trekhigh

Pikey Peak Trek — 7 Days

Pikey peak top
Length
7 days
Highest point
4,065 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Best months
Oct–Dec, Feb–Apr
Starts
Phaplu (fly from Kathmandu)
Group size
2–12 People
Sleeping
Tea House

Discover Sir Edmund Hillary's favourite Everest viewpoint on a quiet ridge in Solu Khumbu, with sweeping Himalayan panoramas and rhododendron forests away from the EBC crowds.

  • Pikey Peak (4,065 m) — finest free 360° panorama of Everest and Kanchenjunga from one viewpoint
  • Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, and Numbur all visible on clear mornings
  • Off-the-beaten-path Solu Khumbu — virtually zero other trekkers on trail
  • Authentic Sherpa gompa villages: Junbesi, Phaplu, and Solu valley communities
  • Lower altitude peak — 4,065 m; ideal acclimatisation trek before a higher Khumbu adventure
  • The insider's Everest viewpoint: same 8,000 m panorama, 90% fewer trekkers than EBC
  • Drive or fly to Salleri trailhead — saves 2+ days vs the classic Lukla approach

The climb, day by day

1,000 m2,000 m3,000 m4,000 m4,065 m, day 3
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Altitude reached each day of the itinerary
  1. Day 1Kathmandu — Drive to Phaplu/Salleri2,415 m

    Early morning drive east from Kathmandu through the hilly Solu Khumbu region to Salleri or Phaplu (2,415m). The long drive rewards with increasingly dramatic views of the Himalaya. Check in and rest in preparation for the trek.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    Drive
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  2. Day 2Phaplu to Junbesi2,675 m

    Trek through pine and rhododendron forest passing small Sherpa and Rai villages to Junbesi (2,675m), one of the most beautiful valleys in the Solu region with views of Numbur Himal. Visit the famous Thubten Choling Monastery.

    Distance
    14 km
    Walking
    5–6 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  3. Day 3Junbesi to Pikey High Camp4,065 m

    Climb steeply through the forest, ascending to the high ridgeline above Pikey Peak to reach High Camp (4,065m). As the treeline recedes, the panorama of the eastern Himalaya emerges — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga are all visible.

    Distance
    13 km
    Walking
    6–7 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  4. Day 4Pikey Peak Sunrise — Descend to Jiri1,905 m

    Pre-dawn hike to the summit of Pikey Peak (4,065m) for the most celebrated Himalayan sunrise viewpoint in the eastern Nepal hills. The panorama stretches 200km from Dhaulagiri to Kanchenjunga, with Everest prominently in the centre. Descend steeply through forest all the way to Jiri (1,905m) — start of the original Hillary Trail.

    Distance
    18 km
    Walking
    7–8 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  5. Day 5Jiri to Shivalaya1,767 m

    Trek through the Jiri valley and lower hills to Shivalaya (1,767m), passing through traditional Sherpa and Brahmin villages. Relatively easy descending day to recover after the long summit push.

    Distance
    13 km
    Walking
    4–5 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  6. Day 6Shivalaya — Drive to Kathmandu1,400 m

    Morning walk to the road head and then drive back to Kathmandu through scenic hill country. Arrive afternoon or evening.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    Drive
    Meals
    B, L
    Night
    Hotel
  7. Day 7Departure Day1,400 m

    Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Optional morning Kathmandu sightseeing if time permits.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    –
    Meals
    B
    Night
    –

The price includes

  • Government-registered English-speaking guide
  • Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
  • TIMS card
  • Kathmandu–Salleri/Phaplu flight (or jeep option)
  • Return bus/jeep to Kathmandu
  • All teahouse accommodation on trek
  • 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • All government taxes and service charges

You pay separately

  • International airfare to/from Kathmandu
  • Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
  • Meals not listed in daily itinerary
  • Personal trekking gear and equipment
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure

Pikey Peak Trek takes you to one of Nepal’s most dramatic sunrise viewpoints — a spot Sir Edmund Hillary himself used to scout the approach to Everest. From the 4,065m summit you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Numbur in one sweeping panorama.

Why Pikey Peak?

  • Views of 7 of the world’s 10 highest peaks
  • Virtually crowd-free — a true off-the-beaten-path experience
  • Traditional Sherpa villages and rhododendron forests
  • Drive-in access cuts out extra trekking days
  • Perfect alternative for trekkers who want Everest views without the crowds or cost

Questions people ask

Is the Pikey Peak Trek suitable for moderately fit trekkers?
Yes. This moderate trek is well within reach for reasonably fit adults who exercise regularly. Daily stages run 5–6 hours on well-used hill trails. The highest point is 4,065m, which may cause mild headaches for some trekkers — rest, hydration, and a steady pace are sufficient management. No technical terrain or prior trekking experience is required, though broken-in boots and trekking poles are recommended.
When is the best time to visit Pikey Peak?
October–November delivers the clearest Himalayan panoramas — Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Numbur can all be seen from the summit on a good morning. March–April is also excellent, with rhododendron and magnolia forests in full bloom on the ascent. Avoid the monsoon months (June–September) when mist and rain obscure the views that are the primary draw of this trek.
What permits are required, and what does $780 include?
You will need a TIMS card and a local area conservation permit — both included in our price. The $780 covers all permits, an English-speaking licensed guide, porter support (up to 15 kg), teahouse accommodation throughout, three meals per day, and transport to and from the trailhead. International airfare is not included. No special restricted area permits are required for this route.
Is altitude sickness a risk on this trek?
The maximum altitude of 4,065m is moderate on the Himalayan scale. Most trekkers experience no significant altitude issues, though headaches or fatigue are possible on the summit night. The itinerary is paced to allow gradual ascent over several days. Staying well-hydrated, ascending slowly, and informing your guide of any symptoms early are the key precautions. The option to descend quickly to lower elevation is always available.
What is accommodation like along the Pikey Peak trail?
The route passes through Solu Khumbu hill villages where simple teahouse lodges provide clean twin rooms and home-cooked meals — dal bhat, noodle soups, eggs, and local bread. Standards are basic but comfortable; expect shared bathrooms and no hot showers at higher elevations. The area is less commercialised than the Everest region proper, giving meals and lodging a more authentic local character. Phone coverage and Wi-Fi are available intermittently in larger villages.
Why is Pikey Peak known as Sir Edmund Hillary's favourite Everest viewpoint?
Hillary famously remarked that the view of Everest from Pikey Peak was the finest he had ever seen — a high endorsement from the man who first stood on its summit. Unlike the Kala Patthar viewpoint on the Everest Base Camp route, the panorama from Pikey takes in not just Everest but an almost 180-degree sweep of the entire eastern Himalayan chain from a vantage that far fewer trekkers ever reach, giving it an exclusive quality that Kala Patthar lost long ago.

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