Trek to Sikles and Kapuche Lake(The Lowest Glacial Lake in Nepal)

Sikles and Kapuche Lake Trek/PP 700 USD

Sikles and Kapuche Lake Trek is the newly opened and the less crowded trekking route of Nepal. Although it is a newly explored trail, it has been the most loved trekking trail among trekkers in a very short time. It is one of the pristine trekking trails that unfold the natural beauty in Nepal. This trail packs charming villages, interesting patterns of terraced fields, rhododendron forest, and high alpine meadows snuggled below the towering mountains of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II (7937m), and IV (7525m).

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This trekking is also famed as a royal trek. It is because Prince Charles had a trek through the area in 1980 to visit the villages of Gurkha recruits. His visit is taken as a part of an effort to develop this into a model eco-trekking route. But it has yet shadowed at the corner of the Annapurna conservation area under the Lamjung Himal and Annapurnas II and IV. Although, this an ambitious walk, Sikles offers plenty of rewards. This trail is also a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. Moreover, this trekking trail is a plastic-free trail where you can’t see even a single piece of plastic. This pristine trail is also abundant with Flora and Fauna.

Facts.

Sikles is a beautiful indigenous Gurung village with 850 households in the Kaski district. It is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal.  It lies at the altitude of 1981m from sea level just above the Madi river on the ridge of a hill. Kapuche is the lowest glacial lake in Nepal. It lies at the height of 2450m from sea level in Madi Rural Municipality-1 of the district. In 2014, a Japanese researcher came here the study Kapuche lake. According to him, its length is 400m, width is 300m and depth is 40m.

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This lake is also the source of the Madi River. This lake was ice rock for 14 years. Its name Kapuche is named after the Gurung language. The best season to visit this lake in October, November, and December. During this season, you can explore the best color of the lake which is sky blue. The color of the lake changes with the season. Even more, you can also see the avalanche in March, April, and May which may be beyond your imagination. Huwu Goth is the base camp of Kapuche lake which lies at the altitude of 2100m from sea level.

Other Attractions

In spite of Sikles village and Kapuche lake, this trail is abundant with many other attractions which are enlisted below:

• Tara Hill Top
• Mad Honey Hunting
• View Point
• Hot Spring
• Water Falls
• Ghale Karka
• Local Culture and Festival
• Huwu Goth(Goth Ghar)
• Camping Sites
• Harihar Cave
• Local Museum

How to get there?

We can go to Sikles from Pokhara either by local vehicle or private vehicle. It may be by bus, jeep, car, or bike. You can choose a vehicle according to your fitness level and time constraints.  It is roughly 4 hours drive from Pokhara. If you are planning to take the local vehicle. You can get a bus to reach Kahun Khola from Hallanchowk, Pokhara. It takes around an hour to reach Kahun Khola. From Kahun Khola, you can take either a local bus or jeep to reach Sikles. It is around 3 hours drive on a bumpy road. One thing you must know is a local bus is only found till 2 pm at Hallanchowk. You have to hike to reach hotels from a bus stop at Sikles.

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The next day, you have to trek almost 6 hours to reach Huwu Goth where you stay overnight. Huwu Goth lies at the altitude of 2100m. It is the base camp of Kapuche lake. The next day in the early morning, you have to trek for one and half hours to reach Kapuche lake. On the same day, you have to return back to Sikles so, you have to take your time into consideration. You can trek back to Sikles from the same route or from another route. You have to choose the route according to your guide’s advice and your physical condition. From Sikles, you can take the same mode of transportation which you had taken while coming.

Accommodation 

In Pokhara, you can stay in any hotel ranging from non-star to five-star. It depends upon your budget and desire. But, in Sikles and Huwu Goth, there is no second option for accommodation. In Sikles, there are limited numbers of hotels with non-star facilities and services like tea houses. You can get proper food and lodging facilities in Sikles. When you cross the Sikles village, you don’t find any tea house or any food facilities so you must carry a pack of lunch and dry foods to settle your hunger while trekking. But, there are many natural water taps and water resources for drinking water so you will not face any problems with water if you carry a water bottle. When you will reach Huwu Goth, you will find something new which may be beyond your imagination. Huwu Goth is neither a tea house nor a camping site. It is the shelter of sheep and goats

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When you will reach Huwu Goth, you will find something new which may be beyond your imagination. Huwu Goth is neither a tea house nor a camping site. It is the shelter of sheep and goats. Today you have to sleep with sheep and goats. Can’t it sound more adventurous? In this region, local people used to bring their goats and sheep for grazing from the village. For the accommodation of the local people, small huts are made which are called Goth in the local language. It can protect you from cold and water. Don’t forget to take one sleeping bag for you. In Huwu Goth, you have to carry raw foods from Sikles because there are only cooking facilities in Huwu Goth. You can also ask for help from the local people for your meals at Huwu Goth. They will be always ready for any help during the whole trek. Moreover, Sikles and Kapuche lake trek can be the best option for a short camping trek. Huwu Goth is the best spot for camping. Not only that, but you can also do camping on the trail of this trek where water resource is available.