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19 days
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Everest
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Strenuous
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6,476 m
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From 1 person
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Peak climbing
Highlights
- Summit of Mera Peak (6,476 m), the highest trekking peak in Nepal
- Views of five 8,000 m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga
- The remote Hinku valley, far from the busy Everest trails
- Glacier walking with crampons and fixed ropes on summit day
- Training with an experienced climbing guide before the summit
- Return over Zatrwa La to Lukla
Overview
Mera Peak (6,476 m) is the highest trekking peak in Nepal and one of the best first summits above 6,000 m. From Lukla the route heads south and east over Pangkongma La and Ramailo Danda into the remote Hinku valley, through quiet forest with few other trekkers.
After acclimatization days in Thaknak and Khare, with glacier training in Khare, you cross Mera La to High Camp and climb to the summit on glacier slopes, with views of five 8,000 m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga. The trip returns to Lukla over Zatrwa La.
Short on time? Our 17-day Short Mera Peak Climbing follows the same route without the free day in Kathmandu and the reserve day.
Know before you go
Best time to go
The climbing seasons are spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to November). Autumn usually has the most stable weather and the clearest views, while spring is slightly warmer on summit day.
Winter brings severe cold and strong winds high on the mountain, and during the monsoon the views are poor and snow conditions unreliable. We only run climbs in the main seasons.
Difficulty and fitness
Mera Peak is a strenuous but technically straightforward climb. You reach the summit on glacier slopes, roped together and wearing crampons, with a short steeper section near the top. Summit day takes eight to ten hours from High Camp.
The main challenge is the altitude. You should be in very good physical condition, comfortable with long days and ideally have trekked above 4,000 m before. No previous climbing experience is required.
Preparation and equipment
Before summit day our climbing guide runs a training session on using crampons, ice axe, harness, ascender and fixed ropes.
You need warm layers, a down jacket, mountaineering boots and personal climbing gear (harness, crampons, ascender and helmet), which can be rented in Kathmandu. We check your equipment with you before departure. Cardio training, long hill walks and strength exercises in the two to three months before the trip are strongly recommended.
Permits
You need a Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit and a Mera Peak climbing permit.
We arrange all permits for you before the trip. See Includes/Excludes for what is covered in the price.
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal. On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Pikey Sherpa Adventure representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Your climbing guide checks your gear, helps arrange any rental equipment and completes the climbing permit, followed by a briefing on the climb. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu (1,400 m).
A free day in Kathmandu lets you recover from the journey and prepare for the trek. You can visit sights such as Boudhanath or Pashupatinath, or pick up any last items of equipment in Thamel. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu (1,400 m).
An early-morning mountain flight takes you to Lukla, where you meet your team. Instead of heading north, the trail leads south through quiet forest and small farming settlements, far from the busier Everest route. Please note: in the main seasons (March–May and October–November), Lukla flights usually depart from Manthali airport in Ramechhap, about a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, so the day starts very early. Overnight in a teahouse in Paiya (2,730 m).
Today you cross Kari La, with the trail winding through rhododendron and bamboo forest and offering views back towards the high peaks. A gradual walk then brings you to the village of Pangkongma. Overnight in a teahouse in Pangkongma (2,846 m).
You climb to Pangkongma La and cross into the Hinku side, a remote and less visited region. The trail continues along forested ridges to Ramailo Danda, a high clearing with the first good views of Mera Peak. Overnight in a teahouse in Ramailo Danda (3,276 m).
The trail descends through dense rhododendron and bamboo forest to the river at Chhatra Khola, on the way into the Hinku valley. It is a quiet stretch with simple teahouses and few other trekkers. Overnight in a teahouse in Chhatra Khola (2,800 m).
The trail heads north up the Hinku valley, following the river through forest and past small herders' settlements. The day ends at Kothe, a riverside settlement below the peaks of the upper valley. Overnight in a teahouse in Kothe (3,600 m).
The trail follows the Hinku Khola upstream, passing the small Gondishung gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in the area. The valley opens out as you reach the summer grazing settlement of Thaknak, with Mera Peak coming into view. Overnight in a teahouse in Thaknak (4,350 m).
A rest day in Thaknak helps your body adjust before you go higher. Your guide leads a short hike to a viewpoint above the village, following the principle of climbing high and sleeping low, before you return to rest. Overnight in a teahouse in Thaknak (4,350 m).
A shorter day takes you beside the Dig Glacier, with impressive views of the surrounding peaks, up to Khare. Walk slowly and keep drinking, as you are now at high altitude. Overnight in a teahouse in Khare (5,045 m).
A rest day in Khare allows your body to adjust before the climb. Your climbing guide leads a glacier training session covering fixed ropes, ascenders, crampons and rope travel, so you are confident with the equipment for the days ahead. Overnight in a teahouse in Khare (5,045 m).
Today you rope up and climb onto the glacier to cross Mera La, then continue up the snow to high camp. High camp sits on a rocky outcrop with remarkable views, and you rest early ahead of the summit. Overnight in a tented camp at High Camp (5,780 m).
You set off in the pre-dawn hours, roped together and wearing crampons, climbing steady glacier slopes towards the summit (6,476 m) with your climbing guide. From the top there are views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other giants, before a long descent back to Khare, a day of eight to ten hours or more. Overnight in a teahouse in Khare (5,045 m).
A spare day in case bad weather or snow conditions delay the summit. If it is not needed, you rest in Khare or begin the descent at an easier pace. Overnight in a teahouse in Khare (5,045 m).
You retrace your steps down the Hinku valley, with the thicker air making the walking easier. It is a pleasant day of descent back to the riverside settlement of Kothe. Overnight in a teahouse in Kothe (3,600 m).
The trail climbs through forest on the western side of the Hinku valley, gaining height towards the pass you will cross tomorrow. The day ends at the small settlement of Thuli Kharka. Overnight in a teahouse in Thuli Kharka (4,300 m).
You climb to Zatrwa La (4,610 m), the last pass of the trek, with wide views over the Lukla valley. A long, steep descent then leads down to Lukla, where you can celebrate the end of the trek with your team. Overnight in a teahouse in Lukla (2,860 m).
An early-morning flight takes you back from Lukla to Kathmandu, with a final look at the mountains from the air. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free to relax, explore or celebrate with your team. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu (1,400 m).
Your trip ends today. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few free hours for last-minute shopping or a final stroll, before a Pikey Sherpa Adventure representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.
