Kori Danda (Kapuche Lake - Kori) Trek

Also known as Sikles Kapuche Kori Trek.

Kori Danda (Kapuche Lake - Kori) Trek is a moderate 4-6-day teahouse/camping mix trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 3,800 m. It starts at Sikles and ends at Sikles.

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Kaski (Madi Rural Municipality))
Duration
4-6 days, 5-7 hours walking per day
Distance
45 km
Maximum altitude
3,800 m
Difficulty
Moderate — Steep, rough and sometimes exposed newly-cut trails with 1,000 m+ days up to Kori at 3,800 m (optional Thulek 4,115 m); accommodation above Sikles is very basic seasonal bamboo huts/tents with limited capacity. Altitude is moderate but the trail is raw compared with established Annapurna routes.
Trek type
Teahouse/Camping mix, out-and-back route
Best season
Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-Apr); popular with domestic trekkers year-round since ~2020
Guide
Not mandatory
Restricted area
No
Budget cost
NPR 15,000–25,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 25,000–40,000
Guided cost
NPR 38,000–61,000
Getting there
Kathmandu -> Pokhara (tourist bus, 6-8h, paved) -> Sikles via Bhaisepatan (local bus/shared jeep, 3-4h, ~40 km of which ~20 km rough off-road) -> trailhead in the village
Altitude sickness
Mild AMS possible on the fast 1,750 m gain from Sikles to Kori (3,800 m) in two days; serious AMS uncommon at these altitudes.

Weather

Kapuche (2,450 m) is billed as the world's lowest glacial lake, fed by avalanches off Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal - winter/spring visitors often see avalanche falls into the lake. Kori ridge gets snow Dec-Feb (huts may close). Monsoon brings leeches, landslides on the Madi valley trail and cloud; the Sikles jeep road can be cut.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Pokhara to Sikles, 1 h, 1,980 m — Madi valley drive; Sikles, one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal, traditional stone architecture, Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal views
  2. Day 2: Sikles to Hugu Goth, 5-6 h, 2,050 m — Descent to the Madi khola, gorge trail through dense forest, herders' pastures at Hugu
  3. Day 3: Hugu Goth to Nohtha (via Kapuche Lake), 5-6 h, 3,050 m — Morning at Kapuche Glacier Lake (2,450 m), turquoise water beneath the Annapurna II ice wall, chance of avalanche falls; afternoon steep climb to Nohtha kharka
  4. Day 4: Nohtha to Kori Danda, 4-5 h, 3,800 m — Ridge climb to Kori (3,800 m): 360-degree panorama of Annapurna II, IV, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu; optional 2h side hike to Thulek (4,115 m); famous sunset/sunrise and sea-of-clouds views; small gumba and view tower
  5. Day 5: Kori Danda to Pokhara (via Sikles), 5-6 h, 820 m — Sunrise from Kori, long descent directly to Sikles via Tasa/Chipli ridge trail, afternoon jeep to Pokhara

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