Pikey Peak Trek; a recently promoted incredibly great trip in lower Everest Region can be the your best choice if you are trying to find a less traveled but area that still offers some of best Nepal trekking experience in Khumbu that is close to Katmandu, this is a splendid (less discovered) route. This short Pikey trek provides an opportunity to go to several Buddhist monuments sites such as gompas, and stupas. Whichever the route you hoose to Pikey Peak Trek; it gives wonderful views of the Numbur Himal, Mt. Everest and other mountain peak. From the Pikey peak, one can see the various spectacular mountain view over 8,000 miter including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Manaslu, Annapurna and many other snow covered peaks. The Pikey Peak is popular for its breathtaking sunrise and sunset views and one can take pleasure in the magnificent sight of the peaks beyond the Kathmandu valley to the plains along with lots of Himalayan range.
Route and itinerary
If you're restricted on time and plus you are fit, then we can customize a 4-5 days itinerary but a more comfortable tour of 6-7 days trip allows you to hike without much physical demand and trek without stress enjoying some of best scenery by adding some spare days on the Pikey Peak trek with good well planned itinerary that permits you to walk on your own pace and enjoy the holiday with peace of mind with no rush.
5 Days Pikey Peak Rapid Trekking Itinerary for short timers and fit trekkers.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Phaplu by flight and trekking to Ghunsa. (Flights only on Mon & Fri)
Day 2: Trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp
Day 3: Pikey Peak Base Camp to Junbesi trekking. Vist Thupten Chholing Monastery
Day 4: Junbesi to Phaplu or Salleri trekking.
Day 5: Phaplu to Kathmandu by flight or ground transportation.
6 Days Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive to Dhap (250km) from Kathmandu. 8/9 hrs drive
Day 2: Trek to Dhapre (2820 m) 5-6 hrs walk
Day 3: Trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp (3540m), 5 to 6 hrs walk.
Day 4: Trek to Junbesi (2567m) via Pikey Peak. Long way down hill.
Day 5: Morning excursion to Thubtenchoeling Gompa and trek to Phaplu / Salleri. (1400 m) 5-6 hrs walk.
Day 6: Catch a local jeep ride to Kathmandu (1300m) from Salleri 10/11 hrs drive. Some 300 KM drive
Flexible Itineraries
There are several different routes to Pikey Peak and local people’s trails within the lower Khumbu area that engages getting to Pikey Peak. The usual durations (starting and ending in Kathmandu) are from 5 to 7 days depending on what you're planning for; we can craft a good tailored made trip based on how much time you have.
How to get there?
There are three ways to get there. 1) This Pikey Peak trek begins with 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu. 2) Take private or shared local jeep from Kathmandu to Dhap / Salleri that normally takes 8/10 hours depending on traffic and road condition. 3) Follow a traditional Jiri Everest Base Camp Trekking route till Bhandar then trek toward Pikey Peak via Namkheli and Gola.
Best time to trek
Like most trekking in Nepal, Pikey Peak Trek is also best in Autumn and Spring, and also the winter months given its lower altitude. It's best, however, to avoid this trek during the monsoon as it can be very wet in this region and leech can be active.
Should I take a flight or drive is fine?
If the time doesn’t allow long ride or want to opt a shorter itinerary, it's best to fly both way that cost USD 308 per head for round. If you have got longer time and wanting to avoid wasting on prices, you'll drive to Dhap by jeep or bus. It's a really scenic drive that takes around 7-8 hours however be warned that driving is that the most 'adventurous' option: roads in Nepal aren't well-maintained will be quite unsmooth and services are limited. We can arrange a 4WD private jeep if you ask.
How much would be the cost of Pikey Peak trek?
This is the question rise in mind of most of the travelers trekking to this area; yes the price depends on mode of your tour. Typically the trekking package price is USD 570 – 590 for 7 days program based on two people sharing but your mode of transpiration differs the cost. Our standard price is USD 549 per person inclusive package with local group transport.
If you prefer relaxing transpiration; extra cost will be:
Flight from Phaplu USD 154 / person same rate for vice versa.
Private jeep cost USD 230 for the group and same rate for way back.
7 Days detail itinerary with more comfortable plan.
Day 01: Kathmandu - Dhap (93480 ft / 2850 m)
After breakfast, your guide picks you from your hotel in Kathmandu . Drive to Dhap, from Kathmandu that will be around 8/9 hours. From here the road takes us into the Gangatic Plains of the Terai, 50km north of the Indian border. The route diverts from the main highway, ascending the mountainous, winding road to the trailhead, Dhap, where we’ll stay for the night.
Day 02: Trek to Jhapre (73480 ft / 2250 m)
The trail quickly leaves the road, as an undulating path takes you through forest of brightly colored rhododendrons, white sub-alpine flowers and endless views of the foothills of the greatest mountain range on earth. The valleys are steep sided, with terraced fields of rice and vegetables carved into the hillsides and it is here that you’ll start to fully appreciate walking through the Sherpa homeland. The day is a relaxed 5-6 hours of walking on quiet trails. Soon we reach to Japre (2920 m/9580 ft), perched above a deep valley with nice views of Everest and Numbur Himal. There’s a pretty little gompa and stupa here, and this is your stop for the night, overnight is in the quiet mountain village of Japhre.
Day 03: Trek to Pikey Base Camp (11,942 ft / 3640 m)
After Japre, the path climbs up to a grassy ridge at Bhulbhule. There is one lodge with no name and nice views of the mountain peak vary from here. Before long when Bhulbhule, the path splits and you'll flip right to Pikey Peak. You will pass some previous yak huts and an extended Mani Wall. Then path contours the side below Taklung Danda and goes through a fine looking wooded trail. There are several rhododendrons here on tier path (which you'll see they blooming if trekking in spring). As you allow the forest, it a short walk to Pikey Peak base camp, regarding a pair of hours away. From here, it's a brief climb to the summit at 4065 m / 13336 foot. Unless you've got an extraordinarily clear evening, it is wise idea to climb to the summit in morning for sunrise.
Day 04: Trek to Loding (8,251 ft / 2515 m)
Begin your day early to catch a nice sunrise at Pikey Peak then hike to Loding, you'll follow a gradual path to the summit, coated with prayer flags. The views are breathtaking! If the weather is clear, you'll be rewarded with wide views from Annapurna to Everest. From the highest of Pikey Peak, you'll follow a ridgeline that starts flat so steepens as you enter the forest to Jase Bhanjyang, wherever breakfast are waiting. After breakfast, you'll continue your walk all the way down to Loding, that passes through some steep sections within the forest. At Loding, you'll have a couple of decisions for accommodation that are easy and charming.
Day 05: Trek to Junbesi ( 8856 ft / 2700m)
Begin the day by walking down the ridgeline for breakfast at Jase Bhanjyang. Leaving there, there are a few options for the descent to Junbesi. The most likely is a striking shortcut trail that leaves the ridge shortly after Jase and descends steeply through spectacular old growth forest to Taktor. This path meets the Everest Base Camp trail coming from Jiri. The tea houses from here are a bit more improved, and you're likely to meet a few other trekkers for the first time. Some 2 hours walk on pleasant trail takes you to Junbesi. Junbesi is a traditional Sherpa village sitting at an altitude of 2675 m/ 8776 ft, and is the cradle of Sherpa culture and architecture. The Sherpas consider the Solukhumbu a sacred valley. In this remote part of Nepal that borders to Tibet, Buddhism flourishes and there are numerous Buddhist monasteries along the way. Afternoon excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery.
Day 06: Trek to Salleri (9711 ft / 2960 m)
Today, leave the main trekking route again and take a beautiful path down to Phaplu through the forest. There's also the option of hiking up to Chiwong Gompa, perched high on a cliff overlooking the valley. This monastery was founded in 1923 and has magnificent celebrations for the Mani Rimdu festival in autumn (usually falls in end of October and beggining Novemver Full Moon). Continue on down into Phaplu and celebrate the completion of a great trek at your cozy tea house..
Day 07: Back to Kathmandu (4264 ft / 1300m)
We’ll be saying good bye to the Himalayas and making the return trip to Kathmandu. The route takes us out of the Solu Khumbu, across the mighty Sun Kosi river, with its origins hailing all the way from Tibet, hundreds of kilometres away and finally back to the main highway that takes us from the flatlands back into the Kathmandu Valley. Trip Concludes and farewell friend!
