Thuli Kharka: The Last High Night on the Mera Peak Climb

Last updated 10 October 2026.

Thuli Kharka is the open pasture at 4,300 m where our Mera Peak climb spends its second-to-last night. It sits on a ridge above the Hinku valley with a long view of Mera Peak, and the next morning you cross the Zatrawa La and walk down to Lukla. On our Mera Peak Climbing, 14 days, you sleep here on day 12.

Short answer: Thuli Kharka is at 4,300 m (14,108 ft). From Kothe (3,600 m) it is 10 km and 5 to 6 hours, with 700 m of climbing. The next day is 15 km and 6 to 7 hours to Lukla (2,860 m), over the Zatrawa La at 4,600 m, with a descent of about 1,440 m. It is a quiet place with open views, and a good last night in the high country.

Thuli Kharka at a glance

Where does Thuli Kharka sit on our Mera Peak climb?

It is the night of day 12 on the Mera Peak Climbing, 14 days. The sequence is long and gradual: you fly to Lukla and walk the southern approach through Paiya and Pangkoma to Kothe on day 5, up to Thaknak and then Khare at 5,045 m, climb to the high camp at 5,780 m and summit Mera Peak (6,476 m) on day 10, and return to Khare. Day 11 takes you back down to Kothe. Thuli Kharka follows on day 12, and Lukla on day 13. Day 14 is the flight to Kathmandu.

Thuli Kharka comes two nights after the summit day. It is where you stop being a climber and start being a walker again.

What is the walk from Kothe to Thuli Kharka like?

You start early from Kothe. The trail begins with a gentle climb through dense forest, with tall pine and rhododendron trees making a shaded path. As you gain height it opens out along the western side of the Hinku valley, with wide views of the mountains, rivers and valleys around you. The itinerary calls it a day of 5 to 6 hours, 10 km, and about 700 m of climbing. That is a real climb after the summit and a long descent to Kothe, so take it easy and drink well.

What is there to see at Thuli Kharka?

The view. Thuli Kharka is known for its wide panorama. From here you can see Mera North, Mera Central and the southern face of Mera Peak, the mountain you have just climbed. The ground around the camp is open pasture, often used by local herders and their yaks. It is quiet. Spend the afternoon resting, taking photographs and looking back at the route. If you want to understand the valley you have just walked through, read my notes on Mera Peak.

What happens the next day?

The day to Lukla is long. The trail climbs to the Kalo Himal ridge through forest, open hills and steep paths, with long views back over the Hinku valley, snow-covered peaks and terraced fields below. The high point is the Zatrawa La at 4,600 m. After the pass the trail drops gradually to Chutanga, through thick forest, past streams and small traditional villages, and the day ends in Lukla, where you spend your last night in the trekking region. The itinerary gives 15 km and 6 to 7 hours, with a descent of about 1,440 m. It is hard on the knees, so bring poles.

How do we handle the altitude at Thuli Kharka?

By now you are well acclimatised. You have spent days above 5,000 m, and Thuli Kharka at 4,300 m is a step down, so the nights should feel easier than at Khare. It is still a high place, and the nights are cold. Drink water, eat well, and tell your guide about any headache. Buy travel insurance at home that covers helicopter evacuation to 6,000 m. Mera Peak is a real climb at 6,476 m, and your insurance must say so.

What do you need to know about permits?

We arrange and include the NMA climbing permit (the royalty is USD 350 in spring and USD 175 in autumn, winter and summer), the Makalu-Barun National Park entry fee, the local fees collected on the trail, and your TIMS card. The garbage fee for the climb is included in the price. Permits need 48 hours in government working days. You cannot climb alone. My Mera Peak cost and permits guide has the numbers.

When is the best time to be at Thuli Kharka?

For 2027, the two climbing seasons are spring, March to May, and autumn, October to November. Spring is the main season, warmer with stable snow on the summit slope, and it is the busier one. Autumn is clear and cold, and the NMA royalty is lower. December to February is very cold with high wind on the summit, and I would only plan it for an experienced team. If you are weighing it against another peak, read Mera Peak or Island Peak.

Questions people ask

How high is Thuli Kharka? Our itinerary gives 4,300 m, which is 14,108 ft.

How long is the walk from Kothe to Thuli Kharka? 5 to 6 hours and 10 km, with about 700 m of climbing.

What can you see from Thuli Kharka? Mera North, Mera Central and the southern face of Mera Peak.

How high is the Zatrawa La? 4,600 m. You cross it the morning after Thuli Kharka.

How long is the walk from Thuli Kharka to Lukla? 6 to 7 hours and 15 km, with a descent of about 1,440 m.

Do I need to be fit for Thuli Kharka? The Mera climb is graded technically challenging. Thuli Kharka is the gentle end of it, but the days around it are long.

Is Thuli Kharka the same route as the Everest Base Camp trek? No. It is in the Hinku valley, south of Lukla and away from the Base Camp crowds.

How are the terms for this climb?

Group size is 2 to 20, and you can also trek solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 7 days notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and your climbing experience and the month you have in mind. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.