Kapuche Glacier Lake





Trek at a Glance
Duration
3–4 days
Trip Grade
Moderate
Max. Altitude
2,546m
Best Season
Oct–May
Group Size
1–10 pax
Region
Annapurna
Accommodation
Lodge / Tea House
Meals
B / L / D
Start / End Point
Pokhara
Kapuche Glacier Lake Overview
Itinerary designed by Rohit Timilsina, Co-Founder & Lead Guide Verified local guide
A short but spectacular trek to Nepal's lowest glacial lake, tucked beneath the Annapurna II massif, bright turquoise water and dramatic rock walls.
The Kapuche Glacier Lake trek is one of the routes our team guides closest to home. We drive roughly forty kilometres north of Pokhara to Sikles, a Gurung village that still runs at its own pace, featuring terraced fields, an eco-museum, and the Chili Kohinbo temple. From there, we walk into the hills. The lake itself sits at around 2,450 metres, making it accessible to a much wider range of people than anything up the Annapurna Sanctuary or Manang valley.
The terrain between Sikles and the lake changes character quickly, starting on open ridges with clear views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and IV. We then drop into oak and rhododendron forest where the trail becomes rockier and narrower. After a final two-hour push along a rougher path, the lake appears: flat, cold, glacier-fed, and surrounded by high rock walls. If timed right, you may hear blocks of ice calving into the water. Many are surprised by how remote it feels after such a short approach.
Sikles village is worth your attention before leaving. The Gurung community here has worked hard to keep their heritage visible. The eco-museum has good exhibits on the Bon religion and local natural history. Homestay accommodation is available and provided homemade food is honest. This trek is a good choice for those wanting a real sense of the hills around Pokhara without committing to a week-long expedition.
Who this trek is for: Anyone based in Pokhara who wants a genuine mountain experience in 2-3 days will find this trek suitable. It is appropriate for families with older children, first-time trekkers, and repeat visitors who seek something off the main Annapurna routes. The lake sits at 2,546 metres, and there are no altitude concerns, as the trail involves no technical terrain. A moderate level of fitness is sufficient.
Kapuche Glacier Lake
2,546 m / 8,352 ftNepal's lowest glacial lake, fed directly by meltwater off Annapurna II and surrounded by vertical rock walls. On quiet mornings you can hear ice calve into the still turquoise water. Accessible in two days from Pokhara with no altitude concern.
Kapuche Glacier Lake Highlights
- Turquoise-blue glacial lake
- Steep but rewarding ascent
- Views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal
- Off the mainstream Annapurna trail
Kapuche Glacier Lake Itinerary
| Day | Itinerary | Max Altitude | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pokhara to Sikles village | 1,981m / 6,499ft | 3 hours drive |
| Day 2 | Sikles village to Hugu | 2,100m / 6,890ft | 5-6 hours |
| Day 3 | Hugu to Kapuche Lake and back | 2,546m / 8,353ft | 2 hours each way |
| Day 4 | Hugu to Sikles village to Pokhara | 1,981m / 6,499ft | 5 hours hike + 3 hours drive |
Day 01: Pokhara to Sikles village
Duration3 hours driveAltitude1,981m / 6,499ftDrive of 3 hours to Sikles village. Acclimatisation day exploring the largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. Breakfast at Pokhara, lunch at Sikles village. Camp at Sikles village.
Day 02: Sikles village to Hugu
Duration5-6 hoursAltitude2,100m / 6,890ftElevation Gain+119 m5 to 6 hours of trekking through forest and the upper Madi Khola gorge to the herder camp at Hugu. Breakfast at Sikles, lunch on the way. Camp at Hugu.
Day 03: Hugu to Kapuche Lake and back
Duration2 hours each wayAltitude2,546m / 8,353ftElevation Gain+446 mBreakfast at Hugu, then a 2-hour hike to Kapuche Lake. Time on the shore of the world's lowest-altitude glacier lake, then back to camp at Hugu. Lunch and camp at Hugu.
Day 04: Hugu to Sikles village to Pokhara
Duration5 hours hike + 3 hours driveAltitude1,981m / 6,499ftElevation Gain-565 mBreakfast at Hugu, lunch at Sikles. 5 hours of hike back to Sikles, then a 3-hour drive back to Pokhara.
Your Trek Is Prepared & Led by a Local Guide
Govt. License #1497Rohit 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.”
Kapuche Glacier Lake Cost & What's Included
Pick a comfort level to see exactly what its package covers. Prices by group size are in the booking card.
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Kapuche Glacier Lake Reviews
4.9★ from 90+ Google Reviews
Trekkers guided from 30+ countries.
“Riding from Pokhara to Upper Mustang over five unforgettable days with Rohit was a true adventure in every sense of the word. As an experienced adventure motorbike rider, including demanding desert expeditions, I can say with absolute confidence that Rohit is a phenomenal rider and an exceptional tour guide. He masters the terrain, understands the mountains, and rides with calm authority and precision. I highly recommend Rohit and his company.”
Jacob Mato ★
Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour · Mar 2026
“Rohit was an excellent guide for my Khopra Ridge trek. From the very first day, he was professional, friendly, and always attentive. He knows the trail extremely well and made sure the pace was comfortable while still keeping good time each day. What I really appreciated was how caring and patient he was, especially on long uphill sections and in changing weather. I highly recommend Rohit to anyone planning the Khopra Ridge trek or any trek in Nepal.”
Birendra T Xettri ★
Khopra Ridge Trek · Mar 2026
“My first trek with Rohit, who is extremely knowledgeable. He is the mountain man of Nepal. His deep love for the mountains means he wants to give his trekkers the best experience, share his stories but above all make sure you are feeling safe, comfortable and able to complete the trek. We did Mardi Himal Trek, blessed with the weather. Do not hesitate to book with Rohit, I will be back again. Namaste”
Ange ★
Mardi Himal Trek · Jan 2026
“This was my second trek with Rohit, I first did the Manaslu Circuit with him a while ago and came back for Mardi Himal this time. Both experiences were absolutely fantastic. Rohit is professional, kind, and really knows the mountains. He always makes sure you're safe, comfortable, and enjoying yourself. He takes care of all the logistics, finds great tea houses, and adjusts the pace perfectly for everyone. Wouldn't trek in Nepal with anyone else.”
Peter Murphy ★
Manaslu Circuit + Mardi Himal · Jan 2026
“Rohit is a young, energetic, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic guide. He took us up to Annapurna Base Camp. We had bad weather, so Rohit decided to wait a day when other guides kept going up. Due to avalanche-risk, this was the obviously the best decision. Rohit always made sure that we felt comfortable and always in a good mood. We had fun, lots of laughter and great stories. Thanks to Rohit we will never forget: Dahl Baht Power 24 Hour!”
Sander Wolters ★
Annapurna Base Camp · 2025
“Without doubt the best guide in the world... Every part of our trip was a dream. From start to finish Rohit and his team had prepared everything to perfection. I cannot recommend this young man enough, so professional, so fun and so considerate. Thank you so much for making our time so special.”
Ryan Chandler ★
Himalayan Trek · Oct 2025
“Just returned from completing a 2 day trek with Rohit as our guide to Kapuche Glacier lake. It was a challenging but fantastic experience thanks to his professional skills his passion for the mountains and his outgoing and friendly personality. He was always there to guide and motivate us even up the never ending stairs!! His support and sense of humour got us safely to our destination and back again. If we return to Nepal we will definitely meet again.”
Karen Smith ★
Kapuche Glacier Lake · 2025
“We did Austrian Basecamp with Rohit. I thought it was going to be a short and predictable trek but I was surely wrong. We went up and stayed for the night and on the next day we did a long return going through some of the most stunning views I've ever seen in my 37 years of life. I don't think that would have been possible without the guidance of Rohit. Also it's really nice to share with him, he is friendly, respectful and chill. And he knows everything about Nepal, its mountains and its flora and fauna.”
Arturo Cuevillas ★
Australian Camp Trek · Jan 2026
“I recently embarked on the Dhampus-Pothana-Australia Camp trek with Rohit, and it was an experience I'll cherish forever. From the very beginning, Rohit's easygoing nature and ability to connect made the journey incredibly enjoyable. Our conversations ranged from deep discussions about spirituality, mountains, and cultures to sharing our mutual love for rock and metal music. Overall, trekking with Rohit was an incredible experience. His warmth, knowledge, and passion for the mountains truly enhanced the trip.”
Fahad Rahman ★
Dhampus-Pothana-Australian Camp · 2025
“Undertook Annapurna Base Camp Trek along with Rohit in first week of April 2025. His detailed knowledge and experience of the terrain and weather helped us having an awesome experience. He was accommodative of our needs and change in plans. Two days later we undertook a motorbike ride upto Muktinath in Mustang Valley. Again his energy, knowledge and experience in the area resulted in us having a superb n memorable time.”
Prateek Johari ★
Annapurna Base Camp + Mustang · Jul 2025
“Rohit was our guide on the 12 day Manaslu circuit trek. The trek was great, nice scenery, not too hard and Rohit took good care of making sure we had a place to sleep every night, as teahouses were filling up quickly because of high season. Rohit is a cheerful guy, social and he takes good care of his guests. With Rohit you are definitely in good company.”
Sara Coessens ★
Manaslu Circuit Trek · 2025
“Had an amazing 9 day Annapurna Base Camp Sanctuary Trek this June with Rohit and his team. His fantastic organisation, hosting, knowledge and professionalism makes Rohit a fabulous choice of guide. Visiting Nepal and especially the Himalayas is a life changing experience and I will never forget it.”
Rupert Potts ★
Annapurna Base Camp · Sep 2025
“Rohit (Haku) was one of the many blessings we received from Nepal. He is not only a great guide who knows how to make trips and expeditions fun and flowy. He is also an incredibly fun human to be around. It was delightful to spend some days riding to the temple of Muktinath with him. Jamming, and discovering a new young friend, full of kindness, values and knowledge.”
David Sanchez ★
Muktinath Motorbike Tour · 2025
“I called Rohit just before 8hrs of starting our Khumai Danda trek. Even after being tired he said let's meet in morning at 6am. He knows English, Hindi, French and Nepali. He not only guided the trek route but made the whole stretch very memorable and interesting. We told stories to each other. He became more like a friend. It was complete fun trekking with Rohit. And yes, Rohit has his own band. Quite an interesting guy.”
Shreyassh Verma ★
Khumai Danda Trek · 2024
“Had an amazing trek, Rohit is a perfect guide especially when dealing with the unpredictability of the trek, someone who's very easy going and social however extremely professional and even other guides would come to him for advice. 100/10”
Louis Anderson ★
Himalayan Trek · 2024
“Rohit is the guy to go trekking with! He knows a lot and can tell you a lot about life in the mountains but also about his amazing family. This drummer of a band can show you around, but also knows that silence in walking is good when doing a hike. Super chill and easy going.”
Rutger Dankelman ★
Himalayan Trek · 2024
“We had an amazing time with Rohit and Yuddha. Rohit was quick to reply when planning the trip and clearly explained the route options, and on the trip his enthusiasm and knowledge were very appreciated. He seems to know all the best tea houses for food too.”
Ben Ashby ★
Himalayan Trek · 2024
“What an amazing experience! Highly recommend Rohit to guide you through the Himalayas. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his team and they went out of their way to ensure we had an unforgettable trip. And most importantly. SO MUCH FUN!!!”
Richard Hilliard ★
Himalayan Trek · Sep 2025
“Just had the most fantastic trek with Rohit and his team. An incredible experience that has created amazing memories and hit the reset button for me in such a positive way. Thank you Rohit.. Namaste”
Jonathan Marriott ★
Himalayan Trek · Sep 2025
“Our experience in Nepal was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to our incredible friend. He truly is a superman! From the very beginning, the tour was meticulously personalized to cater to our every need and interest, ensuring that we always had exciting activities to look forward to.”
Minhaj Ul Islam ★
Nepal Tour · 2025
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. One porter per two guests. You are a person, not a tour number.
Fair & Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees. Permits, guides, porters and taxes are all included and itemised in your quote.
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
The Kapuche Glacier Lake trek is rated Easy-Moderate. The jeep drive to Sikles is long and bumpy on a rough road, often harder on the body than the walking itself. The trail from Sikles to Hugu Goth features a steady gradient with no technical sections, though the forest floor can be slippery after rain. The final push from Hugu to the lake involves rougher terrain and a steeper approach along a stream gorge.
The maximum altitude of around 2,546 metres is well below the threshold where altitude sickness becomes a concern for most. Walking times are 5-6 hours on the main trekking day, manageable for anyone with basic fitness. Good footwear with ankle support is recommended for the rocky lake approach, and trekking poles help on the descent. The trail is not marked or maintained to the standard of the main Annapurna routes, so a local guide familiar with this specific trail is strongly advised.
Preparation should focus on cardiovascular endurance for 5-6 hours of walking per day. Your footwear needs to be broken in before you arrive, and ankle support is crucial on this route. There is no phone signal beyond Sikles, so inform someone of your plans before leaving Pokhara. Simple first aid supplies should be in your pack: blister treatments, anti-diarrheal medication, and basic pain relief. Start early each day, eat and drink properly, and don't rush the lake approach.
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 Kapuche Glacier Lake
Choose your package, price per person (USD)
Other packages
Free cancellation up to 30 days
No booking fees, 20% deposit
Licensed operator (#1497)
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