Overview
Mera Peak (6,476m) is well known as the highest trekking peak in Nepal. This impressive mountain is located on the edge of the famous Khumbu region which is steeped in mountaineering history. Mera Peak was first climbed in 1953 by Jimmy Roberts as part of the extensive exploration which took place in the region at the time.
We like to take the less travelled route to Mera Peak Base Camp. After an exciting flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, we head south to the remote region of the Hinku Valley. We trek through Pangkongma and Nashing Dingma villages getting to enjoy the sites and sounds of traditional Nepalese life. This route brings us around, rather than over the Zatrwa La Pass (4,630m). Proper acclimatisation is a key factor in a successful summit attempt on Mera Peak and adapting this route plays a key role in ensuring the team is properly acclimatised before pushing for higher elevations. We spend 11 days trekking to Base Camp, visiting ancient monasteries along the way and allowing for two rest and acclimatisation days to ensure we arrive fresh and ready to take on the challenge ahead.
Once we arrive at Mera Peak it is a technically straightforward mountain to climb. The main challenges being proper acclimatisation, weather and snow conditions. Our itinerary includes spare summit days to facilitate these adverse conditions and ensure we can make our push for the summit in the best possible weather window. Poor snow conditions can make the summit day very challenging but the view from the summit is one of the best in all the Himalayas. On a clear day we will be able to see hundreds of huge peaks; including five of the world’s six highest peaks, Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Cho You (8,201m), Makalu (8,481m) and Kangchenjunga (8,586m).
Mera Peak is ideal for those with a good level of fitness and a keen sense of adventure! Previous experience on mountains above 5,000m is essential. Treks like Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, or Everest Base Camp are ideal experiences for this.
We are the only company in the world who send an International guide and doctor on our Mera Peak (6,476m) expeditions while keeping group sizes sustainably small. Sending an international guide and doctor on all our Mera Peak treks allows us to deliver an unrivalled level of safety and service for each and every one of our clients. Having smaller group sizes allows us to minimise our environmental impact and foster a stronger team dynamic.
If you want to know what the day-by-day trek is like on Mera Peak, you can have a look at our trip report from a recent expedition!
Itinerary
Day 3
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, 35 minutes; Trek Lukla to Poyan, 6 hrs
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Fly to Lukla and trek to Poyan. Altitude 2,730m.
Day 4
Poyan to Panggom, 8 hrs
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We start the day descending and arrive to Kharte by lunch. In the afternoon we ascend to Panggom. Altitude 2,846m.
Day 5
Panggom to Najingdingma, 8 hrs
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We begin with an hour long ascent to reach the Narkung La pass (3,180m) which offers our first views of Mera Peak, if the weather is clear. We trek along the Hinku Hola river to Najingdingma. Altitude 2,600m.
Day 6
Najingdingma to Chalemkharka, 6 hrs
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We ascend a steep path to reach the tree covered ridge line above the village and follow it all the way to Chalemkharka. The views from the ridge of the surrounding landscape are fantastic. Altitude 3,600m.
Day 8
Chalemkharka to Kholakharka via the Kongke Luchho La pass (4,450m), 7 hrs
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Most of the day is spent climbing to the Kongke Luchho La pass where we get views of Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Makalu (8,485m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m) the world’s 3rd, 5th & 6th highest mountains before descending to Kholakharka. Altitude 4,200m.
Day 9
Kholakharka to Khote, 6 hrs
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From Kholakharka we ascend for almost an hour before descending all the way to the Hinku Khola river and our tea house in Khote. Altitude 3,582m.
Day 11
Tangnag to Khare, 3hrs
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From Tangnag the trail follows a large lateral moraine before a final sharp ascent to Khare. Altitude 4,900m.
Day 13
Khare to Base Camp, 2hrs
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After a relaxed morning in Khare, we take the short hike to Base Camp. Overnight camp. Altitude 5,200m.
Day 14
Base Camp to High Camp, 6hrs
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We trek from Base Camp to High Camp, mostly on snow. Overnight camp. Altitude 5,800m.
Day 15
Summit Day! 12-14 hrs
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We climb Mera Peak, the highest trekking peak in Nepal! Altitude 6,476m. Descend to Khare.
Day 16
Spare Summit Day
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Spare days to allow for bad weather. In the event that we summit Mera Peak on Day 15 we will begin the descent back to Lukla on Day 16.
Day 17
Spare Summit Day
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Spare days to allow for bad weather. In the event that we summit Mera Peak on Day 15 we will begin the descent back to Lukla on Day 16.
Day 18
Khare to Kothe, 6 hrs.
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We retrace our steps all the way back to the oxygen rich air in Kothe. Overnight tea house. Altitude 3,582m.
Day 19
Kothe to Thuli Kharka, 8 hrs
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From Kothe we descend along the Hinku Khola river, before ascending to reach Thuli Kharka. Altitude 4,300m.
Day 20
Thuli Kharla to Lukla via the Zatrwa La Pass, 8 hrs
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From Thuli Kharla we climb steadily to reach the Zatrwa La Pass (4,600m) before descending to Lukla. Altitude 2,850m.
Day 21
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu, rest followed by evening celebration meal
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We fly back to Kathmandu in the morning. Enjoy a special celebratory meal in the evening. Overnight hotel.
Facts
Mera Peak was first climbed in 1953 by Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing.
The mountainous north of Nepal is home to eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. It is also home to more than 240 peaks over 6,000 metres above sea level.
Nepal is a small landlocked country located high in the Himalayas in between its two powerhouse neighbours India and China. Nepal is a hub for adventure tourism due to its pristine natural resources but despite being visited by hundreds of thousands each year it is still one of the poorest countries in the world.
Napalese people don’t usually greet each other by a shake of hands or hug. They hold both of their palms, bow down and say ‘Namaste’. Mythically this means that they salute the God living inside the soul.
The national flag of Nepal is the world's only non-quadrilateral national flag. The two triangles represent the Himalayan Mountains and the two major religions Hinduism and Buddhism.
Many say that the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is an adventure in itself. The scenic journey sees you swoop through beautiful valleys alongside Everest before landing on the short runway. In January 2008 Lukla airport was renamed in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
