Day 1
Arrival Kathmandu
Arrive and transfer to hotel.
Pikey Peak and Dudhkunda Lake Solu Khumbu Trek Guided Itinerary
18 day trip in Nepal to climb 4045m Pikey Peak and visit the sacred Dudhkunda Lake at 4600m. Himalayan panoramas and tradtional Sherpa culture.
Route mini map
Trip snapshot
Days18
Distance85 km
Total climb5015 m
High point4600 m
What this trip is like
18 day trip in Nepal to climb 4045m Pikey Peak and visit the sacred Dudhkunda Lake at 4600m. Himalayan panoramas and tradtional Sherpa culture.
Stay style: Operator-led Nepal lodge or expedition itinerary.
Food and support: Operator-managed meals and trekking-day food pattern.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 2
Kathmandu
Rest and preparation, sightseeing.
Day 3
Kathmandu to Dhap Bazaar by car and trek to Japre
Leave very early at 0530 and drive in the jeeps. On arrival, a short trek to stretch the legs and arrive at Japre which is a small village with a pretty monastery and stupa located above a steep valley with views over Numbur Himal. The route on this day does have some construction so expect some vehicles, although the locals are creating new paths for walkers. It’s possible to drive some of this route now rather than walk. If the road down is delayed by bad weather or traffic then it’s possible to overnight at Dhap.
Day 4
Trek to Pikey base camp, camping or lodge.
Ascend up to a grassy ridge at Bhulbhule and turn right for the Pikey peak, following mani walls and old yak houses and then a pretty forested trail with many rhododendron trees. A further few hours to the base camp where there is a small quite simple lodge.
Day 5
Pikey Peak and down to Junbesi
An early start to enjoy sunrise from the summit with hopefully clear views of Mount Everest and the extensive range of peaks including Thamserku, Kangtega and sometimes Kanchenjunga. Other peaks include Makalu, Dhaulagiri and Gaurishankar. The route to Junbesi is quite long with plenty of up and downhill, into the Besi valley for views of Junbesi. Plenty of small settlements and forested trails. Junbesi is quite a busy village, famous for its monastery and a hub for local trade. Lovely traditional Sherpa houses.
Day 6
Visit Thubten Choling monastery
This is a famous gompa and retreat community established by Trukshik Ringpoche in the 1960s. Fabulous structure and a chance to go inside and see the lamas at study. You can find more information about the monastery here .
Day 7
Trek to Ringmo
Day 8
Trek to Thamo
Day 9
Trek to Beni
Day 10
Trek to Dudhkunda Lake and back to Beni
Today is another highlight of the trek with an early start to climb up to the lake and catch the sunlight before it is overhead. The lake is right in front of mighty Nombur Peak, believed to be the guardian to the Solu region. The name Dudh kunda means milky lake or pond, because of the glacial silt which gives it that colour and texture. This area is sacred, and used to be frequented by red panda and even snow leopard. Nowadays people come here to commune with nature and hold important pujas such as the religious festival of Rakshabandhan . Some people consider this place to be residence of Lord Shiva. There are 105 other smaller ponds around Dudhkunda, and according to mythology the deities rested here on their way to heaven from the Himalayas. Goddess Parvati dropped a drop of milk that produced the pond, hence the name of milky pond.
Day 11
Trek to Thaksindu
Thaksindu is famous for it’s gompa which is quite huge and a major learning centre for lamas. The village itself is rich in culture and nature, home to a diverse population of Sherpa, Rai and Tamang.
Day 12
Trek to Khari Khola
The trek up to Khari Khola is again through forests and terraced fields, very pretty settlements where Sherpa live alongside Rai and Tamang. Khari Khola itself is a small market town with a good local hospital and lovely lodges. It has suddenly become more important since the advent of the road which runs from Paphlu to Lukla.
Day 13
Trek to Bupsa
A short trek up to this lovely village of Bupsa and the home of Geljun Sherpa who manages Moving Mountains Trust. He will show you round the monastery and the school which was funded by the charity. You will have a chance to see inside the monastery.
Day 14
Bumburi and Bupsa
A day spent exploring the villages or resting in Bupsa. You can stay in Khari Khola again and visit Bumburi to see the the school and the small clinic which was funded by the charity. There are options with this day, it’s also possible to rest and take in the scenery.
Day 15
Trek to Nunthala
Heading downhill to the river and over the bridge and then up again to Nunthala.
Day 16
Trek to Paphlu
Last day of the trek which is downhill to the town of Paphlu where there is a small airstrip. The last part of the trek is on newly constructed road so expect to meet some vehicles, although in future the villagers are creating a walking path to keep away from the traffic.
Day 17
Drive to Kathmandu
Day 18