Pikey Peak Trek is a newly introduced trekking trail in Solukhumbu. You get the best of both worlds with beautiful scenes of Mount Everest and a panoramic view of the ever-stunning Lower Solukhumbu. Going through the trail may sound like a tough job for trekkers, however, trekkers
with almost every level of skills and expertise, can complete the trek without an issue.
There is a lot you can expect on the Pikey Peak trekking. In this article, we have mentioned everything you need to know about the trek and how you can get to your destination through a day-by-day itinerary. Make sure to read till the end!
Highlights of Pikey Peak Trek
Pikey Peak trek is quite possibly one of the most sought trekking journeys in the current time. There is simply so much a trekker can explore during their trek to the destination, that too, all without too much effort and in a fairly short amount of time, in comparison to most other trekking journeys in Nepal.
The following are major highlights of Pikey Peak Trek:
Picturesque View of the Mount Everest
Mount Everest looks better from the Pikey Peak end destination than it does even from Kalapathhar. And this is a common comment that comes from almost every other visitor who goes on this trek. The journey is no less than the end destination when it comes to mesmerizing views either. The mountains are ever-shining and tall. You also don’t have to walk too long and stress your body excessively as you do in the Everest base camp trek. In short, trekkers will get the most out of the least investment.
Sherpa Community Exploration
Trekkers will get a good insight into the lifestyle of the Sherpa community. Solukhumbu is heavily dominated by people from this community. Hence, the food you eat, the houses you will stay in, and the traditions you will be surrounded with are all influenced by the ancestral habits and ways of the community. The people in Solukhumbu, who are almost all Sherpas, are also engaged in tourism activities. Therefore, you will get to interact with a bunch of friendly inhabitants who can educate you about their habitat better than anyone else.
No Permits
Almost every trek in Nepal requires a permit. But the Pikey Peak trek does not necessarily require various permits. This is going to help make your trek seamless and more convenient, as you will save money and effort all at once. However, you will need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit if you are trekking by Shivalaya.
Easy and Affordable
Pikey Peak trek is both easy to complete and affordable. Many trekking journeys require heavy funding and are just as tough. Trekkers are always in fear of not getting the best out of their journeys when they go on an expensive trek that is tough beyond their skills. So it is never a problem on this trek.
Lukla Airport Experience
You can easily fly over the Lukla Airport back and forth in your journey. This is also the only airport in the Khumbu region that accommodates passengers on their journey to the Everest region. We bet the flight is going to be nothing like the ones you usually take elsewhere. From serene mountains to busy hills, trekkers will see it all.
Eight Thousand View
Trekkers will be able to take a close look at all eight-thousanders in Nepal in a single trek. Eight thousand refers to the eight of the highest mountains in the country, as well as the whole world. There is no better view of all the mountains in a single destination than in the Pikey Peak trek.
Pikey Peak Trek Itinerary
Trekkers will follow a 7-day long itinerary to Pikey Peak. The trek is likely to be longer depending on the amount of days you choose to rest or acclimatize. The basic itinerary, however, is mentioned below:
Day 1: Kathmandu to Phaplu
You are going to begin your journey from Kathmandu heading towards Phaplu. The road trip is likely to take a little above 8 hours. You will be served with soothing scenery, starting from a busy town and heading towards a rural location. Likewise, you will spend the night at a teahouse in Phaplu.
Day 2: Phaplu to Ringmo
Your next day’s trek will be at Ringmo. The village is not in the Everest region but will be a part of your trail for the Pikey Peak trek. You will find beautiful red rhododendron forests on your way. The people living in the Dolpo District where the village is located, follow the Bonpo faith, which becomes a subject of fascination in itself. You will be staying at a teahouse after the trek ends.
Day 3: Ringmo to Junbesi
You will move towards Junbesi, which is going to take around six hours in total. Trekkers are going to get the most pleasing views of Mount Everest and Mount Makalu on their way to the village. Junbesi is a pleasure to your eyes and your soul as well. This location will make your trek worthwhile.
Day 4: Junbesi to Jasmane Bhanjyang
From Junbesi, you will then head towards Jasmane Bhanjyang. Thupten Choling Monastery also becomes the highlight of your journey. You will see pilgrims heading towards the monastery and you can join them to add a spiritual touch to your trail. The monastery is also home to hundreds of monks. Later, you will spend the night at a teahouse in Jasmane Bhanjyang.
Day 5: Hike to Pikey and Loding
Trekkers will hike towards Pikey at the earliest hour in the morning. You can spend at least one hour in the destination, embracing the beauty of the surroundings and taking pictures to take home as a memory. You can also engage yourself in nature walks around the destination briefly. On your way back, you will trek to Loding, which is a descending trek from Pikey. The latter is also a location for you to seek a teahouse for the night.
Day 6: Loding to Phaplu
By the 6th day, you will be familiar with the routes and trails to both Phaplu and Loding. Plus, descending is always easier. You can easily rest while you move downwards in your journey. The trek on this day won’t last as long as the ones earlier.
Day 7: Phaplu to Kathmandu
Trekkers will then move from Phaplu to Kathmandu. This will be the last and the 7th day of your trekking journey. On this day, you will be reaching the capital city in 8 hours, so you can rest as much as you want on your way back, especially if you are driving back by road. Once you reach Kathmandu, you can prepare for a small excursion around the city the next day.
Food and Accommodation in Pikey Peak Trek
Food and accommodation are two major elements most trekkers are concerned about. Though you are going to a rural region in Nepal, you don’t have to worry about not finding the best amenities. The Pikey Peak trek is not old. The trekking has been designed to accommodate trekkers by implementing services that best suit their needs, from establishing comfortable teahouses to preparing food and drinks required by trekkers.
The food and drinks that you get here are usually local. If you buy any ready-made food which is likely to have been brought from the city area, they might cost you excessively due to the costs charged in transferring the goods. Otherwise, the food and drinks, which are usually traditional rice, lentil soup, vegetables, meat curry, pickles, bread, etc. are decently priced. You can also have drinks that are drunk by the Sherpa community, including rice beers and traditional soups.
Furthermore, accommodations on the Pikey Peak trek are all going to be tea houses that are both small and traditional looking. The beds and blankets inside the bedroom are going to be good enough for trekkers. However, one can always carry an extra pillow to ensure convenience and hygiene. The bathroom facilities are not as modern as you will find in the urban area. But, water and a modest toilet, seats will be available.
Conclusion
Besides Mount Everest, you will also be able to take a glimpse of various other peaks, including Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Lhotse. The Pikey Peak trek is packed with lots of adventure, aesthetic surroundings, and a time irreplaceable for every single visitor.
