In the far reaches of Nepal’s northeastern Himalayan mountains lies a region of spectacular beauty, where ancient monasteries and closely knit communities rest in the shelter of soaring, snow-covered peaks. This is the Khumbu, and it’s one of the best places to trek in Nepal. It’s here that the tallest mountain in the world can be found: Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma. But you don’t have to climb Mount Everest to earn striking views of towering peaks and sprawling glacial moraines. Any trek in eastern Nepal rewards travelers with an unforgettable experience—and some travelers even choose to summit a bona fide Himalayan mountain while they’re here. This is where Mera Peak comes in: clocking in at 6,461 meters in elevation, Mera Peak is an excellent choice for trekkers seeking an additional challenge during their trek in Nepal. In fact, Mera Peak represents the highest trekking peak in the entirety of the country.
But what exactly is a trekking peak? In some circles, this term is used to describe any mountain that doesn’t require technical climbing skills or previous mountaineering experience. However, mountaineering associations tend to follow a stricter definition, classifying trekking peaks as those mountains smaller than 7,000 meters that can be climbed directly from base camp. Mera Peak fits both definitions, and it’s the perfect entry-level climb for aspiring mountaineers. But however you classify it, you’ll certainly find a healthy challenge when climbing Mera Peak. While the ascent is non-technical in nature, it involves climbing along steep glacial moraines at a serious altitude. Your experienced trekking and climbing guides from Iconic Himalaya Adventure will follow a carefully prescribed route to ensure that you have plenty of time to acclimatize to these elevations. And when you do reach the summit of Mera Peak, your reward will be a stupendous view of Himalayan mountains: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyo, and even Kanchenjunga.
Mera Peak actually boasts no fewer than three summits—and while the north summit is the highest at 6,476 meters, you’ll actually be ascending to the central summit at 6,461 meters. But climbing this mountain is about much more than the destination; an expedition to climb Mera Peak also involves a scenic tour of the Khumbu region—and beyond. While this part of Nepal is best known for its stunning natural scenery and many trekking routes, your guide from Iconic Himalaya Adventure will help you unlock many of the region’s lesser-known secrets. The territory is home to the Sherpa people of Nepal, and you’ll learn about their fascinating culture and traditions, which are heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. You’ll also stay at family-owned guesthouses and enjoy the unforgettable taste of classic Nepali dishes like dal bhat, momos, and much more. Read on to discover what you can expect during our Mera Peak trekking and climbing itinerary.
Highlights
- Climb to the summit of Mera Peak at 6,461 meters in elevation.
- Experience the jaw-dropping beauty of Himalayan mountain passes like Khari La.
- Explore the fabled Khumbu region—and go even further to see the wilds of eastern Nepal.
- Leave the crowds far behind you and venture into the remote Inkhu Valley.
Route Overview
There’s nothing more exciting than setting out to climb a mountain in the Himalayas, and you’re probably wondering exactly where our itinerary will take you. Like most treks in Nepal, your expedition to climb Mera Peak will begin in Nepal’s vibrant capital city: Kathmandu. From here, we’ll take a short flight into the mountains of the world-famous Khumbu region to arrive at Lukla and begin our adventure. We’ll be trekking through the mountains of eastern Nepal for about seven days before climbing Mera Peak, staying in little villages like Pangum, Thagnak, and Khare along the way.
When we reach Mera Peak, we’ll begin our climb and set up our tents at High Camp, making our final push to the summit on the following morning. After achieving our dream of climbing Mera Peak, we’ll retrace our steps through the mountains and return to Lukla, flying back to Kathmandu with unforgettable memories of high adventure in the world’s highest mountains.