The Pikey Peak trek in the Lower Khumbu region is fairly recent. The view from Pikey peak (± 4100m) is spectacular. It is an ideal place to admire the sunrises and sunsets over the Himalayan range and some of its highest peaks Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Manaslu, Annapurna … It is said to be Sir E. Hillary’s favorite view of Mount Everest.
The road, not yet very popular, is less traveled than those of the classic circuits in the Himalayas. Next to the impressive views, it passes through typical villages, cultures and forests of very dense and very colorful rhododendrons, in spring.
This route takes us off the beaten track, south of Khumbu, in the Solu region populated mainly by Sherpas but also Magar and Tamang. As the average altitude is lower than in Khumbu, there are many villages in this region as well as many monasteries. With an itinerary far from the crowds of Khumbu, we have the chance to discover the immense wealth of this region: its landscapes, its inhabitants, its monasteries, its flora, with the highlight, the panorama at the top of Pikey Peak (4,068 m). The name Pikey Peak comes from the Sherpas who celebrated a deity, the Chyabo Pikey of the west.
Trip Highlights
Early in the morning, we take a flight to Paphlu.
Departure for the village of Jambuk where we stop for lunch. At the end of the day, we climb to the Chiwong Gompa monastery which dominates the Phaplu valley to admire the view of the peaks of Numbur (6,958 m) and Katang (6,852 m). Like an eagle’s nest perched on top of the hill, Chiwong Buddhist Monastery was founded in 1923. It is renowned in Sherpa country and is home to a large religious community. Every full moon in November has an important holiday (Mani Rimdu).
We start the day with a beautiful climb through the rhododendrons with a magnificent view of Thamserku (6,608 m), Mera Peak (6,476 m), Numbur (6,959 m) and other surrounding peaks of the massif of Everest. After the pass, we descend to the imposing monastic complex of Thupten Chöling, one of the most important monasteries in Sherpa country. Located in a beautiful setting, the monastery is home to more than 400 Nyingmapa nuns and monks, sometimes called “red caps”, the oldest Tibetan Buddhist school (nyingma = old; pa = current). The monastery was founded by “His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche” in the 1960s, after he fled Tibet; it is an independent and autonomous institution. Therefore, Thupten Chöling has managed to remain authentic and traditional, preserved from the outside world.
Today is the most sustained day of our trek. We go up the valley of the Taktor Khola to the hamlet of Taktor to begin a climb in a forest of rhododendrons and conifers. Superb panoramic view from the Pabu Danda passes at 3,730 m before descending to Jose Bhanjyang.
Morning climb to Pikey Peak from where we admire a 360 ° panorama with an extraordinary view of the mythical peaks of the Himalayas: from Annapurnas in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east, passing of course through Everest. It was one of the highlights of our trip! We then descend to Pikey Peak base camp to spend the night.
If the day before our visit the view is not clear, possibility for those who wish to go up to Pikey Peak. Descent on the small promontory of Naur (3,400 m) where we will visit a cheese factory and then continue towards the village of Goli Gompa, the spiritual center of the region with several monasteries.
We descend to the village of Namkheli before crossing the Likhi Khola river and then ascending to the beautiful Bandar plateau where we meet the Everest trek.
We climb to the Deurali pass at an altitude of 2,700 m; then long descent to Shivalaya, a large village located by the river. This part of the route is better known, although it remains unspoiled, as it was taken by Edmund Hillary in 1953.
Last day of trek. We start with a steady climb to the Mali Danda pass (2335 m) then a few hours of quiet descent to Jiri.
Road to Jiri. Arrival in Kathmandu at the end of the afternoon
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
Cost Include
Cost Non-Includes