I have been working in mountain tourism for more than 15 years as an adventure guide, trip organizer, and sometimes a freelance guide. The Himalayas have been a big part of my life for many years. I have walked many of Nepal’s mountain trails, guided trekkers through remote valleys, and spent countless days among the people and landscapes of the mountains.
But this journey was different.
This time, I was not leading a group of clients. I was trekking with my own family.
I had a free week, and fortunately, my children were also enjoying their school holidays. So I decided it was the perfect opportunity to take my wife, Doma, and our three children, Tenzin, 13, Rinzen, 11, and my niece Jetsun, 11, on a family adventure to Pikey Peak.
We often go on short hikes around Kathmandu Valley, but this was our first week-long family trek. The children were excited from the beginning. They were curious about the mountains, snow, villages, yaks, and everything they would discover along the way.
For me, it was a chance to see the Himalayas through their eyes.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Jhapre - The Journey Begins
We began our Pikey Peak family trek with a long drive from Kathmandu to Jhapre Village, which took around 11 hours. It was certainly a long journey, especially with children, but arriving in Jhapre made it worthwhile.
At around 2,920 meters, Jhapre is a peaceful mountain village with beautiful mountain views and a relaxed atmosphere. If you have more time, the Pikey Peak trek can also be started from Dhap Danda, but because we had only one week, we chose Jhapre to make our itinerary more manageable.
I have walked this trail many times, so I already knew many of the local people and lodges along the route. That familiarity made the journey feel comfortable and personal.
We spent our first night at Himalayan Lama Hotel in Jhapre. We were the only guests that night, which made the evening especially quiet and peaceful. After such a long drive, sitting together as a family in the mountain village felt like the real beginning of our adventure.
Day 2: Trekking from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp
The following morning, after breakfast, we started walking toward Pikey Base Camp at around 3,640 meters.
We took our time. We stopped for tea, lunch, photographs, and plenty of small breaks. Altogether, it took us about seven hours to reach the base camp.
The trail was beautiful. Rhododendron forests added color to the landscape, yaks grazed peacefully on the hillsides, and the quiet surroundings made the walk feel far removed from the busy life of Kathmandu.
Along the way, we met local children who were looking after their family yaks during their school holidays. Our children immediately became interested in them. They talked together, laughed, and shared chocolates.
It was one of those simple moments that stays with you.
Travel is not always about reaching a famous viewpoint. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences come from meeting people along the trail and sharing a small moment of happiness.
That is one of the things I love about trekking in Nepal. The trail is not simply a path from one destination to another. The people you meet and the little moments along the way often become the real story of the journey.
Snow, Clouds and a Warm Mountain Lodge
After Samsing Bhanjyang, the trail became more challenging. Clouds surrounded us, visibility became limited, and the children had to work harder as we gained altitude.
Eventually, we reached Pikey Base Camp.
And then came another special moment.
For the first time in their lives, my children saw and touched snow.
Their tired faces suddenly changed into excitement. They touched it, played with it, and talked about it with so much happiness that I almost forgot how tired everyone was.
Once inside the lodge, they quickly asked for tea and snacks. Popcorn became an instant favorite, and soon they were playing cards beside the warm fire.
There were also other trekkers at the lodge. We met a group consisting of one foreign client and two Nepali support staff, including a guide and porter. We spent some time chatting with them and sharing stories from the trail.
That evening, we enjoyed a traditional dal bhat dinner and stayed at Sangrila Hotel. The lodge was warm and comfortable, and after a long day in the mountains, there was something wonderful about sitting together around the fire.
For the children, the snow was the big excitement of the day. For me, watching their excitement was even more special.
Day 3: Sunrise at Pikey Peak and the Trek to Taktor
The next morning was supposed to begin very early for sunrise, but the weather had other plans.
I woke up early to check the weather, but the sky was still cloudy. The children were also sleeping a little longer than planned. Then, at around 6:00 am, the weather began to improve.
We decided to go.
The climb toward Pikey Peak was slow and steady. We walked at the children’s pace, allowing them to find their own rhythm rather than rushing them.
After about an hour and a half, we reached the summit.
This was the highlight of our family trek.
As we reached the top, the clouds began to move, opening a window toward the mountains. We could see Mount Everest and several other Himalayan peaks in the distance. Snow covered parts of the trail, making the climb even more exciting for the children.
The view felt as though the mountains had opened just for us.
We spent about an hour at the top, taking photographs, enjoying the views, and simply being together.
As the clouds gradually began covering the mountains again, we started our descent.
Later, we heard from others that they had not been able to see much of the mountain view. We realized how lucky we had been to arrive at just the right moment.
After many years of travelling in the mountains, I have learned that sometimes luck is also part of travelling.
You can plan everything carefully, wake up early, and reach a famous viewpoint, but the mountains ultimately decide what they want to show you.
That morning, we were lucky.
Through Forests, Rain and Mountain Mist
We walked down toward Jasmane Bhanjyang for lunch. Some sections of the trail were steep, so we took our time and walked carefully.
After lunch, the trail continued through a mixture of uphill sections, gentle climbs, and eventually a long descent toward Taktor Village.
The landscape changed as we walked through pine forests and thick mountain mist.
Then the rain arrived.
We put on our colorful plastic raincoats and continued walking. The slippery trail made the journey more challenging, especially for the children. Everyone was getting tired, but there was still a sense of adventure in the air.
Along the way, we noticed footprints and signs left by wild animals. The children were curious, although Doma became a little nervous when we started noticing more signs of wildlife around the forest.
For the children, even the rain and mist became part of the adventure. For the adults, it was a reminder that mountain weather can change quickly and that being prepared makes a big difference.
Eventually, after a long and tiring day, we reached Taktor Village.
A Warm Welcome at Taktor
We stayed at Green Valley Lodge, beautifully located among rhododendron forests.
The owners were incredibly kind and welcoming. After walking through the rain for hours, sitting down with a hot cup of tea and fresh yak milk felt perfect.
The warmth of the people was just as memorable as the beauty of the place.
For anyone walking the Pikey Peak trail, I would happily recommend Green Valley Lodge as a comfortable and welcoming place to stay.
Sometimes, after a long day of trekking, a warm cup of tea, friendly people, and a comfortable place to rest can feel just as valuable as a spectacular mountain view.
Day 4: Junbesi and Thupten Choling Monastery
The following morning was much more relaxed.
After breakfast, we walked for around two hours toward Junbesi, one of the beautiful Sherpa villages of the region.
Junbesi has a special atmosphere. The traditional houses, surrounding mountains, Buddhist culture, and peaceful trails make it a wonderful place to slow down and appreciate the journey.
We stopped for lunch at Apple Garden Hotel. After several days of trekking food, the children were especially happy to enjoy some buffalo meat, with, of course, a good plate of dal bhat!
After all, I think there would be a big problem for Nepali people without dal bhat!
After lunch, we continued walking toward Thupten Choling Monastery.
The hike took around one and a half hours. The monastery was peaceful and quiet, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. We spent some time enjoying the calm atmosphere before returning to Junbesi.
For me, this part of the trek was a reminder that the Pikey Peak region is not only about mountain views.
It is also about Sherpa culture, Buddhist traditions, villages, forests, local hospitality, and the peaceful rhythm of Himalayan life.
From Junbesi to Phaplu
In the evening, we took a jeep to Phaplu, where we stayed at a family home, Doma’s brother’s house.
It was a lovely way to finish our journey.
After several days on the trail, we were welcomed with family warmth, good food, laughter, and stories. The children enjoyed spending time with their relatives, and the evening became one of those simple family memories that we will carry with us for a long time.
Sometimes, the best ending to a journey is not another spectacular viewpoint. It is simply being surrounded by family.
Day 5: The Drive Back to Kathmandu
The following morning, we woke early and began the drive back to Kathmandu.
The Pikey Peak family trek was over.
But the memories had only just begun.
More Than Just a Trek
As an adventure guide, I have completed many treks and led many people through the Himalayas. I have seen incredible landscapes, crossed high passes, and stood in places that many people dream of reaching.
But walking these trails with my family gave me a completely different feeling.
I saw the mountains through my children’s eyes.
I saw their excitement when they first touched snow. I saw their happiness when they met local children. I saw their determination on the steep trails, their laughter around the fire, and their tired faces at the end of a long day.
These are the moments that make a journey meaningful.
The Pikey Peak Trek may be a relatively short Himalayan adventure, but it offers so much: beautiful mountain scenery, views of Everest, peaceful forests, Sherpa villages, Buddhist culture, local hospitality, and a genuine connection with the Himalayas.
Most importantly, it can be a wonderful option for families who want to experience the mountains together without committing to a very long trek.
Every Step Becomes a Story
For me, this was more than a trekking trip.
It was time away from busy work, time with my wife and children, and time to reconnect with the mountains that have been such an important part of my life.
After more than 15 years of working in mountain tourism, I thought I knew these trails well. But walking them with my family reminded me that the mountains can look completely different when you experience them with people you love.
A familiar trail becomes exciting again.
A mountain view feels new again.
Even a little patch of snow can become a memory that your children talk about for years.
In the mountains, every step with family becomes a story to remember.
If you are looking for a short Himalayan adventure with beautiful mountain views, local culture, peaceful trails, and the possibility of seeing Everest, I highly recommend considering the Pikey Peak Trek.
And if you are thinking about doing it with your family, don’t be afraid to bring the children along. With the right pace, preparation, and support, the journey can become one of the most meaningful adventures you share together.
A family trek does not have to be about walking the fastest or covering the most distance each day. It is about experiencing the journey together, stopping when you want to stop, talking to people along the trail, enjoying the scenery, and giving children the freedom to discover the mountains in their own way.
For our family, the first touch of snow, the meeting with local children, the changing weather at Pikey Peak, the rain-soaked forest, the warm lodge at Taktor, the peaceful visit to Thupten Choling Monastery, and the evening with relatives in Phaplu became memories far more valuable than simply reaching a destination.
If you would like to know more about the Pikey Peak trek route, itinerary, best season, accommodation, Everest views, or family-friendly trekking options, I am always happy to share my experience.
Because sometimes, the best journeys are not the ones we take alone. They are the ones we share with the people we love.
*Date: **20'th April 2026*
