Experience Nepal: Mountains and Culture
Highlights
- Himalayas
- Trekking
- Spiriutal Experience
- Cultural Insight
- Travel in Comfort
Overview
If you're looking for a short trek in the Everest region that still offers breathtaking views, the Pikey Peak trek is an ideal choice. The trek leads you to the stunning Pikey Peak viewpoint, which provides expansive panoramic views of Numbur Himal, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, and Manaslu mountain ranges. According to Sir Edmund Hillary himself, Pikey Peak offers the best views of the Lower Everest Region.
After soaking up the views, the trail descends through charming mountain villages where you'll spend two nights in a monastery. This offers a unique opportunity to get an intimate glimpse into the life of a monk in the Himalayas. From there, continue on to Phaplu, which was once the home of Sir Edmund Hillary - the first person to summit Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953. Take some time to explore the mountain village before returning to Kathmandu.
- Day 1 - Arrive in Kathmandu
Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal!
Our representative will meet you at the airport upon your arrival, and transfer you to your hotel.
Begin your journey with a welcome sunset rooftop dinner overlooking Nepal’s largest stupa, the Boudhanath Stupa. This UNESCO world heritage site, which was once a central trade route, now protects Tibetan Buddhist culture and traditions. Explore the area, and walk around the stupa to get good luck. Offer butter lamps and make a prayer, before retiring to your hotel. - Day 2 - Kathmandu Sightseeing
An immersive full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley.
Visit Pashupatinath, one of the most important holy sites for the Hindu religion. The temple is situated on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River and is believed to date back to 400 BC.
The area also includes a temple, dedicated to Guhyeshwari, a goddess in the form of a silver-plated waterhole, covered by a silver Kalash (auspicious water jar). Legend has it that a part of Sati Devi’s dead corpse fell, and Shakti Peeths came to life. The temple is also considered a sacred place for performing cremation ceremonies, as Hindus believe that a cremation from here will be secure a reborn as a human in their next life.Visit Patan Durbar Square, also known as the city of artisans. The area is home to some of the finest artisans of Kathmandu Valley, who have preserved the cultural and ancient techniques of art and craft, such as wood, wax, painting and metalwork. The former Royal Palace of Patan has been converted into a museum to display the unique crafts. Apart from the museum, Patan includes Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), Golden Window, Mahabouddha Temple and many other unique cultural attractions.
Finally, visit Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Nepal and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in the world. The stupa is surrounded by prayer wheels and prayer flags, and visitors can observe the locals as they perform their daily ritual of circumambulating the stupa. It’s a great place to experience the Buddhist culture and traditions in Nepal and to learn about the history and significance of this ancient site.
- Day 3 - Drive to Dhap
Start your day with an early breakfast, before embarking on the scenic 7 hrs scenic drive to Dhap. Drive the highway along the river, before turning north to gradually rise into the clouds. Upon arrival, check into the lodge and rest before tomorrow’s trek.
- Day 4 - Trek to Jhapre
After breakfast, begin your trek with the view of the Numbur Himal range leading to Sigane. From Sigane, follow the trail with some uphill and down hills finally leading to Japre.
Japre is the first village on this trail, with little gompa and statues offering a stunning view of Everest and Numbur Himal. Continue the trail until you reach your lodge for the night.
- Day 5 - Trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp
Continue your hike by climbing a grassy ridge. After two hours of walking, you will reach Bhulbule. Then on your way, the path split into two; take the right route with some old yak huts and extended Mani walls. Walk through the forest trail. An hour’s walk later, you will reach Pikey Base Camp.
- Day 6 - Trek to Serlo Monastery
Walk up early morning for your hike along the gradual trail to Pikey Peak base camp for sunrise. The summit offers panoramic views from Annapurna to Kanchenjunga, and Mount Everest (weather permitting).
After spending some time soaking in the views, continue along the trail following the ridgeline and through forests to Jase Bhanjyang, where you will stop for breakfast. After breakfast, continue the journey taking the northern route and ascending towards Serlo Monastery. Situated at the top of Junbesi Village, Serlo Monastery is one of the biggest monasteries in the Phaplu region. The monastery dates back to the 1400s and serves as a meditation center that teaches Buddhism both to monks and travellers. Upon arrival, enjoy a meal offered by the monks. Later spend the day exploring the area or at leisure. Take part in a puja led by the monks and special monk discourse and lectures can be arranged based on the time schedule - Day 7 - Visit Jholamai Temple and drive to Phaplu
Take part in the morning puja at the monastery and enjoy a simple breakfast alongside the monks.Visit the two monasteries founded by His Holiness Trulsik Rinpoche in the 1960s after fleeing Tibet. Junbesi Monastery, an independent and autonomous place that mostly shelters Tibetan refugees. And Thupten CholingMonastery, another big monastery that looks like a small village full of small monasteries, creates an impressive landmark.
After exploring the mountain monasteries, drive to Phaplu. - Day 8 - Phaplu Sightseeing
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before exploring Phaplu. Stroll through the mountain village to discover shops selling local products (such as organic high-altitude foods and the famous yak cheese). Visit the mountain monasteries and schools.
(During the weekend, you can also visit the weekend market, where many from surrounding mountain villages sell their unique products.) - Day 9 - Return to Kathmandu
Flight Option:
After breakfast, take a morning 30min flight back to Kathmandu, and spend the remaining day at your leisure.Drive Option:
After breakfast, begin your drive back to Kathmandu. Have lunch on the way and arrive in Kathmandu in the evening. - Day 10 - Kathmandu Leisure day
Enjoy the day at your leisure. Relax with a 45-minute complimentary foot massage in Kathmandu.
This additional day in Kathmandu is recommended to avoid missing your international flight, due to the unpredictable weather in the mountain region and the domestic flight might be cancelled due to bad weather.Optional add-on: Full Day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Square, the ancient city inside the Kathmandu Valley.
Optional add-on: Day trip to visit Monastery in Pharping.
Optional add-on: Rock climbing in Pharping.
Optional add-on: Day trip to Changu Narayan temple.
Optional add-on: Day trip to Kritipur (a Newari styled area in Kathmandu) - Day 11 - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu
- Domestic flight from Phaplu to Kathmandu
- Private transfers between Kathmandu and Dharp
- Dedicated trekking guide
- 4 nights accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- 1 nights accommodation in Phaplu with breakfast
- 4 nights trekking accommodation with 3 daily meals
- All entrance fees for sites mentioned