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Mera Peak Trekking is something unique. Mera Peak in Nepal is considered a trekking peak and this means that you can technically reach this peak on foot. Okay, it's not a walk in the park, but it's not really mountaineering either. Nevertheless, this is a real six-thousander and when you climb Mera Peak, you have a certain right to boast. Read our blog post about Mera Peak Trekking and make the most of your first time climbing higher than 6,000 meters or 19,685 feet.
Mera Peak is a mountain in Mahalangur district in the Barun sub-district of the Himalayas and is administratively located in Nepal's Sagarmatha region in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. With its 6,476 meters it is classified as a trekking peak. It comprises of three main peaks: Mera North, 6,476 meters; Mera Central, 6,461 meters; and Mera South, 6,065 meters, as well as a smaller "trekking peak", which is visible from the south as a separate peak but is not marked on most maps of the region.
The region was first explored extensively by British expeditions in the early 1950s before and after the ascent of Everest. Members of these teams included Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Eric Shipton and George Lowe. The first ascent of the Mera Central was made on 20 May 1953 by Colonel Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing (who was known as "The Foreign Sportsman"). Roberts was heavily involved in building the trekking industry in Nepal in the early 1960s. In May 2005 he was posthumously awarded the "Sagarmatha National Award" by the government.
If you've everclimbed Kilimanjaro, you may have wondered what it would be like to cross the 6000-meter mark. Indeed, Kilimanjaro is a five-thousander at 5,895 meters. Mera Peak, at an altitude of 6,189 meters, is popular with beginners and serves as a preparation for higher mountains such as Everest. Although it is physically demanding, it requires relatively little technique and can be climbed by anyone who is reasonably fit. Of course it is not that easy. It needs a solid crash course in high altitude mountaineering, but with a good guide you can do something really special.
Although Mera Peak is physically demanding, it requires relatively little technique and can be climbed by anyone who is reasonably fit. Of course, it is not that easy. It needs a solid crash course in high altitude climbing, but with a good guide, you can do something really special.
The Everest region, like the rest of Nepal, has 4 different seasons. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The months from February to May, before the monsoon, and from October to December, after the monsoon, are the most popular for trekking tours to Mera Peak ascents. You can also climb Mera Peak when it's monsoon but it will be a lot quieter this time of the year. What needs to be said is that each trekking season has its own excitement and atmosphere for hikers, but if you want to have some assurance about the weather conditions during the trek, be sure to stick to the high season. You can also climb Mera Peak in the winter months, but you will need to revise your packing list and prepare for temperatures well below -15 Celsius.
You shouldn't climb a six-thousander with just anybody. If you are traveling from far, you will want to have a company on your side to help you with the preparation. You don't want a crash course for the actual ascent, but you want to have the opportunity to use the right climbing equipment, and with the following itinerary for climbing Mera Peak by Nepal Eco Adventure you can make the most of it.
For trekking to Mera Peak, you need the following permits:
TIMS(Trekkers Information Management System):
This permit is important for every trekker wishing to trek in Nepal. From theAnnapurna Circuit to the trek to Poon Hill, all trekking routes require this permit. This costs NRS 2000 per person. This equals about 17 USD or 15 EUR. Alternatively, your trekking company arranges you a location permit in Lukla which costs around 20 USD.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit:
For entering the Sagarmatha National Park, the park that is home to the Mount Everest Region, you need to obtain an entry permit. This permit costs 30 USD + government tax.
All permits are arranged by your trekking provider.
Mera Peak Permit:
In addition to all the above mentioned permits, your trekking company also takes care of your Mera Peak climbing permit. Without a valid permit you are not allowed to climb Mera Peak.
Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the health effect that kicks in when exposed to low amounts of oxygen at high altitudes. It is a thing and it must be taken seriously when visiting high altitude destinations. Its dangers should not be taken lightly, they can ruin your trip or, in the most extreme scenario, even kill you. Although many people will experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, it doesn’t have to escalate when you are aware of them and you can have them under control. AMS can occur when trekking the Mera Peak trek so here below you can find some relevant information related to it:
It is key to know how to identify altitude illness so here is a series of symptoms that you may experience due to the lack of oxygen in your body: headaches, lack of appetite, breathing difficulties, dizziness, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. The intensity and severity of these symptoms may increase with altitude but an overall feeling of fatigue will take all your joy away. At intermediate altitudes (1,500 to 2,500 masl / 5,000 to 8,200 fasl) it is unlikely but possible. However, ascending to heights greater than 2,500 m / 8,200 fasl can trigger them and you may lose your sense of coordination. If things progress to HAPE (High-altitude pulmonary edema: it produces excess fluid in the lungs, causing weakness and breathlessness, making you feel like you're suffocating, even when resting) or HACE (High-altitude cerebral edema: involving excess fluid on the brain, causing brain swelling), you might get confused and be unable to walk at all.
Once aware of the symptoms, you can do a lot to make sure you stay healthy. That is why for trekking in high-altitude destinations, you should always inform yourself about how to prevent the risks of AMS. Our Bookatrekking.com experts, based on their previous experiences, wrote down a few rules of thumb that apply while trekking at altitude:
When your body needs rest, your body will tell you, listen carefully. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and let your friends, your guide or your porters know how you feel. There are several scoring systems for determining AMS and guides are well-trained and are experienced in immediate treatment. Don't let that get worse and take a break. FYI, it normally takes from 6 to 24 hours before you start feeling altitude sickness symptoms. However, acute AMS can arise after having spent at least 4 hours at an altitude above 2,000 m / 6,500 ft.
Don’t skip your meals, even if you don’t like what you have on your plate. But, believe us, you will enjoy the local food. Your body works hard and needs a lot of carbohydrates to make more distance and to be able to bridge more altitude. Trekking is hard work and can easily burn more than 4,000 calories a day. Eat, and your body will thank you.
Let's be clear, alcohol stimulates mountain sickness and that’s not just because alcohol dehydrates you. However, if you drink alcohol, you may also be able to do so during your hike. In some destinations, some trekking companies make it a ritual once you reach a particular stage of the route. Be careful though, it won’t help your acclimatization and you will have to increase your water intake. This is even more common when it’s hot and you’re sweating. At high altitudes you need to be disciplined so drink 3 to 5 liters of water per day and some tea as well. You’re hiking, not partying, so leave (most of) the alcohol for after the trip.
One way to measure your fluid intake is to check your urine. Do you have to take a wee break more often than usual? Great. Keep up the hydration game. Not really? Then drink more.
Our trekking experts are well aware of the hazards of Altitude Sickness and they know that you shouldn’t rush your way up. You can do a trek in fewer days but it will not only make you enjoy your hike less, but it will also be detrimental to your acclimatization. AMS is mainly caused by a rapid increase in altitude, so the faster you ascend, the greater the risk. Try to choose a longer route to make the most of your tour. Longer is always better.
An unwritten law for trekkers and climbers: at high altitudes, mountaineers may take longer to get to the peak because they go up and down a few times before reaching the top. If you see a descent in the middle of your itinerary it is to ensure that you acclimatize carefully after having tackled elevation. Therefore, if you climb to a certain altitude in one day and you stay there, your body may have difficulties adapting. But if you descend as well, the chances of getting altitude sickness are significantly lower. The many ascending and descending causes the body to acclimatize. That means that the following day will be relatively easier to stay at a higher altitude.
A 25-minute flight from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) takes you to Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA), named after the famous pioneers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The airport is known to be one of the most dangerous airports in the world. That fact makes the flight particularly interesting. In the past flights were irregular and flight schedules were when the weather was rough, hard to count on. However, as more airlines are no offering flights on this exciting route, things have improved a lot compared to the days in the 90s and 00s.
Check the below video to get an impression of your upcoming flight to Lukla.
Tea houses are small hotels known as Bhatti. Them being small hotels, you can expect a certain level of comfort. Yes, you can, but just know that comfort is a relative concept. They are comfortable to the extent that you have a place to sleep and that you can enjoy home-cooked meals. That’s right, tea houses are run by local families who have opened their houses to trekkers passing by.
Because trekking in Nepal has become so popular in recent years, more and more tea houses have opened their doors and the concept has improved over the years. The more popular your route, the better the quality of your tea house is. Hence, the teahouses in the Everest Region are of good quality. Quality meaning that you can expect flush toilets, hot showers and in some cases wireless internet. The use of these amenities is at an extra charge. On popular routes, it is even likely that you will stay in a building that has been built with the sole purpose of serving as a tea house.
Your gear is your best friend while being out in the mountains. It, in fact, doesn’t matter where you are going, your equipment is key. In extreme cases, gear can make the difference between life and death. In every case, the right equipment can make the difference between you having a good time and ending up miserable. You have booked your tickets, your guide in Nepal is waiting and now you rock up with a too heavy backpack, a jacket which is not thick enough and shoes that are very likely going to give you blisters. What a waste. Pack the right gear and make more of your trekking. Before we start, note one important thing. We are trekking, not climbing. Hence, you can leave the ropes, the chalk and the carabiners in your closet.
Below we present you a basic comprehensive packing list suitable for any trek in Nepal including:
Basics:
- Duffel Bag
- Rucksack with Rain Cove Daypack
- Hiking Boots
- Sandals or Shoes
- Hiking Socks
- Trekking Poles
- Inner Socks
- Thermal Baselayer
- T-Shirts
- Fleece Pullover or Jacket
- Light Weight Thermal Tops
- Waterproof Jacket
- Sports Bra for Her
- Hiking Shorts
- Hiking Pants
- Waterproof Pants
Basics for Climbing Mera Peak:
- Ice axe
- Ice screws
- Snow bars - Crampons
- Harness
- Tape Slings (2)
- Screwgate Karabiners (2 lock, 2 unlock)
- Descender/Abseil Device
- Plastic Mountaineering Boots
- Ascender
- Helmet (optional)
- Ice Hammer
The above-mentioned basics for Mera Peak can be rented directly from your trekking company.
Obviously there is more you can pack and bring along. Everyone is different, so everyone has their own needs. If you want the ultimate packing list, you can simply go here.
At Bookatrekking.com you can book this trek and many others. Our guided options come with experts on the ground, and offer you a convenient, stress-free, safe, and educational way to explore the outdoors. Find our offers here. Our easy-to-use platform allows you to browse and compare different trekking options and find the perfect fit for your interests, abilities, and budget.
If you have any questions about a specific trek or need help choosing the right one for you, our team of trekking experts is here to assist you. Simply reach out to us and we will be happy to provide you with personalized recommendations and advice to help you plan the trekking adventure of a lifetime.
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