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Pikey Peak & Solu Monastery Trek

A sunrise from Pikey Peak's 4,065 m summit, descending through Sherpa villages to one of Solu's largest monasteries.

7 Days / 6 Nights Physical Grading 4 out of 5 4,065 m (Pikey Peak) Solu Region, Everest Foothills, Nepal
Starting from $850 per person

Overview

Pikey Peak sits apart from the main Everest and Annapurna trekking corridors, in the quieter hill country of the Solu region — the same district the early Everest expeditions once passed through on their overland approach.

The trek climbs steadily from Dhap through Jhapre and a high base camp to the 4,065 m summit, reached at dawn for a panorama that on a clear day takes in Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Gaurishankar in a single sweep.

From the peak, the route descends into Junbesi, a Sherpa village built around Thupten Chholing, one of the largest monasteries in the Solu region, before finishing at Phaplu for the return to Kathmandu.

Highlights

  • Sunrise from Pikey Peak (4,065 m), with panoramic views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Gaurishankar
  • A quieter alternative to the main Everest and Annapurna trekking routes, through forested Solu hill country
  • Jhapre and Pikey Base Camp, both known for their own sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayan skyline
  • Junbesi, a well-preserved Sherpa village and one of the Solu region's cultural centers
  • Thupten Chholing Monastery, home to a large resident community of monks and nuns

The Shape of the Trek

Sleep altitude each night — the acclimatization pattern at a glance.

2,600 2,800 3,000 3,200 3,400 3,600 3,800 3,640 m Day 1 Day 5
2,850 m · Day 1 · Dhap
2,820 m · Day 2 · Jhapre
3,640 m · Day 3 · Pikey Base Camp
2,700 m · Day 4 · Junbesi
2,700 m · Day 5 · Junbesi

Departure Dates

No scheduled dates for this trek yet — we run it on the dates that suit you. If you’re planning a trek for a group of friends or family, talk to our specialist and we’ll build it around you.

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The route

Route Map

4 stops · 3 trekking sections

NEPALDhapSTARTJhapreJunbesiPhapluEND
By road On foot

Day-by-Day Itinerary

7 days on the trail, mapped one by one — no need to expand anything.

Day of 7

Day 1

Into the Solu Hills

Day 1

Into the Solu Hills

Kathmandu → Dhap (drive)

Overnight: Dhap (2,850 m)

The trek begins with a long overland drive from Kathmandu into the Solu region's hill country, following hill roads for 8–9 hours to reach the village of Dhap. This is a full travel day with no trekking, setting up the walking days to follow.

Day 1 of 7

Into the Solu Hills

Kathmandu → Dhap (drive)

Altitude: 2,850 m
Time: Drive 8–9 hrs
Overnight: Dhap (2,850 m)

The trek begins with a long overland drive from Kathmandu into the Solu region's hill country, following hill roads for 8–9 hours to reach the village of Dhap. This is a full travel day with no trekking, setting up the walking days to follow.
Day 2

To Jhapre

Day 2

To Jhapre

Dhap → Jhapre

Overnight: Jhapre (2,820 m)

The first trekking day covers Dhap to Jhapre in 4–5 hours of walking. Jhapre is known in its own right for Everest-range sunrise views, offering a preview of the panorama to come at Pikey Peak.

Day 2 of 7

To Jhapre

Dhap → Jhapre

Altitude: 2,820 m
Time: Walking 4–5 hrs
Overnight: Jhapre (2,820 m)

The first trekking day covers Dhap to Jhapre in 4–5 hours of walking. Jhapre is known in its own right for Everest-range sunrise views, offering a preview of the panorama to come at Pikey Peak.
Day 3

To Pikey Base Camp

Day 3

To Pikey Base Camp

Jhapre → Pikey Base Camp

Overnight: Pikey Base Camp (3,640 m)

The trail climbs from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp over 5–6 hours of walking. The overnight stop here is positioned specifically for the pre-dawn summit push the next morning.

Day 3 of 7

To Pikey Base Camp

Jhapre → Pikey Base Camp

Altitude: 3,640 m
Time: Walking 5–6 hrs
Overnight: Pikey Base Camp (3,640 m)

The trail climbs from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp over 5–6 hours of walking. The overnight stop here is positioned specifically for the pre-dawn summit push the next morning.
Day 4

Pikey Peak & Descent to Junbesi

Day 4

Pikey Peak & Descent to Junbesi

Pikey Base Camp → Pikey Peak (4,065 m) → Junbesi

Overnight: Junbesi (2,700 m)

The longest and highest day of the trek: an early morning hike to the 4,065 m summit of Pikey Peak for sunrise over the Himalayan skyline, followed by a long descent into the Sherpa village of Junbesi.

Day 4 of 7

Pikey Peak & Descent to Junbesi

Pikey Base Camp → Pikey Peak (4,065 m) → Junbesi

Altitude: 4,065 m
Time: Walking 7–8 hrs
Overnight: Junbesi (2,700 m)

The longest and highest day of the trek: an early morning hike to the 4,065 m summit of Pikey Peak for sunrise over the Himalayan skyline, followed by a long descent into the Sherpa village of Junbesi.

This is the longest and highest trekking day, with a pre-dawn start, the summit push, and a 7–8 hour descent. Summit views are weather-dependent, so the full mountain panorama isn't guaranteed on any given morning.

Day 5

Thupten Chholing Monastery

Day 5

Thupten Chholing Monastery

Junbesi → Thupten Chholing Monastery → Junbesi

Overnight: Junbesi

A round-trip excursion from Junbesi to Thupten Chholing Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the Solu region and home to a large resident community of monks and nuns.

Day 5 of 7

Thupten Chholing Monastery

Junbesi → Thupten Chholing Monastery → Junbesi

Time: Walking 5–6 hrs round trip
Overnight: Junbesi

A round-trip excursion from Junbesi to Thupten Chholing Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the Solu region and home to a large resident community of monks and nuns.
Day 6

To Phaplu

Day 6

To Phaplu

Junbesi → Phaplu

Overnight: Phaplu

The trek continues from Junbesi to Phaplu over 5–6 hours of walking, marking the final trekking day before the return journey to Kathmandu.

Day 6 of 7

To Phaplu

Junbesi → Phaplu

Time: Walking 5–6 hrs
Overnight: Phaplu

The trek continues from Junbesi to Phaplu over 5–6 hours of walking, marking the final trekking day before the return journey to Kathmandu.
Day 7

Return to Kathmandu

Day 7

Return to Kathmandu

Phaplu → Kathmandu (drive or flight)

The trip concludes with the return to Kathmandu, either by an 8–9 hour drive on hill roads or, where flight schedules allow, a short flight from Phaplu.

Day 7 of 7

Return to Kathmandu

Phaplu → Kathmandu (drive or flight)

Time: Drive 8–9 hrs (or flight, where available)

The trip concludes with the return to Kathmandu, either by an 8–9 hour drive on hill roads or, where flight schedules allow, a short flight from Phaplu.

Days 1 and 7 are long drive days. A Phaplu–Kathmandu flight, where schedules allow, is worth booking as a paid upgrade to shorten this day significantly.

Good to Know

  • Days 1 and 7 are long drive days — 8–9 hours each way on hill roads. A Phaplu–Kathmandu flight, where schedules allow, is worth booking as a paid upgrade to shorten Day 7 significantly.
  • Day 4 is the longest and highest trekking day — a pre-dawn start, the summit push to 4,065 m, and a 7–8 hour descent to Junbesi.
  • Summit views are weather-dependent — as with any sunrise viewpoint trek, the full mountain panorama isn't guaranteed on a given morning.

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