Standing at 4,065 meters tall and overlooking serene villages in the Himalayan foothills is Pikey Peak. One of the most beautiful yet underrated mountains in the Everest region. The Pikey Peak Trek offers a peaceful journey for trekkers, free of crowds with trails that playfully meander in the region’s verdant pine and rhododendron forests.
The hiking trails to Pikey Peak take you through the lower regions of Solukhumbu, home of Namche Bazaar- the renowned mountain town that is the gateway to Mount Everest. It is a magnificent journey filled with unforgettable sights of glistening, snow-covered peaks that rise like jagged serration over the landscape.
Filled with natural wonders, you also get to experience the Sherpa culture of northern Nepal. The journey takes you past Buddhist chortens, Gompas, and Stupas, donning colorful prayer flags. Vast emerald green pastures cover the flats, with herds of wild mountain goats, yaks, and sheep dotting the landscape.
Pikey Peak offers visitors an unforgettable view of the Himalayan tapestry. There is nothing quite like the sight of colossal mountains as you trek through the winding trail that goes through chartreuse bamboo forests, over gushing mountain rivers, and under thick canopies of red, white, and pink wildflowers, golden marigolds, and crimson rhododendrons. It truly is a journey that feels spiritual and out-of-this-world.
Here are ten things to know about the Pikey Peak Trek:
Sir Edmund Hillary’s Favorite Viewpoint
Aside from Kalapatthar in the Everest region and Poon Hill in the Annapurna region, not many other viewpoints in Nepal have gained as much popularity and reverence as Pikey Peak. Sir Edmund Hillary himself, the first climber of the world’s tallest mountain, has stated that the view of Everest from Pikey Peak is unmatched.
Unlike the famous Everest Base Camp Trek, the Pikey Peak Trek offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas throughout the journey. Usually, when you get closer to the mountain during a trek, you tend to see the mountain itself.
Likewise, during the Everest Base Camp trek, once you pass somare you cannot see the summit of Everest Peak until you climb Kalapatthar. Pikey peak is located further away from the Sagarmatha massif and offers clear views of Everest and other 8000 meter peaks that are unrivaled. Some even argue that the mountain views from Pikey are even better than the panorama offered at Kalapatthar, near Everest Base Camp.
Panoramic View of Nepal’s Eight Thousander, from Kanchenjunga in the East to Dhaulagiri in the West
Nepal is home to eight Himalayan peaks higher than eight thousand meters. They include; Everest (8,848 meters), Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Makalu (8,485 meters), Cho Oyu (8,188 meters), Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters), Manaslu (8,163 meters) and Annapurna I (8,091 meters). All eight of the mountains are among the top ten highest mountains in the world.
On a clear day, Pikey Peak offers a panoramic view of all eight of Nepal’s highest peaks. The sight of the mountains extending from one end of the horizon to the next is a sight that can instill a sense of awe within the onlooker.
The beauty of this larger-than-life tapestry is a sight that needs to be seen at least once in your life. The view of the Himalayas from Pikey Peak is simply unrivaled.
It is now a Teahouse Trek
The glamor of a teahouse trek is that it offers visitors a taste of authentic mountain life. The serenity of the villages nestled within the lap of snowy mountains is an experience that will instantly take away all the worries accumulated in our day-to-day hustle within the concrete jungles of busy cities.
Pikey Peak was an off-the-beaten-path camping-only journey until recently. But now, it has been upgraded to include small cozy tea houses for accommodation and meals. With basic, yet beautifully cozy tea houses all the way to the base of Pikey Peak, you can now complete the journey without the need for camping. This makes it a new and increasingly popular destination for trekkers.
However, it is important to note that the small teahouses do not have electricity. So trekkers are advised to charge their cameras beforehand or take their solar charger as the trek will truly take you off-grid, amidst nature and mountains.
There are Two Summits of Pikey Peak
Pikey Peak comprises two distinct summits. They both jut out at the summit like two prongs above icy surfaces. The height between the two has a difference of only 20 meters. However, the view of the mountains from Pikey I is slightly better as there are no obstructions between the viewpoint and the mountain ranges.
Both summits offer astonishingly grand and incredible views. The cold Himalayan wind carries a solemn sense of beauty and spirit as it howls through the snowy caverns of the peak. The overall experience of the trek leaves an everlasting impression in the minds of trekkers for years afterward.
You can Include Dudh Kunda Lake in this Trip.
The northern mountains of Nepal are also beautifully decorated with many glacial lakes and gushing rivers, dotting the landscape like turquoise jewelry. If you have enough time, you can also include a side trip to Dudh Kunda Lake.
Dudh Kunda, which roughly translates to the Sacred Lake of Milk, is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the whole of Nepal. Its lapis lazuli tincture contrasts sharply against the ivory-tipped mountains that loom overhead. Dudh Kunda is also a sacred pilgrimage and sees thousands of devotees during religious festivals in the monsoon. It lies in a tranquil haze within the lap of the Numbur Himal and freezes during the winter.
No Permits Required
Unlike many other popular treks in Nepal, you do not require a trekking permit for Pikey Peak. The trekking trail does not venture through any major conservation area or national park. Thus, it can save you $50 US (the typical entry fee for other trekking journeys that include trails that go through national parks or conservation areas).
This does not mean that the trek lacks natural beauty. The lower regions of Everest, where the Pikey Peak Trek takes place, offer some of the most amazing wildlife and forests. The trekking trail serpentines under thick canopies of pine, maple, chestnut, and hazel with moss-covered pastures which are home to many Himalayan birds and animals.
There are Multiple Options for Itinerary
Most trekking journeys include a fixed set of locations that you have to cover. The Pikey Peak Trek, however, includes a myriad of itinerary options. You can opt for a variety of trekking trails and locations based on the time you have in Nepal and the views you want to include in your journey.
The most popular route during the trek starts from Dhap and ends in Phaplu. However, you can choose to start from Shivalaya or Jiri and then return to Dhap or vice versa. If you include a detour to the Dudh Kunda Lake, then you will end your trip in either Ringmo or Phaplu. You have many options to choose from as your ideal itinerary.
You can Fly in and out of the Phaplu Airport to Start and End the Trek
Phaplu has a functioning airport which you can use to fly into the region if you do not wish to take a day-long jeep ride. You can opt to fly out of Kathmandu to begin your trek directly. Tara Air offers daily flights to the Phaplu airport from the capital.
It is advised to book flights early as bad weather can often lead to frequent flight cancellations later. Early booking during trekking season can also ensure you get tickets, as trekking season can often lead to a lack of available plane tickets due to so many tourists and trekkers entering the country.
Pikey Peak is Right Next to the Classic Jiri to EBC Trail
The Jiri to EBC Trekking trail is a classic hike that many seasoned trekkers undertake. The Pikey Peak Trekking trail also crosses over to this classic trekking journey. As such, you will see many trekkers who are undertaking the classic route in the ethnic Chettri, Sherpa, and Tharu villages of Junbesi, Ringmo, or Lamjura, depending on your chosen route and itinerary.
Pikey Peak is still relatively unknown to many trekkers. Even though it crosses trails with the classic Everest trek, it still is a somewhat off-beaten path. The detour to Pikey Peak from the Jiri to EBC trek is just two extra days, why would you miss out on such a beautiful viewpoint!
Amazing Views of Airplanes and Helicopters
Lamjura La mountain pass is on the flight route between Kathmandu and Lukla. It lies about 100 meters below Pikey Peak and affords a great photo opportunity as they fly over the pass.
The summit of Pikey Peak shows the entire flight route to Lukla. Thick mountain fog rises quickly from the valleys below and often obscures the pass which is why the flights to Lukla frequently get canceled.
If you have a week in Nepal and want to experience an off-the-beaten-paths trek, then the Pikey Peak Trek is the one you should definitely try. It is, without a doubt, one of the best one-week teahouse treks in Nepal. With its beauty and amazing views, it won’t be long before this trek becomes mainstream. So go for it before it becomes crowded with thousands of trekkers! Try it when it is still one of the best-kept secrets in the Himalayas!
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Yen Nguyen’s roots are in Central Vietnam although she studied in Ho Chi Minh and worked in Hanoi covering both ends of the country. Working with the Animal Asia Foundation, Yen turned vegetarian so has her pulse on what vegetarian travelers want. She backpacked around Europe while based in Ireland, is currently living in Nepal, and writes on Travel Outset.
