Mera Peak (6,476m) is a trekking peak situated at Mahalangur section, Barun subsection of the Himalayas of Eastern Nepal. It is often considered a non-technical climbing peak. Most climbers agree to walk a longer journey to reach the summit than other peaks with less elevation than Mera Peak.
Mera Peak has three main summits: Mera North, 6,476 meters (21,247 ft.); Mera Central, 6,461 meters (21,198 ft.); and Mera South, 6,065 meters (19,898 ft.). It offers 360-degree panoramic views of 5 world’s highest mountains over 8000m; Mount Everest (8,848.86m), Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m) as well as many other peaks of Khumbu Region.
The standard route from the north involves high-altitude glacier walking from Khare to Base Camp and High Camp. The west and south faces of the peak offer more difficult technical routes.
The trek starts after landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla and takes the southern route from Lukla.
There are different routes to reach Mera Peak from Lukla and other places. All the routes to Mera Peak meet at Kothe and from Kothe, the route is the solo-tracked route to Khare, the last place facilitated with a teahouse and organised climbing of Mera Peak. The routes involved are as follows:
- Lukla – Chutenga – Zatrwa La Pass – Thulikharka – Kothe
- Lukla – Paiya – Panggom – Sibuje – Ningsow – Kothe
- Lukla – Paiya – Panggom – Sibuje – Najing Dingma – Panch Pokhari – Kothe
Besides this, many trekkers and climbers also choose the land route from Kathmandu via Phaplu – Sotang – Khiraule – Cholem Kharka – Panch Pokhari – Kothe
Mera Peak is also climbed for acclimatization before climbing Baruntse, other 7000m+ and 8000m+. After they reach Khare, they normally walk to the nearby hill for acclimatization. The next morning, most of the climbers climb directly to Mera High Camp (5,700m) and take a rest. And push up for the summit at midnight and after a successful summit, descend to Khare. Then follow the route of ZatrwaLa Pass via Kothe and descend to Lukla.
This is the article on Mera Peak Climbing which we did on October 2022 following the route of Lukla – Paiya – Panggom – Ningsow – Kothe – Thagnag – Khara – Mera Peak – Kothe – Lukla.
04th October 2022 (Tuesday)
Fly from Kathmandu to Surke and Trek to Paiya (2,730m) – 4 hours.
This was the time of the major festival of the Hindu Community in Nepal, Dashain in this time and the weather was also cloudy and rainy due to post-monsoon effects. Early morning, we woke up, had a packed breakfast and drove to Kathmandu Domestic Airport to board the chopper to Surke. Due to the bad weather, we have changed the landing point to Surke instead of Lukla. After landing at Surke, we met all our team members, Porters, Assistant Sherpa, and Climbing Sherpa. We will stop at a nearby lodge and have hot breakfast or lunch, we started trekking towards Paiya for about 4 hours through the well-defined trekking trails and the dense forests. After we reached Paiya, we checked into the teahouse lodge, Everest Trekkers Lodge.
05th October 2022 (Wednesday)
Trek to Panggom (2,850m/9348ft)– 5 hours
After breakfast, we started trekking towards Panggom via Tham Danda. The trail ascends to Kari-La Pass (3,145m) after crossing the bridge of Paiya Khola. The top of Kari –La pass offers a beautiful view of Numbur Peak and Green Hills. From the pass, we continue our trek to Panngom. At Panggom, we stayed at Himalayan Trekkers Lodge & Restaurant.
06th October 2022 (Thursday)
Trek to Ningsow (2,863m) – 6 hours
From Panggom, we ascend to the top of the hill and cross the Narkang (Panggom La Pass, 3200m) and descend to Sibuje. At 11 0’clock, we reached Sibuje and have taken lunch at Namaste Lodge & Restaurant. It was raining all over the route. After lunch, we continue our trek towards Ningsow through the narrow trail. The trail was well constructed and paved with stone in some places. The narrow trail was slippery due to the rain. Upon we reached to Ningsow, we checked into the teahouse lodge.
Ningsow is an area with seasonal stay for cattle. We found only one teahouse, Nginsho Valley Lodge & Restaurant with 9 Twin Rooms. There are two other small cottages where cattle are kept. There is no other option of accommodation places for other trekking supportive members rather than sleeping in the Dining hall. Sometimes, the dining hall also gets full. This area lacks electricity and mobile network coverage too.
For the meal, our trekking team helped the local workers of the teahouse lodge and the food was tasty. The most fascinating thing was the fresh vegetables grown nearby to the lodges. All the meals were prepared with fresh and organic vegetables and it was delicious.
07th October 2022 (Friday)
Trek to Chhetrakhola (3,122m) – 6 hours
In the morning, we prepared and had breakfast at the lodge and started walking. The weather was a little bit clear with blue sky but clouds. After a gentle walk, the straight uphill walk starts through the dense rhododendron forest to Ramailo Danda. We decided to have lunch at Ramailo Danda at Valley View Lodge. After lunch, we continued to trek through the dense forests. With the gentle walk followed by heavy rainfall, we again descend downhill to the streams. That time was too difficult to walk in the rain and straight downhill and uphill. Some segments of the route were through the narrow trail at the cliff and supported by the metallic chain for about 50 meters. Crossing several streams and walking through the narrow slippery trails, we reached Chhetra Khola and stayed around the Chimney at Mera Riverside Lodge.
08th October 2022 (Saturday)
Trek to Kothe (3,580m) – 6 hours
With the fresh and delicious breakfast, we continued our trek towards Kothe. The teahouse was on the bank of Chhetra Khola. We walked uphill from the teahouse reached the top of the hill and walked on the ridge. After a few hours, we reached Taktho for Lunch. From the lunch point, we descend to the bank of Inkhu Khola. The vegetation and the landscapes were changed. It was raining too. Upon we reached the bank of the river, we walked following the river and reached Kothe at 4 O’clock. We decided to stay overnight at Kothe the next day for acclimatization. At Kothe, we checked in at Sherpa Guest House near the National Park Check Post. The lodge was facilitated with a hot shower, internet (Everest Link) and charging facility.
09th October 2022(Sunday)
Acclimatization Day at Kothe
The morning was blessed with beautiful weather and good views of Mera Peak from Kothe. The area of Kothe was on the bank of the Inkhu River and was full of rocks brought by the flood due to the outburst of the Sabai Tsho Glacial Lake (according to the locals). We had chosen the route of Kothe to Saurya for an acclimatization walk. After some tea/coffee, we returned to Kothe for Lunch. The rest of the day was free.
10th October 2022: Trek to Thagnag (4,358m) – 4 hours
The weather in the morning was foggy and we started our trek following the Inkhu River on the same route we walked on acclimatization day. The weather slowly gets better with the altitude. The place was lunch camp for this day and normally took 3 to 4 hours. Before we reached Thagnag, there was a beautiful monastery on the left side of the route. Rocky white mountain was seen from Thagnag. Upon reaching Thagnag, we checked into Oxygen Lodge which is facilitated with a bucket hot shower, Everest Link Internet facility and an Electronic items charging facility at Dining Hall with an additional charge.
11th October 2022: Trek to Khare (4,900m) – 4 hours
Early morning with the sunny weather, we started to trek uphill to Khare. Walking for 30 minutes uphill, we planned to visit a beautiful glacial lake, Sabai Tsho. After exploring lakes with beautiful pictures, we continued our trek and stopped at Dig Kharka for a tea/coffee break. Later the uphill walk for one and a half hours took to the teahouse lodge at Khare, Refuge Mera Lodge. After some refreshments, we took lunch and had sun room for warmth.
The most interesting fact was the availability of Electricity (from small hydropower), Everest Link Wi-Fi, Thuraya Satellite, Walkie-Talkie, Mera Peak Climbing Goods Shop, and a Money Exchange facility at the elevation of 4,900m. With this, there was the availability of Himalayan Java Coffee (Espresso, Cappuccino, various Latte items, Americano, Flavored Cappuccino, Café Mocha, Mocha Madness, Caramel Macchiato, Mochaccino, Hot Chocolate, and Flavor Steamed Milk) & German Bakery (Bread item, Cookies item, cake item, Cinnamon Rolls, Croissant, Apple pie, Apple Strudel, Muffins).
In the evening, there was a sudden change in the weather. It’s snowing in the evening.
12th October 2022: Acclimatization Day in Khare
When we woke up, there was still snowing and the surrounding and roof of the lodge was covered by snow. We changed our plan of hiking to a nearby hill and waiting for clear weather. At 2 pm, the weather cleared and we started hiking to the hill just above the lodge. When we walked at the higher elevation, there was a light wind which further cleared up the clouds and fog and the view was magnificent with the 360 degrees of mountains and the clear view of High Camp and Mera Peak Summit.
After a few moments at the elevation of 5,150m, we descended to the lodge and prepared gear for climbers and Sherpa Team members. And also planned for the climbing.
13th October 2022: Trek to Mera Base Camp.
The morning was so clear and the view of the mountain was superb. We could see the summit of Mera Peak from the lodge. On this day, we had to walk for 3 hours to reach Base Camp. Normally, climbers go directly to High Camp from Khare in one day. But we added extra days at Base Camp for acclimatization. After lunch, climbers started to walk towards Base Camp. The 3 hours journey to the base camp in clear weather was fantastic. The Base Camp was camping.
14th October 2022: Climb to Mera High Camp
This day, climbers started to walk early morning with a packed lunch. They started to use crampons from the crampon point above Base Camp. The Sherpa Team was fully equipped and experts on the expedition. After the journey of 6 hours, the team reached High Camp and stayed at the camp. They planned to start climbing at midnight at 1 am and sleep early on this day.
15th October 2022: Mera Peak Summit and back to Khare.
Early morning at 12:20 am, climbers started to push up for the summit. Some climbers returned from mid-route and 5 Climbers successfully climbed Mera Peak at around 7 am and clicked photos. And return to Khare via Base Camp. They reached Khare at 4 pm and had hot drinks.
16th October 2022: Backtrack to Kothe
In the morning, we started to descend towards Thagnag for about 3½ hours and stopped for lunch. The weather was clear and sunny. After the delicious lunch, we continued our trek to Kothe via the same route. At 4 pm, we reached Kothe and checked into Sherpa Guest House.
17th October 2022: Trek to Thulikharka
Early morning, we started to walk through the dense forest. From Thaktho, we take the western route uphill to Thulikharka. At Thadodhunga, we stopped for lunch. We can notice the changes in the vegetation while walking uphill. From the top of the pass we crossed, the route was through the high cliff. The narrow trail on the sloping hill was adventurous and led us to Thulikharka in the lap of ZatrwacLa Pass. It is also known as Chhetrabu. Upon we reached Thulikharka, we stayed at AD Friendship Lodge. This area has Heli Pad, teahouse lodges, an Internet facility, communication facility.
18th October 2022: Trek to Lukla
This day was the last day of trekking. We started to walk uphill for about one and a half hours to reach ZatrwaLa Pass. There were two passes at the top of the hill. After crossing one pass, we walked on a rocky trail on the western side of the cliff. From the route, we saw the fixed-wing flights from/to Lukla. After we crossed the second pass, the trail descends gradually to Chhutenga. It seemed like, we need the fixed if there will be snow on the trail. This route is not a good option from January to March. After we reached Chhutenga, we stopped for lunch and continued the trek to Lukla. At 4 pm, we reached Lukla Numbur Hotel, Lukla and proceeded with the submission of garbage at SPCC. In the evening, there was a farewell for Nepalese team members with gratuities.
19th October 2022: Fly back to Kathmandu
From Lukla, we all fly back to Kathmandu on a reserved chopper. The trek was full of adventure and beautiful memories. The weather was clear and we were able to see Numbur Peak, Rolwaling Ranges, Monasteries, villages, dense forests, and rivers from the flight. This way, our trip to Mera Peak ended within 16 Days.
Mera Peak is a suitable destination for peak climbing as well as skiing. Because of its non-technical features of climbing, it has become a prime destination who wants to experience adventure in conquering any peaks. For Mera Peak Climbing, you don’t need to worry about the gear. Only you need to pack up personal trekking gear with sleeping bags of -20 to -30 degrees Celsius. We can hire all the climbing equipment and get the climbing Sherpa guide at Share.
Besides this, there is a risk of Hypothermia, High Altitude Sickness, Freezing hands and feet, etc. To prevent this, you must practice walking on snow with a crampon, do proper acclimatization activities in high altitudes, use quality gear and equipment, and follow the guidance of the climbing guide.
If you plan to Mera Peak Climbing, you must be prepared with high altitude fitness or engaged in snow-based activities. We offer you a customized trip to Mera Peak for those who have little or no mountaineering experience. Please feel free to write us at [email protected] or WhatsApp at +977-9860804860.
