Climb Mera Peak (6461m)

Welcome to Kathmandu! Your host will pick you up from the airport at any time, although we recommend landing before 16:00 in order to meet your guides and join the trip briefing. Finish the day with a group dinner alongside the rest of your team – your epic adventure into the mighty Himalayas begins tomorrow.

This morning you'll jump on the bus and head to Ramechhap (Manthali). This remote region is where most Lukla flights now depart from in the peak trekking season. Tonight, you'll glamp in a site in proximity to the airport, a convenient place to rest before your trek starts tomorrow.

(Should your flight be scheduled to depart from Kathmandu instead, you'll spend an extra day and overnight in the city, with the chance to explore at your own pace and to do any last-minute shopping in preparation for the trek.)

A 15-minute scenic flight across the mid-hills of eastern Nepal brings you to the famous town of Lukla. As you can imagine, the breathtaking view of the mighty Himalayas from the sky is really something to behold. Meet your friendly trekking crew and hand your overnight luggage to them. Fuel up with breakfast and then set off hiking the downhill trail to Surke Village. Expect lots of greenery and the occasional herd of mules hard at work, transporting anything from food to fuel up to the villages. Spend the night at Paiyan village with a view of the glaciated peak of Numbur Himal in the distance.

Ascend gently to the pass of Khari La through a beautiful rhododendron forest, and later descend to Bupsa. Get off the main trail to follow the more picturesque side route through greenery and small villages. On reaching Panggom, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful view of Numbur Himal and pay a visit to the local monastery if you wish.

Set off uphill across the forest to Panggom La pass and enjoy the view of both Hinku and Khari Khola valleys. Walk down to Sibuje, a pretty Sherpa village, and enjoy a break with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Continue on a gradual descent to Ningshow, a tiny remote village, then cross a small river before proceeding on a steep uphill section through the forest to Ramailo Danda ridge. Enjoy the very first view of the mighty Mera Peak in the distance and rest for the night in a local teahouse.

Get ready for a tough day ahead. After relishing the view of Mera Peak, a fresh mountain tea in hand, descend steeply to the Temba Khola River and rest before tackling the long climb ahead to Ekle Bhatti. Cross several mountain streams (eyes peeled for the extremely elusive and endangered red panda). Power through a steep descent to Chhetra Khola for a well-deserved overnight rest.

Today's trail rolls across the hillside with both up and downhill sections, which at times will feel challenging. Cross small streams en route through the forest of fir and bamboo and reach the village of Takhto for lunch. Continue along undulating terrain and through subalpine forest for another two to three hours, seeing the landscape change by the moment as you enter the rocky valley that surrounds the Inkhu Khola River.

After breakfast, ascend gently by the river and pass through narrow canyons. From Mosom Kharka, the trail starts widening up a bit and the vegetation changes as alpine pastures, junipers, and wildflowers start appearing. As you continue up, admire the far peak of Mount Kyasar – a towering 6770m tall. Stop for an optional visit to Lunga Sumba monastery, a site with deep cultural and social significance to the local people. Hike for the last couple of hours along the river and pastures until you reach the open valley of Thangnak, where you'll spend the night in a beautiful summer grazing village.

Climb along the river as the higher elevation begins to kick in. Walk across a wide rocky deposit and trek above the stunning Sabai Tsho Lake. Take a few moments to soak in the serenity of the lake, then follow an eastward trail that climbs gently between the Mera Glacier and a small stream fed by the Khare Glacier. From Dig Kharka (4659m), the path ascends further on rugged terrain to Khare. Enjoy a well-deserved rest at your teahouse, then meet your main climbing guide for dinner and learn more details about the epic summit challenge that awaits.

Wake to the breathtaking view of Mera Peak and get ready for today's training session. Whilst climbing to the summit does not require technical climbing skills, you will need to have a general understanding of how to use crampons, harnesses, rope, ascenders, descenders, ice axes – and above all, a good understanding of safety. That means today, while acclimatising to the higher altitude, you'll also prepare for the push to the summit and learn all the techniques you need to achieve it. You'll be guided by a qualified climbing leader from today onwards, so any questions you have – just ask!

Follow the trail that goes across the cliffside – you may need crampons if the terrain is covered by snow. Then gradually turn towards the southern flank of Mera Peak and negotiate some challenging moraines and glaciers, assisting your traverse with ropes. The final approach to Mera La steepens and snow, high altitude and ice will all test your resilience – but the views will be worth it. Power through along the ridgeline while descending gently to Mera Base Camp, where a tented camp and a light meal awaits.

It’s a short trek today to Mera High Camp but due to the elevation, it will feel hard. Ascend along the ridge on a snowy trail and stay overnight at the High Camp – a rocky cliff, perched on the edge of the ridge. In the high season, the camp does get busy but the surrounding views of Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Makalu will make you forget about the uncomfortable conditions and crowds. One final rest before the summit push...

The big day starts at 01:00 am. Fuel up on soup and some hot food, gear up and start climbing across Mera Glacier along moderately steep stretches. Continuing further, you'll reach the bottom of the long, steep ridgeline. With an oxygen level of less than 66%, it will feel difficult to breathe and every movement will be slow, but your guides and team will be there to support your ascent both physically and mentally. Your determination and resilience will be tested for sure as you approach, but once at the top you'll be blown away by the astounding panorama of some of the highest peaks on the entire planet. Enjoy the indescribable 360-degree view of five of the world's eight-thousanders: Mount Everest (8848m), Kangchenjunga (8586m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8485m) and Cho Oyu (8201m), as well as Kyashar, Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Baruntse. Drink it all in, then start your long descent down to Khare. Celebrate the epic accomplishment with your fellow trekkers and the crew before enjoying a very well-deserved sleep.

Today is your back-up summit day. All going well you won’t need it, but as with any adventure of this scale, external factors such as weather can stand between you and the climb – so today gives you another crack at the top if needed. Meals will be provided and included if this contingency day is required.

Otherwise, you will commence your descent to Lukla and your host will try to reschedule the return ticket to fly you back to Kathmandu a day earlier (Day 17). In the event that it's not possible to pull your return ticket forward, you will instead complete the last day of the trek in two days, making the long descent on Day 17 less strenuous.

Continue your descent along the picturesque and gentle stretch of trail that leads to Kothe.

Continue retracing the path until Taktho, from where the trail ascends steeply along a ridge, first through the forest and then above the tree line. Power on uphill to reach a small pass, then descend to Thuli Kharka and spend the night in a simple hut. One more day of trekking tomorrow, and then you're done!

Today’s trail levels up till the craggy pass of Zwarta La, then drops steeply to Kharka Tenga where you will stop for tea. Follow the river down to Chutanga and have lunch there, then descend a welcomingly easy downhill stretch through a beautiful forest and across a suspension bridge as you return to busy Lukla. It’s official, you've finished: the celebrations can begin!

Fly back across the Himalayas to Ramechhap (Manthali), followed by a five-hour overland trip back to Kathmandu. Head out, shop for last-minute souvenirs in Thamel and meet up with your team for a few farewell beers and dinner to celebrate the end of your epic adventure!

Enjoy a lie-in, followed by some final time in Kathmandu before returning to the airport and back to reality.