Pikey Peak School Trek - 11 Days

After breakfast at your hotel in Thamel, you will drive towards Bhaktapur - one of the three cities in the Kathmandu valley where you will get to journey back in time with a guided tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bhaktapur is the best-preserved of the three ancient Malla kingdoms, and feels like a living museum. Our expert guide will lead you through its magnificent palaces, intricate temples, and artistic courtyards, revealing the fascinating history and vibrant Newari culture that still thrives within its ancient city walls.

After lunch at Bhaktapur, you'll navigate the city's initial traffic before joining the well-maintained B.P. Koirala Highway. This modern road offers a refreshing escape, immediately treating you to picturesque views of Nepal’s central hills. As you drive, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling green landscapes, dotted with charming terraced farmlands and glimpses of traditional Nepali village life.

Your scenic drive continues along the B.P. Highway beside the Sunkoshi River until Ghurmi. Here, you'll cross the river and head north-east on the Pushpalal Highway towards Phaplu. The terrain changes dramatically; the river plains give way to a spectacular climb along the hills, following a series of continuous switchbacks with distant views of the mountains to the north.

After approximately four hours, you'll arrive in Dhap for a well-deserved lunch. Following a brief rest, the journey continues for about 45 minutes on a graveled track heading north-west towards Jhapre. As you gain altitude, the distant mountains appear to move closer, a thrilling glimpse of the majestic peaks that await you on the Pikey Peak trek.

From the village of Jhapre, your journey to Pikey Peak Base Camp begins with a beautiful ascent. You'll follow a well-marked hiking trail that occasionally intersects with a dirt track, leading you gradually upwards. This segment of the trail passes the small settlement of Bhulbhule, which marks the halfway point of your trek today.

Continuing the gentle climb, you’ll soon arrive at Boudha, a quaint hamlet perched on a ridge, offering a perfect spot to rest and take in the views. From here, the trail becomes relatively flat, winding through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests until you reach Samsing Bhanjyang. Along this trail, you'll often share the path with pack animals, the vital modes of transportation in these mountains.

After a short but invigorating push to the top of the hill directly north, the trail gently contours along the landscape, leading you to your final destination for the day. Here, you'll find a small, welcoming settlement that serves as the Pikey Peak Base Camp, providing a well-deserved rest and a perfect vantage point for the adventure that awaits you tomorrow.

You'll start early in the morning to tackle the steep climb to Pikey Peak view point (4,067m) just in time for a spectacular sunrise. From this incredible vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Himalayan range, from Manaslu to Kanchenjunga. On a clear day, you'll witness the grandeur of seven of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga, among a host of other giants like Annapurna I, Manaslu, and Lhotse. After enjoying the breathtaking sunrise and the surrounding mountain scenery, you'll have a few hours to relax and take it all in.

You'll continue on the ridge till you reach the highest point and then continue north to descend for about two-hours, slowly making your way down a slope dotted with fragrant jasmine flowers, locally known as "high mountain incense." Your trail leads you to the valley settlement of Jase Bhanjyang, a small village on a saddle with only two teahouses where you will spend the night. These traditional teahouses are home to cows and yaks, allowing you to observe the traditional way of life and sample delicious handmade hard and soft cheese, buttermilk, butter, and fresh yogurt.

Your day's hike begins with an invigorating one-hour steep climb from Jase Bhanjyang to the Pambu Danda viewpoint (3,774m), where you'll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views. The journey then shifts to a descent that is steep at first, then becomes more gradual for about 1.5 hours, leading you to Taktor, a small hamlet with its own monastery.

After a brief rest, you will descend further to the small settlement of Tragdobuk. From there, you'll continue on a relatively flat trail that follows the natural contours of the hills, bringing you to the beautiful and culturally rich village of Junbesi. Once an important stop on the classic trail to upper Khumbu (including Mount Everest) before the construction of the Lukla airport, this village now rarely sees foreign trekkers. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, and as you arrive, you'll find yourself amidst picturesque apple and kiwi orchards and fields of barley, offering a peaceful and authentic glimpse into traditional Sherpa life.

Your journey of discovery begins at the Thupten Choling Monastery, a revered and active community where monks and nuns live in celibate devotion. Here, you can take part in the daily puja and witness the deep-rooted daily rituals and quiet contemplation that define monastic life, experiencing a peaceful atmosphere of spiritual focus.

Next, you'll visit the Serlo Monastery, a thriving Buddhist school that provides a vibrant education for hundreds of young students. This visit offers a unique opportunity to interact with the next generation of student monks in training.

Finally, your exploration culminates at the Junbesi Monastery (Tashi Thongmon Gumba), the undisputed spiritual heart of the village and the oldest monastery in the entire Solukhumbu region. This ancient institution stands as a testament to centuries of Buddhist tradition, offering a powerful sense of history and profound heritage.

Bidding a poignant farewell to Junbesi, you begin the last day of your trek. After descending to the valley floor and crossing the Junbesi river, you climb onto a high trail, bypassing the main road for a more serene experience. Trekking through lush forests and traditional hamlets, the trail eventually leads you to the small village of Phurteng, which is home to a Buddhist monastery. This is a particularly poignant moment, as Phurteng offers the last distant, but breathtaking view of the Himalayas.

From Phurteng, the trail descends to the valley floor where you'll cross a river via a suspension bridge. The journey is not over, however, as you will then face a final steep climb up the other side of the valley to reach the welcoming village of Ringmo.

After a well-deserved lunch in Ringmo, your trek concludes and your drive begins. You'll descend on a dirt track to Phaplu, where the road turns to asphalt. From there, you'll continue your drive to the familiar settlement of Ghurmi, passing through Dhap Bazar, a place you saw almost a week ago. Your journey back to a lower altitude offers a chance to reflect on the incredible sights and experiences of the last few days as you wind your way back through the hills.

You'll drive back to Kathmandu on the scenic B.P. highway and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

You've the full day at leisure to explore the city attractions or just relax at your hotel.

This marks the end of your trip in Nepal. You'll drive to Tribhuwan International Aiport 3 hours before your scheduled departure time for your travel back home.