Sikles Trekking - 16 DAYS

Sikles TrekkingSikles Trekking made us to be pleasure ourselves on opened new and innovative trekking destination that break away from the standard. For this tea house and camping trekking we venture into hardly ever visited valleys deep within the Annapurna areas. Sikles Trekking leads the wilderness exploration away from traditional Gurung villages. Higher areas further of Pothana will be walking through safe and sound primary forest is a rare happiness anyway, but in the foothills of Nepal it is exhilarating. Along the Sikles Trekking going and coming back you will encounter and experience typical mix cultural villages.

Sikles trekking we start from Pokhara heading due north towards the holy Mt. Fishtail. Our ridgeline route offers wonderful views of the Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Manasulu ranges. Climbing while oak, rhododendron and bamboo forest we follow ancient trails to the Madi Khola valley and stay in the villages of Sikles, TangTing and Bhujung.

The track follows the high alpine summer grazing route the shepherds use to herd their flocks above the tree line. The views from the ridges of the endless blue foothills as they roll southwards are unsurpassed anywhere in the nation. This new trekking offers a really charming village experience where we get to see the real rural Nepal. We camp at unique sites, eat the local dishes and witness daily life unfold around us. We also get to see a side of the Himalayas rarely seen.

Trip day to day itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer at hotel.

Day 02: Flight to Pokhara or by bus from Kathmandu (6 to 8 hrs depending on road conditions) by air 25 minutes. Camping site at Begnas Lake/ Tea house.

Day 03: Begnas Lake to Baral:
From the lake at about909m ( 3,000 ft) the trail meanders along a low ridge with superb views. We pass several villages, some selling fish be on fire over open fires. From the ridge, we descend to the Modi Khola (river) which has its heads waters at the base of the Annapurna Glacier.

Day 04: Baral to Chyamarang:
An easy day's walk, ascending to 4,000ft(1,212m) as we follow the valley of the Modi. The Annapurna summits come into view above the foothill ridge tops. We pass villages, farms and scattered forests.

Day 05: Chyamarang to Siklis:
We gain another 1,000ft(303m), crossing the Modi Khola and then climbing, steeply at times, to the hillside village of Sikles.

Day 06: Siklis to Hoga:
The ascent takes about seven hours, the views becoming constantly more spectacular. Hoga is still under 10,000ft/3,030m, but the Annapurnas and Lamjung Himal (22,744ft/6,892m) are right in front of us.

Day 07: Layover day at Hoga:
This can be a rest day or an opportunity for an ambitious day hike to the foot of the Annapurna IV Glacier (2 or 3 hrs. from camp). The trail is steep and difficult at times, but well worth the effort. The altitude at the view point is about 11,000ft(3,333m), so there should be no worry about mountain sickness. Return to camp at Hoga.

Day 08: Hoga to Chipli:
A long trekking day, first descending to Siklis. Leaving the gorge of the Modi Khola, we climb west about 5 hrs to Chipli. The walk is not too arduous as the altitude in Chipli is still about 5,000ft(1,515m).

Day 09: Chipli to Burijung Khola:
A long day of steady climbing to a ridge top at about 9,000ft/2,727m and then a long descent to the gorge of the Seti Khola. We will camp two hours short of Burijung Khola (midway down the ridge). Here, we have a spectacular panoramic vies of Mt. Fishtail.

Day 10: Burijung Khola to Bharaburi:
This involves a steep ascent from low farm lands to rhododendron forests. We have good views of Machhapuchhare (22,942ft/6,952m from our camp at 6,000ft/1,818m.

Day 11: Layover day at Bharaburi:
Another chance to rest and relax or climb a ridge for better views of the Himalayan crests.

Day 12: Bharaburi to Chisopani:
We backtrack down to the Seti Khola, by passing Burijung Khola and carry on along the banks of the river to Chisopani ("Coldwater").

Note:The walk is about 5 hours.

Day 13: Chisopani to Pokhara :
A relatively easy six-hour day of level walking along the Seti to the lovely Pokhara valley. Transfer to hotel in Pokhara.

Day 14: Fly from Pokhara and transfer to hotel.

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu for shopping and other activities.

Day 16: Transfer to Airport for departure your home country.