Pikey Peak Short Trek - 7 Days

Panoramic Himalayas seen from Patale Danda

Trip Info

Trip Duration

7 Days

Max Altitude

Pikey Peak (4065m) m

Difficulty

moderate

Start From

Kathmandu

Trip Ends At

Kathmandu

Pikey Peak Short Trek Overview

There are several different trek routes in the Himalayan region and all of them provide alluring views of the snow massifs including the world's highest Everest. This often creates hot debate among fellow trekkers for the best view of Everest. While many choose the common path walked by all, you might opt for the less walked path. You might settle on Kala Patthar while your friend has decided on some other.

But Edmund Hillary (the first climber to step foot on the summit of Mount Everest) might not be on the same page with most of you and declare Pikey Peak Trail as the best Everest viewing trek. Hillary’s supposed claims might be true considering the stretched skyline that you get to fit encompassing even the very far away points.

At Pikey Peak, the horizon stretches wide, fitting in mountains from Dhaulagiri all the way to Kanchenjunga. The sight is truly magical as the high peaks will sometimes disappear into the clouds towards the edges. It is one of Nepal's best-kept trekking secrets which offers a vista of Nepal's eight-thousanders from a single location, including Mt Everest. Annapurna, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Kangchenjunga, and other eight-thousanders lurk behind small but closer peaks throughout this walking journey. The exquisite top of Numbur Mountain, which stands tall above Karyolung Peak, is right in front of you almost every day of this Pikey Peak Short Trek.

To reach Pikey Hill, your journey starts from Phaplu which is at around 2500 m and you make your way through Salleri, Ghunsa, Jhapre, etc. Or, you can start from Pattale and make it through Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp. On your way, you get to visit the beautiful villages populated by hardworking and kind Sherpa people and some Tamang and Magar. Thus, also regarded as Pikey Peak Sherpa Land.

You also get to visit several monasteries that are adorned with prayer flags and colorful writings in Nepali languages. At Jhapre, you may catch the local cultural performance that displays their proud traditions. It’s a newly explored destination and less touristic area. There will be enticing chances to view Everest from close proximity and learn about the Sherpa culture.

As you get closer to the base camp, you come across a huge mani wall that is studded with carvings by local artisans. After acclimatization, at the 3600m high base, you make your way to Pikey Peak, which is an easy task considering the small elevation bump of 400m.

The best part is you can do all of this in a short time: Just a Week!

Trip Highlights

Stunning views of Everest from the most beautiful vantage points such as Pattale
View a vast length of the Himalayan ranges such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Makalu, Numbur range, and Kanchenjunga from the Pikey Peak top
Glorious sunrise and sunset views
Discovery of local Sherpa culture & their sweet hospitality
Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries of the lower Khumbu region
Discover chortens, mani walls & prayer flags
Opportunity to explore the unpopular trekking routes in the lower Everest region

Pikey Peak Trek Difficulty

Pikey Peak trek is an easy to moderate level trekking journey. The route follows the lower Everest region and the highest elevation gained in this journey is 4065 meters at the top of Pikey Peak itself. We won’t find steep or challenging paths along the way, but 5 to 6 hours of the daily walk is required with ups and downs as common in trekking. Because of its lower elevation, it is accessible to the majority of people with zero to full trekking experience. However, the trekkers should be physically and mentally determined to complete the trek successfully.

Best time to do Pikey Peak Trek

Like most treks in Nepal, Pikey Peak Trek is best done in the spring and fall months as these periods of the year are recognized for their beautiful and stable weather and breathtaking scenery.

The king of seasons, spring is known as the flower blooming season, and it is during this time that you will view the vibrant rhododendrons while trekking in the Himalayas. Rhododendron forests are ablaze with pink, crimson, and white blooms, and the mountains gleam against deep blue skies with the pleasant weather.

Similarly autumn is also the finest time to go trekking because there are fewer chances of rain and the environment grows greener owing to the planting of various crops. It is also a happy time in Nepal because the country’s most important festivals like Dashain and Tihar fall around this time.

Pikey Peak Trekking is also possible during winter but the bitterly cold temperatures of winter may not be ideal for all hikers. But the vistas may be spectacular, especially when the mountains are blanketed in white snow. If you plan on trekking Pikey Peak in the winter, make sure to check the availability of tea houses at higher elevations.

It's advisable to avoid this journey during the summer/monsoon because the trail will be slick, and leeches will encroach on you as you walk through the jungle. There is also posing a risk of landslides and flooding. However, for dedicated botanists, this season may be ideal, as the entire trekking track would be covered with thick flora.

Permits to trek to Pikey Peak

Alike many other treks in Nepal, Pikey Peak Trek also require TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Permits. Besides TIMS, no other permits are required to do the Pikey Peak Trek.

Trek route to Pikey Peak

The Pikey Peak Trek journey begins with a scenic drive starting from the capital, Kathmandu to Pattale Danda. The real walk starts the other day from Pattale after viewing the wonderful sunrise view along with the beautiful Himalayan Ranges. Jhapre is where we stay for the night. We reside at a lodge at the Pikey Peak Base Camp on the day we leave Jhapre. The most anticipated day is to climb the Pikey Peak top. We will reach in less than 2 hours at the top from the base camp where we will spend quite an amount of time and descend to

(Note: This route is designed for those who are already in Kathmandu or want to cover the activities in Kathmandu by themselves. However, if you want to have the travel plan with Kathmandu activities included, we would customize it for you as per your interest and requirement.)

Also, you can look at our other Pikey Peak Package with camping: Pikey Peak 13 days Trek

Trip Facts

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Itinerary Details

Day 1: Scenic drive to Pattale

10 hrs

Max Altitude: 2,840 m

After breakfast, we will depart Kathmandu for Pattale in our private vehicle. The black-topped road follows the Sunkoshi River and joins the Tama Koshi River forming the huge Koshi River until we reach a place called Ghurmi. We eat our lunch there and continue our journey through the deep rhododendron forest. We pass by many settlement areas before arriving in Dhap where we will take a short break. From here, we further continue to Pattale Danda.

Note: We can stop at Dhap and spend the night there or further move to Jhapre from Pattale to spend the night on this day. But, we will spend an overnight at Pattale Danda because the site has the finest view of Mount Everest, and the atmosphere is unrivaled. The hills that surround Pattale turn red in April due to Rhododendron blossoms, and white in the winter due to constant snowfall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 2: Trek to Jhapre

5-6 hrs

Max Altitude: 2,820 m

The view is stunning at dusk from Pattale. But, the dawn view is much more mesmerizing. We will rise before the dawn to witness the first rays of the sun changing the White Mountains into golden. Once we realize to move on to our journey, we will have our breakfast admiring the landscapes and scenery, and start the trekking journey from here.

We start from a ridgeline south of Pattale and as we approach Sigane, we will get the amazing vistas of the Number Himalayan Range. We walk along the bumpy roads till we reach our destination Jhapre. Jhapre is positioned atop a deep valley with spectacular views of Everest and the Numbur Himal. Later after a brief rest, you can explore the surroundings and visit the lovely Gompa (stupa) there.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 3: Trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp

5-6 hrs

Max Altitude: 3,640 m

Again, we will rise early to capture the first ray of sun hitting the Himalayan peaks. Our today’s trail from Jhapre ascends to Bhulbhule's grassy ridge. We will find 1 single lodge here with great views of the Everest range from here. The trail splits shortly beyond Bhulbhule, and we turn right towards Pikey Peak. The trail becomes steeper from here, ascending through Lhamuje's rhododendron forests and small village areas. Beyond Lhamuje, the trail opens up to expose a grassland with grazing Yaks. We pass a lengthy Mani wall and some abandoned antique yak herder’s cottages. The trail then curves the hillside beneath Taklung Danda, passing through a lovely woodland track lined with rhododendrons. After 2 hours of trekking from the forest, we reach the Pikey Peak Base Camp. We will go to the Yak Cheese Factory and take in the breathtaking views of the valley's gorgeous mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 4: Pikey Peak summit & trek to Junbesi

7-8 hrs

Max Altitude: 4,065 m

It is best to trek to the summit early in the morning to catch the sunrise. So, we start before dawn along the steep rocky ridgeline. It is a short distance from the base camp to the summit. Once we reach the focal destination of this Pikey Peak Trek, i.e., the Pikey Peak at 4065 meters, we are offered the wonderful views of Mt. Everest (8848.86m), Number Chuli (6959m), Thamserku (6608m), Kangtega (6685m), Khatang (6853m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Manaslu (8163m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Gaurishankar (7134m), Dorje Lakpa (6966m), and Langtang (7246m). We spend some quality time at the peak admiring the landscape, mountains, sunrise, and surroundings and start descending back to Junbesi passing by Lamjura La (3530m).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 5: Hike around Junbesi to Thuptenchholing Gompa

4-5 hrs

Max Altitude: 2,920 m

Today is going to be our village exploration day. We will explore the surroundings and pay our visits to a 19th century Thuptenchholing Gompa at 2920 meters. From the village, we follow the trail that ascends along the Junbesi Khola and takes us to the Gompa. The Gompa provides in-depth insights into the region's culture and religious traditions. We return to Junbesi after spending some hours here.

The walk is pleasant through the coniferous, fragrant forests, streams, small waterfalls, suspension bridges, lush green mountains, hanging from every side, and clouds at the sight level. There is a strange tomb-like stone overgrown with moss and old broken engraved texts. We will cross the stream on a suspension bridge and walked by a large chorten (stupa) with beautiful statuettes at the top along the perimeter. We then ascent to the elevation mark of 3000 m, and enter the territory of the monastery.

We return to Junbesi for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 6: Trek to Salleri/Phaplu

4-5 hrs

Max Altitude: 2,675 m

After breakfast, we will resume our trekking journey which is also the last trekking of this Pikey Peak Trek. We follow the dusty track that is descending along the Junbesi Khola until we reach the steel suspension bridge. We will pass by a beautiful place called Beni Ghat and continue on the picturesque trail before we reach Phaplu for an overnight stay. Or, we can further move down to Salleri before we set out for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Lodge

Day 7: Scenic flight/ drive back to Kathmandu

30 mins

Max Altitude: 2,470 m

As the trek has come to an end, we will today depart back to Kathmandu. We can either drive or fly from the airport in Phaplu taking in the scenic landscape views of the mountains, valleys, and rivers.

Meals: Breakfast

What is included / not included

Include

Arrival and Departure Transfer to/from Hotel as Per Itinerary by Private Car
Twin/Double Bed Room Sharing 3* Standard Category accommodations in Kathmandu
Daily Breakfast at Hotel in Kathmandu as per Itinerary
Best available Local lodge/Teahouse accommodations During the trek
Private Jeep transfer to/from Salleri/Pattale Danda
Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner During the Trek
Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu
English Speaking Professional Guide
Heritage Entrance Fees as Per itinerary
Entrance and Permits Fees - TIMS and Pikey Route Trek Permit Fees
An Experienced Trekking Guide and Required Number of Porters as per Group size
All Wages, Insurance, Equipment, and Cost for Guide and Porters
Welcome/Farewell Dinner
All applicable Taxes

Exclude

International airfares and airport tax to/from Kathmandu
Nepal Visa Fees
Personal Trekking Equipment and clothing
Personal expenses such as laundry, liquor, room service, phone bills, bar bills, etc.
Tips for Guide/Porter/Driver
Your Travel Insurance
Any cost occurs from any unfavorable conditions such as landslides, bad weather, flight cancellation, etc.
Any expenses not in the 'Includes' section

Accommodation

We offer 3* Standard Category accommodations on a twin/double sharing basis in Kathmandu. One can upgrade the service for an additional price. For the lodging facilities during the Pikey Peak Trek route, we will stay at the best available local lodges and tea houses with basic services.

Meals

All our accommodation in Kathmandu offers bed & breakfast service. Lunches and dinner are also available at the same hotel/resort at extra cost. But there are thousands of restaurants and eateries in Kathmandu. So, you can choose one of them which matches your taste and dine in there.

During the trekking journey, all three meals with tea/coffee are provided. Breakfasts and dinners are usually served at the same teahouse/lodge and lunches are found en route to the other destination. The services are very basic with the Nepalese menu the most popular and eaten. Daal Bhat (Rice with lentil soup and seasonal vegetables), momos, noodles, eggs, chapatis, potatoes, etc. are the most popular menus.