Mera Peak

We start this trek the same way we start every trek: with the legendary (for all the right and wrong reasons) Lukla flight. Thankfully the flight doesn’t last too long, and, if we are lucky, the views are stunning. When we land, we are greeted by the fresh air of Lukla and then we hit the beginning of the trek. The trail to Paiya from Lukla is however long and will take the majority of the day. The first day of the trek is a warm up, and the walk to Paiya will test your legs enough to know we will be working pretty hard for the next few days. The trek goes through small houses and lots of small patches of forest. We go through dense patches of forest, small villages, and a monotone trail that goes on for miles. Once we get to Paiya we will be greeted by the quiet yet extraordinary magic of the hills.

Overnight in Paiya.

Following breakfast, we make our way to the small wooden bridge and proceed to Paiya Hill. The pathway slopes up through the remnants of the old settlement. The direct ascent rocky hill offers beautiful views of the traditional Rhododendron and bamboo forests, and the steep hill ultimately gives way to the open skies. Dominating the landscape are the southern slopes Mehra Range and Sindhuli. From the top there is a steep descend to the Pangom settlement, a traditional Sherpa village.

Overnight in Pangom.

We now continue our trek with a walk through a combination of the quiet forestry paths, the open farmland, and those long stretches of path where the only noise is the sound of our own footsteps. Eventually we make our way to Nagindingma, a small village located on a hillside ridge with impressive views of the surrounding area.

Overnight in Nagindingma.

You descend to Hinku Khola to begin the day with a crossing a suspension bridge before taking on a lengthy uphill trek. The further into the valley you pass, the trail becomes even more mystical with its waterfalls and thick, rocky forests. Khola Kharka is very remote, albeit a tranquil place mainly used by yak herders.

You will stay overnight in Khola Kharka.

You follow the ridge positioned above the Hinku Valley, taking in the opening scenery. The trail safely and steadily descends into a forest of both juniper and rhododendron. You will reach your destination, Kothe, which is on the western border of the valley and provides and your first clear view of Mera Peak.

You will stay overnight in Kothe.

You will walk alongside the Hinku River, benefiting from a calm and fresh air thanks to the mossy forest. When you reach Gondishung, you will see the old monastery and the rock carvings documenting Buddhism that many trekkers stop to take pictures of. Thaknak is a little further from Gondishung, a secluded high-pasture settlement.

Overnight in Thaknak.

Today the landscape opened up to the view of Mera Peak and its white, snow-capped slopes. It offered the first clear view of the mountain we had been approaching. The trail was more glacial moraines which was an easy but slower exercise because of the altitude. By the afternoon, we completed the steady climb to Khare.

Overnight at Khare.

Today was a rest/ acclimatization day. There was no rushing, just a rest day. You take a short hike above the village, and go through some basic climbing practice, like there is a safety reminder with the crampons, ropes, that avaunt the abyss sort of thing. There was thinner air, but with that came more amazing views.

Overnight at Khare.

Today was glacier climbing day. Slowly and steadily we began gaining altitude. The terrain was a bit icy and was a little steep. The trail suscribes to a high camp mountain on the edge of a ludicrous cliff wall. If we clinched a good view of the camp, we won because this hike is known for its views.

Overnight at High Camp (tent).

This is the big day. You wake up around 2 or 3 AM, put on your gear, and start climbing under the stars. The slope feels long but manageable, and as the sky starts to glow, the summit ridge appears. Standing on the top—6,461 meters—feels surreal. You get this sweeping 360° Himalayan panorama that’s hard to describe in words. After a few photos and a quiet moment, you head back down to High Camp and then continue all the way to Khare for some much-needed rest.

Overnight in Khare.

We’re going to go back to Kothe. The tall stony rocks have now overshadowed the magnificent Alps. It will be a long day, but we can use the contingency day on the tenth day if we haven’t already. We follow a path lined with rhododendron trees as we climb west of Hinku Valley. The trail has ups and downs. After a last trek up a hill, we reach Thuli Kharka, a summer camp for local yak herders.

Overnight in Kothe.

The trail winds through forests and yak pastures, offering a mix of shade and open ridges. Chetarwa is a small settlement, simple and quiet—perfect for a low-key evening.

Overnight in Chetarwa.

Your final trekking day takes you through familiar forests and bridges. The closer you get to Lukla, the more the feeling of completion hits. It’s your last night in the mountains, usually filled with celebration and a bit of reflection.

Overnight in Lukla.

We take a plane back to Kathmandu. We travel to our hotel and rest once we arrive in the city. You can either explore the city or unwind at the hotel for the remainder of the day. You can purchase souvenirs while strolling around Thamel. Additionally, local markets are accessible by foot from Thamel.