Gandaki, 1 January: Kapuche Lake in Madi Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 of Kaski, where avalanches are falling with the sound of thunder, has developed into a destination where you can view the Himalayas.
This lake, which is believed to have been formed by an avalanche sometime between the second and fourth peaks of Annapurna, is located at an altitude of 2,421 meters above sea level. Spread over an area of ​​10,440 square meters, Kapuche is claimed to be the lowest altitude glacial lake in the world, said Devi Jung Gurung, ward chairperson of Madi Rural Municipality Ward No. 1.
The main attraction here is the panoramic view of the mountains, snowdrifts and the sun’s rays shining on the green and blue colored lake water right in front of the eyes. Ward Chairman Gurung said that Kapuche Himalayan Lake is called Khfuche in the local Gurung language, where Kh means snow, Phu means boulder and Che means flat land.
He informed that this lake is called Kapuche, Kafuche, etc. through erosion from Kahfuche. Along with the peaceful environment of Kapuche, a glacier lake near the market, the forest area looks enchanting with the colorful and monochromatic flowers that bloom here during the rainy season.
Kapuche can be reached after a six-hour walk from the tourist village of Sikles via Hugu. The Idi Waterfall on the way is charming and attractive. For the convenience of tourists, restaurants and temporary hotels have been built in Kapuche and Hugu. It seems that some of the traditionally built sheep huts are being upgraded and developed into tourist-grade hotels.
Krishna Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur who runs the Hotel Icefall in Hugu on the Sikles-Kafuche road, said that he has arranged accommodation for tourists in houses made of wood and thatched with thatch. Hugu, located in the middle of the forest and on the banks of the Madi River, is an area with ancient cowsheds in this area. Although the ancient cowsheds are disappearing now, he said that efforts are being made to develop infrastructure including hotels targeting tourists in the places where those cowsheds were located. As soon as you look out the entrance of the hotel in Hugu, you can see the Lamjung Himal in front of your eyes.
He said that the state should prioritize infrastructure, including roads, to reach Kapuche Glacier, which has become a major destination for domestic and foreign tourists in recent times to observe glaciers and avalanches. There are two options: you can go directly to Kapuche from Sikles and stay there and return the next day, or you can return and stay in Hugu. In ancient times, it was the custom of the Sikles people to keep their cattle and sheep in Hugu during the winter. From Hugu, you can return to Sikles and reach the next destination, Kori, via Nauta.
Recently, it has been in the news and discussion because it can be reached in a day’s trek from Sikles, a Gurung village rich in art and culture, which is located near the tourist city of Pokhara. Gurung, the ward chairman of Madi-1, said that Madi Rural Municipality has emphasized its promotion with the aim of promoting the lake’s glory and dignity among domestic and foreign tourists. Stating that their interest and activity towards organizing the footpath leading from Sikles to Kapuche has increased, he informed that in the meantime, assistance has been received from the rural municipality, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), National Lake Authority, Gandaki Province Government, etc. for the development of the lake’s infrastructure and the road leading to the lake, etc., and some work has been progressing.
According to Ward Chairman Gurung, the rural municipality has launched a program to purchase horses from Sikles to Kapuche at a grant of 50 rupees with the aim of preserving the disappearing horse riding culture, but there has been no interest from the youth towards it.
Although it is not certain when the lake was formed, there were various sheepfolds in the area in the past, but they are no longer there. Both Hungu and Kapuche, which are located on the Sikles-Kapuche route, are areas where ancient sheepfolds used to be. During the journey to Kapuche, those who can walk well from Sikles can reach Hungu in about three and a half hours. For those who cannot walk, it takes four to five hours. Tourists who can walk to Hungu can reach Kapuche in one hour, but for those who cannot, it takes one and a half to two hours.
Bobarjung Gurung, founding president of the Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Gandaki Province, said that promotion work has been taken forward by including Kapuche, a short distance from Pokhara, and Yangjakot via Sikles, Kapuche-Kori, Kholasothar-Karpu, under the Gurung Heritage Trail.
He said that the association has emphasized on promoting and developing the Gurung heritage trekking route by researching and exploring it, as well as a comprehensive concept that includes Sikles, the ancient Gurung settlement, Gurung villages, and the connected ancient sheepfolds and salt carrying routes.
The Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail from Sikles to Yangjakot via Kapuche, Kori, Kholasothar, Karpu was promoted by the association in the second week of Poush, said Tul Gurung, general secretary of the association. He said that it is necessary to promote the tourist attraction of Kapuche Glacier, which is close to Pokhara, along with its glory and dignity, to the world tourism market.
