Pikey Peak Trek

Essential Info

Physical Fitness

Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate), the daily activity will be 7–8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot, from well-trodden paths to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse. This also applies to moderate treks like the Pikey Peak Trek, which is gaining popularity due to its shorter duration and breathtaking views.

In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum, and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal; rather, endurance is the focus, and it will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure on trails such as the Pikey Peak Trek.

Trekking Seasons in Nepal

There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July, and August are the monsoon season, and as such, the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassable due to landslide activities. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain, if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places. For those looking for a shorter and scenic trek during the prime seasons, the Pikey Peak Trek Nepal is a perfect option.

Winter in Nepal is dry, with very cold nights where temperatures can drop to -20°C at the highest altitudes, but the days are pleasant and sunny. Additionally, the trails are much less crowded during this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures reach around 20°C. This can be a good time for those seeking solitude on less-crowded routes like the Pikey Peak Short Trek.

Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations—perfect for scenic treks such as the Pikey Peak Trek.

Trekking Day

A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gear in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 a.m. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we stop for lunch at around 11:30 a.m. The lunch involves group meals, enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach a teahouse or camp by 3–4 p.m. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read, or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day. This structure applies to many treks in Nepal, including the popular Pikey Peak Trek itinerary.

Meals and Accommodations

During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as a teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of a restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary depending on the Pikey Peak Trek route.

Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high-altitude place, dormitories are the norm. Each room has one or two single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of Western and squat-style toilets in the bathrooms.

Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse, and these lodges have large, family-style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali-style Western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine—something that makes the Pikey Peak Trek Nepal a cultural experience as well.

Internal Flight Delays

Nepal is an incredible country of mountains and valleys, rivers and green rolling hills. With this incredible diversity of landscapes, road travel can be extremely time-consuming, and flights within Nepal to reach popular trekking destinations are a must. Along with this mountainous terrain also comes the possibility of inclement weather. Not to mention the incredibly high number of visitors during peak seasons makes internal flight delays a very real possibility. To manage this possibility, it may be helpful to have a few extra days on either end of your tour. If any cancellations or flight delays do occur (high chances of flight delays from around Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest region), we also provide services to arrange a helicopter to help you stay on schedule on the premises of Civil Aviation Rules in Nepal, which state that helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m. The cost ranges from USD 350 to USD 650 according to the number of passengers. The payment can be made either to the helicopter company or to us directly and can be made either by cash or using a credit card. It will also be helpful to purchase and review your insurance, as some of the alternative measures for travel may be covered. Flight insurance, too, may cover changing your international flight if necessary. This is not typically an issue on road-accessible treks like the Pikey Peak Trek.

Travel Insurance

Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions, and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully—especially if you’re planning to do the Pikey Peak Trek or other high-altitude adventures.

Nepal Visa Entry Procedure

For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions.

Three options are available for entry:

• 15-day single entry: US $30
• 30-day single entry: US $50
• 90-day multiple entries: US $125

Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.

For the most up-to-date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website. This process applies to all treks, including the Pikey Peak Trek Nepal.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in unacclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening, and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath, and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate, and sufficient precautionary measures are taken to ensure utmost caution. We also equip our staff with cell phones and satellite phones in case of any emergency. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern—especially on routes like the Pikey Peak Trek, where high-altitude awareness is crucial.

Drinking Water

Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries, it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water, which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water, and if doing so, make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said, there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified, so ask him or her what is available. These precautions are especially important during treks like the Pikey Peak Trek.

Arrival Instruction

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible for escorting you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications. This service ensures a smooth start to your Pikey Peak Trek adventure.