Three Peaks Climbing: Mera, Island & Lobuche - 25 Days

Everest · 25 Days

Three Peaks Climbing: Mera, Island & Lobuche - 25 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 6,461m (21,194 ft) at Mera Peak summit · Max group 2-8 people

Duration

25 Days

Max Altitude

6,461m (21,194 ft)

at Mera Peak summit

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Teahouse / Lodge + tented base camps

Overview

The Three Peaks Climbing Expedition links together Nepal's three most popular Khumbu trekking peaks — Mera Peak (6,461m), Island Peak (6,189m) and Lobuche East (6,119m) — into one 25-day Himalayan campaign. It is an ambitious itinerary built for climbers who want to progress from non-technical glacier walking on Mera, through fixed-rope ice on Island, to the steep snow and ice headwall of Lobuche East, all within a single expedition season.

The route also folds in a full classical Everest Base Camp visit with a sunrise climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m), making this one of the most complete and rewarding climbing trips in the Khumbu. Strategically placed acclimatisation rest days, contingency days for weather, and licensed NMA climbing guides make the expedition as safe and well-supported as a serious triple-summit programme can realistically be.

Highlights

  • Summit three iconic trekking peaks in a single expedition: Mera (6,461m), Island (6,189m) and Lobuche East (6,119m)
  • Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and watch sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545m)
  • Cross the technical Amphu Lapcha Pass (5,850m) from the Hongu to the Khumbu
  • Climb under the guidance of NMA-registered Sherpa climbing guides and full base-camp support
  • Experience a natural progression from non-technical to semi-technical Himalayan climbing
  • Built-in contingency days for weather windows and acclimatisation
  • All permits, climbing gear, food and lodging arranged from start to finish
  • Sweeping panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Cho Oyu

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Chutanga (3,060m)

⏱ 40-minute flight + 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic flight to Lukla, then trek east through forested ridges to Chutanga, a quiet meadow camp that starts the acclimatisation process.

Day 2

Chutanga to Tuli Kharka via Zatrwa La (4,610m)

⏱ 6-7 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A long, demanding day crossing the Zatrwa La pass into the Hongu valley. Descend to Tuli Kharka (3,900m) for the night.

Day 3

Tuli Kharka to Kothe (4,095m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek through pristine alpine valleys in the upper Hongu to the small settlement of Kothe.

Day 4

Kothe to Thangnak (4,350m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short acclimatisation day following the Hinku Khola upstream to Thangnak.

Day 5

Thangnak to Khare (5,054m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross moraine and grassy meadows to Khare, the staging point for Mera Peak.

Day 6

Acclimatisation Day at Khare

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rest and a short acclimatisation hike. Climbing school on the snout of the Mera Glacier covers crampons, ice axe and rope use.

Day 7

Khare to Mera Base Camp / High Camp (5,790m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the Mera La and continue up the glacier to high camp under the summit ridge.

Day 8

Summit Mera Peak (6,461m), Return to Khare

⏱ 9-11 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A pre-dawn start for the long glacier climb to Mera's central summit. Stunning view of five 8,000m peaks (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga). Descend to Khare.

Day 9

Contingency Day at Mera

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reserved as a buffer for weather, fatigue or a second summit attempt.

Day 10

Khare to Khamedingma (4,850m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the descent and traverse toward Island Peak via Khamedingma.

Day 11

Khamedingma to Seto Pokhari (5,035m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A high traverse on rough terrain to the turquoise lake of Seto Pokhari.

Day 12

Seto Pokhari to Amphu Lapcha Base (5,400m)

⏱ 4-5 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Position yourself below the steep south side of the Amphu Lapcha pass.

Day 13

Cross Amphu Lapcha (5,850m), Descend to Chhukung (4,730m)

⏱ 7-8 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A serious technical pass crossing with fixed ropes and abseils down the north side. Descend into the Imja valley to Chhukung.

Day 14

Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp (5,550m)

⏱ 3-4 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short approach to Island Peak base camp. Afternoon climbing skills refresher.

Day 15

Summit Island Peak (6,189m), Return to Chhukung

⏱ 8-10 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn start up the rocky gully, onto the glacier, across crevasses on ladders and up the fixed-rope headwall to the summit ridge. Descend the same route to Chhukung.

Day 16

Chhukung to Lobuche (4,940m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Join the classical EBC trail via the Kongma La approach or the lower trail to Lobuche.

Day 17

Lobuche to EBC (5,364m), back to Gorak Shep (5,170m)

⏱ 7-8 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The iconic walk along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp, then return to overnight in Gorak Shep.

Day 18

Kala Patthar Sunrise (5,545m), Return to Lobuche

⏱ 7-8 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar for the classic Everest sunrise, then descend back to Lobuche.

Day 19

Lobuche to Lobuche Base Camp (5,400m)

⏱ 3-4 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short trek up the moraine to Lobuche East base camp. Final gear check.

Day 20

Summit Lobuche East (6,119m), Return to Base Camp

⏱ 9-10 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A serious snow and ice climb up the summit pyramid with steep sustained sections requiring fixed ropes, crampons and confident axe technique. Return to base camp.

Day 21

Contingency Day at Lobuche Base Camp

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Buffer day for weather or a second attempt.

Day 22

Lobuche to Tengboche (3,860m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long descent down the EBC corridor to the spiritual heart of the Khumbu, Tengboche Monastery.

Day 23

Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

⏱ 5-6 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue down through rhododendron forest to Namche for a well-earned hot shower and bakery coffee.

Day 24

Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,840m)

⏱ 6-7 hours walking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A long last day back to Lukla. Celebration dinner with the climbing crew.

Day 25

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

⏱ 40-minute flight

Early morning return flight to Kathmandu, weather permitting.

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What's included

Included

  • Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) throughout the trek and climb
  • All trekking permits and climbing permits for the three peaks
  • Group climbing gear (ropes, ice screws, snow bars, anchors)
  • Teahouse lodging on trekking days and tented camps at base camps
  • NMA-certified climbing guides and experienced trekking guides
  • Porter support and full base-camp cooking crew
  • Emergency helicopter evacuation coordination (settled by your travel insurance)
  • First-aid medical kit on the trail
  • All government taxes and company service charges
  • Round-trip Kathmandu to Lukla domestic flights

Not included

  • Nepal tourist visa and international airfare
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory, must include 6,500m climbing cover and heli-evacuation)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal climbing boots
  • Personal expenses (phone, laundry, bottled water, hot showers, charging)
  • Tips for guides, climbing Sherpas and porters
  • Bar bills, beverages and snacks beyond the standard menu
  • Spring season peak permit surcharge (where applicable)

Trek guide

A Progression Through Three Summits

Three Peaks is designed as an arc of difficulty. Mera is essentially a long glaciated snow plod with a short fixed-rope section near the top, perfect for first-time 6,000-metre climbers. After crossing the dramatic Amphu Lapcha Pass, you arrive at Island Peak where you face a proper alpine ice headwall and a knife-edge summit ridge. Finally, after the EBC and Kala Patthar interlude, you take on Lobuche East — the steepest of the three, with sustained snow and ice climbing on the summit pyramid.

The Three Mountains

  • Mera Peak (6,461m) — Nepal's highest officially classified trekking peak. Non-technical glacier with a short fixed rope to the true summit.
  • Island Peak (Imja Tse, 6,189m) — Iconic peak above the Imja valley. Technical headwall with fixed ropes, ladder crossings over crevasses, and a narrow summit ridge.
  • Lobuche East (6,119m) — The most technical of the three with steep snow and ice up to about 45-50 degrees on the summit slope.

Geography and Route

The expedition starts in Lukla, crosses the Zatrwa La (4,610m) into the Hongu valley to reach Mera. After summiting Mera you traverse north over the Amphu Lapcha (5,850m) into the Imja valley for Island Peak. The route then joins the classical EBC trail for Kala Patthar and Lobuche East before finishing back through Tengboche and Namche to Lukla.

Permits

  • Mera Peak climbing permit
  • Island Peak climbing permit
  • Lobuche East climbing permit
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
  • Makalu Barun National Park entry permit (for the Hongu section)
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit

Altitude and Acclimatisation

This is a high-altitude expedition with three summits above 6,000m. The itinerary builds altitude gradually with rest days at Khare and Dingboche, and includes spare days at each summit cluster. Carrying Diamox is recommended after a doctor consultation.

Best Season

  • Spring (April-May): Stable weather, longer days, more climbers (and more fixed ropes pre-set)
  • Autumn (October-November): Cooler temperatures, sharpest visibility, fewer crowds

Winter and monsoon are not advised.

Fitness

Strenuous. You need genuine cardiovascular fitness, prior trekking experience above 5,000m, and ideally some basic mountaineering skills (crampons, ice axe self-arrest, jumar/abseil basics). Six to eight months of structured training is the standard recommendation.

Packing list

Clothing: Expedition down jacket (-30°C), down trousers, fleece mid-layers, hardshell jacket and trousers, thermal base layers, climbing softshell, 4-5 pairs of socks (including expedition weight), balaclava, beanie, sun hat, buff, liner gloves, insulated mountaineering gloves, expedition mitts

Footwear: Double-layer or insulated mountaineering boots (rated to 6,500m), broken-in trekking boots for the approach, lodge shoes

Technical climbing gear: 12-point crampons, ice axe, harness, climbing helmet, ascender (jumar), belay/rappel device, 2-3 locking carabiners, 3-4 non-locking carabiners, two slings, prusik cord, gaiters

Sleep: Down sleeping bag rated to -20°C or lower, inflatable sleeping pad

Accessories: 35-40L climbing daypack, 80-100L expedition duffel, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, glacier glasses (category 4), goggles, refillable water bottles (insulated) or thermos, water purification, power bank, universal adapter

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, climbing-grade travel insurance papers, 8 passport photos, cash

Medical: Comprehensive personal first-aid kit, sunscreen SPF 50+, lip balm with SPF, altitude meds (Diamox / dexamethasone — doctor-prescribed), pain meds

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous climbing experience?
Yes — some basic mountaineering experience is strongly advised. Familiarity with crampons, ice axe self-arrest and abseiling will make the expedition far safer and more enjoyable.

Which peak is the hardest?
Lobuche East is generally regarded as the most technical thanks to the steep summit pyramid. Mera is the highest but the least technical. Island Peak is the most iconic and falls in between.

Is it possible to summit all three?
Yes — many climbers do. Built-in contingency days, professional Sherpa support and pre-fixed ropes make a triple-summit realistic for fit, prepared climbers.

Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes — and it must cover climbing up to 6,500m and helicopter evacuation. We require proof before confirming your booking.

What is the spring vs autumn difference?
Spring is warmer and more popular (so more climbers and fixed lines), autumn is colder but with sharper visibility and fewer queues.

Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes — you can drop a peak, swap the order, add Gokyo or extend rest days. Contact us to tailor the schedule.

What gear can I rent in Kathmandu?
Boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, sleeping bag and down jacket are all rentable. We recommend bringing your own boots if possible.

How cold does it get on summit day?
Mera and Lobuche summit mornings can dip below -25°C with wind chill. Proper expedition layering is essential.

What happens if I get altitude sickness?
Guides are trained to spot AMS early. The first response is descent. Helicopter evacuation is available if needed and covered by your insurance.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $4400

per person

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