Pikey Peak Trek – 8 Days

Best Time For Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak trek is possible all year round. However, one has to realize that difficulty isn’t the same in every season. While Spring and Monsoon are perfect, Monsoon and Winter come with a bigger threat than one can discover.

During the Monsoon, the trails become slippery. Even the descent back to Kathmandu becomes relatively hard.

In fact, due to the landslides, we can see much more delays during the Monsoon.

On the other hand, winter comes with a cold that only a few can handle. Even some local teahouses close off during this season. Due to the fog, viewing the mountains becomes harder.

However, Spring and Autumn come with clear mornings. The weather is also bearable during this time of year. In fact, you can see all the rhododendron blooming this season.

Here is the quick summary on the best season for Pikey Peak trek as per their ranking:

1. Spring (Mar-May): Rhododendron blooms and clear mornings
2. Autumn (Sep-Nov): Post-monsoon clarity and biggest panoramas
3. Winter (Dec-Feb): Crisp skies but colder nights
4. Monsoon (Jun-Aug): Not recommended due to rain and limited views

Permits Required for Pikey Peak Trek

Don’t worry about the permit hassle. When you book with EcoNepalTrekkers, we handle all the paperwork for you! But here’s what’s required for this trek:

Essential Permits:

TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System)

• Required for all trekkers in Nepal’s trekking regions
• We obtain this from authorized agencies in Kathmandu

Khumbu Rural Municipality Entry Permit

• Since Pikey Peak lies within Khumbu Rural Municipality, this permit is mandatory
• Available at the Dhap Bazaar entry counter or the Salleri office

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

• Allows you to extend beyond Junbesi toward Everest Base Camp.
• Not needed for standard Pikey Peak trek routes
• Have to pay extra if you want one. 

Local Community Entry Permits

• Some community-managed areas may require additional fees
• Requirements vary during festivals or winter seasons

You’ll need to carry printed copies of your permits during the trek, as checkpoints are located at Dhap Bazaar, Salleri, Junbesi, and various trailheads. 

But don’t worry!! We provide you with all necessary copies and guide you through any checkpoint procedures.

Pikey Peak Trek Difficulty and Preparation

Pikey Peak, though suited for beginners, is graded as moderate in difficulty. Even though the elevation gain isn’t as high as that of Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, or Manaslu Circuit Trek, you still have to go up and above 4000 m.

Furthermore, during each day of your trek, you need to hike for 5 to 7 hours.

However, in this itinerary of ours, we have attempted to allow for natural acclimatization by ensuring that you won’t be sleeping above 4,000 m.

With that being said, one shouldn’t take the mountain lightly. So, before the trek, we advise you to take weekly hikes on the local hills or do some cardio and leg workouts.

If you prepare your body with these exercises, this 8-day trek will feel like an achievable adventure.

Health And Safety Guide For Pikey Peak Trek

During the 4th and 5th days of the Pikey Peak trek, we must ascend above 3000 m, which poses a risk of altitude sickness.

However, compared to other treks, the elevation gain is actually low, which does minimize the effect of AMS a little. Nevertheless, one can’t ignore the threats posed by the Himalayas at this altitude.

So, to be completely safe, we advise you to do a normal health check-up before planning the trek.

Even when everything is clear, you need to be insured, as at times you might have to opt for the emergency helicopter evacuation.

Besides that, even during the trek, we advise you to contact the guide whenever the symptoms of AMS appear. Our well-experienced guides are actually trained to handle these kinds of situations. But, they mightn’t be able to help you if you don’t inform them in time.

Additionally, with an aim of keeping you safe, our guides do monitor your situation before each day of the trek. They also keep a close eye on your pace and symptoms.

Furthermore, to minimize any other health risks, we recommend drinking 3 to 5 liters of water daily. This act keeps you hydrated and helps you to energize.

Apart from all this, we also provide you with some seasonal fruits during your trek to maintain your glucose level.

Pro Health Tip: Avoid excessive intake of caffeine and alcoholic beverages in the Himalayas, as it may lead to difficulty breathing. 

Nature, Wildlife And Culture Of Pikey Peak

Pikey Peak lies on the lower side of the Khumbu region, where rare plants and animals typically flourish.

In fact, if you travel to this region during autumn, the mesmerizing smells of flowers like Rhododendron and wild orchids will make you fall in love with this region.

From the very start, you will start finding local yaks wandering around the yak gaze.

Then, when you go above 2500 m, you will start noticing animals like the Red Panda, the Musk Deer, and the Himalayan Tahr.

Besides that, at altitudes above 3500m, you will notice birds like the Blood Pheasant. Kalij Pheasant and Golden Eagle.

However, if you are a florophile, you are in luck as visiting this region will let you explore the rare flowers like Primroses, Magnolias, Edelweiss, Gentians, and Himalayan Blue Poppy.

But wait!! Besides nature, the culture of this region also holds importance.

This is the region where most of the Sherpas reside.

It is home to monasteries like Thupten Choling, where monks and nuns have resided together for many years.

Then, there is Chiwong Monastery in Phaplu, which has existed since the 19th century and serves as a hub for Buddhist learning and cultural preservation.

Besides that, there are cultural monuments like Jhapre Gompa and Junbesi village, where the mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags give you the knowledge of rich Buddhist culture.

Accomodaton, Meals And Other Charges In Pikey Peak Trek

The usual accommodation in the Pikey Peak trek is going to be Teahouses.

Teahouses are locally family-run lodges with the availability of basic facilities.

Here are the things that you can expect in Pikey Peak’s teahouses:

• Shared rooms with basic hygiene
• Clean twin beds
• Shared bathrooms
• Wood-heated kitchen areas (bedrooms aren’t heated)
• Basic meals.

Now, let’s talk a little about the meals you will be getting.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in Nepali culture, you can always opt for meals like Dal Bhat, Momos, Sherpa Stew, and some noodles.

However, the meals are available as per your liking. Even the normal meals from Italy, France, and America are available in this region.

Then, during your trek, you might need some snacks. Before buying the snacks, you need to consider the fact that all of it is carried up in the Himalayas. So, the prices of your favorite snacks might be a bit higher than usual.

Now let’s talk about your personal amenities.

For every other amenity, such as hot showers, Wi-Fi, and phone charging, you need to pay an extra fee.

The average cost of each amenity is given below:

• Wi-Fi: $5–12/day
• Hot shower: $5–7/use
• Device charging: $3–5/session

Pro Tip: It’s better to carry your own power bank and pack your snacks from Kathmandu, as the cost of snacks will be a bit cheaper. This also helps in budget traveling.

Popular Upgrades And Extensions For Pikey Peak Trek

• Phaplu to Kathmandu Flights
• Helicopter Tour of the Khumbu Region.
• Spending an extra day in a monastery to fully experience the culture.
• Premium upgrades of the Hotels when available.
• Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur sightseeing at the end of the trek.
• Availability of a private jeep in Phaplu and Dhap
• Availability of horse riding and mule support when available.