Trekking Partners NepalKori, Kapuche & Karpu Trek
Treks from the Gurung village of Sikles to Kapuche glacier lake below the Annapurnas and up to the high grassy ridges of Kori and Karpu Danda. Homestays in Sikles, camping higher up.
- Duration4–7 days
- Highest pointapprox. 3,800 m (Kori)
- DifficultyModerate
- Best seasonMar–May, Oct–Nov
Trekkers looking for partners
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Post a tripWho the Kori, Kapuche and Karpu treks suit
These treks start from Sikles, one of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, northeast of Pokhara. From there you can walk to Kapuche Lake, a glacial lake beneath Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal, or climb to the high grassy ridges of Kori (about 3,800 m) and Karpu Danda for wide views of the Annapurna and Lamjung ranges.
They're moderate, with steep climbs and simple facilities. You stay in homestays in Sikles and camp or use very basic shelters higher up. They suit trekkers who want Gurung village culture and truly quiet mountain ridges, and don't mind roughing it for a night or two.
Do you need a guide or permit?
Sikles and the routes above it are in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need the ACAP permit, which you can get yourself in Pokhara. No TIMS card. See the 2026 rules.
A guide isn't legally required, but we strongly recommend one. Trails above Sikles are faint, there are no teahouses on the ridges, and you'll need help arranging camping gear, food and homestays.
Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner
October–November and March–May are best. Kapuche Lake and the high ridges can be snowbound in winter, and the monsoon brings cloud and slippery trails.
These routes see very few foreign trekkers, so plan with a partner before you go. Post your dates a few weeks ahead.
Doing Kori or Kapuche with a partner
- Where to meet: Pokhara, then share a jeep to Sikles.
- What to share: the jeep, a local guide, camping gear and food for the upper nights.
- Choose together: Kapuche Lake, Kori, Karpu or a combination. Agree before you go, since it changes the camping days.
- Stay together on the upper ridges. There's nobody else up there.
Trek Kori, Kapuche & Karpu with a local guide
A licensed guide isn't mandatory on Kori, Kapuche & Karpu, and the rule isn't enforced on most of Nepal's trails, but we still recommend trekking with a local guide.
An experienced guide isn't only there to show you the way. They know the families who run the teahouses and homestays, explain the villages, monasteries, festivals and food you'd otherwise walk straight past, help you talk with local people, watch for altitude sickness and changing weather, and handle rooms, permits and transport so you can simply enjoy the walk. Many trekkers say their guide was the best part of the trip.
Discover Parbat is a licensed local trekking company from Parbat, near Pokhara, with experienced guides who know these trails and the people along them. Trekking with a partner? Share one guide and split the cost.
Kori, Kapuche & Karpu: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for Sikles, Kori or Kapuche Lake?
Yes. These routes are in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need ACAP. TIMS is not required.
Are there teahouses on the Kori trek?
You stay in homestays in Sikles, but higher up there are no teahouses, so you need camping gear or very basic shelters.
Do I need a guide for Kapuche Lake?
It is not legally required, but strongly recommended, because the trails are faint and accommodation and food have to be arranged.
Heading to Kori, Kapuche & Karpu? Post your dates and find someone to trek with. It's free.
Questions about Kori, Kapuche & Karpu
Trail conditions, permits and gear, answered by trekkers who were just there and our local team.
No questions about Kori, Kapuche & Karpu yet. Wondering about snow, permits or teahouses? Ask – we’ll answer.
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