8 Days Pikey Peak Trek - 8 Days

Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak Trek is 8 days moderate trekking in lower Everest region of Nepal. You will start from Dhap village after long drive from Kathmandu and finish at Phaplu town. The highest point is Pikey Peak summit at 4,065 m. You will see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and many big mountains from top. No Lukla flight is needed. Cost is around $400 to $800 with local trekking company.

Start/End Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Trip Difficulty Moderate
Maximum Elevation 4,065 m
Best Season Spring & Autumn
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation Tea House
Transportation Jeep / Flight

Highlights of 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek

  • This walking route stays quiet and peaceful the whole way, very different from busy trekking highways like EBC where hundreds of people are walking same path every day.
  • Junbesi settlement is a real living Sherpa community with apple gardens, old temples, local festivals and families who have been staying in this valley for many many generations.
  • Rest day at Thupten Choling is special because this Buddhist worship place still has monks and nuns waking up before sunrise every single morning to do their daily prayers.
  • Same big mountain views as Everest Base Camp but shorter duration and lower cost makes Pikey Peak honestly best value trek we offer in Nepal.

Overview 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek

Many years I am taking foreign guests to Pikey Peak and still I feel happy when I see their face at summit time during sunrise. This trek is not so famous like Everest Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit but believe me, the view you get from Pikey Peak is something very special.

Sir Edmund Hillary also said Pikey Peak is giving one of best views of Mount Everest. He is first person to climb Everest so his words carry big meaning for us Nepali people.

This trek is 8 days total. First day is jeep drive from Kathmandu. Then six days you walk through Sherpa villages, big forest, one very cold morning to reach summit, and one beautiful monastery. At end you reach Phaplu and you can fly back to Kathmandu in 40 minutes only.

If you have 10 days in Nepal and budget is tight, this pikey peak trek is perfect for you. Please contact our team at Nepal Holiday Trip and we will make your full plan today.

What Is Pikey Peak Trek?

Pikey Peak is located in Solukhumbu district of Nepal. This is same region like Everest but different valley, less altitude, and much less crowded.

Total walking distance is around 60 to 70 km over six days. Trek starts at Dhap village at 2,850 m and finishes at Phaplu at 2,475 m. Highest point is Pikey Peak summit at 4,065 m which you reach on fourth walking day before sunrise.

The trail goes through many nice places like:

  • Jhapre village small and quiet Sherpa settlement
  • Pikey Base Camp open ridge at 3,640 m with cold nights
  • Junbesi village one of most beautiful Sherpa villages in whole Solukhumbu
  • Thupten Choling Gompa working Tibetan monastery built by refugees from Tibet

Best thing is you don’t need Lukla flight for this trek. Only 7 to 8 hours jeep drive from Kathmandu brings you to starting point at Dhap. This saves money and also removes the stress of Lukla airport.

Outline Itinerary of Pikey Peak 8 Days Trek

Day 01: Kathmandu to Dhap Village (2,850 m) Jeep Drive
Day 02: Trek from Dhap to Jhapre (2,830 m)
Day 03: Trek from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp
Day 04: Climb to Pikey Peak Summit & then Jase Bhanjyang
Day 05: Trek from Jase Bhanjyang to Junbesi
Day 06: Thupten Choling Monastery Visit
Day 07: Junbesi to Phaplu
Day 08: Phaplu to Kathmandu, or flight back to Kathmandu.

Is 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek Difficult?

We call this trek moderate level. But I always tell my guests honestly two days inside this trek are truly hard.

Day three is most difficult day. You climb 810 m in single day from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp. First part of trail is through forest so it feels easy. But after 3,000 m altitude, trees become less and trail becomes steep. At 3,400 m your breathing becomes heavy and walking speed automatically slows down. This is normal thing at altitude. Don’t fight it. Walk slowly, drink water, and eat full food even if you don’t feel hungry.

Day four summit push is also very demanding. You wake up at 3 AM when it is dark and cold outside. Temperature before sunrise can go to minus 5 degree Celsius. You climb from base camp at 3,640 m to summit at 4,065 m. It takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your pace. Trail is rocky and steep in some sections. But when you reach top and see sunrise over Himalayas, you forget everything difficult.

After these two hard days, remaining trail is mostly going down. Body recovers fast when altitude decreases. Most guests feel normal again when they arrive Junbesi on day five.

Who can do this trek? If you can walk 5 to 6 hours per day and you do hill training for 4 to 6 weeks before coming Nepal, you can complete this trek. We have seen so many first time trekkers finish Pikey Peak successfully.

Trail Section Difficulty Main Challenge
Drive to Dhap Rest Long mountain roads, 9 hours
Dhap to Jhapre Easy Distance only, no big climbing
Jhapre to Base Camp Hard 810 m gain, thin air at high altitude
Summit and descent Hard then Easy 3 AM cold start, rocky path, long downhill
To Junbesi Easy-Moderate Long descent, knees get tired
Monastery day Easy Short gentle walk along river
Junbesi to Phaplu Easy Final descent, legs are already tired

Includes & Excludes of Pikey peak Trek

  • Airport pickup and drop off for all the flights.
  • All Accommodation and three times food during the Trek.
  • Both-way flight to Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu.
  • An experienced English-speaking Government-licensed Trekking Guide.
  • Each two-person group gets one porter
  • Guide and porter salary, their food and accommodation in the mountains.
  • All necessary paperwork and permits for Sagarmatha National Park Area and TIMS.
  • A comprehensive medical kit box.
  • Drinking water purification pills or water guard.
  • All government Taxes.
  • Climbing Permit, Climbing guide
  • Tented camp in Lobuche Base Camp and High Camp
  • Food and drink in the tented camp as you want
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Extra night accommodation and food in Kathmandu and Lukla.
  • Travel Rescue insurance.
  • Personal expenses like Phone calls, Laundry, Extra drinks, Battery charge, Wi-Fi, extra porters, hot and cold water, and hot showers.\
  • Tips for Guide, Porter, and Driver are mandatory.
  • Climbing Equipment and personal necessary gear. Extra charges for bags and porters.

Departure Dates & Avability

No upcoming departure dates available.

Essential Trip Information

Accommodation Along the Pikey PeakTrail

Dhap and Jhapre (nights 1 and 2): Simple teahouses with basic twin rooms. Mattress and blankets are provided. Food is good: dal bhat, noodle soup, egg dishes, Tibetan bread. Electricity for phone charging costs NPR 100 to 200. Wifi is available but signal is weak sometimes.

Pikey Base Camp (night 3): Most basic accommodation on whole route. Rooms are small and cold at 3,640 m. Blankets alone are not enough at this altitude. Sleeping bag is absolutely necessary here. Order biggest hot meal and drink plenty of water. Wake up at 3 AM.

Junbesi (nights 4 and 5): Best accommodation on whole route. Proper guesthouses with some private bathrooms. Hot shower is available at few places. Food menu is very good: dal bhat, pasta, apple pie from local orchards, good coffee at one guesthouse we know. Use these two nights to rest your body fully.

Phaplu (night 6): Most comfortable place on whole trek. Hot water, good electricity, wifi works well. Sleep deeply. You finished the trek.

Mountains Visible from Pikey Peak

From 4,065 m summit on clear autumn morning, you can see these great peaks:

  • Mount Everest (8,849 m) world’s highest mountain, northeast horizon. You can identify it by flat top and long wind cloud coming from summit.
  • Lhotse (8,516 m) fourth highest mountain in world, standing next to Everest
  • Makalu (8,485 m) fifth highest, slightly separate to east side
  • Cho Oyu (8,188 m) sixth highest, visible to northwest
  • Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) third highest on earth, far eastern horizon on Nepal-India border
  • Ama Dablam (6,812 m) most beautiful looking peak, very sharp and distinctive shape
  • Numbur Himal (6,958 m) closest big peak, rises above Junbesi valley directly below you

First snow mountains appear on day three when you reach above 3,200 m on ridgeline. So you get small preview before main show on day four. Full panorama only opens at summit, which is why 3 AM alarm is worth it.

Sherpa Culture and Villages You Visit

While walking this trail, you get to see real mountain community life, not just trekking business.

  1. Dhap is mixed community of Rai, Tamang and Sherpa people. Simple working village at end of road. Tea shops, small lodges, a school. Nothing specially set up for tourists.
  2. Jhapre is small Sherpa settlement where Buddhist signs start appearing. Mani walls at trail edges, prayer wheels at stream crossings. Village is peaceful and people are genuinely friendly.
  3. Junbesi is cultural heart of whole trek. Traditional stone houses, apple orchards, Zhung Gompa monastery at village edge. Mani Rimdu and Dhumje festivals happen here in spring. Families have lived in Junbesi for many generations. Please respect this community while visiting.
  4. Thupten Choling Gompa Trulshik Rinpoche built this monastery in 1968 after leaving Tibet. Monks and nuns live here and practice Nyingmapa Buddhism every day. Morning prayers start before 6 AM. Butter lamps, old paintings, stone carvings, prayer flags everywhere. This is spiritual place, not just tourist attraction.
  5. Phaplu small market town with hospital, government offices, airport. Different energy from trail villages.

Packing List for 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek

Please pack for 3 AM on day four at 4,000 m altitude in minus 5 degree cold wind. If your gear handles that morning, rest of trek is easier.

Clothing you must bring:

  • Moisture wicking base layers (2 or 3 sets)
  • Down jacket or warm fleece very important for base camp night and summit morning
  • Waterproof jacket and pants (rain or wind protection)
  • Warm hat and gloves you cannot go to summit without these
  • Neck gaiter for wind protection
  • Two pairs of trekking trousers
  • Four pairs of wool trekking socks minimum
  • Well broken-in trekking boots with ankle support please break in at home before coming, new boots make blisters
  • Camp sandals for teahouse evenings

Equipment:

  • Day pack 40 to 50 liter (porter carries your main bag)
  • Sleeping bag rated to minus 5 degree Celsius at minimum
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Trekking poles very helpful for long descent on day four and five
  • Headlamp with extra batteries you walk in complete darkness at 3 AM
  • Sun hat and UV protection sunglasses

Health and safety items:

  • Basic first aid kit with blister plasters
  • Diamox altitude medicine please discuss with doctor before coming
  • Water purification tablets or Steripen filter
  • Sunscreen with high SPF UV radiation is much stronger above 3,000 m than at sea level
  • Your personal medicines

Documents and money:

  • Original passport for permit checkpoints
  • All permits
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Enough Nepali Rupees cash for 6 days take more than you think you need

Your porter will carry main bag up to 20 kg. Keep it light so porter can manage comfortably.

How to Reach and Return from 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek

Getting to trek starting point at Dhap: Dhap is about 230 km east from Kathmandu in Solukhumbu district. Private jeep takes 9 hours and costs around $100 to $150 for whole vehicle shared by group. Please leave Kathmandu by 6 AM to arrive before darkness. Public bus is cheaper option but much slower and harder on body before starting 7 day trek. Nepal Holiday Trip includes private jeep both ways in all packages.

Returning from Phaplu at trek end: You have two choices.

Option 1 Fly back: Phaplu has domestic airport. Flight to Kathmandu takes 35 to 40 minutes and costs $130 to $200. From airplane you can see all mountains one more time. Book ticket early in autumn season because seats fill fast. Flights sometimes cancel due to mountain weather without much notice.

Option 2 Drive back: Private jeep from Phaplu to Kathmandu takes 8 to 10 hours and costs around $100 to $120. This is reliable option in all weather conditions. If flight cancels, jeep is your backup plan.

Our suggestion: book flight and also confirm jeep as backup. Mountain weather doesn’t wait for your schedule.

Should You Trek Solo or With Guide for 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek?

People sometimes ask if solo trekking is possible on Pikey Peak. Technically yes, it is not restricted area and trail has markings.

But I will be honest with you as someone who knows this trail well.

Above 3,000 m the path junctions become less clear, especially in mist or after rain falls. The ridgeline section approaching base camp is where first time trekkers most often lose the way. Our guides have walked this route many many times and they know every turn.

On day four at 3 AM at 4,000 m altitude, altitude sickness symptoms are difficult to notice in yourself when you are cold, tired, and it is dark outside. Confusion, bad headache, losing balance these are warning signs. Your guide notices these things before you do. Our guides receive training in altitude sickness recognition and basic first aid. This training has helped many guests stay safe on summit morning.

In Dhap and Jhapre villages, local language is Nepali. Booking rooms, understanding trail conditions, finding right path after hard descent guide handles all these things easily.

Hiring guide independently costs $25 to $35 per day plus food, accommodation, tip. For 8 days that becomes $175 to $245 before permits and transport cost. Nepal Holiday Trip package includes guide, porter, permits and jeep transport together, which is more economical than arranging separately.

If this is your first time trekking above 3,500 m altitude, please go with professional guide. It is much safer and more enjoyable.

Pikey Peak vs Other Popular Short Treks in Nepal

Trek Duration Max Altitude Everest Views Cultural Richness
Pikey Peak Trek 8 days 4,065 m Yes, direct panorama Very high: Junbesi village, living monastery
Ghorepani Poon Hill 4-5 days 3,210 m No Moderate
Mardi Himal Trek 5-6 days 4,500 m No Low
Langtang Valley Trek 7-10 days 3,800 m No Moderate
Chisapani Nagarkot 2-3 days 2,175 m No Low

Poon Hill is good trek and Langtang is also worthwhile. But both of these show you Annapurna mountains, not Everest range. Pikey Peak is only short trek in all Nepal where you see Everest and other big peaks directly without taking Lukla flight.

Mardi Himal goes higher in altitude but cultural experience is very limited. Pikey Peak gives you two nights in Junbesi village and one full day at working Tibetan monastery. This kind of experience you cannot find in other short treks

Itinerary Detailed of 8 Days Pikey Peak Trek

FAQs Common Questions and Answers about Pikey Peak Trek

Yes they can. Two days are genuinely challenging day three base camp climb and day four summit push. Other four walking days are manageable for most people with average fitness. Please do hill walk training for 4 to 6 weeks before coming Nepal. Go with licensed guide and respect altitude signals your body gives. Most of our first time guest successfully complete this trek.

Two permits are needed. Local area entry permit costs NPR 3,000 and TIMS card costs NPR 2,000. Both are checked on trail. Original passport is required at checkpoint. Nepal Holiday Trip arranges both permits inside package price, no extra hassle for you.

October and November are best months for clearest views. September is also good. March to May is second good window when rhododendrons are flowering on lower trail. June to August monsoon season is not recommended because summit view is usually blocked by clouds and trail becomes slippery.

You start from base camp at 3,640 m and climb 425 m to reach summit at 4,065 m. It takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Before sunrise temperature is around minus 5 degree Celsius. Trail is steep and rocky in parts. You must have headlamp, warm clothes and your guide with you. It is not technical climbing, no ropes needed. Most people who manage day three can also complete day four summit.

Yes. Phaplu has small domestic airport with regular flights to Kathmandu. Flight takes only 35 to 40 minutes. Ticket price is around $130 to $200. Flights can cancel because of mountain weather so always keep jeep option ready as backup. Book flight ticket early especially in October and November.

Ncell and NTC sim cards both work in Dhap, Jhapre and Junbesi village. Signal becomes weak or disappears completely near Pikey Base Camp and on ridge sections. Most teahouses offer wifi for small extra charge but please don’t expect fast speed or video calling quality. We always tell guests to inform family before leaving Kathmandu that communication may be limited for few days.

Vegetarian guests have no problem at all on this route. Dal bhat, vegetable noodle soup, egg dishes, Tibetan bread, porridge, vegetable fried rice and pasta are available at all teahouses. Junbesi even has apple pie and good coffee. Meat options are limited at higher altitude teahouses so vegetarian diet is actually very practical choice on this trek.

We have taken guests from age 16 to age 68 successfully on 8 days pikey peak route. There is no strict age rule but we assess fitness and health condition individually. Young teenagers should come with parents or guardian. Older guests above 60 should share their medical history with us before booking so we can prepare properly and assign right guide who understands their pace and needs.

Yes we can customize the itinerary based on your interest. Some guests add one extra night in Junbesi to explore surrounding area more slowly. Others extend toward Phaplu and visit local school or community projects. Some guests also combine Pikey Peak with short extension toward Solu Khumbu region. Please tell us your interest when you contact us and we will design something suitable.

Yes this is actually beautiful area for nature lovers. Himalayan Monal which is national bird of Nepal is commonly seen on upper ridge sections especially in morning hours. Red pandas have been spotted in forest sections between Dhap and Jhapre though sighting is not guaranteed. You will also see many species of Himalayan birds, butterflies in spring season, and sometimes deer in lower forest areas on day two and day seven.