PIKEY &

DUDHKUNDA

CULTURAL TRAILS

(Lower Mt. Everest Region)

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Dudhkunda Cultural Trail

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Dudhunda (4,560 m) is a finely mountain lake in the lap of Mt. Numbur, a popular trekking destination of Solu. The trek to Dudhkunda starting from Phaplu can be done either only around the Dudhkunda Lake or combined with cultural experience passing through Khaling Rai and Sherpa settlements and then back in Salleri through dense forests of rhododendron and a variety of wildlife. The trail combined provides one with a close encounter with the unique Khaling Rais of this area. Dudhkunda, which literally means lake of milk, is said to be a sacred lake and is revered by the local people. It is believed that taking a dip in its holy waters will fulfill one’s wishes. During full moon nights in August a weeklong celebration is held by pilgrims and Jhakris (Shaman priests).

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Pikey Cultural Trail

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Pikey Danda (4,065 m) is one of the tallest hills of Solu. From Pikey you can see most of the central and eastern Himalayan peaks Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Makalu, Kanchunjungam, Annapurna, Gauri Shankar, Lhotse, Lhoteshar, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Numbur, Khatang, Karyalung, Shishapangma, Mera peak and Thamserku. The peak also offers breathtaking sunrise and sunset views during good weather. A trail through Jiri-Chaulakharkha-Ngaur leads to the Pikey Dada area. The trails start at Phaplu and passes through Kerung, Jhapre, Pikey peak, Lamajura and ends at Salleri.

The name Pikey is derived from the name of a Sherpa clan deity. During the month of July the locals hold celebrations to worship their clan god, the eastern Chaybo Pikey, as Pikey Hlapchen Karbu. There are other interesting possibilities of undertaking tourism activities ar Pikey such as paragliding, mountain biking, bird watching, pilgrimage and meditation. From here the trail descends through dense forest finally meeting the Everest trail at Taktor. July-August is a good time to take a trip to Pikey, as this is when the local people hold their celebrations of the clan god, the eastern Chyabo Pikey. From Pikey, one can also continue on to the Dudhkunda trail.

 

As mentioned above, after reaching Pikey one also has the option of taking the Dudhkunda Cultural Trail. The trail passes through Junbesi, Thuptenchholing, Sengeephuk, Choim Pass, Beni, Dudhkund, Taksindu and come back to Salleri. One of the most beautiful Sherpa villages, Junbesi, is on the way from Pikey to Dudhkunda. One can also visit the famous Thuptenchhoing monastery on the way.

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Junbesi

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Junbesi (2,700 m) is one of the most beautiful Sherpa villages in the Lower Solukhumbu region, with its astonishing landscapes, cultural wealth, and the hospitable Sherpa people. Junbesi is also a junction of the Everest trail and Thuptenchholing monastery. Junbesi falls on the Pikey-Dudhkunda trail. There are comfortable family-run lodges here with modern facilities like hot showers, which are a real delight after the long hours of trekking. Visitors also have a choice in food varieties ranging from local apple pie, apple rakshi (alcohol) to fresh organic vegetables cooked as desired. Cultural performances by the local youth add to the charm of the experience. Junbesi is about 5-hour trek form Salleri, the district headquarters, and about five and half hour from Phaplu airport.

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Thuptenchholing Monastery

Thuptenchholing Monastery is about an hour from Junbesi. The monastery is about 6-hour trek form the district headquarter Salleri. This monastery, founded in the late 1960s by Thulsik Rinpoche, is about six and half hour from the Phaplu airstrip. The monastery is popular as a center of religious tourism and its reputation has been further boosted by the fame of His Holiness Thulsik Rinpoche. There are more than 500 monks and nuns who study Buddhism, meditate and offer prayers in this monastery, one of the biggest nun’s residential monasteries in the country.