Mera Peak Climbing

Mera Peak located is located in the Everest region in the Mahalangur section, Barun sub-section of eastern Nepal. It’s height is 6654 meters and considered the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Mera has three summits Mera North, 6,476 metres (21,247 ft); Mera Central, 6,461 metres (21,198 ft); and Mera South, 6,065 metres. British expeditions in the early 50s before and after the ascent of Everest first extensively explored the region in which members included Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Eric Shipton and George Lowe. Mera Central was first summit by Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing on May 20, 1953.

The best time to climb Mera peak is the autumn season (Sep till Nov) where October will be the perfect month. There are basically two climbing seasons in Nepal for peak climbing i.e. August to November and March to May. So, you can choose any of these seasons as per your travel dates.

Though it’s one of the highest trekking peaks in Nepal, Mera peak climb difficulty is one of the least technical peaks to climb. As per French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification, Mera peak is ‘F’ meaning ‘Facial Easy’. Though with a less technical difficulty, it’s a strenuous climb to the summit. The descend after the summit is walk and climb to the moraine, ice snow and glaciers. With sound medical health and good physical fitness, Mera peak can be climbed successfully.

Trekking peak in Nepal meaning peaks in between the altitude of 5844m and 6501m that can be climbed with the addition of 2-3 days (depending upon the technical requirement) NMA peaks.

The location of Mera peak is far off from any villages or lodges/hotels en route, so we need to camp with all the camping gears, tents etc. including the camping support staff like cook, kitchen staff including your climbing guide and porters.

Previous climbing experience overall isn’t necessary but if you have a basic course then it will add more to your skills. The only thing required is good physical fitness and sound medical health. Our expert climbing guide will teach you the rest of the climbing skills. So, your positive attitude and strong determination are what’s required.

Mera peak is a great pinnacle pinpointed in the Sagarmatha Zone, south to Everest. Mera peak summit provides 360 degrees mountain panorama of the Khumbu giants including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.

Mera Peak or Island Peak, well both of these peaks are considered to be the trekking peak since they do not require high climbing technique and preparation. One can choose Mera peak instead of Island if they wish to have ‘hiking experience at the high altitude Himalayan peaks’. Even though Mera peak is higher than Island peak but it’s easier to summit than Island peak as the walking is on steep path until reaching the summit.

Oxygen isn’t required for Mera Peak climbing since it’s only 6,476 meters to the summit but proper acclimatization is very important. Oxygen is only used for more than 7 thousand meter peaks.

Mera peak climbing duration overall takes about 15-16 days i.e. the trek to reach the base camp and summit the peal and fly back to Kathmandu. On the climbing day, Mera peak ascent starts gradually which much depends upon the weather conditions. Usually if left high camp at 2 am, it’s 5-6 hour to reach the summit.

For Mera peak training program, you can go through Aerobic training or cardiovascular training. Aerobic training is for your heart, lungs and blood cells which pushes your lactic threshold higher and helps you to perform at higher heart rates for longer. For which recommended activities include regular jogs, walks, swim or cycling. You can also opt to train on a stair-master and incline treadmill.

Yes, there is a possibility of altitude sickness on Mera peak climbing which involves climbs above 6,000-meters. Therefore, the travel to base camp should take about a week trek to better acclimatize on the way. Besides, one day rest is also planned at the base before the summit the next day.

Mera peak expedition cost depends upon the group-size and also if you are doing it privately or joining a group. Also, the climbing guide needs to be insured including his medical insurance along with helicopter rescue. All of these things will be handled by your tour operator.

Mera peak equipment list includes good and standard climbing gears like ice axe, harness, carabineers, Ascender and Descender, Ice screws and crampons. It will be extremely cold and windy at times, especially on the summit, so multiple down layers (like (Mountain Hardwear 800 Fill Down jacket) are required. Besides, tents, kitchen equipment, etc. All the climbing gears can be rented and usually, your climbing guide arranges it all.

Yes, and Mera peak permit fee comes to in Spring (March-April-May) is USD250, Autumn (Sept-Oct-Nov) USD125, Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb) and Summer (June-July-August) USD70 which are all on per person basis.

Guide for Mera Peak is highly recommend since it’s about climbing the high Himalayan peak so an experienced climbing guide is required who shall help you throughout the climb and help in case of any emergencies. In harsh weather (white-outs) or in a medical emergency, you will be on your own so the climbing guide will be the best support. Climbing alone or in too small of a team is never a good idea.

Everything like permits, hotels, foods, gears, communication, you might arrange yourself but consider yourself if something goes wrong – are you 100% self-sufficient? What are your medical skills? do you have the appropriate medicine and training to deal with it? And lots of other questions. Again, climbing alone never a good idea. Saving a few hundred dollars is not worth your life.

Absolutely! You are recommended to get travel insurance that covers even at higher altitudes i.e. up to 6000m. The insurance policy usually doesn’t cover over 3,000 meters of altitude. So, make sure these things while purchasing travel insurance for Mera peak and read their policies.

Family-run lodges often called ‘Teahouses’ are in the Everest region. Especially the higher you go accommodation is limited, so the room may differ from a private single/double room to a bed in a dormitory. Mera peak accommodation is very basic accommodation and usually be shared shower and toilet facilities. All lodges have a communal dining hall. Though basic, these teahouses are clean and welcoming, friendly and warm resting place after a tiring day’s trek.

It’s the squat toilet facilities at the most lodges on the Everest Base Camp trail but nowadays lodges have also built western styled toilets with a number of foreign trekkers increasing day by day. It’s suggested that you should take along your own toilet paper.

Lodges on the trail offer wide choices for foods and drinks. These contain typical Nepali meals to the continental dishes. Nepali dish ‘Dal Bhat’ with season vegetable and pickle. Or, go for pizza, momo, noodles, macaroni, sizzler, sandwich, burger, etc. Different types of coffee, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks are also available. If you have booked a package tour then the company handles all costs. But if booked on service only then food prices on the Mera peak cost to US$25-30 per person per day for lunch/dinner, where breakfast will be included. But on high altitude treks, avoiding alcoholic drinks is a good idea.

Bottled water can be bought or you can take along a bottle and fill the bottle with tap water with purifying tablets. These can be bought in Kathmandu before the trek. Most brands of purification tablets take just 30 minutes before you can drink. Drinking a minimum of 3 to 4 liters of water per day is recommended.

Bringing snacks and protein bars is good. Daily meal includes Dal Bhat – Nepali meal which is already high in carbohydrate. If you bring your own food, lodges may charge you an additional cost.

Showers are available at Lodges. Especially the higher up you go there will usually be shared bathrooms in most lodges. Hot water shower needs to be paid per person. As you go higher, the colder it gets and you may have to think for the second time for a shower. Wait just a few days until your descent. Wet wipes can be used to clean your body but in trek it might come expensive. So it is good to buy them in Kathmandu.

You can bring trekking gear from your home country. They can also be bought in Kathmandu at many trekking shops around there. But, most of the trekking gears you get here are not up to standard though are comparatively cheaper. So, it’s up to you to decide. The last option to buy them is at Namche Bazaar if you forget any trekking gears.

All the electronics can be charged in lodges with an extra cost of US$2-6 per hour. Further up you go, the price for charging increases.

Sickness depends upon its nature. For mild sickness usually descending to a lower altitude with the help and support of the guide or porter is done. For serious illness, emergency helicopter evacuation service is arranged. Our guide will be in constant contact with us and takes immediate action as per the situation. This is where travel insurance comes covering for a medical evacuation service and other medical expenses. Our guides carry first aid kit with basic medication like simple painkillers, altitude sickness tablets, bandages, balm for muscle aches and medication to treat diarrhea and vomiting. They are experienced trek guides and will take care of you if anything happens to you. Besides, there are health posts in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Pheriche where you can get medical services.

Lukla airport is located at the mountainous terrain where frequent weather changes occur every hour. Even a hint of bad weather arise flight delays in Lukla. When the weather goes worst especially during winter and monsoon, Lukla flight cancellations occur even for days. Mental preparedness is required to face such unforeseen situations and keeping some buffer days after the trek is highly recommended.

Tipping is not mandatory but let’s not forget that it has become a custom to show gratitude towards your guide and porters who made it all possible for you to finish the trek and help you summit one of the Himalayan peaks at the world’s highest location. You can give them a certain amount as tips for Mera peak climbing as per your desire at the end of the trek.

Wifi on Mera peak climbing is available at most of the lodges on the EBC trail.

You do not have to carry much cash if you have booked a full tour package from your travel company since your trek guide shall take care of your accommodation and daily meals. Besides that only a few extra costs incur like for bottled water, charging mobile phones/cameras, shower, extra tea/coffee and of course alcoholic drinks also tipping your guide and porters. So, carrying Nepalese Rupees equivalent to a few hundred USD is recommended.

ATM facilities are available only at Namche and Lukla, but depending upon them is also not suggested since sometimes they don’t work. Exchanging into Nepali rupees before the trek in Kathmandu is the best option.

Only cash is accepted during the trek and converting your currency to Nepali rupees before the trek is the best idea.

Usually it’s about 5-6 hours in most of the days and 6-7 hours on longer days. The walks must be slow and steady.

The maximum number is 15 trekkers. Yes, you can also do this trek privately with your personal guide and porter.

Your hotel where you stay in Kathmandu will store your luggage that you don’t want to take to trek without any charge. Later on, you can pick up your luggage after the trek.

Most of the villages along the trek route have landline telephones from where you can make international calls. Mobile phone services are also available and even at the Everest Base Camp but the reception quality varies depending upon the locations. Internet facilities can be found but is expensive.