The Pikey Peak trek is a short 8-day trek in the lower Solukhumbu to one of the best Everest viewpoints in Nepal, without the Lukla flight. From the summit of Pikey Peak (4,065 m), sunrise lights up a 180° panorama of Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Numbur and Gauri Shankar, a view Sir Edmund Hillary is said to have called his favourite of Everest.
The route follows quiet trails through rhododendron forest, yak pastures and Sherpa villages such as Junbesi, home to the Thupten Chholing monastery. Graded moderate, it suits first-time trekkers and anyone short of time, and is best from March–May and October–December. Jeep transfers, permits, guide, porters and lodges with meals are included.
Quick answer: the Pikey Peak trek takes about 8 days from Kathmandu, reaches 4,065 m, costs from US$790 per person, and is reached by road, so it avoids Lukla flight delays. On a clear morning you can see Everest and several other 8,000 m peaks from the top, and it's one of the best short treks in the Everest region.
Pikey Peak lies in the Solu region, south of the main Khumbu trail. Sherpa people consider the hill sacred, and prayer flags and a small shrine crown the summit. Because very few trekkers come here, lodges are quiet, many are family homestays, and you experience Sherpa life as it was before tourism reached the upper Khumbu.
| Trip fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days from Kathmandu (5 days of trekking) |
| Maximum altitude | Pikey Peak, 4,065 m / 13,337 ft |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Access | By jeep, no Lukla flight |
| Views | Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Numbur, Gauri Shankar |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and homestays |
| Permit | Local rural municipality fee |
| Best time | March–May and October–December |
| Cost | From US$790 per person |
It is moderate. Days are 5–6 hours with some steep sections, and the highest point is just over 4,000 m. Altitude sickness is possible but uncommon. It is a good first trek in Nepal or a warm-up before a longer route.
The Everest View Trek flies to Lukla and visits Namche Bazaar; Pikey Peak is reached by road, is quieter and has a wider panorama including Kanchenjunga and Makalu, but a more distant view of Everest.
October–December brings the clearest skies; March–April brings rhododendrons in bloom. Winter is possible but cold at the top.
If you can walk 15 km with a few hundred metres of climbing and do it again the next day, you are in good shape for this trek. Start training two to three months ahead, and break in your boots before you fly.
This trek reaches 4,065 m on Pikey Peak, with the highest night at about 3,640 m. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite and poor sleep. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about any symptoms. If symptoms get worse, descending is the most effective treatment. Talk to your doctor before the trip about whether altitude medication is right for you.
The ridges are cold and windy at dawn, below freezing from November to February. Mornings are clearest; cloud often builds in the afternoon.
Local rural municipality fees are included.
Take out cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you set off: there are very few ATMs on the trail, and the ones that exist often don't work. Lodges charge a little for hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi, so a power bank saves money.
Bring a refillable bottle and either purification tablets or a filter. Lodges also sell boiled water, which is cheaper and better for the trail than bottled water.
Travel insurance is compulsory. It must cover trekking to 4,100 m, medical treatment and emergency helicopter evacuation. Please send us your policy details before departure.
Most visitors get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or apply online before they fly. Your passport needs six months' validity, and bring a few passport photos for trekking permits.
Choose add-ons and quantities on the booking form.
More trip options, quoted on request:
In the lower Solukhumbu district, south-west of the Everest region, about a day's drive east of Kathmandu.
Pikey Peak is about 4,065 m (13,337 ft).
Yes. On a clear morning you see Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and many more peaks.
8 days from Kathmandu, with 5 days of trekking.
Moderate, with 5–6 hours of walking a day and a maximum of just over 4,000 m.
Our package costs from US$790 per person, including transport, guide, porters, lodges and meals on the trek.
No. The trek is reached by jeep, so there are no flight delays.
October–December for views and March–April for rhododendrons.
Yes. It is one of the best short Everest-view treks for first-timers.
Only local fees, as the route is outside Sagarmatha National Park. They are included.
No. It is a hike on a trail; no climbing equipment is needed.
Pikey Peak is quieter and reached by road with a wider panorama; the Everest View Trek visits Namche Bazaar and needs the Lukla flight.
