Pikey Peak Trek – 10 Days

Best Time

On this Pikey Peak Trek – 10 Days Trail, you have the opportunity to enjoy this journey throughout the year, depending on your interests. However, most of the travelers in the world prefer to visit in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). As in the spring season, the trail of the Solu Khumbu region comes alive with flowering rhododendrons.

Likewise, in the fall, the weather is clear, the sky is blue, visibility is excellent, and the temperature is delightful. So, this season is considered the best for mountain vistas and smooth trekking. Moreover, the grandest festivals of Nepal fall in this season, making the travel experience more unforgettable with rich cultural encounters.

Nonetheless, both monsoon (June-August) and winter (December-February) are not considered favorable for trekking in Nepal. Due to heavy rain in the monsoon, the route becomes muddy and slippery with leeches crawling all over the way. However, one can experience lush greenery and peaceful trails in this season.

In winter, the temperature drops to the freezing point, making the trek harder if you visit without enough preparation. The route can be covered with snow, which can block the path. But the views of snow-blanketed mountains in this season are truly magical. If you love a peaceful setting, then winter can be the best option for you with the proper preparation.

Elevation and distance

On this trek to Pikey Peak excursion, you will begin your trek from Dhap Bazaar, which is situated at an elevation of 2850 meters. From here, you will pass through Jhapre at 2820 meters to reach the Pikey Peak Base Camp at 3640 meters.

On the following day, you get to the top of Pikey Peak at 4065 meters, which is the highest place that you will reach on this journey of 10 days.

From here, you will head down to Jasmane Bhanjyang at 3549 meters and Junbesi at 2700 meters, and then visit Thupten Choeling Monastery at 3000 meters on a rest day. You will end your trek in Phaplu at 2469 meters.

Besides this, you will cover 510 kilometers in a vehicle while going to Dhap Bazaar from Kathmandu and returning from Phaplu Village to Kathmandu city.

On the other hand, you will walk approximately 71 to 73 kilometers while trekking on the Pikey Peak Trail. From base camp, you will need to ascend about five kilometers to reach the summit of Pikey Peak. Similarly, you will trek 6 to 8 kilometers round trip when visiting either Thupten Choeling Monastery or Everest Viewpoint.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

The 10-day Pikey Peak Trek itinerary is rated as a moderate trek in Nepal. However, the difficulty of trekking in Nepal is determined by several factors, including prior experience, fitness level, weather conditions, and the individual’s health. The route involves some steep uphill and downhill sections, as well as long trekking hours.

When trekking in any higher altitudes of Nepal, the concerning factor is acute mountain sickness. The trekkers who are not used to 3000 meters high in their home environment can easily catch this sickness due to reduced oxygen levels. Some symptoms include difficulty sleeping, troubled breathing, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue.

The most effective solution for altitude sickness is to climb steep sections slowly, take regular breaks, and drink water regularly. However, Glory Adventure has designed a 10-day itinerary that involves a gradual ascent each day, reducing the chance of acute mountain sickness without needing extra acclimatization days while trekking.

Our guide will assist you all the time and be present whenever you ask for help.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

On this Pikey Peak Trekking Trail, the average hike per day can be about five hours. So, basic fitness would be enough for you to complete this adventure successfully.

The minimum walk per day would be on the seventh day, which would take about three to four hours in a round trip when you go on a side hike to Thupten Choeling Monastery or Everest View Point.

In the same way, the maximum walk per day would be on the fifth day, which would take around six to seven hours, depending on the pace of the hike when you ascend the Pikey Peak Summit from base camp and the trek down to Jasmane Bhanjyang for an overnight stay.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

On this  Pikey Peak Trek 10-day  itinerary, you will stay two nights in a standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu City. While trekking, you will be accommodated in lodges or homestays with three meals, i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

These lodges have twin-sharing rooms. In some lower areas, you may also find private rooms, which are often available for an extra fee.

Similarly, homestays and lodges offer charging outlets and internet access, but with an additional cost. Usually, you may have to pay between 2 and 5 US dollars per person, depending on the lodge. However, the price may hike as you go higher while trekking in the Everest region.

Besides this, your package includes breakfast and a bed plan in Kathmandu. But, while trekking, all three meals are included, which are typically served in the lodge. The meals are simple but very high in nutrients. Most lodges serve dal bhat as a staple meal.

Apart from this option, you can also find other dishes like chapatis, potatoes, thukpas, noodles, momos, and so on.

Although the choices are minimal, some lodges even serve western dishes, especially in low-elevation destinations. Additionally, drinks are not included in the Pikey Peak Trek cost package. You have to manage for yourself by bringing enough cash. Despite that, we strongly suggest that you avoid any kind of beverages until hiking is finished.

Your Extra Expenses

The Pikey Peak Trek 10 days package includes most of the expenses during travel.  However, there are still a few other expenses to cover, such as personal travel insurance, Nepal visa fees, and foreign airfare. Additionally, you are in charge of covering the cost of all meals in Kathmandu, with the exception of breakfast (lunch and supper).

It is worth noting that if you wish to carry your backpack and have a porter, you can hire a porter for USD 180. One porter can assist two trekkers.

Furthermore, a private jeep to and from the trailhead (Dhap and Phaplu) at the cost of USD 400 round trip is available for your added comfort. Finally, tips for guides and porters are highly valued and are a common practice.

Trekking Permit

Although you may find sources that say Pikey Peak Trek 10 days  is a permit-free destination, in fact, that is not true. You have to obtain three official permits before embarking on this 10-day thrilling excursion in the mountains, as the route passes through local jurisdictions and protected areas.

The first one you need to get is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which costs around 25 US dollars to enter the Khumbu region. The second one is the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit, and the third one is the Gauri Shankar Conservation Area Permit, which costs around 25 US dollars (approximately RS 3000).

These permits help in the conservation efforts and support local communities in the development of infrastructure. Glory Adventure will assist you in getting these permits before or after arrival in Nepal. Having these permits will enable you to travel smoothly without stress in the mountains of Nepal.

Transportation

On this 10-day Pikey Peak Trek itinerary, all your transportation in Nepal will be arranged by our Glory Adventure trekking agency except the international airfare. During arrival and departure, our private car will be sent for you to transfer from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. To reach Dhap Bazaar from Kathmandu, we will travel by local bus, with the bus fare included in the package.

Similarly, you will travel in a shared jeep from Phaplu (trek endpoint) to reach Kathmandu City, where your journey officially ends. However, if you want a private jeep from Dhap to Phaplu and from Phaplu to Kathmandu, it will cost an additional 400 USD for a jeep both ways.

Travel Insurance

When you are hiking up Pikey Peak trek 10-days and have a medical emergency, it will be very hard to get the right medical care. That’s why we would recommend that you get travel insurance that includes emergency air evacuation. Make sure that your insurance can also take care of a mountain trek (above 3000 m), tour cancellation, loss of baggage, and medical emergencies.

A few off-the-shelf policies may not cover these conditions, so it is better to check the details thoroughly. A copy of your insurance documents and a list of emergency contacts should be with you at all times during the trek to make it easier to get help if required.

What to expect from this Trek to Pikey Peak?

The 10-day Pikey Peak Trek itinerary will take you away from the noisy and crowded Kathmandu to a peaceful and idyllic Himalayan getaway. You will be driven on winding roads to Dhap Bazaar, and then you will be able to enjoy the beauty of nature on your hikes through the woods of rhododendron, alpine meadows, and silent Sherpa villages.

Every night you will be staying in comfortable teahouses where you will be able to enjoy homemade Nepalese food and also meet friendly locals. On your way to Pikey Peak Base Camp, the trail will give you great views of Mount Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and several other mountains.

The sunrise from the top is a must-experience moment, as it offers a 360° view of the sun coming up, lighting eight of the highest peaks in the world with its fiery rays. The descents will pass by the serene Thupten Choeling Monastery and through regions with mani walls and prayer flags. You will come away from the trek to Pikey Peak feeling rejuvenated, motivated, and culturally enhanced.