Trekkers watching the Himalayan sunrise from Pikey Peak in NepalTrekkers watching the Himalayan sunrise from Pikey Peak in Nepal

Pikey Peak Cultural Trek - 7 Days

  • Duration7 Days
  • Route Grade Exploratory Travel
  • Trip Style Short Trekking and Cultural Sightseeing
  • Starting City Kathmandu
  • Ending City Kathmandu
Price fromUS$575US$775
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Pikey Peak Cultural Trek - 7 Days map

Trip Overview

The 7 Day Pikey Peak Trek is a cultural Himalayan trek through the lower Solukhumbu region. The trek is known for mountain views, Sherpa villages, Buddhist heritage, and forest trails. The trail reaches Pikey Peak at 4,065 m, offering impressive views of Mount Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan peaks.

The journey follows Dhap, Jhapre, Pikey Peak Base Camp, Junbesi, and Phaplu, with a cultural visit to Thupten Chholing Monastery. It is a suitable short trek for travelers looking for Himalayan scenery, Sherpa culture, and a quieter trekking experience away from the busier Everest Base Camp route.

Trip Detail
Information

Trip Code

STN605N

Starting Point / End Point

Kathmandu to Kathmandu

Accommodations

Tea houses or mountain lodges along the trekking route

Max Altitude

4,065 m at Pikey Peak

Duration

7 Days, 6 Nights

Country

Nepal

Trip Grade

Moderate, suitable for trekkers with good general fitness

Activities

Pikey Peak trekking, sunrise viewpoint hike, village and monastery visits

Season

Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May)

Region

Solu, Everest region, Nepal

Transportation

Jeep from Kathmandu to Dhap, trekking on foot, jeep from Phaplu back to Kathmandu

Meals

Full board meals during the trek

Itinerary Overview

This 7 day trek follows the Pikey Peak route from Dhap to Phaplu. You start with a long jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dhap, then walk through pine and rhododendron forests to Jhapre. From there, you climb along a ridge to Pikey Peak Base Camp and wake up early to reach the top of Pikey Peak for sunrise. After the summit, you walk down to Junbesi, a Sherpa village. The next day, you visit Thupten Chholing Monastery. You then walk to Phaplu and return to Kathmandu by jeep.

  • Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Dhap (2,850 m)

  • Day 2: Trek from Dhap to Jhapre (2,900 m)

  • Day 3: Trek from Jhapre to Pikey Peak Base Camp (3,640 m)

  • Day 4: Early morning summit of Pikey Peak (4,065 m) and trek down to Junbesi (2,670 m)

  • Day 5: Day excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery from Junbesi

  • Day 6: Trek from Junbesi to Phaplu (2,400 m)

  • Day 7: Drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu by jeep

Why You Will Love This Trip

  • Pikey Peak Sunrise and Himalayan Views: The sunrise from Pikey Peak at 4,065 m is one of the main highlights of the trek. On clear days, you can see Mount Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan peaks.

  • Quiet Himalayan Trekking: The Pikey Peak trail is known for its quiet surroundings and beautiful natural scenery. Forest paths, open hillsides, high ridges, and distant Himalayan views make the journey enjoyable from Dhap to Junbesi.

  • Traditional Villages and Local Life: Dhap and Jhapre offer a glimpse of local village life in the Solu region. The trail passes traditional houses, farmland, stone paths, and local settlements where you can observe the rural lifestyle of Sherpa communities.

  • Sherpa Culture in Junbesi: Junbesi is a historic Sherpa village with strong Buddhist traditions and a beautiful mountain setting. The village provides an opportunity to experience unique local culture, traditional architecture, monasteries, and the peaceful atmosphere of the Solu region.

  • Pikey Peak Base Camp: Pikey Peak Base Camp sits at around 3,640 m below Pikey Peak. The area offers views toward Numbur Himal and the Everest range, while the nearby Pikey Peak viewpoint at 4,065 m offers wider views of Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Gaurishankar on clear days.

  • Thupten Chholing Monastery: Thupten Chholing Monastery near Junbesi adds an important cultural highlight to the trek. The monastery is surrounded by forested hills and reflects the strong Buddhist traditions found in the Solu region.

  • A Short Himalayan Trek: This 7 day trek brings together Pikey Peak sunrise, Himalayan views, Sherpa villages, forest trails, and Buddhist sites. It offers a compact trekking experience in the Solu region without the longer duration required for the Everest Base Camp trek.

Altitude and Activities

The trek begins at Dhap at 2,850 m and follows the ridge to Jhapre at 2,900 m. It then climbs to Pikey Peak Base Camp at 3,640 m and to the summit at 4,065 m, the highest point of the trip. The trail then descends to Junbesi at 2,670 m and Phaplu at 2,400 m before the drive back to Kathmandu.

Day
Location
Altitude
Activities
Travel Time

Day 1

Dhap

2,850 m

Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Dhap 

Drive about 7 to 8 hours

Day 2

Jhapre

2,900 m

Trek from Dhap to Jhapre through pine and rhododendron forest, suspension bridges, and small mountain hamlets.

Trek about 4 to 5 hours

Day 3

Pikey Peak Base Camp

3,640 m

Trek from Jhapre to Base Camp

Trek about 5 to 6 hours

Day 4

Junbesi

2,670 m

Early morning Pikey Peak summit and trek to Junbesi

6 to 7 hours

Day 5

Junbesi

2,670 m

Day excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery

Short excursion from Junbesi

Day 6

Phaplu

2,400 m

Trek from Junbesi to Phaplu

4 to 6 hours

Day 7

Kathmandu

1,324 m

Jeep drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu

Drive about 8 to 10 hours

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay in tea houses throughout the trek, from Day 1 in Dhap through Day 6 in Phaplu. Full board meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided during the trek. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu are not included but can be arranged on request.

Day
Location
Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 1

Dhap

Tea House

Not Included

Included

Included

Day 2

Jhapre

Tea House

Included

Included

Included

Day 3

Pikey Peak Base Camp

Tea House

Included

Included

Included

Day 4

Junbesi

Tea House

Included

Included

Included

Day 5

Junbesi

Tea House

Included

Included

Included

Day 6

Phaplu

Tea House

Included

Included

Included

Day 7

Kathmandu

Not Included

Included

Included

Not Included

Cost Includes

Cost and Inclusions

This 7 day trek includes a jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dhap and a jeep drive from Phaplu back to Kathmandu. It also includes a licensed guide and full board meals during the trek. You stay in tea houses on a twin sharing basis at Dhap, Jhapre, Pikey Peak Base Camp, Junbesi, and Phaplu. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu are not included. The table below shows what is included in your package and what you need to arrange separately.

Cost Includes
Cost Excludes

Jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dhap

International airfare to and from Nepal

Jeep drive from Phaplu back to Kathmandu

Nepal entry visa fee

Tea house accommodation throughout the trek

Travel insurance

Full board meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, during the trek

Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu

Experienced licensed trekking guide

Tips for guide and support staff

Day excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery with your guide

Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, and phone calls

Itinerary

Your trek begins with an early morning drive from Kathmandu along the BP Highway. The road follows the Sunkoshi and Koshi rivers and passes through towns such as Khurkot and Okhaldhunga before reaching Dhap. The drive covers winding hill roads and many small settlements along the way. It is a long day on the road, so carry water and light snacks and take breaks when needed. You reach Dhap in the afternoon and stay overnight in a teahouse.

  • Route: Kathmandu to Dhap by jeep, via the BP Highway, Khurkot, and Okhaldhunga

  • Drive Time: About 7 to 8 hours

  • Altitude: 2,850 m

  • Accommodation: Tea House

  • Meals: Lunch and dinner

  • Highlights: Views of the Sunkoshi and Koshi rivers, small hill towns along the way, arrival at Dhap

    After breakfast, you start your first day of walking. The trail leaves Dhap and passes through Sigane before climbing gently to Phokte Danda. From here the path continues through forest and farmland to Jhapre, a small Sherpa village set on a ridge. On a clear day, Jhapre gives you your first glimpse of the Numbur Himal. This is an easy day of walking that helps your body settle into the trek. You stay overnight in Jhapre.

    • Route: Dhap to Jhapre via Sigane and Phokte Danda

    • Trekking Time: 4 to 5 hours

    • Trekking Distance: About 11 km

    • Altitude: 2,900 m

    • Accommodation: Tea House

    • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    • Highlights: Sigane village, Phokte Danda, forest and farmland trail, first views of the Numbur Himal at Jhapre

      Today the trail climbs steadily along a ridge. You walk through forest toward Bhulbhule, a grassy ridge point that opens up to views of the Everest range on a clear day. From Bhulbhule the trail splits, and you take the right path toward Pikey Peak. You stop for lunch around Lamjura Danda, then continue climbing past a long mani wall as the trail moves above the tree line. The views widen with every hour of climbing. You reach Pikey Peak Base Camp in the late afternoon and stay the night in a teahouse. Nights here are cold, so keep your warm clothes ready, since tomorrow begins before sunrise.

      • Route: Jhapre to Pikey Peak Base Camp via Bhulbhule and Lamjura Danda

      • Trekking Time: 5 to 6 hours

      • Altitude: 3,640 m

      • Accommodation: Tea House

      • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

      • Highlights: Bhulbhule ridge and Everest range views, Lamjura Danda, a long mani wall, arrival at Pikey Peak Base Camp

        You wake up well before sunrise and climb by headlamp toward the top of Pikey Peak at 4,065 m. This viewpoint is well known among trekkers and guides, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary is said to have called it one of the best places to view Mount Everest. From the summit, on a clear morning, you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Numbur Himal, and Gaurishankar as the first light spreads across the range. After enough time at the top to take in the view, you descend back to Pikey Peak Base Camp and continue down to Jase Bhanjyang, then keep walking down through forest to reach Junbesi, a large Sherpa village with its own monastery. This is the longest day of the trek, so pace yourself and rest when you need to.

        • Route: Pikey Peak Base Camp to Pikey Peak summit, then down through Jase Bhanjyang to Junbesi

        • Trekking Time: Long day of walking, combining the summit climb and the descent

        • Summit Altitude: 4,065 m

        • Overnight Altitude: 2,670 m at Junbesi

        • Accommodation: Tea House

        • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

        • Highlights: Sunrise from Pikey Peak, views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Numbur Himal, and Gaurishankar, Jase Bhanjyang, arrival at Junbesi and its monastery

          Today is a lighter day used to explore Junbesi and visit Thupten Chholing Monastery. The trail to the monastery starts in front of Junbesi Gompa and follows the west bank of the Junbesi Khola, passing a small chorten along the way. Thupten Chholing is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the region, founded by Lama Trulshig Rinpoche after he left Tibet with a group of monks and nuns in the 1960s. At the monastery, you can walk around the prayer halls and see the daily life of the resident monks and nuns. After spending time here, you walk back down to Junbesi for a second night, giving you time to rest after the summit day and explore the village itself.

          • Route: Junbesi to Thupten Chholing Monastery along the Junbesi Khola, then back to Junbesi

          • Altitude: About 2,900 m at the monastery, back down to 2,670 m at Junbesi

          • Accommodation: Tea House

          • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

          • Highlights: Junbesi Gompa, the trail along the Junbesi Khola, Thupten Chholing Monastery, Sherpa village life in Junbesi

            After breakfast, you leave Junbesi and begin the walk to Phaplu. The trail leads downhill through forest, terraced fields, and small villages along the way. It is a shorter and easier day compared to earlier parts of the trek, which makes it a pleasant final day of walking. Phaplu is a larger town in the Solu region, with its own airport and better facilities than the villages you have passed through so far. You stay overnight here, and this is your last evening with your guide before the drive back to Kathmandu.

            • Route: Junbesi to Phaplu, through forest, terraced fields, and small villages

            • Trekking Time: About 5 hours

            • Altitude: 2,400 m

            • Accommodation: Tea House

            • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

            • Highlights: Downhill forest trail, terraced fields, small villages along the way, arrival at Phaplu

              After an early breakfast, you take a jeep from Phaplu back to Kathmandu. The drive follows hill roads for most of the day, and travel time can shift with road and weather conditions, so it is best not to book onward travel for the same evening. You arrive back in Kathmandu in the evening, where your trek comes to an end.

              • Route: Phaplu to Kathmandu by jeep

              • Drive Time: About 8 hours

              • Altitude: 1,324 m at Kathmandu

              • Accommodation: Not included

              • Meals: Breakfast and lunch

              • Highlights: Hill road journey back through the Solu region, return to Kathmandu

                Trip Information

                Know Before You Book

                • Visa Requirements: All citizens of the world except Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Nepal, and most travelers can get a Visa on Arrival. Since this trip runs for 7 days, a 15 day tourist visa generally gives you a comfortable buffer around your travel dates. The 15 day tourist visa fee is USD 30. You can apply and pay online in advance here: https://nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np/

                • Passport Validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least one blank page for your visa stamp.

                • Fitness Level: This trek has 5 days of walking, with a long Day 4 that includes the summit climb and a descent to Junbesi. Good general fitness is recommended. Previous trekking experience is helpful but not required.

                • Road Conditions: The trip includes a long jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dhap on Day 1 and a full day jeep drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu on Day 7. Hill roads can be affected by weather, so travel time can vary.

                • Travel Insurance: Travel insurance covering medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip delays is strongly recommended for this trek.

                • Currency and Payment Methods: We accept payments in major currencies such as USD, EUR, and GBP, though it is a good idea to carry some Nepali Rupees for smaller personal expenses on the trail.
                   

                Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation

                • Typical Accommodation Used: During the trek, from Day 1 in Dhap through Day 6 in Phaplu, you will stay in tea houses along the route, which offer simple rooms and dining halls where meals are served. Accommodation in Kathmandu before Day 1 and after Day 7 is not part of this package but can be arranged on request.

                • Meals: Full board meals are included during the trek. Meals in Kathmandu are not included but can be arranged on request.

                • Guide Support: A licensed guide accompanies you throughout the trek, assisting with navigation, local arrangements, and the Thupten Chholing Monastery excursion.

                • Transportation: This package includes a jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dhap and a jeep drive from Phaplu back to Kathmandu. All movement between villages during the trekking days is done on foot.
                   

                Seasonal and Weather Updates

                • Autumn (September to November): This season generally offers stable weather and clear mountain views, which suits the sunrise from Pikey Peak. Nights at Pikey Peak Base Camp can be cold.

                • Spring (March to May): Spring offers mild temperatures and blooming rhododendron in the forests, though the weather on the higher ridge can change quickly.
                   

                Health and Safety

                • General Wellbeing: The highest point of this trek is Pikey Peak at 4,065 m on Day 4, and you sleep at 3,640 m on Day 3. Trekkers should be aware of the signs of altitude sickness and tell their guide promptly about any symptoms.

                • Healthcare Facilities: Health facilities along the route are limited, and full hospital facilities are available in Kathmandu. Your guide can assist with basic first aid and local arrangements if needed during the trek.

                • Pacing: Walk at a comfortable pace and take regular rests, especially on the climb from Jhapre on Day 3 and the summit climb on Day 4.

                • Hydration: Drink sufficient fluids throughout the trekking days.

                • Weather Awareness: Weather on the higher ridge can change quickly. Follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
                   

                Packing Checklist

                • Essential Clothing: Comfortable layered clothing suitable for trekking, including a warm jacket, warm hat, and gloves for the cold pre dawn climb on Day 4.

                • Footwear: Sturdy trekking boots with good ankle support and grip, suitable for long descents and steep trails.

                • Trail Gear: A sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles, a headlamp for the early summit climb, and a light rain jacket for changing weather.

                • Personal Items: A small daypack, reusable water bottle, personal toiletries, camera, and any personal medications you need.
                   

                Important Notices

                • Travel Advisories: Before you travel, we recommend checking the latest travel advice issued by your home country. Our team is happy to provide local updates before your trip.

                • Limited Facilities: Shops, ATMs, and mobile or internet networks can be limited along the trail. Carry sufficient cash in Nepali Rupees for personal expenses during the trek.

                • Responsible Travel: We encourage you to respect local customs, ask permission before photographing monks and local families, and support the local economy of the Solu villages during your trek.

                Trip Preparations

                • What is the highest point of the Pikey Peak Trek, and on which day?

                  The highest point is Pikey Peak at 4,065 m, reached on Day 4. You climb early in the morning for sunrise and then walk down to Junbesi.

                • Day 1 is a drive of about 7 to 8 hours. Day 2 is 4 to 5 hours to Jhapre. Day 3 is 5 to 6 hours to Pikey Peak Base Camp. Day 4 is a long day with the summit climb and descent to Junbesi. Day 5 is a short excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery. Day 6 is a half day walk to Phaplu. Day 7 is a full day drive to Kathmandu.

                • On Day 4, you climb Pikey Peak before dawn and watch the sunrise from the summit at 4,065 m, with views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.

                • Day 5 is used for a day excursion to Thupten Chholing Monastery. It also gives you a rest day after the summit and a chance to see Sherpa village life.

                • The trek is graded moderate. Good general fitness is recommended, and previous trekking experience is helpful but not required. Your guide will help you set a comfortable pace, especially on the summit day.

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