Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 1338m
After you arrive in Kathmandu at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our company staffs and you’ll drive to the hotel. You’ll get to meet the guide and then prepare for the trek. You can also go for a short walk around the city. Overnight stay at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Shivalaya 1790m via Manthali by private 4w land cruiser 8 hours
Your journey starts today as you head to Shivalaya from Kathmandu. You will drive on a private land cruiser and it will take 7-8 hours to reach there. The drive will be scenic with views of lush green hills and vegetation around. You’ll drive through Dhulikhel and Manthali to reach Shivalaya. If the weather is clear, you'll be able to get a nice view of the snowcapped mountains. Shivalaya is a small village that is located at the bank of Shivalaya River. Overnight stay at a lodge in Shivalaya.
Day 3: Trek from Shivalaya to Bhandar 2190m/ 5 hours
This day, your official trek starts from Shivalaya towards Bhandar. On climbing up through a small village above Shivalaya River, you’ll get to Deurali. There is a small village at the top from where you can see the Numbur Himal and Gaurishankar, Pikey peaks and other snowy mountains. After an hour of trekking on a downhill trail, you’ll reach Bhandar. Bhandar is a big Sherpa village that has two stupas and a small monastery. You explore the place in the evening and have dinner. Overnight stay at a lodge in Bhandar.
Day 4: Trek from Bhandar to Gumba 2800m/ 6 hours
From Bhandar, you’ll start your trek to Gumba. First, with gradual descend from Bhandar to Likhu Khola, you start off to Namkheli (2300 m). Once, you reach the top, you can have a nice view of Bhandar and Thotung. Then, you’ll move towards Gumba. This day’s trek is a bit tiring as the distance is more and elevation is more than 600 m. At the Gumba, you’ll get a clear idea about life in the rural parts of Nepal. Overnight stay at a lodge in Gumba.
Day 5: Trek from Gumba to Pikey Peak Base Camp 3808m/6 hours
Next, you’ll head to Pikey Peak Base camp from Gumba. You take an elevation of more than a thousand meters. The trail takes you past rhododendron forests, pine forests, and small settlements. Usually, you can climb to the peak the same day, but for the view of the sunrise, you spend a night in the base camp in order to view the sunrise the next morning. The path to Pikey base camp gives you surreal views of Mount Everest along with other mountains comprising the Khumbu region. Overnight stay at a lodge in Pikey peak base camp.
Day 6: Early morning hike to Pikey Peak 4067m and trek to Junbesi 2700m/ 6 hours
Early morning, you’ll follow a gradual ascend to the Pikey peak, also known as Pikey Dada which is mostly covered with prayer flags. From the top, you get to see the peak of Everest and other snowcapped mountains. You can also visit the cheese factory where Himalayan yak cheese is made. Then, through forests, hills, and villages, you'll descend towards the Junbesi village. The area has few monasteries and stupas where you can explore the Buddhist culture and the lifestyle of local people. Overnight stay at a lodge in Junbesi.
Day 7: Trek from Junbesi to Thupten Chholing Monastery 2920m/ 2 hours
After breakfast, you follow the trails along the river and through fields towards the Thupten Chholing monastery. The trail is beautiful and you pass many villages and farms. The monastery is home to around 800 monks and the place feeds and educates a large number of people. The area is inhabited by Tibetan monks who came as refugees a long time ago. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Thupten Chholing monastery.
Day 8: Trek from Thupten Chholing to Yak Kharka 3700m/ 7 hours
This day, you’ll start your trek with a gradual ascend towards Yak Kharka. The trail goes through beautiful forests with some ups and downs. The problem you may face is attitude sickness but the trek to Pikey peak gives you a boost. The rocky trails with the view of mountains take you to Yak Kharka. It is a grazing ground that is used by the inhabitants to graze their cattle. Besides shepherds, you can see small huts. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Yak Kharka.
Day 9: Trek from Yak Kharka to Saharsbeni 3835m/ 6 hours via Pare Danda
From Yak Kharka, you will head to Saharsbeni early in the morning. The trail is long but you gain very less altitude. The trail feels mostly lonely and you get to see a lot of landscapes along the way. You get the closer looks of many snowcapped mountains as you head to Saharsbeni. You pass Pare Danda from where you gaze on the beautiful snowcapped Himalayas. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Saharsbeni.
Day 10: Trek from Saharsbeni to Dudh Kunda 4600m/ 3 hours
Finally, you’ll trek to Dudh Kunda on this day. The Dudh Kunda Lake lies at the foot of Mt. Numbur and Karyalung glacier. It is believed to be home of Lord Shiva. This place is holy for both Hindus and Buddhists and many pilgrims visit this lake on the full moon of August. There is a culture to take a dip in the icy lake as it is believed to clear off all your sins. You head to your campsite and take rest. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Dudh Kunda.
Day 11: Explore surrounding and trek to Yak Kharka 3600m/ 4 hours
This day is for exploring the Dudh Kunda. You can take a walk around the lake and go to the viewpoint. You can pray to God and visit the temples around the lakes and in the surrounding area. From the viewpoint, you can admire the beauty of sunrise and sunset. After you finish exploring the place, you retrace your path back to Yak Kharka. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Yak Kharka.
Day 12: Trek from Yak Kharka to Taksindu La 3870m/7 hours
You start your return journey from Yak Kharka to Taksindu La. The trail is a comparatively easy one and goes through forests of pine, rhododendrons and many other shrubs. You first head to Thadarbug, from where you trek to Taksindu la. You continue down the trail towards the main Jiri to Everest trail to Taksindu la. The pass is decorated with prayer flags and strong winds. You can have a great view of the pass. Then, with a short descend you get to Taksindu monastery and the village. Overnight stay at a lodge in Taksindu.
Day 13: Trek from Taksindu La to Phaplu 2469m/ 5 hours
This is the last trekking day as you leave the main trekking route and walk the path down to reach Phaplu. You can visit Chiwong Gumba that lies high on a cliff from where you can have a nice look of the valley. Then, after a couple of hours of walking, you'll reach Phaplu. You can also visit Salleri, headquarter of Solukhumbu district, where there are big markets. Overnight stay at a lodge in Phaplu.
Day 14: Fly from Phaplu to Kathmandu (Flights operate only on Sun, Mon, Thu & Fri only)
You return to Kathmandu from Phaplu on a scenic flight. After reaching Kathmandu, you will drive to the hotel and then after some rest, you can go sightseeing in the Kathmandu valley on your own. Overnight stay at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Final Departure from Kathmandu
After breakfast and bidding goodbye, our staff will drive you to the Tribhuvan International Airport from where you’ll take a flight to your home. Goodbye and Thanks.
Pricing for Group Size Basis: (lodge and partly camping as a private tour)
All inclusive Trek Price for 1pax (single/individual/solo); USD 2925
All inclusive Trek Price for 2pax basis (couples/friends/small groups); USD 1990 per person
Join with us on Pikey-Dudh Kunda Cultural Trail Trek in 2023/2024.
N.B: The package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste. For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
NOTE: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Family Treks & Expedition GmbH. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.
