Pikey Peak Trek

Your 7 Days Pikey Peak Trek begins with an early morning drive from Kathmandu. The vehicle drives through an urban city and gradually into the charming Nepalese countryside. Initially, you will follow the BP Highway, a well-paved road with stunning scenery. You will drive past lush hills, river valleys, traditional villages, and terrace farmlands. Along the way, you will pass through settlements like Dhulikhel and Ghurmi. From here, the landscape becomes more remote, and the road becomes rough and bumpy. You will start driving on the curve off-road through hillside villages and farms.

During the drive, you can also get occasional glimpses of the snow-capped mountains on clear days. Then, you will pass by Okhaldhunga village, from where the road becomes narrower and more rugged. While the ride becomes rough and bumpy, it also feels more adventurous. Driving along cliffside tracks through forests and small settlements gives you the first glimpse of the real rural lifestyle. As the road starts to ascend towards Dhap, the vegetation shifts from green forests to conifers. The air becomes cooler and fresher, and you will get your first distant views of the Everest region. You will stay overnight at Dhap, a small and peaceful settlement. It is a perfect starting point for the trek.

Today is the first trekking day of your 7 Days Pikey Peak Trekking adventure. From Dhap, you will gradually follow the trail along a wide ridge. If the morning is clear, you can get beautiful views of the landscapes and snow-capped mountains at a distance. The Pikey Peak’s route today is relatively easy and perfect for acclimatization. The trail enters a mixed forest of pine and rhododendron. It also takes you past small pastures where you may catch sight of yaks grazing leisurely. Similarly, you will come across scattered settlements. You can see the locals busy at their farm or herding cattles. 

Unlike commercialized trails, the Pikey Peak trail feels peaceful and less crowded. The path ascends and descends gently, nothing too demanding. The surrounding views offer a visual feast and keep you engaged. You will cross small ridgelines where the forest opens, revealing stunning Himalayan views. As you get closer to Jhapre, the landscape opens up, and you can see beautiful stone houses with terrace farms. The village of Jhapre sits on a hillside and directly faces Mount Everest and other surrounding peaks. There is a hilltop monastery and stupa with fluttering prayer flags. You will stay overnight at a teahouse in Jhapre. In the evening, you can hike at the monastery and enjoy a serene sunset, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

After breakfast, you will trek from Jhapre to Pikey Peak Base Camp. You will gradually ascend through scattered houses and green terrace farms. It takes you through dense forests of rhododendron and pine. As you gradually ascend, the trail becomes more defined and gradually steeper. It takes you through forested ridges that feel peaceful and isolated. After trekking for some time, the trail shifts from a lush green valley to higher alpine terrain. The forest thins and gives way to alpine meadows, with occasional grazing areas and seasonal herder shelters. 

You will trek along the ridgeline trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayas. Similarly, the terrain becomes more exposed, and you will start to see rolling green uphill paths. The Pikey Peak Trek route becomes narrower and rockier. But it is well-defined, and prayer flags and mani stones start to appear more frequently. These spiritual landmarks add a spiritual feel to the serene Himalayan atmosphere. You will continue to ascend on the narrow path, but the increasing altitude will make the trek more demanding. The terrain becomes more windswept and barren as you get closer to Pikey Peak Base Camp. 

For the final stretch, you will make a gentle uphill climb along the ridge. It takes you to a cluster of basic lodges, which is the Pikey Peak Base Camp. Standing at the base camp, you can get striking and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You will stay here for the night.

Today is the most demanding as well as the most rewarding day of the 7 Days Pikey Peak Trek journey. You will start early in the morning and begin your ascent to Pikey Peak. The trail from the base camp is steep but well-marked. You have to climb uphill through a rocky, exposed landscape on loose stone. The trail is narrow, and colorful prayer flags adorn the ridges. Although it is a short climb, the high altitude and rough terrain make the climb demanding. Then, you will reach the summit of the Pikey Peak. A wide panoramic view of the towering mountain peaks will open before you. 

Standing at the open and windswept terrain of the summit, you can see the gorgeous views of Mount Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and other surrounding peaks. Witnessing the golden sunrise over the massive mountain is truly a magnificent moment. Enjoy the sunrise and Himalayan views from the summit and then retrace your steps to Pikey Peak Base Camp. From here, you will start the next half of the trek. It is a long and continuous descent through grassy ridgelines and rocky paths. 

The barren landscape transitions to an alpine environment, then turns lush green. You will start trekking through rhododendron and pine forests on the forest mix trail. There are some steep descent sections along the way. But it is relatively easier to descend than to ascend. The trail takes you through scattered settlements and farmlands. For the final stretch, you will make a gentle downhill trek through forest and village paths that lead you to a quiet settlement in Loding. It is a traditional Sherpa village where you will rest for the night.

You will have breakfast at Loding and begin your descent on the Pikey Peak Trekking route. The narrow forest trail descends into the dirt terrain. There are also stone staircases that take you through forests of pine and rhododendrons. Compared to the exposed ridges, it is a relatively easier descent. But as you continue descending, you will come across steeper sections. It is not overly demanding but can still put strain on your knees. Then, you will make a gentle ascent to Taksindu La Pass, decorated with prayer flags. The trail takes you to a small river, where you will cross it on wooden bridges. 

After the crossing, you will make a steady ascent towards Junbesi. It takes you through forest slopes, scattered farmlands, and terrace farmlands. You will trek along the winding forest path and stone staircases in turn. You will walk past prayer wheels and mani walls along the way. It offers a rich cultural experience along the way. As you continue ascending, the valley opens up, and the scenery becomes more scenic. The landscape widens into a basin, with traditional Sherpa houses and farms. Junbesi will be your stop for the night. There is an age-old Thupten Chholing Monastery in the village, which you can visit in the evening or the next morning.

On this day, you will mostly descend on a scenic forest trail to Phaplu. You will leave Junbesi on the well-established trail, passing by scattered villages and green terrace farms. The Himalayan landscape changes as you gradually descend. The trail is a mix of forest terrain and stone-paved sections. Walking through the beautiful contrast of the forest sections, hillside terraces, and occasional distant view of the mountain is among the day’s highlights. On the route, there are several river crossings over wooden bridges and suspension bridges. 

After crossing the river, you will start to make a short and steady uphill climb. It is not demanding but breaks the monotonous downhill descent. You will pass through forest slopes and terrace hillsides. Occasionally, you will trek through a narrow, dirt trail with occasional rocky patches. As you get closer to Phaplu, the trail widens and opens into jeep tracks. You can see green hills, wide terrace farms, and grazing areas. Similarly, you will see more signs of local life. Finally, you will reach Phaplu, a large settlement and also the regional hub of the lower Everest region. The village has well-established lodges, facilities, and a small airstrip. You will stay here for the night.

Today is the final day of the 7 Days Pikey Peak Trek. You will drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu. The scenic road retraces your route through the lower Everest region and descends into the alpine and mid-hill landscapes. Initially, the vehicle drives on a rough and off-road track. It is an unpaved, dusty, and bumpy ride, but visually rewarding. You can get the constant views of scattered forests, terrace farms, and forested ridges. Similarly, you can see deep river valleys below. 

You will continue to drive at a lower elevation as the landscape changes into warmer mid-hill terrain. The winding road also gradually becomes smoother. It winds through denser settlements and agricultural fields. You will drive past familiar roadside towns and markets as you head back to Kathmandu. The road follows the river corridors and broader valleys. As you approach Kathmandu, traffic increases and the road gets busier. The adventure comes to a conclusion upon reaching the capital city.