Amphu Lapcha Pass Trek - Ethic Himalaya

At the airport; you will be meet by representative of our company and transferred to the Hotel, where you will meet us. A pre-trek briefing will be held at approx. 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the evening and is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner. Welcome dinner at the authentic and typical Nepalese cusine with culutural dance.

We take an early morning flight to Lukla. During the flight, we can bask in the mesmerizing views of giant snow-capped mountain peaks.

We then head eastwards of Lukla. The trail criss crosses through pristine hamlets and thick forest along Kalo Himal Ridge. We must stay aligned with our specific route. Otherwise, we may deviate from the target destination. At the time of winter, snow makes us transverse steep terrain. But during favorable climatic condition, the trail is usually straightforward. After 3-4 hours of trekking, we enter Chutanga.

We spend two memorable nights at Chutanga. This gives us sufficient time for acclimatization prior to confronting Zatrwa-La. We can indulge in leisurely trek to a small 4,000m peak below the Zatrwa Teng Pass. Excellent views unveil as we glimpse over the valley of the Dudh Koshi and the picturesque trail zigzagging towards Zatrwa-La. After exploring, we descend back to our camp at Chutanga and succumb to complete relaxation.

The trail crosses the Kalo Himal Ridge which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. Further ahead, we transverse a comfortable path showcasing a cairned notch on the ridge with a collection of prayer flags at an elevation of 4,450m. En route we may encounter yak herders. The views across the Dudh Koshi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are very impressive and so is the view across the rolling foothills east of the Hinku Valley. Half an hour below the pass is a huge boulder which marks our campsite, Thuli Kharka. 6 to 7 hours of trekking finally take us to Thuli Kharka.

From our Thuli Kharka, we have a short trek on a downhill slope with a superb view of Peak 43 and Kusum Kanguru before coming to a fine vantage point of the Hinku valley, with a grand view of the South Face of Mera Peak. Entering the forest once again, the trail drops steeply into the Hinku valley. A pleasant walk leads through a forest full of tall Himalayan pine and Rhododendron. We make our camp on the clearing known as Mousum Kharka by the Hinku Drangka River.

From Mousum Kharka, our route follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, eventually leaving the forest. The valley opens up and widens and we come to a pasture and small kharka (a barn and shelter) which is where shepherds graze their goats, sheep and yaks. We cross a small bridge to reach Gondishung (4,350m) a summer settlement of Tangnag with its huts and stone-walled enclosures. Gondishung itself has a fascinating 200-year-old gompa (monastery) beneath a great rock overhang. It is a small gompa with a Buddha and several Bodhisattvas, prayer flags and a number of crude mani walls. The trek continues for another hour, passing beyond Lungsamba as the valley narrows between the flanks of Kusum Kangguru (6,369m) to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera (6,476m). We finish our walk here at Tangnag, a settlement made by yak herders. Now days there are several tea houses here to cater to the needs of the local staff and porters who accompany expeditions to Mera and beyond. We will camp three nights in these beautiful surroundings.

Acclimatization day in Tangnang Today is our rest day. It is not recommend to stay idle although it is a rest day instead we have to stay active to be ready for next day's adventure. So after breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours up to Charpate Himal Glacier. Seen very close from the Thangnag, Charpate Himal is regarded holy by the Sherpa community and is worshiped by traditional Sherpas of the mountains. We will observe Mera North very close and outstanding from here. After an hour's pleasant hike downwards, we will be back at the camp at Thangnang.

We follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate Himal. The trail climbs through moraines and to the snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers and then climbs more steeply to our camping spot at Khare. The camping experience at Khare is something that would cherish us throughout our life. It is pleasure to view beautiful North face of Mera Peak from our campsite at Khare. Overnight at Khare.

Today after breakfast, we walk through boulder strewn course to reach Base Camp of Mera Peak. We have to march through steep route (about 260 meters) and it takes around 3-4 hours to reach Base Camp. Upon reaching there after a short rest accompanied with our lunch, we start ice climbing training with our climbing guide. Inexperienced climbers need to learn much more today. After about 2-3 hours training, we might choose to go to Mera La. However, as we will be taking the route to High Camp through Mera La the next day, we might opt to rest at our camp at Base camp today admiring the eye-catching views the area offers.

We need to walk through rock-strewn area for about two hours to make our way to Mera High Camp. The trail can be hazardous if it has recently snowed as there are a number of crevasses here. We make our way to the top of the rock band, which is marked by a large cairn. We set up a high camp and from here the sunrise and sunset can be view along with the Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and south face of Lotshe, Nuptse, Chamlang and Baruntse are outstanding and seems like they are piercing the skyline. This evening we overnight in Mera High Camp

This is really a big day. Wake up around 2.30 am and have very early breakfast and set up for special journey to the summit. If you are a well-acclimatized group, it takes around 4-6 hours to reach the summit of Mera central for. From the summit, can be seen the spectacular views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Nuptse (7,855m), Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m) Ama Dablam (6,812m) Kangtega (6,779m) and many peaks over six thousanders too. After achieving the summit, we retrace our steps down to high camp. After having a rest accompanied by some hot soups/tea at the high camp, we will continue down to Khare for the night's rest. You will find this day really long but inspirational one in our life

Short walk and acclimatization day at Kongma Dingma

We head up into the upper yak pastures of this incredible remote valley. All morning the great flanks of Chamlang dominate our left, and the spire of Baruntse comes into view beyond. The terrain is remarkably benign, especially considering we are actually heading directly into the very epicenter of the highest group of mountains in the world. The valley floor remains broad and straight, only gradually rising to the blind alley of peaks ahead. It is almost a shock to realize that the two majestic mountains we are heading straight towards are none other than Everest and Lhotse. Overnight in camp at Seto Pokhari.

We trek through the high altitude route from Seto Pokhari to Amphu Lapcha Base Camp. This is one of the remotest parts of the Himalayas. We rarely meet any trekkers en route except if it is very high touristic season. We climb steadily up to and just beyond Seto Pokhari (White Lake), the first of a series of lakes that occupy the upper Honku Basin. Experience the wilderness of the Honku Valley. On the right is Chamlang (7,321m) with hanging glaciers on its South-West and North-West faces, the Honku Valley is true mountain wilderness.

We cross the Amphu Labcha La pass (5,845m) then walk across the Amphu Labcha Glacier. Lhotse Shar Glacier and Imja Glacier are nearby. Our trail also half circles the Imja Tsho lake before walking on the main Island Peak trail. Moving further ahead, we are also in the vicinity of the Ama Dablam Glacier before reaching Chhukung.

The trek comes down from Chukhung following towards Panboche. After this, we take a same trail back which is used to trek up. The trail comes all the way down to river. We cross the river and take an hour walk up through the forest to reach Tengboche.

From Tenboche, we make a steep descend and the trail leads us back along the Dudh Koshi River. We keep a lookout for wild life such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants while passing through the forest by the trail. After passing a Chorten, we reach the army camp at of Namche Bazar; where we want to take a long last look back to Lhotse, the tip of Everest and Tengboche. The final steep climb traverses the hill side taking us to Namche Bazaar. We take a nice hot shower and have very relaxed sleep in our room in Namche Bazar

The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. Upon arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on faces.

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu. We can take a rest and relax throughout the day at our hotel.