Kapuche Lake Trek
Trip Duration
9 Days
Activities
Approximately 4-6 hrs walking
Grade
Moderate
Max Altitude
2546 meters (Kapuche Glacier Lake)
Best Season
December to February, April to October
Accomodation
Hotel/Lodge/ Tea House
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Start-End Point
Kathmandu-Kathmandu
Kapuche Lake Trek Overview
Trekking to the “Lowest Glacier Lake,” or “The Virgin Lake,” Kapuche Lake, is a breathtaking trek that explores stunning scenery in Nepal. It is situated in the Annapurna region’s Sikles hamlet in the Kaski district. Every glacier lake in the nation is positioned 4,000 meters above sea level, the Kapuche glacier lake is an exception situated at just 2,546 meters.
As the world’s lowest glacial lake, Kapuche Lake experiences below-freezing winter temperatures and occasionally solidifies onto ice ground due to surface water fluctuation. The glacial lake covers an area of 1,200 square meters.
You will also visit Sikles village, which offers you an incredible cultural experience. This beautiful village of Gurung community is situated at an elevation of 1980 meters. It is the largest and oldest Gurung community.
The word Kapuche in Gurung means fallen ice that has settled on a valley forming a glacial lake. The word is derived from the words “Ka,” which means snow or ice, “Pu,” which means breaking down and sliding; and “Che,” which means landing on flat land.
The Sikles Kapuche Lake trek is a recently found trekking path. In this trek, you will experience lush rhododendron forest, beautiful terraced field patterns, majestic mountain ranges, and scenic locales.
The main draws of this trekking are its distinct setting, unspoiled natural surroundings, mountains of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna IV (7525m), and the glacier lake.
You encounter a variety of pet and wild animals, a waterfall, native honey bees, and many bird species. Kapuche trek offers experience of both Nepalese culture and breathtaking scenery.
Trek Highlights
- Panoramic views from Hill Top.
- An amazing walk along terraced fields and ethnic settlements.
- Exploration of culturally-rich Sikles Village.
- Spectacular views of Annapurna Himalayan.
- Peaceful nights at Hugu Goth.
- Friendly Gurung people and their hospitality.
- Mesmerising Kapuche Glacier Lake visit.
- Explore the lowest-altitude glacier lake in Nepal.
- Diverse trekking terrains.
- Trek through verdant vegetation, rhododendron forest, and terraced fields.
- Chance to spot local wildlife.
- An easy trek that people of all ages can do.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Day 2: Kathmandu City Tour and Trek Preparation
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m) – 6-7 hours
Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Sikles (1,980m) and Trek to Hugu Goth (2,100m) – 4-5 hours drive, 4-5 hours trek
Day 5: Trek from Hugu Goth to Kapuche Lake (2,546m) – 6-7 hours round trip
Day 6: Trek from Kapuche to Sikles – 6 /7 hours
Day 7: Drive from Sikles to Pokhara – 4-5 hours
Day 8: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu – 6-7 hours
Day 9: Departure from Kathmandu
Detailed Itinerary
Expand AllAfter you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our crew members will pick you up. Our crew members will be accommodating you to your hotel where you will spend your night and rest before you start your amazing journey.
Max Altitude:
1,400m
On the second day, you will explore the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. The city’s rich antique art, culture, architecture, and museums that tell itself narrate the story of its history. You will visit these UNESCO World Heritage sites: Swayambhu, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath. In the meantime, you can get to know your fellow trek mates.
There are plenty of stores that sell the gear you need. If you want, you can buy missing trekking instruments here. Our instructors will give you a brief of your trek, and you will spend your night in a crowded yet subtle city enjoying the night.
With an early morning breakfast, you will take a tourist bus to get to Pokhara and take a 6-7 hour trip from Kathmandu to get to Pokhara city along Prithvi Highway. On the way, you will enjoy scenic views of rivers, hills, and rural life.
After reaching Pokhara, you can stroll around the city and witness the mesmerising view of the mountains. In the evening you can walk around the lakeside and look at the shimmering Phewa Lake. You will be spending the night in Pokhara, and resting properly to prepare for the next day.
Trek Distance:
820m
Duration:
6-7 hours
After enjoying your breakfast with the view of the beautiful mountains, you will start your drive to Sikles at a height of 1980 metres. It is a beautiful traditional Gurung village. From Pokhara to Sikles is a 36.7 km off-road route, it takes around 3 hours to drive. Before reaching Sikles, you will be crossing the Taprang, Chipli Gaun, and Khilang villages on the way.
After resting for a while you will begin your trek uphill towards Huwu through the stone stairs and stone path. You’ll get a close-up look at some of the stunning mountains, like Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
After that, you’ll be taking an exciting stroll along a tiny trail that runs along the edge of the hills. You’ll then descend the same paths and see the stunning Edi Jharna (64 m) waterfall. You will stay in a simple tea house at Huwu and spend the night.
Max Altitude:
2,100m
Duration:
4-5 hours drive, 4-5 hours trek
On this day, you will set off from Hugu village to Kapuche Lake Trek. You will enjoy the walk’s serene setting and stunning mountain range. After a two-hour trek, you will arrive at the breathtaking Kapuche Lake.
You will see a stunning blue lake surrounded by towering mountains. You will be astounded by Kapuche Lake’s breathtaking surroundings. It is impossible to adequately capture the beauty of the lake through words or images. With luck, you may be able to observe the avalanche coming down from Annapurna II.
After observing and enjoying the mesmerizing beauty of the glacier you will head back to Hugu. You will spend your night in the tea house.
Max Altitude:
2,546m
Duration:
6-7 hours round trip
The next day after enjoying locally prepared breakfast you will trek back to Sikles. You will enjoy your lunch at the beautiful Sikles village. The cultural beauty, hospitable and helpful locals, and stunning architecture of the village will amaze you.
You can visit Chili Kohinbo Temple and the Eco-Museum to learn more about Buddhism and the Bon faith. You can also ascend the Sikles lookout tower for a breathtaking view of the entire village. You can go up to Sikles Park and Rising Dada, which takes about half an hour for an average trekker to reach.
You will enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and other mountains, from Sikles. You will end the day by spending the night in Sikles.
After having breakfast in the Gurung village, you will drive back to Pokhara. The walk winds past hills, forests, rivers, and terraced farms along a steep and graveled path. The drive to the Pokhara Valley will take you three to four hours.
You will have the day to yourself to explore Pokhara and relax by the lakeside. You can stroll by the Phewa Lake, or head out to clubs and pubs. You will spend your night in the beautiful city of lakes.
Duration:
4-5 hours
You will have a scenic drive back to Kathmandu where you will follow the flow of Marsyangdi River and eventually Trishuli River. This will be a 6-7 hour ride and once you reach Kathmandu you will head towards your accommodation. Later you will join us for a farewell dinner, where you can share your experience and mark the end of your adventure.
Duration:
6-7 hours
On the last day of your journey, the hotel staff will traditionally bid farewell to you by giving you a bouquet and a “khadha.” Our representative will drop you off at the airport 3- hours before your departure.
Best Time of the Trek
Weather plays as one of the most crucial factors when deciding your trek. There are four unique seasons in Nepal, however, trekkers choose spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) due to the clear sky for the proper view of sunset and sunrise.
At Kapuche Lake, each season has a distinct beauty of its own. Rhododendron woods bloom flowers in the spring, and fall brings beautiful skies and breathtaking vistas of the mountains. You can select the season that best suits your tastes as each one has a unique experience to offer.
December through February is the best time to visit the lake in its frozen splendor if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty in the cold. But make sure you have the appropriate clothing and are ready for lower temperatures.
If you wish to see the lake in its liquid state, with clear blue waters reflecting the skies, plan your trek between April and October. The weather is relatively warmer, and the trails are more accessible.`
Trek Difficulty
The Kapuche Glacier Lake Trek is a simple to moderate trek in the Annapurna area. This trek to the lowest glacier in the world is appropriate for people of all ages. There are many lodging options throughout the trek. This makes accommodation easy, which is not the case with many trekking routes in this region.
The newly discovered trial involves trekking below an elevation of 3000 meters. One of the concerns of trekkers is altitude sickness, which occurs when the body does not have enough time to adjust to altitude gain. The daily average altitude gain ranges from 300 to 600 meters which reduces the chances of trekkers getting altitude sickness.
For those who have never trekked before but are interested in spending a few days trekking in the mountains, Kapuche is an ideal trek option. It takes four to five hours a day of walking uphill and downhill to complete this trail. Anyone with a basic level of fitness can easily finish the trek.
Kapuche Lake Trek FAQS
Expand AllKapuche Glacier Lake is 40 meters deep and is located at an elevation of 2,450 meters. It is unique in that it is the lowest glacial lake.
The hotel in Kathmandu will provide you with free storage. You can therefore leave everything you own at your hotel or in our office that you do not need for the stroll.
You can enjoy the beautiful view of the Annapurna Range. You will see beautiful rhododendron forests, pass through traditional village settlements, observe the art and architecture of the Gurung community, etc
This trail was newly opened and is primarily off-the-beaten path; it has not yet undergone a thorough inspection. There aren’t nearly enough signs indicating the proper route to Kapuche Lake. It could be difficult for trekkers to find a path, let alone housing and enough food, without a guide.
This trek is one of the easiest treks as the trail is not physically demanding and there is less altitude gain which prevents altitude sickness. Hence, this trek is safe for children and old people.
While trekking, you can sip water straight from the taps. The water is pure and safe to drink. On the other hand, taking water-purification tablets will keep you safe.
For the Kapuche Glacier Lake Trek, no extra preparation is required. However, as walking takes four to five hours on average, you need to be physically capable of covering these distances via stairs, stone-paved walkways, severe uphills, and downhills. Before beginning the trekking adventure, we advise stretching, running, and other light exercise.
Yes, it is permitted to camp next to the lake. You can get the equipment from Hugu Goth, or else you will have to bring them from Pokhara. The lake is frozen in the winter, so camping is only appropriate in the summer.
Traveler Reviews
Explore authentic feedback from our past adventurers with Best Treks and Adventure, sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
Robin Lee (Spain)
Great Experience with Best Trek to Mardi Himal Trek
It was great experience with Best Trek and Adventure company to Mardi Himal Trek. This trek is short and perfect trek to beginner to real hikers. This company is one of the renounce tour company based in Kathmandu. Their team is an excellent, well managed from every corner. We (me and my wife) were fully satisfied through their services. Our guide Pradip and assistant Raju were also excellent and knowledgeable. They help and encourage us to do this trip easily. So we would highly recommend to all for your best experience trip to Nepal with Best Trek and Adventure. No need to spend your time to search others then Best Trek.
Robin Lee (Spain)
Great Experience with Best Trek to Mardi Himal Trek
It was great experience with Best Trek and Adventure company to Mardi Himal Trek. This trek is short and perfect trek to beginner to real hikers. This company is one of the renounce tour company based in Kathmandu. Their team is an excellent, well managed from every corner. We (me and my wife) were fully satisfied through their services. Our guide Pradip and assistant Raju were also excellent and knowledgeable. They help and encourage us to do this trip easily. So we would highly recommend to all for your best experience trip to Nepal with Best Trek and Adventure. No need to spend your time to search others then Best Trek.
Emma Johansson (USA)
I cannot speak highly enough about Best Treks and Adventure and the Annapurna Base Camp trek they organized for me and my friends. From the initial planning to the final farewell, everything was seamless. Our guide, Bishnu, was fantastic—his expertise and sense of humor made the trek so much more enjoyable. The trail itself was stunning, with diverse landscapes and amazing mountain views. The team ensured we were well-fed, safe, and motivated throughout the journey. This was hands down one of the best adventures of my life. I’ll definitely be trekking with them again!
Liam Carter
Australia
I had an unforgettable experience trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Best Treks and Adventure. The team was professional, friendly, and made us feel at ease the entire time. Our guide, Dinesh, was outstanding—he shared fascinating stories about the local culture and ensured we were acclimatized and comfortable every step of the way. The views along the trail were spectacular, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching Base Camp was overwhelming. This trek wouldn’t have been the same without such an incredible team. Thank you for the memories of a lifetime!
Olivia Martinez (UK)
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Best Treks and Adventure was one of the most magical experiences of my life. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, from lush green forests to towering snow-capped peaks. The team was incredibly organized, ensuring everything went smoothly. Our guide, Rajendra, was amazing—always cheerful, knowledgeable, and attentive to everyone’s needs. The tea houses were cozy, and the meals were hearty, which kept us energized throughout the trek. Reaching ABC felt like a dream come true. I highly recommend Best Treks and Adventure to anyone planning this trek!
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