Kori Hill Trek

4.9

90+ Google reviewsrated 4.9 by 90+ travellers on Google5+ years guiding5+ years guiding in the Himalaya30+ countriesGuests from 30+ countriesLocal-born guidesBorn-and-raised local guides

Trek at a Glance

Price From

US$ 290 per person

Duration

4 days

Trip Grade

Moderate

Max. Altitude

3,800m

Best Season

Year-round, especially Jun–Sep for wildflowers

Group Size

1–10 pax

Region

Annapurna

Accommodation

Lodge / Tea House

Meals

All meals (Backpacker: breakfast)

Start / End Point

Pokhara

Permits

ACAP, TIMS card

Kori Hill Trek Overview

Itinerary designed by Rohit Timilsina, Co-Founder & Lead Guide Verified local guide

A quiet, less-commercialised hill trek above the Gurung village of Sikless with stunning views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre, particularly known for its monsoon-season wildflowers.

The Kori Hill Trek sits in a corner of the Annapurna Conservation Area that most trekkers drive past on the way somewhere else. It begins in Sikless, one of the oldest and largest Gurung villages in the region, and climbs northeast through pine and rhododendron forest, past the herder camp at Tasa, up to the open Kori ridgeline. From the ridge there are uninterrupted views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre rising directly to the north.

Our team began guiding this route partly because we wanted something quieter for clients who had already done the classics. The trail rarely appears in agency brochures, so trekkers usually have the camps to themselves, a genuine rarity in the Annapurna region. The Gurung households in Sikless and the upper herder camps are welcoming, and the trek is particularly known for its monsoon-season flora: rhododendrons, orchids, and other native Himalayan flowers that transform the hillsides between June and September.

The trek is moderate in difficulty and runs four to seven days. The standard itinerary moves from Pokhara to Sikless to Tasa to Kori and back, with the sunrise from Kori as the high point of the trip.

Kori Ridge Viewpoint

Kori Ridge

3,800 m / 12,467 ft

An open, rarely-walked ridgeline reached after two days climbing from the Gurung village of Sikless. From the top, sunrise lights up Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre rising directly to the north, often with the camps entirely to yourself.

Kori Hill Trek Highlights

Open Kori ridge with views of Annapurna II and Machhapuchhre
Sikless village, one of the largest Gurung settlements
Monsoon-season wildflowers including rhododendrons and orchids
Wildlife: musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and diverse birdlife
Very low trekker traffic year-round

Kori Hill Trek Itinerary

Day	Itinerary	Max Altitude	Distance	Duration
Day 1	Pokhara to Sikless to Tasa	2,700m / 8,858ft	6km / 3.8mi	5 hours hike + 3 hours drive
Day 2	Tasa to Kori	3,800m / 12,467ft	7km / 4.3mi	6-7 hours
Day 3	Kori to Sikless village	1,980m / 6,496ft	13km / 8.1mi	7-8 hours
Day 4	Sikless village to Pokhara	—	—	3 hours drive

Day 01: Pokhara to Sikless to Tasa
2,700m / 8,858ft
Distance6km / 3.8mi
Duration5 hours hike + 3 hours drive
Altitude2,700m / 8,858ft
Drive of 3 hours to Sikless village, then start hiking. Breakfast at Pokhara, lunch at Sikless village. About 5 hours of hike up to the herder camp at Tasa. Camp at Tasa.
Day 02: Tasa to Kori
3,800m / 12,467ft
Distance7km / 4.3mi
Duration6-7 hours
Altitude3,800m / 12,467ft
Elevation Gain+1,100 m
6 to 7 hours of forest and ridge climbing up to the open Kori viewpoint. Breakfast at Tasa, lunch on the way. Camp at Kori.
Day 03: Kori to Sikless village
1,980m / 6,496ft
Distance13km / 8.1mi
Duration7-8 hours
Altitude1,980m / 6,496ft
Elevation Gain-1,820 m
Wake up early at around 5:00 am for sunrise and the mountain panorama (with occasional small avalanches in the distance). 7 to 8 hours of descent back through Tasa to Sikless. Breakfast at Kori, lunch at Tasa. Camp at Sikless village.
Day 04: Sikless village to Pokhara
Duration3 hours drive
Breakfast at Sikless village, then a 3-hour drive back to Pokhara.

Your Trek Is Prepared & Led by a Local Guide

Govt. License #1497

Rohit Timilsina

Co-Founder & Lead Guide · 6K Nepal Treks

Hi, I'm Rohit Timilsina

I started 6K Nepal Treks to give travellers the trek I would want myself: small groups, honest prices and a guide who actually knows the trail. I have guided across the Annapurna, Manaslu and Everest regions for over five years, and I design every itinerary on this site personally.

“Whether it is your first teahouse trek or your tenth Himalayan expedition, I want you back home telling everyone it was the best trip of your life.”

Govt. License #14974.9★ from 90+ reviews30+ countries guidedHighest guided: 5,416m

Meet the full team

Kori Hill Trek Cost & What's Included

Pick a comfort level to see exactly what its package covers. Prices by group size are in the booking card.

What is included in this trek package?

All required permits and TIMS card

Licensed English-speaking trekking guide

Private vehicle transfers to and from the trailhead

Comfortable tourist-standard lodges, twin share

All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Crew salary, insurance, meals and lodging

What is excluded in this trek package?

International flights and Nepal entry visa

Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance

Porter (available on request, extra cost)

Hot showers and Wi-Fi where not complimentary

Lunch and dinner in the city

Tips for your guide and crew

Private departures, your dates

We run this trek as a private trip on the dates that suit you. Tell us when and we will confirm availability.

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Kori Hill Trek Reviews

4.9★ from 90+ Google Reviews

Trekkers guided from 30+ countries.

No published review names the Kori Hill Trek yet.

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Why Book With 6K Nepal Treks

Licensed & Insured

Registered with Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN and NMA. Fully insured for trekking, climbing, and high-altitude emergencies.

Expert Local Guides

Every trek is led by a licensed, first-aid trained Sherpa or Gurung guide, born and raised in these mountains.

Safety First

Pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen carried on all high-altitude treks. Helicopter evacuation protocol on standby.

Small Groups

Maximum 12 trekkers per group, and one porter per two guests whenever porters are part of your package. You are a person, not a tour number.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees. Every quote itemises exactly what your package covers and what it does not, so nothing lands on you at the trailhead.

Responsible Travel

Fair wages for all staff, eco-friendly practices on the trail, and direct support for the mountain communities we work with.

Know Before You Go

Rated Moderate. The main challenge is the sustained climb from Tasa up to the Kori ridge, which gains around 1,200m over 6 to 7 hours on a forest trail. The rest of the route, below 2,800m, is straightforward forest and ridge walking on a well-trodden path. There are no exposed sections or technical ground. Good fitness and sturdy footwear matter more than any prior trekking experience. The descent from Kori back to Sikless is long and steep in places and can be slippery in wet weather, particularly during the monsoon when the trail is at its most colourful.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), NPR 3,000 (foreigners) / NPR 1,000 (SAARC nationals). Issued in Pokhara (NTNC Damside office) or Kathmandu. Mandatory before entering the conservation area from Sikless.

TIMS Card, NPR 1,000 (with a registered guide or agency) or NPR 2,000 (individual). Trekkers' Information Management System card. Issued at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

The Kori ridge sits below the threshold where acute mountain sickness becomes a significant concern. The route approaches the high point gradually over two days from Sikless, which gives the body time to adjust. Mild symptoms (slight headache, reduced appetite) are still possible for some people at the upper camp. Descend if symptoms persist. No acclimatisation rest days are built into the standard itinerary. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and do not rush the climb on day two.

Accommodation in Sikless is in Gurung family homestays: simple but clean rooms, shared facilities, home-cooked meals. Above Sikless the options thin out significantly; Tasa and Kori use basic shelters or seasonal teahouses run by herders, and during the monsoon some of these may not be staffed, so a camping option is sometimes used. Meals are dal bhat, noodles, and simple Nepali home food throughout. Treated or boiled drinking water is provided.

The following is a solid starting point for most multi-day treks we run. Adjust for the season and the maximum altitude of your specific route. Shorter, lower-altitude hikes need far less than this full list. For the key insulation items (down jacket and four-season sleeping bag) we offer rental in Kathmandu or Pokhara for USD 35 each.

General

Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag (rental available: USD 35)
Insulated down jacket (rental available: USD 35)
Daypack, 30 to 45 litres, with rain cover
Sleeping bag liner

Head & Face

Sun hat or cap
Beanie or knitted hat for colder mornings and evenings
Buff or neck gaiter
Sunglasses with full UV protection
Headlamp with spare batteries

Upper Body

Technical base layer shirts, two
Technical long-sleeve shirts, two
Fleece or synthetic mid-layer
Waterproof and windproof shell jacket

Lower Body

Hiking pants, two pairs
Technical base-layer leggings for cold mornings
Waterproof or windproof outer shell pants
Comfortable pants for evenings in the teahouse

Hands

Lightweight liner gloves
Insulated outer gloves for high altitude or winter conditions

Feet

Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, broken in before the trip
Hiking socks, three to five pairs
Liner socks if prone to blisters
Comfortable shoes or sandals for evenings
Microspikes recommended November to March on routes above 4,000m

First Aid & Medications

Personal prescription medications
SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF lip balm
Blister care, plasters, and antiseptic cream
Electrolyte sachets or tablets
Note: our guides carry a comprehensive group first aid kit with pulse oximeter

Other Essentials

Passport, two passport-sized photos, and photocopies of travel documents
One-litre reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Trekking poles (strongly recommended)
Small toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, and toilet paper
High-protein snacks for the trail (bars, nuts)
Waterproof dry bag for documents and electronics

We provide a free duffel bag at your pre-trip meeting, used for luggage carried by the porter. The duffel stays yours afterwards.
One porter is assigned per two trekkers. The duffel bag should weigh no more than 10 kg / 22 lbs per person.
Always carry your own daypack with essentials: cash, documents, water, camera, rain gear.
Non-trekking luggage can be stored securely at your hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Down jacket and four-season sleeping bag are available for rent at USD 35 each. Loss or damage reimbursement is USD 100 per item.

Guide & Porter Services

Every trek is led by a government-licensed, English-speaking lead guide who is also trained in first aid and high-altitude emergency response. For groups of seven or more we add an assistant guide. Porters are assigned one per two trekkers, each carrying up to 10 kg of your main luggage so you only carry a daypack. All staff wages, accommodation, meals, gear, and insurance are fully covered in the package price.

Accommodation Bookings

We pre-book every night's accommodation before you start, so you never arrive at a full teahouse during peak season. Nights before and after the trek are in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu or Pokhara with breakfast included. On the trail you stay in tea houses or local lodges on a twin-sharing basis, with the best available rooms in each village. Private rooms and en-suite bathrooms are available where offered, usually at lower altitudes.

Transportation Arrangements

All ground transfers are arranged by private or shared tourist vehicles as specified in the itinerary. Airport pick-up and drop-off are included. Where a domestic flight is required (for example, Kathmandu to Lukla for Everest, or Jomsom to Pokhara for Mustang routes), the round-trip fare is covered in the package. We monitor flight and road conditions daily and adjust logistics proactively when weather or landslides affect the schedule.

Equipment Rental

A four-season sleeping bag and an insulated down jacket can be rented in Kathmandu or Pokhara at USD 35 per item for the duration of the trek. Trekking poles, microspikes, and additional layers are also available on request. We supply a 75-litre duffel bag for you to keep at your pre-trip briefing. A full packing checklist is sent after you book so you can pack with confidence.

Insurance Requirements

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for every trek we operate. Your policy must explicitly cover trekking at the maximum altitude of your route and include emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment, and trip cancellation. Please send us a copy of your policy at least two weeks before departure. We cannot start the trek without confirmation of valid coverage. This is for your safety and ours.

Good to know. Arrive in Pokhara at least one day before departure so there is time for your pre-trip briefing and any last-minute gear hire. We can store spare luggage while you trek.

FAQs for Kori Hill Trek

The Kori Hill Trek is rated moderate. The main effort is the sustained climb from the herder camp at Tasa up to the Kori ridge, which gains around 1,200m over 6 to 7 hours on a forest trail. Everything below 2,800m is straightforward forest and ridge walking on a well-trodden path, with no exposed or technical sections. Good general fitness and sturdy footwear matter more than prior trekking experience. The long descent from Kori back to Sikless is steep in places and can be slippery in wet weather, so trekking poles help.

Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, plus a TIMS card. The ACAP is mandatory before you enter the conservation area from Sikless. Our team arranges all the permit paperwork as your licensed guide, so you do not need to queue at the permit offices in Pokhara or Kathmandu yourself.

The Kori Hill Trek can be walked year-round, but it is best known for its monsoon season flora between June and September, when rhododendrons, orchids, and other native Himalayan flowers transform the hillsides and waterfalls run full. Autumn and spring also deliver clear mountain views with cooler, drier conditions. If wildflowers are your main draw, plan for the June to September window; if you want the most stable skies, the post-monsoon and spring months are the safer bet.

The high point is the open Kori ridge at around 3,800m, which sits below the threshold where acute mountain sickness becomes a significant concern. The route reaches the top gradually over two days from Sikless, giving the body time to adjust. Mild symptoms such as a slight headache or reduced appetite are still possible for some people at the upper camp. There are no acclimatisation rest days in the standard four-day itinerary, so drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and do not rush the day-two climb.

In Sikless you stay in Gurung family homestays with simple but clean rooms, shared facilities, and home-cooked meals. Above Sikless the options thin out: Tasa and Kori use basic shelters or seasonal herder teahouses, and during the monsoon some of these may not be staffed, so a camping option is sometimes used. Meals are dal bhat, noodles, and simple Nepali home food throughout, with three meals a day plus tea or coffee twice daily included on Standard and Luxury; Backpacker covers breakfast, and you pay for lunch and dinner on the trail. Treated or boiled drinking water is provided.

Our guided Kori Hill Trek starts at USD 350 per person on the Backpacker tier and USD 450 on the Standard tier for a solo trekker, with the per-person rate dropping as your group grows. The Standard price includes both-ways transport before and after the trek, three meals a day with tea or coffee twice daily, teahouse or camping accommodation, a professional English-speaking eco-trained guide with all his costs, all permits and paperwork, a first-aid kit, and government taxes and VAT. Backpacker keeps the guide, transport and teahouse rooms, but the permit fees are not included and it covers breakfast only, with lunch and dinner paid on the trail. Travel and rescue insurance, personal expenses, tips, and bottled or boiled water are not included on any tier.

The trek starts and finishes at Pokhara, beginning with a roughly 3-hour drive to Sikless, one of the oldest and largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna region. From there it climbs northeast through pine and rhododendron forest, past the herder camp at Tasa, up to the open Kori ridgeline. What sets it apart is how quiet it is: the trail rarely appears in agency brochures, so trekkers usually have the camps to themselves, a genuine rarity in the Annapurna region, while still earning uninterrupted views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Machhapuchhre.

The trail passes through dense forest and lush hillsides inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, home to musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and a wide variety of birdlife. The sunrise from the Kori ridge is the high point of the trip, with the mountain panorama and occasional small avalanches in the distance. During the monsoon the route is at its most colourful, with rhododendrons, orchids, flowing streams, and waterfalls along the way.

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