pokhara.city

3–4 days

Kapuche Lake

A glacial lake under Annapurna II, via Sikles. Turquoise water, icefall noise, a few basic teahouses. Three or four days.

From Sikles, one of the larger Gurung villages northeast of Pokhara, the trail follows forest and a river toward Hugu Goth, a small pasture with a few roofs. From there a rocky path climbs to Kapuche, a glacial lake around 2,450–2,550 m under the hanging ice of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. Agencies call it the lowest glacial lake in the world; what you actually get is turquoise water, avalanche noise, and a cirque that is not a teahouse town.

You look at ice, not a 4,000-metre camp. Most people walk to the lake and sleep back at Hugu. The same trail continues to Kori Danda if you keep going up.

Days
3–4 days
Beds
Sparse · Homestays in Sikles. A handful of basic teahouses at Hugu Goth. The lake itself is a day walk from Hugu — do not count on a lodge there.
Start
Sikles — jeep from Pokhara, three to four hours
High point
2,546 m

Usual nights

One common outline. Villages and camps shift with the road and the season.

  1. Sikles Gurung homestays
  2. Hugu Goth A few basic teahouses

Three or four days from Pokhara is the usual lake walk. Jeep to Sikles, night in the village or at Hugu, day to the lake, out. ACAP. Hugu has few beds — arrive early in October. Combine with Kori if you want the 3,800 m ridge as well.

Days are a usual range, not a promise. Jeeps, snow, and your pace change them. Permits and guide rules change — ask in Pokhara before you go.

Other walks

All treks
Teahouse Australian Camp & Dhampus 2,060 m 1–2 days Village Ghandruk 2,012 m 2–3 days Community Tangting / Krapu Danda 3,090 m 2 days Community Panchase 2,517 m 2–3 days