Solukhumbu, Koshi · Nepal
Pikey Peak
A low-altitude ridge trek with a 180° panorama taking in Everest, Makalu and the Annapurnas.
Pikey Peak is a moderate trek in Solukhumbu, Koshi, Nepal, reaching 4,065 m. The best time to go is March and April and October and November. Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground from Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap) and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Pikey Peak
The one thing not to miss
Sunrise from the top
A sweep of the Himalaya from Annapurna to Kanchenjunga, with Everest in the middle.
- 2The Sherpa villagesQuiet lower-Solu villages with far fewer trekkers than the Khumbu.
- 3Thupten ChholingA large monastery near Junbesi, for those who walk on.
- 4Rhododendron forestIn flower in spring.
A sample plan: 6 days
Day 1
Kathmandu to Dhap
A full day by road.
Day 2
Dhap to Jhapre
Along a ridge with the first views of Everest.
Day 3
Jhapre to Pikey base camp
Through yak pastures.
Day 4
Pikey Peak at sunrise, then down to Junbesi
A wide sweep of peaks from Dhaulagiri to Kanchenjunga on a clear day.
Day 5
Junbesi to Phaplu
By way of Thupten Chholing monastery if you have time.
Day 6
Phaplu to Kathmandu
By road or a short flight.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Everest views without the altitude, the cost or the Lukla flight — often called the best short trek in Nepal.
Why not
The drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or Dhap is long and rough.
Before you go
- Permits
- Sagarmatha National Park permit not needed; TIMS applies in parts. Check locally.
- Guide
- Recommended.
- Safety
- Exposed ridge at the top; strong winds in the afternoon.
- Phone & internet
- Teahouse Wi-Fi at lower villages.
Altitude
Pikey Peak reaches 4,065 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Nepal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Nepal: CIWEC Hospital, Kathmandu; Himalayan Rescue Association aid posts, Pheriche (Everest) and Manang (Annapurna); Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara.
All emergency contacts for Nepal →What to pack for Pikey Peak
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 45 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
11 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
- Duffel bag, 60–80 litres What porters carry on teahouse treks; your day pack stays with you.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,065 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
6 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesIndians need a passport or voter ID to enter Nepal; other nationals need a passport and visa.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsSagarmatha National Park permit not needed; TIMS applies in parts. Check locally.
- Indian ₹100 notes, or Nepali rupees₹100 notes are the safest Indian currency to carry in Nepal; larger notes are not always accepted. Change money in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trail.
- Passport-size photos for trekking permitsNeeded for park and trekking permits. Carry four.
- Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuationA helicopter rescue from high on a Nepal trek is very expensive, and operators ask for proof of cover before they fly.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereTeahouse Wi-Fi at lower villages.
- Universal travel adapter Nepal's sockets differ from India's in many lodges.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Nepal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap).
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- No. Take a 4×4 or a local taxi. Mountain roads in Nepal are slow and often rough; allow more time than the distance suggests.
By road
From
Kathmandu
- Distance
- about 230 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Kathmandu
- Dhulikhel
- Khurkot
- Ghurmi
- Okhaldhunga
- Dhap
The walk starts at Dhap and usually ends at Phaplu, which has an airstrip and a road back.
Live directions from Kathmandu
Buses and shared taxis. Shared jeeps leave Kathmandu early in the morning for Dhap and Salleri.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap). Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Pikey Peak yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Pikey Peak: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Pikey Peak?
The best months for Pikey Peak are March and April and October and November. February, May and December are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Pikey Peak?
Pikey Peak is rated moderate. The trek is about 45 km in total, starting at 1,500 m and reaching 4,065 m.
How many days do you need for Pikey Peak?
Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground, counted from Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap). Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Pikey Peak cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹21,000 for 7 days, before the cost of getting to Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap).
How do you reach Pikey Peak?
By road: from Kathmandu it is about 230 km, 8–9 hours (Kathmandu → Dhulikhel → Khurkot → Ghurmi → Okhaldhunga → Dhap). Shared jeeps leave Kathmandu early in the morning for Dhap and Salleri. The nearest gateway is Kathmandu (Jiri / Dhap).
Do you need a permit or a guide for Pikey Peak?
Permits: Sagarmatha National Park permit not needed; TIMS applies in parts. Check locally. Guide: Recommended.
Is Pikey Peak suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is possible with care. It is quiet in season. Exposed ridge at the top; strong winds in the afternoon.
What should you pack for Pikey Peak?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Pikey Peak?
Teahouse Wi-Fi at lower villages.
Will I get altitude sickness at Pikey Peak?
Pikey Peak reaches 4,065 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Pikey Peak?
Pikey Peak is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with small children, older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,065 m. Also keep in mind: The drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or Dhap is long and rough.
Close to Pikey Peak
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Tsho Rolpaabout 35 km
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