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Pikey Peak Trek Itinerary

A quieter trek with sunrise views of Everest from a 4,065 m peak, no flight needed. A 7-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

7 days

6 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

4,065 m

Pikey Peak

Difficulty

Moderate

Everest (Solukhumbu, lower region)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startPikey Peak: about 4,065 mDay 1: Jhapre, about 2,830 mDay 2: Pikey Base Camp, about 3,640 mDay 3: Loding, about 2,525 mDay 4: Junbesi, about 2,690 mDay 5: Taksindu, about 2,940 mDay 6: Phaplu, about 2,440 mDay 7: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567Day

1 day climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Dhap to Jhapre

    Sleep: Jhapre · about 2,830 m (sources: 2,815 to 2,920 m)Walking 4 to 5 hDrive Kathmandu to Dhap, about 7 to 9 h

    A long drive then a walk through forest to Jhapre (also written Japre). Dhap is at about 2,930 m.

  2. Day 2

    Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp

    Sleep: Pikey Base Camp · about 3,640 mWalking 5 to 7 hSleeping altitude +810 m

    A steady climb through forest to the base camp. A big gain, so go slowly.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 810 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  3. Day 3

    Pikey Peak sunrise to Loding

    Sleep: Loding · about 2,525 m (sources: 2,515 to 2,536 m)Walking 7 to 9 hReach Pikey Peak · about 4,065 m

    Climb to the summit before dawn for the sunrise, then descend a long way to Loding. Some itineraries sleep at Jase Bhanjyang (about 3,520 m) instead.

  4. Day 4

    Loding to Junbesi

    Sleep: Junbesi · about 2,690 m (sources: 2,675 to 2,700 m)Walking 4 to 5 h

    Join the old Everest trail to the Sherpa village of Junbesi.

  5. Day 5

    Junbesi to Taksindu

    Sleep: Taksindu · about 2,940 m (sources: 2,931 to 2,960 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Over the Taksindu La (about 3,070 m) to Taksindu monastery.

  6. Day 6

    Taksindu to Phaplu

    Sleep: Phaplu · about 2,440 m (sources: 2,431 to 2,459 m)Walking 6 to 7 h

    A long descent to Phaplu, where there is a small airstrip.

  7. Day 7

    Phaplu to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m8 to 10 h by road, or about 30 min by flight when flights run

    Drive back to Kathmandu. Flights from Phaplu are weather dependent.

Permits

  • Check at the time of travel which local-government or conservation permits apply on this route

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Pikey Peak Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Pikey Peak (about 4,065 m) is a hill in the lower Everest region of Solukhumbu, famous for a sunrise view of Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Makalu range. The trek starts by road at Dhap or Phaplu rather than with a flight to Lukla, and passes Sherpa villages, Rai and Sherpa culture and forest.

Many itineraries pass Junbesi and the Thupten Choling monastery before ending at Phaplu. The altitudes differ between sources by up to about 100 m, and operators vary on where they start and where they sleep after the peak.

Day-by-day itinerary (7 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Dhap to Jhapre. Sleep at Jhapre (about 2,830 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h. Drive Kathmandu to Dhap, about 7 to 9 h.
  2. Day 2: Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp. Sleep at Pikey Base Camp (about 3,640 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  3. Day 3: Pikey Peak sunrise to Loding. Sleep at Loding (about 2,525 m). Walking about 7 to 9 h. Reach Pikey Peak (about 4,065 m).
  4. Day 4: Loding to Junbesi. Sleep at Junbesi (about 2,690 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  5. Day 5: Junbesi to Taksindu. Sleep at Taksindu (about 2,940 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  6. Day 6: Taksindu to Phaplu. Sleep at Phaplu (about 2,440 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  7. Day 7: Phaplu to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 8 to 10 h by road, or about 30 min by flight when flights run.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Check at the time of travel which local-government or conservation permits apply on this route

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Pikey Peak Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 7 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 6 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Pikey Peak Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Pikey Peak, at about 4,065 m.

What is the best time for the Pikey Peak Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Pikey Peak Trek?

Check at the time of travel which local-government or conservation permits apply on this route. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How high is Pikey Peak?

About 4,065 m. Pikey Base Camp is about 3,640 m, and the trail is mostly below 3,000 m outside the peak days.

Do I need to fly for the Pikey Peak trek?

No. Most itineraries drive from Kathmandu to Dhap in 7 to 9 hours. You can fly between Phaplu and Kathmandu for the return when flights run, but the road is the usual route.