The Peekye and Dudh Kunda trek package involves a beautiful trek in the lower Everest region. This trek goes through several hidden lively cultural villages of Sherpa people and takes us to the mountain bases of Dudh Kunda Hima. There is no such a beautiful and diverse trek in the entire Everest region, a quote of a family who completed several treks in the Everest Region.

Introduction
The Peekye region is situated 250 kilometres to the east of Kathmandu and offers travellers many sources of pleasure, particularly the beauty of the landscape and the cheerfulness of the people. However, some trekkers prefer the high altitude of the Khumbu area. Some others enjoy walking in lower regions, where there is an extensive range of fauna, flora and ethnic cultures in the backdrop of giant Himalayan peaks. The region is also known as Pike, PK, Pikey, Peeky, but its correct pronunciation is Peekye. Peekye is still the miss-spelt from its ancient name “Pokyep La” (incense growing hill) in the Sherpa language. The form of “La” (hilltop/hill) still exists in its correct pronunciation.

One of the most beautiful areas and still mostly off the tourist route is Peekye Mountain (4065m), which is exceptional. Peekye mountain is considered the deity hill and protector of the entire Solu region. Therefore, it is a destination not to miss if one plans to trek in the Everest region.

Peekye & Dudh Kunda Trek Package for 2022 and 2023

Along this trail, the significant villages visited are Jiri, Bandar (Changma) and Golla. Golla is a small Sherpa village of about 40 houses scattered over the slope of Peekye at an altitude of 3,060m and with views of snow-capped mountains: Gaurishankar, Karylung, Numbur and Katanga, among others. The religious and cultural life of this village is very vibrant. The Golla village contains four small monasteries belonging to the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monks perform sacred dance festivals such as Duwa Chhechi, Ngungne, Dumji and Mani Rimdu; each lasts several days.

Peekye is a perfect area for those who have little time but wish to experience varied treks, see Everest in full scale, enjoy deep blue skies, visit typical villages, and experience the mountain climate without seasonal barriers! Each season has its beauty – its feel – to make a trip to this area worthwhile.

The major attractions of the region are traditional life, delicious Sherpa food, festive Buddhist monasteries and the dense forests of pine and juniper, the varieties of rhododendron (which start blooming from March and remain on till September), and the many colourful birds, including the national bird, dance, of Nepal.

The views from Peekye stretches from Kanchenjunga, in the far east, to Annapurna in the west. From the top of Peekye, one can view Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Khatanga, Karylung, Gaurishanker, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Manaslu, Annapurna and uncountable other peaks. The view toward the west and south takes countless hills towards an invisible horizon. And all along the trail, both sunrise and sunset views are truly breathtaking. However, the sunset view from Peekye has nothing that compares with it in other parts of Nepal, dipping behind the mountains southwest of Kathmandu.

The entire area of Peekye is the pastureland of the Sherpas of the surrounding area, and the period from May to October is spent in this heaven with cattle (naks and yaks). Complementing the rich pastureland are three major cheese production centres in number and quality, more than anywhere else in Nepal. Two of them are on our trail, and one can visit with a warm welcome from their managers with a cup of tasty tea or warm milk and a piece of fresh cheese!

The trek begins from Jiri, which is within 200 kilometres from Kathmandu and is reached after a drive of 6 to 7 hours. Jiri was the only gateway to Everest until the Lukla airport did not build. And ends at Phaplu, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, following a visit of Junbeshi, Thupten Chholing, Dudh Kunda Lake and Chiwang monasteries!

Dudh Kunda is one of the area’s special places both for Hindus and Buddhists. The area from Junbeshi to Ringmo is full of nature, used only for pasture by the Sherpas.

The full moon day of August is a special day for the Solukhumbu region and all Hindu devotees. During this day, a sacred festival, Janai Purnima, is celebrated at Dudhkunda Lakes. Hundreds of Jankris (Shamans) gather, beating drums, twirling rhythmically in skirts, perspiration trickling under their peacock feather headdresses as they move from shrine to shrine, a chance to see a bit of Nepali Culture the casual visitors usually miss.

The day is considered sacred throughout Nepal but is celebrated differently by different ethnic majorities. The most widely accepted celebration model is taking a ritual bath and changing their holy thread. Everyone receives a string of yarn tied around their wrist from a Brahman as a protective mark for the whole year. The occasion is considered to be especially auspicious for bathing in the lakes such as Dudhkunda. The jhankris, attired in their traditional costume, come to bathe at Dudhkunda and pray for their healing powers, for they are the traditional healers of Nepalese villagers.

Trip Highlights

Trip Profile

Short Itinerary

DAY 01: ARRIVAL TO KATHMANDU

DAY 02: KATHMANDU TO JIRI (1,905M) A 6-7 hours drive

DAY 03: JIRI TO SHIVALAYA (1,113M). A 3½-hours trek

DAY 04: SHIVALAYA TO DEURALI (2,706M). A 4 hours trek

DAY 05: DETOUR TO SHERPA PEAK (3070M) AND TREK TO BANDAR (2200M)

DAY 06: BANDAR TO NAMKHILE (2,290M) A 4 hours trek

DAY 07: NAMKHILE TO GOLLA (2,980M) A 3 hours trek

DAY 08: GOLLA TO NGOHUR (3,350M). A 3 hours trek.

DAY 09: NGOHUR TO CHHYAMDINGMA (3,510M). A 3 hours trek

DAY 10: REST DAY AND PEEKYE PEAK (4,065M)

DAY 11: CHHYAMDINGMA TO PAMBUK (4000M) AND TO JUNBESI (2,670m) A 7 hours trek

DAY 12: JUNBESI / THUPTEN CHHOLING / PHUNGMOCHE. A 4 hour trek

DAY 13: PHUNGMOCHE / SHENGEEPHUK (3935m.) A 3 hour trek

DAY 14 and 15: SENGEEPHUK / BENI (3,830m).

DAY 16: REST DAY .

DAY 17: BENI / RINGMO (3,060m.). A 7 hours trek

DAY 18: RINGMO / CHIWANG MONASTERY. A 4 hours trek

DAY 19: CHIWANG / PHAPLU.

DAY 20: PHAPLU / KATHMANDU.

DAY 21: A FREE DAY / OPTIONALLY TAKE A CITY TOUR

DAY 22: DEPARTURE

Detail Itinerary

Trekking in Peekye and Dudh Kunda Region. Beautiful trekking in the lower Everest region. It is a destination not to miss if one plans to do trekking in the Everest region.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL TO KATHMANDU

Our personnel will be waiting at the Kathmandu international airport to receive you with a traditional welcome. After checking into the hotel and refreshment, your circuit guide will inform you about the necessary formalities and the upcoming program. Depending on arrival time, you will have the choice of visiting nearby shrines or resting.

• Overnight stay in the Hotel.

DAY 02: KATHMANDU TO JIRI (1,905M) A 6-7 hours drive

The road from Kathmandu to Jiri heads toward the east, traversing through the mid-hill regions. The weather supporting there is beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains while making a 6-7 hours ride to Jiri.

Jiri is the centre of Dolakha district in the Janakpur Zone of northeastern Nepal, 184 km east of Kathmandu, with a population of 14000 people living in 1,560 individual households and with an altitude of 1,905 meters.

Jiri was set up as an agricultural development centre by the Swiss Government Aid in 1938, making it one of the most known towns of eastern Nepal. Jiri once enjoyed only one trailhead to all the trekkers and mountaineering groups into the Mount Everest region. The trek to Lukla via Jiri takes seven or eight days and further five to six more days to Everest Base Camp. The trailhead from Jiri into Everest National Park gets referred to as the "classic route to Everest". All early Everest expeditions- including the one led by John Hunt that put Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary on Everest's summit - walked via Jiri. Since then, Jiri has been called the Gateway to Mount Everest.

Jiri is inhabited mainly by Jirels, a Nepalese ethnic group, but Sherpas, Chhetries, Sunuwars, and other ethnic groups.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 03: JIRI TO SHIVALAYA (1,113M). A 3½-hours trek

From Jiri, it is another 2 hours' rough road drive to Shivalaya, a small village inhabited by Tamangs and Newars and Sherpas, on the bank of the Shivalaya River. But we start the walk from Jiri, a 3½-hours easy trek, and reach Shivalaya at around the same time as the bus. We arrive here for lunch, stay overnight, and visit the village.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 04: SHIVALAYA TO DEURALI (2,706M). A 4 hours trek

A 4-hours' rhythmic going up through a scattered village above the Shivalaya River brings us to Deurali, a small hamlet from where one can see Dudh Kunda Himal, Khatanga, Karylung, Gaurishanker and Peekye Peak, one of the destinations of our trek. When we reach higher ground, there are beautiful views of the lower valley and surrounding villages. The trail passes through several villages, schools, and a lovely forest area before reaching Deurali.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 05: DETOUR TO SHERPA PEAK (3070M) AND TREK TO BANDAR (2200M)

An early wakeup may find beautiful views of the lower valleys of east and west. After tea and breakfast, we take a 1 ½ hour hike up to a Sherpa Peak at an altitude of 3,070 meters above the main Deurali village, which provides a beautiful panorama of the entire region. Or, if the weather is poor, we visit the Thadung monastery, located above Deurali to the north. At the monastery, we meet the kid-monks studying Buddhism. We interact with them to learn about their schooling, meet their teachers and learn about their World. Next, we retrace the trail back to Deurali, lunch and then walk for 1½ hours to Bhandar, a Sherpa village with two stupas and a small monastery. The Bandar is quite a big village and covers an extensive area inhabited mainly by Sherpa. Arrive and overnight at Bhandar.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 06: BANDAR TO NAMKHILE (2,290M) A 4 hours trek

The trail further goes down, and after 2 hours, one arrives at the Likhu Khola, a river forming the boundary to Solu-Khumbu district and Sagarmatha zone. Nepal's' physical division is with 14-zones, 75-districts, and five development regions. Just after crossing the river, a good climb of 3 hours leads to Namkhile, providing fine beautiful views of Numbur Himal and the trail that walked down and the villages of Bandar and all-around to the west, south, and north.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 07: NAMKHILE TO GOLLA (2,980M) A 3 hours trek

From Namkhile, the path is another 3-hour gradual climb through a forest of pines and rhododendrons. The views toward the north, west and south are open and can see down from Deurali. As we approach Golla, the panorama toward the west opens with a series of mountains, including Gaurishanker and Karilung.

The village of Golla is not visible until you reach its knife ridge of the hill that hides the entire village. The Golla village is on the lap of a hill facing east with a lovely view of Peekye Peak, Mount Gauri Shanker, Khatanga and Number range. This village is rich with three monasteries, including a nunnery, making it a typical Sherpa village; inhabitants are mainly farmers. Each household has some cows, and some have dzom (a cross between a yak and cow).

The earthquake of 2015 damaged two monasteries and most of the individual houses. The main monastery is reconstrcted, and the nunnery is repaired.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 08: GOLLA TO NGOHUR (3,350M). A 3 hours trek.

Walkthrough a forest full of rhododendrons leads to the hamlet of Ngohur, situated on the top of a hill. This area is dense with pine, juniper, rhododendron and bamboo. The lower valleys of Peekye are densely forested and are a sanctuary for many colourful birds. From Ngohur, Tseringma (Gaurishankar) and Dudh Kunda Himal are spectacular. Ngohur once contained six houses and a small monastery, destroyed by the 2015 earthquake and remained in ruin. Fifteen minutes from there is a cheese production centre, where one can taste and buy cheese made from nak (female yak) and dzom milk (if it is open). The sunset view from Ngohur is beautiful.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 09: NGOHUR TO CHHYAMDINGMA (3,510M). A 3 hours trek

The trail goes through barren pastureland where Sherpas from the Golla area pass the summer with their cow and yaks. Mainly the summer is spent in this heaven with their cattle. The snow-capped mountains are again visible in a broader form. The panorama toward the west and south stretches with countless hills, depicting an invisible horizon. There are three major cheese production centres in this area, nowhere in Nepal compared to number and quality. Two of them we can visit on our trail, where one can even buy mini cheese rolls (small round) for souvenirs or for evening celebrations (if they are open).

On arrival, we take a hearty lunch with an excellent view toward the south and west, including the most expansive Himalayan chains on the northwestern horizon.

After lunch, we hike up to Peekye top, 40 minutes hike with all the vast panoramas in front - one does not feel that you are walking due to its amazing views opening from every direction. The scenery is indescribable, stretching from Kanchenjunga to the east to Annapurna to the west (can view Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Manaslu, Annapurna, and other uncountable peaks and at night the glowing lights of the Kathmandu Valley.

After visiting Peekye top, we return to our camp, and the rest of the day is free to stroll around.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 10: REST DAY AND PEEKYE PEAK (4,065M)

Before breakfast, early in the morning, take a short sunrise hike to the Peekye lookout. It is worth the lost sleep. We'll begin around 4 or 5 a.m., the eastern horizon brightens, and the stars begin to disappear against the background of the dazzling mountains from Kanchenjunga to the east of Nepal to Dhaulagiri to the west of Nepal. Time permitting, one gets to see half of Nepal standing at one point. It is about a 35-minute walk to the lookout. The view from there is indescribable. Then return for a hearty breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day reading, painting, photographing, or whatever you want.

From Peekye Top or your Lodge, both sunrise and sunset are truly breathtaking, so one might consider whether to repeat the trip also in the evening!

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 11: CHHYAMDINGMA TO PAMBUK (4000M) AND TO JUNBESI (2,670m) A 7 hours trek

We leave our camp to continue our trek. The trail goes from the top of Peekye, so we repeat the Peekye top with different views and perspectives. There are two summits of Peekye peak known as Gole Peekye and Chyawa Peekye (let's say Peekye 1 and Peekye 2). The Peekye 1 is the central peak, but the Peekye 2 is equally beautiful and provides a beautiful view of the lower valleys. We make a photographic stop on both Peaks and trek down to Jasawarngyang, a pass at about 3,800m, between two valleys with two tea-house. Probably we may want to have a tea or cold drink stop.

A trail gradually climbs to the north from a hill ridge, allowing us to view both valleys and magnificent mountain sceneries. The vegetation is thinner with juniper bushes. We finally traverse a short cliffy section and arrive at a beautiful meadow at Pambuk La, another pass 4,000m.

After going down one and a half hours through a pine and rhododendron forest, one arrives in Taktur, a Sherpa village. Another 1 hour or so later and you are in the beautiful village of Junbesi. It is one of the ancient Sherpa ancestral villages with an old monastery in the village centre. A long day walk.

• full board
  
• Overnight stay in the tented camp.

DAY 12: JUNBESI / THUPTEN CHHOLING / PHUNGMOCHE. A 4 hour trek

This morning we visit the monastery of Junbeshi, one of the oldest monasteries of the entire region. And also visit the Thubten Chöling monastery, founded by Trulshi Rinpoche.

Trulshik Rinpoche is one of the senior-most masters of the Tibetan Buddhism tradition and the head of the Nyingma schools, and one of the teachers of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. Trulshik Rinpoche was also the holder of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) and the rare teachings he regularly transmits to the Dalai Lama. Trulshik Rinpoche was born in 1924 in Yardrok Taklung in central Tibet. At a very young age, he gets recognized as the reincarnation of the great tertön Do-ngak Lingpa and regarded as the emanation of other prominent masters of Tibet and India.

After leaving Tibet in 1959, following the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he founded the Thubten Chöling monastery in the Sherpa Land of Solu Khumbu region, to northeastern Nepal and lived most of his time there. The Thubten Chöling is renowned as one of the foremost centres for the monastic traditions of the Nyingma schools.

In 2004, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche initiated two important projects: a new monastery in the valley of Kathmandu, and a monastic institute in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche passed away on September 2, 2011, at his monastery in Kathmandu. His enshrined holy body is in the monastery of Solu Khumbu, at Thubten Chöling, and it is open to the devotees for homage.

His reincarnation, or Yangsi, Ngawang Tendzin Lodrö Rabsel, was born in Kathmandu on July 25, 2013, and recognized in 2015. He was born in his father's family, Lama Ngawang Jigdrel Chokyi Wongchuk, and his mother, Ogyen Drolma. The reincarnated Rinpoche's auspicious hair cutting and enthronement was completed on May 29, 2018, on the full-moon day of Saga Dawa, the month of occurrence of the three most sacred deeds of the Buddha.

After the visit, we further trek to Phungmoche, a beautiful village of Sherpas with a monastery and school.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 13: PHUNGMOCHE / SHENGEEPHUK (3935m.) A 3 hour trek

Today we trek for around 3 hours to reach Shengeephuk. We pass through a beautiful valley slope viewing small and charming villages, monasteries and the aroma of pines and a variety of flora. The legend says that the cave's name, Sangheephuk, is given after Lama Sange Dorje, ancestor of the Sherpas, where he accomplished the meditation of virtue. One can see his right hand imprint on the cliff.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 14 and 15: SENGEEPHUK / BENI (3,830m).

The path begins with a regular walk through the alpine and rhododendron forest. The view toward Dudhkunda Himal is in hand, reaching distance. Then, the walk takes us through the barren heavenly pastureland of Sherpa people from Junbeshi, Salleri, and Taksindu. The wilderness and the beautiful landscapes with a close view of snow-capped mountains attract us until we reach Beni, which we will make in two tranquil and panoramic walking days.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 16: REST DAY .

Today we take a short hike to reach Dudhkunda (milky lake). You can see glaciers, the screed Dudhkunda Lake, and the mountains' close view. During the monsoon season, bird watchers can see migratory aquatic birds.

Dudh Kunda is one of the sacred places of this area, both for Hindus and Buddhists. On the full moon day of August, Janai Purnima is one of the most scenic and holy days. Hundreds of Jankris (Shamans) gather here, beating drums, twirling rhythmically in skirts, perspiration trickling under their peacock feather headdresses as they move from shrine to shrine. It is a chance to see a bit of Nepali Culture the casual visitors usually miss.

During the full moon of Janai Purnima, the Brahman and Chhetri change their sacred thread. Every Hindu ties the Raktsa Bandana "protective bond" around their right wrist. The thread is thought to bring good fortune and worn for three months until Lakshmi Puja (the cow festival). Then, the wearer removes it and reties it on a cow's tail. It is believed that the retying of the thread, the cow helps the soul cross the river of death after the person's death.

Later in the day, crowds gather to listen to the repartee group of singers. Men and women outdo each other with wit, humour, and poetry. They go on for hours and hours and often have the crowd in stitches. Even if you cannot understand, watching this cultural "sport" is fun. When a truce is finally declared, singers agree to meet in the same spot the following years, and they often do, in this heavenly Himalayan cradle.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 17: BENI / RINGMO (3,060m.). A 7 hours trek

Today we take a long yet gradual, sometimes steep, trek down from Beni to Takshindu. Taksindu is the name of hill ridge that separates the valley of Ringmo and Yawa. The view toward the northeast takes us across Mera peak and the lower valleys. At Taksindhu, there is Taksindhu monastic school and several ancient stupas and mani walls.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 18: RINGMO / CHIWANG MONASTERY. A 4 hours trek

Today we take an easy walk to Chiwang. The trail drops down till Ringmo village, and then it takes a gradual walking till below the Chiwang Monastery. Finally, we leave the main route to Phaplu and walk up to the monastery, about 30 minutes. Chiwang monastery is well known for performing the Manirildup ritual, one of the most sacred annual pujas followed by a series of mask dances representing the local deities and eight manifestations of Guru Rimpoche. The celebration is also in the memory of the establishment of the Buddhist religion by the great sage Guru Rimpoche, the Padmasambhava.

This monastery lies on top of a sheer cliff on the northwestern corner of Phaplu, and it is the second most active monastery of the region and monastic schools. We make a night stop at the monastery and visit the monastery and its school.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.

DAY 19: CHIWANG / PHAPLU.

We make a short walk to Phaplu, a 1-hour walk down. The trail descends through a carved zigzag path through the cliffside and drops to the river below the Chiwang monastery, where we meet the main route that follows Ringmo. The trail forks left to Phaplu and through villages until we reach Phaplu airstrip. The Phaplu/Salleri is the headquarters of Solukhumbu district with a hospital (built by Sir Edmund Hillary), airfield and a motorable road that connects directly to Kathmandu, which is 9 hours’ drive.

In Phaplu, we spend our last night on the trek. Today is the occasion to enjoy a farewell party with your Sherpa friends who have accompanied us. They depart separately on a bus ride to Kathmandu.

• Full board
  
• Overnight stay in the Teahouse Lodge.

DAY 20: PHAPLU / KATHMANDU.

If we arrive on the right day, we will observe the local bazaar, the weekly bazaar, when local people converge from the surrounding area. People from different walks of life come here to sell their products from grain to milk and vegetables to clothes or say that one may find everything or sell everything. The young and herders take this day as a holiday to enjoy seeing varieties including the people.

After visiting the market, we take a short flight to Kathmandu, which is 35 minutes. Arrive at the hotel in Kathmandu, and the rest of the day remains free.

• breakfast
  
• Overnight stay in the Hotel.

DAY 21: A FREE DAY / OPTIONALLY TAKE A CITY TOUR

A free day or optionally take a guided city tour. The trip is over. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the best local restaurants in Kathmandu.

• Breakfast.
• Accommodation in the Hotel.

DAY 22: DEPARTURE

Have breakfast and have some relaxing free time for yourself. Our office representative and vehicle will arrive at your hotel to escort you to the airport at the indicated time. Drive to Kathmandu international airport (TIA); see off formalities, you will go through the immigration and departure.

• Breakfast.

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