Sikles trek, Seti rafting and Chitwan


Annapurna IV - approaching Tanting village (Photo: Robert)

Sikles, Seti and Chitwan (15 days, 14 nights)

This trek is to the village of Sikles - the largest Gurung village in Nepal. Sikles is located in the foothills of the Annapurna mountains - in the shadows of Lamjung himal and Annapurna II and IV. Compared to other areas in the Annapurna region, this area is frequented by fewer trekkers. You are able to experience the Gurung culture with locals entertaining you with song and dance at Tanthing or Parje.

After the trek, you will raft down the Seti river (class 1 to 3) to Chitwan where you will explore the wildlife and culture of the Nepali plains.

The trek is rated mildly strenuous and is moderately paced. No technical climbing is involved and you do not have to be an experienced hiker to participate. This trek is open for children 12 years or older.

 

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel. Rest of day free. Welcome dinner at a Nepali Home. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu

Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here, you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River.

Then drive to Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is a medieval city in the Kathmandu valley and is least disturbed by modern life. Here, you can absorb the architectural splendor of the five-storied Nyatapola temple, or the sculptural delight of the Peacock Window. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Kalikashthan

Board a private bus to Kalikasthan - near Pokhara (7 hours drive). Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 04, 05, 06 and 07: Trek to Sikles

Steadily ascend to the village of Sikles descending to the river, then ascending to Sikles. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 08: Drive to Pokhara


Dancing villagers (Photo: Robert)

Trek end. Drive to Pokhara. Overnight Hotel Fairmount. (All meals)

Day 09 - Pokhara


Relax in Pokhara. Overnight Hotel Fairmount. (Breakfast)

Day 10 - Damauli

Drive 2 hours to Damauli of the Prithvi Highway to begin rafting. Enjoy full day of scenic rafting on the Seti river. Overnight Camp on the beach. (All meals)

Day 11 - Chitwan

Rafting ends in Gaighat. Drive 1/2 hour to Machan Resort. Overnight at Machan Resort. (All meals)

Day 12 and 13 - Chitwan jungle activities

Full days of jungle activities including elephant-back ride in the Chitwan jungle, canoe ride to view crocodiles on the Rapti river, jungle walk, jungle drive etc. (All meals)

Day 14 - Chitwan to Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Day free. Farewell dinner in the evening. (Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 15 - Final Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. (Breakfast)

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

Download reservation form (Word)»

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person. The deposit must be wired. We will refund up to $30 to cover your wire expenses. Wire details will be provided. The balance of the amount must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks or cash.

Prices are quoted in US$, GB Pound and Australian $. Despite a possibility of currency fluctuation, these prices are guaranteed! Payment is by nationality i.e., Americans pay in US$, Australians pay in Australian $ etc...

 

Trek Rating:

This trek is rated mildly strenuous and is moderately paced. The trek involves daily hiking of between 5-6 hours on average but the entire trek involves lots of up and down. Highest altitude reached is at Sikles (5,800 ft.). While the trek requires good physical fitne, no technical climbing experience is required nor do you have to be a very experienced hiker.

References:

Crystal Mountain organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers each year. Feel free to ask us for a list of references who can tell you about their experience with us.

Comments from some of our younger clients:

"Before I came to Nepal I had no idea what to expect. From the moment we arrived we were looked after, picked up at the airport, driven where we needed to go and always handed over to someone who spoke good English. There were so many highlights. The people we met, particularly children, while we were trekking in the Annapurna region were a definite highlight. One village in particular had a bunch of little girls who were fascinated by my brother and I blowing soap bubbles. Trekking was nothing like tramping we do in New Zealand. Again we were so well looked after; it was luxury with a full three course meal each night and lovely cooked breakfasts and lunches (a huge thanks to Puna the cook). Our guide Lilla was really nice and told us all sorts of things about the region and towns we could never have found out ourselves, as well as being understanding and letting us stop lots on steep hills. The rest of the trekking crew were all gentlemen and went out of their way to help us.

In Pokhara the shops all along the lakeside were fascinating; they have everything from rip-off North Face gear to Ghurkha swords. Rafting on the Seti River was beautiful, but we still had enough of an adrenalin rush for it to be exciting. When we got to Chitwan the elephant bathing was incredible. I had heard that we would get to ride the elephants in to the water but nothing could have prepared me for the experience. After the tiny elephant driver hauled us up on to the elephant, Ghan (the elephant) waded out in to deeper water. Suddenly her trunk arched up over her head and squirted me full in the face. Our driver soon established that we could all swim, after a quick command Ghan flung herself sideways launching us in to the water. Being so close to such remarkable animals was truly a once in a life time experiance but lots of people, like my mum, could still touch them and watch them without getting wet.

Thanks Crystal Mountain Treks for making everything run smoothly, I had a great time."

Jessie McNoe, 13 years
New Zealand
Sikles Trek - 2009

"I didn’t know what to expect when I left Auckland airport but that just enhanced my experience. From the moment we left arrivals at Kathmandu airport we were in good hands. Ram Hari, the logistics guy, packed us into the van and for the rest of the trip he ensured that we were where we need to be- a difficult task in Nepal from what I saw. There are so many things to see in Kathmandu and my only regret is not having more time there. We toured many sites in the Kathmandu Valley with the company.

Boudhanath is a must see and Binay Rani our cultural and spiritual guru was fantastic he explained the significance of the various places we visited. Binay greatly enhanced the experience and was amazingly knowledgeable. He talked to the monks of some of the monasteries we visited and got us in to watch the monks chant. Having a local guide allowed us to see many things that are not usually available to tourists.

Trekking in the Annapurna’s with Lilla Subba was amazing, the size of the mountains can’t be appreciated until you are in the foot hills. We travelled through areas that are relatively tourist free this allowed us to see what life is really like for the villagers I think they were as interesting to us as we were to them. Lilla, Puna and the porters looked after us well and cooked us brilliant food.

After trekking we rafted down the Seti river this was exhilaration for us but tame enough that Mum could enjoy it. Again we were well looked after and camping on the beach beside the river was brilliant.

We were picked up after rafting and stayed two nights at the rhino residency at Chitwan national park. This was one of the highlights of the trip and elephant riding through the jungle was amazing. Our guide BP was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and took us down to the river to wash the elephants."

Lachlan McNoe, 16 years
New Zealand
Sikles Trek - 2009

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813
Mobile: + 977 98410-00724