Trip Duration
12 Days
Group Sizes
2-20 People
Difficulty
Easy
Max. Altitude
2,200m
Activities
Meals
Accommodation
Nepal’s Annapurna Region is famous among trekkers from all around the globe for its beautiful and diverse routes. Suppose you think of short, effortless, thrilling hikes near Pokhara City. In that case, Annapurna Sikles Trek is the perfect answer for you, offering a unique and wonderful experience and enjoying the local lifestyle of various communities.
Whether you are a novice or an experienced hiker, you can complete this 12-day Annapurna Sikles Trek journey in a trouble-free and convenient way. This amazing journey will take you through gorgeous Gurung villages, presenting stunning landscapes and views of snow-capped peaks.
The primary point of attention on the Sikles Trek is the hike to Sikles village in the Kaski District. Sikles is one of the oldest towns in the Annapurna region, located roughly 2000 meters above sea level on a tiny hill above the Mardi and affording spectacular views of the Lamjung Himal and Annapurna peaks.
Sikles village is also home to numerous former Gurkhas who battled in World War II. Gurkha armies have been respected around the globe from that time to the present for their fearless nature and bravery. Similarly, the Annapurna Sikles Trek is one of the least explored trekking routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
This adventure-filled journey begins right after you arrive in Kathmandu. You’ll be traveling all day in the Kathmandu Valley, visiting major tourist attractions like Patan, Thamel, Basantapur, Bhaktapur, Boudha Nath, and so on. Then, on the following day, you go to Pokhara with a scenic drive from Kathmandu city.
From there, a short 30-minute drive takes you to Hemja, where you start trekking to the Kharpani, where you can relax in a hot natural spring. Continuing the trek, you pass through the picturesque villages of Ghalegaun and Parche before reaching Sikles. You’ll transverse through terraced fields, rhododendrons, and oak jungles in this 12-day Annapurna Sikles Trek.
You will have a fabulous opportunity to explore the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the local Gurung community, learning about their daily lives, festival celebrations, and handicraft production. This journey will give interesting insights as well as unforgettable lifetime fun memories.
The trek then continues to Parche from Sikles and Parche to Chasu, Kalikasthan, and to the last trekking point, Begnas Lake. From there, a drive takes you back to Pokhara, completing this short and easy trek. This Annapurna Sikles Trek is the perfect blend of natural beauty and the rich culture of Nepal.
The most fascinating part of this trek is that you can do it any time of the year, but most people prefer spring and autumn. This trekking package is suitable for people with families and children who want to avoid altitude sickness. Hurry up and plan your trip for the Sikles Trek to create incredible moments throughout this journey.
Your first day of the Annapurna Sikles Trek will start in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu City. When you reach the International Airport in Kathmandu, our office member will be waiting outside the terminal to welcome and greet you.
He will assist you in loading your stuff into the vehicle and transporting you to your desired hotel. When you get to the hotel, you will check out and rest. In the evening, we will have a welcome supper at the Nepalese restaurant. Enjoy your food and have a good night’s rest before tomorrow’s journey.
Following an exquisite breakfast on the second day of the Annapurna Sikles Trek, you will start on a guided tour of Kathmandu, Nepal’s medieval city. You’ll begin your day by exploring the 14th-century Swayambhu Nath Stupa, commonly known as Monkey Temple. Then we will visit prominent tourist attractions in Kathmandu, such as Hanuman Dhoka, Boudha Nath, and the Garden of Dreams.
Later we will go to the ancient Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan, Patan Durbar Square, Thamel, and other places. The guide will explain to you these places’ history and significance. In the afternoon, we will inform you, specifically the next trekking adventure, in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
Early in the morning leaving Kathmandu, we hop on a tourist bus to Pokhara. We go through Trisuli and Marsyangdi rivers and it’s the sightseeing of green hills and falls along the way that we can’t miss. The trip will be about seven to eight hours with stops at small towns, hilly villages, hillside farmlands, and thus beautiful landscapes.
You can also take a flight, but it will cost you more if you would rather fly to Pokhara. You’ll have the remainder of the day to spend exploring Pokhara after arriving. In the evening, you can go boating as well. We’ll spend the night close to hotels around the Lakeside area.
We’ll officially start our trekking journey on this fourth day of the Annapurna Sikles Trek. We’ll travel by road to Hemja by jeep, which will take a short thirty-minute drive to reach here from Pokhara city. Hemja is the initial point of this hiking journey. We stroll through forests, villages, and terraced fields, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and views of the hills.
Our destination is Kharpani, which is noted for its natural hot springs along the Seti River. Along the route, we’ll cross rivers, pass through villages, and enter the Annapurna Conservation Area near Charghare. After walking some hours, we’ll arrive at Kharpani. We stay here for the night and rest for the following day.
We are going to trek to a magnificent Gurung community called Ghalegaun, which will be tough. We will trek down to the Seti Khola River after walking through tough terrain and over high mountains. Beautiful jungles and summer towns will be traversed.
After a five to six-hour walk, we will eventually arrive at Ghalegaun, where the Gurung people will meet you. Enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, rolling hills, and flowing rivers from this location. Here, on our twelve-day Annapurna Sikles Trek, we spend the night preparing for the following day’s hike.
We’ll be heading towards Parche village after exploring the serene landscape of Ghalegaun the previous day. We’ll walk on the ridges and foothills of Bayule Hill. Then, on continuing the trail, we will arrive at a junction surrounded by high hills leading to Harbu Hill and Jaljala Hill. Then we continue to Chipli.
After walking for roughly six to seven hours, we will reach our destination, Parche Village. You can also explore this charming village in your leisure time. Today marks the completion of your half-journey on this Annapurna Sikles Trek journey.
Our highlight of this Annapurna Sikles Trek journey will be reaching the oldest village in the Annapurna region, Sikles. Sikles is the second-biggest southern Gurung village. We will depart from Parche early in the morning after the yummy breakfast.
We’ll continue on the looping trail, passing through picturesque scenery and rolling green hills. You may take in the breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, including Lamjung Himal, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Annapurna IV, after arriving at Sikles village.
You can find this village with features such as a rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural beauty, and diversified plants and animals. Then, after spending some time in Sikles, we will again head back to Parche, following the same trails we took to hike here and spend our night in the same lodge.
On this eighth day of the Annapurna Sikles Trek, our next destination will be Chasu. We’ll wake up early in the morning, have a hearty breakfast, and start the trek to Chasu. Today, trekking will be very easy compared to other days, as we are mostly walking downhill, reaching an elevation of 980 meters.
We’ll be able to see scenic views of hills, valleys, forests, and houses on hillsides on the way to Chasu. You can also see other trekkers going to their destinations during peak seasons, which makes the environment more beautiful and gives you goosebumps. We’ll arrive at Chasu village after walking for four to five hours.
Today, we’ll be moving from Chasu to Kalikasthan. We begin by hiking along the Madi River and pass through Sabal Danda village, leaving the Annapurna conservation area.
We continue our trek uphill until we reach the larger village of Yangjakot. From there, we cross the Madi River again near Kare and trek through lush areas to reach Kalikasthan. We’ll stay here at the lodge and head to Pokhara tomorrow.
We are trekking to Begnas Lake from Kalikasthan on the tenth day of the Annapurna Sikles Trek. Begnas Lake will be the ending point of your trekking. You need to hike for about three to four hours to reach Begnas Lake. After reaching there, you can explore the surroundings and resorts, rent boats, and paddle across the lake.
Then, we head back to the hotel in Pokhara and check out. You can have a good rest. You can travel around the city in the evening or go to pubs, bars, spas, etc. to enjoy yourself. This will be your last night in Pokhara before heading to Kathmandu in this Annapurna Sikles Trek package.
We’ll be returning to Kathmandu City from Pokhara by road. We’ll ride the tourist bus after having breakfast early in the morning. We’ll travel along the same road as before. You can also choose a flight option that you have to pay for yourself, such as a scenic flight.
Upon reaching Kathmandu, we’ll escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You can explore Kathmandu city in the evening, try new dishes, buy Nepali handmade goods, and much more. We’ll also provide you with a farewell dinner to conclude your Annapurna Sikles Trek journey of 12 days.
Today marks the end of your fantastic trek through the scenic Annapurna region of Nepal. You need to get up early in the morning so that you can pack your luggage and check the necessary items before leaving the hotel. Then, we will transfer you to the airport and say goodbye. We hope you have enjoyed yourself to the fullest in this 12-day Annapurna Sikles Trek.
You can go on the Annapurna Sikles Trek in any season. But the perfect time in Sikles is spring, starting from March to May, and autumn, starting from September to November. Because the weather is neither too hot nor too cold in these seasons.
In the spring, bright flowers blossom along woodland pathways and lush green valleys, adding to the enjoyment of trekking. Similarly, brilliant blue skies and breathtaking mountain views attract a huge number of hikers during the autumn season. The days are bright and pleasant in the fall, making it the favorite trekking season for practically all trekkers who wish to visit here.
The 12-day Annapurna Sikles Trek begins around a 200-kilometer bus ride from Kathmandu city to Pokhara. You’ll be walking from Hemja to Kharpani on the fourth day, ascending an elevation of 1140 meters. The highest trekking spot in this journey will be Ghalegaun, with an altitude of 2713 meters.
The second-highest trekking destination will be Sikles village, situated at an altitude of 2000 meters. So, you don’t need to worry about altitude sickness on this journey. There is a highly reduced probability of suffering from altitude sickness due to the low altitude compared to other classic treks, making this journey safer and easier.
You need to walk an average of five to six hours daily. This is a very easy-level trek compared to other treks like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp. The minimum walk per day will be three to four hours when trekking from Kalikasthan to Begnas Lake.
Likewise, your maximum walk per day will be six to seven hours when trekking from Ghalegaun to Parche. This day, your trekking will be a little challenging compared to other days. So, stay hydrated and energized to minimize the weariness in your body.
During this Annapurna Sikles Trek, you’ll experience basic accommodation and plenty of food choices. There will be a lot of teahouses and lodges available in this area throughout the trail. These places will provide simple rooms with essentials like beds, blankets, pillows, showers, and so on.
You may have to pay extra money for hot showers and charging stations. These services are not provided for free in distant, hilly places. Food selections include Nepali and Tibetan cuisine as well as Indian favorites. You can eat Dal Bhat, pizza, Momos, noodles, and other foods.
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in the teahouses and lodges. But it is wise not to consume such types of drinks to avoid any health problems. So, you should drink plenty of water and garlic soup to stay hydrated and healthy.
Yes, beginners can join this walk with no problems. This hike is suited for both new and experienced hikers. This Annapurna Sikles Trek has fewer tough trails and obstacles, making it ideal for first-time trekkers in Nepal.
Another plus point in this trek is that you don’t have to ascend higher altitudes in this journey. So, there is no record of people suffering from altitude sickness in this trekking, ensuring a safer and more comfortable trip. This trek is ideal for those who want to explore the Annapurna region without any hard work.
Annapurna Sikles Trek is a moderate-level, easy trek. So, you don’t need any climbing skills to pursue this thrilling 12-day journey in the Annapurna region. However, it might be a good idea to come prepared to avoid any kind of problems during the trek.
If you are in good shape and healthy, this trek can be extremely easy for you. There is no rough, hard climb, unlike other popular trekking routes. If you are not fit, you can get weary after a few hours of walking. As you need to walk almost five to six hours normally in this entire trip, being fit will be a huge bonus point for you.
You can be fit by doing physical exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, swimming, cycling, and many others to increase your stamina and strength. This exercise will help you a lot while trekking. And boost your walking speed.
One of the requirements of the Sikles trek is the two permits the trekkers will need to acquire. To be specific, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) will be given to all the people who want to get into the area, Nepalese citizens, and every country in SAARC, but the cost will be different.
While a person from a different country pays 3000 Nepali rupees for only one person, a citizen of the SAARC country is supposed to pay 1000 Nepalese rupees. Also, the second requirement is the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card, which stands for USD 18 per person for foreign country people and USD 4 per person for SAARC country people.
This is to ensure safety and record-keeping. You may as well go to Nepal Tourism Board offices located in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) to get a TIMS card as well.
Transportation costs will already be added to our Annapurna Sikles Trek package. We’ll come to pick you up from the airport on your first day in Nepal. On the second day, we’ll drive you to the different major places in Kathmandu Valley in a private vehicle.
Then we’ll take a tour bus to Pokhara. You can also fly to Pokhara; however, we will not cover the expense. On the fourth day, we’ll take a short drive from Pokhara to Hemja, where your trip will begin.
On the return journey, we will also be riding a bus to Kathmandu from Pokhara. And on your last day, we will escort you to the airport via our private vehicle when you head to your home country.
As part of the Annapurna Sikles Trek, an individual will experience an engaging and exciting 12-day walk through the Gurung community and nature tableaus. Sikles village is the main part, a place rich in history as related to being one of the oldest towns in the Annapurna region, which, apart from the amazing views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna peaks, is the most insulation place.
You will be able to notice the cultural and traditional activities of Gurungs living in the region of Nepal. The charm of the settlement lies in its location amidst the terraced field, the surrounding nature, along with the wild species, such as rhododendrons, and the thick forests of oak.
This trek is a perfect selection of the natural world and Nepalese culture, unsurprisingly, but is most used in the spring and autumn. It’s just right for families and people who are not yet ready to defy themselves at high altitudes, so they will have an unforgettable journey and many remembrances.
The Sikles Trek is in the Annapurna Conservation Area, starting from Pokhara, Nepal.
The Sikles Trek typically takes about 12 days to complete, depending on the chosen itinerary.
While it is true that altitude sickness can be a problem even with proper acclimatization and hydration, it is not a common concern for people who visit Sikles Trek. You should undergo a check-up on the verge of any outdoor activity.
While not required, hiring a guide for the Sikles Trek is strongly advised for safety and navigational help, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Everything is important for Sikles Trekking such as trekking clothes, supportive boots, a backpack, a first aid kit, a water bottle, sunscreen, and other necessities. Be sure to pack light and not to take too much stuff with you.
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