Nov 10, 2025
Before we dive into the details, here's a quick overview of what to expect. This trek is considered short but challenging, involving steep ascents and descents. The Kapuche Lake trek Days (for trekking only) are just three, but you need to factor in travel time to and from the starting point, Sikles.
Journey: 4 Days / 3 Nights (from Kathmandu)
Trekking Duration: 2 Days (Sikles -> Hugu -> Kapuche -> Hugu -> Sikles)
Starting Point: Kathmandu
Trek Start: Sikles Village
Difficulty: Moderate (involves steep climbs)
Max. Altitude: 2,546m (Kapuche Lake)
Accommodation: Teahouses (Guesthouses) & Hotels
Day 1: Travel from Kathmandu to Sikles (via Pokhara). (Overnight in Sikles)
Day 2: Trek Sikles to Hugu, day hike to Kapuche Lake, return to Hugu. (Overnight in Hugu)
Day 3: Trek from Hugu back to Sikles, drive to Pokhara. (Overnight in Pokhara)
Day 4: Explore Pokhara & travel back to Kathmandu.
Visiting Kapuche Lake, officially the lowest-altitude glacier lake in Nepal.
The high chance of witnessing avalanches falling from the surrounding peaks into the lake (from a safe distance).
Experiencing the rich culture of Sikles, one of the largest and oldest Gurung villages.
A challenging but rewarding trail through forests and along riverbeds.
Enjoying the lakeside vibes of Pokhara after the trek.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Kapuche Lake trek cost for our 3-night, 4-day trip. Prices are per person and in Nepali Rupees (NPR).
| Category | Item | Estimated Cost (NPR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | Night Bus (KTM - Pokhara) | Rs. 1,000 – 1,200 | For the “By Bus” option. |
| Transport | Jeep (Pokhara - Sikles) | ~ Rs. 500 | Shared jeep from Kahu Khola. A private jeep costs around Rs. 5,000. |
| Transport | Private Vehicle (Scooter) | Varies | We used our own scooter for the entire trip. |
| Accommodation | Sikles (Night 1) | Rs. 1,500 | At Namaste Guest House (includes dinner, breakfast, attached bath). |
| Accommodation | Hugu (Night 2) | Rs. 2,200 | At Hugu Goth (includes food, shared room). |
| Accommodation | Pokhara (Night 3) | Varies | We stayed one night, cost not included in trek budget. |
| Food (On-Trek) | Noodle Soup (Hugu) | Rs. 200 | — |
| Food (On-Trek) | Khaja / Lunch (Sikles) | Rs. 200 | After returning from the trek. |
| Total (Est.) | Per Person | ~ Rs. 5,100 | Covers 2-day trek + 2 nights’ accommodation & food (Sikles/Hugu). Excludes transport to/from Pokhara and stay in Pokhara. |
Here is the step-by-step daily guide from our journey.
This is a long travel day to get to the trek's starting point.
By Bus: You can take a night bus from Kathmandu (Rs. 1000-1200) to Pokhara. From Pokhara's Kahu Khola, take a shared jeep to Sikles (Rs. 500, or Rs. 5000 for a private jeep).
By Private Vehicle (Our Trip): We left Kathmandu at 6:00 AM on a scooter and reached Pokhara by 11:30 AM. We left Pokhara at 12:30 PM and reached Sikles at 4:00 PM.
We stayed at Namaste Guest House in Sikles.
Cost: Rs. 1,500 per person
Includes: Room with attached bathroom, dinner, and breakfast.
This is the most challenging day.
7:30 AM: Started our trek from Sikles to Hugu.
12:30 PM: Reached Hugu (approx. 5 hours). We parked our heavy bags at the Namaste Guest House outlet.
Lunch: Had a quick noodle soup (Rs. 200) to refuel.
~1:30 PM: Started the steep ascent from Hugu to Kapuche Lake.
~3:30 PM: Reached Kapuche Lake after 2 hours of tough climbing. We spent 1-2 hours shooting videos and enjoying the view.
~5:00 PM: Started the descent back to Hugu.
We stayed the night at Hugu Goth. We had planned to go to Kori, but we were too tired, and our knees hurt, so we decided to descend the next day.
Cost: Rs. 2,200 per person
Includes: Stay in a shared room, dinner, and breakfast.
The descent and return to civilization.
7:00 AM: Started our descent from Hugu.
12:30 PM: Reached Sikles (approx. 5.5 hours).
Lunch: Had khaja (snack/light lunch) in Sikles, which cost around Rs. 200.
~1:30 PM: Left Sikles on our scooter.
5:00 PM: Arrived back in Pokhara.
We spent the night in Pokhara, which was a welcome comfort after the tough trek.
A relaxed day to end the trip.
Morning: Explored our surroundings in Pokhara, visited Fewa Lake, Pumdikot, and did kayaking.
1:00 PM: Left Pokhara to drive back to Kathmandu.
7:00 PM: Reached Kathmandu after getting stuck in traffic for several hours.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Kapuche Lake trek cost for our 3-night, 4-day trip. Prices are per person and in Nepali Rupees (NPR).
| Category | Item | Estimated Cost (NPR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | Night Bus (KTM - Pokhara) | Rs. 1,000 – 1,200 | For the “By Bus” option. |
| Transport | Jeep (Pokhara - Sikles) | ~ Rs. 500 | Shared jeep from Kahu Khola. A private jeep costs around Rs. 5,000. |
| Transport | Private Vehicle (Scooter) | Varies | We used our own scooter for the entire trip. |
| Accommodation | Sikles (Night 1) | Rs. 1,500 | At Namaste Guest House (includes dinner, breakfast, attached bath). |
| Accommodation | Hugu (Night 2) | Rs. 2,200 | At Hugu Goth (includes food, shared room). |
| Accommodation | Pokhara (Night 3) | Varies | We stayed one night, cost not included in trek budget. |
| Food (On-Trek) | Noodle Soup (Hugu) | Rs. 200 | — |
| Food (On-Trek) | Khaja / Lunch (Sikles) | Rs. 200 | After returning from the trek. |
| Total (Est.) | Per Person | ~ Rs. 5,100 | Covers 2-day trek + 2 nights’ accommodation & food (Sikles/Hugu). Excludes transport to/from Pokhara and stay in Pokhara. |
Here is the step-by-step daily guide from our journey.
This is a long travel day to get to the trek's starting point.
By Bus: You can take a night bus from Kathmandu (Rs. 1000-1200) to Pokhara. From Pokhara's Kahu Khola, take a shared jeep to Sikles (Rs. 500, or Rs. 5000 for a private jeep).
By Private Vehicle (Our Trip): We left Kathmandu at 6:00 AM on a scooter and reached Pokhara by 11:30 AM. We left Pokhara at 12:30 PM and reached Sikles at 4:00 PM.
We stayed at Namaste Guest House in Sikles.
Cost: Rs. 1,500 per person
Includes: Room with attached bathroom, dinner, and breakfast.
This is the most challenging day.
7:30 AM: Started our trek from Sikles to Hugu.
12:30 PM: Reached Hugu (approx. 5 hours). We parked our heavy bags at the Namaste Guest House outlet.
Lunch: Had a quick noodle soup (Rs. 200) to refuel.
~1:30 PM: Started the steep ascent from Hugu to Kapuche Lake.
~3:30 PM: Reached Kapuche Lake after 2 hours of tough climbing. We spent 1-2 hours shooting videos and enjoying the view.
~5:00 PM: Started the descent back to Hugu.
We stayed the night at Hugu Goth. We had planned to go to Kori, but we were too tired, and our knees hurt, so we decided to descend the next day.
Cost: Rs. 2,200 per person
Includes: Stay in a shared room, dinner, and breakfast.
The descent and return to civilization.
7:00 AM: Started our descent from Hugu.
12:30 PM: Reached Sikles (approx. 5.5 hours).
Lunch: Had khaja (snack/light lunch) in Sikles, which cost around Rs. 200.
~1:30 PM: Left Sikles on our scooter.
5:00 PM: Arrived back in Pokhara.
We spent the night in Pokhara, which was a welcome comfort after the tough trek.
A relaxed day to end the trip.
Morning: Explored our surroundings in Pokhara, visited Fewa Lake, Pumdikot, and did kayaking.
1:00 PM: Left Pokhara to drive back to Kathmandu.
7:00 PM: Reached Kathmandu after getting stuck in traffic for several hours.
For the trekking portion (2 days, 2 nights at Sikles/Hugu), budget around Rs. 5,100 per person (ex-Pokhara). The full 4-day trip from Kathmandu, including transport and a night in Pokhara, will be more.
We did the full trip from Kathmandu in 4 days and 3 nights. The trekking-only part (Sikles to Kapuche and back) takes 2 full days.
You cannot drive to the lake. The distance from Pokhara to Sikles (the trek start) is a 3-4 hour jeep ride over rough roads.
The trekking distance from Sikles to Hugu takes about 5 hours. From Hugu to Kapuche Lake is another 2 hours of steep climbing
This Panch Pokhari trek guide covers trek cost (for Nepali & foreigners), the best route from Kathmandu, itinerary options, and tips to prepare for this Himalayan adventure!
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