Kori Danda Trek - 9 Days

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The Kori Danda Trek takes you from Sikles, one of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, up to Kori Danda (3,850 m), a high alpine ridge above the treeline with open views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre. Kori Danda is located in the Madi area of Kaski District, inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, at approximately 28°25′09″ N, 84°10′49″ E. It lies roughly 45 kilometers northeast of Pokhara as the road runs. The trail runs through oak and rhododendron forest, past a scattering of small Gurung settlements, and finally opens onto alpine pasture above the treeline, where the trees give way to open meadow, and the mountains fill the skyline. The whole trip can be done from Kathmandu in about nine days, with the trekking portion itself taking only four days. Kori Danda sees far fewer visitors than nearby routes like Poon Hill or Mardi Himal, largely because the trailhead sits off the main Annapurna routes and the road to Sikles is still rougher than the roads leading to those better-known trails. That makes it a good choice if you want a short, high-viewpoint trek without walking alongside large groups.

Grade: Easy to Moderate

Trip Overview
Duration9 Days
Trip GradeBeginner
CountryNepal
Maximum Altitude3,850 m (Kori Danda)
Group Size1-20
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu
ActivitiesCultural Trekking
Best TimeAll year round (avoid peak monsoon and winter)

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

  • Reach Kori Danda (3,850 m), a high alpine ridge with sweeping views of the Himalayan peaks around it.
  • Explore Sikles (1,980 m), a traditional Gurung village in the Annapurna region known for its stone-paved paths, old-style houses, and close-knit community life.
  • Spend the night at Tasha (2,700 m), a small settlement above Sikles and the main stopover before Kori Danda.
  • Take in views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre from the higher parts of the trail.
  • Walk through oak and rhododendron forests between Sikles and Tasha, with the rhododendrons blooming beautifully in spring.
  • Enjoy a quieter route through the Sikles and Madi area, away from some of the more crowded trails in the Annapurna region.
  • Extend your trip with a visit to Kapuche Lake or another nearby route if you're up for a longer adventure.

The Kori Danda Trek pairs a short Himalayan hike with convenient travel from Kathmandu. You fly to Pokhara, drive to Sikles, then follow the trail through Tasha up to Kori Danda before heading back to Sikles and on to Kathmandu.

The drive to Sikles winds through the Madi area, passing small villages and terraced hillsides along the way. Some parts of the road can get rough, especially in wet weather, so this is factored into how the trip is planned!

The trek gains altitude at a gentle pace, starting from Sikles and climbing gradually through Tasha before reaching Kori Danda. This gives your body time to adjust to the elevation before you hit the highest point of the journey.

Between Sikles and Tasha, the trail runs through oak and rhododendron forest, with parts of the path leading toward the Madi River before climbing again. As you go higher, the trees start to thin out, and the landscape opens up into alpine pasture near Kori Danda.

Kori Danda itself is more of a wide grassy ridge than a technical peak. On a clear day, you'll get open views of Annapurna II (7,937 m), Lamjung Himal (6,988 m) and Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). The pasture and mountain scenery here are really the highlight of the whole trek.

Compared to some of the more popular Annapurna trails, this route feels quieter and more rustic. Facilities up in the higher sections are basic, but that's also part of what gives the trek its untouched, rural feel.

Why Trek Kori Danda with Himalayan Ecstasy Nepal?

  • Experienced local support: Our team takes care of the logistics between Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sikles, Tasha and Kori Danda, so you don't have to worry about the transport and trekking arrangements.
  • Licensed guide: A licensed guide travels with you, managing the daily route, pace, accommodation and other practical details along the way.
  • Kathmandu to Kathmandu logistics: We handle the whole trip from Kathmandu, including your flight to Pokhara, transport to Sikles and the return journey. The standard return is by road, though a Pokhara to Kathmandu flight can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Flexible itinerary: Want more time in the Sikles and Madi area? The trek can be extended with Kapuche Lake or another suitable route.
  • Manageable pace: The itinerary is built so you climb gradually from Sikles to Tasha and then on to Kori Danda, rather than rushing straight to the top.
  • Safety and support: Your guide carries a first-aid kit and keeps an eye on the group throughout, especially during the higher stretches of the trek.
  • Permit assistance: We take care of the permits and registrations you need, based on whatever regulations are in place at the time of your trip.

Main Attractions of the Kori Danda Trek

Here's a closer look at the main places and experiences you'll encounter on this trek:

Kori Danda (3,850 m)

Kori Danda is a wide alpine ridge sitting above the tree line, and it's the highest point of the trek. Up here, the open landscape gives you wide, uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountains, including Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre, weather permitting.

Alpine pasture and open mountain terrain surround the ridge, offering a striking contrast to the forested trail you walked to get there. Take your time here to wander around, snap some photos and soak in the mountain views before heading back toward Tasha.

Sikles Village (1,980 m)

Sikles is a traditional Gurung village in the Annapurna region and marks the starting point of the Kori Danda trek. The village is known for its stone paved paths, traditional houses, terraced farmland and a strong sense of community.

It's a great place to get a taste of Gurung culture before you head into the higher parts of the trek. Sitting in the hills above Pokhara, Sikles also eases you gradually from city life into the quieter mountain setting ahead.

Tasha (2,700 m)

Tasha is a small settlement and a key overnight stop on the way to Kori Danda. From Sikles, the trail climbs through forest and slowly enters higher mountain terrain before reaching Tasha.

Facilities here are simple, with local teahouse stays and basic meals. Its location makes it a practical place to rest up before pushing on to Kori Danda the next day.

Sikles to Tasha Forest Trail

The trail connecting Sikles and Tasha runs through oak and rhododendron forests, keeping much of the walk shaded and cool. Come spring, especially around March and April, the rhododendrons burst into color and light up the forest.

As you climb, the vegetation slowly shifts, and the surroundings start to open up. Because this trail sees less foot traffic than some of the region's more established routes, you get more space to actually take in the scenery around you!

Gurung Culture Along the Trail

This trek also gives you a real window into the Gurung culture of the Sikles area. Sikles and the villages nearby have deep roots in farming, livestock and highland grazing.

Walking through the village and staying in local accommodation offers a genuine look at daily life here. And as the landscape shifts from farmland near Sikles to grazing pasture higher up, you get a clear sense of how people use the mountain at different elevations.

Trek Extension Option: Kapuche Lake

If you'd like to spend more time in the Sikles and Madi area, you can extend the Kori Danda Trek. Kapuche Lake is a top choice, and other nearby routes are worth considering, depending on current trail conditions and accommodation availability.

The extension can be shaped around your schedule and pace. Depending on which route you choose, the whole trip can run 9 to 10 days or longer, Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with extra trekking days added around the core Kori Danda route.

Kori Danda Trek - 9 Days Itinerary

Kathmandu to KathmanduExpand all

Our team meets you at Kathmandu airport and transfers you to your hotel by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free to rest, explore Thamel, or pick up any last piece of trekking gear.

In the evening, your guide joins you for a short trip briefing at the hotel, checks your gear, and answers any questions before the trek begins!

Max Altitude: 1,400 m Accommodation: 3-star hotelTransportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you take a short domestic flight to Pokhara, which takes around 25 minutes and offers mountain views from the window on a clear day. This is the standard arrangement for this package, and it saves what would otherwise be a full day of road travel.

Once you land, the rest of the day is free. Pokhara sits beside Phewa Lake, and it is worth using the afternoon to relax by the lakeside, since this is your last night in a larger town before the trek begins. It is also a good evening to buy last-minute snacks or personal items, since options become limited once you leave for Sikles.

Note: If time allows, you can even book our 1-Day Pokhara Sightseeing Package. This lets you properly explore the "Tourism Capital of Nepal" with a government-licensed tour guide before proceeding to the trekking trails.

Max Altitude: 820 m Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: 3-star HotelTransportation: Domestic flight

A local jeep picks you up after breakfast for the drive to Sikles, a journey of about 45 kilometers that takes around 3 to 4 hours. The road crosses the Vijaypur Bridge, heading northeast into Madi Rural Municipality, on a mix of paved road and rougher hill track as you climb away from Pokhara.

The road passes smaller Gurung and Magar settlements, with terraced fields becoming steeper as you gain altitude, and a few sections, especially in the wetter months, can be slow going due to the terrain. On clear days, your guide can point out Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal from the road.

Sikles has stone-paved paths and closely built traditional houses, and is home to both Gurung and Ghale families. You check into a teahouse or homestay for the night, and the evening is a good time to walk through the village and visit the local community museum if it is open.

Max Altitude: 1,980 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Teahouse or homestayTransportation: Local jeep

The trail leaves Sikles and drops toward the Madi River, passing near a small hydropower station, before climbing steadily on the far side through oak and rhododendron forest toward Tasha. The walk covers roughly 6 kilometers and takes about 5 to 6 hours. The trail includes both descents and steady uphill sections as you make your way toward Tasha.

Along the way, you pass a few smaller Gurung settlements and grazing patches, where you may see cattle or goats along the trail, and birdlife is common in the forest sections. Tasha is a small teahouse settlement with simple facilities, set in a quiet forest clearing well above Sikles.

Max Altitude: 2,700 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Teahouse

Today is the main climbing day of the trek. The trail leaves the treeline behind, covering roughly 7 kilometers, and gains over 1,000 meters over about 5 to 6 hours of walking.

The path climbs through the last stretches of forest before opening onto alpine pasture, where the gradient eases even as the views widen.

As you climb, Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and eventually Machhapuchhre come into view, and by the time you reach Kori Danda the ridge opens onto a full panorama, with prayer flags marking the high point and grazing pasture stretching around it.

Facilities at Kori Danda are basic, with a small teahouse or community lodge depending on the season, so this is the one night on the trip with the simplest setup.

Max Altitude: 3,850 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Basic teahouse or community lodge

You have the early morning free to enjoy the sunrise views from the ridge before beginning the descent, and clear mornings are usually the best time for photographs here.

The walk back down to Tasha covers the same ground as Day 5 in reverse and takes about 3 to 4 hours, noticeably easier than the climb up!

Max Altitude: 2,700 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Teahouse

You retrace the forest trail back toward Sikles, descending toward the Madi River again before the final short climb into the village, a walk of about 5 to 6 hours over roughly 6 kilometers.

Once you reach Sikles, you have time to rest and explore the village before spending your final night on the trekking route.

Max Altitude: 1,980 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Teahouse

After breakfast, a jeep takes you back down to Pokhara, a drive of about 3 to 4 hours on the same road as Day 3.

From Pokhara, you continue the same day by road to Kathmandu, a further 6 to 7 hours, following the standard Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. This makes Day 8 a long travel day, with roughly 9 to 11 hours of combined driving.

If you would rather split the return into two shorter days, or take a return flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu instead of the road journey, we can arrange this as an optional upgrade at an additional cost, which shortens the day considerably.

Note: We also offer an extension of this trek to 10 Days with one more night in Pokhara for proper rest.

Max Altitude: 1,400 m Meals: B, LAccommodation: 3-star hotelTransportation: Jeep, then private vehicle (or optional domestic flight)

After breakfast at your hotel, you have some free time depending on your flight schedule. If your departure isn't until later in the day, this is a good window to pick up any last souvenir, visit a nearby shop in Thamel, or simply relax before the journey home.

Your guide or a HEN representative stays in touch throughout the morning to confirm your pickup time, which is set with enough buffer before your international flight to account for Kathmandu traffic and airport check-in procedures. A private vehicle then takes you to Kathmandu airport, where our team sees you off.

This marks the end of your Kori Danda Trek. If you enjoyed the trip and are interested in a longer version with Kapuche Lake, or want to plan a different trek with us in the future, this is also a good time to talk it over with your guide before you fly out!

Meals: BreakfastTransportation: Private vehicle

Trip Cost Details

Includes

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure by private vehicle
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara flight (one-way)
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu by private vehicle (standard return option)
  • Jeep transportation from Pokhara to Sikles and from Sikles back to Pokhara
  • 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara before and after the trek
  • All meals and teahouse or homestay accommodation during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner), with tea and coffee
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • TIMS card
  • A licensed, English-speaking trekking guide for the full trip
  • Insurance for your guide and porter during the trip
  • Porter service for your baggage (18-20 kg per porter, 2:1 ratio)
  • A returnable duffel bag and a company t-shirt
  • A first aid kit carried by all staff

Excludes

  • International flight tickets and Nepal entry visa fee
  • Personal travel and health insurance covering emergency evacuation
  • Return flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, if chosen instead of the standard road journey
  • Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging fees on the trail
  • All beverages such as soft drinks, mineral water, beer, and other alcohol
  • Personal expenses, toiletries, and laundry
  • An additional personal porter, if requested
  • Your personal warm clothing for the trek
  • Costs from natural disasters, political disruption, road blockages, or other events beyond our control
  • Costs from early voluntary or involuntary departure, which are non-refundable
  • Extra days added beyond the planned itinerary, charged separately
  • Tips for your guide and porter
  • Any service not listed above

Essential Information

Best Time to Do the Kori Danda Trek

The Kori Danda Trek is a fantastic choice every month of the year. Yes, even during monsoon and winter!

The summer rains transform the pastures into vibrant, lush green meadows blooming with wildflowers, making Kori Danda a rapidly growing favorite for monsoon trekking.

And as a moderate, lower-altitude trek (3,850 m), it becomes an ideal snow-trekking destination offering crisp winter days and stunning, clear views of the snow-dusted Himalayas.

But if we really have to suuggest a few months, we'd say aim for late September to December or March to May. That's when the weather works in your favor for both walking and mountain views!

Late September through November tends to be a favorite window. Once the monsoon clears out, the skies open up and you get some of the best mountain visibility of the year. Just keep in mind that nights start getting chilly as winter creeps in, especially up at Tasha and Kori Danda.

If you're trekking December through February, expect colder temperatures at higher elevations. 

Spring (March to May) brings warmer days, and this is when the rhododendron forests between Sikles and Tasha really come alive with color!

Permits and Regulations on This Trek

Since this route runs through the Annapurna Conservation Area (looked after by the National Trust for Nature Conservation), you'll need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Don't worry about sorting this yourself, since we take care of it as part of your trip!

If any extra registration or permits come into play based on regulations at the time of your travel, we'll handle those too. One thing to remember: bring your passport along on the trek, since your guide might need it for permit checks or identification along the way.

Kori Danda Trek Difficulty

This one sits in the easy to moderate range, with no technical climbing and no high passes to worry about. The real test is the climb from Tasha (2,700 m) up to Kori Danda (3,850 m), where you gain over 1,000 meters in a single day.

Along the way, you'll pass through forest trails, uneven rocky patches, and increasingly steep ground as you near Kori Danda. Most days involve about 3 to 6 hours of walking, though this shifts depending on the trail conditions and how fast you like to go.

You don't need to be an athlete for this, just reasonably fit. Getting in some regular walks, hikes, or light cardio beforehand will make the uphill stretches feel a lot easier. And your guide will keep the pace comfortable, with breaks built in for the climb.

Accommodation and Food on This Route

You'll spend your nights in local teahousesor homestays in Sikles, teahouses in Tasha, and 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Don't expect luxury on the trail. Rooms are typically twin-share with shared bathrooms, kept simple and practical!

The higher you go, the more basic things get. Around Kori Danda especially, facilities are limited, so pack a warm sleeping bag and solid cold-weather gear.

Meals are covered throughout the trek, and you'll be eating the classics: dal bhat, noodles, momos, soups, plus tea or coffee when it's available. What's on the menu each day depends on what the local teahouse can offer.

How to Prepare for the Kori Danda Trek?

Here's how to get ready for this short but moderately demanding trek:

  • Build your fitness first: Regular walking, hiking, or light cardio beforehand will make those long uphill stretches much more manageable.
  • Pack in layers: Temperatures swing quite a bit between Sikles, Tasha, and Kori Danda, especially early morning and at night.
  • Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated and keeping a steady pace will help you handle the climb up to Kori Danda.
  • Don't rush it: Take your time on the Tasha to Kori Danda climb, rest when you need to, and stick with your guide's pace.
  • Grab a pair of trekking poles: They're a real help on the steep, uneven parts of the trail, going up or down.
  • Be ready for weather shifts: Even during peak trekking season, pack rain gear and warm layers just in case.

Equipment Lists

Proper preparation matters on any Himalayan trek. For the Kori Danda Trek, you will be reaching 3,850 m on a route with basic teahouse accommodation. Here is what our HEN team recommends:

  • Warm hat or beanie
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Buff or scarf
  • Base layers (2-3)
  • Fleece or warm mid-layer
  • Down jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Warm gloves for early morning starts
  • Hiking trousers (2-3)
  • Base layer leggings
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Broken-in hiking boots
  • Trekking socks (several pairs)
  • Comfortable shoes for the lodge
  • Passport and passport photos
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Travel insurance details
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Small towel
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
  • Toilet paper
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Water purification tablets or a filter
  • Snacks or energy bars
  • Sleeping bag suitable for cold nights
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Daypack (25-30 liters)
  • Duffel bag (provided by HEN)
  • Dry bags for electronics and documents
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Personal medication
  • Basic altitude sickness medication (as advised by your doctor)
  • Trekking poles
  • Head torch
  • Power bank
  • Camera
  • Cash in Nepali rupees for personal expenses

Kori Danda Trek - 9 Days FAQs

No, previous trekking experience is not required, though a basic level of fitness helps for the climb above Tasha.

Kori Danda reaches a higher altitude at 3,850 m, compared to around 3,210 m at Poon Hill, but the daily walking hours are similar or shorter, and the trail is far less crowded. Overall, it's comparatively difficult.

The highest point is 3,850 m, which carries a moderate risk of mild altitude symptoms. The itinerary includes acclimatization nights at Tasha, and staying hydrated helps.

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