Pikey Peak Trek

Your journey to Pikey Peak begins the moment you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 1,400 m (4,593 ft). Kora Adventure team members will be waiting outside to welcome you with a garland. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in the main areas used by trekkers. These areas sit close to trekking stores, medical shops, and money exchange services. After check-in, you can rest and recover from your flight.

Later in the day, you’ll complete a full gear check with your guide. This step confirms that your clothing, footwear, and equipment are appropriate for the weather and elevation of the Pikey Peak route. If any items are missing, you can rent or buy them at nearby shops, as Kathmandu is Nepal’s largest trekking supply market. In the evening, you’ll attend a welcome dinner and trek briefing by the trek guide. You’ll review safety rules, permits, trail conditions, and the plan for the following days.

On day 2 of the Pikey Peak Itinerary, you’ll leave Kathmandu in a private jeep arranged by our team and follow the BP Highway toward eastern Nepal. This road was built with Japanese support and connects the capital with the mid-hill regions. The drive follows major river systems, such as the Sunkoshi, which is known for rafting. You’ll pass the Tamakoshi and Dudhkoshi river corridors and stop around Ghurmi town for lunch.

After lunch, the road passes the Okhaldhunga district headquarters. As elevation increases, the air cools, and forest cover becomes thicker. You may see early views of Mount Gaurishanker, Makalu, and Numbur Himal as well. The road becomes rough after Dhap Danda 2,850 m (9,350 ft) as the pavement ends. This change in road condition signals your entry into the Solu region.

After an early breakfast at your teahouse in Dhap Bazaar, the day’s trek begins. The first stop is the traditional Sherpa village of Sigane, roughly 6 km (3.73 mi) into the trek, where many trekkers pause for lunch or a short rest. From Sigane, you’ll walk on a road that is currently under construction. This part can be a bit dusty or muddy depending on recent weather, but it is manageable.

Forest cover becomes stronger as you move ahead with rhododendron and pine common in this zone. Jhapre at 2,920 m (9,580 ft) is a Sherpa village set above a deep valley. The village itself offers a great view of Mount Everest and the Numbur Himal. Because today’s walk is short, you can also explore a small, quaint Buddhist monastery (gompa) and a stupa near the village.

As you begin day 4 of the trek, you are just one step away from your ultimate destination. You’ll leave Jhapre after breakfast and follow a rising trail toward higher ground. The route moves from a short road section into the rhododendron forest. These rhododendron forests bloom in red and pink, completely transforming the surrounding landscape during the spring season (March to May). Shortly, after some hours of trekking, you’ll reach Bhulbule.

Just after Bhulbule, the trail splits. You’ll take the path to the right that leads directly towards Pikey Peak Base Camp 3,640 m (11,940 ft). The trail turns into a traditional path, passing open yak pastures and fields. You’ll encounter long, mani stone walls and oldhuts of yak herders on the way. After that, you’ll trek below Taklung Danda on a zigzag path crossing the Dhupi forest before reaching the base camp plateau. Only 3–4 teahouses operate here, which keeps the area quiet and controlled.

Your ascent to Pikey Peak begins in the pre-dawn stillness around 5:00 AM. You will use a headlamp or torch from base camp, as it is still dark outside. The climb to the summit takes about 45 minutes on a clear trail. As the first light hits, you’ll be greeted by the vibrant “Lungta” (prayer flags) dancing in the wind.

From the top, you can see four world’s giant peaks: Everest 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft), Lhotse 8,516 m (27,940 ft), Makalu 8,485 m (27,838 ft), and Kanchenjunga 8,586 m (28,169 ft). Beyond the “Big Four,” the skyline stretches to include Gaurishanker 7,134 m (23,405 ft), the Rolwaling range, the Jugal range, Langtang Lirung 7,063 m (23,165 ft), and Ganesh Himal 7,150 m (23,451 ft). On exceptionally clear mornings, you can even spot the distant Annapurna range to the west.

Even though the mountains seem further away than on the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit treks, you can see more of them at once. It feels like looking at a giant wall of ice and snow. Many people compare this beautiful view to the hills of Sailung.

You’ll spend around 20 to 30 minutes on the summit depending on the weather. Winter brings snow near the top while other seasons see little accumulation. After spending time, you’ll descend carefully back to Pikey Base Camp. You will have breakfast here. After that, you will spend some time warming up and resting before continuing the journey back to Junbesi.

From base camp, the trail drops toward Junbesi 2,680 m (8,793 ft). Junbesi is a major settlement in lower Solukhumbu and is located on the classic route used before Lukla flights became common. This town has a school, lodges, and shops, which make it one of the most active places on the trail.

After breakfast in Junbesi, you’ll start the walk to Thupten Choling Monastery. The trail follows the Junsbesi Khola (river) and passes small settlements until you reach the monastery. Thupten Choling is a large Tibetan Buddhist monastery that was established by the Trulshik Rinpoche after he fled Tibet in the late 1950s. Today, it is a center for Buddhist learning and practice in the Solukhumbu region.

You will have ample time to explore the monastery complex by observing the daily lives and rituals of the resident monks and nuns, who come from both Nepal and Tibet. After time at the monastery, you’ll return to Junbesi by the same path and spend the afternoon resting or walking around the Junbesi village.

After spending two nights at Junbesi, on day 7 of the trek to Pikey Peak Trek, you’ll leave Junbesi in the morning and follow a trail through the lower valley. The trail is wide, straightforward, and easy to walk on. A suspension bridge takes you across the Dudhkoshi River, which later joins the main route used for Everest Base Camp.

Before reaching Phaplu, you may choose to climb to Chiwong Monastery. It is located on a cliffside. It’s a worthwhile detour if you have time. If not, you can trek to Phaplu (2,380 m/ 7,808 ft), a regional center with an airport, schools, and road access to Kathmandu. You’ll settle into a guesthouse with better facilities than the trail lodges.

The journey begins early in the morning (around 5:00 AM) to maximize daylight and avoid traffic delays. The road to Phaplu is mostly paved, but there are sections that are graveled, dusty, and bumpy. The ride can be rough, so be prepared for a few jolts along the way.

The drive offers continuous, scenic views of the rural countryside of Nepal. You may also catch glimpses of Numbur Himal and other mountain ranges. You’ll arrive back in Kathmandu in the late afternoon or early evening. Once you arrive, you can settle into your hotel and rest after the long journey, and in the evening, we’ll conclude the trek with a special farewell dinner.

You’ll wake up in Kathmandu with the Pikey Peak trek complete and plans set for the next step. If you are flying out today, you’ll have a final breakfast at your hotel and prepare for departure. Our team will arrange the airport transfer and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport with enough time for check-in and security.

If you are not leaving yet, this day acts as a reserve or rest day. You can recover from the trek. Many travelers use this time to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, all located in the Kathmandu Valley. This free day keeps the itinerary flexible.