1 daysEasy4,130 mAnnapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour — 1 Day
From / person
$900
TrekModerate
Kapuche Lake & Sikles Trek
5 days2,546 mFrom Pokhara (drive to Sikles)Best: Oct–May
Photo by Sarojpandey on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
01 / 08
Duration
5 days
From
$490/person
Max Altitude
2,546 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts
Pokhara (drive to Sikles)
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–May
4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later
Trip Highlights
Trek to Kapuche Lake (2,546 m), the lowest-altitude glacial lake in the world
Close-up views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal with thundering icefalls
Explore Sikles, one of Nepal's largest and most authentic Gurung villages
Low-altitude trek with minimal risk of altitude sickness — ideal for first-timers and families
Walk through oak and rhododendron forest, waterfalls and herders' pastures
A short 5-day Himalayan adventure easily combined with Pokhara
Genuine Gurung culture, cuisine and mountain hospitality
Off-the-beaten-path alternative to the busier Annapurna routes
A short, low-altitude trek from Pokhara to Kapuche, the world's lowest glacial lake, through the Gurung village of Sikles beneath Annapurna II.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(5 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 2,546 m · Day 3Drive by 4WD jeep from Pokhara through Madi valley villages and terraced farmland to Sikles, one of the largest and most traditional Gurung settlements in Nepal. Spend the afternoon exploring the stone-paved alleys, the village museum, and viewpoints looking out toward Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
1,980 m3–4 hrs drive~40 kmLunch & DinnerTea House
The Kapuche Lake and Sikles Trek is one of the Annapurna region's fastest-rising short adventures — a five-day escape from Pokhara into a hidden glacial valley northeast of the lakeside city. The highlight is Kapuche Lake at 2,546 metres, often described as the lowest-altitude glacial lake on Earth, sitting in a dramatic amphitheatre directly below the icefalls of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. Because the maximum elevation stays under 2,600 metres, altitude sickness is very unlikely, making this an ideal trek for first-timers, families, and travellers who are short on time but still want a genuine high-mountain experience.
The route begins with a scenic jeep drive from Pokhara to Sikles, one of the largest and most traditional Gurung villages in Nepal. From there the trail climbs gently through oak and rhododendron forest, past waterfalls and grazing pastures, to the herders' settlement of Hugu Goth — the base for the final rocky push up to the turquoise glacial lake. You return the same way, with time to soak up village life, terraced fields, and uninterrupted views of the Annapurna massif.
Why trek to Kapuche Lake
This is the perfect Himalayan trek for those wanting big mountain scenery without the long days, high passes, or thin air of the classic routes. The combination of authentic Gurung culture in Sikles and the otherworldly glacial lake makes it one of the most photogenic short treks in Nepal.
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) brings rhododendron blooms across the hillsides, while autumn (September to November) offers the clearest skies and sharpest mountain views. The trek can also be done in winter on clear days, though nights at Hugu Goth are cold.
What's Included
Included
- Pokhara–Sikles–Pokhara private/shared 4WD jeep transfers
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card
- Experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter to carry main luggage (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- All accommodation on trek (tea house / homestay, twin sharing)
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guide and porter wages, food, insurance and equipment
- First aid kit and arrangements for emergencies
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
- Accommodation and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek
- Personal expenses — drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, device charging, laundry
- Tips for guide, porter and driver
- Any costs arising from circumstances beyond our control (weather, road blocks)
- Anything not listed under What's Included
Pickup
Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?
This trip begins in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking town. Most international flights land in Kathmandu, about 200 km away (25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), so you can either make your own way to Pokhara or let us collect you in Kathmandu.
Pickup in Pokhara
Trip starts hereAlready in Pokhara? We collect you from your hotel at no charge.
- Pokhara hotel pickupFrom any hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside included.Free
- Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
- Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Pickup in Kathmandu
Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.
- Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Includes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu domestic airportWe quote
- Kathmandu hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Hotel in the city
- No hotel, I will book my own$0
- Pokhara: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
- Pokhara: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Pokhara: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Pokhara: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.
Best Time to Go
Spring (Mar–May)
Rhododendron forests in full bloom and warm, stable days — one of the best times to trek to Kapuche Lake.
Low: 2°C High: 22°C Little to none on the trail; possible old snow near the lake.
Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Lush and green but wet, with leeches, slippery trails and clouds often hiding the peaks.
Low: 8°C High: 24°C None; heavy rain and possible landslides on the access road.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp, clear skies and the sharpest mountain views of Annapurna II — the most popular season.
Low: 0°C High: 20°C Generally none; light snow possible near the lake late in the season.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Quiet trails and clear days, but cold nights at Hugu Goth and occasional snow on the upper trail.
Low: -7°C High: 12°C Snow possible around Hugu Goth and Kapuche Lake; trail usually still passable.
Permits Required
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)Required for all foreign trekkers entering the Annapurna Conservation Area; NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
NPR 2,000 (about US$15)Mandatory trekker registration card; this is not a restricted area, so no special permit is needed.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Merino or synthetic base layers — two sets, one worn one drying
Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
Waterproof shell jacket
Trekking trousers (not jeans, not cotton)
Sun hat and sunglasses — UV is fierce above the treeline
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
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