19-day adventure
Climb Mera Peak
Nepal
- Kandoo Summits
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£2,999
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Our team in Nepal have been guiding Kandoo travelers through the iconic Himalaya since 2012. Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Annapurna Circuit are always the most popular but we also provide peak climbs and lesser known trekking routes on request. Our trips are expertly run by Pimba Tensing, a highly experienced guide who has summitted Everest twice! He and his team of guides, cooks and drivers run an incredibly efficient, encouraging and...
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Kandoo's view
Mera Peak is 6476m and is the highest trekking peak in Nepal. At this altitude the oxygen content of air is less than half of what it is at sea level - for this reason we would not recommend you take on Mera as your first high-altitude trek. You need to understand how your body acclimatises to altitude before taking on a climb like Mera Peak. If you have already done a high altitude trek and coped well, then Mera is the perfect next adventure. The extreme altitude does mean that no matter how fit you are, climbing Mera Peak will be a tough challenge. The challenge is very much about stamina and endurance though, as no technical skills are need to complete the climb. We think it is definitely worth the effort!
The expedition starts with a beautiful approach up the Arun Valley which takes you away from all the crowds on the Everest trek . On this part of the trek you will see local villages farming the terraces as they have done for generations. The highlights are the views from high camp, and from the summit itself, which are breath-taking - Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Baruntse can all be seen clearly. Since you will be climbing through the night on this ascent, you can stop and watch the sunrise capture the heads of these mountains as dawn breaks.
The expedition starts with a beautiful approach up the Arun Valley which takes you away from all the crowds on the Everest trek . On this part of the trek you will see local villages farming the terraces as they have done for generations. The highlights are the views from high camp, and from the summit itself, which are breath-taking - Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Baruntse can all be seen clearly. Since you will be climbing through the night on this ascent, you can stop and watch the sunrise capture the heads of these mountains as dawn breaks.
Trip highlights
- Summit the highest trekking peak in Nepal
- Approach through the unspoilt Arun Valley
- Lodge and tent-based accommodation
- Fully carbon offset
Experiences
-
Kandoo Summits
Head to the top of a real mountain summit for a real sense of achievement
Gallery
Itinerary
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kathmandu International Airport (KTM). The Kandoo team will meet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer you to your pre-trek hotel. Later you will attend a pre-trek briefing with your Lead Guide to prepare you for the challenge ahead.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
FLIGHT TO LUKLA – TREK TO PAIYA
The flight is less than an hour but takes us into the heart of rural Nepal and ends with the breath-taking landing at Lukla. From Lukla we descend first to Surke where we cross the river before climbing steeply to Pakhepani and then more gently to Chutok La. From there it is about another hour of undulating Nepali flat (sometimes up, sometimes down!) to Paiya.
- Transport: Flight
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 1440 m
- Descent: 15 m
- Max. altitude: 2840 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 3
TREK TO PANGGOM
The day starts with a gentle descent through mainly cultivated hillsides until we reach the wooden bridge where we cross the Paiya Khola river. After walking through the forest for around an hour we face a tough climb that brings us back up to Kari La, from where there are fantastic views of several 7,000m mountains. We descend through rhododendron trees and traverse on typical Nepali flat for most of the afternoon before we reach the village of Panggom.
- Hiking time: 8 - 9 hours
- Ascent: 105 m
- Max. altitude: 2930 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 4
TREK TO NINGBO (OR RAMAILO DADA)
We ascend through Sherpa villages for around an hour to reach the Panggom La pass at 3210m from where there is a great view of Mera Peak. We will still be crossing through cultivated land where we will see local villagers and farmers going about their day to day life. We will stop at the Sibuje for lunch before continuing on more Nepali flat to Ningbo. Depending on local conditions, our guide may decide to continue for another hour and a half to Ramailo Dada.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 20 m
- Max. altitude: 2950 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 5
TREK TO BAMBOO CAMP
We will spend most of today in forests, away from any settlements, and will need to carry our lunch with us. We also need to be prepared for rain in the forest and the trails can become very muddy. From Ningbo we begin with a steep ascent to Ramailo Dada from where the trail continues to rise more gently. We descend on a zig-zag trail through the forest all the way to the Tama Khola river where we may stop to eat our packed lunch. We continue through mixed forest of bamboo and rhododendron for the rest of the afternoon to Bamboo Camp, a very basic campsite in the middle of the forest.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 400 m
- Max. altitude: 3350 m
- Accomodation: Camping
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Day 6
TREK TO KHOTE
We continue trekking through the jungle until we reach Tok-Tok village where we will join a larger trail and start seeing civilisation again. After lunch we will pass through the village of Tashing Ongma before dropping down to meet the Inkhu Khola at Mosom Kharka. From here we continue to trek along the river before reaching the village of Khote. We are now inside the Makalu Barun National Park and are already starting to get impressive views of Mera Peak.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 330 m
- Max. altitude: 3680 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 7
TREK TO TAGNAK
We begin the day walking along the bank of the glacial river which is fed from the surrounding mountains. The forest gives way to open valley again, revealing the peaks which line either side. The valley swings eastward into a new array of peaks and as we approach Tagnak, the route up toward the Mera glacier comes into view. Damage caused to the valley by the collapse of the glacial lake Sabai Tsho is all too apparent as we head up the river. We reach Tagnak mid-afternoon where we will stay overnight.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 572 m
- Max. altitude: 4252 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 8
ACCLIMATISATION IN TAGNAK
This is an important day for acclimatisation and we will gain as much height as we can, climbing the slopes behind Tagnak up to the Tibetan Prayer stones before returning to Tagnak for lunch. In the afternoon we can head up the slopes to the north to look at what is left of the glacial lake, Sabai Tsho.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 748 m
- Descent: 748 m
- Max. altitude: 5000 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 9
TREK TO KHARE
This morning’s walk up alongside the Dig Tsho glacier is easy and relaxed. This is an excellent valley, opening out views to the north of the Hinkhu Nup glacier and the line of peaks beyond. Only the last section up to the village of Khare is steep. If time and energy allows you should take an acclimatisation walk up the grassy ridge behind the village. This gives great views of the flattened ridge across the glacier which we will ascend tomorrow and west to Mera itself.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 733 m
- Max. altitude: 4985 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 10
TREK TO MERA LA
We return to the glacier and this time follow it round in a wide arc, keeping close under the northern flank where there are no crevasses. Mera La is a rounded snow col that bridges south to the main sweep of the Mera glacier coming down from Mera Peak. Our camp is just over the Mera La pass.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 365 m
- Max. altitude: 5350 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
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Day 11
CONTINGENCY DAY
A contingency day allocated for poor weather, etc.
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 12
TREK TO HIGH CAMP
Crampons on again for the start of the push to the summit. We climb back up to the pass at Mera La then head up the glacier towards a rocky outcrop where we will set the most spectacular high camp. Clinging onto the edge of the mountain, the views from here are incredible. Kangchenjunga is visible to the east above the ridge of Chamlang; the ice spire of Baruntse is left of Makalu. Between it and the beautiful twin peaks of Ama Dablam, we will see Nuptse, Lhotse’s south face and Lhotse Shar. Over the ridge stands the summit of Everest, the final stages of the traditional route up the south-east ridge and over the south summit to the summit ridge, and Cho-Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 450 m
- Max. altitude: 5800 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 13
ASCENT OF MERA PEAK
You will be woken at about 2am (maybe earlier depending on the group size) with hot tea and a high energy meal to start our summit ascent of Mera Peak. We start up the main glacier, crossing to the south side as we approach the snow hump-back ridge. This part of the route is not technical but 30 degree slopes are still tough. The slope steepens for a section behind the ridge and then we swing diagonally westward. The summit comes back into view and we are on the level summit ridge. At the foot of the final steep ascent you will attach to a fixed rope laid by your guide and use your ice axe and a jumar to climb the final 30 metre, 55 degree pitch to reach Mera Peak’s summit. A spectacular panorama greets us with clear views over to Everest. Once you’ve had chance to take this all in and congratulate yourself, we will head back down to Khare for a celebration.
- Hiking time: 10 - 12 hours
- Ascent: 676 m
- Descent: 1491 m
- Max. altitude: 6476 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 14
TREK TO KHOTE
A long walk back down the Hinku valley finally brings us to Khote again. Mostly we will be descending today but the terrain can be tough going as we are walking on rocky moraine. We need to watch our step to avoid any twisted ankles.
- Hiking time: 8 - 9 hours
- Descent: 1305 m
- Max. altitude: 4985 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 15
TREK TO CHETERA LA
After breakfast we will continue along the river bank for an hour before we begin to ascend. A new route has now been completed which stays high on the open hillside, rather than winding through the forests down below. This makes for a quicker return with some fantastic views back to Mera. The downside is another hard day of trekking, mainly spent ascending.
- Hiking time: 8 - 9 hours
- Ascent: 470 m
- Max. altitude: 4150 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 16
TREK TO LUKLA VIA ZATRWA LA PASS
The trail goes over a series of rises and high plateaux before we finally reach the craggy Zatrwa La Pass at 4660m, where we look back on the Hinku wilderness for the last time and the south face of the peak we have just climbed. A gradual descent traverses toward the rocky outcrop of the Zatr Og. We descend now steeply from the Kalo Himal, the ‘black mountains’, into the rocky slopes and cascading streams of the Sherpa populated Dudh Koshi valley, as we approach the tourist bustle of Lukla.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 510 m
- Descent: 1860 m
- Max. altitude: 4660 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 17
RETURN TO KATHMANDU
After an early breakfast, we will begin our return journey to Kathmandu.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 18
FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU
A free day in Kathmandu to explore the city at your leisure. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, the Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath and the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath are just some of the religious highlights of this fascinating city.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 19
DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU
We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu Airport for your departing flight.
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
Mera Peak is designated by the Nepal Mountaineering Association as a trekking peak. Their criteria for this however, is only that you need to be able to use crampons and ice axe to reach the summit. This can give the impression that Mera Peak is not difficult. This is not true. At 6476m, it is the highest trekking peak in Nepal, and this brings all the challenges of trekking at really high altitude. These include the possibility of extreme weather conditions, and of course, altitude sickness.
Unless you have already been to altitudes above 4000m without any problems, you should probably avoid Mera Peak. In total you will be at, or above, 5000m for 4 days, and unless you acclimatise well this could easily trigger altitude sickness. Besides the altitude, Mera Peak is also a really hard slog. There is no point that is particularly difficult, but the summit night climb up the glacier just goes on and on. Expect to be trekking up the glacier for 5-6 hours to reach the summit! All that effort is, however, extremely worth it for the views at the top!
Looking for training advice or a training plan in
preparation for this trip? We'd recommend checking out Kate Sielmann and
her coaching programs that are specific to mountaineering and trekking
training. Find more details here.
Food & drink
You may have noticed that our prices for Nepal are generally much lower than other companies. This is because we have chosen not to include food and drinks in the teahouses within our trek cost. Our reasoning for doing this is as follows - as the quality of lodges has improved, so has the food. It used to be the case that the only meal available was Dahl Bhat - boiled rice with a very thin lentil dahl. This is what the porters will eat almost exclusively and you will often hear them joke "Dhal bhat - 24 hour power". It might be 24 hour power for a Nepali who has lived on it all his life but for anyone else it is pretty unappetising fair on a regular basis. Fortunately, all but the most remote lodges now offer an extensive menu of food including local delicacies such as Yak Steak with blue cheese sauce and more western alternatives such as calzone and chips as well as the standard Dhal Bhat. For examples of menus visit our Nepal Trekking Guide.
We have found over the years that our guests require different intakes of food to suffice their energy needs and where some are content with Dhal Bhat everyday, others wish to sample the menu. We therefore decided that rather than restrict the options available to our guests with a set menu, we have handed over the choice to you; you can choose what you want to eat at the lodges, and settle your own bill in the morning. While you can eat heartily for very little money at any lodge, we do recommend that you budget £20 to £25 ($30 to $35) per day for meals and drinks. This will ensure that you not only have plenty of food, but that you enjoy your trek a lot more. Please note that we prefer some of the more expensive lodges, so the prices are higher than they might be at more spartan facilities.
One word of advice, place your meal order as soon as you can upon arriving at the lodge as it is strictly ‘first ordered, first served’, and the best lodges are quite busy at meal times.
The
room prices at the teahouses are based on you taking your meals within the
teahouse - they offer discounted room pricing on the expectation that they will
receive income from food. This is standard policy at all teahouses. You
therefore cannot eat outside the teahouse, and you definitely cannot bring your
own food into the teahouse.
Accommodation
Trekking in Nepal is more popular than ever. As a result, the standard of accommodation available on most of the trek routes has improved dramatically. Where there were once simple peasant huts, large hostels have been built featuring running water, indoor toilets (some en-suite) and electricity. However, while internet access, charging facilities and hot water are available, you will need to pay to use them - if you plan on using the internet and showering every day, then you should budget around $10 per day.
However, development is still ongoing, and as you get higher into the mountains the lodges become more basic. Furnishing is generally fairly spartan, and most rooms feature little more than a bench bed and a thin mattress, so your sleeping kit will probably see some early use. Showers are not always available and it tends to be just the communal areas that are heated.
The exception to that rule is Namche. Namche features some really great lodges, including the Hil-Ten (this is not a region that makes much of copyright infringement) and if you are in need of refreshment there both Illy and Lavazza coffee are available.
Kandoo has a list of lodges that we prefer to work with, all of which are regularly inspected to ensure the best quality rooms available. Even at the worst, they are clean and well-kept. When the route is busy, we send a porter ahead to hire rooms for the night, as they cannot be reserved in advance.
Transport
The general standard of driving
throughout Nepal is poor and badly regulated. Roads in Kathmandu are very
congested, many drivers are not properly licensed and vehicles are poorly
maintained. During the monsoon season (June to September) many roads outside
the Kathmandu valley are prone to landslides and may become impassable. We insist on using a high standard of
vehicle and driver for all of our transfers. In Nepal it is not a legal
requirement to have seatbelts fitted in the back of vehicles, and while we try
to use vehicles that do have rear seatbelts fitted, this cannot always be
guaranteed. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the vehicle or the standard
of driving, please speak to the driver or our local office.
Luggage
Duffel bags
You will be provided with a large duffel bag at the pre-trek briefing that will be yours to use for the duration of your trek. Your equipment will then need to be transferred into this bag. If you are travelling with a duffel bag then it is up to you which bag you choose to use for the trek, if you are travelling with a suitcase then this will need to be left at the pre-trek hotel and collected upon your return as our porters need the bags they carry to be flexible.
The
internal flights operate a strict limit of 10kg for your main bag and 5kg for
your day sack. This weight limit is particularly tight for the peak climbs
because of the climbing kit. We therefore allow a limit of 15kg for your main
equipment bag and 5kg for your day sack, and we will arrange for the extra 5kg
to travel as excess baggage. There may be times when the airline is unable to
carry the excess baggage on the same flight. If this happens, your climbing kit
will be re-packed separately, sent on the next available flight and a porter
will catch up with you on the trail. You will be given 2 litres of water on
arrival in Lukla to
fill your bottles for your first day’s trekking, so you do not need to carry
water from Kathmandu. All items must be packed in your main equipment bag. They
should not be attached to the outside, as we are not responsible if items fall
off when the bags are being carried on the trek.
If you are renting equipment in Khare,
please allow for the additional weight when you leave Kathmandu, so that your
bag does not exceed 15kg for the porters to carry once the climbing kit is
added later.
How do I get there?
There are several ways to get to Nepal from Europe and the USA all of which involve an international flight to Tribhuvan International Airport which is the main airport in Kathmandu. There are a lot of flights that fly to Kathmandu through the Middle East. Qatar, Gulf and Air Emirates offer daily flights from Europe and the US to Kathmandu, with a stopover at their central hubs. You must be careful though, as some of these layovers are very long indeed. Check the schedules carefully, and consider using Qatar. They seem to have the shortest layovers (at Doha) by a substantial margin. The other alternative is to fly via Delhi, with BA, Air India or Jet and then catch a shorter flight up to Kathmandu. Again be careful of long layovers and be warned - some of the reviews for Air India are less than glowing!
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
Travelling Responsibly
Here at Kandoo, we like to support our guests to make their travel more sustainable. As of 2025, we are offsetting the carbon on all of our trips from arrival in destination to dropping you back off at the airport. As we don't include flight travel in our trips these aren't included in our offsetting calculations, so we are providing you with the calculator below for you to do this yourselves.
Flight changes during Peak Season
Please note that during peak season domestic flights will depart from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. Ramechhap is a 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu and as this is a national alteration concerning all domestic flights to the Everest region, flight companies will provide transfer buses to Ramechhap from Kathmandu. The change has been implemented to put less stress on Kathmandu airport as the number of domestic flights to Lukla increases with the popularity of the region. This will only affect trips to the Everest region not Annapurna. If your trip overlaps the dates these are implemented, you may find that you fly into Lukla via Kathmandu but return via Ramechhap.
Unfortunately, in classic Nepalese style, the exact dates this will affect will not be released until a few months prior to the trekking season starting.
Budget & change
The Nepali Rupee is a closed currency so you will not be able to buy this before you arrive. It is advisable to travel with US Dollars, as these are widely accepted. It is very important that US bills be new (less than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. If you want some local currency then we can take you to an ATM or bank. Alternatively all the hotels in Kathmandu will change money for you. We recommend that you take local currency on the actual trek with you, as the teahouses prefer local currency to dollars. You will also get a more favourable exchange rate in Kathmandu.
If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it.
In Kathmandu a meal for two at a mid range restaurant will cost ~$20. A taxi will generally start on a base rate of $0.45 and then charge $0.4 for every km. Or you can ride the bus which will be around $0.15 for a 5km journey. Souvenirs in Kathmandu are generally on the cheaper side too.
Whilst on the trek, we recommend that you budget $30 to $35 per day for meals and drinks.
You may also want to be prepared to pay for the cost of a helicopter which can fly in bad weather (around US$300-500 per person), in the case of your flight to or from Lukla being postponed due to bad weather conditions.
Our recommended guidance for spending budget in Nepal would be between $500-800 (depending on the length of the trip and your meal preferences) on top of your tips, to give you ample money for souvenirs and treats.
Tips
We
realize that tipping may not be a common practice in all countries but for
Nepal it is a standard practice that all operators support. The decision on how
much to tip should be determined by how well the team served you while you were
on the trek. Tips are always discretionary and if you are not happy with the
service you have received you do not have to pay tips. Tips can be made in US
dollars or Nepali Rupees. It is very important that US bills be new (less than 10 years old), crisp and untorn.
We
are members of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal and the Nepal
Mountaineering Association, and follow their guidelines when recommending tip
levels for guides and porters. We would suggest you budget $250-$300 per
trekker for your tip contribution.
We
say goodbye to our porters in Lukla before we return to Kathmandu. Any tips
that you wish to give to the porters will need to be carried on the trek with
you.
Formalities & health
Passport
Please double check that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Nepal. We recommend that you take a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, and this will be useful if the original is lost while you are travelling. You must carry your passport on the trek with you, as it is required for internal flights.
Visa
Most visitors to Nepal (including nationals from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia) require a tourist visa to enter Nepal. To secure a visa you will need to present proof that you have a return ticket, and proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in Nepal. Visa can be obtained online at: https://uk.nepalembassy.gov.np/visa/. Visas are valid for 6 months from the date of issue, so do not send off your application too early.
The other option is to queue and pay for a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhubhan International Airport. This will need to be paid for in cash. We highly recommend securing a visa before departure as this will ensure you have no problems passing immigration, as well as speed up the process of clearing immigration. You will need at least one blank visa page in your passport. Certain nationalities not mentioned above must apply for a visa in advance, so check with your local Nepalese Embassy or online at: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival.
For most of our trips, you may be ok with a 15 day tourist visa which costs USD30 (around GBP25). However, if you are adding any extra days in Kathmandu you would then require a 30 day tourist visa which USD50 (around GBP40). Visas can be extended once you are in Nepal, but overstaying your visa is taken very seriously, and can result in your being detained or not allowed to leave without paying a fine. In Kathmandu airport they will assume you are paying in your home country currency so make sure you have the amount you need for your visa, or to extend your visa, in cash in your home currency. For smaller currencies, USD will be the best replacement.
The other option is to queue and pay for a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhubhan International Airport. This will need to be paid for in cash. We highly recommend securing a visa before departure as this will ensure you have no problems passing immigration, as well as speed up the process of clearing immigration. You will need at least one blank visa page in your passport. Certain nationalities not mentioned above must apply for a visa in advance, so check with your local Nepalese Embassy or online at: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival.
For most of our trips, you may be ok with a 15 day tourist visa which costs USD30 (around GBP25). However, if you are adding any extra days in Kathmandu you would then require a 30 day tourist visa which USD50 (around GBP40). Visas can be extended once you are in Nepal, but overstaying your visa is taken very seriously, and can result in your being detained or not allowed to leave without paying a fine. In Kathmandu airport they will assume you are paying in your home country currency so make sure you have the amount you need for your visa, or to extend your visa, in cash in your home currency. For smaller currencies, USD will be the best replacement.
Vaccinations
The standard vaccinations required are diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A, but you should always consult your doctor or travel clinic for the most up to date advice.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. For the Annapurna and Everest Regions, we recommend cover up to 6000m of altitude. If you are climbing Mera Peak or Island Peak you will need cover for trekking up to 7000m of altitude.
Please take a copy of your insurance policy to the pre-trek briefing, as the guide will need to collect your insurance details. We also ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Please take a copy of your insurance policy to the pre-trek briefing, as the guide will need to collect your insurance details. We also ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Health
Malaria
There is no risk of malaria in Kathmandu and or on the majority of Himalayan treks that we operate, due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500m, particularly in the Terai district, the lowland region of Nepal adjacent to the Indian border. This region includes Chitwan National Park, so if you are planning a safari extension to your trek, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Your route into the Annapurna Sanctuary has been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start trekking to prevent altitude sickness, not once you are on the trek and symptoms have developed.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
There is no risk of malaria in Kathmandu and or on the majority of Himalayan treks that we operate, due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500m, particularly in the Terai district, the lowland region of Nepal adjacent to the Indian border. This region includes Chitwan National Park, so if you are planning a safari extension to your trek, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Your route into the Annapurna Sanctuary has been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start trekking to prevent altitude sickness, not once you are on the trek and symptoms have developed.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
We
recommend that wherever possible you use your own gear for your trek as this
is the best way to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. We recognise though
that the cost of some items is very high and this may not be possible.
Duffel bags
You will be provided with a large duffel bag at the pre-trek briefing that will be yours to use for the duration of your trek. Your equipment will then need to be transferred into this bag. If you are travelling with a duffel bag then it is up to you which bag you choose to use for the trek, if you are travelling with a suitcase then this will need to be left at the pre-trek hotel and collected upon your return as our porters need the bags they carry to be flexible.
We do not have other gear available
for rental but there are many places offering gear for rental in Kathmandu. The quality of rental gear is very
variable and it is your responsibility to check carefully the condition of
any item you rent. We accept no responsibility for the quality of equipment
hired. An indication of the likely rental costs is below.
- Four
Season Sleeping Bag - $2
per day
- Down
Jacket - $2
per day
- Trekking
Poles - $1
per day
- Sleeping
Mat - $2 per day (closed
cell foam mat; inflatable mats cannot be hired)
For Mera Peak you will also need additional specialist equipment. This can be hired
in Kathmandu but is also available to rent at a lodge close to base camp.
Prices below are for Kathmandu rental. Prices in the lodges can be more than
twice this cost. It is still cheaper though to rent from these lodges as you
only need to pay for 3-4 days hire. You should be aware though that the range
of sizes and the quality of rental gear available here is even more limited
than in Kathmandu and you may not find something that is perfect for
you. In addition, climbing boots may have only just been returned by a
previous user and may still be wet.
- High
Altitude Climbing
Boot -
$3 per day
- Crampons - $2 per day
- Ice
Axe - $2 per day
- Climbing
Accessories Pack - $12 per day (includes
helmet, harness, carabiners, prussik
loop, tape sling, ascender & descender)
Clothing to bring
HEADGEAR
- Warm
beanie style hat – knitted or fleece
- Neck
gaiter or scarf. It can get dusty in Nepal and the air very cold. A
scarf or balaclava comes in useful for keeping dust out and can double as a
warm layer for your neck / face!
- Sun
hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
- Sunglasses
– high UV protection
- Headlamp
(plus extra batteries)
- Climbing
helmet
UPPER
BODY
- Thermal
or fleece base layer (x2)
- Long
sleeve shirt/tshirt –
light or medium weight, moisture wicking (x3)
- Short
sleeved shirt/tshirt –
lightweight, moisture wicking (x2)
- Fleece
or soft shell jacket (x2)
- Insulated
jacket – down or primaloft
- Lightweight
water/windproof hard shell outer jacket
- Gloves
– lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric
- Gloves
– heavyweight, insulated, preferably water resistant
- Over mittens
– with safety straps
LEGS
- Leggings
– thermal or fleece base layer (x1)
- Trekking
trousers – light or medium weight (x2) – convertible trousers work well
- Waterproof
hard shell trousers – ski pants work fine (x1)
- Gaiters
FEET
- Climbing
boot – insulated, stiff-soled (B3)
- Trekking
boots – mid weight with good ankle support
- Training
shoe or similar – to wear around the teahouses
- Mid-weight
trekking socks (x5 pairs)
- Breathable,
high-wicking liner socks (x3 pairs)
- Thermal
trekking socks for upper reaches of your trek
(x2 pair)
Equipment to bring
TREKKING
GEAR
- Small
Rucksack or Daypack (30-40 litres) to carry water and personal items
- Waterproof
duffle bag (approx 80-100 litres)
- Sleeping
bag (4 season or -20 Deg C) and compression sack
- Sleeping mat
- Trekking
poles
- Water
bottle or hydration bag – must be able to carry 1.5-2L of water
CLIMBING
GEAR
- Crampons
– to fit your climbing boots
- Ice
axe
- Climbing
harness
- Ascending
(jumar)
and descending (belay) devices
- Carabiners
– 2 x locking, 2 x non-locking
- Prussik
loop and tape sling
OTHER
ACCESSORIES
- Sunscreen
and lip balm - high SPF
- Toiletries,
including toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser
- Camera
and spare batteries
- Plug
adapter, for charging devices in teahouses and hotels
- Personal
medication and first aid kit
- Personal
snacks and energy bars – dried fruit and nuts are a good option
- Isotonic
drink powder / energy drink powder to mix in with your water
- Microfibre
towel for wiping hands and face each day
- Pee
bottle, useful for late night toilet needs
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | 18/04/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 21/04/2025 | 09/05/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 05/05/2025 | 23/05/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 15/09/2025 | 03/10/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 06/10/2025 | 24/10/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 03/11/2025 | 21/11/2025 | £2,999 $3,749 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 30/03/2026 | 17/04/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 20/04/2026 | 08/05/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 04/05/2026 | 22/05/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 14/09/2026 | 02/10/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 05/10/2026 | 23/10/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 02/11/2026 | 20/11/2026 | £3,049 $3,819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Your
hotel stay for one night before and two nights after the trek
- All
airport transfers
- Return
flight between Kathmandu and Lukla
- National
Park entry, TIMS fees & climbing permit
- A
fully supported trek with a qualified mountain guide
- All
drinking water on the trek
- Teahouse
accommodation on a room only basis
- High
quality sleeping tents
- All
meals when camping on the climb
- Access
to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
Price does not include
- International airfares and visas
- Tips
for your guides and porters
- Personal
items
- Travel
insurance (you must be insured, and specifically
for
treks up to 6500m, using fixed ropes)
- Your
personal trekking and
climbing gear
- Your
personal medicines or prescriptions
- Meals
and drinks on the trek (except when camping)
- Meals
and drinks in Kathmandu (breakfast is included)
Options
- Additional hotel nights before or after your climb
Extensions
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