Last updated on November 19th, 2024 at 09:18 pm

Solukhumbu Pikey Peak Trail, known as Everest Cultural Trek, brings us to the few of the highest point of lower Everest region including Pikey Peak (4070m) and Lamjura Pass (3530m) with spectacular distant view of many Himalayan peaks including the Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Ama Dablam (6812m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Thamserku (6608m), Mt. Gaurishankar (7134m), Mt. Numbur (6950m). Mera Peak (6654m).

Trekking in the Himalayas, at least on the Jiri –Lukla trail of lower Khumbu (Everest region), is all about climbing in and out of deep valleys via high mountain passes such as Deurali and Lamjura Pass as well as the Pikey Peak itself, the highest point of the trek. The trek is complex of scenery and mountain views, culture and lifestyle of local people including Sherpa, Tamang, Magar, Chhetri and Brahmin. Mani wall with Tibetan scriptures, Buddhist stupa and monasteries, landscape, high vegetation, flora and faunas are major attractions of the trek. Visiting Thuptencholing Monastery and taste of local delicious food and drinks in lodges and teahouses remind us of Tibet.

DAY 01: DRIVE TO BHANDARA (2190M) VIA SHIVALAYA (1790M)
After breakfast, we start our intense 10+ hours’ drive to Shivalaya in private jeep passing though world Heritage city of Bhaktapur and the Dhulikhel hill station. We will have short break at the Dhulikhel for panoramic view as well as hot tea/coffee. Soon we head towards Jiri, we enjoy with the sublime beauty of nature, the curvy roads, sloppy viridian hills, a picturesque village etc. The road switchback through the mountains of Nepal from village to village before reaching to Jiri. Called as second Zurich of world, it’s situated at the altitude of 1905m and it has cool climate as well as pleasant environment. Further drive to Shivalaya and to Bhandara. Overnight at teahouse.

DAY 02: TREK TO NAMKHELI (2300M)
From Bhandara, the trail descends almost 750m down to the Likhu Khola River. From here, regular trail to Lukla branches off to Kinja, Lamjura Pass and finally to Phakding. We take pretty untrodden trail towards Namkheli with long ascent through the forest to level up to the sa me altitude or even higher to reach to the Namkheli. It is pretty big village with approx. 5000 people in whole area with income from farming (growing potato, rice and corn) as well as shepherding. Overnight at teahouse.

DAY 03: TREK TO NGOMAR GOMPA
After breakfast, we continue our uphill through the forest. The trail follows the hillside to Gomba with several turns on the ridge. Ngomar Gompa is a pretty place with cluster of about a dozen houses on the hillside and a newish looking Gompa. By then, there was significant damage by the 2015 earthquake and significant damage to the Gompa itself. There is a small new prayer wheel building next to it. Enjoy the cheese from the factory. Overnight at teahouse

DAY 04: TREK TO PIKEY PEAK BASE CAMP (PIKEY PASTURE)
After breakfast, we start our 6 hours journey to the Pikey Peak Base camp through the rhododendrons forest along a level path. As we leave the forest, it’s not so far to reach to Pikey Peak Base Camp, about 3 hours away. Pikey Base Camp has three lodges; one of them were not functioning just after the earthquake due to the minor damage. Pikey Lodge (3640m) has four draughty rooms in a separate building and no one having pre-booking facility. They serve first-come-first basis. We will try to get room in one of lodges otherwise we will pitch our tent nearby the pasture. Overnight at teahouse.

DAY 05: EARLY MORNING HIKE TO PIKEY HILL & TREK TO LASE BHANJYANG
Start early morning hike to the Peak unless unusual clear evening. The trail follows on the high meadow for two hours before reaching to the Peak. We recommend to appreciate and compare the view just before sunrise, during the sunrise and after sunrise. For this, we need to start the hike as early as 3:30AM. In a clear morning, it’s possible to see mountains in between the far west to the Far East; Dhaulagiri all the way to Kanchenjunga. It is a truly breathtaking sight taking in countless giant peaks to the north and deep valleys dropping into the clouds to the south. Back to the Pikey Base Camp for food as well hot drinks.  Leaving the Base Camp, past the mani wall and the trail goes down to the left and stays on the high contour through trees. Overnight at teahouse / tent.

DAY 06: TREK TO LAMJURA PASS (3530M)
Lamjura Pass is a small Sherpa settlement situated in 3530m which has spectacular panoramic view of  snow-capped mountains including the Mount Everest (8848m) on clear day. However, the pass is notorious for clouds and bad weather which must emanate from the clash of warm moisture-laden winds from the valley below with the colder, drier air from the heights, making the perfect cloud factory especially in the later afternoon as well as evening.

DAY 07: TREK TO JUNBESI, VISIT THUBTEN CHHOLING MONASTERY
Wake up in the morning with panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan range including Mt. Everest when the weather is clear. We hears sounds of airplanes flying few hundreds meter above the pass, carrying trekkers to and from the Lukla airfield. On a clear day, they fly over every ten minutes during the morning, from about half past six until noon, as later at five o’clock.
After breakfast, we move downwards through the forests before reaching the Tragdobuk Vilalge (2800m) which spreads out along the trail with chortens and mani walls. The landscape becomes drier now. The Junbesi Village appears not before you reaching there due to the fact that it is located right under a towering cliff. Junbesi is a large Sherpa village (one of the first Sherpa settlements in the region) with well-appointed lodges in Sherpa homes on the bank of the Junbesi Khola River. The village has Hillary School, cheese factory, police post, an old monastery and some shops. Overnight stay at teahouse.
After arrival, we set off for the hike to Thubten Choling Monastery. Its 04-05 hours round trip in slow pace along a gently rising valley. Thubten Choling has a huge monastery complex which houses a gomba, a nunnery, monk’s quarters and a school of Tibetan medicine. Return back to the village for the overnight stay at the lodge

DAY 08: TREK TO CHIWONG (CHIWONG CHHYANG-CHHUP CHHYOLING) MONASTERY, TREK TO SALLERI.
After breakfast, we start our six hours trek to Chiwong Monastery via Najim Kharka, for our first day of the Mani Rimdu Festival. Founded by Sangey Tenpa Lama in 1923, the Monastery is perched a cliff at an altitude of 2715m and houses 50+ monks. The biggest Ngyingmapa Tibetan Buddhist religious festival, Mani Rimdu, is performed at the monastery every year, at the gracious presence of His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche.
The monastery echoed with prayers and scholastic activities of the many monks and nuns resided there and it has a history of having been home to several spiritual leaders and learned monks including Dza-Rong-Phuk Sangey Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo, His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche etc. Overnight at teahouse / tent. We trek down to Phaplu airport to fly to Kathmandu. Or, trek down to Salleri for drive to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at the lodge

DAY 09: FLY / DRIVE TO KATHMANDU
After breakfast, we trek down to Phaplu airport to fly to Kathmandu. Or, trek down to Salleri for drive to Kathmandu.