Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak Trek, Solukhumbu – Nepal

Pikey Peak is an alternative trek in the Everest Region which is less crowded and less travelled. It lies in Solukhumbu District, Solu is known for the lower region whereas Khumbu is called for upper region. Another distinctive feature of this region is that a lot of Sherpa are involve in Mountaineering and affiliated to tourism Industry.

It lies at an elevation of 4,065 meters above sea level which offers the view of the mystical Himalayas of the eastern part and to name a few:
Mt. Everest (8,848 mt)
Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 mt)
Mt. Makalu (8,463 mt)
Mt. Gauri Shankar (7,134 mt)
Mt. Thamserku (6,623 mt ) and a few more.
The region is famous for the pasture land with the authentic Sherpa Culture whereas meadow and pasture lands enhance the view. And in March the hill ameliorate with the five colour of Rhododendrons.

Yes, we strolled on the following way!

Day O1 – Kathmandu (1,400 mt) to Dhap (2,850 mt) 8-9 hours Drive

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We left from Chabahil (Jeep stop for Salleri, Solu), Kathmandu early in the morning at 7 am via Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala Highway (B.P Highway) (Banepa – Bardibas eastern highway). It links the Kathmandu valley with the eastern part of Terai. The highway drive was also one of the amazing experience that I got a hold of. The well-managed highway, sneaky way, fences coloured white and black was a sight. The road follows one of the famous river Sunkoshi (Source: Tibet). Until Khurkot we cross several places like Kavre Bhanjyang, Bhakunde Besi, Mangaltar, and Mulkot. After crossing Khurkot we left BP highway and took Harkapur-Okhaldhunga-Salleri Road. We crossed major stops which were Ghurmi (lunch stop for the vehicle on that part) then we cross Sunkhosi again. The next place was Ketuke, Okhaldhunga Bazar, and the final destination was Dhap.

It took us almost more than 9 hours and Dhap is an amazing and chill place with a few hotels that provide accommodation.

Day 02: Dhap (2,850 mt) to Jhapre (2,815 mt) 6 hours hike

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Early sunrise and the gust is something that i can still feel because it was refined with the view of the Snow-capped Himalayas. The local tea of Sherpa’s Shu Tea (mixture of flour, milk and salt) tasted different but it was how they were able to withstand the freezing weather.
We left after the breakfast at 7:30 am and followed the local motor way. Due to the altitude, roads was not that dusty and blue pines, conifers, morinda spruce, hemlocks and dozen species of rhododendron were found. Following the motor way we reached at Siganey around 9:20. On the right side several villages of Tapting could be seen. And we had our tea break at Chyangba around 11 am. We had in the house of one of the guide. She was surprised and she felt glad that the guest of her son came and had a tea. She was thankful for that.

Next stop was Khamding (Lunch place), we arrived at this place around 12 pm after the short halt for the tea. We meet with a French women who was there for a six month to volunteer. She only said one thing, “Nepal is heaven and i am loving it”. This sentences of her induce the same feeling on our heart then we said goodbye to her and headed towards our final destination, Jhapre.
After lunch path was uphill through the pine forest and few pasture land in between. It took us 2 hours after the lunch to reach at Jhapre around 3 pm
Jhapre is another village with some houses and old Gompa known as Shree Ngagya Dechhen Choling Gompa. After getting fresh we visited the Gompa which is almost 40 years old.

Day 03: Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp(3,640 mt) 7 hours trek

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Inspite of the exhaustiveness of yesterday’s trek we woke up quite early. Some said, “Manish, we slept well”. Some mentioned, “We found it tough to fall asleep”.
The sun spreads its warmness and the blue sky opened like it was the most cheerful time. The foreground hill was Gorakhani and mountians were on the distant. We took a few photos and then it was time for breakfast. I found the Shepa’s saintly in reality.
After the breakfast we left Jhapre around 7:30 am. We walked through the dense forest of Juniper and Shrub Rhododendrons for a while which eventually leads up to the pasture land. We continued along the motoway. As we walked up the singular hills, the combined hills from a hilltop called Bhulbule seems like a hillocks. It was around 11:30 am we took our lunch and left towards Aamushe. Then the path was through the dense forest of Junipers. The path was amusing as we strolled and we made a halt at one of the tea house later we tasted Nak milk which was delicious and rich in taste and nutrious.
A further walk along the narrow path leads to Mane Danda. After this point the path was uphill roughly for 45 minutes. Upon crossing the top we were able to see today’s destination and small hill around.
We waited for other trekkers to join. As they arrived we left to Pikey Base Camp which took us another 45 minute.
“I reached there at dusk and was able to click some photos”. The gust was chill and I was feeling estatic along with it there was a fear for Altitude Sickness. Later on the dinning area there were a couple from Belgium who had travelled more than two countries and were heading towards Everest Base Camp.
Next thing we did was stayed in dining around the Chimney for a while and went to sleep early because we were about to leave very early for the sunrise tomorrow.

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Day 04: Trek to Pikey Peak (4,065 mt) and hike down to Jase Bhanjyang (3,530 mt) – 5 hours

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We rarely wake up early but if it is for achieving something then definitely we do. We woke up around 3:30 am and took tea/water. As we see each other, there was excitement in everyone’s face.
The moon was up showing us the light. As we started hiking uphill, the breeze was hitting us from the left side.
Early morning uphill was tough but we made it in an hour and reached Pikey Peak. Upon reaching there I witness the magical hemispherical change, Life taking it to form as the sun comes up.
Even tho it was freezing, everyone was taking selfie and photos without their cap and gloves whereas I just stayed neutral for a while and observe the scenic and zestful time. It was like I was being serenaded.
It was frosty there!! We stayed there for like 45 minutes and we hiked downhill towards Jase Bhanjyang. It took us three hours downhill. Wait, it does not take much time but we stayed at one hilltop to take photos and to have breakfast. Planes were passing by.
After the recess at that place, we left for Bhajyang which took us more than an hour. The Path was downhill through the Rhododendrons forest. Fortunately, we saw some wild birds flocks and was able to click one photo of it.
We arrived early at the place and a single day was left for the rest so we did what we could do spend time. Some play carrom, some slept, some talked, some wrote, some looked at the photos and some walked around.

Day 05: Trek to Phaplu (2,469mt) 6 hours

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After breakfast, we left Bhanjyang around 7:30 am. The path was all downhill. From time to time we were taking videos and photos as the trek was to its end. It took 3 hours to the bottom. There was a wooden bridge which became the major spot for the photo which was the way photogenic place. We decided not to take a motorway for a while and strayed from the major path. The path we took was adventurous where bushes were blocking the path. It became a wonderful experience for everyone.
We had our lunch at Lading, it was delicious with local vegetables and pickles. We visited a local monastery there and one of the trekkers wore Sherpa traditional dress which was offered by one of the local villagers.
After lunch, we took a jeep to Phaplu. I must say It became a never forgetting memory for us. On the carrier of the jeep, we sat in a snugged manner there. And before reaching to Phaplu we were the driver said, “I will need to cover you guys because if traffic sees then they will charge me”. We replied, “No worries”. Later we all were laughing seeing each other and transported like a material :P.

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After we checked in at the hotel we got freshened up, visited some places of Salleri and Phaplu.
During dinners, we sat and talked about the journey and exchanged contacts. We drank and talked about a lot of things, then tips were distributed to weight assistance brother. This night we slept a bit late around 11:00 pm.

Day 06: Drive from Phaplu to Kathmandu

We left early morning from Phaplu around 5:30 am and we arrived in Kathmandu around 6 pm.

It was a trek organized by Hike for Nepal. Hike for Nepal is an organization established after the earthquake which organize fortnight hikes around Kathmandu and treks. With an motive to promote domestic Tourism while supporting schools and communities.

Disclaimer: I have shared my experience of travelling as it can also be useful information for someone who want to explore the same region.
Thank You 🙂