ACMG Ski Guide

Local Nepali Mountain Guide

Porter team

All necessary trekking, climbing and skiing permits

Return flights between Kathmandu and Lukla

Hotel in Kathmandu and transfers from Kathmandu airport

All meals and lodging when we are in the mountains

Expedition tents for camping

Full kitchen set-up with local Nepali cook

Emergency Oxygen set and Portable Altitude Chamber for altitude-related emergencies

Flights between your home and Kathmandu

Meals in Kathmandu

Snacks and alcoholic beverages while in the mountains

Personal ski-touring and mountaineering gear; winter sleeping bag

Rescue costs in the event of an emergency (Rescue insurance is mandatory to join this expedition)

Tourist visa for Nepal ($50 USD)

We have chosen a conservative itinerary to give us more time to acclimatise and increase our chances of a safe and successful trip. The itinerary is subject to change during the trip as acclimatisation rates and conditions dictate. We will do our best to make sure everyone is back in Kathmandu in plenty of time for their flights home.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu; welcome dinner (October 14th)

Day 2: Get our climbing permits and do some sightseeing; gear check

Day 3: Fly to Lukla; Trek to Paiyu (2750m)

Day 4: Trek to Panggom (2800m)

Day 5: Trek to Najing Dingma (2820m)

Day 6: Cross the Surke La pass and stay at Cholem Kharka (3550m)

Day 7: Trek to Khola Kharka (4200m)

Day 8: Trek to Khote (3700m)

Day 9: Trek to Tangnag (4250m)

Day 10: Rest day

Day 11: Trek to Khare (4800m)

Day 12: Acclimatisation hike and glacier training; rest day if needed. Stay a second night in Khare

Day 13: Climb to Mera La basecamp (5400m)

Day 14: Acclimatisation ski tour on glacier; rest day if needed. Stay a second night at basecamp

Day 15: Ski tour to high camp (5800m)

Day 16: Summit day! (6476m) Ski descent from summit; back to Khare for the night

Day 17: Spare summit day in case of weather of altitude issues

Day 18: Start our trek back to Kathmandu; stay in Khote (3700m)

Day 19: Trek to Thuli Kharka (4450m)

Day 20: Cross Zatrwa La pass (4600m) to Lukla

Day 21: Spare day in Lukla for bad weather if needed; or fly to Kathmandu

Day 22: Fly to Kathmandu; or free day in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner

Day 23: Fly home, or stay on and do your own thing in Nepal (November 5th)

You must have previous experience ski touring or splitboarding and be comfortable skinning and skiing/riding in all types of snow conditions.

You must be comfortable winter camping for several consecutive nights.

You must be fit enough to hike all day at altitude carrying a day pack.

Prior high-altitude mountaineering and glacier experience is not mandatory. We will teach you all the techniques you need to know during the expedition.

When you sign up for this expedition you will receive a detailed information package with gear list, travel advice, etc. You can also check out some of the FAQ below:

Why is this expedition so expensive?

Unfortunately permits to climb mountains in Nepal are very expensive, these permit fees make up a significant portion of the trip cost. These expeditions also require a lot of local staff to help us get all our food and equipment to the mountain. We use a local logistics supplier that pays their staff a fair wage and makes sure they are properly equipped to be in the high mountains. I have chosen to significantly lower my usual daily guiding rate in an effort to keep this trip affordable while keeping the group size small. You will find our group size smaller than other companies guiding Mera Peak and our cost comparable or lower. For me, the cultural experience of an expedition in Nepal is worth the extra cost.

Do I need the Covid vaccine to travel to Nepal?

Nepal no longer requires proof of vaccination or a PCR test to enter the country. Covid vaccination is not required to join this expedition, we will take normal preacutions to try and stay healthy.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be fit enough to hike all day for multiple days in a row carrying a day pack. Having a good level of cardiovascular fitness will really help at higher altitude.

How experienced do I need to be?

You must have previous experience ski touring or splitboarding and be comfortable skinning and skiing/riding in all types of snow conditions. Previous high-altitude mountaineering and glacier travel experience is not mandatory, we will teach you all the techniques you need to know during the expedition. Mera Peak is not a technical ascent, but crampons and ice axe will likely be required for the final slopes to the summit.

Should I bring altitude medications?

Diamox is a common medication taken to help acclimatisation. As with any medication Diamox has side effects. Talk to your doctor to get advice on whether Diamox would work for you. I have designed our itinerary with extra days to give our bodies more time to acclimatise naturally. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen have been found to help relieve common altitude headaches, I recommend bringing your own supply of these OTC meds. We will supply an expedition first aid kit with a supply of altitude medications to treat altitude sickness, including HACE and HAPE. We will also provide an emergency Oxygen set and a Portable Altitude Chamber for treating severe altitude sickness.

Will I need to get travel vaccinations?

Nepal is a developing country, getting vaccinated is recommended. Talk to your doctor to see what you may need. Rabies vaccination is highly recommended as it is not uncommon to see rabid dogs in Kathmandu.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, absolutely! As long as you let us know ahead of time we can make sure you get nutritious meals that meet your dietary restrictions.

What is the food like?

Expect a mixture of local food (Dal Bhat) and Western-style dishes. During the trek to/from the mountain you can expect delicious meals made from scratch using fresh ingredients. During the climb we will be eating lighter, freeze-dried style meals.

What is the accommodation like?

All accommodation is shared, usually 2 people per room. We will stay in lodges where they are available on the trek, these are pretty rustic but will have a real bed frame and mattress for you to sleep on. The dining rooms are pretty cozy and are usually connected to the kitchen, making for a nice place to spend time and interact with the locals. When camping you will share your tent with one other person. If you would like your own hotel room in Kathmandu this can be arranged at an extra cost. Private rooms are not an option at the mountain lodges due to limited space.

Can I charge my electronic devices?

Most of the lodges have wall sockets where you can charge your devices using a travel adaptor. We recommend bringing a personal battery bank to keep your devices charged on the mountain.

Is there internet or cell service?

Cell service coverage is improving in the mountains of Nepal but is not very reliable. Some of the lodges have wifi available, usually at an extra cost. Often this wifi is so slow as to be unusable. Your guides will have satellite communication devices available for emergency communication. This expedition is a good opportunity to unplug, don’t plan on being able to communicate with loved ones back home every night. If you need to get an urgent message out to somebody we can certainly do that via inreach or satellite phone.