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At 6476m (over 21,000 feet) Mera Peak is the highest trekking peak in Nepal, and is ideal as an introduction to the world of high altitude mountaineering. The view from the top is arguably one of the finest panoramas in the Himalaya, a magnificent spread of 5 of the world’s highest mountains. Whilst a tough and demanding climb, Mera has little in the way of technical climbing. As such it is accessible to most mountain walkers, provided they are fit, acclimatised and armed with determination and strong will-power. Previous experience with crampons and ice axe is necessary, but extensive experience is not essential, and we can organise a refresher course on the glacier before making the ascent. We have one of the best support teams in the Himalaya: an experienced Western leader, local Sherpa’s, cooks (our food is often the envy of trekkers!) and porters. We have worked with our crew for many years, and together we have taken our clients up hundreds of peaks in the Khumbu, from Everest to Mera Peak. This is a fully supported camping trek where we provide tents, all meals on the expedition, a fully equipped mess/dining tent, toilet tent, porters, satellite phone, safety equipment (including Portable Altitude Chamber) and First Aid Kit.
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Whilst it is a tough and demanding climb, Mera has little in the way of technical climbing. As such it is accessible to most mountain walkers, provided they are fit, acclimatised and armed with determination and strong will-power. A typical day will involve about 5 hours trekking, with summit day taking about 12 hours round trip. Previous experience with crampons and ice axe is beneficial, but extensive experience is not essential, and we can organise a refresher course on the glacier before making the ascent.
ABILITY LEVEL: 1- No alpine experience is required but previous hill walking, trekking or easy mountaineering is a bonus. You will be using crampons and be roped up on glaciers. FITNESS LEVEL: B - These climbs are strenuous with back to back days of climbing 6 hours, probably at altitude for an extended trip.
Likewise, previous experience at altitude is helpful but not essential. There is a great variety of terrain on this trip: the initial trek into the Hinku valley is straightforward, with rugged trails and strenuous but achievable passes. The paths are in relatively good condition all the way to Khare, where we establish “base camp” for several days. After this we use crampons and ice axes to make our way up the Mera Glacier, where we will rope together as appropriate for glacier travel. This trip is relatively demanding due to the altitude attained and on account of several long days’ trekking. The actual technical aspect of the climb is straightforward, and our Mera peak trip is open to beginner mountaineers. However, although the climbing is technically ‘easy’, we are not suggesting that an ascent of Mera Peak is not a tough physical challenge! You will need the fall into the following ability and fitness categories to make the most of our Mera Peak expedition; DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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DAY 7: From Chalem Kharka we continue climbing through grazing country, but on more rugged paths that afford superb views of Kanchenjunga, to our camp at Chunbu Kharka (4200m).(Camp) Our itinerary has been designed with great care, enabling a slow and safe acclimatisation, but at the same time fitting perfectly into a 3 week schedule. We have chosen a circular route, not only because this makes the trip more varied, but we firmly believe that the key to success on Mera Peak lies in acclimatisation. Our trek in to the Hinku valley avoids the main trail over the Zatrwa La, used by most trekking companies, and instead takes us through remote villages, across rugged terrain and into the wilderness of the Makalu Barun National Park. DAY 0: Travel to Kathmandu DAY 1: Arrive Kathmandu. Airport transfer provided. Meet the group this evening at our hotel. (Hotel)
DAY 8: Chunbu Kharka to Khote. Today we have a shorter day as we contour around the Hinku valley and descend to join the main trail towards Mera. We camp in an area known as Khote (3550m). (Camp) DAY 9: From Khote we head up the Hinku valley to the village of Tangnag (4356m). Our day is dominated by stunning views of Kusum Kangguru and Kyashar. (Camp) DAY 10: Acclimatisation day in Tangnag. One option for today is to walk up the ridge towards Kusum Kangguru base camp, reaching an altitude of nearly 5000m. Here we should be able to have a good view of our route up to Mera La. Camp
DAY 2: A free day sightseeing in Kathmandu. Also a kit check and final chance to buy any last minute items. (Hotel) DAY 3: An early start for the spectacular flight to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, where we meet our porters and cook team. Trek to Poyan (2800m). (Camp) DAY 4: Today we leave the main trade route to Phaplu, and begin a steady trek along the winding path to Pangkongma (2846m). (Camp) DAY 5: Fantastic views today, including our first view of Mera’s south face, as we head over the Pangkongma La to Nashing Dingma (2600m). (Camp) DAY 6: From Nashing Dingma we head over the Surke La and make our way to camp at the grazing land of Chalem Kharka (3600m). (Camp)
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rewarded with a view of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. We then make the long descent via the same route to Khare, where you will have a hot meal and a much deserved sleep! (Camp) DAY 11: Tangnag to Khare. We cross over glacial moraine, with great views over the turquoise glacial lakes, and hike through the pasture of Dig Kharka, underneath the impressive North Face of Mera Peak, to reach Khare (4850m) - the last settlement before we head onto the Mera Glacier. (Camp) DAY 12: Acclimatisation day in Khare. There are some excellent walks around Khare, and it is important to spend time acclimatising and recuperating here to maximise our chances of summiting. We may also have a chance to hone our crampon and ice axe skills by climbing up to the tongue of the glacier. (Camp) DAY 13: Khare to the Mera La. An hour and a half’s walk above Khare, we put on our crampons and head up the 25-30 degree slopes of the Mera Glacier to establish our camp at the Mera La (5300m), where we can enjoy the truly spectacular scenery: including our first glimpse of a 7000m peak, Chamlang. (Camp.) DAY 14: Mera La to High Camp (5800m). This is a short day 3-4 hours as we are still acclimatising in preparation for our summit bid. Today you really feel you are in the heart of the giant mountains of the Himalaya: first we see the red pyramid of Makalu to the east, followed shortly by the impressive black rock of Everest peeking out above Lhotse, and it is not long before we catch sight of Cho Oyu to the north-west. (Camp) DAY 15: Summit day! An early start for a long day. We continue across the glacier at a slow but steady pace, roped up in teams to avoid the crevasses. Most of the climb is at an easy gradient, whilst the last 50 metres are somewhat harder at 45 degrees.It usually takes around 4-6 hours to reach the summit, where you are
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DAY 16: A spare day – in case of bad weather, an additional day for another summit attempt. (Camp) DAY 17: Descend to Khote. We begin our walk out today, descending the Hinku valley, to camp at Khote (3550m). (Camp) DAY 18: Khote to Tuli Kharka. Our return to Lukla is more direct, and today we climb up through the forest on the west side of the Hinku valley, to the yak herders’ settlement of Tuli Kharka (4300m). (Camp) DAY 19: Tuli Kharka to Lukla. We ascend to cross the Zatrwa La (4600m), our last climb of the trip! Now we have a 2000m descent all the way to Lukla, and our base at Paradise Lodge – a favourite haunt of Sir Edmund Hillary. (Lodge) DAY 20: We take the early morning flight back to Kathmandu, and have the afternoon free for sightseeing or last minute shopping. This evening we will go out for a group meal to celebrate in one of Kathmandu’s finest restaurants. (Hotel) DAY 21: The trip ends today with a transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Please note that this itinerary should be taken as a guideline and is not set in stone. This is adventure travel, and bad weather, delayed flights and a whole host of reasons can prevent us from following our intended schedule. Our leader will be able to make any alternative arrangements that are necessary to ensure our trip runs as smoothly as possible.
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To maximise your chance of summiting Mera and enjoying it in the process, it is important to get as fit as you possibly can. If you have already been to altitude (4000m+), you will have some idea of the endurance required to get there. To summit a 6000m peak, you are upping the endurance test even further, so prior preparation is a good idea. The process of training for your goal will help you focus on your goal, and having a goal will help you focus on your training. So all in all, training is good! Mountaineering is all about being able to exercise at a moderate intensity for many hours (typically 5-12 hours) and your training should reflect this. Although all but our summit day will be less than 6 hours, the high altitude really takes its toll (and it feels like a longer day). Probably the best training is going on long days hill walking as this simulates the real thing as closely as possible and prepares the mind. However not everyone has the opportunity to do this and so alternatives such as running, cycling and gym workouts are good. The focus should be on training Cardiovascular Endurance and so if in the gym, we highly recommend cycling, running and rowing machines are much better than weight training. Try and exercise for up to a couple of hours at a time, 4 times a week. Remember to build up your workouts over time. If you are not used to exercising much, your muscles and joints need time to build up to avoid injury. Try and choose an activity that you enjoy and keep a note of what you do and your times, this really helps with keeping the motivation up. If you are not used to training then your local gym will be able to advise you on a plan and schedule to help you achieve your goals. Please remember that training does not work overnight! The fittest athletes
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train as part of their lifestyles and have been doing it for years, so you should start your training at least 3 months before the expedition. It is important to arrive in Nepal fit and healthy, so look after yourself before your expedition, don’t overdo the training, and don’t start a diet before you get here. You will lose weight at altitude and will need all your strength on the mountain, so give yourself a head start and arrive in Nepal feeling strong!
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such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, breathlessness, numbness or tingling, coughing, or any other unusual symptoms.
Mera peak is at nearly 6500m, which is roughly the maximum altitude to which humans can expect to fully acclimatise. At this altitude most people will experience some physical side effects. We are confident that our itinerary follows an excellent acclimatisation programme which is designed to minimise the effects of altitude and maximise summit success! As one climbs higher the air gets thinner and so there is less oxygen in each breath we take. The higher we go the less oxygen there is, this makes exercising much harder work than at sea level and so we have to slow down to help compensate. However, because we have slowed down, we may feel colder, especially on summit days. Because there is less oxygen in the air as we get higher, this can lead to ‘altitude sickness’ or Acute Mountain Sickness (headache, nausea, weakness, fatigue, dizziness) and can develop into a very serious and even fatal (in extreme cases) problem. We make sure we do everything at a slow, steady pace and keep ourselves hydrated, two key factors in acclimatising successfully. Most people do not experience any problems at altitude, provided they ascend slowly and are sensible about any altitude symptoms. If you do have any problems, we are equipped with a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC bag) and a satellite phone to aid evacuation. Our leaders are experienced in recognising the symptoms and dealing with the effects of altitude and are there to help make decisions relating to your safety on the mountain. We have an excellent success rate on Mera but altitude sickness is not to be taken lightly or hidden! It is important to let your leader know if you feel the onset of any symptoms
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28. Warm hat 29. Sun hat 1. Lightweight shorts and (made of a quick drying / breathable material) 2. Trekking trousers (made of a quick drying / breathable material) 3. Socks (we recommend Merino wool for warmth and breathability - 3-4 pairs) 4. Underwear (3-4 pairs – wash as you go!) 5. Wicking t shirts and long sleeved tops (2 of each)
30. Quick dry ‘paclite’ towel 31. Sunscreen factor 30+ Lip salve with sunblock 32. Insect repellent & antihistamines 33. Wet wipes Personal medical kit and wash kit – keep this to an absolute minimum!!! Ipod / personal stereo & camera You should carry a large daypack with sufficient straps to carry an ice axe (35-45 litres is ideal). You should also bring a large kitbag for all items that you will not be carrying yourself while trekking.
6. 2x Lightweight fleece 7. 1x Heavyweight fleece 8. Waterproof Gore-Tex trousers and jacket 9. Trekking boots 10. Flip flops / crocs / sandals for camps 11. 4/5 season down sleeping bag 12. 4 season down jacket 13. Plastic mountaineering boots 14. Ice axe 15. Crampons 16. Harness 17. 2 x screw gate karabiners 18. 2 x prussic loops
These will be transported from camp to camp by porters. Max weight limit 20kg. It is possible to wash clothes as you go / get clothes washed in villages. Bowls of hot water are normally provided for washing at camps. It is possible to hire crampons, ice axes and plastic boots in Kathmandu, but we cannot guarantee the quality or availability of these. It is also possible to buy down gear relatively cheaply, but again we cannot guarantee the quality. INSURANCE We strongly recommend getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue. Make sure that it covers glaciated mountaineering and climbing. We recommend the Dogtag (www.dogtag.co.uk) - they have comprehensive policies and a good reputation
19. 2 x slings 20. 2 x water bottles (camelbacks are fine for the trek but are not suitable for summit day as they can freeze) 21. Sleeping mat/thermarest 22. 2x good quality sunglasses (category 4 UV block) 23. Goggles 24. Head torch and spare batteries 25. Thermals 26. Several pairs of warm gloves 27. Glove liners
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RATIO: 3:1 Leaders of Sherpa’s COURSE LEVEL: Ability 1
CLIMATE / WEATHER Our trip is timed to coincide with the end of the monsoon season, therefore optimising the weather and snow conditions on the mountain. For the walk in, the weather is normally mild and the snowline around 5000m. If it is sunny, the days are usually warm so you are likely to be trekking into base camp in shorts or trekking trousers and a light fleece. However, you will need to carry waterproofs, and the evenings will be cool, down jackets are normal night time attire!
FULL COURSE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flights and departure tax, visa fee, lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu, tipping, insurance, sightseeing trips in Kathmandu.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Some people like to arrive early and spend some time in Nepal before their trip, some may do this after the trip: and others may be pushed for time and need to head back to work. In order to retain this flexibility we offer a land only package and you should arrange your own flights. We recommend doing this as soon in advance as possible as flights to Nepal can be very busy in October. If flying via Delhi, you will need to organise an Indian visa well in advance, please note you cannot obtain a transit visa on arrival in Delhi. Our service includes an airport transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu, so you should let us know your flight details and whether you require a transfer.
OUR LEADERS Our trip to Mera Peak will be led by a qualified Mountain Leader or Guide. All of our leaders have a valid first aid certificate, have a wealth of experience at altitude and are highly versed in recognising and dealing with the symptoms of altitude sickness. We are extremely careful in our selection of leaders, and make sure that not only are all of our staff known personally to us, but also that we choose the right leader for the right trip.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS Everyone visiting Nepal must have a full passport (valid for 6 months after your stay) and entry visa. You can apply for your visa in advance from the Nepalese embassy in your home country, or you can obtain one on arrival at Kathmandu airport. For this you will need a passport photo and cash (dollars are preferable, but euros & sterling are also accepted). The current price of visa on arrival is $40 for 30 days or $100 for 90 days. Up to date info is at www.travcour.com
FITNESS LEVEL: B FULL PRICE COURSE INCLUDES: Transfers between Kathmandu airport and our hotel, all internal travel including, flights and airport tax, accommodation in a 4* hotel in Kathmandu (breakfasts included), fully supported trek including all meals and porter service, a qualified Dream Guides leader and local staff
With Dream Guides you will be looked after by someone whose experience on Mera Peak is secondto-none, and to whom your safety and wellbeing are paramount. DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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painkillers, rehydration salts and diarrhoea treatment (dioralyte and Imodium), a broad spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic cream, antihistamine cream & tablets, Diamox and any other medication you might require. It is possible to buy all of the above over the counter in Nepal. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD We spend a total of 3 nights in Kathmandu in a highend hotel, 16 nights camping and 1 night in a lodge in Lukla. All accommodation is on a twin-share basis, so if travelling alone you may be paired up with another member of the same sex. It may be possible to pay a supplement for a single room in the hotel, and/ or a single tent, please contact us for further details. Whilst on trek, all meals are provided. Our cook team is excellent and will keep you going with tasty and nourishing meals. Breakfast is usually porridge or cereal, followed by eggs and bread or chapattis. Lunch is often a hot meal, depending on how long the trek is that day, and the evening meal will be either a local Nepali or Western style food such as pizzas. We make sure you have a good mix of rice, lentils, vegetables, pasta and meat. VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH You should consult your doctor for up to date information about vaccination requirements, but we would recommend the following vaccinations: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A. If you are intending to extend your trip to visit the Terai region (including Chitwan National Park) you might consider malaria prophylaxis. You should discuss with your GP the management of any ailments you may have and bring enough medications to last the trip. We would also recommend visiting your dentist before a long trip to altitude. FIRST AID We will provide a substantial first aid kit with our trip for emergencies, but you should also bring your own personal medical kit with the following items: plasters,
MONEY AND TIPPING The Nepalese currency is the rupee, and at the time of writing £1 is equal to 112 NRs. You can bring your money in cash or travellers cheques – these are widely accepted (but not $20 traveller’s cheques). There are many ATM machines in Kathmandu. Whilst on trek you will not spend much money – all food is provided and there isn’t a huge deal to spend your money on. You may wish to have the odd coke or beer, especially in Lukla, and it is a good idea to carry some cash (approx. £100 worth) in the event that you need to stay in lodges or descend in an emergency. Tipping is standard in Nepal and you should allow around £50-60 to tip the local staff at the end of the trek. Your leader will assist with organising and collecting this. Currently the international departure tax is 1695 rupees. FURTHER INFORMATION If you have any questions regarding this trip, please contact us through the website WWW.DREAM-GUIDES.COM. We all have first-hand knowledge of Mera Peak and look forward to hearing from you!
DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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