Baruntse Expedition with Mera Peak Climbing - 35 Days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at Kathmandu, a representative from Himalayan trekkers will be waiting with your nameplate and he/she will greet you in traditional Nepalese way and assist you to the hotel.

Today your city guide will pick you from the hotel and takes you to see some of the heritage and cultural sights of Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the melting pot where you can find different cultures, traditions, and people. 

Also, in Kathmandu there are lots of things to see like Swayambhunath “Monkey Temple”, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and many more. 

Similarly, there are hill stations from where you can see the panoramic view of the Himalayan Range with a mouthwatering view of Sunrise and sunset. After your sightseeing, you can do the last moment shopping for your trek by consulting with your trekking leader.

Begin this expedition in style with a short but spectacular local flight to the quaint town of Lukla, popularly recognized as the gateway to Sherpa Land. The landing at Lukla is in itself a great adventure considering pilots barely have room for error as they land their propeller planes on one of the short airstrips that comprise this airport. 

Being a popular entry spot for most avid hikers, you can expect a lot of small supply shops and cozy restaurants providing Western-style meals. Probably the last place you’d get a fancy meal till this trek is over. After lunch, we set off to our first campsite at Poyang (2800m). The leisurely pace allows us to take in the sights as we follow the winding trails and undulating mounds to make our way to Poyang.

We make a sincere start to our trek on the second day with a pleasant walk till we reach the base of the ridge overlooking the Khare Khola. Overall, the last stretch of the day is the steep climb up to the ridge but pleasing views from the ridge make it worthwhile. 

Following narrow paths along the ridge will have your adrenaline pumping. From here we make our way and halt just shy of Pangkoma to set up camp.

After a quick breakfast, we depart from camp through steep, winding trails blazing through rhododendron and bamboo clusters as we make our way to Pangkongma La (3,173 m). 

The Pangkoma La is a high pass that provides astounding views of the Mera and impressive views of the twin peaks of its south face. From the pass, we descend past a classic rope bridge to the Hinku Kola.

A surprisingly steep climb awaits us today as we head up to the Surke La. We gain a 1,000 m elevation today to help speed up the acclimatization process. We follow a lush, green path to reach our campsite just outside Chalem Kharka (3,600 m). 

This one-of-a-kind campsite surrounded on all sides by fir trees and rhododendrons, with the clear skies allowing for a little bit of stargazing.

Proceeding on to more rugged trails on this day we continue climbing upwards towards Chunbu Khaka with some excellent views along the way. We halt at Chunbu Khaka after some excellent vista points from which we have beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga.

Consider this a leisure day with barely any elevation gain. We follow the undulating west bank of the boulder-strewn river as we traverse the Hinku valley. 

We proceed up to Khote, a small village, or alternatively, trek on for another hour and a half to halt at the remote Swanra that features an alpine meadow. Overall, you can expect a short and pleasant hike on this day.

Today the views become increasingly narrative, indicating what most people expect from Himalayan treks. We gain a little altitude on this second, short hike day as we proceed further up the range and slowly begin to surpass the tree line. 

Above this height, we see a gradual change in foliage as it becomes increasingly alpine in nature. Besieged by healthy aromas and lilting birdsongs, this hike is sufficient to grasp the true meaning of a Himalayan trek when surrounded by spectacular views of the peaks of Kusum Kanguru, Kasha, and Mera West.

On this day, we set off across the great fields of debris that accumulated when the mighty glacial lake above Tagnang burst in 1988 relinquishing a flood of water through the Hinku Valley. 

A scenic vista unfolds before our very eyes as we proceed to ascend a residual aftereffect of the flood, a moraine ridge. We can gather our wits as we chance upon the turquoise lake and across it to the North face of the Mera. 

Continuing on, we make our way through the grassy fields of Dig Kharka and finally arrive at the Mera Base Camp after a little elevation gain.

Khare, alternately known as the Mera Base Camp is about an hour and a half’s walk away from the snout of the glacier. Once we arrive here, will strap on some crampons and make a 25-degree ascent on a snow slope to gain enough altitude to reach the glacial plateau. 

We then traverse this plateau to the Mera La. After a fun but grueling first experience on this trek with the crampons, we can put them to rest as we then descend rocky platforms to reach a picturesque campsite. Expect to spend about four hours of steady walking so be well-rested and undoubtedly, we will have plenty of time to hydrate and drink in the views. 

For most of the afternoon, we will have the Chamlang insight. It is the first 7000m summit that will be visible to climbers on this trek. For those who have set their sights higher than the Mera Peak, a couple of days will be allotted for relaxing in camp or discover the surrounding areas.

For those who have quickly acclimatized to the conditions that come with the territory, there is a short trek towards Mera Peak on this day. As you proceed above the Mera La, prepare yourself for the beautiful panorama of the Himalayan range that opens up around you. 

Feast your eyes upon the first towering summit that you will see on this adventure, the red and rocky pyramid structure of Makalu to the East, closely followed by the black, rocky pyramid of Everest to the North. 

Everest is a sight to behold with its snowy disposition and constant cloud cover. You can also see the wild and weaving Kanchenjunga range 80 miles to the east just prior to entering High Camp, provided the visibility is crystal clear. 

From High Camp, you can clearly view the next day’s goal, the summit of Mera approximately 2kms to the South West.

An arduous day of climbing awaits us on this day with the adrenaline rush and altitude condition enabling us to be fully kitted out and roped together by dawn. An early start to the day is crucial as the climb can take anywhere between three to eight hours to successfully reach the peak and we must aim to be safe in our tents come to the early nightfall. 

With the help of Sherpa, we proceed in groups of about four, allowing hikers to keep their comfortable pace. While the ascent is demanding, the views make it worthwhile. 

After resting at the summit, we begin our descent which will quickly see us at Mera La. Upon arrival, we collect our gear and head downwards to the boulder of Rato Odhar, where we catch our first glimpse of the Baruntse and set up camp for the night.

After camping the night near Rato Odhar we arrive at the head of the trail to Five Lakes (5,250 m). We follow the winding trails that mimic the bends of the Hinku Valley and continue with awe as we have ever-changing views of the Baruntse, Chamlang, Peak 41, and Lhotse & Everest. 

There is not much in terms of elevation gain or loss on this day. However, the locale feels very remote with little to no obvious presence of humans. We set up camp for the night where the paths to Base Camp and the Ambulapcha divide.

From this point out, you can trust the Baruntse to be in your sights till we begin the descent of this mighty mount. With a short day of hiking ahead of us, you can trust that you will have a relaxing trip up to a moraine crest that provides an impressive vista of the imposing bulk of the south face of Baruntse and the Ama Dablam to the west. 

After another couple of hours of hiking, you will drop into the sun-kissed basin that will be our Base Camp. Take a good look for this will be the start and end of a tremendous climb up the Baruntse and you will have just a day to enjoy the tents pitched on sandy platforms by a quaint lake.

Today is the rest day in order to properly acclimatizes with the surroundings and altitude as from tomorrow we will have to climb the next 10 days to Baruntse. Hence, we need to be physically and mentally fit and fine for the expedition.

An Advanced Base Camp will be set up at an altitude of 6,000m near a glacier at the foot of the Southeast Ridge. We need to allow enough time for additional acclimatization and for load carrying to stock Baruntse Advance Base Camp (BABC) and Camp 1. Camp 1 is at a height of 6,450m on the South-East Ridge proper. Above Camp 1, we climb snow slopes of 45°and the route becomes more demanding. 

Fixed-line would be placed on the ascent to Camp 1, below the West / East Col. The route above C2 requires some fixing which would be done by our Sherpa guides. From Camp 2, we climb to the summit. We also descend on the same route and spend overnight at Camp 1 and Baruntse Advanced Base Camp.

Provided everything goes as planned, our plan would be as follows:

• Rest and Acclimatization at Base Camp
• Cary Loads to BABC, return to Base Camp
• Rest Day
• Climb to temporary BABC (5800m)
• Climb to West Col, Sleep at Camp 1 (6135m)
• Climb to Camp 2 (6400m)
• Summit Attempt (7220m) return to Camp 1
• Spare Summit Day
• Return to Base Camp

After an exhausting but exhilarating trek up the Baruntse, we will slow the pace a little. However, the terrain is a little undulating in certain places as we make out way towards Ama Dablam and the Amphu Lapcha Pass. 

Once we reach the pass, we pitch our tents at the campsite that is amazing just beneath the steep slopes comprising the column.

From here on out, expect the finest and littlest of joys that true Himalayan/Nepal treks have to offer. While our support team will head back to Lukla to reset their journey, we will leisurely stroll amongst the teahouses and small markets all through our return journey. 

After a short but abrupt climb in the morning to get the heart pumping, we will be awestruck by the sheer finesse that the surrounding structures exude. While some sections require fixed line descents, these are short and far between and completely satiate any residual hunger for adventure. Once past the narrow Amphulapcha Pass, it is easy walking from here on out.

In a slow but blissful re-acclimatization to the real world after having spent over two weeks surrounded solely by flora and fauna, we enter the Khumbu region which provides warm respite. 

Subtle paths and sturdy bridges aid our rapid descent as we rejoin the Everest Base Camp Trail, constantly accompanied by beautiful views of Ama Dablam.

As we journey below the tree line today we are assailed by heavenly aromas of pine and juniper. We also journey to a large monastery at Tengboche that has only recently been constructed and gather a firsthand experience of the culture prevalent in these parts. 

We then rapidly descend to the Dudh Kosi River from where we begin our last stretch for the day. Most of the trek is quite flat and crosses the hillside before eventually leading us to the town of Namche Bazaar.

The final stretch of our journey is the return to Lukla, which is basically one very steep descent over a bridge, across a river. The region is ripe with culture as we see turrets dotted with flags and prayer wheels of Buddhism. 

From Lukla, we travel to Kathmandu where we can embrace the coziness and premium that comes with staying in a hotel. A dinner experience with your newfound trekking friends is a great way to end the expedition and this is also one of the few places you can pick up a souvenir amidst all the hustle and bustle.

Today we will take an early flight from Lukla to Kathmandu as it lies in the Himalayan region and we cannot be sure about the bad weather. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you can go to the spa and massage center to get rid of the pain and tired of trekking.

Today is the free day as you can visit some of the Heritage sites of Kathmandu or you can stroll at Thamel and can do last minutes shopping; souvenirs for friends, families, and relatives. 

In the evening, taking part in a farewell dinner with the team of Himalayan trekkers.

Although, it is a sad moment for us to say goodbye however a representative from Himalayan trekkers will drop you at the airport before 3 hours of your flight and takes the feedback of the trip. Hope to see you again in the next holiday!