In the Hinku Valley of Nepal’s Solu Khumbu region in the northeast, Mera Peak is a trekking peak. With a height of 6,476 meters, Mera Peak is frequently regarded as Nepal’s highest trekking peak. Because of its elevation, the gigantic summit is thought to be a fairly challenging climb.
The majority of the path is simple and non-technical, nevertheless. Three major peaks make up Mera Peak, the most popular of which is Mera North (6,476 meters), followed by Mera Central (6,461 meters), and Mera South (6,065 meters). The peak is sandwiched between the unorthodox valleys of the Hinku and Hongo rivers on its respective west and east sides.
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s well-known British expedition team had already visited Mera Peak at the beginning of the 1950s. Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing, however, were the first to climb and ascend Mera Central, while Marcel Baus and L. Honills were the first to climb and ascend Mera North in 1975. Since Mount Everest and other eight-thousander mountains can be seen from the peak. The peak has grown in appeal among expert climbers and fans of the movies.
Due to recent alterations in the glacier formations, Mera Peak has been classified as a mildly challenging climbing peak by alpine grade criteria. It is best suited for novice climbers who have prior high-altitude climbing experience and are in good physical shape.
After arriving at Lukla in the Solu Khumbu region, there are primarily two routes that one can take to reach Mera Peak. Following Lukla, there are two detours to choose from: the quicker and more difficult route, or the easier yet longer one. The rest of the trekking trail follows the same path after the first 4 to 5 days.
You may take an exciting northeastern flight from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Lukla, the entry point to the Everest region. It will take 35 minutes to fly from the domestic airport in Kathmandu to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.
When you arrive at Lukla, turn east toward the ridge of peaks dividing Dudh Koshi from Hinku Valley rather than continuing north to Namche Bazaar. There are two routes you can take starting from Lukla.
By going through the Zatrwa La (4600m/15092ft) pass, you can travel to Chutanga and then to Thuli Kharka. The next stop after Thuli Kharka is Kothe village in the Upper Hinku valley. This route is difficult because it requires climbing a high-altitude pass early in the trek without adequate acclimatization. This route, however, is quicker and avoids adding three to four extra days.
Another, much simpler but longer approach to get to Kothe involves first touring Makalu Barun National Park, then traveling to the Chatra Khola river, and then arriving at Kothe. Despite being a longer route, it will be simpler in the beginning because you won’t have to cross a high-altitude pass.
There is only one main trail from Kothe village to the summit of Mera Peak. The trek leads to Thaknak and then continues further north to Khare (5,045m), where there must be a brief halt for a day of acclimatization. You start your glacial walk to Mera Base Camp and Mera High Camp for a stop since the summit is south from there. High camp is a great place to spend the night for breathtaking mountain views and acclimatization.
The summit of Mera Peak is the next location after Mera High Camp. You begin the ascent roughly two hours before sunrise. You can reach the summit by traversing the Mera glacier along the steep slope, then continuing 40–50 meters in front. The sights of the biggest mountains dispersed before you as you reach the top of the difficult trek leave you speechless. Mera Peak’s other two peaks encircle the imposing Mera North.
Depending on the route selected, a climbing trip to Mera Peak can last anywhere between 14 and 18 days. It takes about 14 days if you travel from Zatrwa La, but about 18 days if you travel farther and cross the Pankongma La pass. In order to adapt to the rising altitude, you will pass through lower-altitude settlements every 3–4 days along the long trek.
From the High Camp to the summit of Mera Peak, it takes around 8 hours of climbing. You will arrive at the summit around the morning if you start around the afternoon. To avoid altitude sickness and accidents on the treacherous slopes, you will take small steps and move slowly as you make your way to the summit.
Late April, May, late September, late October, and late November are the ideal months to climb Mera Peak in Nepal. The greatest mountain vistas can be seen in late April and early May, when the weather is dry, the rhododendron and wildflowers are in bloom, and the skies are clear and blue.
In the autumn months of late September, early October, and late November, the wet monsoon season has just ended and the sky is perfectly clear, making for stunning views. Additionally, the autumn Himalayan sunrise and sunset vistas are breathtaking. Peak climbing is popular in Nepal during the spring and fall, and Mera Peak is a popular destination.
Mera Peak climbing is not advised during the winter since the slopes will be slippery and most of the trail will be covered in snow at higher elevations. The monsoon season is also not the best time to go climbing because it increases the risk of landslides, slippery and muddy pathways, and poor vision to go hiking in low-lying areas while it is pouring rain. Therefore, ascending Mera Peak should be avoided during both the winter and monsoon seasons.
When climbing Mera Peak, lodging options include pitching up camp close to the summit and staying at tea houses while on the hike. Being able to choose a hotel based on your preferences and price range makes your first few days in Kathmandu a pleasant experience. The majority of hotels are lovely, complete with furniture, a TV, hot water, free wifi, a bar, a restaurant, and other amenities.
You will then stay in tea houses operated by the locals throughout the trekking days when you enter the Solu Khumbu region. These tea rooms are extremely simple, with only the most essential furniture, a shared dining room, and a shared restroom with a squat pan. As you ascend to greater altitudes, even basic essentials become harder to find.
There could be power outages, and while wifi is available for a fee, it can be difficult to connect. Some tea houses have bunk beds with foam mattresses, twin shared bedrooms, a warm blanket, sleeping sheets, and a pillow.
The crew will set up the tented camp at Mera High Camp, where you must stay for one night. You’ll use your sleeping bag inside the tiny tents, which have a flashing light on top.
Cuisines from all over the world are represented in the food served in Kathmandu’s hotels. The tea houses provide decent cuisine starting in Lukla and continuing until Khare. The traditional Nepali fare of lentil, boiling rice, and vegetable curry or Tibetan bread is frequently served.
You can also order some of the other items on the menu, such as oats, omelets, pizza, dumplings, and more. It is important to note that these dishes are not ala carte, but rather subpar because it is difficult to transport ingredients in these isolated, vehicle-free places. There are no other food options available in the camps; the kitchen assistant will prepare a decent dinner with the provided supplies.
According to Alpine standards, the Mera Peak Climbing is a straightforward ascent. However, it has lately been given the Alpine Grade PD designation due to alterations in glacial formations, indicating a slightly challenging ascent. Although climbing Mera Peak is not technically difficult, it still requires some physical effort. Peak climbing is a challenging outdoor activity, so you should prepare thoroughly before beginning the climb.
You should start preparing for the climb at least three to four months before your scheduled departure for Nepal because ascending Mera Peak is not simple. First and foremost, you should educate yourself on peak climbing in Nepal, paying close attention to how challenging Mera Peak is.
Once you are aware of the requirements, you can start with some simple physical activities like cycling, swimming, running, lunges, squats, aerobics, shoulder presses, pull-ups, and shoulder flies. The most effective way to get your recommended daily amount of exercise is probably to visit the gym.
You will need to have the stamina and endurance to walk for a long time, so you should engage in some hiking activities each month or, better yet, go on a trekking adventure. Additionally, it is best to abstain from alcohol and smoking for at least a few months prior to the climb in order to maintain your fitness and stamina.
In high-altitude treks and climbs above 3500m, altitude sickness is a prevalent medical problem. Your body’s reaction to the decreasing oxygen level and rising air pressure as elevation climbs is altitude sickness. It can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from minor symptoms like headache, breathing problems, and vomiting to severe ones like fainting, heart failure, and even death if not treated in a timely manner.
At the summit of Mera Peak, which has a maximum elevation of 6,476 meters, the oxygen content can fall from 88% to 43%. It signifies that if sufficient precaution is not taken, there is a high likelihood of developing altitude sickness.
Therefore, it is better if you have prior experience with high-altitude trekking. Additionally, you should acclimatize and rest throughout the aforementioned days in order to prevent altitude sickness. You should also bring medication like Diamox to treat altitude sickness in case it becomes a problem.
You must be conscious of your body’s changes and speak with your climbing guide if you experience any pain.
In Nepal, scaling a peak requires preparing for a variety of difficulties, including the country’s unusual topography, changeable weather, and high altitude. With the right planning and knowledge, you can reach the summit safely and have fun on the expedition. To help with that, we’ve provided some advice on climbing Nepal’s Mera Peak.
You will be resting and eating at respectable tea houses in Nepal. So adjust your expectations for lodging and cuisine accordingly. The villagers are friendly but only provide the bare requirements because there are no cars in the area.
Bring the required toiletries, sanitary products, purification tablets, and digestive aids to maintain your personal hygiene and health. It will be challenging to get you to a health post if you experience health issues during the high-altitude hike or climb because they are hard to discover.
You cannot rush to the stated location, therefore don’t cut the trip short. To prevent altitude sickness and overexertion, acclimatization and rest are equally crucial. It is strongly advised that you stick to the travel agency’s suggested itinerary.
Make some preliminary research about peak climbing, geography, culture, and hiking in the Solu Khumbu region so that you are aware of what to anticipate and eager to experience the things you have learned about.
Keep one or two extra days on hand in case there are any problems with the trip. Such as flight cancellations or inclement weather. Later, you might use the unused backup days to tour the Kathmandu Valley.
Because of the excitement of reaching the summit and the breathtaking views of the tallest mountains in the world. Climbing Mera Peak is one of the most popular peak-climbing adventures in Nepal. Depending on your schedule, preferences, and financial constraints, you can select any of the routes that lead to Mera Peak from Lukla. Mera Summit is a moderately challenging peak to climb. The main difficulties of the ascent are altitude sickness and a few glacial portions closer to the peak; otherwise, the journey is easy.
