Summit Mera Peak (6,476m), Nepal's highest trekking peak, via the scenic Paiya route through Makalu Barun National Park. Non-technical glacier walk to the summit. 17 days, from USD 2,475.
The Paiya approach through Makalu Barun NP passes through dense rhododendron forest, remote Rai villages, and river valleys before opening into the Hinku. The scenery is more varied than the direct Zatra La approach.
The summit glacier of Mera Peak is gentle enough to walk roped but unclimbed. No fixed ropes, no steep ice. The panorama from 6,476m includes five of the six highest mountains on Earth: Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
Mera Peak is the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Standing at 6,476m, you are higher than any point on the EBC, ABC, or Annapurna Circuit treks. The altitude experience is unmatched for a non-technical climb.
Mera Peak (6,476m) via the Paiya route is a 17-day climb through Makalu Barun National Park, approaching from the east. The Paiya route is longer and more scenic than the standard Zatra La approach, passing through rhododendron forests and remote Rai villages before reaching the Hinku Valley and Mera Base Camp. The summit route is a non-technical glacier walk, making Mera Peak the most accessible 6,000m+ summit in Nepal.
From Lukla the trail heads east to Paiya, then south through forest and over a ridge into the Hinku Valley. Mera Base Camp (4,850m) and High Camp at Mera La (5,415m) provide acclimatization. The summit glacier is straightforward: roped glacier travel on gentle slopes to the summit at 6,476m.
Permits: Makalu Barun National Park and NMA peak permit. All included.
For the standard approach via Zatra La Pass, the Mera Peak Climb Via Zatra La Pass is 18 days (USD 2,475). For a lower, more technical peak in the Khumbu, Island Peak Climbing (6,189m) combines with EBC in 19 days.
17 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.
Early-morning 25-minute flight to Lukla (2,800 m), then trek to Paiya (2,730 m), approximately 8 to 9 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Pangom (2,846 m), approximately 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Ningsow (Sibuje) (3,150 m), approximately 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Chhatra Khola (3,150 m), approximately 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Kothe (4,095 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Thangnak (4,350 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Khare (4,900 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Acclimatization day and climbing practice at Khare. Overnight at guesthouse.
Trek to Mera La (5,415 m) and continue to High Camp (5,800 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Summit Mera Peak (6,476 m) and return to Khare (4,900 m), approximately 10 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Kothe (3,600 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Thuli Kharka (4,250 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Trek to Lukla (2,800 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at teahouse.
Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.
All ground transportation (including airport pickup and departure transfer) in Kathmandu by private vehicle.
3 nights twin-sharing accommodation in Kathmandu.
Farewell dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant.
Half-day guided tour of Kathmandu Valley.
All domestic airfares as per the itinerary (Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu), transfers, and airport taxes.
Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and coffee) during the trek and Mera Peak climb as per the itinerary.
Best available twin-sharing accommodation at teahouses and lodges during the trek, and tented camp during the climbing section (two-person tents).
Mera Peak climbing permit, Sagarmatha National Park and Makalu Barun National Park entry fees and permits.
Necessary group climbing gear (main rope, fixed rope, ice axe, ice screws, etc.) and personal climbing equipment for climbers such as crampons, harness, tape slings, screw-gate carabiners, descender, prussic loops, and plastic mountaineering boots.
One English-speaking trekking and climbing guide (first-aid trained, NMA-certified climbing leader), assistant trek/climb guide in group, and Sherpa helpers to carry trek luggage, food, and kitchen utensils. All staff payments included.
Oxygen for backup use if required on climb days (additional cost applies, US$100 per hour).
Four-season sleeping bag and down jacket for the trek and climb to Mera Peak (to be returned after use), plus a trek duffel bag.
Exclusive medical kit bag including high-altitude medicine.
Adventure climb certificate.
All government and local taxes as applicable.
Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.
Travel insurance (compulsory).
International airfare and airport departure tax.
Nepal entry visa fee.
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.
Personal trekking and climbing equipment.
Tips for trekking and climbing staff.
Monument entrance fees.
Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
Note: should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.
Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.
The highest you can stand in Nepal without technical mountaineering. 6,476m on a glacier walk.
Five of the six highest mountains on Earth visible from the summit.
The Paiya route through Makalu Barun is more scenic and less crowded than the standard approach.
A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.
You want to stand on a 6,000m+ summit without technical climbing. Mera Peak is a glacier walk, not a climb.
You can walk 6 to 7 hours a day for 13 trekking days plus 1 summit day of 8 to 10 hours.
Basic crampon walking on glacier ice is the main skill required. No jumar, no fixed ropes, no rock climbing.
Prior experience above 5,000m is strongly recommended. You sleep at 5,415m (Mera La) before the summit.
Budget is USD 2,475 including NMA permit, climbing Sherpa, and camping equipment.
The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.
Climbing boots
Harness
Crampons
Ice axe
Tapes and slings
Carabiners
Ice screws
Snow bars
Rock pegs
Helmet
Climbing rucksack
Day bag
Kit bag
Ascenders
Descenders
Base layer t shirts
Long sleeved cotton and woollen shirts
Long wool underwear
Cotton hiking shorts
Warm climbing trousers
Lightweight fleece
Fleece or wool mid layer
Down high altitude sleeping bag
Sleeping pad or thermarest
Light athletic socks and wool climbing socks
Lightweight thermal and insulated ski gloves
Head torch with spare batteries
Waterproof climbing jacket
Down jacket and trousers
Climbing sunglasses
Sun cream
Sun hat
Gaiters
Should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.
Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.
Real reviews from real trekkers who have walked this exact route. No curation, no edits.
