Pikey Peak Trek-10 days

The best time for Pikey Peak Trek depends on the trekker’s choice and expectations. While some go for peak seasons like Spring and Autumn for an enriched trekking experience, others get adventure during off-seasons like monsoon and winter. Despite this fact, the Spring and Autumn seasons are best for the Pikey Peak trek based on the weather and climate conditions.

Spring Season (March to May)

Spring, from March until May, is a season of colorful environment. During this timeframe, the surrounding nature becomes colorful with fresh green leaves and flowers, making the hike more attractive. With a milder climate and blue skies this season the views are breathtaking and the weather is safer minimizing the risk of landslides and intense rain. Walkers can enjoy the beautiful scenery while being rid of the risk of rainfall and snowfall, which is why spring is the time of choice to walk the Pikey Peak Trek.

With clear blue skies, the sightseeing activities become intense, making it an ideal destination for photography and videography geeks. The surrounding views of the Himalayas, deep gorges, and green hills at far will be an unforgettable experience.

Autumn Season

The Autumn Season falls between September and November every year. Its weather features resemble Spring's, characterized by moderately stable conditions, less wind and rainfall. Temperatures become mild, and precipitation is almost non-existent in the form of light rainfall and snow, which reduces the possibility of extreme temperature fluctuations.

The season makes an onlooker witness to the clear skies and thus offers a beautiful view of the Himalayas, which includes Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

In the same way, Autumn in Nepal is celebrated with great festivities, such as Dashain and Tihar, which are the most popular festivals during this season. Trekkers who include these festivals in their itinerary will have the privilege of immersing themselves in Hindu culture and traditions.

Accommodations on Pikey Peak Trek 10 Days

This trek offers teahouse accommodation facilities on Pikey Peak trek for 10 days. You will spend most of the nights in these local accommodations, which you will find all over the place during the trek.

However, the teahouse lodgings are very simple and have basic services. There are beds with low-level mattresses with foam pads, wood-paneled or plastered walls, and often only one window. Some tea houses have in-room heaters, while others have a central burner lit in the evenings.

Wifi, hot showers, boiling water, and laundry etcs are additional paid services. Teahouse prices, along with the different facilities like hot showers, Wifi, etc., may vary depending on the location and their services.

Meals on Pikey Peak Trek 10 Days

Three meals a day, i.e., Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, will be arranged during the 10-day Pikey Peak trek. If you are going to trek at a high altitude, you must have sufficient calories and protein. During this trip, you will mostly consume Nepalu foods like Dal Bhat. In addition, be aware that the meat during these dinners can not be described as fresh and clean, which may end up causing you to feel sick. Either yak or porter transports all meat tea houses from Kathmandu or Kharikhola. Nevertheless, vegetarian meals in tea houses are definitely delicious and healthy.

Altitude Sickness Considerations on Pikey Peak Trek 10 Days

The journey to Pikey Peak in the Himalayas is the best life-changing journey, an adventure that you can experience only once in a lifetime. Altitude sickness is a medical issue that usually affects at an altitude above 2400m. So when you go to the top at pikey peak at (4065 m), altitude sickness may arise. You will experience symptoms like headache, nausea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trek, here's what you need to know:

• The itinerary, which is planned to have a slow risk of altitude sickness, will help your body adjust naturally. While hiking, you should keep an even pace, stop very often, and try to do only a few activities.
• Dehydration can worsen symptoms of altitude sickness. Drink many liters of fluid the whole day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Please try to drink around 3-4 liters of water every day.
• Some people react adversely to altitude, while others are less affected. Take note of your body's indications. If you feel pain or discomfort, descend to a lower altitude and rest.

Difficulty Level of Pikey Peak Trek 10 Days

Pikey Peak Trek comes with varying difficulty levels that go from easy to moderately difficult. While it doesn't go as high up as 4065 meters above sea level and doesn't need any technical skills, it is still a hard ride. Essentially, Pikey Peak Trek is suitable for any level of hiking capacity as long as one does not have a fear of heights.

Here is how you can prepare physically and mentally:

The Pikey Peak Trek 10 days has a multi-day itinerary, and it has a tour schedule that requires about 5-6 hours of hiking per day. The hike undoubtedly requires a high fitness level and stamina. Also, trekkers must have energy, strength, and endurance to walk for 5 -6 hours daily. It is recommended that physical fitness is improved using different exercises, including cardiovascular and acclimatization training, along with a gym workout. A great way to habituate to high altitude for the Pikey Peak trek is by taking shorter treks at higher elevations beforehand.

Moreover, mental readiness is also a key component. Trekkers have to cope with impossible difficulties like challenging climbing, fatigue, and altitude sickness. Adequate preparations must be made for comfortable and soothing trekking experiences. Porters and guides serve as the spinal cord for an expedition by ensuring that the trekkers do not lose their morale and can maintain a positive perspective throughout the journey.

Guides and Porters for Pikey Peak Trek 10 Days

In Nepal, you must now use the services of a certified guide to complete all treks. This law was introduced by the Nepalese Government and the Nepal Tourism Board to address the rising cases of missing tourists and injured trekkers. Therefore, solo hiking is no longer allowed.

Hiring guides and porters provides many benefits while trekking Pikey Peak. Guides will surely help you if you are new to the remote trails from Phaplu to Pikey Peak Base Camp. They can also give you the best views for sightseeing and advise you on where to stay in the most comfortable tea houses on your route. Additionally, guides support cross-cultural interactions by helping communicate with indigenous communities, allowing hikers to receive information about the region's culture, tradition, and history. Furthermore, guides are well-prepared to provide medical and physical care in case of emergencies like injuries.

Alongside the guides, the porters are a core part of the Pikey Peak Trek 10 days. Trekkers must walk 5 hours daily and carrying heavy backpacks and equipment can be difficult. Here, porters take on the responsibility of carrying luggage, enabling trekkers to have an enjoyable journey. This will surely put away the physical burden during the Pikey Peak Trek.

Required Permits for Pikey Peak Trek

To go on the 10 days Pikey Peak trek, you will need two types of permits. The first requirement is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, as some treks pass through the Everest region inside Sagarmatha National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed to protect the region's natural diversity. To enter the park, trekkers must acquire the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit from either the Nepal Tourism Board or the Monjo Checkpoint. The charge for this permit is NRs. 3000 each for 1000 for SAARC Nationals, and Nrs.100 for Nepalese trekkers.

In the same way, your TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) will also be required. This card will be charged NRs. Rs. 2000 for foreign trekkers and Rs. NRs.1000 for SAARC Nationals.

What Documents Are Required To Acquire These Permits?

• Trekking Permit fees
• Duration of Pikey Peak Trek
• Itinerary of the Pikey Peak trek
• Copies of Your Original Passport
• Entry and Exit Dates from Nepal
• Travel Insurance Policy Number [must be legit]
• Copies of your passport-sized photographs

Gears and Equipment for Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak trekking requires you to do some serious preparation in advance, which ranges from packing essential things to buying the necessary equipment. The trek goes to the remote region of Solukhumbu which is far away, therefore all the trekkers must ensure they have the required gear for their journey. Proper gear not only keeps the hiker safe but also makes the hiker comfortable; thus, the trekking experience becomes more enjoyable.

Here are some lists of required gears and equipment for Pikey Peak Trek:

• Sturdy Hiking Boots.
• Backpack and Duffel bags.
• Sleeping Bags and sleeping pads.
• Camping Tents.
• Trekking poles.
• Waterproof/windproof jackets.
• Thermal layers [Inner wear and outerwear].
• Flexible trekking pants, warm socks, hats, and gloves
• Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses.
• Guidebooks, maps, and compasses.
• First aid kits including basic medications.

Flight and Transportation

Although Dhap is far from the major airports, flying to the nearest city may still be an option. The closest airport, Rumjatar Airport in Okhaldhunga, is the perfect option.

If you choose to fly to Rumjatar Airport from Kathmandu, count on paying NRs. 4345 per person for the ticket. On the other hand, walkers should allow for the long hike from Rumjatar Airport to Tham Danda in Okhaldhunga, which may take hours or days to reach the destination. The path goes through Rumjatar Bazaar and then Sanitar, where you can also visit Sanitar Park.

The Pikey Peak Trek kicks off from Dhap, a beautiful village settled in the Everest Region. To reach there, you can hire the jeep which might cost you around $ 25 to $ 40 per person sharing or Reserve only for you cost $140-$160 and takes around 9 to 10 hours from Kathmandu.

The most convenient way from Kathmandu to Dhap is to hire a private vehicle from the capital of Nepal. Some trekking companies have JEEP services to drive visitors to the trailhead. Another option is to arrange transportation from Kathmandu with a guide or a local expert.

The trip progresses along a well-maintained highway along the Sun Koshi River in eastern Nepal. The ride along the countryside is where the landscapes are as remote as they are beautiful, with lush forests, babbling streams, rolling hills, and more.

While traveling, you will stop for lunch in Okhaldhunga, enjoying breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and the surrounding landscapes. Once you leave Okhaldhunga, you have a straight three-hour drive to Dhap which is the official starting point for the Pikey Peak Trek.

Tips for Budget-friendly Trek

Traveling in the off-season

Visiting the trekking region off-season is an excellent way to save money and enjoy winter trekking. Prices for accommodation, food, water, and other necessities drop during this time, making your budget requirements smaller. You may be lucky to easily secure your accommodation and other services as fewer tourists are there. However, you must be ready for extreme weather situations like heavy rainfall during the monsoon, snowfall, and high winds during the winter season.

Negotiating Prices

It is possible to secure reasonable prices for the Pikey Peak Trek from the trekking companies you are working with. These agencies help you communicate your interests and preferences and provide tips to streamline your budget.

Negotiating the guides' and porters’ rates is also possible. Follow up with one-on-one conversations, share your expectations, and propose a reasonable payment. On the other hand, it is imperative to remember that they, too, have bills to pay, and they should be paid for their services.

Renting Gears

Buying hiking accessories can be expensive, especially if you are a rare hiker who cannot afford them. Hence, it is better to rent the trekking gear and equipment than buy them. Thamel, Kathmandu has many stores and shops that rent out essential equipment at cheaper prices. The decision to rent, in the end, will allow you to put more money aside for the Pikey Peak Trek packing list.