Mera and Island Peak Day 1 - Lukla to Chutanga
An easy start to your trip which takes you away from the crowds of Lukla and into a more serene part of the Khumbu region.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 4.4 km
- Ascent
- 715 m
- Descent
- 36 m
Mera and Island Peaks - Into the Heart of the Khumbu
Summiting two fabulous mountains and crossing an exciting col adds up to an extraordinary journey through the Everest region.
Alpine Climbing, Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Description
Truly one of the World's classic mountain expeditions, this trip should be on any hiker's bucket list.
There are sections of alpine climbing on the trip but none of the mountaineering is technically difficult and the skills required to complete this expedition are attainable for anyone fit and willing to learn.
The journey begins at the famous airstrip in Lukla and from there the legendary mountains just keep coming. You'll summit 2 of them and get clear views of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalua and Kangchenjunga, as well as many lesser known but equally beautiful peaks.
The trip here is shown as 15 days but once acclimatisation days have been factored in, count on taking 3 weeks to complete this wonderful adventure.
Routes included
Mera and Island Peak Day 2 - Chutanga to Tuli Kharka via the Zatrwa La Col
A much tougher challenge than day 1, the crossing of the Zatrwa La Col is the first significant hurdle of the expedition.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 5.2 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 407 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 3 - Tuli Kharka to Gotay / Kothe
A day which takes you down to a more civilised altitude and the lovely village of Gotay (Kothe on some maps) in the Hingku valley.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 6.7 km
- Ascent
- 396 m
- Descent
- 1 km
Mera and Island Peak Day 4 - Gotay to Tagnag
After spending some time positioning yourself, this is the day where you really enter the high mountains of the Khumbu.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 8.3 km
- Ascent
- 703 m
- Descent
- 26 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 5 - Tagnag to Khare
A short, scenic day which takes you to the final settlement before climbing Mera Peak.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 5.3 km
- Ascent
- 647 m
- Descent
- 12 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 6 - Khare to Mera La
The ascent of Mera Peak begins with a 4 hour climb to the stunning Mera La Col.
Easy Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 2.1 km
- Ascent
- 534 m
- Descent
- 0 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 7 - Mera La to Mera Peak high camp
The ascent of Mera Peak really starts here with a relatively easy but staggeringly scenic day.
Easy Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Ascent
- 498 m
- Descent
- 56 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 8 - Mera Peak
The big day! A tough but incredibly rewarding adventure to a peak in the heart of the Himalayas.
Easy Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 7.3 km
- Ascent
- 650 m
- Descent
- 1.1 km
Mera and Island Peak Day 9 - Mera La to the Hongku Valley
A blissfully quiet day down into the deserted Hongku valley.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 5.6 km
- Ascent
- 206 m
- Descent
- 850 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 10 - Up the Hongku Valley
A great, mellow day through utterly wild and spectacular scenery.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 7.9 km
- Ascent
- 488 m
- Descent
- 84 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 11 - Hongku Valley to Amphu Labsta Base Camp
A final steady day before the big crossing of the Amphu Labsta tomorrow.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 4.8 km
- Ascent
- 371 m
- Descent
- 59 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 12 - The Amphu Labsta Col
A big and beautiful day across a legendary col.
Difficult Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 326 m
- Descent
- 783 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 13 - To Island Peak base camp
A day with a "big" feeling which passes through some unusual scenery.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 531 m
- Descent
- 121 m
Mera and Island Peak Day 14 - Island Peak
The last big day of the trip, and it's a good one!
Difficult Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 691 m
- Descent
- 1.4 km
Mera and Island Peaks Day 15 - Chukhung to Namche
A lovely long hike back into forests, thick air and civilisation.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 24 km
- Ascent
- 832 m
- Descent
- 2.1 km
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Related guidebooks
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The 3 Cols of Everest - The Khumbu at its Best
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Conquering the 4th Highest Peak in the World
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The Ultimate Mountaineering Challenge : Climb The Big 10
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