Pikey Peak Trek - A Night in Jhapre, Yak Butter Tea and Monastery Bells

On the way to Pikey Peak, this traditional village of Jhapre is more than just a place to sleep; it's where the culture and spirit of the Himalayas come alive through warm, aromatic yak butter tea and soothing echoes of monastery bells.

Situated in the lower Solukhumbu region of Nepal, Jhapre is a small, traditional Tibetan village. It is the first overnight stay village on the Pikey Peak Trek route, a soulful stop where the trekkers are greeted with warm Nepali hospitality, delicious food, and authentic Tibetan-Sherpa culture.

Sitting at an elevation of 2920 meters (9580 ft), Jhapre offers cultural insight into Sherpa life, reflected by the houses, stupas, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and a taste of Tibetan delicacies, along with panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Jhapre on the Pikey Peak Route

The Pikey Peak is especially known for one of the best views of Mount Everest (8848.86 m/29,032 ft), as well as other Himalayan giants like Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Annapurna. Unlike the popular, classic Everest Base Camp Trek, it is a lesser-known trekking route, offering wilderness and solitude, adding an extra layer of adventure to your trip.

Among all the rural villages on the route to Pikey Peak, Jhapre is a perfect mixture of authentic Sherpa culture and scenic mountain views. Usually, on the standard Pikey Peak Trek itinerary, trekkers reach Jhapre on the second day via Dhap and Singane.

Jhapre is a simple yet vibrant, happening village. Fluttering prayer flags, houses made of wood and stones, tolling bells, and Buddhist monks chanting in the nearby gompa (monastery) offer an immersive feeling like you have reached a different world, out of your day-to-night life.

Once you have reached Jhapre, the teahouse owner welcomes you with a happy, smiling face. Then, you can freshen up and get ready for dinner. However, while you are waiting for your dinner, have a taste of yak butter tea and relieve all the stress from the trek while sharing your trekking experiences. Then, finally, go to sleep after dinner.

Yak Butter Tea: A Tea That Pleases Your Soul

Also called "Su Cha" in Tibetan, yak butter tea is more than just a beverage. In Jhapre, it is often the first thing served to trekkers upon arrival.

The tea, made from tea leaves, salt, and churned yak butter, cooked over a fire, provides warmth and hydrates your lungs and energy for high-altitude treks. This traditionally prepared tea, in traditional wooden churns, not only offers warmth but a direct connection to the Tibetan culture and their way of life. This long-preserved tradition, unchanged for generations, is nothing like ordinary tea. Do try sharing a cup of yak butter tea with the villagers and listen to their tales.

Monastery Bells: The Sound of Serenity

Jhapre also shelters a small but spiritually significant Buddhist monastery perched on a ridge looking out over the valley. A centre of village life, the monastery hosts morning prayers and annual religious festivals. With the morning light or near dusk, sounds of monastery bells and chanting drift through the village, surrounding the air with an atmosphere that is both tranquil and firmly based on Himalayan tradition.

These holy sounds tend to have a lasting impact on travellers who pass through. In contrast to the commercialism found in more touristy destinations, Jhapre's spiritual rhythm is untainted and authentic.

Life in Jhapre

The village itself is inhabited by a very small but tight-knit Sherpa community. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal tourism form the backbone of the local economy. The guesthouses in this area are simple but welcoming, with basic accommodations and local home-style food made from local ingredients like potatoes, barley, and greens.

While electricity and Wi-Fi are limited, hospitality does not. The hospitality and warmth of the Jhapre people are such that they would go out of their way to welcome travellers home—if only for the night.

Sunrise View From Jhapre

Jhapre has one of the best sunrise views. It is a beautiful yet lesser-known Himalayan viewpoint which offers stunning sunrise views. The rays of the rising sun sparkle some of the tallest peaks in the world. Trekkers are mesmerized by the sunrise striking Everest, Lhotse, and Numbur Himal, a scene never seen before. This unrivalled scenery is going to be imprinted in your life forever. And mainly, without any hassle or crowd.

Do not forget to capture this moment through your eye and camera lens.

Conclusion

Jhapre may not be the summit or highest stop of the Pikey Peak Trek, but it represents the essence of travel in the Himalayas—untamed, peaceful, and rich with culture. Whether the unusual taste of yak butter tea or the distant echoes of monastery bells ringing somewhere in the air, an evening in Jhapre creates a peaceful and lasting impression.

For hikers seeking a deeper experience than mountain scenery, Jhapre offers a different kind of connection—to the ground, to the people, and to a pace of life that modern trails often neglect.