Kafuche snow lake for tourists’ choice

• Basudev Paudel

Kafuche snow lake in Madi Rural Municipality-1 of Kaski is claimed to be the lowest in the world.

This lake, which is 2,450 meters above sea level, has become a favorite of tourists in recent years. Gurung village, rich in art and culture, which is nearby from the tourist city of Pokhara, can be reached on a day’s trek from Sikles.

Devijung Gurung, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 1, said that Madi Rural Municipality has emphasized the promotion of the lake by bringing its glory and dignity to local and foreign tourists. He said that they have increased their interest and activity in organizing the trek from Sikles to Kafuche.

He said that targeting the revival of the disappearing equestrian culture, the rural municipality has launched a program to purchase horses with subsidies from Sikles to Kafuche. Those who want to run a horse riding business in that area can purchase a horse with a 50% subsidy.

Anyone who reaches the lake formed by the melting of the avalanche that came between Annapurna’s 2nd and 4th mountains is enthralled by the beautiful scenery there.

The blue Kanchan water of the lake spread over about 1,200 square meters is fascinating. In recent years, the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists in the area has been increasing every year.

Although it is not certain when the lake was formed, it is assumed that the lake was formed by an avalanche at some point between Annapurna’s 2nd and 4th mountains.

There used to be various sheep sheds in that area, but now they are gone. Locals have their own arguments regarding Kafuche naming.

Krishna Gurung, a tourism businessman who is running Honguma Hotel Icefall on the Sikles-Kafuche road, said that the state should prioritize infrastructure including roads to reach Kafuche Himalaya, which can become a major destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Dharm Panthi, First Vice President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Western Regional Association, said that it is necessary to promote trekking to Kafuche snowlake, which is a short distance from Pokhara.