Tsum Valley Trek
US $$1,099
Pikey Peak Trek – 7 Days: Everest Sunrise, Sherpa Villages & Monastery Visit
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Accommodation Teahouses and lodges during the trek, with hotel accommodation in Kathmandu if included in the package.
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Duration 7
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Trip Difficulty Moderate
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Activities Trekking; Pikey Peak sunrise hike (4,065m); Himalayan mountain views; Sherpa village and cultural exploration; Junbesi village exploration; Thupten Chholing Monastery excursion.
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Best Time Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November)
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Max. Elevation 4,065 m (Pikey Peak Summit)
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Group Size Min-1 Pax
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Transportation Car/Jeep/Hice/Public Bus
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Meals Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek. Meals during the Kathmandu–Dhap and Phaplu–Kathmandu drives are subject to package confirmation.
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Start/End Kathmandu – Kathmandu
Overview
Stand on Pikey Peak (4,065m) at sunrise and watch the first light touch Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. You don’t need a flight to Lukla or two weeks on the trail to do it. This trek from Kathmandu takes you by road to Dhap Bazaar in the Lower Everest (Solukhumbu) region. From there you walk through Sherpa villages and rhododendron forest to Pikey Base Camp, climb to the summit before dawn, and finish in the Sherpa village of Junbesi. A visit to Thupten Chholing Monastery and an easy walk down to Phaplu complete the trip.
Want a longer Everest-region trek instead? See our Everest Base Camp Trek
Trip at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trip duration | 7 days / 6 nights, Kathmandu to Kathmandu |
| Trek duration | 5 days (4 walking days + 1 easy excursion day) |
| Route type | Point-to-point trek, not a loop |
| Trek starts | Dhap Bazaar (approx. 2,850m), reached by road from Kathmandu |
| Trek ends | Phaplu (approx. 2,400m), then road back to Kathmandu |
| Highest point | Pikey Peak, 4,065m |
| Highest overnight stop | Pikey Base Camp, approx. 3,640m |
| Difficulty | Moderate [Operations to confirm the label used across Snow Bank packages] |
| Daily walking | Approx. 3–9 hours, depending on the day |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and lodges on every night of the trek |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner on trek days |
| Transport | Road transfers, Kathmandu–Dhap and Phaplu–Kathmandu [confirm vehicle type] |
| Guide and porter | Licensed guide and porter included [confirm porter arrangement] |
| Best seasons | Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) |
About the Route: Where It Starts and Ends
The trip starts and ends in Kathmandu. The walking part starts at Dhap Bazaar and finishes at Phaplu. You do not return to your starting point on foot. A vehicle meets you in Phaplu on Day 7 for the drive back to Kathmandu.
Route in order: Kathmandu → Dhap Bazaar → Jhapre → Pikey Base Camp → Pikey Peak → Junbesi → Thupten Chholing Monastery (return walk) → Junbesi → Phaplu → Kathmandu
Why Choose the Pikey Peak Trek?
- Sunrise from 4,065m with a wide Himalayan view, weather permitting
- Everest-region scenery without a flight to Lukla or the long Base Camp itinerary
- Real Sherpa villages, including Junbesi, with prayer flags, mani walls and chortens along the trail
- Thupten Chholing Monastery, one of the best-known Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Solukhumbu
- Rhododendron and pine forest that opens up into alpine ridges near the top
- Only 7 days, with road access from Kathmandu both ways
Altitude Profile
| Place | Approx. altitude |
|---|---|
| Dhap Bazaar | 2,850m |
| Jhapre | 2,820m |
| Pikey Base Camp | 3,640m |
| Pikey Peak (summit) | 4,065m |
| Junbesi | 2,700m |
| Thupten Chholing Monastery | 2,920m |
| Phaplu | 2,400m |
Altitudes vary by a few metres between sources. These are the figures most commonly published for this route.
The biggest jump comes on Day 3, when you climb roughly 800m from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp. The summit is only about 425m above base camp, so the altitude gain on summit morning is gentle. Even so, move slowly, drink plenty of water, and tell your guide about headaches or nausea.
Difficulty: What to Expect
The Pikey Peak Trek is a moderate trek. It has no technical climbing, and the trails are clear and well used. Here is what makes it tiring:
- Steady climbing on Day 3, with a steep zigzag section near base camp
- A long Day 4 that combines the summit climb with a 1,300m+ descent to Junbesi
- Cold early mornings on summit day, often below freezing
- Teahouse basics: simple rooms, shared bathrooms, limited hot water at higher stops
Reasonable fitness and some hiking practice are enough. Previous high-altitude experience is helpful but not required.
Best Time for the Pikey Peak Trek
- Spring (March–May): Rhododendrons bloom on the forest trails, and views are often clear. Mornings are still cold at the top.
- Autumn (September–November): Usually the most stable weather and the clearest mountain views.
- Winter (December–February): Cold, with possible snow near the summit. Suited to well-prepared trekkers.
- Monsoon (June–August): Rain, cloud and muddy trails can hide the views and slow the road journey.
Mountain views are never guaranteed. Cloud can roll in at any time of year.
Permits
Pikey Peak sits in lower Solukhumbu, outside Sagarmatha National Park. The permit rules vary by starting point, and published sources do not fully agree. For this Dhap–Phaplu route, the usual requirements are:
- A local area permit (issued by the local rural municipality)
- TIMS registration
- A Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit may also apply, depending on your exact route
For official permit information, see Nepal Tourism Board permits page.
Outline Itinerary
| Day | Route | Walking / driving time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu → Dhap Bazaar (approx. 2,850m) | 8–10 hrs drive | Dhap, teahouse |
| Day 2 | Dhap Bazaar → Jhapre (approx. 2,820m) | 5–6 hrs | Jhapre, teahouse |
| Day 3 | Jhapre → Pikey Base Camp (approx. 3,640m) | 5–6 hrs | Pikey Base Camp, teahouse |
| Day 4 | Sunrise climb to Pikey Peak (4,065m) → Junbesi (approx. 2,700m) | 7–9 hrs | Junbesi, teahouse |
| Day 5 | Junbesi → Thupten Chholing Monastery → Junbesi | 3–5 hrs | Junbesi, teahouse |
| Day 6 | Junbesi → Phaplu (approx. 2,400m) | 4–6 hrs | Phaplu, teahouse or lodge |
| Day 7 | Phaplu → Kathmandu | 8–10 hrs drive | None included |
Detailed Itinerary
Driving time: approx. 8–10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Accommodation: Teahouse in Dhap Meals: [confirm which meals are covered on the road and in Dhap]
You leave Kathmandu early and climb out of the valley on winding hill roads. The route passes river valleys, terraced farms and small settlements as the landscape changes. It is a long day on the road, so bring snacks, water and something to keep you busy.
In Dhap, you check in to your teahouse and rest. Your guide explains the route, the walking times and what to expect over the next few days.
Walking time: approx. 5–6 hours Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Elevation: roughly level to a gentle climb Accommodation: Teahouse in Jhapre Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This is your first walking day, and it is a gentle one. The trail rolls through farmland, small villages and forest. You will see prayer flags, mani walls and chortens along the way, a first taste of Sherpa culture. Jhapre is a small settlement with good mountain views, especially at the end of the day.
Walking time: approx. 5–6 hours Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Elevation gain: approx. 800m (to be checked against the exact route) Accommodation: Teahouse at Pikey Base Camp Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today is the main climbing day before the summit. The path moves through pine and rhododendron forest and open pastures. Near the top, it passes old mani walls before a steep zigzag climb to base camp. The air is thinner and the terrain more open here.
Rest, drink water and eat well. You will start early tomorrow.
Walking time: approx. 7–9 hours, depending on pace and time at the summit Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Elevation: about 425m up to the summit, then roughly 1,300m down to Junbesi Accommodation: Teahouse in Junbesi Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This is the highlight of the trek. You wake well before dawn and climb in the dark, with headlamps lighting the trail. As the sky brightens, the view opens out. From the summit, you can watch the sun rise over Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga, with Numbur and Gaurishankar nearby, if the weather is clear.
After photos and time at the top, you walk back down for breakfast. The long descent follows ridges, open pastures and forest to Junbesi, a traditional Sherpa village known for its Buddhist heritage. This is the longest day of the trek, so take it slowly and keep your energy up.
Walking time: approx. 3–5 hours round trip Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Accommodation: Teahouse in Junbesi (same as Day 4) Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
A gentler day after the summit. You walk along the Junbesi valley, with a mostly easy uphill climb, to Thupten Chholing Monastery (approx. 2,920m). It was founded in 1968 by the Tibetan lama Trulshik Rinpoche, who fled Tibet in 1959. Today it is home to several hundred monks and nuns, many of them Tibetan refugees.
Spend time at the monastery, then walk back to Junbesi. In the afternoon, explore the village, with its Sherpa architecture, prayer flags and quiet streets.
Walking time: approx. 4–6 hours Distance: [to be confirmed by operations] Elevation: gradual descent with some short climbs Accommodation: Teahouse or lodge in Phaplu Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The final walking day follows forest paths, terraced farmland and small settlements. You are walking down toward the main road, so the air gets warmer and thicker. In Phaplu, you can rest, wash up and celebrate finishing the trek.
Driving time: approx. 8–10 hours, depending on road conditions Accommodation: Not included Meals: Breakfast; [confirm whether lunch is included]
After breakfast, you drive back through rural villages, terraced hillsides and river valleys. You arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon or evening, and your trek ends there.
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Road transfers, Kathmandu–Dhap and Phaplu–Kathmandu
- Teahouse and lodge accommodation on each night of the trek (Dhap, Jhapre, Pikey Base Camp, Junbesi x2, Phaplu)
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Licensed trekking guide and porter
- Required trekking permits and TIMS registration
- Basic first-aid kit carried by the guide
- Government taxes and service charges
Excludes
- Hotel nights in Kathmandu before and after the trek
- International flights and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Drinks (alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water) and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal trekking equipment
Packing List
- Layers: warm jacket, fleece, thermal base layers, windproof and waterproof outer layer
- Footwear: broken-in trekking boots and warm socks
- Cold-weather gear: hat, gloves and a sleeping bag suited to the season [confirm if one is provided]
- Daypack, headlamp (needed for summit morning), sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle
- Snacks and energy bars for long days
- Personal medicines and toiletries. Ask your doctor before you travel about altitude and stomach medicines. Your guide carries a basic first-aid kit.
TripAdvisor Reviews
FAQs
It is moderate. There is no technical climbing, but there are 4 long walking days, one of them 7–9 hours.
No. Reasonable fitness is enough. It works well as a first Himalayan trek.
Only if the weather is clear. Spring and autumn give the best chance, but views are never guaranteed.
It is a one-way trek. The road meets the trail again in Phaplu, so a vehicle takes you back to Kathmandu on Day 7.
Yes. Teahouses and lodges are used on every night of the trek, from Dhap to Phaplu. Rooms are simple, and larger stops like Junbesi and Phaplu offer more choice.
Yes, but it needs a separate itinerary. See Everest Base Camp Trek.
