Mera Peak is a classic peak to climb in the Himalayas standing at 21,246 feet above sea level. This page is designed to help you understand all you need to know about climbing Mera Peak. There are many reasons to climb Mera Peak, the main one is the Mera Peak region of Nepal has some of the best Himalayan mountain viewing. Check out our upcoming climbing dates.
Everything Mera Peak
Once you move higher on Mera Peak you will be captivated by Mount Everest. The lower trails have a great mix Sherpa culture and small rural villages The Everest region of Nepal is one massive horse shoe of mountains. Mera Peak sits on the south eastern side of the Everest region. This region of Nepal is rich in culture, world class mountain viewing, monasteries and the unique and amazing Sherpa people.
Don’t trust us? Read some REVIEWS from our trips.
Top 10 Tips for Mera Peak
If you want to be successful on Mera Peak you need to a few very specific things in place. We manage most of these things, you just need to show up in the best physical shape possible. When you are finished reading this page you can check out our top tips.
Over the past fifteen years of running quality Mera Peak climbs, we have compiled a list of everything you need to know about the trek and climb. This information is to help you discover everything you need to know about climbing Mera Peak, including how to prepare and what to expect from the trip.
We run over 6 trips a year to Mera Peak, with the same team of guides and staff. GET IN TOUCH today for more information, and sign up to one of our unique itineraries!
More about the Mera Peak
First things first, Mera Peak is a mountain in the Mahalangur section, Barun sub-section of the Himalaya and administratively in Nepal’s Sagarmatha Zone.
What is so special about it? Firstly, Mera Peak is 19.5miles from Mount Everest and stand alone peak with one of the great Mount Everest views. From the summit of Mera Peak you can see five of the six highest mountains in the world.
Secondly, the mountaineering experience. Mera Peak sits at the end of a stunning valley with world class mountain viewing on either side. Climbers have ventured into this valley for 50 years, looking to be inspired by the magical surrounding peaks.
And last but not least, the primary reason for people trek into this high Alpine valley lies at its very end – the magnificent Peak, Mera Peak surrounded by glaciers. Mera Peak is also surrounded by 7,000m and 8,000m peaks.
Mera Peak Base Camp
We have developed the best itinerary for optimal acclimatization and we lead you slowly to Khare 4,950m/ 16,240 feet. Khare is where we spend 3 nights for acclimatization and additional training. We will also look at the weather forecast and look for an optimal time for the summit push
In addition to 3 nights in Khare, we have 2 nights at Mera Peak Base Camp 5,300m/ 17,388 feet feet. With this much acclimatization we have so many options for making a summit attempt. We actually have the potential for 3 difference attempts.
Once you arrive at Mera Peak Base Camp at 5,300m you still have a 1,176m/ 3,858 feet ascent to the summit. This is why we use Mera Peak High Camp 5,900m/ 19,357 feet. Having 3 nights in Khare, additional Base Camp nights, then using High Camp offers our clients the best acclimatization program for safety and success.
How Many Days Does the Mera Peak Climb Take?
No matter how many times we have been on this wonderful mountain, we are still stunned and in awe of these majestic mountains.
In total, we run approximately 6 expeditions to Mera Peak each year. Our most favorite and popular Mera Peak tour includes trekking to south to Poyan 2,800m/ 9,186 feet, to Pangkongma, Chalem Kharka 3,600m/ 11,811 feet. On Day 7 we take you into Khote 3,600m/ 11,811 feet. This is the best route to Mera Peak.
21-Day Unique Mera Peak Climb
Our Mera Peak itinerary offers our teams plenty of time to explore unique villages, valley’s and spectacular mountain scenery without having to rush. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so having the time to fully appreciate the beauty and spiritual connection of this remote region makes for an unforgettable trip.
The Island Peak Climb
Our classic Himalayan climb generously includes three potential summit nights. This is all weather dependent. It also depends the physical ability of clients. We will decide our strategy based on weather and safety for all team members.
Although climbing Mera Peak isn’t the most challenging climb in the world, it’s not a walk in the park either. The steep terrain, extreme altitude and glacier travel on this trip require you to have excellent mountain conditioning. It’s vital to prepare oneself before climbing Mera Peak. We’ll talk more about Mera Peak preparations in a moment.
Becoming More Self-Sufficient
Firstly, you need to come to Mera Peak feeling comfortable with the glacier travel and basic mountaineering techniques. You need to be comfortable using crampons and really understand the how to efficiently move on steep glacial terrain.
Secondly, our goal is to re-enforce this skill set, educate, develop and ensure the highest safety and give the best chance at the summit.
Thirdly, we have a maximum group size of 8 climbers with highly experienced Sherpa Team running back-to-back trips managing our consistency and safety.
Finally, we will manage some training and refresh your knowledge on using an ice axe, crampons and managing yourself roped to other climbers. Read some reviews from our trips.
Gearing up for Summit Night
I will wear different layers depending on the month I am climbing. March will be colder than May. November will be colder than September. If you need to consider which month you plan on climbing and adjust your gear accordingly. Watch our packing video.
I always use my double mountaineering boots on with my thicker mountaineering sock on Mera Peak. 260 merino base layer with down vest, Gore-Tex shell when it is windy. Sometimes I use an insulted layer on my lower body.
Work with 4 layers, you can mix and mash layers as needed. We recommend having liner gloves, bigger well insulted gloves. Make sure you have a light hat that fits on or under my helmet, with polar buff or neoprene face mask to cover my mouth high on the mountain. We send you a full itemized kit list on signing up.
We will wake up at 12:30am and start drinking water. I usually like to drink a couple of liters before I leave. At 1am or 1:30am our staff will bring a light breakfast with tea or coffee.
Moving onto the Glacier
Around 1:30am or just before we leave our staff will help with filling up your Nalgene bottle or bottles with boiling water. I always carry 2 liters of water with me on the summit night.
We will move onto the glacier in small groups. The route is 30 degree angle out of camp and a few hours in the route turns into a 40 degree angle. Once you start it can take 5 hours to reach the summit of Mera Peak.
It normally take 2 hours to return back to Mera Peak High Camp from the summit.
Retracing Your Steps
The other benefit of Mera Peak high camp is that we have an established camp with backup staff and resources if needed. Once we return to high camp, we usually pack up our gear and move to Khare.
If we are late in the day, we have the option of returning to Mera Peak Base Camp for the night. It takes an additional 3 hours to make our way back down to Khare for the night. This can be a 10 to 12 hour summit night and day.
Mera Peak Permits
You do not need to worry about permits. Weeks before the trip our full time staff on the ground in Kathmandu will manage this through the Nepal mountaineering association.
Securing an Mera Peak permit is only possible through a certified tour company, such as Ian Taylor Trekking.
What Is the Best Time to Climb Mera Peak?
When you’re thinking about booking your Mera Peak climb, you can either choose between climbing it during the dry seasons and wet season. The two differ immensely, so it’s important to consider their pros and cons.
Dry Seasons (March – May and October – December)
There are two main dry seasons. The early season climbing in Nepal is from March to May. The season dry season is from October to December. The most significant advantage is, of course, a significantly reduced chance of rain.
Trekking and climbing Mera Peak in the rain and snow makes it an even more challenging climb, so picking one of our dry season expeditions is probably the best choice.
On the other hand, the dry season coincides with the peak tourism seasons in Nepal. That means a lot more hikers and climbers on the trail. Additionally, with more people interested in climbing in April, May and October, you will need to book your trip further in advance.
Wet Season (June – September)
The wet season in Nepal spans from June to September. During this period, the trial is much less crowded, especially when it comes to exploring this region of Nepal. The temperatures are also slightly warmer and more humid. It’s not a great time to be on the trail and mountain viewing can be very limited.
However, the wet season means that you are more likely to hike in the rain, making the trail more slippery and challenging. Hiking in the rain for the whole day can also be a pain, especially if you aren’t equipped with a top-quality rain jacket.
Preparing for Your Mera Peak Climb
We take the trek and climb of Mera Peak seriously and you should too. There are a range of factors that will determine your success. Firstly, you need an itinerary with plenty of acclimatization using Mera Peak Base Camp and High Camp.
Secondly, you need to develop a training plan relevant to the specific elements of the trip. Finally, make sure you understand that you will be roped to other climbers and need to come physically prepared. Read more.
Building your endurance training can be done by gradually increasing time to your cardiovascular training sessions. For instance, before you go you should be training for and hour and a half per day, five days a week.
This should be done while trying to keep a consistent heart rate in your endurance zone. This should be done with weight. Likewise, you will want to include a longer session or hike once a week, spending up to 6 hours hiking up and down hills, further building your strength and endurance.
However, it is not a one size fits all type of training and it may be different for each person. Do a fitness test so you can be more efficient in your training and preparation. We are available to help you get the right training for Mera Peak.
Do you have the Correct Equipment?
And lastly, there’s the case of preparing high-quality equipment. So yes, there’s a lot to consider when preparing for your Mera Peak climb. Watch our packing video.
Yes, we will send you an full itemized kit list for this expedition.
Pick the Right Itinerary to Match Your Ability
Firstly, you need to do is pick the right itinerary. There is no one size fits all solution. The trail and climb can be challenging, and therefore, you should consider adding more days to your itinerary.
If you are a semi-professional mountaineering you should consider other options and our itinerary and service would not be for you. Do not underestimate the lack of oxygen when picking an itinerary.
Therefore, you need to make sure you pick the proper acclimatization schedule and days for the Mera Peak climb to safely make your way through and experience. Choosing the right itinerary is vital for a safe, enjoyable, and successful experience in a low-oxygen environment higher up the trail on Mera Peak.
If you fail to acclimatize well, then you run the risk of getting altitude sickness higher up. And trust us when we say it’s not the most pleasant thing to experience on Mera Peak. Make sure you have helicopter evacuation cover.
How to be Successful When Trekking at Altitude
It goes without saying the critical training is managed months before showing up in Nepal. There are few things you need correctly on the trail and climb.
Breathing techniques, low heart rates, excellent hydration, and pacing are all extremely important in order to be safe and successful. Also, you need excellent physical conditioning to be able to walk up and down thousands of feet with a weighted back pack at high altitude.
We can help you with this. DROP US AN E-MAIL today and get access to our Mera Peak professionals. Most of our office staff have personally climbed Mera peak. Pick up the phone and speak to us. We have the climbing team, experience, and knowledge to help you come fully prepared for your Mera Peak climb.
Useful Links
We have added some useful links below that will aid in your planning and preparation for your trek and climb of Mera Peak. We have successfully led hundreds of people through these majestic mountains on their way to Mera Peak.
The following links will aid in your preparation for the trip as well! And if you want to learn more about climbing Mera Peak, don’t hesitate to CALL US and find out everything you need for your specific expedition.
All you Need to Know About Climbing Mera Peak
1). Pick the best acclimatization itinerary for your Mera Peak climb
2). Get training and learn the best way to prepare for climbing Mera Peak
3). Get FREE constant advice from our professional team
4). Have the right clothing and gear for your Mera Peak climb
5). Pacing each day on the trail is critical to success on Mera Peak
6). Why hydration is critical at high altitude and in low oxygen environments
7). What sort of food will I get on the trek and Mera Peak climb
8). Read our Top 10 Tips for a successful Mera Peak climb
9). What vaccinations should you consider for your Mera Peak climb
10). What type of trekking boots should you have for your Mera Peak approach
11). What type of mountaineering boots should you consider for climbing Mera Peak
12). What Helicopter evacuation cover do I need for your Mera Peak climb
13). Here are the Daily Distances on the trek in and out of Mera Peak
14). Learn more about training advice for downhill hiking
Climb with Experts
There are a lot of companies offering Mera Peak climbs, but none with the level of support we offer. We have more acclimatization on the way into the mountain, and we have the same guides and staff on every trip.
Also, We have our own full time staff on the ground in Kathmandu and we run a quality service on all our trekking and mountaineering itineraries.
Watch Our You Tube Videos
Our Mera Peak video’s are the most watched on You Tube. Subscribe to our channel and stay up to date. We also have a great packing video on the gear you need to bring with you to Island Peak.
If you sign up to one of our trips, then we send you out an itemized kit list so you know exactly what to bring with you on this adventure. We hope this post ‘ all you need to know about climbing Island Peak was useful. Read some reviews from our climbs and we look forward to hearing from you.
Mountaineering Skills
One of the important elements of your preparation will be gaining mountaineering skills. You do want to be competent in basic mountaineering skills, and taking a Winter Mountaineering course is a good idea.
We offer training trips in Scotland, and Colorado where you can gain all of the skills needed on Mera Peak. However, the more competent you are in these skills before you come on the trip, the more comfortable you will be when on the glacier.
The Most Unique Itinerary
The first thing you need to do is pick the right itinerary. There is no ‘one size fits all’ to high altitude, and you need to have as much acclimatization in the critical points of the trek. You need 3 nights acclimatization in Khare on the way up the trail. Also, our trips spend two nights at the Base Camp before heading to High Camp. This addition to the itinerary is vital to a safe, enjoyable and successful experience in a low oxygen environment.
If you attempt Mera Peak from Khare, and move up to High Camp, then you are increasing your level of fatigue and altitude sickness. This is the biggest mistake you can make. DON’T DO IT! You will need all your energy to climb safely high on this mountain. Do take extra days in Khare and use the Base Camp, before moving to High Camp.
Learn From Our Experience
Breathing techniques, low heart rates, excellent hydration and pacing are all critical to be safe and successful on your ascent of Mera Peak. Getting in the right physical preparations for this journey is also going to be essential. You will need excellent physical conditioning to be able to walk up and down hills with a weighted backpack at high altitude. We can help you with this.
Supporting the Local People
Support a company who has invested in Nepal. We helped to set up the Goli Village Trust after the 2015 earthquake. Support a company that has invested in its local staff. We have raised funds to build a school in Uganda, four schools in Nepal, support an orphanage in Tanzania, and also help support local children in Cusco.
We have our own full-time staff on the ground in Kathmandu, and we run a quality service on all our trekking and climbing trips to Island peak. CONTACT US, and we can explain how we operate our adventures in Nepal.
Why Climb Mera Peak
We are big fans of getting off the beaten track on treks, and that can be hard to do in Nepal. We like to have more interesting route, more acclimatization and better support and safety in place. Our itinerary offers you the best mix of safety, trekking, culture and remote Himalayan trekking.
I hope this page and links helped you understand more about trekking to and climbing Mera Peak. Drop us an e-mail today and sign up to one of our trips, then get access to the people who have climbed Mera Peak many times.