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17 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 Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kangchenjunga from the summit
- The remote Hinku valley and the lakes below Mera
- Crossing the Zatrwa La pass (4,600 m) back to Lukla
- Two days shorter than our classic Mera Peak Climbing
Overview
Short Mera Peak Climbing takes you to the summit of Mera Peak (6,476 m), the highest trekking peak in Nepal, in 17 days. After a flight to Lukla you trek through the quiet forests and villages of the Hinku valley to Khare, with acclimatization days at Thaknak and Khare.
From High Camp you climb a long, non-technical glacier to the summit, with one of the widest views in the Himalaya, including five of the six highest mountains in the world. You return over the Zatrwa La pass to Lukla. Our classic 19-day Mera Peak Climbing adds a free day in Kathmandu and a reserve day for bad weather.
Know before you go
Best time to go
Spring (April and May) and autumn (late September to November) are the best seasons for the climb, with stable weather and the best snow conditions. Autumn brings the clearest skies after the monsoon.
Winter (December to February) is very cold on the summit and the monsoon (June to August) brings cloud and snow, so we do not recommend climbing outside the main seasons.
Difficulty and fitness
This is a strenuous trip that combines a high-altitude trek with a guided climb on snow and ice. Summit day is long, usually eight to twelve hours, and you climb with crampons, a harness and fixed ropes. No previous climbing experience is needed, but you must be fit and comfortable walking for several days at altitude.
This version has no reserve day for bad weather, so the summit day cannot be moved if the weather is poor. Training with long hikes, stairs and strength exercise in the months before the trip is important. Insurance must cover climbing above 6,000 m.
Permits
You need a Makalu Barun National Park 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).
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).
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.
