Less trodden than other Nepal teahouse treks, Pikey Peak is the newly opened destination in the Solukhumbu Region and offers some of the best sunrise and sunset views of Everest, Makalu, and Annapurna. This moderate route passes through beautiful Sherpa settlements with a visit to the 19th-century Buddhist Monastery of Thupten Chholing. Good to know: In July and August, locals hold different cleansing rituals, celebrations, and festivals open to the public.

Highlights

  • Visit the bustling Nepalese capital, Kathmandu
  • Watch the sunrise over the Himalaya from Pikey Peak
  • Meditate with local nuns and monks at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Welcome to Kathmandu! Kathmandu
Day 2 Explore Kathmandu Kathmandu
Day 3 Drive from Kathmandu to Dhap Dhap
Day 4 Trek from Dhap to Jhapre (9,235 feet / 2,815 m) Jhapre
Day 5 Trek from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp (11,762 feet / 3,585 m) Pikey Base Camp
Day 6 Trek from Pikey Base Camp to Junbesi Junbesi
Day 7 Day trip to Thupten Choling Monastery Junbesi
Day 8 Trek from Junbesi to Takasindu (9,616 feet / 2,931 m) Takasindu
Day 9 Trek from Taksindu to Phaplu (7,874 feet / 2,400 m) Phaplu
Day 10 Drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu Kathmandu
Day 11 Depart Kathmandu  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!

The cityscape of Kathmandu and Boudhanath Stupa
The cityscape of Kathmandu and Boudhanath Stupa

Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley.

In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Boudhanath stupa
Boudhanath stupa

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares. 

After breakfast, there are then a number of ways you can spend your day given the myriad famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or you can utilize a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).

In the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city's great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Dhap

River views along the route
River views along the route

Today, you'll be picked up in a private 4x4 and transferred to Dhap. The 7-hour journey starts early in the morning as you leave the hustle-bustle of the city, via Okhaldungha, and drive along the Sun Koshi river. You'll later join the roaring big Koshi River until you reach Ghurmi, where you'll stop for lunch.

The drive then continues uphill as you head north through subtropical forests of pine and dense rhododendrons, passing several countryside villages, beautiful landscapes, and valleys until reaching Dhap Bazaar. Take the afternoon and evening to explore this fascinating village with several local shops and get to know villagers and their way of life. If the skies are clear, keep an eye out for awesome mountain views of Numbur Chuli, reminding you that you're getting closer to the Himalayas.

Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 4: Trek from Dhap to Jhapre (9,235 feet / 2,815 m)

Start to see glimpses of Everest
Glimpses of Everest coming into view

This morning after breakfast, you'll start your trek by walking along a dusty road until you reach the village of Sigane. The trail then follows a road under construction for the first couple of hours until you reach the tiny village of Jhapre, perched above a deep valley with nice views of Everest and Himal. There is a pretty little Buddhist gompa and stupa here to check out and another nice viewpoint just north of the village. Or you can simply wander around Jhapre's streets with a few teahouses, cafés, and shops.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse

Plan your trip to Nepal
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 5: Trek from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp (11,762 feet / 3,585 m)

Rhododendron blossoms in spring
Rhododendron blossoms in spring

Today, you'll get an early morning start with views of Numbur Chuli, Everest, and the eastern Himalayan range. The trail starts on a dirt road for a while and then quickly turns into a gentle uphill climb through pine and rhododendron forests until you reach Bhulbule. You can take a break at the local tea shop there, and then continue on a gentle uphill climb, arriving in Lhamuje for lunch. 

In the spring, you'll experience different species of rhododendron flowers during the walk, along with spectacular views of the Himalaya. Afterward, the trail begins a series of gentle ups and downs along the ridge, which eventually arrives at a pasture where you can see grazing yaks. You'll pass a Mani wall and then will climb a steep uphill zigzag trail to Pikey Peak Base Camp, where you can reward yourself with a visit to the local yak cheese factory. 

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Day 6: Trek from Pikey Base Camp to Junbesi

Chuli peak in the distance
Numbur Chuli's peak in the distance

After breakfast, you'll get an early morning start along a series of uphill switchbacks until reaching Pikey Peak, which takes about an hour. If the weather is clear, expect an unobstructed sunrise view over the Himalayan range with Mt. Everest, Thamserku, Khangtega, Khatang, Karyoling to the north, Kanchenjunga to the east, and Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa, and Langtang to the west.

The trek then heads downhill for a few hours and enters a rhododendron and pine forest until Jase Bhanjyang. Stay on the ridge, working your way up and down, until Lamjura, where you can stop for lunch. Then trail then enters a long descent to the valley through fir and more rhododendron forests until reaching Taktor, and then stays level until you reach Junbesi passing several Mani walls and stone chortens. Visit the old monastery before dinner, taking in views of the Numbur Chuli peak looming high above the village. 

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Junebesi (8,792 feet / 2,680 m)
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 7: Day trip to Thupten Choling Monastery

Landscape near Junbesi
Landscape near Junbesi

Today, you'll have breakfast in Junbesi and then can decide to either rest or take a 3-hour roundtrip hike along the Junbesi Khola with a gentle uphill climb to Thupten Chholing Monastery—founded in the 19th century by Tibetan Buddhists. You'll have free time to meditate with the local nuns and monks in the monastery and explore the village before you trek back to Junbesi.

Overnight: Junbesi (8,793 feet / 2,680 m)
Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 8: Trek from Junbesi to Takasindu (9,616 feet / 2,931 m)

Say goodbye to the stupa in Junbesi before hitting the trail
Say goodbye to the stupa in Junbesi before hitting the trail

After breakfast, you'll start trekking to Takasindu, one of the best viewpoints of the trek. The trail crosses over the river and takes a left turn toward Salung ridge. From here, you'll have views of Mt. Everest as well as Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Then, you'll descend to Ringmo Khola and gradually climb up to Takasindu Pass. A few minutes below the pass, you'll see a monastery where you can have outstanding sunset views tonight (and the sunrise in the morning!).

Day 9: Trek from Taksindu to Phaplu (7,874 feet / 2,400 m)

Caravan of mules walking through Taksindu Pass
Caravan of mules walking through Taksindu Pass

After breakfast, head out on the last day of the trek as you make your way to Phaplu — a scenic little village with a few shops, cafés, and restaurants. A number of different treks end in Phaplu, as this is where trekkers catch their flight back to Kathmandu.

Day 10: Drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu

Narrow streets of Kathmandu
Narrow streets of Kathmandu

At the allotted time this morning, a driver will pick you in Phaplu then you will drive back to Kathmandu.  After reaching the city, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Explore the capital's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Depart Kathmandu

The all-seeing eyes of Buddha at Swayambhunath
The all-seeing eyes of Buddha at Swayambhunath

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.

Map

Map of Pikey Peak Trek: Dhap, Jhapre, Pikey Peak, Junbesi, Takasindu - 11 Days
Map of Pikey Peak Trek: Dhap, Jhapre, Pikey Peak, Junbesi, Takasindu - 11 Days