Mera and Island Peak Climbing- 25 Days

Cost Include(s)

• Transfer from Airport – Hotel – Airport: Car, Van, Hi-ace or Coaster in a private vehicle.
• Authentic Nepali welcome dinner with Live Nepalese Cultural Program.
• Accommodation in Kathmandu, Four  nights on Twin share Bed and Breakfast Basis.
• Accommodation during Trek ; local lodges 12 nights (Full board meals with twin-share rooms ,beds with comfortable foam mattress and pillows)
• Accommodation during Camping ; Meals during 8 nights camping (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tang juice, fruit, tea and coffee)
• English speaking experienced Sherpa guide (Govt. Trained/License Holder).
• All Camping Equipment required during the trek, sleeping tents/mattresses, kitchen tent, kitchen equipment
• All required Personal and Group Climbing gears 
• Climbing rope, Ice screws, Snow bar
• Trekking cook, kitchen staff, Trek Sherpa and other support staff while on Mera and Island peak climbing
• One Sherpa guide-assistant if group size is more than 4 Trekkers.
• Porters: One porter for 2 Trekkers basis.
• Trek Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation.
• Personal insurance for Nepalese staff.
• Annapurna Foothill’s Duffle bag for Trekking.
• First aid medicine kit.
• Mera and island Peak Permit
• Lobuche Peak Permit, Sagarmatha National Park Fee, TIMS permits & all required permits or Official Documentation.
• Round-Trip airfare between Kathmandu and Lukla (Airport Tax Included)
• All government and local taxes.
• Mera and Island Peak climbing certificates issued from the respective body of Nepal Government.

Personal Climbing Gears includes:

• Crampons
• Harness 
• Ice Axe
• 2 x Tape slings
• 2 x Screwgate Karabiners
• Descender / Abseil Device (Jumar)
• Prussic Loops
• Helmet

Cost Exclude(s)

• Your Personal Travel Insurance.
• Nepal Entry Visa Fee and International round-trip airfare.
• Lunch & Dinner in cities - allow $ 10 to 14 for per meal in Tourist restaurants.
• Beverages (soft drinks, mineral water and beer).
• Tips for guide, porters and driver (customary).
• Any personal expenses not mentioned in above services.
• Additional night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early return from Trek (due to any reason) than the planned itinerary.

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

•        Alpine climbing harness with adjustable leg loops- should fit over clothing
•        2 locking screw gate carabiners- Large, pear-shaped carabiner  type recommended
•        3 regular non-locking carabiners- Light weight Black Diamond Hot wire are recommended
•        Ice axe with leash - Black Diamond, Raven, or Camp
•        Plastic Mountaineering boots -La Sportiva, Lowa Civetta, or Scarpa Alpha
•        Crampons fit to plastic boots
•        Adjustable trekking poles
•        Belay\ rappel device (Figure 8 preferred)

Upper Body

•        2-Light weight thermal tops- long sleeved (medium weight merino or equivalent)
•       3-T shirts or cool-max trekking shirts
•       1- pull over or jacket (Merino, polartec power-stretch, soft shell, 100 weight fleece)
•       1-200 weight fleece jacket or prima loft jacket
•       1-Waterproof shell jacket with hood (lightweight, breathable)
•        1-Down parka with hood

Lower Body

•        2-Thermal bottoms (merino or polartec powerdry)
•        1-Fleece or polartech powerstretch pants
•       1-Light weight hiking trousers
•       1-Heavy weight hiking trousers (wind proof soft shell for warmth at higher altitude)
•       1-Hiking shorts (optional)
•       Waterproof shell pants (lightweight, breathable)
•       *Under Garments

Feet

•       4- Warm Trekking socks (wool)
•       *4- Lightweight Cotton Trekking socks
•       2-Thick wool socks to wear at night in lodges
•       *Gore-tex waterproof hiking boots- (you should buy at home and break them in before you come)
•       *Spare laces for hiking boots
•       Snow Gaiters (optional)
•       Camp shoes/sandals (crocs are ideal)

Hands

• 1-Lightweight gloves-Polypro
• 1-Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal)
• 1 pair expedition shell gloves

Head

•         Warm beanie hat
•        Tubular Headwear (buff)
•         Sun hat or cap (cap and buff all fit under your hood)
•        Polarised Sunglasses with UV protection

Accessories:

• 1-Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
• 2-Water bottle or camel bag, 1-liter (one with an insulated cover is recommended)
• large duffle bag (and a lock as the porters will carry this)
• Stuff sacks, dry bags, garbage bags etc (to organise and waterproof your things inside the duffle bag)
• Trekking pole set
• Sleeping bag (- 30’C)
• Head lamp and spare batteries

Personal First Aid kit (we suggest the following items): 

•         *Personal medication
•         Broad spectrum antibiotics (e.g. Ciprofloxacin)
•        Diarrhea stopper (e.g. Immodium)
•        Rehydration salt sachets
•        Medication for giardiasis (e.g. Tinidazole)
•        *Blister kit (tiny roll of 3M medical tape/breathable surgical tape)
•        Antiseptic (iodine or alcohol wipes for cleaning wounds)
•       *Sterile non-stick absorbent dressing/gauze (for more serious wounds)
•        *Antibiotic cream (sample size)
•       10 ibuprofen tablets (anti-inflammatory; pain relief)
•       4 antihistamine tablets (for bites, allergic reactions; e.g. Benadryl)
•        throat lozenges
•        Small Swiss Army knife (which has knife, scissors and tweezers)
•        Small whistle
•        Diamox (consult your doctor about this)

Toiletries/hygiene:

• Toothbrush & *paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Toilet paper
• Light weight towel and *soap (preferably biodegradable)
• *Face and body moisturizer (the low humidity at high altitude dries the skin)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• *Deodorants
• Nail clippers
•  Wet wipes/ baby wipes (in case there is no warm water for a wash)
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Sunscreen (with a high UV factor needed for high altitude )
• Sunblock lip balm (kept in a pocket and regularly applied)

Extras/Luxuries:

• *Lightweight reading material
• Trail Map/Guide book
• Journal & Pen
•  *Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble
•  Small pillow
• Thermarest (optional – in case the mattress in the lodge is inadequate)
•  *Earplugs (in case group member snores)
• Personal treats and snacks
•  *Zip-lock bags for snacks so you can divide each day
•  A bag to leave these in Kathmandu (very cheap in Kathmandu)
• Shoulder bag or small backpack for exploring around town (optional)
• *Music player
• *Camera
• Binoculars
• Town clothes and shoes
• *Swimming costume (for Kathmandu)
• Tips for your Sherpa guide and porter

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.