The trail from Sigane follows a road under construction for the first couple of hours. The first village is called Jahpre (2920m). It’s perched above a deep valley with nice views of Everest and the Number Himal. There’s a pretty little Gompa and Stupa here. The best bet for good Dal Bhat is a lodge called Himalayan Lama Guest House.
After Jahpre, the trail climbs up to a grassy ridge at Bhulbhule. There’s one lodge with no name on the left side. Nice views of the Everest range from here.
Soon after Bhulbhule the trail splits. Turn right to Pikey Peak. You’ll pass some old yak houses and a long Mani Stonewall. The trail then contours the hillside below Taklung Danda and goes through a beautiful forested trail. There are many Rhododendrons here along a level path. As you leave the forest it’s not far to Pikey Peak base camp, about 2 hrs away.
There’s one lodge called Pikey Lodge (3640m) with four draughty rooms in a separate building. It’s a short climb in the morning to the summit at 4065m. Unless there’s an unusually clear evening it’s better to climb
The trail to the top of Pikey Peak starts from behind the lodge and follows a gradual slope to a summit strewn with prayer flags. The views from the top are breathtaking. It’s important to start just before dawn to reach the top for sunrise.
It’s a quick descent back to the lodge for breakfast and then hit the trail without too much delay, it’s a long day to Bhandar (if walking the 3-day itinerary).
You’ll leave Pikey base camp past a Mani Wall and then the trail goes down to the left and stays on a high contour through trees. It’s a beautiful trail with stunning mountain views. The route bends around the valley and descends through a pretty forest. Eventually, you’ll pass a cheese factory on the left which marks the beginning of Ngaur. Ngaur is a very pretty cluster of houses on an outcrop. There’s bad earthquake damage here, the Gompa is ruined. There’s a small new prayer wheel building next to it.
The trail goes into a steep descent through the forest to Kosinasa which local people are now calling Lamane (2872m). There’s a place here for Daal Bhat. The trail follows the hillside to Gumba, climbing slightly up to 2980m. Gumba is a pretty place with about a dozen houses on the hillside and a newish-looking Gompa. There's significant earthquake damage here. At Gumba the trail turns right and drops steeply through the forest down to Namkheli. Leaving the forest the trail carries on to the river (Likhu Kola) at 1535m. The next section is a 750m ascent to Bhandar. It’s a fairly steep climb sometimes on a new tractor track. The best lodge in Bhandar is Shobha Lodge by far. Menus! There’s a good hot shower and nice clean rooms upstairs. My favourite trekking brekkie is a Chapati and an omelette rolled up with chilli sauce the trail climbs up to the Deurali pass at 3700m. On the east side of the pass, there are great views over the valley and river back towards Pikey Peak. On the west side sits the little village of Deurali. Langtang comes into view here. There are some damaged tea houses nestled together around rows of Mani Walls.
