Mera and Island Peak

Overview

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Ascents of two of Nepal's best-known trekking peaks and the crossing of the Amphu Labtsa

Introduction

Mera Peak (6,476m) and Island Peak (6,189m) are both highly sought after summits. Although geographically fairly close together, they are separated by the formidable mountain chain dividing the Hongu and Khumbu Valleys. This expedition provides an opportunity for mountaineers to attempt both peaks, linking them with a crossing of the remote and stunning Amphu Labtsa Pass (5,780m).

Mera Peak is the highest "trekking peak" in Nepal. Summit day is a tough outing and it's often bitterly cold. You then drop into the remote Hongu Valley. At the head of the valley the glaciated Amphu Labtsa provides a way out, with its exposed crossing being the most technical mountaineering day and arguably the highlight of the expedition. Island Peak is steeper than Mera, though nowhere is it too difficult. The views back towards Mera Peak (25Km in the distance) and of Ama Dablam, Makalu and Lhotse are awesome.

Join us on Mera and Island Peak

• The ultimate month-long mountaineering expedition in Nepal. 2 x 6000m peaks, a remote valley and a difficult high-altitude pass.
• We fly into Lukla Airport by helicopter from Kathmandu, thus reducing the chance of delays. Cost included in headline price.
• Teams led by UK leader - maximum team size is 8.
• Support from experienced high-altitude Sherpas to provide a ratio of 1:2.

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Experience Required

The itinerary could be considered by fit climbers with experience of Alpine routes of PD/AD or Scottish Winter Climbs of Grade II and III. Porters are employed to carry loads to high camps, meaning climbers only need carry their own personal equipment, which should weigh no more than 8 - 10Kg.

Our Scottish Winter Courses in Scotland and our Alpine Courses would provide good training for this expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Fri 16 Oct – Sat 14 Nov 2026	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
	£7,895	£6,595
Fri 15 Oct – Sat 13 Nov 2027	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
2 places left with £300 early booking offer	£7,995 £7,695	£6,595 £6,295

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 4 – 8 people.

Single room supplement: £250

For comparison, this expedition starts from £227 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• One in-country, return flight between Kathmandu and Lukla by chartered helicopter.
• Return transfers between Kathmandu airport and the hotel (one on arrival and one on departure of your international flight).
• Return transfers between the hotel and Kathmandu Airport to meet your helicopter charter.
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 25 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• Emergency equipment (oxygen for therapeutic use, Portable Hyperbaric Chamber (PAC), Satellite Communicator (either phone or InReach)) – see trip PDF for more details.
• All costs for Sherpa staff, cook staff and porters.
• Jagged Globe expedition leader.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a "land-only", please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Fly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla, trek south to Poyan (2,800m) Early morning flight by chartered helicopter to Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the Khumbu Valley. You trek in the opposite direction to those heading up the Everest trail. Overnight camp.Overnight camp.
Day 4:	Trek to Pangkongma (2,846m) Cross a ridgeline and descend to the Khare Khola before climbing steadily up to Pangkongma. Overnight camp.
Day 5:	Trek to Nashing Dingma (2,600m) Climb through rhododendron forest and bamboo to reach Pangkongma La. You then descend, cross a rope bridge spanning the Hinku Khola and climb up to an excellent campsite at Nashing Dingma. Overnight camp.
Day 6:	Trek to Chalem Kharka (3,600m) Gaining height gradually through pasture and lush greenery, the trail steepens as you climb up to the Surke La. Eventually you'll reach an attractive campsite set among fir trees and rhododendron bushes. Overnight camp.
Day 7:	Trek to Chunbu Kharka (4,200m) The trail emerges from the last traces of rhododendron and the terrain becomes more rugged. You pass through high grazing country and cross a small pass to arrive at Chunbu Kharka, a campsite located in the base of a corrie. Overnight camp.
Day 8:	Acclimatisation day at Chunbu Kharka
Day 9:	Descend to Khote in the Hinku Valley (3,550m) The trail contours high above the Hinku Valley until you make a series of steep descents across scree and then through rhododendron to arrive on the valley floor. You camp beside the river.
Day 10:	Trek to Tangnag (4,360m) You follow the west bank of the riverbed up the valley to Tangnag. Overnight camp.
Day 11:	Acclimatisation at Tangnag Walk to 5,000m in the morning. Afternoon starting to sort gear for the mountain. Overnight camp.
Day 12:	Ascend to Khare (4,900m) A pleasant path continues to Khare. Overnight camp.
Day 13:	Acclimatisation day at Khare Afternoon rope skills session. Overnight camp.
Day 14:	Cross the Mera La (5,400m) to Mera Peak base camp (5,300m) You scramble up rock steps to gain the glacier where you rope up and put on crampons. Snow slopes are followed over the pass and you descend to rock shelves on the far side where you set up camp.
Day 15:	Acclimatisation/skills refresher day at base camp (5,300m) A further chance to practise your fixed-rope, abseiling skills and roping up for glacier travel. Overnight camp.
Day 16:	Move to High Camp (5,800m) It takes half a day to follow easy angled snow slopes to high camp, making sure you avoid crevasses.
Day 17:	Mera Peak Ascent (6,476m) As the sun rises Mera's central and north summits soon appear above the head of a wide glacier flanked by two ridges. You climb open snowfields to reach a classic snow ridge just below the final steepening of Mera Central. This 50m snow slope is climbed using a Jumar. On the summit there's time to soak in a jaw-dropping panorama of many of the world's highest peaks. For those who wish to also climb the northern summit, you can descend and continue round to it (assuming you have enough time and conditions are favourable). After the summit descend into the Hongu Valley.
Day 18:	Trek up the Hongu Valley Trek to a campsite by the 'White Lake' (c5,000m) near Chamlang. Overnight camp.
Day 19:	Trek to the base of the Amphu Labtsa (5,300m) A short day to reach the camp below the Amphu Labtsa. Overnight camp.
Day 20:	Cross the Amphu Labtsa (5,780m) to Island Peak Base Camp (5,000m) This is the most involved and serious mountaineering day of the trip. The approach to the pass is over glacier with sections up to 40°. Abseil descent and trek to Island Peak base camp. Overnight camp.
Day 21:	Rest day at Island Peak base camp (5,000m) Overnight camp.
Day 22:	Move to Island Peak high camp (5,600m) The path leads very steeply up the hillside. You camp just below a rocky gully on rock selves. Overnight camp.
Day 23:	Island Peak Ascent (6,189m) You start in the dark and climb the rock gully to reach a ridge line, which leads onto the snout of the glacier. Fixed lines are placed on the headwall, which is climbed to gain the ridge. From here it's 3 rope lengths to the top. Descend to base camp or Chukkung. Overnight camp.
Day 24:	Spare summit day This day can be used at any point during the expedition. Overnight camp.
Day 25 - 27:	Return trek to Lukla Descend the Khumbu Valley via Pangboche and Monjo. Along the way you will see the famous monastery at Thyangboche and visit the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar. Overnight camps.
Day 28:	Fly by helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu Charter helicopter flight. Transfer to hotel.
Day 29:	At Leisure in Kathmandu A chance to explore the bustling capital, with its beautiful temples and bustling markets. Overnight hotel.
Day 30:	Fly home Airport transfer. For those joining "land-only", you should book your flight home today.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Photos & Videos

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• Mera and Island Peak 2018 - reflections
• How to climb a 6,000 meter peak in the Himalayas
• Mera and Island Peak slide show

Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: October 1994
Total: 33 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “An amazing trip discovering some breathtaking scenery, undertaking a fantastic personal challenge and meeting some incredible people along the way.” AM, Mera and Island Peak - Oct '16
• “Awesome team, incredible porters, Sherpas and cooks and inspiring mountains.” IB, Mera and Island Peak - Oct '14
• “A satisfying physical, and emotional achievement shared with fantastic people - staff and clients.” MF, Mera and Island Peak - Oct '14
• “Loved the simplicity of the days on the trek, loved the companionship, loved the fun we had in Namche, Lukla and Kathmandu, truly a great trip, will take me a while to settle down.” RD, Mera & Island Peak, Apr '14
• “The organisation, group dynamics and leadership shown by the leader and Sirdar were tremendous.” RS, Mera & Island Peak, Apr '14
• 7 more reviews »

• “Fantastic experience only enhanced by excellent staff and crew and supportive fellow trekkers.” LW, Mera & Island Peak, Oct '13
• “Great itinerary, excellent leader. A superb and varied trip in some awesome mountain scenery.” BF, Spring 2005
• “Returning to Nepal was what I’d hoped for and seeing familiar mountains from new perspectives reassuring and challenging at the same time.” AM, 2002
• “An excellent all round trip, a great way to learn about Nepal and climb mountains. Thanks for a great trip and for being so well organised.” HB, 2002
• “Crossing the Amphu Labtsa is one of life's perfect experiences!” VR, Autumn/Fall 2002
• “The trip was very good, being well organised with friendly and experienced staff who provided a very high level of customer care.” AW, Autumn/Fall 2002
• “Our expedition leader was very experienced and thorough, very keen to ensure health and preparation for of members for altitude.” IT, Autumn/Fall 2002

Leader Reports

• Mera Peak and Mera and Island Peak, October 2024
  “I’m often asked why I lead expeditions to places that I’ve already been. My answer is always the same – it’s not place that makes the trip; it’s the people. This trip was no different; I’ve been...”
  report added 29/Nov/24
• Mera and Island Peak - 12 April to 11 May 2019
  “Macaroni cheese for breakfast at half past midnight on a Monday morning is unconventional to say the least. But that’s what I was eating. Then again, not many Monday mornings start at a high camp at 5800m preparing for a push...”
  report added 10/May/19
• Mera and Island Peak - 12 Oct to 10 Nov '18
  “Cold. The coldest it has been for me on Mera Peak. I have experienced it at the other extreme, with it being warm enough to encourage one client to strip off for a summit photo, to this time where it was too cold to have more than...”
  report added 12/Nov/18
• Mera and Island Peak - 13 Apr to 12 May '18
  “ Difficult conditions persisted in Nepal this spring with a period of daily snow and rain. Thankfully the mornings were generally clear and sunny, meaning early starts were the name of the day. Ten days of beautiful trekking...”
  report added 23/May/18
• Learning new skills on Mera and Island Peaks
  “You’re never too old to learn.  I hadn’t played “Twos and Threes” before.  It’s a bit like “Uno” and it became our card game of choice whilst sitting comfortably (comfortably? In...”
  report added 15/Dec/17
• 26 more reports »

• Mera and Island Peak - 14 Apr to 13 May '17
  “On the evening of April 15 the combined groups for Mera and Island Peaks gathered in Kathmandu, from all corners of the globe. Individuals' mountain and high altitude experience ranged from a telepherique ride up the Aiguille...”
  report added 19/May/17
• Mera and Island Peak - 14 Oct to 12 Nov '16
  “'It's very cold outside' - Mark had just left the tent for a few seconds. 'That's often the case at nearly 6,000m' I said. I was also guessing around minus fifteen, it turned out to be more like minus...”
  report added 15/Nov/16
• Mera and Island Peak - 16 Oct to 14 Nov '15
  “Our Autumn Mera and Island Peak Expedition team has returned from Nepal. Leader and Jagged Globe Head of Operations, Ed writes ëThe trip was fraught with poor weather and unseasonable heavy snow fall. We started very well with...”
  report added 19/Nov/15
• Mera and Island Peak - 10 Apr to 9 May '15
  “Our team consisted of: Danny, David, Chris R, Chris T, Matt, Pete, Jane, Lee, Sam, Lance, Martyn and myself. Before I launch into my report, I want first to thank everyone in my team. It can be very easy to lead an expedition...”
  report added 11/May/15
• Mera and Island Peak - 11 Apr to 10 May '14
  “The title of this trip, while compelling, contains within it a closeted challenge. One merely has to dig a little deeper to find that this challenge is inversely proportional to the diminutive size of the ë&í. Mera is just the...”
  report added 13/May/14
• Mera and Island Peak - 15 Apr to 14 May '11
  “After meeting at Heathrow airport an excited group departed for Nepal, and for some, their first experience of the Himalayas. One night in the Summit Hotel in Kathmandu was sufficient to see us embark on the short flight to the...”
  report added 16/May/11
• Mera and Island Peak - 8 Oct to 6 Nov '10
  “Unusually unseasonal weather at the start of the expedition meant that the group of 8 climbers and 1 Jagged Globe leader were held up in Kathmandu for an unscheduled 3 days after their arrival. The weather at Lukla was socked in...”
  report added 18/Nov/10
• Mera & Island Peak - 2 to 31 Oct '10
  “Our group of 9 first came together in the leafy oasis of the gardens of the Summit Hotel, with its superb view over the city of Kathmandu towards the snow peaks of the Langtang and Garwhal Himalaya beyond. After the long...”
  report added 11/Nov/10
• Mera and Island Peak - 2 April to 1 May 2010
  “An exceptional season of fine dry weather throughout most of the expedition saw lean but safe conditions on Mera Peak, Island Peak, and the spectacular Amphu Labtsa pass. Eight enthusiastic and excited members and myself set off...”
  report added 04/May/10
• Mera and Island Peak - 9 Oct to 7 Nov '09
  “Our trek, as with 4 other Jagged Globe trips that morning, began from Lukla. An exciting early morning flight, literally into the mountains, gained us so much altitude that our journey chose to descend and then climb the hills to...”
  report added 10/Nov/09
• Mera and Island Peak - 3 April to 2 May '09
  “The entire team arrived on the same flight from the UK via Delhi on the 4th of April and cleared customs fairly quickly by about 3:30pm. The afternoon was a fairly hectic affair getting the team settled into their rooms at the...”
  report added 01/May/09
• Mera and Island Peak - 10 Oct to 8 Nov '08
  “An enthusiastic and clean team meets at Heathrow and during the journey to Katmandu, which goes without hitch! We all meet up at the Summit Hotel make some introductions. There are 9 team members plus myself. Very…very early...”
  report added 10/Nov/08
• Mera and Island Peak - 5 April to 4 May '08
  “Good weather helped us in achieving 100% success on Mera, a safe crossing of the Amphu Labsta, and all to the summit of Island Peak, who started up out of High Camp. But more importantly a great group was the catalyst for making...”
  report added 06/May/08
• Mera & Island Peak - 6 Apr to 5 May '07
  “The plan, as usual, was to meet at the check-in desk at Heathrow. Anne & Louie£s bags were delayed somewhere in another terminal after their flight down from Glasgow, so it was a short while after the arranged time that...”
  report added 09/May/07
• Mera and Island Peak - 6 Oct to 3 Nov '06
  “This Mera & Island Peak trip was undoubtedly a huge success. I hope in reading this report two things emerge: firstly what a great time we had; and secondly, what a fine expedition Jagged Globe's combination of Mera &...”
  report added 14/Dec/06
• Mera and Island Peak - 13 Oct to 11 Nov '06
  “Our team met at London Heathrow on the 13 October to make up this Mera and Island Peak expedition. The flight to Kathmandu, subsequent flight to Lukla, and trek in to the mountains all went to plan, alongside Andy Chapman's group...”
  report added 08/Nov/06
• Mera & Island Peak - 7 Oct to 5 Nov '05
  “The trek into Mera Peak went without incident and we made steady progress to the high camp in good weather, apart from the last hour where we had light snow. Our sherpa team, under the leadership of our Sirdar, Karma, went ahead of...”
  report added 11/Nov/05
• Mera and Island Peak - 15 Apr to 14 May '05
  “The spring 2005 Mera and Island Peak expedition has just returned to Kathmandu and will be back in the UK in a couple of days. The expedition, led by Ed Chard, saw all team members reach the summit of Mera Peak (6,476m)in cloudy...”
  report added 12/May/05
• Mera & Island Peak - 9 Oct to 7 Nov '04
  “A small, contented expedition, marred only slightly by the incidents of illness: Colin & Hetta Morath elected to return to Lukla (and thence up the Khumbu) fairly early in the trip, when Colin’s health (and subsequently...”
  report added 11/Nov/04
• Mera and Island Peak - 10 Oct to 8 Nov 03
  “This expedition experienced heavy snowfall at Mera Peak base camp and had to retreat over the Zatrawa La to approach Island Peak via the Khumbu valley. Despite this revised schedule, we managed to make a successful ascent of Island...”
  report added 17/Nov/03
• Mera and Island Peak - 5 October to 3 November 2002
  “The team endured some wet conditions during the walk in to Mera BC, but enjoyed good conditions during their ascent when five of the ten member team summitted. After the busier days in the Mera area the team enjoyed the solitude...”
  report added 05/Nov/02
• Mera & Island Peak - 20 April to 19 May 2002
  “Despite unsettled weather and two members of our team requiring helicopter evacuation, the expedition ran smoothly, successfully summiting both Mera and Island Peak and crossing the Amphu Labtsa. On the 4th May, 9 team members...”
  report added 26/May/02
• Mera and Island Peak 14 April to 13 May 2001
  “News just in from Nepal. 5 out of 8 of Walter Phipps\' team summited on Mera Peak and 6 made it up Island Peak. A full report will be posted by Walter shortly. Jagged Globe office”
  report added 07/May/01
• Mera & Island Peak 29 September - 29 October 2000
  “Overall, the weather was perfect in Nepal through the end of September and October which undoubtedly contributed to the high level of success on many of our popular objectives. Over 40 people summited on Mera Peak alone! Snow...”
  report added 15/Dec/00
• Mera & Island Peak 22 April - 21 May 2000
  “The second of our Mera & Island Peak teams also experienced very mixed weather. Having all made it to the high camp on Mera in clear weather, they were disappointed to wake up to heavy snow and lightning. Although it threatened...”
  report added 15/Dec/00
• Mera & Island Peak 30 April - 20 May 2000
  “Heavy snow slowed the team of 12 early on in the trip and only a handful of members made it to the summit of Mera Peak. Having gained more fitness through the duration of the expedition and become fully acclimatised, 10 climbers...”
  report added 15/Dec/00