Mera Peak, Nepal

Climbers should have successfully completed our 6 Day Basic Mountaineering Course, or have performed well on a 3 day climb of Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker, or have equivalent skills and experience. Climbers must be mentally prepared to deal with strenuous situations at high altitudes. The requirements are also based on our desire to have similarly skilled team members.

Climbers must be in excellent physical condition. Summit day can be 10-14 hours long.

Along with the required climbing skills, review cardio training on the Training page for this climb. We strongly recommend following the advice of our guides to acclimatize properly.

Your expedition leader will be one of our international mountain guides. They will have along as many assistant guides as necessary to ensure a low climber-to-guide ratio. See more on Guides here.

The best months to climb Mera Peak are in April and October.

Generally, our maximum for this climb is 15 climbers plus guides and Sherpa.

During the trek, we will be lodging in teahouses (very simple lodging). During the climb, we will be in a fully stocked camp tent at Mera Peak Base Camp. Team members will either share a teahouse room (two per room) or a tent (two per tent) while at Base Camp.

During the trek and climb, team members will only carry gear and supplies for the day. At no point do we carry camping gear or equipment for overnight. During the trek, daypacks will weigh no more than 20 lbs., and during the climb, the packs will weigh no more than 30 lbs.

Please review the Gear List.

Those requesting rental gear must submit an online expedition rental form with payment. All rental gear will be mailed to the climber prior to the climb. Climbers are expected to clean all rental gear and return it to us by mail following the expedition.

While all items are required, there may be times when climbers do not use some of the items on the Gear List (such as warm weather or changing conditions). The Gear Lists are created by the guides to assist in having climbers be prepared to summit in any conditions.

While it is impossible for us to list all brands for certain gear, we do offer a wide variety of equipment in our Gear Shop that has been hand picked by our staff of mountaineering experts. Please feel free to call our offices with any gear questions or substitutes. Plastic boots are required for this climb.

During the trek, we will provide unlimited amounts of water at mealtimes. Team members can fill up water bottles at meals and use their SteriPen to sterilize. Bottled water can also be purchased in teahouses at additional cost, but this can be expensive and creates waste. Once in Base Camp, we will boil water.

Meals in the mountains consist of a diet rich in carbohydrates because our bodies do not process fat and protein efficiently at higher elevations and to compensate the increase in caloric need that high-altitude climbing involves. We try to make meals and breakfast varied and as normal as possible. During the trek, Alpine Ascents staff will prepare meals in the teahouses. Meals during the trek and climb are made from food purchased both in Nepal and the US. Typical meals are rice, pasta, or potato dishes along with vegetable and egg dishes. Lunches will also consist of cooked meals. Above Base Camp, climbing food mainly consists of dried meals such as pastas or rice. Lunches while climbing will mainly be made up of bars and snacks brought from the US.

Sample menu here.

You may bring power bars, Gu, Power Gel, cereal bars, or similar high-energy foods; we also recommend powder Gatorade to fight dehydration. All meals are provided on this expedition.

No requirements at this time.

Most routes from the US to Kathmandu are via Asia,  but there are many options via Europe as well.

Fares are generally less expensive when booked early. You may use our travel agent (Charles Mulvehill 1-800-727-2157) or book flights yourself. Please note that flights booked online are often difficult to change. Please send us a copy of your flight schedule as early as possible as this allows us to book pick ups and hotels.

We will pick up all climbers and trekkers at the airport. Guides will often meet you upon arrival at the hotel or at our first planned meeting.

We are happy to make arrangements such as personalized tours, extra hotel rooms, airport pick-ups, and arrange for private rooms. Please indicate that you would like a private room on your application and we will contact you with information on single-room supplement costs (for hotels only).

The easiest way to obtain a visa is in the Kathmandu airport. Upon arrival in the KTM airport, fill out the necessary forms and proceed to the visa line. As visa prices change often, we suggest taking a variety of cash denominations, such as (2) $20.00 bills (1) $10.00 bill (1) $5.00 bill. We will obtain a trekking permit for you in KTM.

• Current visa cost is $30.00 and is subject to change.
• Please obtain a one-month visa.

Please bring two passport photos (one for the visa and one extra).

Cell phones work in many parts of the Khumbu as well as in Kathmandu. We can assist you in getting a local sim card but you must “unlock” your phone beforehand. We can assist in getting a phone unlocked in KTM, but it can cost up to $50 and take 48 hours (usually less).

Check the Reading List on the Island Peak page of our website.

You can always call our offices and we will have your Mera Peak lead guide contact you. Within 30 days prior to departure, we will mail a list of the other team members to you.

At least $500 should easily cover any extra expenses and tips. Most climbers prefer to bring about $1,000 and have credit cards.

We suggest $200 total for tipping all Sherpa guides and 7-12% for Western guides. You may have some perfunctory tips at hotels and at time of transport. Tipping is not required but a common practice.

Book a Trip at: www.alpineascents.com/registration or call our office with a credit card handy.

Each climber should submit an application and flight information.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, personal checks, and Alpine Ascents gift certificates. To reserve a space, the deposit is $700 and balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Unpaid balances can result in forfeiture of trip.

See our Price & Schedules page.

Communication is sometimes difficult in the mountains. However, our guides and local staff will make every efforts to obtain the necessary transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if for any reason you need to depart early.