Pikey Peak Trek: Close Views of Mount Everest | 8 days

Today you’ll travel from Kathmandu to the starting point of your trek in Dhap. It’s quite a long and adventurous ride!

Travel time: approx. 9 hours
Distance: approx. 250 km

Journey to Dhap – a comfortable start
Although it is possible to travel to Dhap by local bus, we recommend taking a private jeep for this long journey. The road is bumpy and long, and a jeep offers significantly more comfort, safety, and flexibility—ideal for starting your trek on a relaxed note.

From Dhap, you begin your trek until you reach the village of Sigane. Around Sigane, several snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas peek out; the Numbur Himal range.
From Sigane, you’ll first follow a road under construction until you arrive in the village of Jhapre (2,920 m), which lies just above a deep valley. From Jhapre, you’ll have a stunning view of Everest. Here, you’ll visit a beautiful Buddhist stupa and gompa.

After Jhapre, you’ll hike over a green hill to Bhulbhule, where you’ll have a beautiful view of the Everest mountain range. Further on, the trail splits, and you’ll take the path to the right toward Pikey Peak. You’ll walk past a long wall of mani stones and pass a few old houses. The trail continues along a slope through the forest.
If you do this trek in the spring, beautifully colored rhododendrons bloom along the path. Once you emerge from the forest, it’s about a 2-hour walk to Pikey Peak Base Camp, where you’ll spend the night.
The summit of Pikey Peak isn’t too far away, but we recommend waiting until the next morning to hike there. From Pikey Peak, the sunrise over the Himalayas is breathtakingly beautiful!

Today is the highlight of your trek! Early in the morning, you’ll hike along a gently ascending trail lined with fluttering prayer flags to Pikey Peak. On a clear day, the view is breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view stretching from Annapurna to Everest and all the way to Kanchenjunga.
After taking in the view to your heart’s content, you’ll follow a mostly flat ridge. Once you enter the forest, the trail becomes steeper. You’ll have breakfast in the next village, Jase Bhanjyang. Afterward, you’ll continue hiking through the forest, passing a few steep sections, until you arrive in Loding.

“I would rate the view from Pikey Peak as the finest in all of Nepal.”
— Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary was a New Zealand mountaineer and one of the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, alongside Tenzing Norgay. His name is inextricably linked to the Himalayas. The fact that he, of all people, called the view from Pikey Peak the most beautiful in all of Nepal makes this place all the more special.

Today you’ll hike along a beautiful trail that descends steeply through an ancient forest all the way to Taktor. You’ll join the trail followed by trekkers walking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp. Before Lukla Airport existed, almost everyone took this path, but now it’s much quieter. It’s still used, so you’ll likely encounter other trekkers here for the first time. The tea houses are also more developed from this point on.
From Taktor, it’s another few hours’ walk to today’s destination: Junbesi. Junbesi is a traditional Sherpa village and the cradle of Sherpa culture. The Sherpas consider the Solu Khumbu a sacred valley. In this part of Nepal bordering Tibet, Buddhism flourishes, and the area is dotted with stupas and Buddhist monasteries.
Junbesi is also home to the largest Tibetan monastery in the Nepalese mountains: the Thupten Choeling Monastery. It houses a monastic community of over 500 Buddhist monks and nuns.

You leave Junbesi and continue the trek to Taksindu. After crossing the river, you climb through a forest to Salung. From here, on a clear day, you can see both Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Makalu (8,481 m). The view over the valley below toward Chiwong Monastery and Phaplu is also stunning.
You continue on your path and descend to a small stream. Afterward, you make a short climb to Ringmo, a village known for its apple orchards and delicious apple products such as apple cider and apple pie. After this village, you make one final short climb to Taksindu La (pass), enjoy the beautiful view once again, and then descend further to Taksindu, where you will spend the night.
In Taksindu, there is a Buddhist monastery that can usually be visited early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Today is your last day of hiking. You’ll take a scenic trail down through the forest. You can also hike to Chiwong Monastery. This monastery is perched on a cliff, offering a beautiful view of the valley. It is here that the Mani Rimdu festival takes place in the fall.
Continue walking downhill to Phaplu. In the evening, you’ll have reason to celebrate: you’ve completed a wonderful trek.

Mani Rimdu Festival
Mani Rimdu is an important Buddhist festival celebrated annually at monasteries in the Everest region, such as the Chiwong and Tengboche monasteries. During the festival, monks perform impressive masked dances and rituals to bless the good and ward off evil. It takes place in the fall (October/November) and offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual life of the Sherpa community.

Your journey has come to an end. Today you’ll leave the mountains behind and travel by private jeep from Phaplu to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, you’ll say goodbye to your guide and porter.

Travel time: approx. 9 to 10 hours
Distance: approx. 270 km

Returning from Phaplu to Kathmandu
The journey from Phaplu to Kathmandu can also be made by domestic flight. However, please note that these flights are not offered daily and are highly dependent on the weather. In case of fog or cloud cover, they are often canceled at the last minute. To avoid delays, many travelers therefore opt for the jeep ride—a more reliable and flexible alternative.

The best months are October through mid-December and then March through late April. During these periods, the weather is clear, the trail is easily navigable, and the views are at their best. It can get cold in the winter, but the air is often crystal clear.

The hike is moderately strenuous and requires a good level of fitness. You’ll hike an average of 5 to 6 hours a day, with some steep climbs, especially toward the summit of Pikey Peak (4,065 m). Because you’ll have plenty of time to acclimatize and the pace is leisurely, this trek is manageable for fit trekkers aged 55 and older.

Yes. The route is safe and peaceful, and you’ll be traveling with an experienced English-speaking guide who knows the area well. You’re never far from villages or help. Our organization tracks your location and stays in contact with your guide throughout the trip.

The trip begins with a private jeep ride of a few hours from Kathmandu. This is included in your travel package. The route to the starting point is bumpy in places, but manageable.

Connectivity is limited. In some villages there is mobile coverage, but no Wi-Fi. Expect to be offline for a few days. Consider bringing a power bank, as charging is not possible everywhere.

You’ll stay in simple mountain lodges (tea houses) with basic rooms and shared bathrooms. There’s usually a hot meal, a cozy spot by the wood-burning stove, and plenty of hospitality. Don’t expect luxury, but do expect charm and a warm welcome.

You will receive a complete packing list as a guide for the Pikey Peak trek after booking, but in any case:

– Hiking boots with good traction
– Warm, layered clothing (especially for nights near the summit)
– Down jacket
– Rain gear or poncho
– Sleeping bag (rated for temperatures down to -10°C)
– Reusable water bottle with filter or purification tablets
– Trekking poles (optional, but useful)
– Headlamp, snacks, and sunscreen

Your main luggage will be carried by a porter, with a maximum of 18 kg per 2 hikers. You will only carry a daypack yourself.

Pikey Peak is just over 4,000 meters high, but the ascent is gradual. This minimizes the risk of altitude sickness. Your guide will keep a close eye out for any signs of it, and we’ll allow plenty of time for acclimatization. Be sure to drink plenty of water and let us know right away if you don’t feel well. In that case, we’ll arrange for you to sleep at a lower elevation.

Speak with your guide. He will review with you where you might be able to modify or shorten the Pikey Peak route. If necessary, we will arrange local transport or alternative accommodation. Your safety and comfort always come first.