The Sikles trekking is off the main trails and we are likely to be warmly welcomed at the villages we pass through. A roughly circular route leads through villages of the Buddhist Gurung people, of Tibetan origin. We walk through rice paddies and cornfields and then cut over a ridge clad in lush forest with Machapuchare at times dominating the Annapurnas.

Although close to the main trekking region in the Annapurna region, Silkis Trek is a far less developed route with very few lodges or guest houses. Our destination is the beautiful and extremely well-kept village of Siklis, perched on a hillock at an altitude of 1980 m. Siklis is famous for its well maintained rustic flair and traditional Gurung village experience. The village has five traditional neighborhoods (Lama-thar, Sabha-thar, Harpu-thar, Dhaprang-thar and Gairi-thar), each bearing its own significance in the community. Here, the Jhankri (shaman) and Lama (priest) have important roles in this Buddhist community, marriage, death and day-today lives.

Siklis village lies above the Mardi Khola (1,981 m), overlooking Annapurna IV to the north and Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal to the east.