Sikles Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek climbs from the foothills north of Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial basin ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the fishtail summit of Machapuchare. The camp at about 4,130 m sits inside that amphitheatre, and sunrise on the surrounding peaks is the reason most people come. The lower trail passes Gurung villages such as Ghandruk and Chhomrong, terraced fields and stone staircases, then follows the Modi Khola gorge through bamboo and rhododendron forest. Above Deurali the valley narrows and the vegetation thins before opening into the Sanctuary at Machapuchare Base Camp. The route reaches a lower altitude than the Everest region and is shorter overall, which makes it a good first Himalayan trek for fit walkers. It is still hard work: the stone steps around Chhomrong are relentless, and the gorge above Bamboo can carry avalanche risk after heavy snow, so conditions need checking in winter and early spring. Nights are spent in teahouses along the whole route, and the return passes the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda, a welcome stop for tired legs. A licence-verified guide you contact directly will know current trail conditions in the gorge and can plan the pace around how you are acclimatising.

📅 Duration: 7-12 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 4130m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks

The Annapurna Circuit loops around the Annapurna massif, climbing the Marsyangdi valley on the east side, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m, and dropping into the Kali Gandaki valley on the west. Over two to three weeks the landscape changes from rice terraces and subtropical forest to pine and juniper, then to the dry, high plateau around Manang and Muktinath, which sits in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The route passes through Gurung, Manangi and Thakali villages, Buddhist gompas and chortens, and the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Teahouses are found in every village, so you sleep indoors and eat in lodge dining rooms along the whole route. Roads now reach far up both valleys, and most trekkers take a jeep for the lower sections and walk from around Dharapani or Chame. Quieter footpaths on the opposite bank of the river, such as the upper route via Ghyaru and Ngawal, avoid much of the traffic. The crossing day is long and starts before dawn, which is why an acclimatisation day in Manang matters. The trek suits fit walkers with some hiking experience who are comfortable with several days above 4,000 m. A licence-verified guide you contact directly can adjust the pace, choose the quieter trails and judge conditions on the pass.

📅 Duration: 14-21 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 5416m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a short loop in the foothills west of Pokhara, climbing through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Poon Hill at 3,210 m. From the top, the sunrise view takes in Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range, Machapuchare and many lesser peaks across the skyline. Most of the trek stays below 3,000 m, so altitude is rarely a concern, but the trail involves long stone staircases, especially the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri. Days are moderate in length, and lodges are plentiful in every village, from Ulleri and Ghorepani on the ridge to Tadapani and the stone-built Gurung village of Ghandruk on the way down. It suits first-time trekkers, families with active children, and anyone short on time who wants a taste of Himalayan trekking without high altitude. In March and April the rhododendron forests flower in red and pink; in autumn and winter the skies are usually clearest for the mountain views. A licence-verified local guide you contact directly can arrange permits and transport from Pokhara, time the Poon Hill climb for the clearest sunrise, and explain the villages and culture along the way.

📅 Duration: 4-7 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 3210m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks