Skip to content
FirfireyFirfirey

Pokharaकपुचे ताल

Kapuche Lake

A glacier lake at about 2,546 m beneath Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal, reached by a short trek from the Gurung village of Sikles.

Plan a trip here
Kapuche glacier lake lying in a rocky basin beneath steep snow and ice slopes.
Photo: Sarojpandey (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
2,546 m*
Best months
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Type
Lake
District
Kaski, Gandaki
Permit
Permit required

Why go

Kapuche Lake sits in a basin at the foot of the Annapurna range, north-east of Pokhara, and is one of the longer excursions grouped under Pokhara. Avalanches and ice falling from the slopes of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal land in and around the lake, and in winter its surface freezes. It is promoted locally as the lowest-lying glacier lake in the world, at around 2,546 m, a claim that is widely repeated but not formally established.

The lake is reached from Sikles, one of the largest Gurung villages in Kaski, in the Madi valley. Most people spend two to four days on the round trip from Pokhara: a drive to the road head, a night in Sikles, then a walk of roughly 12-13 km to the lake via the herding camp at Hugu, and back. The trail climbs through forest and open grazing land with close views of Lamjung Himal and the Annapurna II massif.

Because the lake lies well below 3,000 m, altitude is rarely a problem, which makes it a good short trek for families and first-time trekkers. Facilities beyond Sikles are very basic, and the route is quiet compared with the main Annapurna trails.

Grey-green water of Kapuche Lake below the avalanche slopes of the Annapurna range.
Photo: Sarojpandey (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kapuche Lake beginning to freeze after the first snowfall of the season.
Photo: Shuzietaa9 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

Local accounts explain the name through the Gurung language, splitting it into syllables that describe snow breaking off a slope and sliding down to settle on flat ground, a description of the avalanches that feed the lake. Herders from Sikles have long used the pastures around Hugu and Kapuche for summer grazing.

Sikles itself is a compact Gurung village of stone houses with slate roofs, with a strong tradition of service in the British and Indian armies and a long relationship with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Visitors may see Gurung dances and dress during festivals such as Lhosar and at community homestay programmes.

Things to do in Kapuche Lake

  • Sikles to Kapuche trek

    Walk from Sikles through forest and pasture to the lake, roughly 6-7 hours up via Hugu; many people overnight at Hugu and visit the lake early in the morning.

  • Explore Sikles

    Spend a day in the village to see traditional Gurung houses, terraced fields and local homestays.

  • Winter ice

    In winter the lake partly or fully freezes; go with a guide and keep well clear of avalanche slopes and thin ice.

Weather and the best time to visit Kapuche Lake

Weather in Kapuche Lake

Forecast for 2,546 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Mar-May, Oct-Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. Good month: May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November bring clear skies, stable trails and good views of the peaks above the lake.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is cold, with snow and ice at the lake and a real avalanche risk near the slopes; the lake surface often freezes.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May is mild, with rhododendron forest in flower and occasional afternoon showers.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August brings heavy rain, slippery trails, leeches and landslide risk on the road to Sikles; views are rare.

Where to stay

HomestaysLodgesCamping

Sikles has homestays and simple lodges. Above the village, the Hugu area has only very basic shelter, and some groups camp.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Drive from Pokhara north-east into the Madi valley towards Sikles, then trek the last stage to the lake. Road conditions beyond the main valley vary with the season.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • jeepPokhara to Sikles or a nearby road head such as Khilang, around 4-6 hours by jeep depending on road condition; the last section is rough and can be blocked in the monsoon.
  • trekSikles (about 1,950-2,000 m) to Kapuche Lake, roughly 12-13 km and 6-7 hours, usually split with a night at the Hugu herding area.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Kapuche LakeKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Permit required

Sikles and Kapuche Lake lie inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is required.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Obtain in Pokhara or Kathmandu before the trek.
  • TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
  • Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Annapurna Conservation Area Project, NTNC.

On the trail

On the Sikles and Kapuche Lake trek.

Previous stop:
Hugu (herding camp) or Sikles
Next stop:
Return to Sikles
A typical day:
From Sikles, about 6-7 hours and 500-600 m of height gain over forest trail and open pasture; from Hugu the final climb to the lake is around 2 hours.

Practical tips

  • The lake is around 2,546 m; altitude sickness is uncommon at this height, but know the general symptoms and descend if unwell. This is general information, not medical advice.
  • Mobile signal is available in Sikles but weak or absent near the lake.
  • There are no ATMs in Sikles; bring enough cash from Pokhara.
  • Avoid walking under avalanche slopes, and never step onto the frozen lake surface.
  • Charging is possible in Sikles but limited at Hugu; carry a power bank.

Questions about Kapuche Lake

How do I get to Kapuche Lake from Pokhara?

Drive about 4-6 hours by jeep to Sikles in the Madi valley, then trek roughly 6-7 hours to the lake, usually with a night at Hugu.

Is Kapuche Lake really the lowest glacier lake in the world?

It is widely promoted as such at around 2,546 m, but the claim has not been formally verified.

Do I need a permit for Kapuche Lake?

Yes, the area is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP permit; check current TIMS and guide rules.

Is altitude sickness a risk at Kapuche Lake?

The lake is below 3,000 m, so the risk is low for most people, though everyone should know the symptoms.

More in Pokhara

All of Pokhara
Begnas Lake seen from the Sundari Danda ridge, with wooded hills around its shore.

Lake · 650 m

Begnas Lake

A quieter freshwater lake in the east of the Pokhara valley, ringed by forested ridges, rice terraces and fish farms.

Water dropping through a narrow, moss-covered rock channel at Davis Falls before it disappears underground.

Viewpoint · 780 m

Davis Falls

A waterfall in south Pokhara where the outflow of Phewa Tal drops into a narrow chasm and disappears underground.

Layered rock walls inside Gupteshwor Cave, with light falling on the stream that flows on from Davis Falls.

Temple, monastery or heritage site · 778 m

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

A Shiva cave shrine in south Pokhara, with a lower passage that ends behind the falling water of Davis Falls.

A glass display case with a straw rain cape, woven baskets, footwear and traditional clothing of Himalayan hill communities.

Temple, monastery or heritage site · 797 m

International Mountain Museum

A museum in south Pokhara on the Himalaya's peaks, the people who climb them and the communities who live among them.

Viewpoint · 2,517 m

Panchase

A forested hill at about 2,500 m west of Phewa Tal, with a temple and pond on top and views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Phewa Lake stretching between green hills, seen from a grassy ridge trail above Pokhara.

Lake · 742 m

Phewa Tal

Pokhara's main lake, with rowing boats, an island temple and Machhapuchhre reflected on still mornings.

Rupa Lake seen through trees from a path on the shore, with forested hills beyond.

Lake · 600 m

Rupa Lake

A small, shallow lake beside Begnas in the east of the Pokhara valley, managed by a local fisheries cooperative and rich in waterbirds.

The pointed summit of Machhapuchhre against a deep blue pre-dawn sky, seen from Sarangkot.

Viewpoint · 1,600 m

Sarangkot

A ridge-top viewpoint on Pokhara's western edge, known for sunrise over the Annapurnas and as the city's paragliding launch.

Nearby

Morning view over Pokhara with Phewa Lake, the city under low cloud and the Annapurna range on the skyline.

Town or village · 822 m

Pokhara

A lakeside city about 200 km west of Kathmandu, with the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre rising close to the north.

Slate-roofed lodges with flower-lined terraces in Ghandruk, with Annapurna South rising behind.

Town or village · 2,012 m

Ghandruk

A large Gurung village of stone houses and terraces facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, on the trails to Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill.

Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Trek to Kapuche Lake, Pratap Sharma, Kapuche Glacier Lake, Nepal, Wikimedia Commons, Annapurna Conservation Area Project, NTNC