Mera Peak Climbing

Mera Peak Climbing Highlights

• Reach the highest point of 6,440 m
• Summit the highest trekking peak under Nepal Mountaineering Association’s list of trekking peaks
• Awe at stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu from the summit
• Go off the beaten track to Mera Peak Base Camp from Lukla airport
• Less crowded than Island Peak and Lobuche Peak
• Remote villages of Hinku and Hongu.

Mera Peak is the highest climbing peak in Nepal, with a height of 6,440 ms above sea level. Mera Peak climbing offers stunning views of five different peaks above 8,000 meters. It includes Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.

The climbing route passes through the south of Lukla to the traditional village of Hinku. The unspoiled village, beautified with extended pastures, welcomes every visitor. Daily grazing of yaks, sheep, and yak herds befriends you in your walks.

En route, you walk across the rhododendron and bamboo forest. The exotic routes, stunning glaciers, and panoramic landscape makes it popular among trekkers.

You will also have an amazing view of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga from the peak itself. And the view of snow-covered peaks makes your journey even more remarkable.

This climb involves a walk across glaciers which demands ice axe and crampon skills.

Many prefer this climb before going on the Everest expedition.

Best time to climb Mera Peak

The noted time for this climb involves Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). For this high-altitude climb, you need to choose dry and stable weather. As the weather change in the mountains is swift, you may face difficulty walking in the snow and ice.

Even the snow may block routes, and blizzards may make your trek dangerous. So, collect as much information about the route as possible before climbing.

Experience and physical demands of Mera Peak Climbing

Mera Peak Climbing is an alternative trek to the Everest Base Camp in the Everest Region. This peak with the climbing grade as PD- a little technical, difficult, and walking on Glaciers. Although it is the highest Trekking Peak, you can mount the peak with moderate technical skill. But extreme enthusiasm is what you need the most.

You ascend to higher altitudes from Mera Peak Base Camp at 5,300 meters. Proceed to the High Camp at 5,780 meters and the final Peak at 6,461 meters.

This climb demands moderate fitness and simple training using an ice ax and crampons. Also, some basic knowledge of how to avoid altitude-related sickness and adapt to unpredictable mountain weather.

We train you on how to walk in glaciers, rope fixing, ascending, and descending in the snow. The day of training ensures confidence in you to mount the summit.

Mera Peak Climbing Route

There’s a single route to the summit of Mera Peak. You need to cross several villages of Himalayan Sherpa and spend enough time for acclimatization. The final point you reach before ascending to Mera Peak is the High Camp (5,415 meters).

Or, you can stop at Mera La, hike to the High Camp, and proceed further to the Peak.

You will spend time pre-climbing and training at the camp using crampons and ice axes. Also, the views from High Camp are among the highlights of this climbing. So, starting Mera Peak Climbing from the High Camp is a bonus.

This route also involves high-altitude glacier walking. The climb is challenging yet, adventurous at the same time.

Accommodation and Meals

There are enough tea houses in the route nearby settlement areas. But in higher altitudes, you have to manage in the tents. For tent accommodations, the foam mattress is available.

The tea houses en route offer you a cozy bed along with warm meals. But while camping in tents, our cook prepares hygienic meals for the trekkers. You can enjoy hot meals in the snowy surrounding.

Mera Peak Climbing Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu

• Accommodation: Tea House

Welcome to Kathmandu.  Today you will have the chance to meet some of the team who will accompany you on your climb.  This is also the opportunity to ask questions and make last-minute purchases – such as hiring gear you might want to use on the trip.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla (Flight) to Paiya

• Flight time: 35 to 40 minutes
• Trek time: 5 to 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Depart early for the flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.  The scenery on the way ranges from farmlands to hills and mountains.  It is quite an experience flying into the high-altitude airport at Lukla.  Once the gear is handed over to the porters, set off to the first overnight stop at Paiya.

Day 3: Paiya to Panggom

• Trek time: 5 to 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Crossing a wooden bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, the trail takes you to Kar La Pass.  The trail is often slippery, so care should be taken.

After the pass, enter a Rhododendron and bamboo forest and on to Pangkoma, a typical Sherpa village.  The views of the mountains are astounding and include the Dudh Kund Himal.

Day 4: Panggom to Ningsow

• Trek time: 4 to 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Setting off along a rocky path through a Rhododendron forest, we continue through hills and ridges with the South Face of Mera Peak accompanying us.  There are more forests of pine and Rhododendron, which the trail zigzags through until descending into Ningsow for the night. 

Day 05: Ningsow to Chhatra Khola

• Trek time: 7 to 8 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

There are more Rhododendron forests today, but the trail is steep and narrow. A very typical Nepal mountain path.  Reaching a stream, we come to a stone cave by the water. It is possible to see some wildlife in this forest area.  We continue through the forest to our overnight stop at Chhatra Khola.

Day 06: Chhatra Khola to Kothe

• Trek time: 6 to 7 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

If you are lucky, you might spot wildlife such as sloth bears or jungle cats today as the trail again passes through pine and bamboo forests, home to many of these animals. 

There is a beautiful vantage point showing the  Hinku Valley and great views of Mera Peak.  Interestingly there is another cave – this time one considered holy to Buddhists, which shows the three elements of Buddha.  After lunch, there is a river ridge to follow to Kothe.

Day 07: Kothe to Thaknak

• Trek time: 3 to 4 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

As the altitude rises, today is a shorter walking day with much to see on the way and at the overnight destination.  Walking gently along the ridge of the Hinku River, the trail comes to Lungsumba Gompa, which we have plenty of time to explore.

You might know that gompa is the Tibetan word for the monastery, which you will see a lot of in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. 

This particular gompa is 200 years old.  Today’s landscape is beautiful, with the display of Mera North and other peaks.  After the gompa, it is a short walk to Thaknak.  This is a seasonal village existing only for summer livestock grazing.  There are a few teahouses, and we will spend the night in one of them.

Day 08: Thaknak to Khare

• Trek time: 2 to 3 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Another short walking day over the lateral moraine of the Dig Glacier to the Dig Kharka pasture.  Passing Hinku Nup and Shar Glacier, the trail is very steep but with wonderful views of the mountains, including Charpate Himal and the north face of Mera Peak.  Our tented camp is set up at Khare.

Day 09: Khare Acclimatization and pre-climb training

Today we spent the day training and checking the gear in preparation for the upcoming climb.

Day 10: Khare to Mera High Camp

• Trek time: 6 to 7 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Following the Mera Glacier to Mera Le Pass, we push on to High Camp over rock-strewn trails.  Camp is set up at Mera High Camp in anticipation of the climb.

Day 11: Mera High Camp to Summit and back to Khare

• Trek time: 6 to 7 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

This is the day you have been waiting for! The climb starts around 2 am with breakfast, followed by a 4 to 5-hour hike to reach the summit. Mt Everest, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Chamlang and Baruntse surround you. 

Not to mention several other peaks over 6,000m.  What a wonderful view, amazing photographs, and memories you will have to take home.  After some time, leave the summit and hike back to Khare for a well-deserved rest.

Day 12: Reserve Day for Contingency

One day is kept in case there is bad weather on the summit day or in case of illness in the group. 

Day 13: Khare to Kothe

• Trek time: 4 to 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

After a good breakfast, retrace your steps back to Kothe.  With the experience of summiting Mera Peak under our belts, the valley, glaciers, and pastures seem even more vibrant than before.

Day 14: Kothe to Thuli Kharka

• Trek time: 5 to 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

Goodbye rocky terrain and hello again, Rhododendron, bamboo, and pine forests.  We follow the Hinku River ridge with views of Mera Peak, reminding us of our accomplishments.

Day 15: Thuli Kharla to Lukla via Zatrwa La pass

• Trek time: 6 to 7 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House

It takes a couple of hours to reach the pass and cross it; we say goodbye to the Makalu Barun National Park and hello to Lukla Valley on display before us.  This is the last night of the adventure before the flight back to Kathmandu.  We also say goodbye to the crew who are not returning with us. 

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu

Today the early morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu in time for some shopping and relaxation.

Day 17: Final Departure

This is the end of your trip to climb Mera Peak, and it was an adventure!  We will ensure you arrive at the airport on time if you leave Nepal.  We can assist you with your next tour or trek if you stay longer. 

Includes

Equipments

These are basic climbing equipment you will need in your climb. But as per your convenience, you can add extra lists you think will be demanded in the trek.

• Trekking equipment
• Climbing helmet
• Climbing boot
• Crampons
• Climbing harness
• Ascending device
• Descending device
• Ice axe
• Carabiners
• Prusik loop
• Tape sling
• Gloves
• Down jackets
• Waterproof jackets and trousers
• Sunglasses

Note: All the climbing equipment are available at the base camp for Magical Nepal clients.

Mera Peak Climbing FAQ

Mera Peak Climbing Map

Related Trip in Everest Region

Everest View Trek | Everest Base Camp Trek | Gokyo Chola Pass EBC Trek | Everest Three Pass Trek | Jiri To Everest Base Camp Trek | Island Peak Climbing | Lobuche Peak Climbing | Mera And Island Peak Climbing | Mera Peak Climbing | Baruntse Expedition | Everest Helicopter Tour