Kapuche Lake Kori Trek

You must pay in Nepali rupees. Teahouses in Sikles do not accept US dollars or foreign currency. Small bills under 500 NPR work the best. Keep 1500 to 2000 NPR per day for extras like garlic soup, boiled eggs, bottled water, and other extra expenses. We advise exchanging money in Pokhara or Kathmandu before the Kapuche Lake Kori Trek. ATMs do not exist in Sikles.

Guides carry small emergency cash but cannot break large notes. Receipts are handwritten on scrap paper; no digital payments or card readers are available. Having the exact change can be very convenient. Keep coins in a ziplock to avoid losing them in your pack.

We serve a full vegetarian Newari dinner set alongside meat options. You get bara, chatamari, yomari, lentil soup, beaten rice, and pickled greens. Cooks prepare veg meals separately using dedicated pots and utensils. We confirm your preference during booking and remind the kitchen staff the day before. No cross-contamination and absolutely no upcharge for this arrangement.

If you follow strict no-onion-garlic rules, we can adjust further. Just tell us in advance. Portions are generous and seconds are free. Dessert is jujube pudding or rice flour dumplings, or something like Gulabjamun. Live musicians play traditional instruments and songs of village love and country, in fully traditional attire while you eat.

We set two alarms for you if you want sunrise shots at Kori Danda. Your guide knocks on your door at 4:45 AM with hot lemon tea and a headlamp. They carry spare batteries and help you find the best vantage point above camp. They wait with you until the first light hits the hills and peaks nearby. You get time to frame shots without rushing.

They carry a thermos for refills and point out cloud movement for better composition. If you feel dizzy or cold, they walk you back slowly. We do this for every guest who asks with no extra fee. Just tell us the night before.

You might face altitude sickness above 3,000 meters, especially if you rush to Kori Danda. We monitor symptoms, carry oximeters, and descend immediately if your oxygen dips below 85. Trail risks include loose scree near glacier moraines, icy patches on the Kapuche approach, and narrow ridges with exposure. The weather shifts fast and snow falls even in May above 3,500 meters. We pack emergency sacks and reroute if storms hit.

We rent jackets under 1.2 kilograms. Sleeping bags weigh about 1.5 kilograms, and poles are 300 grams. Total rented gear must stay under 8 or 9 kilograms since you will also have other items to pack. We subtract weight from your duffel allowance or charge you extra if it’s over the limit. Porters carry 12 kilograms max per client. Exceed that, and you pay for the exceeded amount separately. We weigh everything in Kathmandu; no exceptions.

You may leave your original passport in the hotel safe in Pokhara. We lock it in a fireproof box with a digital log. You carry a notarized color photocopy with a visa and an entry stamp. Guides hold a backup set in waterproof sleeves. No checkpoint between Sikles and Kori Danda requires originals. Immigration only checks at Kathmandu Airport.

We recommend keeping one emergency contact and insurance details on the copy. Lost passports delay flights, not treks. If you prefer to carry it, use a neck pouch under layers. We’ve never had an issue with copies on this route.

Your 65L duffel fits if we use our extended Mahindra Scorpio with fold-flat rear seats. We strap it upright behind the back passenger seat. You ride with a daypack at your feet. We measure every bag at Kathmandu pickup.

If yours exceeds the trunk space, we assign a larger vehicle at no extra cost. Roof racks can also be used in such cases, provided that they are unused. We photograph your bag and tag it with your name and room number. Jeeps depart clean, fueled, and pre-checked for suspension and tire pressure.

We walk past prayer flags tied by pilgrims, monks, and locals over decades. Most fade naturally under sun, wind, and monsoon until threads unravel. Replacement happens during festivals like Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar, or Buddha Jayanti, not on a fixed schedule. You may see fresh strings near chortens or high passes where communities gather annually. We encourage you to tie new flags only at designated spots with permission.

Locals sell blessed sets in Sikles or Pokhara. Never step over or discard old flags. We carry spare rolls for group ceremonies at Kori Danda. Colors represent elements. Their fading carries prayers skyward.

You can request no onion or garlic at booking. We note it in your file and alert every teahouse chef from Sikles to Kori Danda. Cooks substitute with ginger, tomato, radish, or local timmur spice. Meals stay flavorful regardless of the lack of onion and garlic. We double-check at each stop. Bring your own spice if you prefer. We recommend trekkers confirm again when they arrive at each lodge.

We provide laminated dietary cards in Nepali for kitchen staff, free of cost. Cross-contamination is rare in small kitchens; you can eat safely and rest assured. We’ve handled Jain, Hindu Vaishnav, and medical diets for years. Just tell us early.

You climb to 3,800 meters on uneven, remote trails with no road access or quick exits. First-timers often underestimate the descent from Kori Danda, which pounds their knees for hours. Teahouses lack heating, Wi-Fi, and western toilets are not appealing to most. Weather shifts fast above the tree line. We’ve seen fit beginners succeed, but only with solid cardio, broken-in boots, and mental readiness for basic conditions.

If this is your first trek, try Ghorepani Poon Hill or Langtang Valley first, build stamina, and test gear. Learn how your body reacts above 3,000 meters. Then return to Kapuche. However, we offer a training program for first-time trekkers; for this, you have to arrive almost 7 weeks before the start of the Kapuche Lake Kori Trek.

We issue the satellite phone for emergencies only. You may send one pre-approved text message per day if the family requires urgent updates. Personal calls, social media, or streaming are not permitted, and frankly, not a possibility as well. Battery life lasts roughly 72 hours under normal use. We log every transmission for safety and accountability. Guides carry the device and decide when usage is justified. If you need regular contact, buy a local SIM in Kathmandu, though coverage vanishes past Sikles.

We train all guides in emergency protocols. The phone connects directly to the Himalayan Rescue Association and our Kathmandu center. This is not a luxury, it is a lifeline.

Yes, the guides carry Diamox, but you must also bring your own supply prescribed by your doctor. Our guides carry basic first aid, oxygen, and altitude sickness protocol sheets. They monitor your pulse, sleep, and hydration. If symptoms appear above 3,000 meters, we descend immediately. Diamox does not require prior medical consultation. Pharmacies in Kathmandu sell it over the counter, but we recommend bringing your verified batch.

Start taking it 24 hours before ascent if advised. We track your dosage if you share your plan. You should keep tablets dry and labeled.

The bridge is safe but exposed. It spans twenty meters over a rocky stream, suspended by steel cables and wooden planks. Locals cross daily with livestock and loads. You feel it sway slightly. Handrails are waist-high and sturdy. We walk first, you follow at your own pace; there is no need to rush. Some trekkers count their steps while others close their eyes and hold hands with fellow trekkers.

There is no judgment in such cases. If panic hits, you should not shy away from things. An alternative route is also available, this path adds thirty minutes but avoids the bridge entirely.

You can swap any lunch for a packed meal if you notify us before 7 PM the night before. We prepare boiled eggs, chapati, local cheese, nuts, and dried fruit wrapped in cloth. No plastic, since we promote sustainable trekking. You eat while walking or at scenic rest points above the tree line. This saves 45 to 60 minutes on summit days like Kori Danda or Kapuche Lake. You can carry extra snacks in case you need more.

We adjust water refill stops to match your pace. Just tell your guide at dinner. We log it in the kitchen book. Locals appreciate fewer lunch crowds at their stone huts.

You walk through Sikles, a Gurung village preserving and showcasing the declining practices of Gurung culture. Locals wear traditional patuka and speak their own dialect and language. You see women weaving wool on backstrap looms and men repairing slate roofs with hand-forged tools. Kids walk two hours to school carrying books in dusty bags. Families invite you for tea in homes made of wood, stones, and clay, and smoke-blackened kitchens.

Elders share stories of life when yaks carried salt from Tibet. You witness ancient rituals at chortens and Buddhist prayers at hidden shrines. We time visits to avoid staged performances.

Permit fees are fully included. We secure your Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and Trekkers’ Information Management System card before Day 3. You just show your passport, and we handle the rest. However, visa fees are not included. You pay those separately at Kathmandu Airport. Tourist visas cost 30 USD for 15 days, 50 USD for 30 days.

We recommend travelers bring exact cash. We remind you at booking to keep your visa receipt. Immigration checks it on exit. We reimburse nothing if you overstay. Double-check your passport has six months’ validity.