Khopra Ridge Trekking
USD 1237
14 days
Moderate
4025m
Tea House, Hotel
Bus, Jeep, Car
1-10
All around the year
Khopra Ridge Trekking Introduction
The Khopra Ridge Trek, also known as the Khopra Danda Trek or Khopra Ridge Community Trek, is a less-traveled, off-the-beaten-path trekking route in Nepal. It offers a unique and rewarding experience for trekkers, combining breathtaking mountain views, diverse landscapes, and cultural encounters with local communities.
The trek usually begins from Nayapul or Ghandruk, which can be reached from Pokhara. The trail diverges from the popular Annapurna Base Camp route, taking you towards the lesser-known Khopra Ridge.
As you trek along the Khopra Ridge trail, you’ll traverse through lush forests, picturesque villages, and rhododendron-filled hillsides. The highlight of the trek is reaching Khopra Ridge itself, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, including iconic peaks like Annapurna South, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare (Fishtail).
One of the unique features of the Khopra Ridge Trek is the opportunity to stay in local community-run lodges. These lodges are established and operated by the local villagers. They provide a chance to experience the warm hospitality of the rural communities and contribute directly to their sustainable development.
Another highlight of the trek is a visit to the holy Khayar Lake, located at an altitude of 4,620 meters. This serene and sacred lake is believed to hold religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Moreover, the trek offers a chance to witness the breathtaking beauty of the lake and its surroundings.
The Khopra Ridge Trek is a less crowded and more authentic trekking experience in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The Khopra Ridge Trek typically takes around 8-10 days to complete, depending on the specific itinerary and pace. Also, the trail is relatively moderate, with both uphill and downhill sections. It offers a good balance of challenging and enjoyable trekking.
Highlights
- hiking inside Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP)
- The most amazing view of the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Himalayas
- Hiking On the Lap of Mighty Himalayas
- Gurung & Magar Culture & Hospitality
- Visit Poon Hill & Ghorepani
- The Through Ghandruk Village
- Visit Pokhara a wandering city for adventure
- Explore “City of Gods” in Kathmandu
- Experiencing Best Trekking in Nepal
Gallery
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival Day in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Day 3: Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk
- Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
- Day 5: Trek from Tadapani to Dobato
- Day 6: Trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibung
- Day 7: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge
- Day 8: Trek to Khayar Lake and back to Khopra Ridge
- Day 9: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Swanta
- Day 10: Trek from Swanta to Ghorepani
- Day 11: Trek from Ghorepani to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
- Day 12: Free Day in Pokhara
- Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Day 14: Departure day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Day in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1250 m
Welcome to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Rest and prepare for the trek. Explore the vibrant streets and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the city. In the evening, we will have a meeting for a trip briefing. Stay in Thamel for the night.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Altitude: 922 m
From Kathmandu, we will take a scenic drive to Pokhara, a beautiful lake city and the gateway to the Annapurna Himalayas. We will be driving through charming villages, terraces, rivers & majestic mountain vistas. You can spend your evening exploring Pokhara and enjoy its serene ambiance or do last-minute gear shopping. Stay the night in Pokhara.
Day 3: Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk
Altitude: 1950 m
We will take a scenic drive from Pokhara to Nayapul for approximately 1.5 hours. Then, we will officially start our trek to Khopra Ridge. We will trek through lush forests, terraced fields, and traditional villages to reach Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung village with a great history of warriors with amazing scenery. Overnight stay in Ghandruk.
Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
Altitude: 2675 m
Today’s trek takes you through vibrant rhododendron-filled hillsides and dense forests from Ghandruk to reach Tadapani. Tadapani is a scenic village offering stunning views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Machapuchare (Fishtail). Stay at Tadapani for the night.
Day 5: Trek from Tadapani to Dobato
Altitude: 2985m
After breakfast, we will begin our trek leaving Tadapni and towards Dobato, a small settlement located on the ridge above the Modi River valley. The trail offers stunning views of the Annapurna range and the valley below. Overnight stay at Dobato.
Day 6: Trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibung
Altitude: 3350m
Today, our trail takes us through the dense forests of rhododendrons, oak, and pine trees offering glimpses of wildlife and nature. We will reach Upper Chistibung, a small settlement with stunning views of Dhaulagiri and other peaks. We will stay the night at Chistibung.
Day 7: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge
Altitude: 4025m
We will trek steadily toward Khopra Ridge, the highlight of our trek. As we gradually climb higher, we will enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After reaching Khopra Ridge, we will visit a community-run lodge and spend the night at Khopra Ridge.
Day 8: Trek to Khayar Lake and back to Khopra Ridge
Altitude: 4025 m
After breakfast, we will trek towards the holy Khayar Lake. The trek to the lake is a steep climb, but you will receive an amazing reward to view the stunning lake and surrounding mountains. After spending some time at the lake, we will trek back to Khopra Ridge. Stay there at Khopra Ridge.
Day 9: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Swanta
Altitude: 2200 m
Today’s trek takes us through beautiful villages and landscapes, including the picturesque village of Swanta. We will be able to interact with the friendly locals and learn about their unique way of life. Stay there at Swanta for the night.
Day 10: Trek from Swanta to Ghorepani
Altitude: 2860m
After breakfast, we will continue our trekking through beautiful landscapes and charming villages, including the Magar village Chitre. Along the way, we will enjoy stunning views of the Dhaulagiri & Annapurna range and surrounding mountains. Ghorepani is one of the most popular destinations for tourists traveling in Nepal. Stay at Ghorepani for the night.
Day 11: Trek from Ghorepani to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
Altitude: 850m
Today is the last day of your trek, and we will descend through beautiful forests and villages like Banthanti, Ulleri & Tikhedhunga to reach Nayapul. From there, we will drive back to Pokhara, where we will check you into your hotel and you can enjoy a well-deserved rest. Stay at Pokhara for the night.
Day 12: Free Day in Pokhara
Today is your free day at Pokhara. We will provide a half-day Pokhara sightseeing tour that includes the Pumdikot Shiva Statue, World Peace Stupa, Devis Falls, Gupteshower Cave & Tibetan Refugee Camps. Also, if you are feeling adventurous, you can do sports like Paragliding, Bungee jumping, Zipline, Ultra-light flights to the Himalayas, Sightseeing, Cycling, Boating, etc.
Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1250m
After breakfast, we will take a scenic drive or you also have the option to take a flight back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the scenic ride on the mid-hill range with beautiful fields, rivers & lifestyles. Stay in Kathmandu for the night.
Day 14: Departure day
After breakfast, we will drop you off at the airport for final departure. We will bid you farewell until next time. Hope you enjoyed the adventure with a lot of unforgettable memories.
Includes
- Simple tea houses in trekking on a twin-sharing basis with 3 times of meals. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner with 3 cups of tea each)
- A professional trekking guide & necessary number of porters (2:1) with their salary, meal, accommodation, transportation & insurance.
- Necessary permits & TIMS card, Annapurna Conservation area permit & local Municipality fees.
- Both way Bus transportation Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu & Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara (bus/Jeep)
- 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara on BB basis & best available lodges on trek with full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with a cup of tea each meal).
- All grounded transportation like pickups & drops
- A group medical kit with an Oximeter
Excludes
- All Kinds of beverages.
- All extra expenses such as shopping and trekking gear.
- International/domestic flights.
- Early arrival / late departure.
- Travel insurance (you must purchase one before starting the trek)
- Rescue evacuation if needed (it can be helped to arrange)
- Tips for driver, guide & porters.
- If the plan is changed by any other problem such as a landslide, political disturbance, changing plan, or cancellation of flight. Or the things not mentioned above
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
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After nine months of preparation, we met Reysham from Happy Mountain at Kathmandu airport to be transferred to our hotel. We were a group of 9 and had swapped and... read more 
Richie S
March 1, 2024
