Sikles Village Trek: Village of The Brave Gurungs

The best time to trek is during spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November). These seasons provide pleasant weather, moderate temperatures, and clear skies that offer the best views of the village and the mountains. Spring brings blooming rhododendron forests, while autumn provides crisp skies and excellent visibility.

The trek is accessible throughout the year. Winter offers cool, clear conditions, while the monsoon season transforms the hills into lush green landscapes. Heavy snowfall rarely affects the route because of its relatively low elevation.

The table below summarizes the trekking distances, walking time, elevation changes, and overnight stops for the Sikles Village Trek. Distances are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the trail conditions and the exact accommodation used.

Trek at a Glance

• Total trekking distance: Approximately 14.5–15.5 km (9–9.6 miles).
• Maximum altitude: Sikles Village – 1,980 m (6,496 ft).
• Longest walking day: Tangting to Sabi (about 8 km / 5 miles, 5–6 hours).
• Greatest elevation loss: Tangting to Sabi (approximately 365 m).
• Altitude sickness risk: Very low, as the trek remains below 2,000 meters, making it ideal for beginners, families, and anyone looking for a comfortable Himalayan trekking experience.

The Sikles Village Trek is graded easy, making it one of the best short treks in Nepal for beginners, families with children, older travelers, and anyone looking for a relaxed Himalayan experience. The trek reaches a maximum altitude of only approximately 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) at Sikles Village, so there is virtually no risk of altitude sickness.

Is the Sikles Village Trek hard?

No. It is considered one of the easiest multi-day treks in the Annapurna region. The trails follow village paths, stone staircases, terraced farmland, and forest tracks, with no technical climbing or exposed mountain sections.

Daily walking hours

Most trekking days involve 4 to 6 hours of walking, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the mountain views, visit Gurung villages, and interact with local communities. The pace is relaxed and suitable for trekkers of all experience levels.

Which day is the most challenging?

The longest and steepest section is the trail between Tangting and Sabi, which includes a sustained descent on stone steps and forest trails. While it requires good balance and endurance, the route remains straightforward and does not require any technical skills.

Is altitude sickness a concern?

No. Since the highest point is Sikles Village at approximately 2,000 meters, the altitude is well below the level where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) normally becomes a concern.

Do I need training?

No formal training is required. However, preparing before your trip will make the trek more enjoyable:

• Walk or hike 30–60 minutes, 3–4 times per week.
• Climb stairs or gentle hills to strengthen your legs.
• Light cycling, jogging, or swimming to improve endurance.
• Wear your hiking boots before the trek to break them in.

Who should not attempt the trek?

• Travelers recovering from recent surgery or serious injury.
• People with medical conditions that make walking 4–6 hours a day difficult.
• Anyone with severe knee, hip, or mobility issues, particularly due to the stone stair sections.
• Travelers seeking luxury accommodation, as the route uses simple local lodges and homestays.

The trek begins with a drive from Pokhara toward Hemja and Kaunkhola, then an off-road drive of about 4 hours to Sikles, which lies north of Pokhara. The trail passes through the less-visited territory of the Annapurna region and Lamjung Himal.

It includes a wide range of flora and fauna along with beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains such as Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Lamjung, and Manaslu. This is a quiet trail with fewer trekkers, offering stunning experiences and scenery.

More about Sikles Village

Sikles is a beautiful and remarkably well-preserved village situated on a small hill at an elevation of about 2,000 m. The village is inhabited mainly by Gurung people, who are known for their bravery and long association with the Gurkha regiments. The people mainly speak the Gurung language, are very friendly, and are known for their hospitality towards guests. The village reflects ancient cultures and traditions, with traditional stone houses and terraced farmland.

Trek at a glance

• Total trekking distance: approximately 14.5–15.5 km (9–9.6 miles)
• Maximum altitude: Sikles Village, 1,980 m (6,496 ft)
• Longest walking day: Tangting to Sabi (about 8 km / 5 miles, 5–6 hours)
• Altitude sickness risk: very low, as the trek remains below 2,000 meters — ideal for beginners, families, and anyone looking for a comfortable Himalayan trekking experience

Regional History

The Sikles Village Trek is located in the Lamjung Himal foothills within Nepal's Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), the country's first and largest protected conservation area, established in 1986 and covering more than 7,600 square kilometers.

The trek centers on Sikles Village (approximately 2,000 m), one of Nepal's largest and oldest Gurung settlements. Often referred to as the “Village of the Brave Gurungs,” Sikles has a long history of producing Gurkha soldiers who served with distinction in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. Traditional stone houses, slate roofs, communal courtyards, and terraced farmland continue to reflect the village's rich cultural heritage.

For centuries, the trails connecting Pokhara, Sikles, Tangting, and neighboring settlements formed part of local trading and seasonal migration routes. Villagers transported grain, livestock, medicinal herbs, timber, and handmade goods between the Himalayan foothills and the Pokhara Valley long before road access reached the region. Today, these historic footpaths have become scenic trekking routes that preserve the area's cultural identity while supporting community-based tourism.

The forests surrounding Sikles are home to rhododendrons, oak, pine, and numerous bird species, while the Annapurna Conservation Area protects wildlife including Himalayan tahr, barking deer, langurs, and hundreds of species of birds and butterflies.

Trekking & Expedition History

Dominating the southern skyline is Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), better known as Fishtail Mountain. Revered as sacred by local communities, Machhapuchhre remains officially unclimbed — in 1957 a British expedition led by Wilfrid Noyce turned back about 150 meters from the summit out of respect for its religious significance, and the Government of Nepal later permanently closed the mountain to climbing.

Visible from Sikles on clear days is Annapurna II (7,937 m), first climbed on 17 May 1960 by a British–Indian–Nepalese expedition, while Annapurna IV (7,525 m) was first climbed in 1955 and Lamjung Himal (6,983 m) in 1974. Annapurna I (8,091 m), although farther west, holds a unique place in climbing history as the first mountain over 8,000 meters ever climbed, on 3 June 1950.

You will be accommodated in teahouses, homestays and community lodges during the Sikles Trek. You will find decent rooms and facilities, and you can either share or have a single room, as per your choice. Staying with local families gives you an authentic village experience rather than luxury hotel facilities.

For lunch and dinner you will eat the main Nepali food — Dal, Bhaat, Tarkari (rice, lentil soup, cooked vegetables) and pickles. Besides that, you can find other menu items like pizza, chips, pasta, noodles, milk tea, chocolates and bread. Vegetarian meals are widely available, and special dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice.

As the trekking destination is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, it requires a permit from the Nepal government for tourists. You need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), which you can receive at the Tourism Information Center in Pokhara.

For issuing the permit, you need to bring the following documents:

• Passport
• Travel insurance
• 2 passport-size photographs

When you book with North Nepal Travel & Trek, all necessary permits and paperwork are arranged for you.

The Sikles Village Trek reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 2,000 meters (6,560 ft), so you won't need specialized high-altitude equipment. The key is to pack light, wear layers, and prepare for changing mountain weather, especially during spring and autumn.

For a complete equipment checklist, visit our Trekking Gear List in Nepal:

Essential Clothing

• 2–3 moisture-wicking trekking shirts
• 2 pairs of lightweight trekking pants
• Warm fleece or lightweight insulated jacket
• Waterproof and windproof rain jacket
• Thermal base layer (recommended in winter and late autumn)
• Comfortable underwear and 3–4 pairs of trekking socks
• Sun hat or cap
• Warm beanie for cool evenings
• Lightweight gloves (winter or early spring)

Footwear

• Comfortable hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip
• Camp shoes or sandals for the lodge
• Gaiters (optional during the monsoon)

Daypack Essentials

• 20–30L daypack
• Backpack rain cover
• Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder (2 litres)
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Headlamp with spare batteries
• Personal medications
• Small first aid kit
• Power bank
• Camera or smartphone

Seasonal Packing Guide

Spring (March to May)

• Lightweight trekking clothes
• Fleece jacket for cool mornings
• Waterproof shell for occasional showers
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera for rhododendron forests and mountain views

Summer / Monsoon (June to August)

• Quick-dry clothing
• Waterproof jacket and backpack cover
• Extra trekking socks
• Insect repellent
• Lightweight towel

Autumn (September to November)

• Layered clothing for changing temperatures
• Warm fleece or light down jacket
• Beanie and lightweight gloves for early mornings
• Camera with spare batteries for clear Himalayan views

Winter (December to February)

• Down or insulated jacket
• Thermal base layers
• Warm gloves and wool hat
• Thick trekking socks
• Insulated water bottle recommended for colder mornings

What North Nepal Travel & Trek Provides Free

When you book the Sikles Village Trek with North Nepal Travel & Trek, we provide the following equipment at no additional cost:

• Sleeping bag
• Trekking poles
• Duffel bag

This allows you to carry only a small daypack with your daily essentials while the rest of your gear stays in your duffel bag.

Packing Tips

• Keep your daypack under 5–7 kg for maximum comfort.
• Wear a layering system instead of carrying bulky clothing.
• Break in your hiking boots before arriving in Nepal.
• Carry your passport, valuables, medications, and electronics in your daypack.
• Since the trek remains below 2,000 meters, heavy expedition gear and mountaineering equipment are not required. A lightweight, practical packing list is all you need for a comfortable trek.

When you trek into the heart of Sikles — one of the largest and most culturally pristine Gurung settlements in the Himalayas — your comfort, cultural immersion, and trail success depend entirely on trusted local expertise. Here is why travelers choose North Nepal Travel & Trek:

100% Locally Owned & Pokhara-Based

We are proudly based right here in Pokhara, the exact operational starting gateway for the Sikles trail. Booking directly with us keeps your investment local, directly supports the village teahouses and local families, and guarantees immediate, reliable on-the-ground support from day one.

Officially Licensed & TAAN-Registered

We are a fully government-registered trekking agency and an active member of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). We guarantee complete legal compliance, professional financial security, and the highest safety standards on every trip.

Specialized Gurung Heritage & Foothill Expertise

The trail leading through the terraced hills, traditional stone-paved alleys, and forested ridges of Sikles requires deep local knowledge of weather patterns, trail variations, and authentic community connections. We bring over a decade of specialized experience mastering these exact foothill routes.

Expert Local Leadership

Your trek is personally led by our government-certified, English-speaking local guides who grew up in the region, maintain close personal ties with the Sikles community, and bring village history, traditions, and folklore vividly to life.

Top-Rated Client Satisfaction

Backed by a 4.9/5 rating across global review platforms, our travelers consistently praise our warm hospitality, expert route guidance, and unforgettable off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences just beyond Pokhara.