Climbing Mera Peak, Nepal's highest trekking peak, is a great opportunity to cross 6,000 meters for the first time.
The path to Mera Peak passes among the wild and rugged trails of Makalu Barun National Park. Yes, there are tourists here too, but they are mostly climbers like you and me, whose goal is Mera Peak. There are tens, if not hundreds of times less of them than on the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. Climbing Mera Peak is interesting not only for the summit itself and the views from it, but also for the trekking part.
Our program is prepared for you to get the optimal acclimatization and by the moment of the storm your organism will get used to the altitude. We are going to assault the summit of the Mera Peak Central , 6461 m high. The program includes two reserve days in case of bad weather, which significantly increases the chances of a successful ascent.
Mera Peak offers excellent views of 5 of the 6 highest peaks in the world: Everest (8848 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Makalu (8485 m), Cho Oyu (8201 m).
Climbing Mera Peak is not technically difficult, but requires you to be physically fit and enduring. Experience in climbing Kazbek, trekking in Himalayan or other high-altitude programs is required.
Our route provides quality acclimatization of participants, which increases the chances of successful ascent
The program includes several reserve days in case of bad weather, which will greatly increase the chances of a successful ascent
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
The manager will answer all your questions and tell you about the details of the ascent, based on personal experience
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders, repeatedly visited Nepal, will accompany the participants throughout the program.
During the work of the club we have developed an algorithm, which allows us to organize the programs of the highest quality. You can see this for yourself by applying for participation.
Possibility of substantial savings on equipment, going on a climb with Kuluar.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied.
At the exit of Kathmandu airport you will be met by a Kuluar teamleader or our Nepali assistant. He will take you to the hotel in Thamel, where the whole group will gather. It's better to fly in the morning or one day earlier, so that you have enough time to rest from the exhausting flight and to buy the necessary equipment. In the evening, teamleader will check the equipment of each participant and conduct a briefing.
We take the first flight to Lukla and after landing at the famous Tencig-Hillary airport we meet our local guide and porters, who will carry the main part of the cargo to the mountain. We have breakfast and drive to Chucheng - there are only 1-2 lodges, where we will spend the night. Trekking will take about 3 hours. It's enough for the first day.
We have to gain altitude gently and today we will dedicate the day to acclimatization. Unfortunately there is no place to walk around and we will go up the trail to 4000-4100m by the trail leading to Zatravel La Pass. There are lodges here where you can relax, have a snickers and drink a cup of Nepalese tea with a view of the Himalayas. For the night we go down to the familiar lodge.
Although difficult, but a momentous day. Today we will trek our first pass on the route - 4,610 m high Zatwar La (Chatry La). Soon after the pass we will see for the first time Mera Peak, the main goal of our expedition to Nepal. From this angle the peak looks very impressive! We continue our descent among the rhododendron forest and stop for the night in the Tali Kharka village.
The trail leads among the huge trees of the age-old Himalayan forest, gradually dropping in altitude. By the end of the day we will descend to the large Kote village , the gateway to Makalu Barun National Park, with wifi and hot showers!
The trail gently climbs along the banks of the Hinku Drangka River. Soon the most beautiful peak Kyashar (6769 m) will appear, at the foot of it, in a cozy valley the Tagnak village is situated. Here we are going to stay overnight. If you want we can walk to Sabay Tso lake. It's a nice, not hard day.
Short day, no steep climbs, but great views. On the way we will stop at Sabai Tso Lake and go up to the moraine of the Big Glacier. Kare is a big village, with a dozen lodges and all the amenities we need - showers, wi-fi, good food and clean rooms. We'll spend two nights here, gaining the acclimatization we need to climb Mera Peak.
To get our body used to the altitude better, in the morning we climb 400-500 meters up and spend some time there. Such a hike requires a lot of effort, but it is necessary for a successful ascent. After lunch, if necessary, we will conduct training sessions.
The summit is getting closer and from today the real work begins. We leave civilization and move towards Mera La Pass (5415 m). The base camp is just behind it. We spend the night in tents.
The glacier is gently climbed to the assault camp of Mera Peak, this is where we will start our ascent from tonight! The camp is settled on a stony slope of the mountain, there is not much room for improvement. We have dinner, check our gear before going up, and lie down to rest.
Getting up at 3 in the morning. Gathering, morning tea and going out. It will take us 3 to 5 hours to get to the top, depending on how fast we climb. On the ascent we do not hurry, we go step by step, stopping for a breath. Most likely, we would meet the dawn either on the summit or on the approaches to it. The dawn at an altitude of over 6,000 meters will be the most beautiful reward for the difficulties we have overcome on the way to the mountain. We'll spend about half an hour (weather permitting) on the summit enjoying the great views.
Mera Peak is at some distance from the other high mountains, which provides a great 360-degree panorama. From one point we will see five eight-thousanders: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu - where else is it possible?
We descend to the summit camp, rest a little bit and continue our descent to Kara.
The way back flies by unnoticed. Tired but satisfied with ourselves and with a sense of accomplishment, we descent familiar trails to Kote.
Missed of the climbs? I doubt it, but it can't be helped, on the way to Lukla we have to go over Zatetra La again. Today we will reach the Thali Kharka village.
This day can be used as a backup in case of a bad climb on Mera.
If all is well, then today we trek the pass and descend to the Chucheng lodges.
We don't rush anywhere, it's only a few hours down the familiar trail to Lukla. In the evening we say goodbye to our porter friends and thank them with tips.
If we are lucky, we take an early morning flight to Kathmandu, where we check into a hotel and explore the local sights. If there is no weather, we stay in Lukla to wait for better weather.
This day can be used as a second reserve.
If everything goes according to plan, today we will visit the main attractions of Kathmandu - Swayambunath Monkey Temple, Bodnath Stupa and Pashupatinath Hindu temple complex (where cremations take place). If you have been to all these places we will offer you an alternative program.
In the evening we will have a farewell dinner and presentation of certificates for the ascent.
We recommend taking evening flights, then if you use the reserve days you can see the sights of the capital of Nepal today and fly home in the evening.
Additionally after the climb you have the opportunity to go to Chitwan National Park to ride through the jungle on elephants, on narrow boats on the river with crocodiles, to see the dancing of the local natives and much more. Allow +3 days for this at the end of the program. Our teamleader will help you with your tour arrangements. See more about Chitwan in the video:
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, teamleader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. Decisions of teamleader are binding and not subject to discussion.
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 30 days - $50. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>.
To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
Climbing Mera Peak opens up many peaks for you. We recommend:
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat at the lodges, the backpacks on the route will be relatively light. Besides there is always a possibility to hire a porter, that's why we strongly recommend all the participants. He will carry the main part of your luggage (up to 12 kg), and you will carry a small rucksack with warm jacket, water, documents and money.
The best way to prepare for the mountain climbing is running (about 10-12 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance, but also train your legs for the daily walks. The better you are physically fit, the easier you will tolerate altitude, acclimatize and enjoy the program and the scenery around you more.
For more tips and advice, see the article "Physical preparation for mountain hiking."
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for climbing in the Himalayas: spring (April to the end of May) and fall (October to November). If you go in spring, you should be prepared for a lot of snow on the ascent. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which provide incredible contrasting pictures against the snow-white mountains. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may start raining or snowing. But by this time we usually get to the lodges. Autumn is warmer, there are almost no clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere, and there are significantly fewer hikers on the trail.
Most of the expedition is at high altitude. Daytime temperature will be around +15...+20 degrees, at night it may drop to -15. Rains are rare. Typical weather for the mountain regions is clear morning and cloudy evening.
You should buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek. The most convenient way to fly with AirArabia and FlyDubai, you should use their websites to buy tickets. You can buy tickets with AirArabia and FlyDubai on their website. On boarding you'll need the credit card, with which the tickets were paid for - don't forget it! Round trip tickets cost from $500-$700. Another great option - Turkish Airlines, it's a little more expensive, but many times more comfortable.
To find the cheapest tickets you can use the form below:
In Kathmandu we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all loggias, but there are rarely outlets in the rooms.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: good lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, basic lodge in Dole - without shower and with ice in the washbasin, cool rooms at Eco Resort in Gokyo, standard lodge in Chukung, mug of tea after a night in the room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
Individual accommodation is possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
During the ascent we live in tents (we provide).
The menu at all lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges can be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to eat normally.
For an example, see some of the most expensive prices on the route in Gokyo Village, and here's a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the Everest trek. On the way to Island Peak, the price order is about the same.
Let's face it, some people like Nepalese food a lot, but there are also those who "don't get it". You can take some bacon and sausage stick with you.
We eat freeze-dried food during the ascent.
These people are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can carry no more than 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $ 20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be twice cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might unload on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, see the article "Porter on the trek - to take or not to take".
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 30 days of stay - $50. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>
To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
The currency of the country is Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is about 100 rupees to one dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at the exchange office, which we have long had an agreement with for a more favorable rate. Teamleader will take you to the right place. It's noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - so don't be surprised if you get a bundle of rupees pierced with a stapler - it's quite normal. All expenses en route are in rupees only. Exchange about $300-400 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Plus, there are big restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals, and the fees are simply robbery. Buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu), not at the sights. Always haggle with the Nepalese; sometimes the price can be discounted several times over.
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
To participate in the program, you need to take good insurance that is valid at altitudes up to 6,500 m, covers mountain hiking, and includes helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar Hikers".
The cost depends on the number of participants:
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
The total amount of additional expenses not included in the price may be about $ 400-500 + airtickets. We recommend that you bring at least another $200 for souvenirs and other small pleasures
Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the hike to teamleader in dollars.
To reserve a place in the group you need to make an advance payment of $500. Methods of payment here.
Important! Conditions for refund of prepayment in case of cancellation of participation in the program:
In the case of a withdrawal from the route the money is not refundable.
Friends! We ask very much that you take dollar bills from 2003 and newer. Dollars from the 90's are not accepted in many countries and we sometimes have problems when paying with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all:)
