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Mera and Island Peak Climbing via Amphu Labtsa pass

Mera and Island Peak Climbing via Amphu Labtsa pass

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  • Expert Local Guides

Trip Information

Trip Duration

22 Nights 23 Days

Difficulty Level

Challenging

Destination

Nepal

Maximum Height

6476 m

Guiding Method

Trekking & Climbing

Best Season

Spring & Autumn

Highlights

  • Unmatched thrill and adventure of summiting Mera Peak (6461m) and Island Peak (6189m)
  • Majestic Himalayas as far and wide as eyes can see including the world's tallest mountain peaks including the Mt. Everest (8848m)
  • Explore the Sagarmatha National Park
  • Experience the astounding biodiversity of the national park and Everest region
  • Visit ancient monasteries like Tengboche Monastery and Dingboche Monastery among others
  • Relish the ancient and unique Sherpa culture

What's better than conquering one Himalayan peak accompanied by the world's tallest Himalayas? Conquering two of them. Such is the case with our Mera and Island Peak climbing via the Amphu Labtsa pass where the Himalayas lead to the Himalayas and where everything comes in doubles. Double the thrill, double the adventure and double the excitement. Separated by the majestic Himalayan range between the  Hongu and Khumbu valleys both Mera Peak (6,461m) and Island Peak (6,189m) boast some of the most exquisite views and Amphu Labtsa Pass at 5,780m is more than capable of holding its own against the Himalayas.

The journey begins in Kathmandu from where we gather all the necessary equipment before making our way to Lukla through the thrilling airstrip it is well known for. Kicking off the trail heads to Chutang for our first night on the go beyond which we reach the Zatrwa La Pass (4610m). Enjoying the stunning views of the world tallest Himalayas including Mt. Everest (8,848m) the journey continues towards Kothe and then onto Thangnak. Breaking the altitude of 5,000m, we head for Khare the next day and then onto Mera High Camp at an altitude of 5,780m. Next up is the summit where we come face to face with the snowy summits of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,414m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Makalu (8,463m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m)  rising above the ever stretching chain of Himalayas separating the valleys. Back to base camp we continue our journey towards the Hinku Valley and then onto Panch Pokhari where we take a day off for acclimatization. Crossing the Amphu Labtsa pass the next day the journey continued through the lofty Himalayas to reach the Island Peak Base Camp crossing Chhukung en route. Summiting the Island Peak in the company of Himalayas, we head back to Chhukung and then onto Dingboche where we meet the trail heading into the Everest Circuit. The trail winds down heading towards Lukla as we make our way back to Dingboche and then Namche Bazaar where alpine vegetation give way to lush green forests.

A long journey heading deep into the Himalayas needs careful planning and consideration. We, here Nepal Ascent Treks, have been traversing alongside trekkers into the Himalayas boasting highest rate of success.

 

 

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Route Map

Altitude Graph

Itinerary

Your arrival in Kathmandu will be marked by landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A company representative of Nepal Ascent Treks will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. After having some refreshments, you can meet the participants and the trek members on behalf of the Nepal Ascent Treks. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Dinner

Transportation
Private Car

Today is allocated to ensuring that all the preparations for our Himalayan adventure are complete. If you do not wish to carry the required equipment from home then the local market is full of vendors where you can choose to purchase or rent the required equipment. Ensuring that all our required permits, equipment, clothing and safety measures are ready to go, we rest before beginning the adventure. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Breakfast

Transportation
Private Car

The journey begins with an early morning flight heading towards the Lukla. Up above in the air, we are presented with a lovely opportunity to witness the stunning views of the Himalayas and the surrounding landscape. Heading out of Lukla the lonely trail takes up the ascending route gradually rising in altitudes and crossing several countless settlements towards Chutok and then eventually onto Chutang. Overnight stay at Chutang.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Flight / Walking

The trail begins its journey through the enchanting forests filled with pine, oak, and rhododendron trees before leaving the tree line behind and heading towards the alpine suburbs. As the rise in altitude is reflected in the declining hills and rising Himalayas on the horizon, our journey reaches right at the base of Zatra La Pass. Overnight stay at the base of Zatrwa La Pass.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Crossing Zatrwa La pass (4610m) adorned with stunning views of the Himalayas we make our journey heading down towards Kothe. With the decreasing altitude, the thick forests slowly start to adorn the barren landscape as the trail continues to drop. Entering the Hinku Valley, the trail continues through the hilly terrain to reach Kothe where the mesmerizing Mera Peak (6,461m) gleams on the horizon. Overnight stay at Kothe.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Through the sandy banks of the tranquil river, we continue our journey ascending through the thinning forests. Once again the forested trail gives way to alpine vegetation as the journey picks up its pace heading through the lonely trail deeper into the valley. Crossing several caves and monasteries adorned with seas of prayer flags we reach Thangnak where the views of Kusum Khangkaru (6,367m) alongside the countless peaks of Hinku Valley welcome us. Overnight stay at Thangnak.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Taking the first of our rest days at Thangnak, we let our bodies properly acclimatize to the increasing altitudes. Hiking to the nearby hills not only fulfills the purpose but also reveals the stunning Himalayan scenery hidden from the main trail heading upwards. Enjoying the mesmerizing views of the sunset at Thangnak, we turn in early in preparation for the next day. Overnight stay at Thangnak.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

With the Mera Peak (6,461m) fast approaching, we begin our journey guided by the Himalayas on the horizon. Through the rocky Himalayan trail, we reach several clusters of settlements beyond which lies the pasture land of Dig Kharka. Continuing on, we reach Khare which is also the final settlement of the trail located right at the foot of Mera Peak (6,461m).

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Day nine and we are off to the High Camp. Crossing Mera La pass through the icy trail covered in snow, we carefully pick our way climbing through the ridgeline crossing the glacier. Carefully navigating our way while also simultaneously enjoying the mesmerizing views of the Himalayas which adorn the region, our journey ends at Mera High Camp reaching the altitude of 5,780m. Overnight stay at Mera High Camp.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The day begins early as we gradually make our way up the mountain following the lead of our guides who will also implement several safety measures throughout the climb. The trail gradually turns steep as the summit nears and the final push to the summit brings us to the very top. Atop at the altitude of 6,461m what stretches in front of us is a stunning Himalayan panorama comprising of the world's tallest Himalayas including Makalu (8,463m), Kanchenjunga (8,586), Nuptse (7,861m), Baruntse (7,129m), Mt Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,414m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m). The day ends with a swift descent to the designated camping spot. Overnight stay at base camp.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The trail truly enters the wilderness of the Himalayas as we make our way towards the Hinku Valley. Heading down from the base camp, our journey takes on the familiar rocky trail covered with snow. With the Himalayas as our guide especially the stunning Baruntse (7,129m) shining on the horizon, we head deeper into the valley enjoying the stunning landscapes surrounding us.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The trail continues its ascending nature heading deeper into the Hinku Valley. The trail is a lovely one as it avoids steeps ascends and descends for the most part. As the altitude gradually gains elevation, the trail quietly rises up to meet it. The rising altitudes are reflected by the barren Himalayan landscape which although is devoid of lush green forests has a unique charm to it. Overnight stay at Panch Pokhari.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Today, we take a day rest at Panch Pokhari which is also the final of our acclimatization days in the entire journey. The views that can be savored on the stroll around the region is quite sublime and the five glacial lakes really help to relieve our tired bodies. Ensuring all our equipment are in the best possible condition we set out to the nearby hills slowly gaining altitude which will help in the travel in the coming days. Overnight stay at Panch Pokhari.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Today, we make our way to the Amphu Labtsa base camp. This is one of the shorter days of the trek as the significant rise in altitude ensures that we take this journey at a slower pace. Though the rocky trail we reach the Amphu Labtsa Base camp and set up the camp for the night.

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Today, we begin our journey heading towards the Amphu Labtsa pass which boasts stunning views in addition to its technical climb. The exposed Himalayan pass continues its rise through steep sections of rocks and ridgelines to reach the summit where we are blessed with a stunning view of the countless Himalayan ranges throughout the region. Making our way down the journey takes us through the stunning views over to the Chhukung Valley. Overnight stay at Chhukung.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The second fill of our Himalayan adventure awaits as we make our way to the Island Peak High Camp. Continuing through the now steeper Himalayan trail, we are welcomed by the stunning views of the Himalayas. Through the glacial moraine of Lhotse Glacier, we continue our journey towards the south before cutting towards the western front of Island Peak (6,189 m).

Accommodation
Tent

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Day seventeen and we are nearly there. The day begins early as we begin our attacking of the Island Peak (6,189m). The journey takes us through the rocky edges of the Himalayas which at times can be steeper and may require the use of ropes. Once again, following the lead of our guides, we continue our ascending route conquering several steeper sections of the trail. The summit of the peak is truly nature's masterpiece with the view that it offers can only be described as heavenly. Enjoying the enchanting views of the Himalayas dominating the silvery skyline, we begin our way down before once again reaching the hamlet of Chhukung. Overnight stay at Chhukung.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The beginning of the descend we begin our way down heading towards the hamlet of Dingboche. Guided by the stunning views of Ama Dablam (6,856m), Lhotse (8,414m) and Nuptse (7,861m) the journey gradually heads down to meet the trail heading towards the Everest Base Camp. Overlapping the main trail, we reach Dingboche just in time to enjoy stunning views of the sunset over the horizon. Overnight stay at Dingboche.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The journey is near to an end and, today, we make our way back towards Debouche. The trail heading out from Dingboche is met by seas of prayer flags and Mani stones as we reach Pangboche. Crossing the bridge over Imja Khola we once again reach the lush green forests adorned with pine and rhododendron trees continuing on towards the hamlet of Debouche. Overnight stay at Debouche.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The trail today heads over to the familiar town of Namche Bazaar well known to the trekkers and adventurers heading in and out of the Everest region. The descending trails are easy with pine and juniper trees guiding the lively trail through lush green forests. Enjoying the disappearing views of the Himalayas on the horizon our journey reaches Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Our final day of the trek and it is a long one as we begin our way back towards the hamlet of Lukla. The disappearing sights of the Mt. Everest (8,848), Lhotse (8,414m) and Nuptse (7,861m) adorn the horizon as we make our way heading down towards Lukla. Through the town of Phakding, we come across several small settlements beyond which the trail reaches Jorsalle heading out of the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail continues through lush green forests reaching Lukla for the night.

Accommodation
Teahouse

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

The final day of the journey as we take on an early morning flight heading out of Lukla to the Kathmandu Valley. With one final glance at the Himalayas, we take off to the sky reliving the thrill of the airstrip. Back at Kathmandu, we head directly to the hotel where you can either take the entire day off or arrangements can be made for the flight back home. Either way, we hope you had a lovely time with us.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Breakfast | Dinner

Transportation
Flight

Our representatives will once again drop you back at Tribhuvan International Airport just in time to catch your next flight back home. We hope you had an unforgettable experience with us.

Meal
Breakfast

Transportation
Private car

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What's Included

Meal

  • Fresh seasonal fruits after the dinner (while on the trek).
  • Breakfast,Lunch and dinner during the trek.

Accomodation

  • Lodge expenses during the trek.
  • Stay in the city at finest hotel (Can upgrade of the accommodations to luxury hotels / lodge is possible at extra cost).

Staffs & Crew

  • Sherpa staffs (guides, porters, cook etc. )
  • Insurance of guide and porter.
  • A porter and his entire expenses.
  • English Speaking, experienced and qualified sherpa climbing guide.

Transportation

  • Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets
  • Airport pickup and drop facility.

Permits & Paperworks

  • Climbing permit
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)

Activities

  • Full day guided city tour in Kathmandu (Day 2) by a private vehicle.

Other

  • Nepal Ascent Treks duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map.
  • First aid medical kit
  • Down jackets and sleeping bags (provided upon request).
  • 5 Hot showers (Attached bathroom) on a trek
  • Good quality tents and kitchen utensils for camping
  • Climbing gears & equipments

Complimentary Extras

  • Local sim card
  • Welcome and farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese Restaurant with traditional ethnic music and dance.
  • 1 hour trekkers massage / Yoga after the trip completion.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance which covers emergency rescue and evacuation.
  • Tipping to staffs (as an appreciation).
  • Nepal arrival visa.
  • Meals in the city except for breakfast and other mentioned special dinner.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Cost incurred during the tour around the city.
  • Cost for additional trips.
  • Personal climbing equipment

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Essential Info

Physical Fitness

Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.

In preparation for trekking and climbing, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.

Trekking and climbing Seasons in Nepal

There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places. 

Winter in Nepal is dry, with very cold nights where temperatures can drop to -20°C at the highest altitudes, but the days are pleasant and sunny. Additionally, the trails are much less crowded during this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures reach around 20°C.

Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.

Trekking Day

A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.

Meals and Accommodations

During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.

Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.

Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.

Internal Flight Delays

Nepal is an incredible country of mountains and valleys, rivers and green rolling hills. With this incredible diversity of landscapes, road travel can be extremely time consuming and flights within Nepal to reach popular trekking destinations is a must. Along with this mountainous terrain also comes the possibility of in climate weather. Not to mention the incredibly high number of visitors during peak seasons makes internal flight delays a very real possibility. To manage this possibility, it may be helpful to have a few extras days on either end of your tour. If any cancellations or flight delays do occur (high chances of flight delays from around Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest region), we also provide services to arrange helicopter to help you to be on your schedule on the premises of Civil Aviation Rules in Nepal which state that helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m. The cost ranges from USD350 to USD650 according to the number of passengers. The payment can be made either to the helicopter company or to us directly and can be made either by cash or using a credit card. It will also be helpful to purchase and review your insurance as some of the alternative measures for travel may be covered. Flight insurance too may cover changing your international flight if necessary.

Travel Insurance

Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.

Nepal Visa Entry Procedure

For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions. There are a number of entry points where you can obtain the visa upon arriving by land, but Tribhuvan International Airport is the only one for air transport.

Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa

Three options are available for entry

15-day single entry: US $30

30-day single entry: US $50

90-day multiple entries: US $125

Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.

For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.

Drinking Water

Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.

Arrival Instruction

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you to pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.

 

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Price per person

US$ 4,054 US$ 4,968

EMI & Group discount available.
Sittal Simkhada

Tour Operator

Talk to Sittal +9779851058663

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