Pikey Peak Trek: A Short Trek with Great Views of Everest - 9 Days

Planning Your Trek

If you're looking for a short trek in the Everest region near Kathmandu, this is a great (less discovered) route. If you're feeling very fit or are just short on time, this can be done in 3-4 days. But, a more leisurely 6-day trek allows for a physical workout without the stress, and a chance to visit a number of Buddhist sites (monasteries, gompas, and stupas). Both itineraries provide amazing views of the Numbur Himal range and Everest. But is it the best view of Everest in Nepal? You'll have to see for yourself.

Take your time enjoying the unmatched scenery by adding a few more days on the Pikey Peak trek. This itinerary allows for a more leisurely pace and is well suited to trekkers who don't want the extra physical challenge that the 3-day option requires.

Kimkim traveler, Mitch, describes his Pikey Peak trek in October 2017.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Dhap, Trek to Japre

You'll start the day with a long (8-9 hour) drive from Kathmandu to Dhap. From a ridgeline south of Dhap, you'll start the trek, and as you near Sigane, the mountains that you will get to know very well come into view — the peaks of the Numbur Himal section of the Himalayan Range.

The trail from Sigane follows a road under construction for the first couple of hours. The first village you reach is called 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.

Day 2: Trek to Pikey Base Camp

After Japre, the trail climbs up to a grassy ridge at Bhulbhule. There’s a single lodge with no name and nice views of the Everest range from here. Soon after Bhulbhule, the trail splits and you'll turn right to Pikey Peak. You’ll pass some old yak houses and a long mani stone wall. The trail then contours the hillside below Taklung Danda and goes through a beautiful forested trail.

There are many rhododendrons here along a level path (which you can see in bloom if trekking in the spring). As you leave the forest, it’s not far to Pikey Peak base camp, about 2 hours away. From here, it's a short climb to the summit at 4065 m / 13336 ft. Unless you have an unusually clear evening, it’s better to climb to the summit in the morning for sunrise.

Day 3: Sunrise at Pikey Peak, Trek to Loding

Starting early in the morning, you'll follow a gradual trail to the summit, covered with prayer flags. The views are breathtaking! If the weather is clear, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views from Annapurna to Kanchenjunga.

From the top of Pikey Peak, you'll follow a ridgeline which starts flat and then steepens as you enter the forest to Jase Bhanjyang, where breakfast will be waiting. After breakfast, you'll continue your walk down to Loding, which passes through some steep sections in the forest. At Loding, you'll have a couple choices for accommodation which are both simple and charming. 

Day 4: Trek from Loding to Junbesi, Visit Thubtenchoeling Monastery

You'll start the day by heading 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 stunning 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 little more developed, and you're likely to meet a few other tourists for the first time.

From Taktor, it is a couple of hours on a lovely trail 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 Tibet, Buddhism flourishes and there are numerous Buddhist monasteries along the way.

Day 5: Trek from Junbesi to Taksindu

This morning, hit the trail bound for Taksindu. Cross the river at the bottom of town and climb through the forest up to Salung, from where there are views of Mount Everest (8848 m/ 29,028 ft), Chamlang (7319 m/ 2,4012 ft) and Makalu (8481 m/ 27,824 ft), weather permitting. There are also gorgeous views out across the valley to Chiwong Monastery and down towards Phaplu.

Continue on the trail, contouring and then dropping down to a stream before a short climb up into Ringmo, famous for its apple orchards and interesting apple products such as apple rakshi (alcohol), cider and apple pie. From here, there's a final short climb to Taksindu La, from where there are again great mountains views, and then a short descent to the Taksindu Monastery and your lodge. The Taksindu Monastery was built in 1946 and is usually open early morning or late afternoon. Please make sure to leave a donation if you visit.

Day 6: Trek from Taksindu to Phaplu, Visit Chiwong Gompa

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. Continue on down into Phaplu and celebrate the completion of a great trek at your cozy tea house.

Day 7: Drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu

Today we bid farewell to the mountains and board our vehicle for the drive back into the Kathmandu Valley. In Kathmandu, we take you to any hotel, and the evening is yours to relax after a long drive.

Driving time: Approx. 10 hours

Previous kimkim travelers to Pikey Peak

Katya and Chris share their adventure: