Mera Peak Summit Day Experience
The summit day is the hardest and the most memorable day of the whole Mera Peak climbing trip. You'll typically rise around midnight or in the wee hours of the morning and begin your climb in complete darkness, lit only by headlamps.
The first section crosses snow and glacier terrain, with your Sherpa guide leading the way and fixing ropes on the steeper bits for safety. As you climb higher, the air gets noticeably thinner, and the pace slows down dramatically. Each step is more effort at this altitude. The final push to the summit is a mixture of steady walking and short steep sections but is not technically challenging in comparison to other Himalayan peaks.
The reward for climbers who reach the summit of Mera Peak at 6461m is one of the most spectacular views in the Himalayas. Five peaks over 8000m can be seen all at once, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Cho Oyu. After enjoying the views for a while at the summit, the group makes the long descent back down to Khare. This means a full day of roughly 8 to 9 hours of climbing and walking combined.
Lukla Flight Information
Flights offset this expense should it come to that. Lukla, the point at which you will start and finish your Mera Peak trek, varies depending on the season and weather conditions during your travels. Because of the high volume of air traffic in Kathmandu, flights can sometimes be diverted to alternative airports during busy trekking seasons (March-May and September-November), although such diversions are less common on the Mera Peak route than on the busier Everest Base Camp trail. Ultimately, airlines determine flight schedules and timing based on weather and traffic conditions on any particular day.
This route is subject to flight delays and diversions, particularly in light of the short runway at Lukla and its susceptibility to fog, wind and low visibility. Because of these factors, we strongly suggest adding a day or two of buffer time into your schedule, especially before you leave the country, to account for any potential disruptions. If flights are delayed for long periods of time, you may need to hire a helicopter to keep to your schedule, and this service is not included in your package. A travel insurance policy with flight delay coverage can help to offset this expense should it come to it.
Food on the Trek
Food on the Mera Peak climbing route is simpler than what you'd find on the busier Everest trails, since this path sees far fewer trekkers and supplies have to be carried over longer distances. There are teahouses along the way that serve basic Nepali food. Dal bhat is the most common and filling.
Most menus will also include noodles and soups, potatoes, and basic bread items. As you make your way up to Khare and beyond, the menu options become limited, so it’s a good idea to take along some personal snacks such as energy bars or dried fruit to give you some extra fuel. Meals normally include hot drinks such as tea, coffee and hot lemon, which are especially appreciated at higher, colder altitudes.
At High Camp, where you'll be in a tented setup, your climbing crew will be making hot meals to keep you fueled for the summit push. At altitude, vegetarian meals are generally recommended because they are easier to digest and reduce the risk of stomach discomfort on the climb.
Accommodation
Accommodation on this trip shifts as you move deeper into the Hinku Valley and closer to Mera Peak. In Kathmandu, you'll stay in a comfortable hotel with two nights included, both before and after the trek. You'll stay in basic lodges and teahouses during the trekking days, from Puiya to Khare.
These are simple, with twin-sharing rooms, shared bathrooms, and minimal heating, so a warm sleeping bag is essential. Facilities become more basic as you gain altitude, since this route is far less developed than the Everest region trails. The most distinct part of the accommodation experience comes at Mera High Camp, where you'll stay in a two-man tented setup at 5,780 meters.
This is proper mountaineering-style camping with sleeping mats and expedition tents for the cold high-altitude conditions. It’s worlds away from the teahouses below, but it’s a crucial part of getting ready for summit day.
Best Time to Climb Mera Peak
The right season is a large factor in how enjoyable and successful your Mera Peak climb is. Many consider the best season to be autumn (late September to November) with stable weather, clear skies and excellent mountain visibility, which is especially important on summit day.
Spring, March through May, is the second best time to go, when the weather is generally good and the added bonus of rhododendron forests in bloom along the lower trails is on offer. The two seasons provide the best conditions for a safe and successful summit attempt.
Winter (Dec - Feb) is possible but a serious cold is an issue, especially at High Camp and on summit day when temperatures can get well below freezing. This season is only recommended for well-prepared, experienced trekkers with proper cold weather gear.
The monsoon season, from June to September, is generally avoided because of heavy rain, low visibility and greater danger of landslides on the lower trekking sections, making it the least suitable time for this climb.
Travel Insurance
Climbing Mera Peak, which is at an extreme altitude of 6,461 meters, means that travel insurance is essential for this trip. Your policy should specifically cover high-altitude trekking and climbing, ideally up to at least 6,500 meters, as many standard travel insurance policies exclude mountaineering activities above certain altitudes.
Emergency helicopter evacuation coverage is especially important, as this may be the only way to get you to safety quickly in the event of altitude sickness, injury or other emergencies at High Camp or near the summit. A good policy should cover more than just evacuation. It should also cover trip cancelations, flight delays to and from Lukla, lost or damaged luggage and general medical expenses.
It is best to buy your insurance well in advance of your departure, as some insurers will require extra processing time or paperwork to provide coverage for high-altitude climbing. This is not included in your package price but having comprehensive insurance in place is important for peace of mind for a trip into truly remote and high-altitude terrain.
Permits
The walk takes place in a protected national park and involves climbing a peak over 6,000 meters, so you will need several permits. We will take care of all the paperwork you need to do on your behalf and the cost is already included in your package.
- Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit—necessary to trek through the park on the way to Mera Peak
- Mera Peak Climbing Permit—issued by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, required for climbing above 6,000 meters
- Garbage Deposit—a mandatory non-refundable environmental deposit for waste management support in the region;
- Local area fees and official paperwork required for the climb are arranged as part of your package.
- Bring copies with you before you travel, as you need two passport-sized photos to process permits.
Packing & Gear List
Climbing Gear
- Plastic shell mountaineering boots with high-altitude liners
- Crampons (steel, not aluminum)
- Alpine climbing harness
- Mountaineering axe with leash, sized for your height
- Ascender and descender devices
- Belay device
- Locking and non-locking carabiners
- Climbing helmet (mandatory)
- Expedition-style gaiters
General Trekking Gear
- Four-season sleeping bag, suitable for High Camp temperatures
- Puffy down jacket
- Daypack, around 35–40 liters, with a rain cover
- Sleeping bag liner
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping mat (for High Camp tented stay)
Upper Body
- Sun hat or cap
- Warm beanie
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection, ideally glacier-rated
Torso
- Base layers, light and heavy weight
- Short and long-sleeve technical shirts
- Waterproof, windproof jacket
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Down jacket for summit day and High Camp
Lower Body
- Base layer bottoms
- Hiking pants
- Comfortable pants for evenings at teahouses
- Waterproof, windproof shell pants
- Insulated climbing pants for summit day
- Hands
- Liner gloves
- Insulated, high-altitude outer gloves for summit day
Feet
- Wool or technical hiking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots for lower trail sections
- Mountaineering boots for High Camp and summit day
- Gaiters for snow and ice sections
Other Essentials
- Passport and extra passport-sized photos
- Reusable water bottle and water purification tablets
- Personal first aid kit and basic medications, including altitude sickness medication
- Sunscreen and lip balm with high SPF
- Toiletries and a quick-dry towel
- Power bank or extra batteries
- Earplugs for noisy teahouses
- Energy snacks or bars for summit day
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a real possibility on this trek, which stretches to just under 6,500m at the summit. A safe climb is a must, and knowing the symptoms and taking the right precautions is part of it.
- Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue, particularly above 4,000 meters.
- The itinerary has a more gradual ascent and shorter walking days around Thaknak and Khare for better acclimatization.
- Proper hydration and slow ascents greatly reduce dizziness.
- Throughout the entire trek, and especially in the days leading up to summit night, guides check the overall condition and oxygen levels.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives at higher altitudes. They can worsen symptoms and can hide early warning signs.
- If symptoms are severe, the only, and best, thing to do is descend immediately.
- Serious cases may be evacuated to higher altitudes, but at an additional cost.
- We strongly recommend that you buy comprehensive travel insurance that includes high-altitude evacuation coverage before you start your climb.
Travel Tips
Since this route is more remote than the more popular Everest trails, a few practical tips can ensure your Mera Peak climbing trip goes smoothly.
- Pack layers rather than a single heavy item, as the temperatures swing dramatically between day and night at altitude
- Break in your trekking and climbing boots well before you go to avoid blisters on long walking days.
- There are no ATMs or card payment options once you leave Kathmandu so bring a sufficient amount of cash in Nepali Rupees with you.
- Bring a reusable water bottle and purification tablets, as bottled water becomes scarce and expensive at higher elevations
- Don’t pay extra for your daypack by sticking to the baggage allowance of the Lukla flight
- You might want to allow an extra day or two at the beginning and end of your trek for any flight delays to and from Lukla.
- Charge electronics in the lower villages whenever possible, as options become limited or expensive beyond Khare.
- This route is less developed than the Everest trails so expect more basic facilities and fewer amenities along the way.
- Physical preparation is more important than technical climbing skills, so work on building stamina and cardiovascular fitness before the trip.
