Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu Labsta Pass is the ultimate trekking and climbing challenge. Even reaching the top of one of these fantastic peaks is a great achievement.This package includes two 6000+meter peaks and one challenging high pass.This exceptional high altitude adventure is packed with an amazing variety of mountains and wilderness valleys, forests and grasslands, lodges and camping: a complete Khumbu experience.
Even though the majority of this expedition is straightforward trekking, it is graded strenuous, as it includes two incredible peaks over 6100 meters, one technically challenging pass, and seven consecutive nights at elevations over 5100 meters. At this altitude, even very basic trails can be a test of endurance. The Mera Peak and Island peak via Amphu Labsta Pass expedition route has been carefully planned and paced. ‘Rest days’ allow time for the body to adjust to the altitude while you practice mountaineering skills with your guide to prepare you for the next objective.
This expedition starts with climbing the least technical, Mera Peak first, followed by the rather tricky Amphu Labsta Pass and then a moderately difficult Island Peak, with its exposed summit.
Mera Peak, standing at 6460m, is the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Neither too steep nor technically difficult, Mera Peak is a great introductory climb to practice the basics of high altitude climbing skills. This route avoids the steep climb to Zatrwa La pass by making a loop to the south through a beautiful untraveled part of the country and joins the at Kote, allowing time for gradual acclimatization. We fly to Lukla, 2820m, and trek south to Surke, 2290m, the same day. We follow the Inkhu River right up to the Mera Peak Base Camp, at the foot of Mera’s north face. The route to high camp goes via Mera La pass. Only the last 30 or 40 meters to the summit require the use of fixed lines. From the summit you get magnificent views of the over-8000-meter-mountains including Mt. Everest, 8848m, Mt. Lhotse, 8516m, Mt. Cho Oyu, 8201m, Mt. Makalu, 8463m, Mt. Kanchenjunga, 8586m, to name a few.
Descending from the summit of Mera, the route turns east at the Mera La, into the Upper Hongu Valley. As we follow the valley northward, the rock face of Chamlang towers to the east and Lhotse and Everest are visible directly in front of us. Once we reach the sacred Panch Pokhri lakes, we are about to tackle the toughest objective of the expedition, the Amphu Labsta pass, 5700m. The succession of ice steps up to the rocky crest call for a fixed line. From the top we have to make a 35 meter abseil to reach fixed lines for the next 300 meters of steep descent on snow and rock.
We re-enter the Khumbu which, after so many days in a wilderness, seems busier than before. We will set up a base camp in the Imja Valley, 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.
We ascend Island Peak via the normal route, directly underneath the imposing south west face of Lhotse, fourth highest mountain in the world. Though lower in altitude than Mera Peak, Island Peak is slightly more challenging. The ascent involves an easy scramble up to a rock ridge and then onto a glacier where fixed lines are used to climb the 45 degree snow slopes leading to the exposed summit ridge. The fabulous summit views include Lhotse, Nuptse, Mt.Makalu and Ama Dablam. We follow the Chhukkung Valley and join the Everest Base Camp trail at Dingboche, one of many Sherpa settlements we pass through on our return to Lukla.
Rather than the technical difficulty, it is the sheer endurance that is the challenge on this expedition. This is for the physically fit person who is ready for an outstanding outdoor adventure. Prior climbing experience is an beneficial, but not essential, as there will be opportunity to learn skills with an experienced guide during the expedition.
Planning to climb Mera and Island Peak in 2018 !!
We have Guaranteed Departure for Mera and Island Peak on 3rd April, 2018. There are three trekkers already signed up for the climb. If you are interested in joining this group please let us know. This small group is sure to be a lot of fun, and it is a great saving too. The solo expedition cost is $ 4000 USD per person; however, if we can make it a group of 04 - 06, the cost per person will be only $3700 USD which is all inclusive prices.
Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu 1300m
Day 2 : Preparation Day in Kathmandu 1300m
Day 3 : Fly to Lukla, 2820m, and trek to Paiya (Chutok), 2730m: 3-4 hrs
Day 4 : Trek to Pangoma, 2850m: 5-6 hrs
Day 5 : Trek to Ningsaw 2745m: 4-5 hrs
Day 6 : Trek to Chhatrwa Khola, 3150m: 7-8 hrs
Day 7 : Trek to Kote, 3600m: 6-7 hrs
Day 8 : Trek to Thangnak, 4356m, 5hrs
Day 9 : Trek to Khare, 5045m, 4-5 hrs
Day 10 : Acclimatization Day in Khare /Preparation day
Day 11 : Trek to Mera La, 5415m, to Base Camp 5350m, 3-4 hrs
Day 12 : Trek to High Camp, 5780m, 4 hrs
Day 13 : Mera Peak Ascent and Decent to Kongma Dingma
Day 14 : Reserve Day
Day 15 : Trek to Hongu river Seto Pokhari 5000m 4-5 hrs
Day 16 : Trek to below the Amphu Labtsu base camp 5400m 4 hrs
Day 17 : The Amphu Labtsa Pass (5,780m) and descends to Imja Valley 10 hrs
Day 18 : Trek to Island Peak Base Camp Camp (5,200m 3hrs
Day 19 : Island Peak Summit, 6189m. Descend to Base Camp Overnight in a lodge 8-10 hrs
Day 20 : Trek to Tengbuche 3860m 4 hrs
Day 21 : Trek to Namche 3500m 4 hrs Overnight Lodge
Day 22 : Trek to Lukla 2700m 7-8 hrs
Day 23 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu 1300m
Day 24 : Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 25 : Departure
Start Date | End Date | Cost | Status | Booking |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 April, 2018 | 18 May, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | |
06 May, 2018 | 30 May, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Guaranteed | Book |
20 May, 2018 | 13 June, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
01 September, 2018 | 25 September, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
30 September, 2018 | 24 October, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
07 October, 2018 | 31 October, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
11 October, 2018 | 04 November, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
16 October, 2018 | 09 November, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
24 October, 2018 | 17 November, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Guaranteed | Book |
03 November, 2018 | 27 November, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Guaranteed | Book |
11 November, 2018 | 05 December, 2018 | USD 3700 per person | Available | Book Now |
Personal Climbing Gears:
Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu Labtsa Equipment and Packing list
This list is only our suggestion for Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu Labtsa . You will want to adjust the list according to your personal requirements, interests, and season of your trip. Well-seasoned trekkers will surely have their own ideas about what to pack.
Almost all of these items on the list are available in Kathmandu. Kathmandu has a good selection of gear stores where many outdoor brands are available at a reasonable price (eg.North Face, Mountain Hardware, Everest Hardware and Marmot.) It is also possible to save money by renting equipment in Kathmandu.
Please remember that Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition provides one porter for every two clients. The weight limit for each porter is 30 kg. That means your duffle bag carried by the porter must not exceed 15 kg (about 33lbs). You will carry a day pack with extra windbreaker, sunscreen, water bottle and items you need on the trail.
Because most items are available in Kathmandu we have marked the items which you should bring from home with an asterisk (*). Some marked items are available, but the exact variety may not be available in Kathmandu.
Clothing
It is important to be equipped to cope with the extremes in temperature as well as unexpected bad weather. At high altitudes it can be very hot when hiking in the sun and very cold when you stop in the shade and when the temperatures dip at night. What is mentioned on the list is the minimum you should bring. A couple extra T-shirts is a good idea. You may get a chance to wash clothes, socks and underwear on rest days but that is not always dependable.
Climbing Gear
Upper Body
Lower Body
Feet
Hands
Head
Accessories:
Personal First Aid kit (we suggest the following items):
Toiletries/hygiene:
Extras/Luxuries:
Why Climb Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu Labtsa with Annapurna Foothills Treks?
Annapurna Foothills Treks has been running climbing expeditions for over 10 years. Annapurna Foothills Treks reaches for the highest ethical business practices. Our team of mountaineering guides is dynamic, professional, and qualified as instructors.
Why Climb with a Sherpa?
Annapurna Foothills Treks is here to save you the unnecessary expense of going with an expatriate company and an expatriate guide. Our qualified and experienced guides are well able to guide your expedition safely and can provide an accurate cultural perspective as well. Additionally, when you book with Annapurna Foothills Treks, you are supporting the Sherpa community who are dependent on the trekking/climbing industry for their livelihood.
Our climbing guides are dedicated mountaineers and license-holders who always put your safety first. They use harness and ropes below the every peak whether for crevasse danger or steep slopes. Our Sherpa guides are there to fix the rope as well as teach climbers how to fix the rope or set up a belay for glacier travel.
While some people spend unnecessarily to go with a foreign company, others risk their lives to save money by going without a guide. We encourage you to play it safe, and climb with our experienced guides. Our packages are reasonably priced and afford the safety of an experienced guide who will allow you the independence you desire.
To be safe, you dont need shops worth of Karabiners, ice-screws, snow stakes and rock racks- You need a Sherpa guide as a partner, some rope, a few bits of protection, good weather and overriding urge to die of old age.
The routes we suggest are almost always the most straightforward. Under good conditions, none of the routes are challenging for skillful technical alpinist. Safety-conscious amateurs have potential to provide satisfaction and experience without much risk.
Sherpa Support Staff:
Even our support staff are well experienced, so you can look forward to a well organized trip. The relationship we have developed among us over the years makes for a wonderful exchange of ideas, laughter and assistance. Your personal packs will be carried by the porters, saving you time and energy to fully enjoy the surrounding environment.
Each staff member at Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions is insured for their appropriate roles. (Some companies are cutting corners here.)
Logistics for Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu Labtsa:
You can fully enjoy the world of mountains unfettered by the rigors of food preparation, lodging and logistics. Annapurna Foothills Treks provides a wide variety of quality meals to keep climbers healthy and strong. Most of the food is flown in from the Kathmandu.
Environmental Responsibility:
Annapurna Foothills Treks practices and teaches the Leave-No-Trace principles. Moreover, we are committed to protecting the land and culture of the indigenous people. The mountains are our home and we are unwilling to sacrifice their preservation for human objectives. Annapurna Foothills Treks believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment.
Altitude Advice:
It is really difficult to head straight up to high altitude for the first time even if you follow the recommended 400m-a-day-rule. Walking, let alone climbing, uphill at 5000m is harder than you think. The trek in is a means of acclimatization and getting fit. Our itinerary is planned to allow rational acclimatization and avoid altitude sickness. We should also plan for few extra days as bad weather may affect the designed schedule. This doesnt guarantee the successful ascent but often avoids the disappointment of a cloudy summit day.
Mera Peak and Island Peak via Amphu LaptsaTrip Accommodation:
Annapurna Foothills Treks takes great care to arrange the most comfortable accommodation possible throughout your stay. Accommodation is included in the cost of your package.
Our clients enjoy four nights in the Standard Hotel Shakti , in Kathmandu, before heading into the remote regions and after returning trip. During the trek, eleven nights will be spent in clean and comfortable tea houses/lodges.
Travel Insurance:
To must be adequately protected in terms of insurance. You will need special travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. We recommend a complete travel insurance policy that covers cancellation, lost baggage, theft, injury, liability, medical treatment, death and expenses. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal including trekking and climbing.
If a client requires medical treatment, all hospital expenses, including doctors fees and repatriation costs, are the clients responsibility.
If you are injured and unable to walk in a remote area, a helicopter rescue will be arranged. Annapurna foothills Treks has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. We will pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Before leaving on the expedition, we will make sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism otherwise you may have a difficult time settling the large claim.
Maximum Height:6476 m
Minimum Height:1300 m
Minimum Group Size:2 Trekkers
Maximum Group size:12 Trekkers
Activities:Trekking, Sightseeing, Hiking
Transport By:Private Vehicle, Domestic Flights
Starting:Kathmandu
Ending:Kathmandu
Best Season:March- May and September- November
Permits:Sagarmatha National Park Fee and TIMS Card
Hotel in Kathmandu:4 nights on B&B plan (Bed & Breakfast)
Accommodation during Trek:12 nights (Tea House)
Accommodation during Camping:Meals during 8 nights camping (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tang juice, fruit, tea and coffee)