Pikey Peak Trek

Itinerary of Pikey Peak Trek

Includes/Excludes

Pikey Peak Trek: Best Season and Time

Pikey Peak Trek is very diverse in nature: in terms of nature, terrain, and of course weather and climate. From temperate, subtropical to alpine weather, you will get to experience every nature of the climate in our 8 days Pikey Peak Trek.

Thus, considering these varied climate factors, the Pikey Peak trek is best suitable in the months of September, October, and November. September starts to introduce the autumn season in the region, reducing the intense heat and rain of summer.

By October and November, the days start to get sunnier, the temperature starts to drop to a pleasant 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and the once verdant green forest begins to take the orange hue. The sky also turns brightest blue opening the transparent views of the high Himalayas.

After the autumn months, the months of March, April, and May will be the next best time for the 8 days Pikey Peak trek. Beginning from March, the bitter cold of winter starts to fade, and the temperature gradually rises and warms up to 28 degrees Celsius by the end of May.

The shorter winter days start to lengthen, accompanied by intermittent rain and cool breeze. Once dry forests turn into crimson red with rhododendrons as the eye-catching spectacle.

The months of December, January, and February are also favorable after the fall and spring seasons. Although it starts to get a little cold, and by mid-January, there will be snow and ice along the route, but not that thick and tricky to navigate.

June, July, and August can also be the months for the Pikey Peak trek but not as favorable as other seasons. From June, the sky starts to shower the region with immense rain, the temperature also begins to rise to 30 to 35 degrees Celsius and the sky will be covered with dark clouds most of the time.

However, there will not be continuous rain thus you will have an opening to undertake our short Pikey Peak Trek.

Level of Difficulty on Pikye Peak Trekking

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has categorized Pikey Peak as a trekking summit which means you don’t need to have advanced climbing or mountaineering knowledge to reach its top.

In fact, most part to the summit involves hiking through beautiful nature. The Pikey Peak itself is just 4065 m in altitude which makes it the easiest peak to access in Nepal and an ideal summit to climb for beginners.

As for the trekking route, it is moderately tough in nature. There are no any high passes or sharp vertical ridges to cross. However, it still has some challenges of its own such as varying slopes, high-hung bridges, deep jungle trails and the snowy alpine terrain.

You should also be ready to face the 5 to 6 hours of walking journey each day. Plus, the Pikey Peak trek route is not much frequented by visitors so the villages and their accommodations will be pretty simple.

Thus, if you are willing to give up some comforts, and are motivated to stay fit and healthy, then trek to Pikey peak will be one of the most exciting adventures for you.

Who are eligible to undertake the 8 days Pikey Peak Trek?

Our 8 days Pikey Peak trek is a very brief yet magical journey that will take you to one of the astoundingly beautiful peaks of Nepal. The whole adventure covers only 94 km distance so the route can be walked within a week; no stress of lengthening hiking days.

As for its route, yes there will be some steep climbing involved occasionally exceeding 1000 m. After all, it is Nepali mountain terrain we are talking about but there will be no steeper, tougher and hard to climb sections.

Plus although basic, but there are a lot of mountain tea houses en route thus eliminating the need for the cold tent overnight stays. In addition, you will have the continuous support of our guide and porters who will not only assist you with the journey but will also make your evening relaxation enjoyable.

Over the years, we have taken younger to older adults (from children to grandparents) to the Pikey Summit and obviously, they are not trained or seasoned hikers. So yes, the Pikey Peak trek is an excellent beginner-friendly adventure in Nepal.

Altitude Sickness/Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS and Acclimatization

Although a brief and moderate altitude, the Pikey Peak trek will still take you to the Himalayan heights of over 4000 m. And, the Himalayan air is no doubt less in oxygen which is the main reason for the onset of altitude sickness or AMS.

Starting from the low 1350 height of Kathmandu, you will soon reach the almost 3000 m altitude of Dhap which is comparable to the altitude of Lukla. The following day, you will already find yourself above 3000 m elevation.

So the nature of the trek is similar to that of the traditional EBC trek where you will have to face the continuous increase in elevation. As for the base camp of the Pikey Peak where you will rest overnight, it is 3640 m where you will start to feel the Himalayan air.

However, the following day once you reach atop the Pikey summit, you will go down and rest at 2500 m village of Loding thus limiting your exposure time to the high air of the peak.

So, even of the altitude sickness occurs, it will be manageable, endurable, and mild in nature. You may go through some trouble in sleeping, you may lack interest in eating and you may have throbbing pain in your had along with some dizziness and nausea.

The simple trick to avoid all these discomforts of AMS is to take Diamox when you are starting your adventure from Kathmandu. This way, your acclimatization will be quick as you progress along the journey.

You should also intake high amount of water or fluid (garlic soup, ginger honey tea, lemon water) which will help your body to absorb more oxygen.

If you have these mild discomforts, there is no need for you to stop your hike but you should continue it at slow pace. We suggest you to take your time, walk based on our fitness level and not hurry.

If the symptoms do not go on their own, our guide may decide to take you to a lower region and resume your journey only after you feel better.

Preparation for the Pikey Peak Trek

Any trekking adventure anywhere in the world requires a decent level of physical preparation. When it comes to trekking in Nepal, this preparation is even more important as the terrain is rarely literally flat.

The Pikey Peak trek is also similar; it doesn’t involve any technical challenges, but you will have to deal with plenty of ups and downs that can really test your legs, heart, and lungs.

To ensure that you are fit and ready for this journey, it is important that you dedicate your effort and time to your training routine a minimum 30 days before the date of your adventure.

You should walk, jog, swim, and cycle every day if you can. For the longer walking duration, the right training will be through running beginning with small distances then slowly increasing the length and time.

Later, you should also start to run on uneven terrain. For the up and down slopes, the leg muscles will work hard so increase their strength through stair climbing, rope skipping and squats.

In addition, you can also search for the climate and terrain of the Pikey Peak so you will get to know what you will be in on the journey. Please prepare your mind for a simple stay for a few days and be ready for the excellent nature and mountains.

Alternate Pikey Peak Trek Route

There is also one other route which you can take to reach Pikey Peak. If you want to follow the footprints of the first conquerors of Everest- Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay, then you can start from Kathmandu and drive towards Bhandar and start walking through Namkheli and Golla Villages.

From here, you will journey to the base camp of Pikey Peak and follow the route that we have outlined. For this route, you only need to add one more day to your travel program, and in exchange, you will get a glimpse of the villages that once walked by these two iconic figures.

Accommodation, Food and Transportation during the trip

For the 8 days Pikey Peak trek, we assure you, we will accommodate you in the best quality mountain lodge or tea house available in the overnight village.

However, since the trek is still relatively developing, the tea houses may not be as comfortable as you will get in the Everest trek. But the services and facilities they provide will be enough to rest peacefully for a night or two.

In these lodges, you will get a room with two and occasionally three beds topped with cotton mattress, blanket and pillow. You will have communal shower and toilet facilities which you have to share with other guests in the lodge.

If you prefer hygiene and cleanliness, with some extra warmth, then you can also bring in your own sleeping bag. As for the amenities that you will get, they include electricity, WiFi, shower, hot water, beverages and food.

For your eating arrangements, we offer you three main course a day (dinners, lunches, and breakfasts). the common dishes included in the tea house menu are dal vat, pancakes, fried rice, eggs, noodles, momos, muesli, tea, coffee, soft and hard drinks.

Regarding your transportation arrangements, a local bus will be used to transport you to Dhap from Kathmandu and from Phaplu to Kathmandu. You can also choose to drive through the Private Land cruiser for your travel to Dhap and you can also enjoy a short flight to Phaplu from the capital.

However, kindly understand that these extra services will come at an extra price not included in our Pikey Peak trek package cost.

Telephone, Charging, and Internet/WiFi

During our Pikey Peak trek, you will have easy access to cellular services, internet connectivity, and charging options. For constant telephony connectivity, you can get the SIM Cards of national mobile networks such as Ncell and NTC.

They can be easily purchased in Kathmandu or you can go online and get their eSIM as well. Do not forget to take advantage of their 4G internet services whenever the WiFi is not available.

WiFi is also most of the time available on the route to Pikey Summit. Sometimes, you can also benefit from the free WiFi, and in the lodges, you will have to an extra fee. Or, you can also get prepaid WiFi cards from Everest Link or AirLink as well.

You can also charge any of your electronic gadgets through the 230 volts power available constantly in the lodges. However, you should also thing about bringing along a solar charger and a universal adapter for convenience.

Travel Insurance

Please understand that Pikey Peak Trek needs a travel insurance plan from each of its hikers. Because without the comprehensive insurance plan, the acquisition of essential permits is out of the question.

This rule has been in place because travel insurance offers protection for both the experienced and inexperienced hikers. After all, both can be the victim of sudden unwanted situations such as injuries, accidents or AMS.

In some cases, we may even need helicopter rescues as well such as in case of fall from the slopes. If such rescue operations are needed, be ready to pay thousands of dollars from your wallet in the absence of insurance plan.

So when you go on to get the travel insurance for yourself for the Pikey Peak trek, make sure that your policy has medical and rescue coverage up to the altitude of around 4100 m.

You can also add some more coverages for added protection in case of stolen or damaged baggage, delayed trips, extra stays, or canceled trip.

Pikey Peak Trek Cost

The Pikey Peak trek cost can generally come in between USD 650 to USD 1250 per person. The cost depends on the type of trip that you select. If you choose a more personalized and private trek, then the cost will be higher.

If you go on a group trip, the Pikey Peak trek cost will be reduced especially as the number of participants increases. Please note that this price covers the entire trip package, which includes your accommodation, meals, transportation, and permit fees.

However, you should be prepared for additional personal expenses such as drinks, Wi-Fi, laundry, etc. Please check out our Include/Exclude list for detail information.

Permits for the trek

Please do not be misled by the information on the internet that Pikey Peak Trek doesn’t need any permits. Because this trek also needs certain compulsory permits before we begin our adventure.

The only exception is the climbing permit for the Pikey summit which is not necessary because it is a trekking summit under 4100 m. For the trekking part, we must get the Everest and Gaurishankar Park Permits and the permit for the local Khumbu Municipality.

The park permits will be available from the Tourism Board in Kathmandu at the payment of 3000 NPR each per person while the Khumbu municipality permit is available in Dhap for 2000 NPR per person.

Be tension free as the fees is already covered in our total trek cost and the process will be sorted out by our team.

Is Pikey Peak trek worth it?

The advantage of this Pikey Peak trek is that it is farther away from the major peaks. We will get to enjoy the views that encompass a much broader section of the Himalayas.

You can take the time to enjoy the unmatched scenery by adding a few more days to the itinerary. Sir Edmund Hillary praised this route; he claimed that the view of the lower Everest region from Pikey Peak is the best in Nepal.

Pikey Trek is one of Nepal’s non-touristic eco trekking routes. The route offers you breathtaking sunrise and sunset views from the hilltop.

Guide and Porter Support

Traveling without a guide on the Pikey Peak Trek is nearly impossible for new trekkers, especially at higher altitudes. Having a guide is incredibly beneficial, ensuring a safe and successful trekking experience.

Guides not only navigate the challenging terrain but also provide valuable insights into the local culture and traditions, making your journey through Nepal’s stunning landscapes even more enriching. Their knowledge and companionship are essential to fully experience the beauty and heritage of the Pikey Peak Trek.

Our porters will carry your belongings, making your walk easier, more pleasant, and more comfortable. They will help you throughout the journey by carrying your backpack.

While you can keep only a small day backpack with your camera, water bottle, and small day jacket. Our porters are honest and proud of their integrity. As mountain folk, their heritage is a valuable asset that benefits you.

Pikey peak off-season trek

Off-season trek to Pikey Peak refers to trekking during the winter and monsoon seasons. Traveling to Pikey Peak during these times is less popular than in autumn and spring seasons.

In winter, the temperature of the Everest region falls to a minus degree, making the trek more challenging due to the cold and fewer trekkers in the area. Many lodges and tea houses close during the off-season, so it’s important to check availability before you trek there.

Our trekking guide will find suitable accommodation and assist with walking on snowy trails. The monsoon season falls in June, July, and August, bringing heavy rainfall to the Everest region. This rainfall makes the trail to Pikey Peak wet and slippery.

Safety

Trekking within the Pikey Peak mountains may be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. Yet, it’s vital to keep your safety in mind. Weather conditions can change at any moment, especially in the case of an accident. Medical help is not always available along the trail. However, our guide will have a first aid kit to help you in an emergency. Trekking with Above the Himalayas ensures your safety throughout the journey.

Safety is our top priority during the trip in Nepal with us. We follow all safety protocols during the trip to ensure our client’s well-being. The itinerary is designed by local travel experts and guides, with over 15 years of experience trekking in this region.

Above the Himalayan, Trekking is also Featured in Travel Daily News.