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 Summiting Mt. Baruntse at an altitude of 7 129 meters (24 000 ft.) was no small feat and a huge accomplishment I will always be grateful for!After so many ups and downs, suffering from acute mountain sickness after going up to a higher camp too quickly and having to rush down to basecamp to recover, pulling an all-nighter to summit, realizing how high I was only as the sun rose and feeling terrified from the last stretch following the narrow mountain crest, victory had a very sweet taste indeed.Here's some pictures of our climb from basecamp to the top of this giant, passing through a paradise of blue ice and snow, crevasses and steep walls of rocks inviting us to climb higher and higher ❄️ Once again a huge thank you to my amazing team without whom none of this would have been possible, for all the laughs we shared in the kitchen tent playing cards or during our most memorable night at camp 2 where we forgot to bring plates and cutlery and had to eat handfuls of spaghetti out of plastic bags 🍝Last but none the least, thank you to @annapurnafoothillstreks for being the most caring and helpful agency I could have dreamed of, I'd climb with you again in a heartbeat.  

Hello Ngima.Now that I am back in Ireland I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you.I really enjoyed my trip to Nepal to climb Mera Peak. This expedition meant so much to me and your attention to detail and your personal touch are really appreciated. You made me feel very welcome from the moment I arrived and the fact that you got up early and came to the airport with me when I was leaving is really excellent service.If I am coming back to Nepal again I will certainly use your company and I would have no hesitation in recommending your company to anyone I know going trecking in Nepal.I hope you get some time with your family when the season ends and hopefully we will meet again. Until then, Namaste and keep safe. Regards,Brian.

Mera Peak trek – October 2024Trek Company: Annapurna Foothills – Ngima Neru SherpaGuide: Dendi SherpaPorters: Ngima and KarmaComments: I hope these comments are useful to anyone considering trekking Mera Peak in NepalI travelled from Australia to Nepal to trek Mera Peak during October 2024. My friend and I chose Mera Peak due to our skill level (limited altitude and technical climbing experience) and that Mera peak offers outstanding views of the Himalaya. From reading about Mera Peak, this appeared to be a non-technical, high climb with rewarding views and with good fitness and a steady resolve, achievable for both of us. This turned out to be spot on.Next came, choosing a trekking company who would look after us. We wanted a company that would pick us up from Kathmandu airport, look after everything, and then drop us back at the airport when we were all finished. Importantly we wanted to partner with a local Nepalese company and ensure the money we spent went directly to the Nepalese and also be guided by Nepalese guides- the experts. This is exactly what we received from Annapurna Foothills.I emailed a few companies after researching their websites/offers. We chose Annapurna foothills based on their honest descriptions of their treks, their experience and their approach toward guiding. In addition to these requirements, Annapurna Foothills provided the trek at an extremely competitive price. They were immediately attentive to my email questions and before I knew it, I was conversing with Ngima regularly. Throughout the entire experience, I felt supported and all my questions/concerns were immediately answered. The Annapurna Foothills team are experienced and go out of their way to support you- their service to their customers was way beyond my expectations.When we felt comfortable, we chose our dates, selected the corresponding trek via the website, signed on and paid the deposit.We then commenced our personal fitness training, which I strongly recommend any reader to focus on. Mera Peak   is a challenge. With good fitness you will place yourself in the best position for a successful experience. As the website advises, the days are long (6 hours avg. most days) with lots of stairs, up and down. In Australia, we have small mountains/hills so training at an altitude gym did the trick and shed the excess kilograms, improved leg strength and lung capacity. Also, hiking as much as possible helped enormously. Mental resilience is also something to prepare if you can. Read what you can and asking questions to experienced climbers will definitely help. Understanding the trek and the impact of altitude on the body prepared me well.The gear list from the website is very accurate. I ended up taking too much gear preparing for the worst and in retrospect this was unfair on the porters, who without compliant ever, carried my gear all the way to high camp and back again. I also had to carry my extra “stuff” which ended up as a 12kilo pack. My humble advice - grab yourself a 120litre duffle, pack it with your gear (and sleeping bag) and try to limit it to 15kgs or less. The porters carry 2 Duffels and another bag each in a jaw dropping effort every day. Then pack your day pack with what you need (essentials only) and will carry each day (water/snacks/warm top. coat etc. but keep it light). Your guide will advise on the necessary gear you’ll need. Light and efficient packing is the way to go. Good gear (esp. boots) is very important.Fast forward and we arrived late (10pm) into Kathmandu airport- 3.5hours later (1.30am) we were through “the arrival process” and there waiting for us, with a smile and sign with our names on it, was Ngima from Annapurna Foothills. From there, everything was looked after by Ngima and the AF team.Some general comments to help any reader:LanguageOur guide had excellent English, the tea house staff have enough English to get by- there was never an issue with the language barrier for us.Meals on the trek:Each tea house has a range of breakfast/lunch and dinner choices. These are awesome and carb rich. Protein is mostly from fresh eggs or lentils. Carbs from potatoes/ pasta/noodles and local grain bread. Tea and coffee is available at any teahouse. The meals are great and sizable. As a bigger guy I needed a bit more protein and supplemented my diet with a daily protein bar. The daily treat from AF of a mars bar/bounty etc was also essential, and greatly appreciated.TeahousesThese are basically a building with a number of 2 bed rooms – most with 6 or more rooms. The beds are very comfortable, clean and firm (with pillow and blanket/doona etc.). These were really fantastic.ShowerSome teahouses provide a shower (most a warm bucket of water only) for a feeInternet and PowerMost teahouses will offer both for a charge (some hikers recharge phones/camera with a solar panel recharge device strapped to their day pack.AltitudeAt 6476m Mera will definitely test you. Progress is slow and steady. Diamox/other altitude medications may be prescribed by your doctor. We used Diamox (half a tab 12 hourly) and it worked a treat (no headaches at all). Slight tingling in the fingers and a couple of extra trips to the loo but nothing unmanageable. Most people who turned around were suffering from strong headaches.Our Mera peak trek involved only 1 tent night (at high camp) - I slept in most of my gear that night and was very warm. The tents had mattresses. The food at high camp was fantasticOur GuideDendi Sherpa was incredible- extremely patient as we made our way through jungle initially and then the higher altitudes. He was always supportive, had excellent English, so managed the language barrier when required and was a wealth of knowledge throughout the trek. On summit day he stepped up and was clear and precise as was required. Our trek required a little management due to poor weather at Lukla and a required drive. Dendi had it all under control. A highlight was our daily fresh coffee, percolated to perfection by Dendi and served with a morning smile. A truly nice guy with an infectious smile and a forever positive attitude. Extremely experienced, Everest, Mera, Island peak, you name the mountain he’s climbed/guided it. He knows everyone and is very well respected. I could not have asked more from a guide and can’t say enough thank you(s) to Dendi. Looking of the AF website, all the AF guides have excellent English and are very experienced.Our PortersSuperhuman with wonderful Nepalese smiles at all times, even when you knew they were exhausted. Where you can, a daily thank you by paying for an extra drink and/or food item for the porters at the teahouses is extremely appreciated.Take cash (Nepali rupee) - there are no ATM’s on the trek so stock up with (Nepali Rupee) before you go. Main expenses will be extra food, power recharges and any internet use. Tips for staff at the end of your trek.Tips – pay cash (need to take this with you as some staff may not return to Kathmandu with you)The AF guide is good regarding tips – as mentioned in the guide, if you are happy with the service (porters and guides etc.) tip as generously as you can. On our trip they were all incredible.Post trek trip to Chitwan National Park- this was a little extra we tagged on to allow for rest/recovery and a little relaxed site seeing. This was a fantastic end to our trip to Nepal. A luxury hotel (very affordable with an all-you-can-eat buffet to pack back on some lost kilos). We saw one horned rhino, crocodile and thoroughly enjoyed the safari tours and river cruises. If you have the time, this was a great short addition (3 extra days) to our trip. The Chitwan tour/stay was of course completely organised by Ngima and the AF team. All we needed to do was get on the bus.Hotel in Kathmandu- fantastic- clean, comfortable, great coffee and very helpful staff.That’s it. I hope you have a great trip to Nepal and as a rewarding trek to Mera Peak as we did - Annapurna Foothills will definitely look after you - they are worth it. Paul MalikidesAustralia (Mera Peak - October 2024) 

Oct 2024 • FriendsOn October 18, 2024 I reached the summit of Mera Peak - at the age of 74. Huge thanks to Ngima and his team at Annapurna Foothills. From the moment I arrived in Kathmandu, they made me feel more than welcome and went above and beyond my expectations. The tour was perfectly organized arranging pick-ups from the airport, lodging, jeep transportation, booking bus tickets, also arranging the trip to Chitwan and much more. Our trekking and climbing guide Dendi Sherpa was a perfect guide, highly professional and supportive. He and our two porters Nima and Karma did their best every day to make us feel comfortable and enjoy the trekking and summiting. It has been one of my hardest and at the same time of the best mountain climb. If it was not for Dendi Sherpa I would not have stood on Mera Peak. I highly recommend Annapurna Foothills services for any trip to Nepal. 

I decided this expedition few days before they started....End it was good decision.My the best last minute trip ;-)) The small local company that offers a high standard of services.All team have done great job.The food was delicious.Climbing Sherpas were very helpful and they did hard work during peak attack.Finally I did not reached the summit. I was too slow...But I got more help from climbing Sherpa-Naong ,than I expected.Thank you once again for everyone.If you want to experience a beautiful time in Nepal just do it with Annapurna Foothills Trek & Expedition.You will not be dissapointed.

Great work by Annapurna Foothills team: master cook Pasan and his helpers prepared excellent food in BC; climbing Sherpas very helpfull at preparation and summit attack. Everything was OK except unusal cold weather :)Small group (4 members) much better than a big one. 2 poeple made the summit, 2 didn't (incl. myself - I gave up at 6920 due to extreme low temp. and wind).Hope to be again with the team in autumn 2025.Andrzej H. (Poland)

I recently completed the Island Peak climb and the Three Passes Trek with Annapurna Foothills, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Our guides, Tenzing and Mingma, were exceptional. They not only ensured our safety and well-being but also efficiently solved all unexpected problems. The food and accommodations were excellent, and the group's atmosphere was always positive and encouraging.I highly recommend Annapurna Foothills to anyone planning a trip to Nepal, whether you're interested in climbing or trekking in the Khumbu or Langtang regions. A special thanks to Ngima for making my first 6000-meter summit a reality. Your expertise and support made this an unforgettable journey.Thank you, Annapurna Foothills, for an amazing adventure! 

Wow!! This trek was incredible !! Everything about it was perfect, it was very well organised, and exactly as described. We had a wonderful guide and porter who were great fun, super supportive and attentive to our needs. The trek was done at a perfect pace for us with some flexibility each day to trek more or less depending how we felt.The views and route we took were breathtaking , I would 100% recommend this company if you want a smooth trekking experience and be looked after very well!!