Private Vehicle + Short Trek4 Days

Home Stay in Sikles Village

Off-the-Beaten-Path Gurung Heritage Experience

Home ToursHome Stay in Sikles Village

Duration

4 Days

Difficulty

Easy

Best For

Off-the-beaten-path travelers & cultural immersion seekers

Transport

Private Vehicle + Short Trek

Overview

Home Stay in Sikles Village

Discover Sikles — one of Nepal’s oldest and largest Gurung villages, hidden 36 km northeast of Pokhara in the Annapurna foothills. Unlike popular trekking destinations, Sikles sees very few visitors, offering a truly authentic and undisturbed cultural experience. Stay in a traditional stone, mud, and brick house, cook on a Daura Chulo (wood stove), watch Ghatu and Sorathi cultural dances, and hike to Rising Danda for panoramic views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Lamjung, and Manaslu. This is village Nepal as it has been for centuries.

Why This Tour

One of Nepal’s oldest and largest Gurung settlements — 300+ households
Very few tourists — authentic, undisturbed village experience
Traditional Gurung dances: Ghatu and Sorathi performances
Cooking on Daura Chulo (traditional wood stove) with locals
Rising Danda viewpoint — Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu panorama
Bird watching — the area is rich in Himalayan bird species

Day by Day

Detailed Itinerary

Drive from Pokhara to Hemja (20 min), then continue to the trailhead. Trek 3–4 hours through forests, farmland, and small settlements to reach Sikles village (2,000m). The path passes through Tangting village with mountain views throughout. Arrive at your Gurung homestay, meet the family, and settle in. Evening welcome with local millet wine and cultural stories around the fire.

Trek through rural Nepal
Tangting village
Gurung family welcome
Millet wine tasting

Morning walk through the village’s stone-paved streets. Visit the local monastery, observe traditional crafts (weaving, pottery), and interact with village elders who share oral histories of the Gurung people. Learn to cook traditional dhido (buckwheat porridge) on the Daura Chulo. Afternoon hike to nearby viewpoints. Evening Ghatu and Sorathi dance performance by villagers.

Village heritage walk
Traditional crafts
Cooking on Daura Chulo
Gurung dances

Early morning hike to Rising Danda viewpoint for a spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range — Machhapuchhre, Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu are all visible. The area is excellent for bird watching with species like the Himalayan Monal, Danphe, and various pheasants. Return to the village for lunch with the family. Afternoon free for reflection, photography, or simply sitting on the porch watching village life unfold.

Rising Danda panorama
Himalayan Monal sighting
Bird watching
Mountain photography

Morning farewell breakfast with the host family. Trek back to the road head (3 hours downhill). Drive to Pokhara lakeside (30 min). Free time for lakeside lunch and shopping. Transfer to airport or continue to next destination.

Farewell breakfast
Downhill trek
Pokhara lakeside

What's Covered

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

3 Nights homestay accommodation with a Gurung family
All meals — traditional home-cooked food (dhido, dal bhat, gundruk, local dishes)
Private vehicle: Pokhara to trailhead and return
ACAP permit
English/Hindi-speaking trekking guide
Cultural dance performance
Cooking class with host family

Not Included

Travel to/from Pokhara
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages (local millet wine included)
Tips for host family and guide
Travel insurance
Porter (optional)

Experience

What to Expect

True Isolation

Sikles is off the tourist trail. No souvenir shops, no WiFi (limited mobile signal), no crowds. Just authentic village life, mountain views, and the sound of wind.

Ancient Culture

The Gurung people of Sikles have maintained their traditions for centuries. Ghatu dance, Daura Chulo cooking, and oral storytelling connect you to a living heritage.

Mountain Paradise

At 2,000m, Sikles offers panoramic views of five major Himalayan peaks. The Rising Danda viewpoint rivals any trekking destination’s vista.

Easy Trek

The 3–4 hour trek is on moderate trails through beautiful countryside. No technical sections. Suitable for moderately fit travelers.

Planning

Best Time to Visit

Autumn

Sep – Nov

Recommended

Clearest mountain views. Harvest season in the village. Comfortable temperatures for trekking.

Spring

Mar – May

Recommended

Rhododendrons bloom along the trail. Bird activity peaks. Warm days, cool evenings.

Winter

Dec – Feb

Not Ideal

Cold but clear. Snow possible above 2,500m. Very few visitors — ultimate solitude. Layer up.

Monsoon

Jun – Aug

Not Ideal

Leeches on trails, muddy paths, clouds obscure views. Not recommended.

Getting There

How to Reach

Reach Pokhara

25 min / 7 hrs

Fly or bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Pokhara is the gateway to Sikles.

Drive to trailhead

30–45 min

Private vehicle from Pokhara to Hemja, then continue to the Sikles trail starting point.

Trek to Sikles

3–4 hrs

3–4 hour moderate trek through Tangting village, forests, and farmland to Sikles (2,000m).

Gallery

Tour Photos

FAQ

Common Questions

Sikles is 36 km from Pokhara but accessible only by a 3–4 hour trek from the road. There’s limited mobile coverage (NTC works intermittently), no ATMs, and no shops. Bring everything you need.

Yes, the trek is moderate — 3–4 hours on a well-defined path with no technical sections. You don’t need trekking experience, just reasonable fitness for uphill walking.

Sikles is more remote and less touristic than Ghandruk. While Ghandruk has lodges and some modern facilities, Sikles offers a rawer, more authentic village experience with almost no outside visitors.

At 2,000m, mosquitoes are rare. Leeches can be present during monsoon season (Jun–Aug) on forest trails. Outside monsoon, leech risk is minimal.