Mera Peak Climb: Trekking Peak in the Everest Region – 21 Days
Nepal's highest trekking peak by the remote Hinku Valley, with teahouses, a night at High Camp and expert climbing guides.
Tour overview
This 21-day expedition takes experienced trekkers to the summit of Mera Peak, at 6,476m the highest of Nepal's trekking peaks, by a quiet route through the remote Hinku Valley south of Everest. Groups have between 4 and 12 travellers aged 18 and over, with a tour leader, climbing guides and local staff at a ratio of one staff member to three climbers on the trek. You stay twenty nights: three in a hotel near Thamel in Kathmandu, sixteen in simple, unheated twin-share teahouses on the trail, and one night of full-service camping at High Camp. All breakfasts are included, with one lunch and two dinners, morning tea on the trek, permits and national park fees, and a climbing equipment bundle to use.
After a welcome meeting in Kathmandu, an early drive to Manthali Airport and a short mountain flight bring you to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu. Rather than following the busy Everest trail, you turn east over the Khari La and Pangkongma La passes, through farmland, bamboo and rhododendron forest, then cross the Surke La and climb above the tree line into summer yak pastures, with growing views of Numbur, Kongde and the three summits of Mera.
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Following the Hinku Khola upstream past Kote, you reach Tangnag, where a day hike to about 5,000m helps your body adjust. At Khare, the base camp, two further days are spent acclimatising and practising with ice axe, crampons, ropes and jumar, with a full equipment check. You then cross the Mera La and climb the glacier to High Camp at 5,800m, where the sunset lights up Makalu.
On summit day you set off around 2am, roped in teams, climbing the wide glacier to the top of Mera Central, where the final 50m is the steepest part. On a clear morning the panorama includes Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Kangchenjunga. A contingency day allows for bad weather. The return crosses the high Zatrwa La back to Lukla, then you fly to Manthali and drive to Kathmandu for a free day.
The physical rating is high. Previous high-altitude trekking experience and excellent fitness are needed. This expedition suits determined trekkers ready to take their first step onto a Himalayan summit with expert support.
Trip highlights
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A mountain flight to Lukla (Day 2)
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Crossing the Pangkongma La and Surke La (Days 4–6)
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The Hinku Valley below Mera's three summits (Day 8)
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Ice-axe and crampon training at Khare (Days 11–12)
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A night at High Camp at 5,800m (Day 13)
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Summiting Mera Central at 6,476m (Day 14)
Your route
8 stops from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Kathmandu Days 1 & 19–21
- Lukla Day 2
- Hinku Valley (teahouses) Days 2–6
- Kote Days 7 & 16–17
- Tangnag Days 8–9
- Khare (base camp) Days 10–12 & 14–15
- High Camp Day 13
- Lukla Day 18
Why choose this tour
A guided ascent of Nepal's highest trekking peak, by a quiet route away from the main Everest trail. Built-in acclimatisation, skills training and a contingency day for the summit.
Best suited to
- Experienced high-altitude trekkers
- Trekkers stepping up to a first Himalayan summit
- Very fit, determined travellers
- Mountain lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
21 days from Kathmandu, Nepal to Kathmandu, Nepal
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Day 1 · Kathmandu Arrive in Kathmandu
A welcome meeting and dinner near Thamel.
- Hotel
- Hotel Royal Singi or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Manthali, Lukla, Piuyan Fly to Lukla
An early drive and mountain flight, then trek to Piuyan.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Khari La, Pangkongma Pangkongma
Climb through farmland over the Khari La.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Pangkongma La, Nashing Dingma Nashing Dingma
Cross the pass for first views of Mera.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Surke La, Chholem Chholem
A steep climb to the Surke La.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Khola Kharka Khola Kharka
Above the tree line into yak pastures.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Kote Kote
Descend into the Hinku Valley.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Hinku Khola, Tangnag Tangnag
Follow the river below Mera's summits.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Tangnag Acclimatisation
A hike to about 5,000m and back.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Khare Khare
A short walk to base camp.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Khare Skills training
Ice-axe, crampon and rope practice.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Mera La Crampon point
An acclimatisation climb towards the Mera La.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Mera La, High Camp High Camp
Climb the glacier to camp at 5,800m.
- Hotel
- Full-service camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 14 · Mera Central Summit day
A pre-dawn ascent to 6,476m, then back to Khare.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Khare Contingency day
Held in reserve for bad weather.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 16 · Tangnag, Kote Kote
Retrace the valley to Kote.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 17 · Chetrabu Chetrabu
A hard climb towards the Zatrwa La.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 18 · Zatrwa La, Lukla Lukla
Cross the high pass back to Lukla.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 19 · Manthali, Kathmandu Kathmandu
Fly to Manthali and drive to Kathmandu.
- Hotel
- Hotel Royal Singi or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 20 · Kathmandu Kathmandu
A free day for temples and stupas.
- Hotel
- Hotel Royal Singi or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 21 · Kathmandu Tour ends
The tour ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kathmandu (1 night) Hotel Royal Singi or similar
- Hinku Valley and Mera trek (11 nights) Teahouses
- High Camp (1 night) Full-service camping
- Khare to Lukla (5 nights) Teahouses
- Kathmandu (2 nights) Hotel Royal Singi or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 3 nights in a hotel, 16 in teahouses and 1 at High Camp
- Meals 20 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
- Return flights between Manthali and Lukla, and private transport
- Climbing permit and national park fees
- Climbing equipment bundle ice axe, harness, ascender, carabiners, belay device and rope
- A kitbag to keep
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Tour leader, climbing guides and local staff
Not included
- Meals not included 17 lunches and 18 dinners
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Most lunches and dinners on the trek
- Sleeping bag, boots and crampons, tips, travel insurance with high-altitude cover and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You have no high-altitude trekking experience
- You want comfort — teahouses are simple and unheated
- You dislike camping — one night is at High Camp on the glacier
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Dates & prices
Dates on request – enquire for the next season.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Do I need climbing experience?
Technical climbing experience is not essential, but previous high-altitude trekking and excellent fitness are. Skills training is given at Khare.
How is altitude managed?
The route climbs gradually, with acclimatisation days at Tangnag and Khare and a contingency day for the summit.
What is High Camp like?
One night of full-service camping at 5,800m, in basic tents with a long-drop toilet.
What equipment is provided?
An ice axe, harness, ascender, carabiners, belay device and rope to use, plus a kitbag to keep. Bring your own boots, crampons and sleeping bag.
What happens if I cannot summit?
A contingency day allows for bad weather. If someone in a roped team cannot continue, the whole team may need to turn back.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 12 travellers aged 18 and over, with a tour leader, climbing guides and local staff.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary