Pikey Peak is one of the most underrated treks in Nepal. But from the trekking perspective, it has more to offer, including the beautiful vistas of the Himalayas, traditional villages, Sherpa settlements, Buddhist Culture, and many more. Starting the trek from Dhap, the trail to Pikey Peak stretches to Jhapre and the base camp, where the stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and others welcome you. While trekking to Pikey Peak might be the emerging thought of many trekkers, the cost range that comes with it should also be in mind. How much does the Pikey Peak Trek Cost for Trekkers?
On average, trekking to Pikey Peak takes you over USD 350 per person. It includes all-over services like domestic transportation, accommodation, logistics and permits, guides, porters, and food services. In this blog, we will discuss all the costs related to the above-listed services while embarking on the beautiful trek to Pikey Peak. Let’s explore them in detail:
Trek Cost Factors
Several factors influence the cost of Pikey Peak Trek Cost. Trekkers come with several aspirations, expectations, and interests, which heavily make a difference in the total expense they require for this trek. Factors such as time of the year, itinerary, activities, weather conditions, and many others contribute to changes in the total cost of Pikey Peak Trek. For example, the trekking cost during the peak season is expensive, while it is much cheaper during the off-peak season. Similarly, the short itinerary packages will be cheaper than the long ones. Moreover, the extra activities will cost you personal expenses during the trek. But what is the total cost of Pikey Peak Trek? Let’s explore more in detail in the following blog:
Pikey Peak Trek Cost
Pikey Peak Trek Cost differs from one trekking agency to another and group to group. For example, if you are a solo trekker (which cannot be done now), the average cost of Pikes Peak Trek is USD 495. If you have a crew member of two, three, or four in the trekking group, the cost comes to be around USD 400, 395, and 380, respectively. Moreover, if you have a large group size for Pikey Peak Trek, then the cost can be much cheaper compared to having fewer teammates. A group of 10 trekkers has to pay around USD 350 per person to embark on the Pikey Peak Trek.
| 1 Trekker | USD 495 per person |
| 2 Trekkers | USD 400 per person |
| 3 Trekkers | USD 395 per person |
| 4 Trekkers | USD 380 per person |
| 10 Trekkers | USD 350 per person |
Flight and Transportation Costs
Flight Cost
Currently, traveling to Dhap via plane might not be accessible since it sits far away from the flight access. One of the nearest airports is Rumjatar Airport, located in Okhaldhunga and miles from the starting point.
But if you opt to take on the flight to Rumjatar Airport from Kathmandu, the flight ticket costs you NRs. NRs. 4,345 per person. However, trekkers must consider their hike from Rumjatar Airport to Tham Danda in Okhaldhunga. It takes hours, even days, to reach the spot. The trail follows the route to Rumjatar Bazaar and then to Sanitar, where you can visit Sanitar Park as well.
Ground Transportation
The starting point of Pikey Peak Trek is Dhap, a beautiful location in the Everest Region. To reach there by jeep or ground transport, trekkers need to allocate around $250 per person. It takes around 9 to 10 hours to reach Dhap from Kathmandu.
One of the easiest ways to reach Dhap from Kathmandu is to take a private vehicle from the capital city of Nepal. Many trekking agencies offer the service of a Jeep to take you to the starting point. If that is not the case, you can arrange your ride from Kathmandu with the help of your guide or local specialist.
The drive takes you through the comfortable highway built by the Japanese Government. It traverses through the Sun Koshi River in Eastern Nepal. You can view people rafting and sunbathing on the river and the green vegetation around the area. The enjoyable drive to the countryside offers remote beauty filled with lush green forests, streams, hills, and many more.
The off-road drive now takes you to Okhaldhunga, where you can rest and have lunch. It is also a beautiful place to watch the snow-capped mountain ranges and the surroundings. Once you leave Okhaldhunga behind, you must drive for around three hours straight to reach Dhap, the starting point of Pikey Peak Trek.
Permits and Fees
To embark on a Pikey Peak Trek, trekkers must acquire trekking permits. This also plays a vital role in affecting the Pikey Peak Trek Cost. Trekkers must have two trekking permits for this trek, which are Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card. Without trekking permits, no one is allowed to enter the area or premises.
TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card Cost
To buy TIMS Card for Pikey Peak Trek, trekkers must pay the fee of NRs. 2000 per person. If you are from SAARC Nations, you will have many privileges in cost as the price is relatively lower than the standard one. The TIMS Card costs NRs. 1000 per person for the South Asian Trekkers. They can be bought online or by visiting the Nepal Tourism Board in Kamaladi, Kathmandu.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is required since the Pikey Peak Trek takes you to the Everest Region in the later phases of the journey. Pikey Peak itself is located in the Everest Region, which is situated inside Sagarmatha National Park. It is a natural sanctuary of the diverse flora and fauna available in the region, so to enter the area, trekkers must acquire Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs NRs 3000 per person for foreign trekkers. Similarly, the South Asian Trekkers from SAARC Nations must pay NRs. 2000 per person, while the cost for the Nepalese Trekkers is NRs. 100 per person.
How to obtain trekking permits in Nepal?
To acquire trekking permits in Nepal, there are two ways. For trekkers, there is a different way of obtaining permits, while the trekking agencies go through separate processes while getting them.
For trekkers:
- Copies of your valid passport
- Copies of Passport-sized photographs
- Name of the trekking route with entry & exit points
- The duration of your trek with a detailed trek itinerary
- Entry and Exit dates for Nepal
- Local Emergency Contact Number
- Permit fees
- Home-country emergency contact number
- Travel Insurance Policy Number
For Trekking Agencies/Organizations
- Online application form for trekkers
- Copies of Passport
- Copies of valid visa [it should cover the trekking days]
- Trekker’s Name List
- Detailed Trekking Program and Its Schedule
- Agreement with Agency
- Trekking Agency’s Tax Clearance Certificate
- Insurance Documents
- An authorized license issued by (The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation to operate the trekking business)
- An authorized license issued by [Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) allowing exchanging of foreign currencies]
- Registration Certificate of Permanent Account Number
- Bank Voucher payment (fees) for permits
Accommodation Cost for Pikey Peak Trek
While you embark on a beautiful trek to Pikey Peak, you must be prepared with the accommodation and logistic facilities and their management. While most stops, like Jhap and Jhapre, feature several tea houses for accommodation, you might also need to consider staying at camps around Pikey Peak Base Camp. So let’s discuss in detail the required cost for accommodation during Pikey Peak Trek.
There are two types of accommodation services available for Pikey Peak Trek. They are:
- Tea houses and lodges
- Camping options
Tea Houses/Lodges: Tea houses are comparatively the cheapest means of accommodation facilities available during trekking. The average cost of staying at a tea house is around $5 to $7 per person per night. These tea houses have amenities like shared bathrooms, bedrooms or dormitories, electricity, and meals. Some tea houses even provide services like 24/7 electricity and internet services. If you want privacy, tea houses might not be the better option. But there are no hotel services around the trail of Pikey Peak Trek.
Camping Options: There is also always a choice of camping while trekking to Pikey Peak. Camping is the best means to save your expenses on accommodation since they come with no charges. Locations such as Pikey Peak Base Camp do not have any hotels of tea houses around the area, so the only option is to stay at tented camps.
But trekkers have to facilitate themselves in the logistics like sleeping and cooking meals. Also, they must carry the essentials like gas canisters, utensils, and food. If you see it from the safety view of point, then camping is unreliable, like tea houses or hotels. Similarly, the tented camps can be heavily affected by weather conditions. If trekkers are on their journey during the off-peak seasons like monsoon and winter, heavy rainfall and snowfall might be the greatest obstacle in camping. So having a A+ rated tents and other items is a must while preparing for Pikey Peak Trek.
Some trekking organizations facilitate trekkers with camping gear and essentials, while most of the time, trekkers need to take the lead.
Meals and Water Cost
Meals and water are the most-have things for Pikey Peak Trek. Since the trek is a multi-day package, trekkers need to be in abundance of food and water to stay healthy and energized.
The average meal cost during Pikey Peak Trek is around $5 to 7, which is around $10 to $15 per day. Similarly, breakfast costs you around $3 to $5 per day. The water bottles during the trek can cost you around $2, so if you drink 3 liters of water, it costs you $6 per day. Summing up the total cost, meals and water cost during Pikey Peak Trek comes at around $25 to $30 per person per day. Since the trek is a 5-days Itinerary package, you might need to allocate around $125 to $150 for the meals and water.
Trekking Gear and Equipment Cost
The cost of trekking gear and equipment in Nepal is adversely affected by several factors, like weather conditions, quality of items, and duration of the trek. Here is a list of trekking gear with the average price in Nepal:
Trekking Boots: $50 to $150
Backpack: $50 to $200 [Depending on the size and brand]
Sleeping Bag: $50 to $150 [Depending on the temperature rating and features]
Down Jacket: $50 to $150
Trekking Pants and Shirts: $20 to $50 each.
Thermal Layers: $20 to $50
Trekking Poles: $20 to $50
Headlamp: $20 to $50
Other Essentials: Other items such as a hat, gloves, sunglasses, water bottles, water purification tablets, and a first aid kit will also add to the overall cost.
Guides and Porters
Hiring guides and porters is necessary while embarking on Pikey Peak Trek. They can be very helpful and can provide you with insightful support. Having guides and porters on the team will make your trek enjoyable, as their support offers you spare time to delve into the trek and get involved in sightseeing and other activities. However, they come with different fees that every trekker should be acknowledged. Let’s explore how much a trekker should allocate to hire guides and porters for Pikey Peak Trek.
Hiring a guide
Hiring a guide is a mandatory process every trekker must go through while trekking in Nepal. Effective April 1, 2023, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Government have passed a bill with the compulsion of hiring guides for trekking within Nepal. Since many cases of injury, missing, and even deaths came in the trekking industry, the government planned on this policy to ensure trekkers’ safety and security.
Hiring a guide for Pikey Peak Trek can cost around $25 to $35 daily. With this price, trekkers can acquire the services of navigation, emotional support, medical and emergency support, and many others. Trekkers can get communication support as guides can help them communicate with local people and provide insightful knowledge about the place and people. This will help you in cultural immersion and help you know about the place, history, culture, and traditions of people. Similarly, guides can help you take you to beautiful locations and viewpoints where you can have spectacular scenes of the surroundings.
Hiring a porter
Hiring a porter is also a must-do thing during Pikey Peak Trek. Since porters carry your heavy loads, backpacks, gear, and other essential items, you will get lightweight during the trek, allowing you an enjoyable experience. Hiring porters will cost you around $20 to $30 per day.
Cost-Saving Tips
Traveling in the off-season
Traveling in the off-peak season is one of the best mediums to save your budget during Pikey Peak Trek. During the off-season trek, the prices of accommodation, food, water, and other essentials drop, making your budget’s requirements small. The crowd is also very less during the off-season trek, so the availability of accommodating services is high. Even the cost of the whole package drops during the off-peak season trek. But trekkers must consider extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall, snowfall, sharp winds, and more.
Negotiating prices
You can always negotiate your prices for Pikey Peak Trek with the trekking organizations you are aligned with. Based on your interests and preferences, trekking agencies can outline your budget and inform you how much is required and how much expense can be saved.
Similarly, you can also negotiate your price for guides and porters. You can have one-on-one sessions with them, express your expectations, and bid on the amount or fees you can pay them. But remember, be respectful of their services and pay them a fair price.
Renting Gears
As seen earlier, purchasing trekking gear might be very expensive. And to those who are occasional trekkers, it might not be affordable. So renting trekking gear and equipment is the best option to do here. There are several shops and stores in Thamel, Kathmandu, where you can rent essential gear at cheaper prices. This will ultimately save your expenses while you plan your packing list for Pikey Peak Trek.
You may also like:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Base Camp with Island Peak
- Classic Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
- Classic Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
Conclusion
Overall, the Pikey Peak Trek Cost breakdown shows you how much expense you need to mark before going on this beautiful journey. Pikey Peak trek is undoubtedly a memorable experience that offers a wide array of natural beauty and cultural immersion. So to get into the core of this beauty, this trek comes with cost requirements in terms of accommodation, transportation, meals, permits, and other logistics. While the cost may vary depending on several factors, such as the duration of the trek, number of people, weather conditions, and more, it is always best to allocate an extra budget.
If you look forward to booking your next travel plan with us, let us help you have the Pikey Peak Trek at a reasonable cost. We are obliged to provide you with the best services we have, and more importantly, we have a customized itinerary for you, which surely meets your trekking expectations and preferences.
