Khopra Ridge Trek (South of Annapurnas), 14 Days

This morning after breakfast and with great views of the mountains we will spend the day ascending, in what is a relatively easy walk.

Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind, we will enter oak and rhododendron forests. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk, the forest is alive with the sound of birds and small tumbling waterfalls, and if you visit in spring, (late March to April) the rhododendron will be in full bloom.

There are no villages on today’s route, but there will be a few teahouses at Baisi Kharkha, providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. We will enjoy fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way.

Sometimes we will see monkeys on the trail from Baisi Kharka as we walk through the forest. Our lodge at Tadapani is the perfect setting for sunset and sunrise views. 

Total trekking time: 3 hours

Elevation: Tadapani 2630m

Overnight: Tadapani lodge

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

This morning after breakfast, we will leave the main trail that leads to Ghorepani or ABC and follow a rarely used trail - initially through thick rhododendron forest - that leads to local water buffalo pasture lands.

The climb is gradual and soon we will emerge above the tree line to superb views of the Annapurna range. After 2 hours of walking gradual uphill through the rhododendron forest, we will arrive at Meshar Danda.

Then we continue to climb gradually through the forest and soon arrive upon open countryside to reach Isharu, which takes about 30 minutes.

We will stop for lunch here. After lunch, we walk again in the grassland until reaching a small pass, where the trail descends for a while before going uphill between a small hill through rhododendrons to an open clearing known as Dobato which takes about 2 and half hours.

There is small ridge called Muldai View Point just high above Dobato which takes about 30 minutes from where we will have superb views of the high Himalayan ranges such as Machhapuchhre to the South to Dhaulagiri to the north-west and the Annapurna range in the middle.

This is usually very good to hike early in the morning for the spectacular sunrise views over the high mountains.

There will be another chance to hike to the Hidden Lake from Dobato. This remote lake with close-up views of the surrounding mountains takes 7 hours of round-trip walking from Dobato and an extra day is needed for exploring.

Total trekking time: 5 hours

Elevation: Dobato 3420m

Overnight: Dobato lodge

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today early in the morning, we will hike 30 minutes uphill to Muldai View Point from where we will have a panoramic view of the high Himalayas including the Dhaulagiri range, Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre.

Then back to the lodge. After breakfast, we will walk downhill for a while in a dense forest of rhododendrons and soon we will climb uphill for few minutes before the trail goes level until reaching Bayli Kharka which takes an hour walking.

From Bayli Kharka, there are great views of the Dhaulagiri Range. Then we will descend through dense forests of rhododendrons until we come to a small stream and cross via a wooden bridge. We will cross another stream before ascending for a few minutes until the trail goes level and we reach open ground and pastures of land. 

We will then continue to walk through the forest, ascending gradually and passing through several buffalo/yaks grazing pastures to reach a clearing and temporary herder’s settlement at Chistibung, where you will stay in the small community lodge or private lodge.

Total trekking time: 4 hours

Elevation: Chistibung 3026m

Overnight: Lodge/Home-Stay.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today after breakfast, we are heading to reach the ridge at Kopra, and we will embark on a steady climb that carries us above the tree line. This area is noted for wildlife, so we should keep our eyes open for Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant.

The best way to tackle the climb is to ascend steadily, take our time and rest as often as we wish. We will reach the lodge on Kopra Ridge in time for lunch and will be greeted by more awe-inspiring views of mountain vistas.

This extraordinary panorama includes Annapurna South, towering directly above us at only six kilometres away, with Fang/Bahra Sikhar and Nilgiri prominent to the north.

Across the depths of the Kali Gandakhi Valley, the Dhaulagiri range dominates the entire western skyline. The Kopra Community Lodge is the highlight of our work in the region. It takes 2 and half hours walking from Chistibung to Khopra.

Total trekking time: 3 hours

Elevation: Kopra RidgeDanda 3660m

Overnight: at Community Lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today, it is a very good idea to stay here at least 1 more day; we can take a beautiful day’s hiking trip to Khayar Lake at 4600m. This, however, is not recommended for every trekker, because it is a very long way to trek to the lake and come back the same way to Khopra ridge.

It takes a minimum of 7 to 8 hours as a round trip. But it is a good idea to go as far as Thanti (around 4200m. high) and come back. At Thanti, there are some shelters for yak herders and shepherds to stay in during the monsoon season.

Khayar Lake is very famous for Hindu beliefs; on the occasion of Janai Purnima, around the full moon of Saaun (July-August) the high caste men, Brahmin and Kshetri, must change the janai/sacred treads, which they wear looped over their left shoulder. So Janai Purnima brings crowds of pilgrims to this sacred Khayar Lake and many pilgrims come from India as well.

There they garland a statue of Shiva and throw coins at a temple and into the lake. The pilgrims sleep one or two nights at Thanti, in the yak herders’ shelters but those are not enough for all these people. They bring large tents and set them up as shelters for many people and then they go up to the lake, making pooja. This Khayar lake trip makes for a mesmerizing tour as you take in natures beauty.

Total trekking time: 7-8 hours

Elevation: Khayar Lake 4600m

Overnight: at Community Lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

After breakfast with great views of mountain vistas from Kopra Ridge, we will descend off the hillside and continue steeply downhill.

We will retrace the route back to Chistibung. Then the trail goes steeply downhill through the forest until we reach Kharka. This is a really nice place to stop for lunch. 

Afterwards, the trail continues uphill for little while in bamboo forest and we continue walking up and down until we reach the village of Swanta where the Magar people inhabit. It takes about 2 hours after lunch.

Total trekking time: 5 hours

Elevation: Swanta 2214m

Overnight: at lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Enjoy breakfast with the beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri range before taking the trail from just below our lodge and walking downhill to a suspension bridge over a small stream.

Then the trail follows steep zigzags, climbing uphill until reaching Phalante to join the main trekking trail to go Ghorepani or Tatopani. You can see Swanta village on the opposite side. 

Afterward, our trail follows behind the small tea shop and goes through a terrace field for a while before entering a dense forest of rhododendrons.

Mostly it is a gentle uphill walk through the forest until we reach the ridge and walk downhill for few minutes. Then we climb gradually uphill to Danda Kharka passing several yaks and sheep pasture land and enjoying the awesome views of the Dhaulagiri range and Annapurna range. 

Here we will have a lunch break. After lunch, the trail follows gradually uphill to Fulbari for half an hour and goes deeper into the dense forest of rhododendrons and other subtropical plants to reach the ridge where our walk will be on grassy land until we reach Mohare Danda.

Mohare Danda itself is a perfect natural towering ridge. It offers a spectacular 360 degree mountain view through the Dhaulagiri range (8167m), Annapurna range (8091m), Manaslu Himal( 8163m) as well as vistas of deep magical landscapes and magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the mountains.

Total trekking time: 7 hours

Elevation: Mohare Danda 3320m

Overnight: at Community Lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Enjoy the early morning sunrise view over the high Himalayas and after breakfast, we will walk gently downhill on grassy land for a while viewing valley.

Soon we enter to the forest and walk up and down through small gullys until we come to grassy land and reach Hampal Pass.

Then the trail zigzags downhill into a forest before gentle climbing downhill into deep forests until we reach a stone paved trail and continue walking downhill to the Magar Village of Nangi.

The views of Dhaulagiri range and Annapurna range are still visible from the village.as we explore the high school from the village and surrounding area.

Total trekking time: 4 hours

Elevation: Nagi 2320m

Overnight: at Community Lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today after having breakfast, we leave the village and follow the off-road trail through the villages for 1 and half hours.

The views of the Dhaulagiri range are still visible. Then the trail goes steep downhill in stone staircases for half an hour a steep uphill climb for 30 minutes.

Soon the Banskharka is visible from the top of a hill and we still continue to walk downhill in a well-maintained trekking trail, until reaching Banskharka which takes about 4 hours from Nangi.

Here they have orange plantations all over the land and there is a mixed culture of different people in the area.

Total trekking time: 4 hours

Elevation: Banskharka 1526m

Overnight: at Home-Stay.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

This morning we walk downhill on a small trekking trail skipping dirt roads and soon the trail takes a steep downhill route to Kaligandaki River where we cross via a suspension bridge.

We continuing walking on a dirt road for a while before arriving at Galeshwor, and where one of the most famous Hindu temples is situated in the middle of a village.

We will have a quick visit to the temple before meeting our private car and driving to Pokhara and transferring to our hotel.

Total driving time 4 hours

Overnight: hotel

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Accommodation :

In the morning after breakfast, we will go to the world peace stupa by car.

We can see panoramic views of the high Himalayan range from Manaslu to Dhaulagiri range including Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Massif as well as scenic Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake.

Then, we will walk down to Phewa Lake through the forest which takes about 1 hour and take a boat to cross Phewa Lake passing the small island where Temple Barahi is situated in the middle of the Lake.

In the afternoon we will transfer to the airport and then fly back to Kathmandu.

Our car will be ready to pick us up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight: hotel

• Breakfast
• Accommodation :
• Flight :

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements and transfer to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport by our private van around 3 hours before your flight schedule and flight back to your home/other travel destination.

• Breakfast