Pikey Peak Trek

Trip Itinerary

Trip FAQs

•  What is the food like on the Pikey Peak Trek?
  As it is a new trekking destination, the lodges are not as well-developed as the commercial and popular trekking trails. Nevertheless, the locals are working hard to prepare the best food and provide the best hospitality as possible. The tea houses are run by families, offering a menu with diverse Western and local foods such as Dal Bhat, pasta, spaghetti, bread, and various potato dishes. Most lodge owners have been in the business for some time and have mastered preparing food under less-than-ideal conditions. On this trek, you have an opportunity to taste authentic local food. The necessary food and fresh vegetables are brought from the nearest markets or villages, as well as pre-packed products. The milk used along the trail is powder milk. Always request hot milk to drink and avoid any raw food, fresh salad, or fresh fruit salad unless they have been soaked in iodine water or your hands are clean enough.
• How can I get safe drinking water on the Pikey Peak Trek?
  You can fill directly from the tap and use an iodine tablet or any other water purification tablets and Steripen. You can buy boiled water from a tea house in the evening, morning, or afternoon, and there is no need to use any purification tablet. Please don’t drink water directly from the tap or from a jar and stream, as it may cause stomach problems. Please remember, before you buy bottled water, don’t forget to check the expiration date.
• What are the accommodations like on the Pikey Peak Trek?
  At the tea houses, you will have a double room with separate beds. Usually, the rooms are small, but there is plenty of space for you to move around and form mattress with a clean bedsit. Due to limited lodges in the area, sometimes we may have to sleep in the dormitory. We always try to find a room for you. Some places have a warm dining area with a centrally heated chimney at the lodge to keep you warm in the evening. The lodge owner always gives you door luck. Don’t leave the room without luck.
• Is there access to medical facilities and first aid on the trek?
  Each of you should have your own first aid kit with some general medicine that you know or prescribed by your doctor. Please don’t forget to take your medication for the whole trip. If you stop taking your medication or if you do not have the full course of medication, that you are taking, it may create trouble for you on the trek. I do have a First Aid Kit with general medicine for emergencies and share it with everyone including porters. There is a District hospital in Phaplu for general treatment and operation; and some villages we pass by have health posts for local and small medical stores, where they give very basic treatment.
• How should I physically prepare for the Pikey Peak Trek?
  You don’t have to be a mountaineer or athlete to come to Nepal. As long as you are in good physical shape or reasonably fit, you do not require big hiking experience for short treks. The time you put into physical training before you come on this trip definitely be rewarded. Every day at least an hour of jogging and climbing the stairs will help you a lot.
• How difficult is the Pikey Peak Trek?
  The Pikey Peak Trek is considered moderately difficult compared to other treks in the Khumbu Region. While it follows an off-the-beaten-path route, the trail is relatively gradual, with only a few steep uphills sections, making it accessible to most trekkers. No prior trekking experience or special training is required, allowing even beginners to complete the journey comfortably. On average, trekkers walk for about 5-6 hours per day, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,065 meters over 6-7 days.
• What is the best season for the Pikey Peak Trek?
  The area is beautiful and worth visiting in every season. In spring, rhododendrons and other wildflowers bloom with an awesome mountain view. Summer brings lush greenery and plenty of wildflowers, while autumn offers spectacular Himalayan views. In winter, you can enjoy snow, blue skies, and stunning mountain scenery.

  We operate this trek in the autumn season. The weather during this time is usually stable, providing excellent views. However, it tends to get cloudy towards the end of December, leading into winter. Mornings are typically clear, offering magnificent views, while it is common for mountain valleys to become cloudy in the late afternoon. During the day, temperatures are warm, and you may feel sweaty at midday in the lower sections of the trek. However, as we cross above 3,000m, temperatures drop significantly, especially at night. On sunny days, daytime temperatures remain warm.

• Is there mobile network and WiFi access on the trek?
  Now, in most places in lower Solukhumbu Region, your cell phone receives a network if the weather is stable and lodges have telephone services and Wifi available, mainly in Junbesi and Phaplu.
• How reliable are flights to Phaplu?
  During the peak tourist season, only a few flights operate to Phaplu every day. It is not a bustling airport; typically, 2-5 flights operate, contingent on passenger numbers and weather conditions. No fixed convenient flight schedule in Phaplu. During peak trekking seasons (Spring: March- May, and Autumn: November), flights to Phaplu/Lukla operate from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu due to air traffic. At other times, flights will depart from Kathmandu. If flying from Ramechhap, we need to leave Kathmandu either the day before or very early on the departure day (around 1 a.m.). The drive to Ramechhap takes approximately five hours. Frequently, flights are canceled due to weather conditions. The duration of each flight ranges from 25 to 30 minutes from Kathmandu and 15 to 20 minutes from Manthali. The flight is noteworthy and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The planes soar over the hills and pass close to some snow-capped mountains. The left-hand side provides the best view of the mountains when flying to Phaplu, while the right-hand side offers optimal views when heading towards Kathmandu.
• What transportation options are available for the Pikey Peak Trek?
  Due to the unpredictable flight schedule in Phaplu, we use overland transportation. We do not use shared transport; instead, we provide a private Jeep or Bus, depending on the group size. The distance from Kathmandu to Dhap is approximately 230 km, and Phaplu is about 264 km away. The drive takes around 7–9 hours to Dhap and 8–10 hours to Phaplu. Along the journey, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes and river valleys, offering a great opportunity to experience rural Nepal and its way of life.
• What is the payment process for the trek?
  We require a 25% deposit of the total trip cost 60 days before your trip starts to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance must be paid upon your arrival in Kathmandu. We will send you the bank details for the deposit transfer.
• Is travel insurance required for the Pikey Peak Trek?
  Yes, travel insurance is mandatory and should cover medical treatment and emergency helicopter evacuation. Helicopter rescues are expensive, costing a minimum of USD 7,500, and payment is required before the helicopter departs. To ensure your safety, purchase insurance and provide us with a copy of your policy before the trek.
• What is the tipping policy for trekking staff?
  We are committed to the welfare of our staff, including trip leaders/guides, assistance guides, cooks, and porters. We ensure good wages, proper insurance, and the necessary clothing for all associated staff. They are the backbone of the adventure industry in Nepal. In Nepal, it is customary to tip field staff at the end trip as a token of gratitude for their hard work, and they also anticipate tips from clients.