Pikey Peak Short Trek

There are several different trek routes in the Himalayan region, and all of them provide alluring views of the snow massifs, including the world's highest mountain, Everest. This often creates hot debate among fellow trekkers for the best view of Everest. While many choose the common path walked by all, you might opt for the less-walked path. You might settle on Kala Patthar while your friend has decided on some other.

But Edmund Hillary (the first climber to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest) might not be on the same page with most of you and declare the Pikey Peak Trail as the best Everest viewing trek. Hillary’s supposed claims might be true, considering the stretched skyline that you get to fit, encompassing even the very far-away points.

At Pikey Peak, the horizon stretches wide, fitting in mountains from Dhaulagiri all the way to Kanchenjunga. The sight is truly magical as the high peaks will sometimes disappear into the clouds towards the edges. It is one of Nepal's best-kept trekking secrets, which offers a vista of Nepal's eight-thousanders from a single location, including Mt Everest.

Annapurna, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Kangchenjunga, and the other eight-thousanders lurk behind small but closer peaks throughout this walking journey. The exquisite top of Numbur Mountain, which stands tall above Karyolung Peak, is right in front of you almost every day of this Pikey Peak Short Trek. 

To reach Pikey Hill, your journey starts from Phaplu, which is at around 2500 m, and you make your way through Salleri, Ghunsa, Jhapre, etc. Or, you can start from Pattale and make it through Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp. On your way, you get to visit the beautiful villages populated by hardworking and kind Sherpa people, and some Tamang and Magar. Thus, also regarded as Pikey Peak Sherpa Land.

You also get to visit several monasteries that are adorned with prayer flags and colorful writings inthe Nepali language. At Jhapre, you may catch the local cultural performance that displays their proud traditions. It’s a newly explored destination and a less touristic area. There will be enticing chances to view Everest from proximity and learn about the Sherpa culture.

As you get closer to the base camp, you come across a huge mani wall that is studded with carvings by local artisans. After acclimatization, at the 3600m high base, you make your way to Pikey Peak, which is an easy task considering the small elevation bump of 400m. The best part is you can do all of this in a short time: Just a Week!

Trip Highlights

• Stunning views of Everest from the most beautiful vantage points, such as Pattale

• View a vast length of the Himalayan ranges such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Makalu, Numbur range, and Kanchenjunga from the Pikey Peak top

• Glorious sunrise and sunset views

• Discovery of the local Sherpa culture & their sweet hospitality

• Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries of the lower Khumbu region

• Discover chortens, mani walls & prayer flags 

• Opportunity to explore the unpopular trekking routes in the lower Everest region

Pikey Peak Trek Difficulty 

Pikey Peak trek is an easy-to-moderate level trekking journey. The route follows the lower Everest region, and the highest elevation gained in this journey is 4065 meters at the top of Pikey Peak itself. We won’t find steep or challenging paths along the way, but 5 to 6 hours of the daily walk is required, with ups and downs as common in trekking.

Because of its lower elevation, it is accessible to the majority of people with zero to full trekking experience. However, the trekkers should be physically and mentally determined to complete the trek successfully.

Best time to do Pikey Peak Trek

Like most treks in Nepal, Pikey Peak Trek is best done in the spring and fall months as these periods of the year are recognized for their beautiful and stable weather and breathtaking scenery. 

The king of seasons, spring is known as the flower blooming season, and it is during this time that you will view the vibrant rhododendrons while trekking in the Himalayas. Rhododendron forests are ablaze with pink, crimson, and white blooms, and the mountains gleam against deep blue skies with the pleasant weather.

Similarly, autumn is also the finest time to go trekking because there are fewer chances of rain and the environment grows greener owing to the planting of various crops. It is also a happy time in Nepal because the country’s most important festivals, like Dashain and Tihar, fall around this time. 

Pikey Peak Trekking is also possible during winter, but the bitterly cold temperatures of winter may not be ideal for all hikers. But the vistas may be spectacular, especially when the mountains are blanketed in white snow.  If you plan on trekking Pikey Peak in the winter, make sure to check the availability of tea houses at higher elevations.

It's advisable to avoid this journey during the summer/monsoon because the trail will be slick, and leeches will encroach on you as you walk through the jungle. There is also a risk of landslides and flooding. However, for dedicated botanists, this season may be ideal, as the entire trekking track would be covered with thick flora.

Permits to trek to Pikey Peak 

Like many other treks in Nepal, Pikey Peak Trek also requires TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Permits. Besides TIMS, no other permits are required to do the Pikey Peak Trek.

Trek route to Pikey Peak

The Pikey Peak Trek journey begins with a scenic drive starting from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pattale Danda. The real walk starts the other day from Pattale after viewing the wonderful sunrise view along with the beautiful Himalayan Ranges. Jhapre is where we stay for the night.

We reside at a lodge at the Pikey Peak Base Camp on the day we leave Jhapre. The most anticipated day is to climb to the Pikey Peak. We will reach the top in less than 2 hours at the top from the base camp, where we will spend quite an amount of time and descend to 

(Note: This route is designed for those who are already in Kathmandu or want to cover the activities in Kathmandu by themselves. However, if you want to have the travel plan with Kathmandu activities included, we would customize it for you as per your interest and requirement.) 

Also, you can look at our other Pikey Peak Package with camping: Pikey Peak 13-day Trek