Mera Peak - 6470 meters / 21220 feet
Mera Peak is officially the highest among all 18 permitted trekking peaks. Mera Peak rises approx. 11 kilometers to the south of Mt. Everest. Climbing Mera Peak is moderately challenging, and for many first-time Nepal climbers Mera Peak offers a thrilling opportunity to try some Himalayan rock and ice. The climb is not too technical except you will need good adaptation to altitude and some basic experience with climbing equipment, including ice axe and crampons. As always, the key to a successful trip at high altitude is a slow start and plenty of time to acclimatize.
The approach trek up to Mera Peak gives us the opportunity to explore both the rich Sherpa culture and the wilderness areas of the Hinku Valley. The trek can be started at Phaplu airstrip, Lukla airstrip or Tumlingtar airstrip after 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu. Our trekking staff will meet you at any of these remote airstrips.
We will walk through lush green hills, forests of rhododendrons and bamboo, and deep river gorges. Our Sherpa staff will set a base and high camps to allow preparing for the summit and resting.
he trek and climb of Mera Peak is fully supported with everything we need for each day. Our Sherpa climbers, if necessary, can train less experienced (but physically fit) trekkers on how to use ice axe and crampons. Our responsive Sherpa staff will make sure that the fixed rope is set up properly, and assist all the climbers to reach the summit.
Our Sherpa family guides are well trained in both ice and snow climbing; most have been climbing high peaks for at least 15 years. Some of those high peaks include Everest, Makalu, Dhaulagiri and KanchEnjunga. Nepal Sherpa Treks family trek and guide staff are well trained, responsible, pro-safety, and pro-security.
As a small Sherpa family-operated trekking company with low overhead, Nepal Sherpa Treks is able to serve individuals and small groups on flexible schedules. Our family staff guide treks and climbs not only at peak season, but all year round, weather permitting.
Please contact at mingmar@nstrekking.com in Kathmandu, if we may offer you a price quote on a climbing trek to Island Peak or Mera Peak that fits in your travel schedule.
Mera Peak itinerary
Here is a classic Mera Peak itinerary provided by NST. We can make custom adjustments to this itinerary. Ask us about your special interests:
Day 1: Arrive in Lukla, get organized and start walking about 4 hours east from Lukla. The trail passes through small villages in "Pharak" or the middle Sherpa homeland between Shar-Khumbu and Khumbu. The trail goes into evergreen forest below the Kalo Himal Ridge. There are many streams called "Chutanga" (small waters) and nice camping places near the streams.
Day 2: We cross Kalo Himal Ridge which is the divider between Khumbu and Hinku Valley. One pass is called Zatrwa La (15,000 ft) that is used by yak caravans. Too much snow might make this trail not possible for porters carrying heavy loads; if we have snow we will take a different trail; so stay with your guide! If the sky is clear, you can see a very nice view across the Dudh Kosi (milk river) towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal (himal means snow).
Day 3: Path goes downward to see nice view of Hinku Valley and also South Face of Mera Peak. After walking through big evergreen trees, we go down steep trail into Hinku Valley. This forest is very pretty with many large Himalayan pine and in spring blooming rhododendron.
Day 4: Today the big trees will go behind us and we see a wide open alpine valley. This place is only for grazing goat and yak; nobody has a permanent house up here. There is a wood-plank bridge (maybe slippery) at Gondishung. Next we meet Tangnag village which has some huts and fields with stone walls. It is a lot of work for local people to clear stones and keep building walls! Gondishung has gompa and mani wall. You can see Mera Peak west face very big and clear when you are walking on the trail.
Day 5: Walking up, up and then flattening out until village called Dig Khare (16,440 ft). Camping place is here.
Day 6: We stay at Dig Khare for one Acclimatization Day. You can relax today! Maybe if you like, look around.
Day 7: Walk up to Mera La (17,767ft) from Khare. You can see many chorten and mani flags and beginning view of Mera Glacier. We need crampons for glacier and using rope up because of crevasses. Your guides will make sure all equipment is properly used.
Day 8: High camp (19,070ft). We drink many hot drinks to help out bodies acclimatize. You are very high up today, so watch your body health.
Day 9: At 2 a.m., cook will serve a quick bed tea with little breakfast. Then we go for summit (at 21,247 ft). The view from Mera Peak summit is famous for big and beautiful view. You can see five 8000-meter peaks from this cool place. We go back down pretty fast.
Day 10: Extra day made in our schedule in case bad weather or flight delay.
Day 11: Mera La to Tangnag: Back to Day 4 place. Much faster going the down way!
Day 12: Tangnag to Tashing Ongma. Nice camping place near riverside.
Day 13: Tashing Ongma to Tuli Kharka: Now tougher trekking day because we climb up to Tuli Kharka. Today we look back for final view of Mera Peak.
Day 14: Tuli Kharka to Lukla: Little up on trail, then mainly down to Lukla. Lots of entertainment in Lukla, many Sherpa shops and restaurants for you to enjoy.
Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu
Planning Note: Please allow at least one extra day in Kathmandu before for issuing climbing permit AND at least one extra day in Kathmandu after the trek, in case of trek or flight delay.
Price varies somewhat by season, price of fuel, Nepal inflation, and other vicissitudes of life. Please contact at mingmar@nstrekking.com for a personalized price quote.
Nepal Sherpa Treks does custom Itineraries!
NST can quote you best price for custom itineraries including inner-Nepal transport, guides, porters, and lodging as well as Kathmandu Hotel, and Jungle Safari elephant safari, and more!
