Pikey Peak
Everest, Solukhumbu
Six days in Solukhumbu for one of the widest Everest views in Nepal, on a trail almost nobody walks. Sherpa villages, monasteries and a sunrise ridge.
- Duration
- 6days
- Max altitude
- 3,065m
- Difficulty
Moderate
- Best seasons
Spring — March to May
Autumn — September to December
From · 3–5 people
€450
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Kathmandu → Dhap → Jhapre
An early start for a scenic drive to Dhap, then a trek through terraced fields, small villages and pine forest. A gradual climb to Jhapre, with sunset over the hills and the first distant Himalayan peaks.
- Altitude
- 1,800m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 6 km
- Driving
- 7–8 hrs
Long drive, then a gradual forested ascent
Day 02
Jhapre → Pikey Base Camp
Through lush rhododendron and pine forest, crossing streams and suspension bridges, then a gentle ascent across alpine meadow to Pikey Base Camp by afternoon. An evening of rest before the summit hike.
- Altitude
- 2,900m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 12 km
Forest and stream crossings into alpine meadow
Day 03
Pikey Base Camp → Pikey Peak → Jasmane Banjyang → Taktor
An early start for the hike to Pikey Peak and sunrise over Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu. Down by way of Jasmane Banjyang for lunch, then on through alpine meadow to the village of Taktor. Overnight in a homestay.
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs (round trip)· 12 km
Pre-dawn summit hike, then a long descent
Day 04
Taktor → Junbesi
A gradual descent through terraced farmland, forest and small settlements, with Sherpa village life along the way. Junbesi is a charming village known for its monasteries and its hospitality, with the afternoon free.
- Altitude
- 2,700m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 11 km
Downhill through farmland and forest
Day 05
Junbesi and Thuptencholing Monastery
A day in Junbesi, visiting Thuptencholing Monastery, the schools and traditional homes. Optional short hikes give mountain views, and time with people here gives a better sense of Sherpa life than the trail alone does.
- Altitude
- 2,700m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs
Village exploration and optional short hikes
Day 06
Junbesi → Phaplu → Kathmandu
Down to Phaplu through forest and small villages, then a scenic flight or drive back to Kathmandu, with the Solukhumbu hills below on the way out.
- Altitude
- 2,500m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 10 km
Descent, then flight or drive
Maptoolkit · © OpenStreetMap contributors
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board — breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route — and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
Gaurishankar Conservation Area — arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures — before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
Pikey Peak sits in Solukhumbu, south of the main Everest trekking routes, and gives a panorama of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga from a summit low enough that altitude is not really the problem. Far fewer people walk it than walk to Base Camp.
Six days, and the culture is as much the point as the mountains — this is Sherpa country, with monasteries, homestays and village life along the whole route.
Questions
Before you go
Why is Pikey Peak famous?
It offers one of the best panoramic views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga from a relatively short trek.
Can I see traditional Sherpa culture?
The trail passes through villages with monasteries, prayer flags and terraced farms, giving real insight into Sherpa life.
Where is the best sunrise spot?
Trekkers hike early to Pikey Peak itself to watch the sun light up Everest and the surrounding peaks.
What are the forests like?
The trek passes through rhododendron, pine and bamboo forest, with plenty of flora along the way.
Is it close to the Everest region?
It is in Solukhumbu and far less crowded than Everest Base Camp, yet still gives views of the world's highest peak.
Are there rivers and waterfalls on the route?
The trail follows rivers and streams, with waterfalls along the route.
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better — that happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.