Good news for those with basic hiking experience and an active lifestyle who are looking for a trek that offers the best highlights of Mount Everest and other of the world's tallest mountain peaks: the Pikey Peak Trek is for you! Hikers who have hiked from Jiri will know the beauty of this trekking route. Pikey is the best-kept secret in lower Solukhumbu, with a grand alpine landscape.
We have been recommending the Pikey Peak Trek to trekkers who dream of seeing Mount Everest and the Khumbu ranges but don't have enough time or energy to hike up to Everest Base Camp. In our experience, we have received great feedback and word-of-mouth recommendations, indicating that Pikey is a perfect trekking route for everyone, especially those who love a peaceful environment. It is not crowded with tourists and offers incredible views of Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, Mount Kanchenjunga, Annapurna, Gaurishankar, Lhotse, Nuptse, Numbur, Shishapangma, Mount Thamserku, Mera Peak, and so on.
Highlights of Pikey Peak Trek
- Stunning views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks: The Pikey Peak Trek offers some of the best views of Mount Everest in Nepal. You will also be able to see other Himalayan peaks, such as Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse.
- Short and easy trek: The Pikey Peak Trek is a short and easy trek, making it ideal for travelers of all fitness levels. The trek typically takes 5-6 days to complete.
- Experience Sherpa culture: The Pikey Peak Trek takes you through the Solukhumbu region of Nepal, which is home to the Sherpa people. You will have the opportunity to learn about Sherpa culture and traditions during your trek.
- Affordable: The Pikey Peak Trek is a relatively affordable trek, especially when compared to other treks in the Everest Region.
There are few trekking routes in Nepal that offer 360-degree views from such a low elevation with the world's top tallest mountain peaks. The Pikey Peak Trek is more popular with Western tourists than Asian tourists, past and present. The Pikey Peak Trek itinerary covers not only mountain views but also the rich culture of the Sherpa people and other ethnic groups of Nepal, as well as their warm welcome. The trek is also colorful during the spring season with rhododendron flowers and the monsoon season with wildflowers. The Pikey Trek is also considered one of the most important places of natural and biological variety, with rare plants and animals.
Spiritually, this is also a very important place in Buddhism, as it is home to the Thupten Choling Monastery, where you can observe various Buddhist rituals and chants. The trail is colorful with prayer flags, stupas, and landscapes.
The maximum height of the Pikey Peak trek is 4,065 meters (13,337 feet), which is the top of Pikey Peak. It is not actually a peak but a viewpoint, and it is walkable with regular shoes. Trekkers love the sunset and sunrise views with the spectacular mountain ranges around. In winter and early spring, there will be snow on top of Pikey, so we suggest that everyone bring crampons if their vacation is planned during this period of time. You may have heard about Lukla flight cancellations, delays, and some accidents, but this trekking route does not present a fear of cancellation or postponement because we will be taking a road trip to and from the trek to Kathmandu. This trek is considered to be one of the best and easiest trekking routes in Nepal to see Mount Everest without having to breathe heavily and risk altitude sickness.
What to expect on the Pikey Peak Trek
Accommodation in Kathmandu is excluded from our itinerary plan. Please provide your hotel details once you have booked the Pikey Peak Trek with us. We can arrange airport pickup if you like. The day before the trip departs, we will meet you in Kathmandu for a trip briefing and checklist. Your trek guide will check your gear and necessary items and help you purchase anything that is missing from your backpack. You will receive a Pikey Peak Trek map from us, and the guide will mark all of the stops and places that we will visit during the trek. The next morning, we will depart at 6-7 a.m., depending on the trip you have booked with us. If you are sharing transportation, you will need to wake up early in the morning. The guide will take you to the Jeep Station. A private Jeep will be waiting at your hotel, and the drive will start after breakfast. The distance from Kathmandu to Dhap Bazar is approximately 240 km, and it takes 8–9 hours. The trek itinerary then follows the two major attractions of the trek: Pikey Peak and Thupten Choling Monastery in Junbesi. Our guides will take you to any events or activities that are happening during your visit. You will be accompanied by a highly experienced Sherpa guide and helpful porters who will be helping you throughout the Pikey Peak journey.
Pikey Peak: Is this trip right for you?
As we mentioned earlier, this trek is for anyone looking for a moderate-to-easy trek with spectacular mountain scenery, landscapes, and culture. The word "peak" may sound challenging and require more skills, but the Pikey Peak Trek is not like that. It is a simple trek that is also suitable for beginners. Ascending and descending are normal on all trekking trails in Nepal, but you can prepare for it before coming here. Young people may need a few days of preparation, but older people will obviously need more stamina and training. However, if you can walk for 6-7 hours, then this trek is absolutely for you. People over 70 years old have hiked to Everest Base Camp, so age matters, but if you train and work hard, then age is just a number. We are here to make your dream possible.
How to prepare yourself for the Pikey Peak Trek
The first thing you need to know is that you will only be walking with a maximum of 1-2 liters of water and your personal belongings, such as your wallet and camera. Your Sherpa porter will carry the rest of your belongings. You will need to walk for 5–6 hours a day, uphill and downhill, for 5–6 days. If you live in the city and don't have time to walk in the hills or woods, then walking on the stairs, cycling, or swimming will help to strengthen your muscles.
The Pikey Peak Trek is not challenging, so you don't need to do extreme workouts like you would if you were going for the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, it is important to be mentally prepared for the trek, especially if you are not used to being in remote mountains with limited access. Some people may have high expectations for the food, accommodation, and amenities on this trek, but it is important to keep in mind that this is a remote area and resources are limited. Please adjust your expectations accordingly.
What should you pack for the Pikey Peak Trek?
This is the most important question to answer once you have decided to book this trip. You must prepare and bring the essential gear that is needed for the trek. We have provided a link to a Nepal Trekking Gear List below. The mountain weather on the route can be unpredictable, so make sure to pack a waterproof daypack, trekking boots, a Gore-Tex jacket, and a windproof jacket. You are on a short trek, so you don't need to pack too many unnecessary things. If you have your own sleeping bag, it is better to bring it, but you can also hire one in Kathmandu. Day Tours Nepal will provide you with waterproof duffel bags to put all of your belongings in during the trek. Your porter will be carrying these. You can get an idea of the things you will need during the trek from the link below, but here are a few essential items to keep in mind:
- Breathable underwear
- Sunscreen
- Hiking poles
- Hats and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Water bottle or hydration pack
Welcomed as a Guest and Farewelled as Family
Your vacation investment is in the right place. From beginning to end, you will enjoy yourself with our friendly staff. Our ground staff will make you dance, sing, and laugh during the trip. We meet all safety requirements and assure you that, whether you are a solo traveler, in a group, or LGBT, you will be treated as a family member. Still have some questions or concerns? Feel free to write us.