Touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), clear immigration (visa on arrival available for most nationalities), and collect your bags. Your representative will meet you just outside the arrivals hall for the private transfer into the Kathmandu Valley—a short drive, traffic permitting, past roadside shrines, coffee stalls, and hand-painted trucks.

Check in at Hotel Norbulinka (or similar). Freshen up, hydrate, and take things gently after the overnight flight. When ready, step out for a light orientation in Thamel: browse prayer flags and trekking stores, try steamed momo dumplings or a cup of masala tea, or unwind in the leafy Garden of Dreams. If time/energy allow, a taxi to dusk kora at the Boudhanath Stupa is a serene first taste of the city.

Evening is at leisure. Choose a rooftop spot for a simple Nepali dinner (think dal bhat, veg curries, warm breads) and an early night to sync with local time. Keep tomorrow easy—your body will thank you at altitude later in the trek.

Alarms ring before sunrise for a ~3:00 a.m. departure. With a packed breakfast and daypacks handy, we drive ~4 hours to Manthali (Ramechhap) Airport, then board the short, spectacular mountain flight to Lukla—gateway to the Khumbu and jumping-off point for the Mera Peak approach. On arrival, the air is crisp, prayer flags snap, and the village hums with outfitters and mule trains.

Trekking begins south out of Lukla with a steep descent on stone steps to the quiet hamlet of Surke, tucked beside the river. From here the character changes: a sustained climb to Chutok La (also known locally as the Paiya ridge) winds through mixed forest and terraced hillsides, with glimpses across side valleys and farms. Cresting the pass, we contour into a side valley and make a gentle descent to Piuyan (Paiya), our first overnight on the trail.

Check into a simple teahouse, swap boots for sandals, and enjoy a hot drink while clouds drift over the ridge. If legs feel good, a short stroll beyond the village offers broad views back towards Lukla’s terrace and tomorrow’s undulating path ahead.

We turn our backs on the busy Khumbu highway and strike east, the path lifting steeply from the valley through terraced farmland and stone-walled fields. Morning air is cool and clean; water mills chatter, and the trail zigzags between stands of rhododendron and farm hamlets scented with wood smoke.

The gradient eases as we gain the shoulder of Khari La (≈3,050 m / 10,000 ft). From this broad saddle, look back for fine views to Numbur and Karyolung, their glaciated walls rising blue and hard above layered ridges. We contour onward across field edges and pockets of forest, then descend gently into a side valley before a final lift to the small trading village of Pangkongma—gateway to quieter trails bound for Mera Peak.

Arrive mid-afternoon and settle into a simple teahouse. With time in hand, wander the lanes lined with mani walls, or sit with tea and watch porters and mule trains thread the ridge at golden hour.

We climb straight into cool shade, the path threading bamboo and rhododendron as it rises toward the airy notch of Pangkongma La (≈3,170 m / 10,400 ft). Look back for clean morning views of Numbur and Kongde; ahead, the shoulder of Naulekh shows and, just below the pass, a thrilling first glimpse of the south face of Mera.

From the crest the trail tips steeply down on stone steps and earthy switchbacks, dropping through mixed forest and pockets of terraced fields with wide views rolling away to the lower Himalaya. Near the valley floor we pause at a tiny lodge above the water for a simple lunch, then cross the Hinku Khola on a suspension bridge strung with prayer flags.

The afternoon brings a steady, two-hour climb on the east side of the valley, weaving between mossy boulders and farm plots to reach the peaceful perch of Nashing Dingma, where we settle into a teahouse and watch dusk settle on the forested ridges.

The morning sets the tone with rolling ups and downs before the trail bites in for a steeper climb to the airy notch of Surkye La (also written Surke La). Pines thin, rhododendron reappears, and the breeze carries cool hints of the higher country ahead. Cresting the pass, we drop packs for a tea stop at the simple teahouses just beyond—an easy place to catch breath and watch prayer flags snap in the wind.

From here, the path continues upwards on gentler gradients, weaving over yak tracks and grassy shelves to the wide, open grazing grounds of Chholem Kharka. Expect to arrive around late lunch time. With energy left, an optional ridge stroll in the afternoon offers big horizons and helps with acclimatisation before we settle into the teahouse for a quiet high-country evening.

We leave the last trees behind and step into summer-grazing country, where stone huts dot open hillsides and yak paths criss-cross the turf. The trail wastes no time—steep stone steps lead to a first high saddle at roughly 4,300 m / 14,100 ft, a fine balcony over blue ridges and distant river clefts.

From the col the path trends upward again, tugging across a rib of hillside to a second crest near 4,470 m / 14,665 ft. On a clear day the far eastern skyline sharpens and you can pick out Kangchenjunga and its striking neighbour Jannu, tiny yet unmistakable beyond a sea of lower summits. Prayer flags flick, the air is thin and clean—pace stays slow and steady.

A stony traverse eases down to the Panch Pokhari—a string of small, sacred lakes where wind ripples the surface and cairns mark the way. From here it’s a short continuation around the basin to Khola Kharka, a cluster of seasonal lodges where we check in, warm up over tea and watch evening light settle on the high pastures.

With no lodges between stops today, we set out early from Khola Kharka carrying extra water and trail snacks. A brisk 30-minute stone-step climb leads to fluttering prayer flags and a shoulder with big viewpoints across to Numbur, Pikey Peak and the Lamjura Pass. From this corner, the path contours airy hillsides before dropping very steeply to the Mojang Khola.

We cross the stream and continue down to meet the larger Hinku Khola, the river loud in its boulder bed. A rolling riverside trail then trends upstream to a bridge and the hamlet of Kote (≈3,600 m / 11,810 ft). Expect a late lunch at the lodge; with time in hand, wander the cluster of houses, watch mule trains arrive, or sit by the river as cloud drifts along the valley walls.

We leave Kote on a rocky riverside path, following the Hinku Khola upstream through birch and juniper. Within minutes the skyline sharpens and the three summits of Mera lift ahead—an inspiring compass for the day. The trail rolls over boulder fans and landslide crossings (short, cautious steps), then slips back onto level benches where the river braids and glints below.

As the valley narrows, the walls steepen and new giants appear: needle-backed Kyashar straight ahead, with Kusum Kanguru and East Peak edging into view. We pause for tea at Saure, then continue the steady ascent into a classic U-shaped glacial trough—wind-polished slabs, yak pasture, and the sound of meltwater under stone.

We reach Tangnag (≈4,350 m / 14,272 ft) for a late lunch and settle in for a two-night stay. The village sits ringed by dark cliffs and snow ribs—a dramatic, sheltered base for acclimatisation. Spend the afternoon with a gentle stretch above the lodges or simply rest, hydrate, and watch cloud bands drift across Kyashar’s face.

A slower start to help your body adjust. After breakfast we pack light daypacks (water, snacks, shell, warm layers) and head up a steady trail to a south-facing ridge above Tangnag. The path climbs gradually over yak pasture and moraine slabs toward a broad high point around ~5,000 m / 16,400 ft.

From the crest the amphitheatre opens wide: serrated Kusum Kanguru, elegant Kyashar, East Peak and the notch of the Mera La line the skyline. Look back for a superb bird’s-eye view of Tangnag tucked deep in its U-shaped valley. We take unhurried breaks—photographs, hot tea from a flask—then descend the same way to arrive in time for lunch.

The afternoon is for rest and hydration. Stretch, sort kit for the days ahead, or take a gentle leg-loosener around the meadows. Keep effort easy today—acclimatisation is the goal.

Today is intentionally short and steady. We climb straight out of Tangnag, passing prayer flags with a balcony view of the glacier streaming off Kyashar. The gradient soon eases as the trail threads the upper valley, skirting the meadows of Dig Kharka and slabs polished by old ice.

A final, slightly steeper pull leads to the cluster of lodges at Khare (≈5,000 m / 16,404 ft)—our trekking base for Mera Peak. We arrive for lunch and keep the afternoon free for rest, kit checks and soaking up the skyline. From here the panorama is superb: the three summits of Mera front and centre, with Charpati Himal, Kyashar and other Khumbu giants hemming the horizon.

Use the downtime to organise layers, test head torches and water systems, and take a gentle leg-loosener above the lodges if you feel good. Hydration and an early night set you up well for the altitude ahead.

Today is dedicated to altitude adaptation and skills practice. After breakfast we kit up with helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice axes and hike from Khare (≈5,000 m) toward the lower edge of the glacier on the line of the Mera La. On firm snow we run through movement patterns and rope routines at an unhurried pace, focusing on efficiency and safety for the high days ahead.

Your guide covers flat-footing and front-pointing, self-arrest with the ice axe, clipping and jumar technique on fixed lines, and simple rope travel. Expect generous breaks to manage breathing and to keep the emphasis on learning rather than mileage. We return to Khare around midday for a full equipment check, then rest and hydrate through the afternoon.

A short but punchy acclimatisation day. We leave Khare on a steep, rocky trail with widening views to the Mera peaks and the cirque above camp. The path steepens toward a narrow gully—our typical “crampon point”—where we don helmets and crampons for secure footing on mixed rock/firm snow.

Topping the gully, we step onto the lower glacier where the angle eases. Roped as conditions require, we make a measured ascent toward the Mera La, practicing steady pacing and pressure breathing. After a short rest and photos at the day’s high point, we retrace our steps—carefully down the gully—back to the lodges at Khare for a relaxed afternoon and gear sort.

We shoulder packs at first light and rejoin yesterday’s line toward the glacier, stepping carefully up the familiar rocks to reach the windy notch of the Mera La. This col can be a fridge—expect spindrift, a biting breeze and spectacular views. Beyond, the angle eases and we settle into a steady, economical rhythm across the broad back of the glacier, moving roped as conditions require. Crevasse patterns shift season to season; the track weaves between snow bridges and wind-scoured ribs as the world drops away on either side.

By late day we crest the platform of High Camp (≈5,800 m / 19,030 ft), a compact eyrie chopped into the ice with room for a handful of tents and a view that beggars belief. On clear afternoons you can trace five 8,000ers from east to west—Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Cho Oyu—with a sweep of lesser giants in between. We run a final gear check, prep clothing in summit order, and sip hot drinks while daylight thins. When the last ember-orange slides off Makalu, we slip into sleeping bags to bank rest for the summit push.

Alarms sound in the deep night for a ~02:00 departure. We gear up fast in the cold, clip into rope teams, shoulder ice axes and step onto the wide, moonlit glacier in crampons. The slope is mostly moderate but the altitude slows everything, and katabatic winds can bite; we move steadily, skirting open crevasse zones as led by the guide.

As a steel-blue dawn leaks over the Himalaya, the track steepens to the left-hand ridge before easing as it swings right toward the final pyramid. Below the summit we pause at a small col while the Sherpa team fixes a safety line for the last section. The concluding ~50 m/165 ft pitch is the day’s steepest; we ascend one-by-one using jumars on the fixed rope.

The summit panorama is outrageous at sunrise—Kangchenjunga glowing in the east, Makalu, Lhotse and Everest front and centre, and Cho Oyu holding the western skyline. Breathe, take a careful team photo, then begin the descent: a controlled abseil back to the col, regroup, and continue roped down-glacier to High Camp for hot soup. From there, we keep descending all the way to Khare, usually arriving late afternoon—tired, happy, and back in thicker air.

This day is deliberately kept flexible. Mountain weather, team health, and glacier conditions can shift quickly, so we hold this buffer to give the group the best, safest chance of a Mera summit. If high winds, cold fronts, or visibility forced a turn-around or postponement, we can re-attempt today (guide discretion).

If we summited yesterday and conditions are settled, we use the buffer to descend and start our journey out—typically dropping from Khare back through Tangnag and on to Kote (time permitting), enjoying thicker air, hot drinks, and a gentler pace before the return toward Lukla.

We turn down-valley this morning, easing off the altitude and letting the rhythm of the Hinku Khola guide our steps. The path undulates gently across yak pasture and glacial benches, stone walls giving way to open meadows and wide views back toward the cirque above Tangnag. We pause in Tangnag for an early lunch and hot drinks, swapping summit stories while clouds slide along Kyashar’s dark walls.

Beyond the village the valley broadens and the air softens. The trail threads boulder fans and polished slabs before slipping into denser forest: rhododendron, oak, pine and birch. Birdsong replaces wind on ice; the river grows louder. Short rises and descents keep legs honest, but the general trend is mercifully downward toward the warmth of Kote.

By late afternoon we step onto the bridge and into Kote (≈3,600 m / 11,810 ft), where a teahouse welcome awaits. Rest feet, rehydrate, and enjoy an unhurried evening—this is a good place to relive the last few high days in the comfort of thicker air.

A tougher, high-effort day as we begin the long ascent toward the Zatrwa La, the pass that leads back to Lukla. From Kote the rocky trail follows the Hinku Valley for a couple of hours, with very steep stone steps both up and down. We finally leave the river behind and hit a sustained forest climb, switchbacking beneath rhododendron and pine.

We pause for an early lunch at Toktar, a tiny cluster of teahouses tucked in the trees. Through gaps in the canopy the summit of Mera peeks back from afar—a fine marker of how far we’ve come. After lunch, the gradient persists as the forest thins to scrub; the views open across the valley and, on clear days, all three Mera summits line up with Peak 41 and Naulekh. It’s a rewarding section where you can trace much of the route walked over the past couple of weeks.

A string of prayer flags marks the point where the trail eases. From here it’s a gentler traverse to the lodge at Chetrabu (≈4,225 m / 13,860 ft), an airy perch with a striking look at Mera’s vertical west face. Hot drinks, warm layers, and an early night set us up for tomorrow’s crossing.

A technical mountain day with big elevation loss. We leave Chetrabu and climb steeply on a stony path toward the first—and higher—shoulder of the Zatrwa La at about 4,640 m / 15,525 ft. A tiny tea shop often operates near the crest; from here the panorama opens across a field of Khumbu peaks.

The initial descent is short but steep and can be icy; we fit crampons or microspikes as needed. The track then contours an exposed hillside—careful footwork and spacing—before rising gently to the second Zatrwa La at roughly 4,540 m / 14,895 ft. Beyond this col a very steep descent drops to Kharka Tseng; in snow/ice our team may employ crampons, ice axe and rope for security.

After a snack lunch we continue down a rocky trail to Chutenga, then wind through pastures and scattered pines for the last couple of hours to Lukla (≈2,800 m / 9,185 ft). Expect a late-afternoon arrival and a well-earned hot drink—civilisation feels close again.

We rise early for the short mountain hop from Lukla to Manthali (Ramechhap). On clear mornings the views spill away in layers of ridges and snow peaks—have a camera handy. After landing, we rendezvous with our vehicle and begin the 4–5 hour drive back to Kathmandu, rolling past river canyons, terraced fields and roadside tea stalls.

Back in the city, check in at Hotel Norbulinka (or similar), where hot showers and creature comforts await. The rest of the day is at leisure: decompress with a massage, sort laundry, or take an easy stroll for coffee and souvenirs in Thamel. This evening, you might toast the trek with a cool beer or a warm dal bhat—your call.

A well-earned free day in Kathmandu. Sleep in, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then choose your own pace: wander craft-lined alleys in Thamel, trace royal courtyards at Durbar Square, or head for the city’s spiritual landmarks. At Swayambhunath (the “monkey temple”), prayer wheels spin and views sweep across the valley; at vast Boudhanath Stupa, join the gentle clockwise kora with butter-lamp glow and rooftop tea houses. Down by the Pashupatinath temple complex, observe respectfully from signed areas as ceremonies unfold along the Bagmati River.

Prefer a quieter interlude? Tuck into a book at the leafy Garden of Dreams, browse fair-trade boutiques, or try a Nepali coffee roastery. For food lovers, momos and thukpa are easy wins; spice-curious travellers can seek out a Newari lunch in Patan’s brick plazas (easy taxi ride).

At the appointed time, meet your driver for the transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Take a last look at the prayer flags and terraced hillsides—memories of glaciers, high passes and valley villages will travel with you.

At the airport, allow ample time for check-in and exit formalities (international flights generally recommend arriving 3 hours before departure). Keep passports, e-tickets and valuables handy in your carry-on. If you have an early departure, the hotel can arrange a packed breakfast on request.

Accommodation: — | Meals included: Breakfast (time permitting)