Mera Peak Climbing | 15 Days Itinerary, Cost & Best Time
Mera Peak Climb | 15 Days
The 15-day Mera Peak Climb takes you from Lukla through the Hinku Valley to Mera Peak at 6,476 m. You cross Zatrawala Pass, reach Khare at 5,045 m, learn climbing techniques, and continue to High Camp before making the early-morning summit attempt.
After flying from Kathmandu to Lukla, you begin walking toward Chhuthang. One of the hardest days comes early, when you climb over Zatrawala Pass at about 4,600 m and descend to Thuli Kharka. The day is demanding because of the steep climb, high altitude, and long descent. The trail includes forest paths, suspension bridges, river crossings, and rocky sections as you make your way into the Hinku Valley.
From Thuli Kharka, you continue through Kothe and Thaknak before reaching Khare at 5,045 m. Below Kothe, the trail passes through forest and follows the Hinku River. Higher up, the trees become thinner, and the route turns into rocky, open mountain terrain. At Khare, you spend time adjusting to the altitude before starting the climbing section.
At Khare, your climbing team introduces you to crampons, ice axes, harnesses, ascenders, and climbing ropes, followed by practical training. From here, you move toward Mera Base Camp and High Camp, leaving the regular trekking terrain for snow and glacier sections. High Camp is where you spend the night before the summit push. It sits at a much higher elevation, so keeping the evening quiet and getting enough rest is important.
The summit push starts around 2:00 AM. We start early because the night is usually calmer, while winds can increase after sunrise and make the upper mountain colder and harder. The climb from High Camp to the summit takes around 5–6 hours, depending on weather, snow, and your pace.
At 6,476 m, you finally reach Mera Peak, with views toward Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang. After reaching the summit, you descend carefully over snow and glacier terrain before returning to Khare. You will be exhausted when you arrive, but after putting in all those hours on the mountain, knowing you made it to the summit feels completely different.
After the climb, you can walk back through the Hinku Valley to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu. If you want to avoid the return trek and the weather permits, you can also share a helicopter with other climbers, subject to availability and safe landing conditions.
Quick Trip Facts
Why Choose the Mera Peak Climb?
If you want to gain mountain climbing experience above 6,000 m, Mera Peak takes you from the Hinku Valley approach to climbing preparation at Khare and finally onto a 6,476 m summit.
To Experience a Different Himalayan Valley
Start from Lukla and enter the Hinku Valley, where the trail passes through forests, river valleys, small settlements, and high mountain terrain away from the main Everest Base Camo route.
To Gain Climbing Experience
At Khare, practice with crampons, ice axe, harness, and rope systems before moving onto the snow and glacier sections above.
To Experience Life at High Altitude
Walk through Zatrawala Pass, Thuli Kharka, Kothe, and Thaknak before reaching Khare at 5,045 m. The days become colder, the air thinner, and the surroundings more alpine as you climb higher.
To Stand at 6,476 m
After the approach and climbing preparation, take on Mera Peak at 6,476 m. Reaching the summit gives you the experience of climbing above 6,000 m, rather than simply trekking to a high-altitude viewpoint.
Zatrawala Pass - 4,600 m
Cross the high pass from Chhuthang and descend to Thuli Kharka.
Hinku River Valley
Follow the river through forests, narrow valleys, and remote settlements.
Khare - 5,045 m
Cross the high pass from Chhuthang and descend to Thuli Kharka.
Mera Base Cmap
Reach Mera Base Camp before moving toward High Camp and the summit route.
Mera High Camp
Sleep high on the mountain before the early-morning summit climb.
Mera Peak Summit - 6,476 m
Reach the summit with views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang.
Mera Peak Climbing Itinerary
Mera Peak is the highest trekking peak in Nepal at 6,476 m / 21,247 ft, climbed by way of the Hinku Valley in the Solukhumbu district, within Makalu-Barun National Park. I’ve guided this route more times than I can count, and it still surprises me how few trekkers you pass compared to the Everest side. The reward at the top is hard to beat. On a clear morning you can see five 8,000 m peaks at once from a single summit.
This itinerary builds in two acclimatization days and a contingency day, because weather at 6,000 m doesn’t care about your flight home. Total trip distance is roughly 138 km / 85.7 mi by air (Kathmandu to Lukla, round trip) and about 105 km / 65 mi on foot. Every altitude and distance below is given in both metric and imperial
Mera Peak Climb Cost Includes & Excludes
The Cost Includes
Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
1 night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu before the trek (twin sharing, breakfast included)
Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu domestic flights for you and your guide
Twin-sharing teahouse accommodation from Lukla to Khare and back
Tented accommodation with sleeping mats at Mera High Camp
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the trek and climb
Government-licensed climbing guide (trained in high-altitude rescue and technical mountaineering)
Porter service (1 porter for every 2 trekkers, up to 25 kg)
Guide, climbing Sherpa, and porter wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, and equipment
Group climbing gear (main climbing rope, ice screws, snow bars, and anchors for the summit push)
All required permits: Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit, local rural municipality fee, and the NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) climbing permit for Mera Peak
Two acclimatization days (Thangnak and Khare) plus one built-in contingency day for weather or pacing
Pre-climb briefing and full equipment check in Kathmandu
First aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by your guide
All government taxes and service charges
The Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Nepal tourist visa
- Travel insurance, including high-altitude climbing and emergency helicopter evacuation coverage
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal climbing gear (mountaineering boots, harness, crampons, ice axe, ascender, carabiners, helmet)
- Personal trekking equipment (sleeping bag, trekking poles, down jacket, clothing layers)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging fees at teahouses
- Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Tips for your guide, climbing Sherpa, and porters
- Additional nights, meals, or transport caused by early return, illness, or personal itinerary changes
- Extra costs from flight delays, weather, or the contingency day being used
- Medical expenses and altitude sickness medication
- Summit bonus or tip for the climbing guide (customary but not compulsory)
- Camera or drone permit fees, if required
Travel insurance is not included in the package. Before your climb, you must purchase a policy that specifically covers high-altitude trekking and climbing up to at least 6,200 m, along with emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment.
Where Do You Sleep During the Mera Peak Climb?
You stay in teahouses and lodges during the approach, including Khare. Rooms are basic, usually with twin beds and shared bathrooms. Above Khare, you move into tented accommodation at Mera Base Camp and High Camp.
For sleeping arrangements at each stage, see our Mera Peak Climb Accommodation Guide.
- Twin-sharing rooms
- Shared Bathrooms
- Simple Dining areas
- Tented Base Camp accommodation
- Tented High Camp accommodation
What Do You Eat During the Mera Peak Climb?
Teahouses serve meals such as dal bhat, momo, noodles, pasta, rice, potatoes, eggs, soups, pancakes, and bread. Above Khare, the menu becomes smaller because food must be carried to the climbing camps.
- Dal bhat and rice dishes
- Noodles, pasta, and potatoes
- Momo, eggs, and soups
- Pancakes and bread
- Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate
- Simple camp meals above Khare
See our Mera Peak Climb Food & Drinks Guide for what you can expect to eat along the route.
How Difficult is the Mera Peak Climb?
Mera Peak demands long walking days, steep climbs and descents, thin air, cold temperatures, snow, and a long summit day. The physical demand increases as you climb higher, with the summit section requiring the most endurance. See our Mera Peak Difficulty Guide for a detailed breakdown.
Why Is Mera Peak Challenging?
- Long Walking Days: Several hours on your feet can leave your legs tired before the climbing section.
- Steep Climbs & Descents: Repeated uphill and downhill sections work your legs hard.
- Thin Air: Breathing becomes harder as you climb higher.
- Cold Start: You leave High Camp around 2:00 AM, when temperatures are at their lowest.
- Long Summit Climb: The climb from High Camp takes around 5–6 hours, followed by the descent.
Snow & - Glacier: The upper route involves snow and ice where steady movement is essential.
Fitness & Preparation Mera Peak Climb
Start training 8–12 weeks before departure. Build endurance for long uphill walks and strength for repeated climbs and descents. Our Mera Peak Fitness & Preparation Guide gives you a more detailed training plan.
Your training should include:
- Long hikes: Increase distance and elevation gradually.
- Uphill training: Use stairs, steep trails, or hill repeats.
- Leg strength: Squats, lunges, step-ups, and calf raises.
- Back-to-back hikes: Train on consecutive days.
- Pack training: Gradually add the daypack you will carry.
- Boot training: Break in your trekking boots before departure.
- Recovery: Keep at least one easier day each week.
During the final 2–3 weeks, reduce the training load and keep your body fresh.
Arrive rested, with broken-in boots and the ability to walk uphill for several hours without exhausting yourself.
Our Registrations & Memberships
Government of Nepal
TAAN
Nepal Tourism Board
NMA
TripAdvisor Excellence
45+ Countries
Mera Peak Climbing | 15 Days Itinerary, Cost & Best Time