Beginners Guide to Pikey Peak Trek

Dear beginner trekkers, what is stopping you from trekking? Is it the long walking hours? Or are you afraid of altitude sickness? What if we tell you there is one such trek where you don’t have to worry about its difficulty? All you need to do is prepare a little, and you are ready to go on a trek. The trek we are referring to here is the Pikey Peak trek. Pikey Peak lies in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Sir Edmund Hillary first explored Pikey Peak during his expedition to the Everest. According to him, the summit of the Pikey Peak provides the best views of the Mount Everest. Every year, many trekkers visit here to πwitness that view. 

The trek offers a short distance, breathtaking vistas, and exploration of local culture, making it perfect for you if you are a beginner for pikey peak. Reaching the summit, you will witness various mountain ranges from Everest to Makalu. On a clear day, you can also notice Mount Annapurna from here. Moreover, the well-maintained trails, accessible teahouses, and gradual elevation increase offer a safe yet adventurous trekking experience. This trek can also be a practice trek if you dream of reaching the Everest Base Camp. So, here is a beginner’s guide to Pikey Peak Trek. It will provide all the necessary information that will help you kick-start your trekking journey.

Why Choose Pikey Peak Trek as a Beginner?

Moderate Difficulty

Pikey Peak trek is a shorter and moderately difficult trek that covers about 50 to 60 Km over 7 to 14 days, which is a manageable distance for any novices. The distance might seem overwhelming initially, but it is beginner-friendly because of the gentler ascents and descents. Unlike other treks where you have to cover 10-15 Km daily, this trek allows you to manage the everyday trekking duration. You can distribute your trekking days as per your pace and walk 5 to 7 hours daily to cover 8 to 12 Km on average. The gradual altitude gain allows you to trek comfortably without overexertion. 

Stunning Views

Trekking is not just a physical activity. We do not trek just for the sake of walking. We trek to get away from the concrete jungle to witness the wonders of nature. We trek for the breathtaking views. Despite being a moderate trek, Pikey Peak doesn’t compromise on the vistas it offers. During the trek, you will walk past diverse settings, including landscapes filled with greenery and rhododendron forests, alongside beautiful mountains scenic with white peaks. The mountains you can observe from Pikey Peak are;

• Mount Everest – 8,848.86m
• Kanchenjunga – 8,586m
• Makalu – 8,485m
• Lhotse – 8,516m
• Manaslu – 8,163m
• Dhaulagiri – 8,167m
• Annapurna I – 8,091m
• Cho Oyu – 8,188m
• Nuptse – 7,861m

Low Altitude

Trekking in the Himalayas comes with the risk of altitude sickness, as it involves traversing through the high passes and rugged terrains above 4,000 m. Hence, treks like the Everest Base Camp trek (highest elevation- 5,545 m) and the Annapurna Circuit trek (highest elevation- 5,416m) need thorough planning and a few extra days for acclimatization. Pikey Peak, even though at an altitude of 4,076 m, doesn’t require acclimatization and has a lesser risk of altitude sickness. Additionally, gradual ascending allows your body to adjust to your surroundings.

Cultural Experience

Although it is a shorter trek, the Pikey Peak trek allows for immersion in the local culture. Various ethnic groups like Sherpa, Tamang, and Magar inhabit the region. Besides high mountain peaks, this adventure allows you to encounter traditional Himalayan ways of life. In your Pikey Peak trek, you will witness; 

• Ancient Buddhist monasteries like Thupten Chholing monastery
• Prayer flags and mani walls
• Traditional sherpa settlements
• Yak pastures

Lesser Crowds

Pikey Peak trek is a hidden gem of Nepal that receives a relatively lesser number of trekkers despite being in the Everest region. If you are a beginner trekker who prefers solitude, hiking the crowded trails can be irritating. So, Pieky Peak can be your go-to trek as the trails are not crowded, even during peak seasons. You don’t even have to worry about booking accommodations in advance. 

Flexible Itinerary

One of the best features of the Pikey Peak trek is its flexible itinerary. You can customize your routes based on the available time, fitness, and preferences. Pikey peak trek offers multiple route options. For example, you can fly to Phaplu from Kathmandu and start your trek there. Besides, Dhap and Shivalaya are other places to drive to start your trek. If you are confident and have extra days, you can take a detour from Junbesi for an Everest Base Camp Trek. 

How to Prepare for the Pikey Peak Trek

Preparing for a Pikey Peak trek is an integral part, as it defines your whole trekking experience. Even though the trek is moderately difficult, the altitudes, ascents/descents, and rugged terrains can pose significant problems. The risk of knee pain, back pain, and injuries is always possible, making the whole trek stressful. Hence, training your body and mind for the trek becomes extremely necessary. Here are a few aspects that you should focus on. 

Physical Preparation

The gradual altitude gain and moderate ascents/descents are what make the Pikey Peak trek suitable for novices. However, these same factors also make things challenging and physically demanding, especially if you haven’t experienced navigating the rugged terrains. Hence, you must focus on certain groups of exercise at least 3 weeks before the trek begins. Here is what you can do; 

• Cardio workouts– Brisk Walking, Cycling, Swimming
• Leg strengthening training– Squats, Lunges, step-ups
• Flexibility– Yoga and stretching exercises

Mental Preparation

Pikey Peak trekking requires you to leave behind your comfort and walk in an unknown terrain, where the chances of encountering risks are high. While experienced trekkers know exactly how to deal with it, an inexperienced one might not. So, you need to be mentally resilient for this trek. You can read blogs and watch vlogs of the Pikey Peak trek to familiarize yourself with the terrains and conditions. You can also practice short hiking to build confidence. Practicing meditation to handle stressful situations is also helpful. 

Pikey Peak Trek Itinerary

Among various trek routes, here is the outline of the itinerary through the Shivalaya route.

Permits for Pikey Peak Trek

You will require to obtain three permits for the Pikey Peak trek. You will need Sagarmatha National Park Permit (SNPP) as Pikey Peak lies inside the Sagarmantha National Park. You will also need a Gaurisankhar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP) as your trek route goes through this protected area. Besides these two, you will also need to obtain a local permit (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit) to enter the Everest region. Now, let us look at their price and where to obtain them; 

Note: After you submit the required documents, your trekking agency will obtain all the necessary permits on your behalf. 

Accommodations and Food During the Trek

Accommodation

Being the least explored trekking destination, the routes that take you to Pikey Peak have teahouses as your accommodation. While they do not offer you the comfort of hotels, they have basic facilities that keep you warm at night and provide you with a proper rest. They offer twin-sharing rooms with proper bedding. Some of them provide private rooms, while in some you might have to share the room. You can dine in the communal dining area while interacting with fellow trekkers and the locals.

The tea houses offer amenities like hot showers, wifi, and charging. However, they might charge you extra for the service. The other accommodation option you will come across along the way is lodges. They are more expensive than the tea houses and offer extra amenities. The cost of accommodations ranges from USD 4 to USD 15, depending upon your preferences. 

Foods

While there will be varied food options when you are at Kathmandu, the choices get limited once the trek begins because of the remoteness of the Pikey Peak trek. You will have three meals daily during the trek in the tea houses to maintain energy. Lunch and dinner are usually Dal, Baht, Tarkari, and achar (Lentil soup, rice, curry, and pickle), a traditional Nepali cuisine. Some tea houses also offer mo: mo, thukpa, and pasta. Some breakfast options are eggs, bread, potatoes, chickpeas, and flatbread. Almost all the tea houses provide tea and coffee. You can carry energy bars, dates, dry fruits, and protein bars for extra calories. 

Note: You must stay hydrated throughout the trek. Buying water bottles can be expensive, so the cheaper option is to carry one and fill it up at teahouses. You can also carry an electrolyte to replenish your minerals.

Perfect Time for Pikey Peak Trek

The best time to trek Pikey Peak is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons. These seasons offer favorable trekking conditions like mild temperatures, safer trails, and unobstructed panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Summer(June to August) and winter(December to Feburary) are considered the off-seasons to visit Pikey Peak. Now let us look at why spring and autumn are the perfect time to take the Pikey Peak trek and why winter and summer/monsoon are the off-season.

Autumn (September to November)

• Moderate trekking temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C during the day and 0°C to 5°C at night. 
• Stable weather conditions, minimal rainfall, and clear skies offer spectacular mountain views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and many more. 
• Autumn is the festive season. 
• The trails are drier and, hence, safer. 

Spring (March to May)

• The daytime temperature ranges from 12°C to 22°C, and the nighttime temperature ranges from -2°C to 5°C. This temperature is perfect for trekking. 
• Predictable weather conditions allow trekkers to plan accordingly. 
• Rhododendron forests and lush greenery. 
• Slightly warmer days than the autumn season. 

Summer/Monsoon (June to August)

• The daytime temperature will be maximum this season, reaching up to 27°C at lower elevations. But the nighttime temperature at around 15°C is perfect for a sound sleep.
• Walking on hot sunny days can be very uncomfortable. 
• The monsoon season receives heavy rainfall, making the unpaved routes in the Pikey Peak trails muddy and slippery.
• With heavy rainfall, the risk of landslides also increases in many areas. 
• The fewer trekkers on the route allow you to immerse in the verdant greenery that summer offers. 

Winter (December to Feburary) 

• Freezing nighttime temperatures at Pikey Peak base camp makes it harder to relax during sleep. The temperature can reach up to -15°C during the winter. However, the daytime temperature is around 13°C, so it is still comfortable to trek. 
• The Peaky Peak receives excessive snowfall in the winter, covering the path in the snow. It becomes hard to navigate the route because of the heavy snowfall. On top of that, the path becomes slippery. 
• No other season will offer such views of snow-capped mountains than the winter season. 

Packing Essentials

Understanding how to pack effectively is essential for the Pikey Peak trek, as many make the mistake of either overpacking or underpacking. The distance and duration of the trek confuse people on what to take and what to leave behind. Besides, the weather also becomes a major factor to consider while packing. So, here are some essentials that you shouldn’t leave behind:

• Moisture-wicking base layers
• Fleece jackets and pants
• Waterproof outer layers. 
• Insulated outer layers (especially for winter) 
• Trekking boots and socks
• Trekking poles
• Backpacks 
• Toiletries
• Sleeping bag (in winter and if you are concerned about the hygiene of beddings in teahouses)
• Permits and documents

Conclusion

Even though there are other popular treks, Pikey Peak stands out in terms of the short walking hours, views, and trekking experience it offers. This short yet rewarding trek reaches an elevation of 4,076 m, providing stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and more. During your trek, you will pass through the Sherpa, Tamang, and Magar villages, adding a cultural angle to your journey. After the right preparation, you can trek to Pikey Peak in either autumn or spring season, as they are the best season for this trek. In every aspect, this trek provides an unforgettable adventure and suits any beginner.