Mera ,Amphu Labtsa and Island Peak Climbing 23 Days This expedition is not only an introduction to high altitude mountaineering, it is a wonderland of nature and breathtaking scenes of the Himalayas. The route follows the route of the Mera Peak expedition, but after descending from its summit to the Mera La pass the trail branches we head north-east into the mountain wilderness of the Upper Hongu Valley. Mount Lhotse and Everest are visible directly in front of us as we follow the valley along the towering rock face of Chamlang until we reach the sacred lakes at Panch Pokhri. Next we face the Amphu Labsta pass, 5700m, a tough technical crossing, and descend into the Imja Valley, where we will set up a base camp and prepare to summit Island Peak, 6189m, which lies close to the imposing south face of Lhotse. After the summit we descend the Everest Trail stopping in the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar before completing the circuit trek at Lukla. Who should do the Mera Peak, Amphu Labtsa and Island Peak expedition Although this expedition has some very easy and basic trails, the trek is graded STRENUOUS because the schedule includes five continuous nights over 5100meters in very remote locations and because of two 6100m peaks. There are good trails for most of the route, including a well-marked trail in the snow leading over the Mera La. The paths in the upper Hongu Valley are less used but the underfoot conditions are still relatively easy. The first few days trail between Lukla and Tagnag passes through delightful rhododendron and pine forests, whilst higher up beyond Kothay, there is no vegetation. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions provides you with Sherpas and porters who are well experienced and well equipped for the high altitude who will be able to assure your safe execution of the expedition. There is little chance of buying supplies on the way: all trekkers should be well prepared with the personal effects they require during the trek. Climbing difficulty Mera Peak: The normal route by the north face to the summit of Mera Peak, is not technically difficult. It is rarely steeper than 30 degrees, except for the final 30-40m climb to the summit where fixed lines are used for safety. Ski sticks are useful in soft snowy conditions and a single walking axe for hard snow and ice. Although any climbing at these altitudes is strenuous and exhausting, the route is carefully designed to allow for your acclimatization. Stopping for two nights and one day at high
Transcript
Mera ,Amphu Labtsa and Island Peak Climbing 23 Days
This expedition is not only an introduction to high altitude mountaineering, it is a wonderland of nature and breathtaking
scenes of the Himalayas. The route follows the route of the Mera Peak expedition, but after descending from its summit to
the Mera La pass the trail branches we head north-east into the mountain wilderness of the Upper Hongu Valley. Mount
Lhotse and Everest are visible directly in front of us as we follow the valley along the towering rock face of Chamlang until
we reach the sacred lakes at Panch Pokhri. Next we face the Amphu Labsta pass, 5700m, a tough technical crossing, and
descend into the Imja Valley, where we will set up a base camp and prepare to summit Island Peak, 6189m, which lies close
to the imposing south face of Lhotse. After the summit we descend the Everest Trail stopping in the Sherpa capital of
Namche Bazaar before completing the circuit trek at Lukla.
Who should do the Mera Peak, Amphu Labtsa and Island Peak expedition
Although this expedition has some very easy and basic trails, the trek is graded STRENUOUS because the schedule includes
five continuous nights over 5100meters in very remote locations and because of two 6100m peaks. There are good trails for
most of the route, including a well-marked trail in the snow leading over the Mera La. The paths in the upper Hongu Valley
are less used but the underfoot conditions are still relatively easy.
The first few days trail between Lukla and Tagnag passes through delightful rhododendron and pine forests, whilst higher up
beyond Kothay, there is no vegetation.
Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions provides you with Sherpas and porters who are well experienced and well
equipped for the high altitude who will be able to assure your safe execution of the expedition.
There is little chance of buying supplies on the way: all trekkers should be well prepared with the personal effects they
require during the trek.
Climbing difficulty
Mera Peak: The normal route by the north face to the summit of Mera Peak, is not technically difficult. It is rarely steeper
than 30 degrees, except for the final 30-40m climb to the summit where fixed lines are used for safety. Ski sticks are useful in
soft snowy conditions and a single walking axe for hard snow and ice. Although any climbing at these altitudes is strenuous
and exhausting, the route is carefully designed to allow for your acclimatization. Stopping for two nights and one day at high
camp, 5800m, will give you the best possible chance of reaching the summit.
Amphu Labtsa pass: This is more technical than Mera Peak. It will be necessary to surmount a series of ice steps (using a
fixed line for safety) to reach the rocky crest, and from the summit you will use a figure 8 to make a 35m abseil to where you
will reach the fixed lines for the remaining 300m descent of over 30 - 40 degrees in snow and rock until you reach easier
slopes.
Island Peak: This Mountain is technically more demanding than Mera Peak. Though lower in altitude it involves climbing
45 degree snow covered slopes and the summit ridge is completely exposed. Fixed lines are used on all exposed sections but
rope climbing skills are required; for this reason our experienced guides will give you a thorough training during the climb of
Mera Peak and again before the summit of Island Peak.
Then there are the five sacred lakes in front of us and we have reached one of the most fantastic places of the earth: the Panch
Pokhris at the foot of the impressive Baruntse, 7.168 m high.
It is very quiet. Up here, many gods of the Himalayas have their throne. No wonder people believe this, with all of the eauty,
that one experiences here high above.
Note I: If you are traveling on a budget, and do not require five-star accommodation, we can provide you clean and
comfortable hotels at more reasonable rates, which will reduce the total cost of the package.
Note II: Our previous experience shows that two nights and three days program is sufficient to climb Mera Peak. In case you
would like to stay more than three nights and four days in Mera Peak Base Camp or High Camp, you have to pay USD 130
Per Person / Per day, and you will get all the same services as the scheduled days.
Details Itinerary
October 30, 2013: Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. While approaching airport in Kathmandu, you will see snow-capped
mountains lying from East to West. You will be met by your guide and taken to your Hotel, where you will have a welcome
dinner.
October 31st, 2013: Day 02: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Thukdingma Fly to Lukla. Trek to Thukdingma, from where you
will have breathtaking views of Numbur 6957m, Karyolung 6511m, Kwangde 6011m among other peaks. Overnight in a
lodge.
November 01, 2013: Day 03: Trek to Chhatrwa Head form Thukdingma to Chhatrwa through jungle, grass land and
finally reach a camping site at Chhatrwa. Overnight in a lodge.
November 02, 2013: Day 04: Trek to Thaksingdingma Continue trekking to Thaksingdingma through the dense jungle;
finally reaching Thaksingdingma 3,500m. Overnight in a lodge.
November 03, 2013: Day 05: Trek to Thagnak Continue through jungle to Thagnak. Overnight in a lodge.
November 04, 2013: Day 06: Rest for acclimatization at Thagnak Rest for acclimatization at Thagnak. It is a superb place
for exploring and views of stunning peaks including Peak 43 (6,769m) and the glacial lake called Sabai Tsho. Overnight in a
lodge.
November 05, 2013: Day 07: Trek to Khare Continue along the glacier, Khraka and mountain moraines to Khare 5,099m.
Overnight in a lodge
November 06, 2013: Day 08: Basic training near Khare Basic training near Khare to prepare for climbing and walk a
couple of hours and return back to Khare for the night in a lodge.
November 07, 2013: Day 09: Trek to Mera Peak Continue along the mountain moraine and to Mera Peak base camp and
spend a night in a tent for acclimatization.
November 08, 2013: Day 10: Ascent to Mera High Camp 5800m We continue our ascent of the North flank of Mera Peak
to a spectacular eyrie nestled below a rocky outcropping on the ridge. Camp (5800m).
November 09, 2013: Day 11: Ascent Mera Peak (6476m We make the technically easy ascent of Mera Peak (6476m)
where a camp is set up. From here, you can see outstanding views of the world famous peaks such as Everest, Makalu, Cho
Oyu and spend the night in tent.
November 10, 2013: Day 12: We descend the Hongu valley from the Mera La. We stop for the lunch by lakeside after
three hours and then continue walking to Hongu river, which is followed by another three hours to reach another spectacular
campsite by the white lake near Chamlang and spend the night in tent.
November 11, 2013: Day 13: Trek to Hongu river We go further up the spectacular high-altitude valley, following the
bank of the Hongu river. The Amphu Labtsa appears in front with Lhotse and the Everest group beyond and Ama Dablam
just to the left. We can have an excellent view of Amphu Labtsa from the campsite and it is encircled by the beautiful
mountains and spends the night in tent.
November 12, 2013: Day 14: Trek to below the Amphu Labtsu The camp below the Amphu Labtsu is about 5,500m. We
have a relaxed afternoon as our Sherpa team prepares the route over the pass and spend the night in tent.
November 13, 2013: Day 15: The Amphu Labtsa (5,780m) This is the most involved and serious mountaineering day of
the trip. The approach to the pass is over glacier and around stunning ice flutings and formations and presents no real
difficulty at first and spend the night in tent.
November 14, 2013: Day 16: Rest day in Island Peak Base Camp and spend the night in tent.
November 15, 2013: Day 17: Base Camp to Summit 6189m and descent to Chhukung We have to start early in the
morning to climb through the rock channel. Although it is not difficult, there are many short rock steps to be crossed before
you come across the other side of the channel. Then the trail leads to the ridgeline where you traverse the snout of the summit
glacier. You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses, which leads with little difficulty, to a 100m
snow and ice slope (40-45°) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp
summit ridge will take you to the op. After enjoying the summit view, you will descend all the way to Chhukung, 4710m.
Overnight in a lodge.
November 16, 2013: Day 18: Trek to Tengbuche, 3864m gradually, we trek down to Dingboche and again pass through the
Pangboche village, the same trail we used on the way up. The trail leads down to a river. After crossing the river, we walk for
an hour up through the forest and reach Tengbuche Overnight Lodge
November 17, 2013: Day 19: Giving the blessing to the general public (Wang) Overnight Lodge
November 18, 2013: Day 20: Famous Mask Dances preformed by the monks in a special day long ceremony. Afterwards the
Sherpa community sing and dance the whole night long. Overnight Lodge
November 19, 2013: Day 21: Trek to Namche [3450] From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki
Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche. Overnight Lodge
November 20, 2013: Day 22: Trek to Lukla Boosted by all our new red blood cells, we rush down the footpath toward
Sagarmatha National Park gate, in Jorsale. Later, Lukla's footpath leads us back to the first villages Gumila, Phakdingma, and
Choplung. The high peaks disappear behind the hills. In Lukla, this last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a
farewell party with your sherpa guides and porters, and a good chance to sample some chhang, try Nepali and Sherpa dance and
look back on the memorable trekking experiences. The staff will be hoping for some precious and well deserved tips.
November 21, 2013: Day 23: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu You take an early morning flight from Lukla back to
Kathmandu . Over Night stay in Hotel
Trip Cost: USD 2950 Per Person - Above 02 pax
Service Includes
Transportation from Airport – Hotel – Airport: Car, Van, Hi-ace or Coaster
Welcome dinner with Live Nepalese Cultural Program
Accommodation in Kathmandu, two nights (bed and breakfast and tax included) Hotel Norbu Linka
Accommodation during trek ; local lodges 13 days (13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners, tea, coffee and twin-share
rooms with beds with comfortable foam mattress and pillows included)
Meals on the trail during 9 days camping (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tang juice, fruit, tea and coffee)
All Camping Equipment required during the trek, sleeping tents/mattresses, kitchen tent, kitchen equipment
