The Plan
19-Day Mera Peak Expedition via the "Long Way Home" Route
The scenic acclimatization route prioritizes gradual elevation gain for an 80-90% summit success rate. Starting from Lukla, we trek through the remote Hinku Valley, reaching Khare Base Camp before the final summit push to 6,476m.
Pune → Kathmandu
Multi-leg journey via Delhi/Doha/Dubai to Kathmandu. Arrive, transfer to hotel in Thamel district.
Highlights
- Arrival in Kathmandu - expect organized chaos!
- Check into hotel in Thamel district
- Obtain permits if not done in advance (TIMS, NMA climbing permit)
- Gear check and stock up on trail snacks
Notes & Tips
- Rest well - 1 AM bus departure tomorrow
- Visit NMA office or trekking agency for permits if needed
Kathmandu → Ramechhap → Lukla
Early morning bus to Ramechhap Airport (1 AM departure!), then scenic mountain flight to Lukla's famous Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
Highlights
- 1 AM bus departure - 5 hour mountain drive
- Described as 'traumatizing' but survivable
- 30-minute flight with stunning Himalayan views
- Land at one of world's most dangerous airports (527m runway at 9.3° gradient)
Notes & Tips
- Overnight bus journey on narrow mountain roads
- Flight weather-dependent - buffer day recommended
- First night at altitude - hydrate well
Lukla → Paiya
First day of trekking! 'Lovely walk' through terraced farmland and rhododendron forests. Gradual descent to Paiya.
Highlights
- Begin acclimatization - take it slow
- Cross suspension bridges over Dudh Kosi River
- Pass through authentic Sherpa villages
- Arrive early afternoon (2 PM) for rest
Notes & Tips
- No guide needed - trail well-marked
- Tea houses accept walk-ins (no booking needed)
- Start hydration protocol: 3L water daily
Paiya → Pangkongma
'Super hot' day with continuous trekking through pine and rhododendron forest. Gradual ascent with mixed terrain.
Highlights
- Midway stop at The Summit Hotel and Lodge
- Some steep sections but manageable
- First glimpses of Hinku Valley peaks
- Beautiful mountain views throughout
Notes & Tips
- Start early to avoid midday heat
- Carry plenty of water - limited refill points
- Dal Bhat recommended (unlimited servings = best value)
Pangkongma → Najingdigma
'Super hard' and 'quite relentless' day with dramatic elevation changes. Steep climbs followed by descents.
Highlights
- Proper steep initial climb after breakfast
- Descent to valley floor - only flat section of day
- Cross bridge over Hinku Khola river
- Enter Hinku Valley proper
Notes & Tips
- First real fitness test
- Many ups and downs - trekking poles helpful
- Still below major altitude concerns (3,200m)
Najingdigma → Cholem
Major ascent day - 800m elevation gain. Steep continuous climb through forest, entering alpine zone above tree line.
Highlights
- Cross 3,400m threshold - altitude noticeable
- Vegetation changes dramatically
- First panoramic mountain views
- Temperature drops significantly
- Purchase National Park permit at checkpoint here (~$23)
Notes & Tips
- Video group completed in 4 hours (normally 6)
- Drink extra water to aid acclimatization
- May experience first altitude symptoms (headache, breathlessness)
Cholem → Kothe
Initial steep ascent then 'nice flat pleasant walk along mountain ridges.' Pass five sacred lakes with spectacular views.
Highlights
- Five Lakes (Panch Pokhari) - 'absolutely beautiful'
- Ridge walking with Himalayan panoramas
- Enter remote Hinku Valley wilderness
- Possible wildlife: Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard territory
- Kothe is last permanent settlement before high camps
Notes & Tips
- Long day due to tea house availability
- Carry snacks - lunch may be delayed
- Be flexible with plans
Kothe → Tangnag
Ascend 665m through narrow Hinku Valley. Scenery 'absolutely stunning and beautiful.' Follow glacial moraine path.
Highlights
- First views of Mera Peak north face
- Glacial landscape dominates
- Cross 4,000m threshold - significant altitude
- Prepare for acclimatization day tomorrow
Notes & Tips
- Altitude effects more pronounced (headaches, fatigue common)
- Pace slows significantly at this elevation
- Drink 3-4L water daily
- Evening acclimatization briefing if with group
Acclimatization Day - Tangnag
CRITICAL acclimatization day. Morning hike to 5,000m viewpoint, afternoon rest. 'Climb high, sleep low' principle.
Highlights
- Hike to small peak (5,000m) above Tangnag
- 360° panoramic views
- First exposure to 5,000m+ altitude
- Spectacular views of Mera Glacier and peak
- Rest and hydration in afternoon
Notes & Tips
- DO NOT SKIP THIS DAY - critical for summit success
- Monitor altitude symptoms carefully
- Narrator notes: 'lungs and legs feeling under energized'
- Practice using down layers and summit gear
Tangnag → Khare Base Camp
Ascend to Khare Base Camp approaching 5,000m. Spectacular views of Mera Glacier and summit headwall. Oxygen ~50% of sea level.
Highlights
- Khare = Mera Peak base camp
- Direct views of climbing route to summit
- Glacier and crevasse field visible
- Rest of day: card games, tea, preparation
- Prepare equipment for summit attempt
Notes & Tips
- Breathing noticeably harder at this elevation
- Evening briefing on summit day plan
- Check all technical equipment (if bringing own)
- HIRE CLIMBING SHERPA HERE (if DIY approach)
- Early bed time for tomorrow's acclimatization
Acclimatization Day - Khare
MOST IMPORTANT acclimatization day. Morning hike to 5,250m, afternoon technical skills training with climbing Sherpas.
Highlights
- Morning: Hike 300-350m above Khare (5,250m)
- Afternoon: Rope and ice skills training
- Crampon technique on ice
- Ice axe self-arrest practice
- Rope team procedures
- Crevasse awareness
Notes & Tips
- CRITICAL skills practice before summit
- Test all technical equipment under supervision
- Mental preparation for summit push
- Pack summit day gear in evening
- Hydrate aggressively (4-5L water)
- Sleep with supplemental oxygen if needed
Khare → Mera High Camp
'Beautiful walk across Mera Glacier' but 'really tough.' Navigate glacier moraine, ice field, steep snow slopes. Altitude makes 'even simple tasks difficult.'
Highlights
- Cross Mera Glacier - first technical terrain
- High camp at 5,780m - above most clouds
- Summit briefing: midnight wake-up call
- Views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu from camp
- Evening/night at highest camp
Notes & Tips
- Oxygen levels ~47% of sea level
- Sleep will be difficult due to altitude
- Minimal dinner - appetite suppressed
- Pack summit bag: headlamp, down jacket, snacks, water
- Three people per tent (typical)
- Final equipment check before summit
🏔️ SUMMIT DAY - Mera Peak
THE BIG DAY. Midnight start, summit at sunrise (6:50 AM in video), descend to Khare. 'Hardest thing I've ever done' but 'absolutely unreal.'
Highlights
- 00:00 - Midnight wake-up, light breakfast
- 01:00-02:00 - Depart high camp by headlamp
- 06:50 - SUMMIT MERA PEAK (6,476m) 🎉
- Summit views: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kangchenjunga
- 'Unbelievable,' 'incredible,' 'so emotional'
- Rapid descent to High Camp, pack up
- Continue to Khare for overnight
Notes & Tips
- Temperature: -15°C to -25°C
- Rope teams of 3-4 climbers
- Fixed ropes on steepest sections
- Turn-around time: 10:00 AM (safety)
- Video describes extreme cold, difficulty, crying during climb
- But: 'absolutely unreal' experience
- 'Breathing feels much easier' back at Khare
Khare → Kothe (Recovery)
Early departure, significant descent to 3,691m. 'Breathing feels much easier' at lower altitude. Celebration of summit success!
Highlights
- Recovery day - breathing easier
- Body begins to recover from altitude stress
- Celebration dinner at Kothe tea house
- Share summit stories and photos
- First shower in a week possible
Notes & Tips
- Knees and quads will be sore from descent
- Appetite returns at lower elevation
- Sleep quality dramatically improves
- Trekking poles essential for knee protection
Kothe → Thuli Kharka
Trek to Thuli Kharka, preparing for the Zatrwa La Pass crossing tomorrow. Rest and acclimatization.
Highlights
- Gradual ascent to Thuli Kharka
- Rest and preparation for pass crossing
- Different scenery - alternative return route
- Tea house hospitality
Notes & Tips
- Rest well for tomorrow's pass crossing
- Less-traveled route - fewer trekkers
- Prepare gear for early start
Thuli Kharka → Zatrwa La Pass → Lukla
Cross Zatrwa La Pass (4,610m) then descend to Lukla. Gateway between Hinku and Inkhu valleys. Long but rewarding final trekking day.
Highlights
- Zatrwa La Pass (4,610m) - prayer flags mark summit
- Gateway between valleys
- Very long descent through Inkhu Valley
- Pass through Chutok and villages
- Arrival in Lukla - trek complete!
Notes & Tips
- Early start for pass crossing
- Weather can change rapidly at pass
- Trekking poles essential for long descent
- Celebrate trek completion in Lukla
- Book/confirm Ramechhap flight for tomorrow
Lukla → Ramechhap → Kathmandu
Morning flight to Ramechhap (weather permitting), 5-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Arrive afternoon/evening. Trek complete!
Highlights
- Relief of successful expedition
- Scenic mountain flight one last time
- Hot shower and comfortable hotel bed
- Celebratory dinner in Thamel
- Process photos and memories
Notes & Tips
- Lukla flights often delayed - build flexibility
- Arrange airport transfer in advance
- Tip climbing Sherpa and porter (if hired)
- Celebrate incredible achievement!
Buffer Day / Kathmandu → Pune
Buffer day for delayed Lukla flights OR departure day back to Pune via Delhi/Doha/Dubai.
Highlights
- Option A: Extra day in Kathmandu (Durbar Square, Swayambhunath)
- Option B: Shopping for souvenirs in Thamel
- Option C: Flight home to Pune
- Trek complete - life changed!
Notes & Tips
- Flexibility is key with Lukla flight schedules
- International flight home
- Return with incredible memories and achievement