starting point for one of the great magnificent flights above natural splendor and the white Nepali Himalayas. This is one of the world's most picturesque flight routes, with a landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains. After a quick 40-minute flight, we arrive in Lula, the starting point for our adventure to Mera. The rest of the Mera peak crews will be waiting for us when we arrive, and we will begin our trailhead moving eastwards, higher above the picturesque Dudh Khosi, leaving for the popular Everest Base Camp trail. The trail leads through hamlets and wood yards until it reaches a dense forest of Silver fir, birch pastures, and rhododendron and pine forests. There are various little streams along the way, and the entire area is known as Chutanga, which is a summer pasture. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, acclimating, and exploring the surrounding communities.

Today's trek begins with a difficult ascent to pass the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range; from here, we enter the Hinku valley, leaving the Khumbu valley behind, and a sense of pristine isolation prevails. An ancient group of Buddhist chortens marks the start of a hard uphill trail. We continue on to Zatrwa La pass (4610m), where we are greeted in traditional Buddhist style with prayer flags. The views across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal appear quite stunning on a clear day after celebrating our first pass. Furthermore, we receive our first look at the panorama across the Hinku River Valley's rolling hillsides. We arrived in Thuli Karkha, where we enjoyed a well-deserved night's rest, in less than an hour.

Another magnificent day awaits, with gorgeous hills dotted with rhododendrons, Nepal's national flower. The hike is short and mostly downhill. The trail follows hills above the Hinku Valley, providing spectacular views of Mera Peak's South Face. A nice trek winds up to Kothe through gorgeous Himalayan pine and rhododendron trees, and bamboo, and along a ridge to the Hinku River.

When we continue walking along the Ridge of Hinku, the first time viewing and enjoying River stream view on the destination surrounded by towering view of Mera Peak and other mountains, we understand we have entered the high Himalayan mountains. The views of Kyashar (6,769m) and Kusum Karguru are spectacular (6,367m). The walk is a steady and gradual ascent up the valley, with the first half taking us along a rocky track beside the river. Then rise above the river level to green yak pastures (kharka). On the west bank of the Hinku Drangka, we walk through the Gondishung, where a historic monastery and a summer herder's hamlet are worth seeing. We hike for a while to get to Thagnang, a summer grazing region with a few rustic hotels and small shops.

Leaving towards Khare, our hike proceeds eastwards, acclimating and enjoying the scenery as we ascend steadily to our objective. The magnificent views of the surrounding peaks continue to open up after a two-and-a-half-hour hike up the daring lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to walk on the big pasture of Dig Khraka. The hike then continues up a steep incline through moraines to the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers' snouts. For just over an hour, we cross the stream and follow the track across the boulder-strewn mountainside. The difficult ascent leads us to Khare, which offers a spectacular view of Mera Peak.

Before continuing, we'll take today off to acclimate, explore, and practice the key ice-climbing skills with the help of our professional climbing guide. After breakfast, we climb a steep ridge to the beginnings of the Mera Glacier, which we will later follow to the Mera La pass. We will use this chance to practice glacial travel skills and organize a session on the glacier. First, we teach you how to use crampons, rope, and an ice axe, among other things. Following that, we will provide instruction on peak climbing skills as well as the right use of climbing equipment such as the ice ax, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, and so on. The course will also cover how to ascend and descend using the ropes. This aids our preparation for the Mera summit. Although prior training or expertise is not required for this hike to Mera Peak Base Camp, we believe that having past climbing experience will strengthen your confidence and climbing skills, increasing your chances of reaching the summit and allowing you to completely enjoy the experience. We return to Khare later in the day for an overnight stay.

Today will be an exhilarating day, as if it were your first day of mountaineering, with three hours of climbing up a boulder-strewn path to the glacier, which leads to Mera La. After arriving at the glacier's snout, we completely equip ourselves with crampons, harnesses, mountaineering boots, and ice axes. Crampon and ice ax tactics that we just learned will come in handy as we climb into the glacier. This exposed pass serves as a base camp before the next day's ascent to Mera's high camp. The views from the past, as well as your first mountaineering experience, are breathtaking. We first climb to the Mera La (5,410m), then back up the ridge to the back of the Mera base camp, where we will rest for the night.

Today, we travel from base camp to high camp through Mera la pass, a difficult rocky trail that leads to the high camp at a height of 5,800 meters. It serves as a great starting point for the last ascent to the peak. After crossing the Mera La, the trail bears left (south) and follows gentle angled snow slopes. After a short distance, a crevasse-filled terrain appears. These can readily be walked around in normal conditions, however seeing into their deep, black depths is always striking. The crevasses eventually give way to slightly steeper but open snow slopes that lead to the summit camp without trouble. When we arrive at the High Camp, we are greeted with spectacular views of Everest, Makalu, and the Nuptse, with the Lhotse wall immediately ahead. These magnificent mountains are bathed in a magical light as the sun sets. We can also see the majority of the summit route. To prepare for tomorrow's summit bid, we obtain a good night's sleep.

We get up early with warming cups of tea and set out into the cold on our way to Mera Peak's peak. As we make our way up the Mera glacier at a moderate, steady pace, the climbing is rather straightforward. As we slowly but steadily climb higher into the ever-thinning air, the course remains non-technical. Early in the morning, a bid from the high camp to the summit will be made, and it will take around 4 to 6 hours to reach the summit. The sun's early rays cast a stunning red hue across the peaks. Depending on the weather, we may attach to a fixed rope at the base of the final steep summit cone. Only a few meters separate you from the summit. The summit, which we've all been working so hard to reach, is just around the corner. The slope steepens behind the ridge for a length, and the summit reappears. The 360 panorama is one of the most beautiful and magnificent views of Baruntse (7129m), Haling (7319m), and NauLekh (6360m), with Makalu (8481m) rising in the background. We're far enough back that the smaller peaks don't impede the view, yet we're still right in the middle of this spectacular alpine panorama. We take our time taking it all in before returning to Khare for our overnight stay at the lodge, which is roughly a 2-hour descent. This has been a long but rewarding day.

We've set aside an extra day as a spare or contingency day in case of weather or acclimatization issues. This extra day provides some flexibility and can be put to good use for a second summit attempt. This is also a backup day in case there are any other delays along the road, such as the Lukla flight. If everything goes well and you reach the top on the summit day, this day will be used to prepare for the next day's hike. This day will be used as a free day in Kathmandu if it is not used as a contingency day.

We trek today across the secluded valley of the top yak pastures of this after a successful expedition to Mera summit. We will have breathtaking views of the Himalayan valley along the way. It's almost shocking to learn that the two magnificent mountains we're driving straight for are Everest and Lhotse.

To reach Amphu Lapcha base camp, trek through inaccessible areas of the high-altitude Himalayas. Even during peak tourist season, we rarely see other hikers on this route because it is off the usual path. Just past White Lake, the first in a sequence of lakes in the upper Honku Basin, we begin a difficult ascent. The Honku Valley's wilderness is a must-see. The Honku Valley is pure mountain wildness, with Chamlang (7321m) on the right and hanging glaciers on its South-West and North-West faces.

We begin our journey from the south base camp of Amphu Lapcha to the north base camp of Amphu Lapcha early in the morning across steep stretches of rock and ice to reach the pass when the snow is stable and before the sun melts the snow. Climbing ropes are likely to be used wherever they appear to be required. The final stretch of the ascent to Amphu Lapcha is made up of snow shovels. On the other side, a hard fall on fixed lines leads down to the moraine, which must be attempted.

The trek today is downhill down the moraine that connects Chukkung, the Island Peak's beginning point. The Khumbu Region's civilization is now introduced to us through the wilderness of the distant Hinku Valley. A little above Pangboche Village, the Imja Khola enters the Dudh Koshi river. At Pangboche, there is a well-known monastery that is thought to be the oldest in the Khumbu region. It's a joy to arrive in Pangboche after a few days of strenuous mountaineering and hiking. Spending the night in the coziness of one of the occupied village's lodges is a warm welcome that we believe is well deserved.

Despite the need for acclimatization, we use this day to prepare for the climb. Under the supervision of a Sherpa climbing guide, we will undertake instruction on peak climbing techniques and the use of climbing gear such as climbing boots and crampons, harnesses, and rope climbing up and down. Climbing Island Peak does not necessitate any prior climbing expertise. Such training possibilities, without a doubt, will raise climber confidence, polish climbing skills, and increase the odds of reaching the top. However, people who are embarking on their first trips may find the training to be extremely beneficial.

As we travel from Chukung up an open valley with beautiful scenery and mountain views, it will be another pretty easy day. Along the glacial moraine of ImjaTsho glacier lake, we steadily ascend to base camp. Tented Camp is where you'll spend the night.

We start our journey early today, using a lantern to illuminate our way up the rocky road through the rock gorge that leads to the summit glacier pass. When crampons and ice axes are required, our guide will tie a rope into the crevasses of the glacier. We walk in the same direction as the tour guide. The trail is generally well-marked and twists its way up snow gullies and rock bands until easing off to a little plateau where we'll be able to relax and take in the first rays of the morning sun. On the brink of the glacier, we'll witness a stunning sunrise. The top is reached through a steep snow slope that leads to an exhilarating ridge crossing. Being on the summit is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we'll have plenty of time to celebrate our achievement, take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps, and take as many photos as possible before returning to Base Camp. We make our way all the way down to Chhukung, where we will spend the night.

This contingency day has been added to the program in case the previous day's summit attempt was canceled owing to inclement weather, acclimatization issues, or other factors. If the trip is free of problems and impediments and works smoothly, the day will be cut short as a result of the schedule changes.

We'll head down the valley through Dingboche and on to Tengboche after a leisurely breakfast in Chukung. We're taking it easy today after yesterday's heavy effort. We'll spend one more night at the monastery, where we'll get spectacular views of AmaDablam and other sights.

We make our way back to Namche from Tengboche by retracing our ways. We begin by descending to cross the Dudh Kosi River, then ascend and contour to Namche.

This will be our final day on the trekking routes, and as we return down the Dudh Kosi valley, it will be a long but satisfying day. The views will be completely different from this angle. We eventually arrive in Lukla, a huge town with an airport where we will fly back to Kathmandu the next day.

If everything goes according to plan, the flight to Kathmandu is usually scheduled for the morning. The magnificent morning flight back to Kathmandu provides us one more opportunity to have a close look at the mighty snow-capped Himalayas in the distance and bid the mountains farewell. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You have the remainder of the day free to relax, rejuvenate, and perhaps take an excursion to see more of the city before the group's last evening celebration, which will include a special supper.

We really hope you enjoyed your trekking vacation in Nepal's gorgeous highlands with us. You have nothing else to do but get ready and excited to return home. As a result, you can use your free time to go last-minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts for your family, friends, or relatives until your departure flight, which is approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight; our personal representative will drive you to the international airport for your final departure home in a private vehicle. You say your goodbyes to Kathmandu and Nepal until your next visit. On the journey back to your home, you'll reminisce about the fantastic adventures and make plans for your next adventure in Nepal's beautiful country.