Sikles Trek

Sikles Trek Best Season

The 12 days Sikles trek is breathtakingly stunning all seasons of Nepal including winter, autumn, summer and spring. However, fall/autumn and spring are particularly regarded as the excellent time for this trek.

Spring is the pre-monsoon time starting from March and ending in May that adds a magnificent touch of color to the landscape of Annapurna with flowering rhododendrons.

The heat also gradually rises from 12 degree Celsius to 17 degree Celsius with light sporadic rain to ease the long hour hike. The animals and birds are particularity active and the forests are filled with unique flora endemic to the region.

The fall or autumn is the post-monsoon time beginning from mid-September and lasting till November which offers the most spectacular mountain views. The heat also wander between 10 to 14 degree Celsius with tranquil blue sky.

The winter beginning from mod December lasting till February will not hinder Sikles Trek as it is the balcony trek to Annapurna. The 2713 m of Ghale Gaon will not see much of snow and heat will also remain tolerably cold.

As for the monsoon rains, they will start from June and lasts till early September. The Annapurna area in Nepal is one of the wettest regions, so if you decide to take the Sikles trek during this time, you will have to confront wild rivers, muddy and slippery trails, and lush forests that are abundant with leeches and mosquitoes.

Sikles Trek Route: Difficulty Level and Challenges

The Sikles trek route in the Annapurna is among the easiest low altitude and short mountain trekking trail that is perfectly walkable by anyone with the moderate physical condition, and health.

The route has no technical requirement except for few steady ascent and descent. The maximum elevation is at Ghale Gaon peaking just over 2500 m which means no worries about the altitude sickness.

The hiking is also not extensive and long needing only 4 to 6 hours of time each day with a lunch break in between. So the Sikles trek route is suitable for anyone wanting to immerse in the authentic vibe of Nepal without needing a ton of trekking or climbing skills.

However, unlike other routes in the Annapurna area, this trek mainly offers stays in local home stays, so you can’t expect the same luxury as you will get on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. So a decent level of fitness and mental toughness are the two elements needed for this journey.

Who can take part in 12 days Sikles Trek?

The simplicity, easiness, brevity, and low elevations are the key elements of our 12 days Sikles trek. So, the trek is best suited for any age group, caliber, and capacity.

You can even undertake this trek with your parents, grandparents, and children and make it a memorable family holiday trip in the astounding Annapurna mountains of Nepal.

Because the trek reaches a maximum height of 2,700 meters, so it is also appropriate for people with health conditions that often limit their option of engaging in more challenging mountain treks, such as those with heart, lung, or kidney issues.

However, we still suggest you talk to your physician about the nature of the trip and get their approval and advice before the trek.

The Sikles trek also offers a cultural insight into the lives of the Gurung people, so this trip can be very appealing to those who have a keen interest in cultural experiences.

In addition, the Sikles trek route is also lined with lush jungles rich in unique endemic flora and fauna, as well as rare bird species so this trip will be a delight for bird watchers, nature enthusiasts, botanists, and wildlife lovers.

If you are crazy about photography, then there will be numerous opportunities for you to capture breathtaking images of people, nature, and scenic views. If you have a busy lifestyle, then the 12 days Sikles trek can be cut short to a week. You can also present this trek as a thoughtful gift to someone you value.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

The chances of experiencing altitude sickness during our Sikles trek itinerary are significantly very less. Most of the time, you will be at a low altitude with the maximum elevation at Ghale Gaon at 2713 m while the Sikles Village itself rests at 1980 m.

So, these elevations are not high from sea level with rich oxygen concentration making the occurrence of acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness very rare.

That’s why, we have not included any rest days in our Sikles trek itinerary, apart from your time in Kathmandu so ou will get used to the lower altitude air of Nepal.

To further help in your acclimatization, we also have planned shorter walking days in between so that you have plenty of chances to take in the stunning views, interact with locals, and delve into the vibrant culture of the valley.

However, please remember that we can’t predict the occurrence of AMS which differs from one individual to another. If this trek is relatively new for you, if you have never walked to the altitude of more than 2000 m, then very mild manifestation may effect you.

Such as trouble sleeping, fatigue, vomiting, headache and body ache. In such instances, the bets solution will be to halt your walk and rest at the same elevation and intake plenty of fluid (water, tea, soups etc).

You can also opt for Ibuprofen or aspiring if you have only headache and for other symptoms, you can take Diamox which aid in the quick acclimatization.

Please walk steadily and slowly, do not compete, and maintain proper hydration throughout.

Training and Preparation for the 12 Days Sikles Trek

Although our 12 days Sikles trek is easy and simple without the necessity of even a hiking pole, it still demands a moderate physical condition from its travelers.

After all, you will still be tackling the uneven terrains of Annapurna for several days with a  light backpack on your shoulder. So please don’t underestimate the demands of the Sikles trek and get on with your preparation and training before your departure date nears.

The fitness is the key factor for this trek which is made up of endurance, strength, flexibility, and speed. You can improve your fitness through regular exercise such as swimming, skating, walking, rowing, jogging, or cycling.

Those who prepare with these exercises regularly before our Sikles trek will find it easier to tackle the strain of the trip. You can also integrate stair ascending and descending to your exercise which will help build up your core leg muscles.

Whatever type of sports or exercise you choose in, please make sure to set specific training times throughout the week. Start lightly and slowly increase the intensity and don’t put too much stress on your body.

Alternate Sikles Trek Route

There is another alternate route to the Sikles trek that you can take in the reverse direction from our proposed Sikles trek itinerary. Instead of starting at Ghale Gaon, you can finish your trek there by beginning your journey from Pokhara to Chansu.

From Chansu, you will advance to Tanting and then to Sikles Village, after which you can return to Ghale Gaon and then to Pokhara. Additionally, you can also choose to add the Tara Top Hike to your Sikles trek itinerary.

Tara Top is a grassy, forested hill that rises to an altitude of 3056 meters and offers the 360-degree round view of the Annapurna massif that stretches across half of central Nepal, with the foothills of the Himalayas down to the Ganges and the Indian plains.

Another beautiful option to enhance your Sikles trek is to include a trek to Kapuche Glacial Lake, which is the world’s lowest glacial lake at an altitude of just 2546 meters.

For this trek, you will head to Sikles Village and then proceed to Huwu or Hugu before reaching the lake. Due to the availability of roads, you can also opt to take a jeep directly to Sikles so you can complete your journey within a day or two.

Lodging, Eating, and Transportation

As your dependable partner in Nepal, we will look after your comfortable stay, dining options and your ground transfers. When you reach Kathmandu, our private transfer will be ready to drive you to your selected lodging.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, our standard arranged accommodation for you will be in a three-star rated hotel where you will share your room with same gender traveler. You will also have your own bathroom with hot water and WiFi access.

Breakfast will be served each morning in your overnight hotel but you can cater yourself for lunches and dinners. As for the Kathmandu City tour, a private four wheel with our guide will be ready to take you around the city.

You will start your journey with a local bus or tourist bus drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu. From Pokhara, a local sharing jeep will take you towards Milanchowk.

During the trek, the local tea houses or home stays will be arranged for your peaceful warm nights in the villages. The tea houses or home stays will be pretty modest with a small room with two and sometimes three single beds that come with pillow, mattress and blanket.

The toilets may have to be shared among the travelers which generally come in squatting style. You ma get the hot water for your shower but at the extra charge payment.

You will also be able to power up your phones, camera and other electric gadgets at minima extra charge. The possibility of WiFi access in these tea houses are also present but we cannot promise you that so you can depend on the NTC or Namaste 4G data packages.

Regarding the dining options, in every tea house, you will have the fresh home-cooked meals. The omnipresent dish will be of course Dal Vat and Tarkari along with momos, dhido (millet paste), gundruk (fermented vegetables), noodles, thukpa, eggs, and sel roti.

As you end your Sikles trek, a local jeep will transfer you to Pokhara from where a tourist or local bus will journey you back to Kathmandu.

Compulsory Permits for Sikles Trek

To engage in the circuit route of Sikles trek, we need to have the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card.

These permits are available in the tourist centers in Kathmandu or Pokhara at 2000 NPR for TIMS and 3000 NPR for ACAP. We provide a full-service solution for managing all fees and the complete permit application process.

Travel Insurance

Although the Sikles trek is brief and low, still, its diverse terrain comprising of few steep climbs can pose few challenges of accidents and injuries. Also, there may be a chance that you suffer from serious AMS that may need an emergency medical transfer in helicopter.

For this reason, we advise you to have travel insurance for our 12 days Sikles trek. Plus, it is also a mandatory for procuring the TIMS Card. Assure that your policy supports your medical expenses, and transfers up to the altitude of 3000 m along with extensive protection against theft, delays, cancellation, and damage to your baggage.