TRIP OVERVIEW

Mera peak via Phaplu is one of the most beautiful and adventurous trip in the Solukhumbu region. This ultimate Himalayan adventure trekking begins with a Jeep ride from Kathmandu to Sallery 9 hours with exciting drive through the hilly road. The trek start from Phaplu trekking through the terraced farmland and beautiful forest of Nepal’s ‘Middle Hills’, passing small villages and settlements inhabited by Rai and Sherpa.We, the Waiba Adventure Trek have designed this trip for adventure lovers and it gives proper acclimatization and hiking experience. Climbing Mera Peak via Phaplu takes you from the lowlands’ to the top of Mera peak with slow, gradual and interesting increase in the altitude which make the trip more safer from altitude sickness. Phaplu Sallery to Mera peak Trekking and a Climbing route is less crowded, It makes the journey unforgettable experience. Mera peak is located south of the Everest in the Hinku valleyPhaplu to Mera Peak Climbing route is getting more popular each year due to the extraordinary and stunning scenery it offers. Moreover, you do not need any previous mountaineering experience if you are physically fit and have an enthusiasm for adventure. Neither has it demanded technical climbing. This is the highest peak (6476m) allowed for climbing in Nepal. The climb is definitely a strenuous one being the highest peak, but the slopes rarely exceed 30 degrees and hence it is technically straightforward.

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day  01:  Arrival in Kathmandu transfer to hotel

Day  02:  Early morning drive to Phaplu (2,600m) over night at Phaplu

Day  03:  Trek to Nunthala (2330m)

Day  04:  Trek to Kharikhola (2,010m)

Day  05:  Trek to Pangum (2,846m)

Day  06:  Trek to Ning So (2,850m)

Day  07:  Trek to Trek to Jungle Camp (31,60m)

Day  08:  Trek to Kothe (3,691m)

Day  09:  Trek to Thaknak (4,358m)

Day  10:  Acclimatization dai in Thaknak

Day  11:  Trek to Khare (5,045m)

Day  12:  Khare Acclimatization and pre–climb training

Day  13:  Trek to Mera High Camp (5,780m)

Day  14:  Climb to Mera Peak Summit (6,461m) and back to Khare

Day  15:  Reserve Day for Contingency

Day  16:  Trek back to Kothe (3600m)

Day  17:  Trek to Thuli Kharka (4300m)

Day  18:  Trek  to Lukla via Zatrwa La pass

Day  19:  Fly  to Kathmandu

Day  20:  Full day City Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Day  21:  In Kathmandu

Day  22:  Final departure

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day  01:  Arrival in Kathmandu transfer to hotel

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Waiba Adventure Trek who will drop you to your hotel in Kathmandu. A full briefing will be given after you check in. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day  02:  Early morning drive to Phaplu (2,600m)

Today our destination is Phaplu, we drive by private Jeep to Phaplu a Sherpa village which lies approximately 270km east of Kathmandu and it takes about 9-10 hours drive. Phaplu is a gateway village in the lower Solu Khumbu, it also has one of the domestic airport in the region. Our adventure already starts with the exciting drive to Phaplu on the mountain road; during the drive you will enjoy scenic view of the Mountain, River and many villages. We stop for the nice lunch at Ghurmi. Overnight at Phaplu.

Day  03:  Trek to Nunthala (2345m)

Today we follow the way through the pine and rhododendron forests. As we walk through the path with meadows then we reach to Ringmo, a small Sherpa village after three or four hours of a straight walk. From Ringmo the trail ascend up to Trakshindo Pass (3071m) the trail drops down to Nuntala at 2320m. Overnight at Nunthala.

Day  04:  Trek to Kharikhola (2,010m)

The trail continues descending to the Dudh Koshi River (Milk River) where the trail then ascends through the several Rai & Sherpa villages, terraced fields and forests to Khari Khola. After crossing the river its pretty much climb up to Khari Khola and temperature is normally hot there so, we need to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrate. Overnight at Kharikhola.

Day  05:  Trek to Pangum (2,846m)

Today, we leave main classic trail to Everest from Kharikhola Instead, our trail head in a South east from Kharikhola following on the zigzag trail takes us close to Lenjikharka and to Pangum a beautiful Sherpa village. Overnight at Pangum.

Day  06:  Trek to Ning So (2,850m)

After breakfast, we will start our today’s journey passing through the Rhododendron and pine forest on a steep winding stairs up to the Pangum la (3,174m) on the main watershed separating the valleys of the Dudh Kosi and Hinku Khola river. We have our first sight of Mea Peak before making a steep descent to the village of Sibuje (2770 m). From here the trail is undulating as we make our way through the forested river to Ning So (2850m). Overnight at Ning So.

Day  07:  Trek to Trek to Jungle Camp (31,60m)

Today we have a steep climb up to a tea house at (3280m) which offers breathtaking views if weather allow us. Then we continue ascend to our high point of the day at (3355m), and descend steep down to river. After lunch we trek through the forest, river with some steep sections of trail to reach our camp. Overnight at Jungle Camp.

Day  08:  Trek to Kothe (3,691m)

Heading north we follow the Hinku Khola through the moss covered trees with many ups and downs as we negotiate side valleys and rock ridges. Our overall elevation gradually increases and finally, after crossing a broad ridge of mixed forest, we reach a sandy boulder-choked area known as Kothe at an altitude of 3600 meters. There are several seasonal lodges and shops here in this otherwise uninhabited part of the Hinku Valley. Overnight at Kothe.

Day  09:  Trek to Thaknak (4,358m)

Following the west bank of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak, the forest eventually disappears and the valley widens and becomes much more open.  We trek along the ridge of the Hinku Khola in the shadow of Mera Peak. We take lunch at Gondishung, the summer herders’ settlement in the west bank of the Hinku Drangka. Beyond Gondishung, we pass a 200-year-old Lungsumgba Gompa where we can find Mera Peak scripted in rock along with its route to reach Mera. A short walk takes us to Thaknak, which is a summer grazing area with primitive lodges and shops. Overnight in Thaknak.

Day  10:  Acclimatization day in Thaknak

A day for acclimatization, today we hike up to the nearby ridge coming down from Kusum Kanguru, where we can reach an altitude of nearly 5000 meters and gain a spectacular view of our route onto the Mera La.  Then we come back to Thaknak rest and relax. Overnight at Thaknak.

Day  11:  Trek to Khare (5,045m)

Heading up from Thaknak  towards the Mera Base camp to Khare we follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The trail climbs through moraines to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar glaciers, and then climbs more steeply to Khare. From here, we can see the northern face of Mera Peak which will be an amazing experience. After lunch we can hike in and around Khare. Overnight at Khare.

Day  12:  Khare Acclimatization and pre–climb training

Another day for acclimatization, and today our climbing leader will help us to polish our basic climbing techniques and demonstrate the best ways to use our climbing gears like the ice axe, harness, ascender climbing boots and crampons. The training will also include learning the best climbing technique with the rope. Overnight at Khare.

Day  13:  Trek to Mera High Camp (5,780m)

We walk through a boulder-strewn course on a steep trail to reach the Mera Peak Base Camp. From here, we continue further through the Mera La pass to reach the Mera High Camp. Our path is along a rocky trail, which can be hazardous if it has recently snowed, as there are a number of crevasses here. We make our way to the top of the rock band, which is marked by a large cairn. Then we set up a high camp while enjoying excellent views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, the south face of Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse. Overnight at Mera High Camp.

Day  14:  Climb to Mera Peak Summit (6,461m) and back to Khare

This is a really important day for the expedition. We wake up around 2 in the morning for breakfast. It’s going to be very cold in the beginning but soon we warm up as we continue up to a peculiar ridge. The first rays of the sun hit the big peaks in an amazing red glow. Climbing mostly easy angled snow slopes to the foot of the dome of the central summit, we will place a fixed rope for the last 30 to 40 meters. Which steepens to an angle of 45 – 50 degrees? Note that in certain snow conditions an ascent of the Central summit may be beyond the technical grade for this trek and in this case the group will make an ascent of the easier and slightly lower South summit. The trip leader will make this decision. From either top, the panorama of the Himalaya including five of the world’s highest peaks is unforgettable. From our high camp a well acclimatized party will take 3 – 4 hours to the summit. From the summit we will descend first to our high camp for some tea or soup and from here down to the Mera La and all the way back down to our advance base camp at Khare. A long but inspirational day! Overnight at Khare

Day  15:  Reserve Day for Contingency

Day  16:  Trek back to Kothe (3600m)

We trek from Khare to Kothe along the same trail used previously on the way up. After reaching Kothe, we celebrate our success. Overnight in Kothe.

Day  17:  Trek to Thuli Kharka (4300m)

We begin our trek to Thuli Kharka after breakfast. We climb up and descend, cross several tributaries of the Inkhu Khola before reaching a forked trail nearby Taktho. We choose the trail on our right and continue walking. Our trail passes by a Chorten after which we walk downhill on a steep trail. Next, we ascend to Thuli Kharka and pass by another Chorten on the way. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.

Day  18:  Trek  to Lukla via Zatrwa La pass

We cross the Zatrwa-La pass at 4,600. As soon as we cross the pass, we are welcomed by the sight of the beautiful Lukla Valley which is surrounded by Numbur Himal, Kusum Khangru and other Himalayan peaks. From Zatrwa La pass we walk all the way down to Chutang and then straight forward to the Lukla village. In the evening we enjoy dinner with our crew to celebrate our successful ascent to the Mera Peak. Overnight in Lukla.

Day  19:  Fly  to Kathmandu

Flights to Kathmandu operate in the mornings because in the afternoon there is wind on routes. Flying from Lukla to Kathmandu is as spectacular as the earlier landing. After reaching Kathmandu, transferred to your hotel we can take a rest .Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day  20:  Full day City Sightseeing in Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will be going for whole day city sightseeing with the Nepali tour guide to most historical attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed on UNESCO World Heritage sites. We visit the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the biggest Stupa in the world. The tour is likely to finish around 4pm and the rest of the day is free to explore around Thamel around your hotel as well as to pack your baggage for the trek starting tomorrow morning. You can leave a bag at the hotel with items not needed on the trek. Overnight at Fuji Guest House or similar in Kathmandu.

Day  21:  In Kathmandu

Day of leisure in Kathmandu, do some souvenir shopping to take memory back home. Overnight in Kathmandu

Day  22:  Final departure

Our amazing journey in Nepal comes to end today. A Waiba Adventure Trek representative will drop you off at the airport 3 hours before your flight time. Have a safe journey back to home. Namaste & hope to see you again.

PHOTO GALLERY

Trip Cost