Romancing with Pikey peak

• Dolma Pakhrin

Pikey peak is one of the best hilltops to see the panoramic view of Mt. Everest and more peaks in Ramechhap district Nepal. This is the great short trek in the lower Everest region near from KTM. This trek is an interesting journey that takes you to the Solu region of Nepal to admire the fascinating views of mountains.

Historical, Pikey Peak was a seasonal snowy hill where local Sherpa people go for short hiking trips and to hang the prayer flag on the top.The Pikey named from the name of local Sherpa clan deity it represents the sky over nature. During the monsoon time, June/July local people (Sherpa) celebrate their clan God worship ceremony by Buddhist lama and group of monks. In the monsoon time, they leave their domestic animal to feed hygiene grasses.

Hidden inside this diversified land, another attractive destination is called Pikey Peak, Located at Tamakhani of Solukhumbu and Goli district. This destination lies at the height above 4060m. The main Specialty of the Pikey is that one can have the view of different high mountain ranges from here, one of them being the Everest range. Here mainly we can see Yak, Nak, Chauri, the shed of sheep.

This place is taken as a store of many herbal plants. Another specialty of this place is the fresh environment and the fragrance of naturally growing flowers more than 25 varieties of plants grow here including Rhododendron, Chimal, White Rhododendron, Gobre Salla, Thingre Salla, Diyale Salla, Dhupi Salla are also found here.

With the starting of the winter season, Chauri sheds descend towards the market, whereas Yak sheds can be seen 12 months a year.Raanke fair which is held on the 27th of Shrawan(July 18th) every year is the special festival here. We get to eat different milk products which are made up of Nak milk, like Chhurpee, Cheese, Syarkim, Milk porridge, Curd, Paneer, etc.

Various dishes made up of potatoes are taken as the staple food of this place like Rhilduk, Rhikikur, Local potato fry, Potato daal(Phando) all come under special tasty food of potato. While roaming we can see the calves of Chauri, it becomes unforgettable.

Pikey peak is also the place that carries the historical importance of religion for Sherpa people. They also come here for meditation and to do different therapy through natural herbal therapy.

We can use different ways to reach there like one can travel from Ramechhap passing Jiri of Dolakha. Like that we can also go from Dhade, Khijiphalate, passing Ramechhap Manthali like this while going to Pikey from here Ponds, Greenery, sheds, Chauri and Calves welcoming us if you are looking for comfortable travel then you can take the route which goes from Kathmandu to Salleri as your primary option.

This makes easier to finish the Pikey tour and return to the Capital in a short period. We can travel either by Tata Sumo (Jeep) or public transport from Chabahil of Kathmandu (1350m) to headquarter of Solukhumbu Salleri(2360m) for Pikey Peak. It is about approximately 280km from Kathmandu to Salleri.

We can find out that when we reach there Pikey peak looks very clean. We can see many views from here. We can look at many highlands of Nepal after reaching there. We can see almost all the mountain peaks of Nepal. We can see many heart-touching views at once like the view of river flowing, green fields of the Terai region and green forest of the nearby area.

Eye-catching mountains and scattered settlements also heart-touching views of dancing Peacock. Pikey Peak, a symbol of Goddess, is worshipped by the people of Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, and Ramechhap. We can see many kinds of herbals and incense-like Sunpati, Dhoopi, etc, which made us relax. Many people come to pick Sunpati from here.

We can enjoy the Sherpa music which is called Tungna at Lamje. We have to cross through funky road as well. Our path will be colorful by the historical Bouddha Stupa and decorated with valuable and artistic work.

Our hearts will be filled with happiness by the sound of the bells hanging around the neck of Chauri and Yak. We can feel as if we are floating on the ocean of music when we hear a different kind of sound produced by trees and their branches when hit by wind.

We can see Sunrise and Sunset as seen at the Antu peak of Ilam at the same time. During the hiking, we cross lovely peaks and green bushes. We can visit the Tolu Monastery which carries historical importance. We can see valuable herbs like Kurkee, Jatamasi, Sugandhaon the way. We can reach to the place called Rakhep Tapting crossing the big forest of Rhododendron and Chimal. After that, we can reach Jhapre(known as a historical place). We Observe the Gumba, Boudha Stupa and historical properties over there.

This article written by Dolma Pakhrin (Board member of TGAN) has been republished with a new title which was published earlier in “Guide Nepal” a publication of Trekking Guides Association of Nepal-TGAN)