Pikey Peak is a short and easy trekking adventure in the lower part of the mainstream trekking destination, the Everest region. This peak has been growing in popularity because of its easy-scale nature and unparalleled thrills of Himalayan exploration. If you are considering this newly opened trekking route in the Everest region, you might be wondering about the Pikey Peak altitude and whether it might be too much for you or not. Â
Well, the Pikey Peak altitude is just 4,065 meters (13,336 feet) and it is not such a big challenge if you acclimatize properly and train well for the trek. Compared to other higher regions exploration in the Himalayas, the Pikey Peak height is at a lower level. Pikey Peak Trek can be a wonderful way to introduce mountain trekking and is suitable for even a diverse age group.
Outline Itinerary of Pikey Peak Trek with Altitude
This is a standard trekking plan for this route, the Pikey Peak Trek itinerary may slightly differ depending on the route taken and the total length of the trek.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Dhap (2,850 meters)
Day 2: Trekking from Dhap to Jhapre (2,820 meters)
Day 3: Japre to Pikey Peak Base Camp (3,640 meters)
Day 4: Climb to Pikey Peak Summit (4,065 meters) and trek down to Lamjura Danda (3,736 meters)
Day 5: Trek to Junbesi (2,700 meters) from Lamjura DandaÂ
Day 6: Junbesi to Phaplu (2,413 meters)
Day 7: Drive to Kathmandu from Phalpu
Pikey Peak Altitude: Route and Altitude Gain During Each Day
Drive from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Dhap (2,850 meters)
Total Altitude Gain: 1,450 meters (4,757 feet)
Drive Duration: 7 to 8 hours
You will spend most part of this day in your jeep. After breakfast, you will drive toward Dhap. The driving trail will stretch along the banks of the Sun Koshi River. You will drive past terraced farms, lush hills, rivers, and traditional villages to reach Dhap.
Trekking from Dhap to Jhapre (2,820 meters)
Total Altitude Loss: 30 meters (98 feet)
Trek Duration: 6 hours
Enjoying the iconic views of Numbur Himal, you will trek past Sigane Village to reach your stop point on this day. You will also see Everest from this point and have time to check out a small Buddhist monastery here.
Japre to Pikey Peak Base Camp (3,640 meters)
Total Altitude Gain: 820 meters (2,690 feet)
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
This day’s trail unveils the mesmerizing views of the iconic peaks. You will trek through the lush forest and over the Taklung Danda to reach the Pikey Peak Base Camp. During spring (March to May) this trail is filled with blooming rhododendron flowers.
Climb to Pikey Peak Summit (4,065 meters) and trek down to Lamjura Danda (3,736 meters)
Total Altitude Gain: 425 meters (1,394 feet)
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Today you will climb to the top of Pikey Peak following the grassy ridge. From the top, the epic views of Everest, Thamserku, Makalu, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, and others will greet you. After that, you will climb down the mountain to reach Lamjura Danda which has few teahouses.
Trek to Junbesi (2,700 meters) from Lamjura Danda
Total Altitude Loss: 1,036 meters (3,398 feet)
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours
From Lamjura Danda, you will climb down the beautiful Sherpa, Magar, and Tamang villages to reach Junbesi Village. You should visit Thupten Choyling Monastery after arriving at this village.
Day 6: Junbesi to Phaplu (2,413 meters)
Total Altitude Loss: 287 meters (941 feet)
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hoursÂ
In this last day’s trek, you cross Junbesi Khola and head toward Beni Ghat. Further walking down from here will then bring you to Phaplu Village. This will be your last night on the mountain in this trek.
Day 7: Drive to Kathmandu (1,400 meters) from Phalpu
Total Altitude Loss: 1,013 meters (3,323 feet)
Drive Duration: 8 hours
You will drive from Phalpu to Kathmandu in a comfortable jeep on this day. The drive distance is about 275 km (170 miles) and it can take you 8 hours to reach Kathmandu. Trek is complete.
Is There Risk of Altitude Sickness?
Yes, most certainly there is a risk of Acute Mountain Sickness as the Pikey Peak altitude is quite high. From an experienced trekker’s perspective, this trek is not that challenging as it doesn’t take you over 5,000 meters. However, you should understand the symptoms of altitude sickness start to show up at altitudes above 3,000 meters, and for some, it can be over 2,500 meters.
So, despite people saying that Pikey Peak altitude is not that major, there is still a looming danger of altitude sickness. In comparison to other high-altitude treks, yes the Pikey Peak height seems mild and easy. But, if you underestimate the altitude sickness, you might suffer dearly during this trek.Â
In this trek, you can mark the Lamjura Danda (3,736 meters), Peak Base Camp (3,640 meters), and Pikey Peak Summit (4,065 meters) as the zones with the risk of altitude sickness. If you are climbing without proper acclimatization, you will start to show symptoms for altitude sickness over the altitude of 3,000 meters.
How to Overcome the Risk of Altitude Sickness?
You should follow the necessary precautionary methods against altitudes sickness even if the threat of altitude sickness is not that major as the Pikey Peak altitude is quite low compared to its counterparts Everest Base Camp Trek or Gokyo Lake Trek in the higher Khumbu region.
Here are some tips that will help you cope with the risk of altitude sickness in this trek.
Make Physical Preparation
Needless to say with proper physical preparation, you will significantly cut off the risks of altitude sickness not just in this trek but any other high-altitude explorations. If you are in good shape, you will find it easy to adapt to the new altitudes and move around more easily without exhausting yourself.Â
Especially, cardiovascular exercises like jogging, skipping, swimming, jumping rope, etc are known to improve your body’s oxygen-handling capacities. So, you will still be able to move around easily even at altitudes with low oxygen saturation.
Acclimatization
After physical training, the next best cure for altitude sickness is proper acclimatization. When, you make you ascend too fast at the rising altitudes, it will be hard for your body to properly cope with the new altitudes. That’s where it gives in to the altitude sickness.
Instead, if you make a gradual ascend taking short breaks along the way and maybe even a few rest days (remember you are not competing with pro trekkers), you will find it much easier to climb to higher altitudes and adapt properly.
Hydration
You might have often heard while surfing the trekking packages, drink 3 to 4 liters of water to keep the risk of altitude sickness at bay. Well, it is quite true for the most part. You will lose a large volume of body water level when you are trekking for long hours.
And when there is not enough water level, you are at risk of dehydration which pretty much helps the altitude sickness. So, make sure to stay hydrated to keep the body water level maxed out. But, you don’t necessarily have to just keep drinking the plain boring water.
You can go for herbal tea, fresh juice, lemon water, and sometimes even electrolytes.
Balanced Diet
After hydration, a balanced diet should be your top priority to take care of your well-being on the mountain. It can be often hard to adapt to new cuisine lines, but there are also Western menus available at the teahouses if your system is much used to them.
You should make sure that your body has enough fuel for the glorious exploration the next day. If you keep skipping meals or don’t take proper care of nutrient intake, then the long hours of trek can leave you exhausted.Â
It is important to take care of the nutrient intake even if it is normal to feel loss of appetite at higher altitudes. Without sufficient fuel, it is impossible to enjoy the experience and lack of degradation of your immune system will put you at risk of other illnesses besides altitude sickness.
Rest
Resting doesn’t only mean comfortable sleep at the end of each day’s trek. Well, it is significant as well as your body needs to replenish the lost energy to continue with the exploration journey tomorrow.Â
However, you also need to give your body enough rest while moving along the trekking trail. Don’t be too hard on yourself and take enough rest along the way. Short snack breaks will help you boost your energy level during long hours of walking.
If long hours of walking feel a bit too much for you, hiring a porter is another way to travel light and explore more freely without completely exhausting yourself.
