Mera Peak Expedition: Nepal Trekking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 12 reviews.

fen paw

MERA PEAK EXPEDITION

Written October 2010
Food was challenging on the trek, on the plus side, it's a great natural way of losing weight. The trek itself is second to none - challenging in all aspects (mental & physical).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of Mera Peak & meeting Kaji Sherpa (who has summitted Mt. Everest 4 times).
What did you think of your group leader?
Unquestionably 1st class. Nice to see such great rapport & team spirit with the rest of the crew.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't get sick before the trek begins (as in e.g. drink hotel jug water in Kathmandu) and during the trek - this trek takes no prisoners, absolutely no chance! Only the non-sick will potentialy last to the end. Would definitely recommend this trip but go early in the season if you want it quieter with less other trekkers around, else it get choc-o-block.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Offer more challenging higher altitude treks in your portfolio. You already have two, potentially three Mt. Everest summitteers for climbing guides, why not offer a Mt. Everest climb to the very top & only the very top ? Anything else (e.g. lower camps) but the very top defeats the object.
Maximum number of 14 on the trek was a bit too crowded - one of the main reasons for going on treks like is the peace & serenity of the Himalayas & the feel of isolation, but with 14 people it was impossible to enjoy any peaceful moment. For me, the maximum number of 9 is ideal to begin with & expect the number to drop by 2 or 3 at the end.
Mark Smith

MERA PEAK EXPEDITION

Written November 2008
A tough but very rewarding climb through various landscapes, very well organised with excellent food, guides, kitchen staff and porters.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Clambering the last few metes to the top of Mera Central and getting great views of Everest and surrounding mountains. Also, lying in bed at night listening to avalanches, and getting to see a large avalanche fall off Mera whilst eating breakfast.
What did you think of your group leader?
Krishna was great, always cheerful and very friendly. The other guides were good too, Wanchu was our guide on summit day and he had summited Everest twice, so we were in good hands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You do NOT climb to 6476m as advertised, that it Mera North, the route to which is heavily crevassed. On this trip you climb Mera Central 6461m, Exodus really need to amend their trip notes, so although I reached the objective of this trip I did not climb to the top of Mera Peak!
Watch out for the leeches in the lower camps.
FYI the crew set up 2 toilet tents at most camps, they are great, there is a chair inside with a loo seat, so no squatting!!!
You can pay a couple of dollars to use showers at nearby lodges at some campsites, plus the bowls of hot water supplied by the staff mean you can keep quite clean.
Don't waste your money on iodine stuff, the guides boil water and fill your bottles at breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can get as much safe water as you can drink.
Your plastic boots, ice axe and crampons are separated out in Kathmandu and sent ahead, so you don't have to carry them around, this also gives you more room in your kit bag.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
As mentioned by someone else, this is a long-old-trek, with lots and lots of ups and downs, you will ascend and descend over 10,000 metres of the course of the trip, so be prepared. The summit day is a 12 hour walking day, 6 hours up starting at 2am, and six hours down to a lower camp, so make sure your plastic boots are comfy.
Oh, and don't take any electronics with hard-drives in them. My hard-drive mp3 player and hard-drive camcorder stopped working at about 5000m because they don't operate in low pressure environments (they worked again lower down), so watch out.
Garth Brookes

MERA PEAK EXPEDITION

Written November 2008
An absolutely brilliant trip. Where else can you see five of the worlds highest peaks at one go! A tough one that earns its grade but well worth the effort. If you want to go high and non-technical Mera Peak is for you!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It has to be summit day. We were woken at 1a.m. with tea and porridge. After the effort of putting on boots and crampons we set off for the summit. It was a tad cold but we were all well muffled up. Naturally it was slow going with many a stop to catch our breaths. Dawn came slowly but was quite spectacular with the sun gradually striking the tops of more and more peaks starting with Kangchenjunga far to the east. Gradually as we got higher and the light improved we saw Cho Oyu, the Nuptse Lhotse ridge, Everest and Makalu!! Even saw base camp way, way below us. Reaching a small col we realised that we only had about 30m more up to go. We had been roped to this point anyway but it became essential for this last bit as it was very steep. Up to the top of Mera and handshakes and hugs all round. Views were astounding all round!! Then it was a long slog all the way to base camp passing High and Mera La camps.
What did you think of your group leader?
Krishna was an excellent leader in all respects. Knowledgable, capable and above all friendly. He is about to complete his International Climbing course early next year. He is a member of the Nepal guide Association. While on the subject of crew we cannot praise them highly enough from the porters through to guides. Two of the Climbing Guides had summited Everest twice so we felt in good hands. Food was excellent and plentiful as we knew it would be having been with Bhim in Tibet.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is a tough trip and should not be undertaken by anyone who is not a regular hill walker. The circular approach walk as opposed to the direct trail was great for acclimatisation - I felt as well or better than any other high altitude trips that I have been on. As is normal on these trips Kris and I were the slowest and always at the back though we always arrived at lunch stops and camp on time. Being slow should not put anyone off this trip - you will see more and have a better chance to acclimatise. apart from which, on climb day, you are all as slow as each other!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think that I have said it all. Expect some hard days especially the climb and on the walk out over the Zatrwa La. The walk in was tough with plenty of steep ups and downs - in fact it would be of interest if anyone could tell us the total ascent and descent. We had rain and cloud on the walk in due to a late monsoon but it was still brilliant and quite spooky. Be prepared for spectacular camps at the Mera La and High camps and to be cosy, but warm, with three in a tent. Be amazed on climb day - it is stupendous, unbelievable, mind blowing and any other superlatives that you can think of.
Jason Plevey

What a trip..........

Written January 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Veiws from the summit The fantastic trekking crew The great people of Nepal
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What did you think of your group leader?
He was very good, he knew a lot about the area, people and all the technical stuff we needed to know
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It can get very hot in the day times and watch your toes on summit day
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Well worth it and I am now seriously thinking about 7000 + m
Caroline Geary

A view of 4 of the highest mountains in the world, what more can I say...

Written January 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hmmm where do I start... * Climbing up to the summit as the sun started to rise and seeing this blue/orange hue on the horizon * Climbing in the night and looking behind to see a chain of head torches wiggling up the mountain * Sunset at High Camp - Magic * Being able to see millions of stars at night without any light pollution! * The people of Nepal
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What did you think of your group leader?
Krishna was fantastic. He made sure that we were all drinking, eating enough and ensuring our safety at all times. His knowledge of the area and climbing skills were of particular note. The practice secessions on the glacier, learning techniques, knots, ascending and descending ropes were invaluable for the days we would spend above base camp at Khare. Also of mention was our climbing and local guides - Kaji, Chongba, Mingmar x 2 and Kedar who were excellent. They always made sure we got the best camp site, were safe at night and maintained a good pace throughout the trek. The hard team work of all ensured our success of reaching the summit.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
One of the essential bits of advice I can give is KEEP DRINKING WATER and TAKE IT EASY to help with altitude acclimatisation. Its not a race, just enjoy the scenery and take lots of pictures. Take a range of clothing layers including trousers with the rip off legs so you have a pair of shorts as well. In October, temperatures can get very hot at the lower altitudes and also expect a few thunderstorms in the afternoons. On summit day, I would recommend taking a thermos flask as the new hydration systems freeze up within 5 minutes and are rendered useless for many hours, even when the sun does come up. Ensure that you plaster yourself in high factor sun cream at ALL TIMES. On summit day this is essential – make sure that your face is well creamed with at least Factor 40 before even stepping out of your tent as you will not feel like putting it on when the sun comes up at 6am or possibly even remembering to do it. Make sure you pay attention to ears, lips and nostrils, including up them. This is a lesson I learnt the hard way! Also make sure you have all layers on before venturing out of your tent on summit day, even if you feel warm in your tent. It’s easier to cool down than it is to warm up.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip is not for those who think that summit day will be the hardest day and the rest easy undulating trekking. On the contrary, most of the days are strenuous and require good levels of fitness, along with being able to cope with very high temperatures and humidity during the walk in and the freezing temperatures on the Mera La and above. Exodus guides and staff were fantastic and supported our team all the way. The tour was well organised, the staff always friendly and smilling, which is essential on a trip like this. I don't think I have ever felt so safe on holiday! Thank you Exodus for an excellent trip and getting me to the top.