Pikey Peak's height of 4068 meters lies in the lower part of Khumbu Valley. It is a short-duration, peaceful, and the easiest trekking destination in Nepal. About 7 - 8 hours of driving along the Sunkoshi River takes us to the place called Dhap which is the starting point of the 9 days Pikey Peak trek. From this place, Himalayan sceneries can be witnessed in front of you. Such as the Holy Mountain Numbur Himal, Everest which is known as the roof of the world, Lhotse, and many more surroundings. I don’t hesitate to say pikey is the second Poon Hill.
Even though the mountains are standing a bit far distance views are scenic and panoramic. And it is also one of the easiest, most peaceful, and wilderness trekking destinations in Nepal. So I would like to suggest the visitors, if you are looking for the easiest trek in Nepal why don’t you go for it. It is also a wilderness trek because the trail passes through the pine forests, rhododendron trees, and juniper while the elevation gains higher. Even chirping birds add more fragrance. The weather is quite different comparing other trekking regions of Nepal because mostly it is windy so it is better to have a windproof jacket but it is ok before the afternoon.
The highlights of the Pikey Trekking in Nepal.
Pikey Peak Viw point elevation of 4065 meters.
Buddhist Sherpa Village Junebesi.
Buddhist Serlo Monastery.
Thupten Choeling Monastery.
Amazing view from Pikey Peak View Point.
Pikey Peak Trekking route.
From Kathmandu, the local jeep and bus depart early in the morning. So you should book the ticket before one or two days. It’s not comfortable to take a local jeep sharing seats with many passengers. If you want to hire privately it’s more comfortable and flexible wherever you want to stop. The driving will be about 7 - 8 hours up to Dhap from Kathmandu.
After about 7 - 8 hours of scenic drive, we reach Dhap which is very close to Pattale. Dhap has also a viewpoint for exploring the surrounding mountains and hills. Early in the morning before departing to the Jhaprey, you can enjoy the view. Dhap is the starting point of our Pieky Peak trekking and Phaplu is the ending point. To get to Pikey Peak from Dhap the track should be followed on your left side of the newly built road down towards the pine forests.
The whole trail is rewarding and opens up for the views. The Pikey Peak will be standing north-west side direction from the trekking trail. After getting on the Pikey Peak passing through Jasmine Bhanjyang, Taktor, and Junbesi, and following the Junbesi River, finally comes to the ending point of Pikey Trek place called Phaplu. So seven to eight days are enough for this trek. Return back to Kathmandu jeeps are available in Phaplu. Or if you have a long day of holiday and worry about where to spend the next days, you can go further trekking up to Everest Base Camp.
Pikey Peak Hill is 4068 meters.
Accommodation Available during the Pikey Trek
The accommodations are very basic comparing Everest Base Camp Trek or Popular Annapurna Region treks. But they are very clean because the hotel runners are aware of personal hygiene and sanitary. Before trekking to the Pikey Peak, the trekkers fully and mentally should be prepared to spend their time in very basic guest houses and restaurants during the Pikey Peak Trek.
Regarding the food during the pikey peak trek are as follows: the menu is only a few places available but the food is really organic and locally produced by themselves. If you really want local taste and organic it is better to have to go through the local food likewise: veg. daal bhat, dhindo, aalu roti (potato bread), tsampa (wheat flour and buckwheat flour which is served with milk, butter, or hot water according to your choice), and various dishes which are produced on their own farm. Some of the places' stander menu is available in the hotel you can have Western continental food. Pizza, sandwiches, burgers, French fried toast, pancakes, and many more.
Pikey Peak is the highest and focal point of Pikey Peak Trek. It takes about an hour to get to the top from Pikey Base Camp. But time duration depends on your walking pace. The nature of the trail up to the top is steep but it is well-maintained stone steps. The top of Pikey is approximately 4065 meters above sea level. The snow-capped mountains are seen dominating from east to west. Mount Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kangtega, Holy Mountain Numbur, Gaurishanker, Langtang range, Ganesh Himal range, and Annapurna.
If you want to have panoramic views of all these mountains, pikey is the best place to have these glimpses. During the pikey trek, the places you should not miss are Serlo Monastery and Thupten Choeling Monastery. Thupten Choeling monastery is located just above the Junbesi settlement. It takes about 30 minutes from Junbesi to get to Serlo Monastery. Recently Serlo monastery is getting popularity among trekkers. The monastery runs a school also.
Buddhist Monks studying near Serlo Monastery.
The teachers' Rinpoche and Khenpo of the monastery teach Buddhism to the new monk students. There are about 150 students. The monastery runs extra educational subjects also including English, Mathematics, and Moral education with the help of volunteer teachers. If the trekkers are interested to explore Buddhism, want to meditate, and spend some days the monastery always welcomes you.
Culture and Lifestyle.
The people spend a very simple life in this region. In the lower part of Pikey Trek Magar, Gurung, and Tamang ethnic groups, and the high part mostly Sherpa people are inhabited. They follow the Buddha religion and some people follow the Hindu. Nepal is a religious secular country. So, they respect all cultures and religions equally. Most of the people are engaged in tourism and agriculture. Some of them have different occupations for living.
Junbesi Village Buddhist Village.
Junbesi village is a beautiful village inhabited by the Sherpa people and it is a warm place for Pikey Peak trek. It is surrounded by high hills and terraced farmlands. There are about 10 guest houses and restaurants. This village is the way to Everest Base Camp which is trekking from Jiri. During the Pikey trek, this is the place where can spend extra days hiking up to Thupten Choeling and surrounding possible villages like Phurteng for the Himalayan views.
Buddhist Village Junebesi.
Thuptenchholing Monastery,
Thuptenchholing Monastery is about 50 years old. It takes about 1 hour from Junbesi. The Thuptenchholing is an inhabitation of Tibetan refugees. This is the best place to explore Tibetan Buddhism and its culture. During my side trip to Thuptenchholing, the head monk of the monastery made me emotional by telling his history of how he came from Tibet to Nepal. Now they look really happy at Thuptenchholing.
Final word, One of the short treks, (Lower Everest region of Nepal) lap of Mount Everest is suitable for beginner and first-time travelers. In this short trek, trekkers will touch with the rich f Buddhist culture, involve with a pure local lifestyle, and visit old and unique Buddhist monasteries, the Mani wall, and stupas making our journey memorable and unfordable. That is not all, during the month of Mid-March to early April blooming rhododendrons flowers collared the trekking trail that is adding extra attraction during our Pikey Peak Trekking in Nepal.
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