Khopra Trek
The Khopra Ridge, locally known as Khopra Danda, is located away from the busier trails of the Annapurna region. This trek leads you off the beaten path from the main trail at Tadapani. For a few days, we will be walking along a remote trail and staying at basic tea houses (community lodges). It is possibly the best week-long trek in Nepal and a great alternative to the Ghorepani Trek. It combines the best of what Nepal has to offer, amazing views of mountains like Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, unique villages with terraced rice fields cascading down the hillsides, all this with very few people on the trail. Another attraction of the trek is the holy Khaire Lake which requires a day trek from the Khopra Ridge. It is well worth it though, majestic views of Annapurna South resulting in a perfect reflection in the lake which will touch your heart.
For the first couple of days, we will follow the Ghorepani trail which takes us to Ghandruk which is a large Gurung settlement and then to Tadapani. At Tadapani we leave the main trail and for the next few days, we will be trekking through remote and beautiful villages such as Bayali, Dobatoo, Sistibung, Khropa, and Swanta. This is a relatively new route but we will be higher than Poon Hill and have better views of the Annapurna Range. It is worth staying 2 nights in Khopra Danda because the mountain views are magnificent at sunrise and sunset. If you have an extra day, explore Khaire Lake, which is a day’s trek from Khopra Danda. It’s well worth it! From Khopra Danda the trail goes back down to Ghorepani, via Swanta and finally on to Pokhara.
There are several possible ways to do this trek, so to customize it to your own liking, speak to your guide and arrange it the way you would like.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival day (1,350m)
Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu city tour
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara by plane, drive to Syauli Bazaar and trek to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Day 04: Ghandruk to Tadapani(2,630m)
Day 05: Tadapani to Dobatoo(3,426m)
Day 06: Dobatoo to Chistibung(3,026m)
Day07: Chistibung to Khopra Ridge(3,660m)
Day 08: Exploration day (Visit Khayer Lake)
Day 09: Khopradanda to Swanta(2,270m)
Day 10: Swanta to Ulleri(1,960m)
Day 11: Ulleri to Pokhara(850m)
Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu by plane
Day 13: Final departure day
It is possible to customize the itinerary to suit yourself, e.g. make it longer or shorter. Talk about it with your guide.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m)
Welcome to the Land of Mountains! Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, our representative will be waiting for you holding a Popular Treks signboard with your name on it. We will transfer you to your hotel, where you may rest for the rest of the day or you can take a stroll around the city if you are feeling more energetic after your flight. We will give you a short briefing about our trip in the evening. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.
WELCOME DINNER
Day 02: Sightseeing tour and trek preparation
In the morning we will go for sightseeing tour of World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. After the sightseeing tour, you can do any last minute shopping in preparation for your Khopra Danda trek, including shopping for any clothes or equipment you need, exchange extra money for the trek, or any other necessary arrangements you may need to do. Remember you will need Nepalese rupees on the trek, in case you want to buy anything not included in the trekking price. By the end of the day, you should be ready for your Khopra Ridge trek with your bag packed. Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara, drive to Syauli Bazaar and trek to Ghandruk (30 mins flight, 2 hours drive and 3 hours trek)
We will take an early flight to Pokhara from the Domestic airport. Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is only a short thirty-minute flight away. You will get the chance to view snow-capped mountains on the flight, mountains like Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, and Dhaulagiri to name just a few. As soon as we land in Pokhara, we drive to Syauli Bazaar and start the trek to Ghandruk. The village is a major recruitment center for the famous Gurkha soldiers and is the hub of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which promotes many varied ecological projects. Ghandruk is the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. It’s surrounded by neatly terraced fields and has outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in the teahouse at Ghandruk.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 04: Ghandruk to Tadapani (2,630m) 3/4 hours
Early in the morning, you can enjoy amazing views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli Mountains. From here we continue upwards through Deurali and into the dense Rhododendron forests. On the right-hand side, you will get glimpses of a previous landslide and a small village. Rhododendron is our national flower and when they bloom, the forests turn into gardens of dazzling red flowers and the sounds of birds chirping is lovely to hear. The trail gently climbs up to a ridge and we reach Tadapani, where we get to enjoy excellent views of Machhapuchhare, Annapurna, and Hiunchuli mountains. There are many Tibetans in the village who sell things for the tourists to take back home as a souvenir but it is better to buy in Thamel in Kathmandu. Overnight in the teahouse at Tadapani.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 05: Tadapani to Dobato (3,426m) 5/6 hours
We leave the main trail at Tadapani and for the next few days, we will walk in a more remote area of the Annapurna region. We start our trek walking through beautiful Rhododendron and oak forests on an upward trail. We will stop for a tea break on the way. Take your time and enjoy the views. Again the trail zigzags steeply up a stone staircase into bamboo and rhododendron forests. Then after a small descent, we continue climbing again to the shoulder of a hill through a rhododendron forest that is reminiscent of images from Lord of the Rings. We also pass several clearings with abandoned shacks, before arriving on a bigger ridge – top clearing at Dobato, which in good weather should provide splendid views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. Overnight in the teahouse at Dobato.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 06: Dobatoo to Upper Chistibung (3,026m) 4/5 hours
In the morning we go to a view point at Muldai, with the help of torchlight. It takes 30mins to reach there, but the panoramic views of mountains including Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna range, and Machhapuchare are outstanding. We will then go back down for breakfast, after which we descend along the open ground and beautiful forest before crossing a river to reach the pastures of Lower Chistibung. Next, we ascend gradually through a forest before reaching Upper Chistibung which is a temporary herder’s settlement. If you’re lucky you might even spot the colorful Lophoporous (Danphe), the national bird of Nepal, as well as Himalayan Thar(goat) on the grassy ridge high above the trail. Overnight in the teahouse at Chistibung.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Khopra Ridge (3,660m) 3/4 hours
This morning we embark on a steady climb above the tree line through alpine meadows and pastures to reach Khopra. As we approach Khopra Ridge, we see the tip of Annapurna South. Upon reaching Khopra we will go for a short walk down Khopra Ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the Kali Gandaki river far below in a deep valley. From Khopra we also admire the stunning mountain panorama including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna South. If weather permits, the sunrise and sunset views are outstanding. Overnight in the tea house at Khopra Ridge.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 08: Rest day in Khopra Ridge: Tour of Khayer Lake (4500m) 10/11 hours
Today we embark on a long journey to Khayer Lake, from where we attain excellent views of the Fang and surrounding mountains. Considered to be a sacred lake by the Hindus, it is believed that bathing in the lake will help attain Nirvana. As Hinduism and Buddhism are intricately related in Nepal, we can even see a number of Hindu and Buddhist shrines on the lakeside. For those of us, who do not want to walk all the way to the lake, a half day walk from Khopra can also be arranged. Overnight in the tea house at Khopra Ridge.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Swanta Village (2,270m) 5/5 hours
From Khopra Ridge we descend off the hillside and continue downhill on a steep trail. Along the way, we get more views of Mount Dhaulagiri with the mountain providing a lovely backdrop to the terraced fields and traditional houses in the nearby villages. Overnight in the tea house at Swanta.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Ulleri (1,960m) 5/6 hours
From Swanta we descend through the terraced fields to a small river and take a quick look at the local water mill. From here we cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where we’ll join the main trekking trail at Ghorepani. After Ghorepani, we descend through rhododendron forest to Ulleri where we stay the night. Overnight in the teahouse at Ulleri.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Trek to NayaPul then drive to Pokhara 5/6 hours trek, 1-hour drive
On our way to Nayapul, we get to enjoy the amazing hill landscapes of western Nepal. Our trek will end at Nayapul where we board our vehicle to Pokhara, the beautiful lake city. Even from the city, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,156m), Machhapuchhare (6,993m), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We check-in to our hotel and take a rest. We may also stroll in the streets of Pokhara and just enjoy being in one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal. Overnight in hotel at Pokhara.
Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Our flight to Kathmandu is short and after landing at the airport, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the city. You can spend the rest of the day taking a much-needed rest or catch up on some last minute shopping. It is the usual practice for clients to invite their guides/porters to share a farewell dinner and exchange a khata (ceremonial scarf) If you have been happy with the service provided by the guide a tip is given. Relive your experiences of the trek around the dinner table and enjoy your last night in Kathmandu. Tomorrow you will fly home. Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
13: Final departure
Our Khopra Ridge (danda) trek ends today with your departure. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, our representative will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at the international airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trek. Please come back and see us soon.
Included meals: Breakfast
- Included in the cost
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
- 3 Night’s twin standard bedroom in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- 1 Night twin standard bedroom in 3-star hotel accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast.
- Nepali welcome dinner as the first day.
- Half day guided city tour with World Heritage entrance fees as listed in the itinerary.
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu).
- All ground transportation in a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek with twin sharing bed.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- English speaking trained and experienced trekking guide.
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter).
- Insurance of all staff including porter, guide and assistant guide.
- We provide an assistant guide if there are more than 6 clients.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff including porters and guide.
- Food for all of the staff including porter and guide.
- Duffel bag and map of Khopra Base Camp
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permit.
- Medical Kit (carried by your guide).
- Excluded in the cost
- Nepal entry visa fees.
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around @2 per kg)
- Items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, beverage drinks and bar items like chocolate etc.
- Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (in case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary.
- Tips for Guide, Porter, and Driver
We serve hygienic food in the tea house and good accommodation of twin sharing beds.
You don’t get twin beds at high altitude you have to share with 3 or 5 trekkers during high seasons.
Khopra Trek
The Khopra Ridge, locally known as Khopra Danda, is located away from the busier trails of the Annapurna region. This trek leads you off the beaten path from the main trail at Tadapani. For a few days, we will be walking along a remote trail and staying at basic tea houses (community lodges). It is possibly the best week-long trek in Nepal and a great alternative to the Ghorepani Trek. It combines the best of what Nepal has to offer, amazing views of mountains like Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, unique villages with terraced rice fields cascading down the hillsides, all this with very few people on the trail. Another attraction of the trek is the holy Khaire Lake which requires a day trek from the Khopra Ridge. It is well worth it though, majestic views of Annapurna South resulting in a perfect reflection in the lake which will touch your heart.
For the first couple of days, we will follow the Ghorepani trail which takes us to Ghandruk which is a large Gurung settlement and then to Tadapani. At Tadapani we leave the main trail and for the next few days, we will be trekking through remote and beautiful villages such as Bayali, Dobatoo, Sistibung, Khropa, and Swanta. This is a relatively new route but we will be higher than Poon Hill and have better views of the Annapurna Range. It is worth staying 2 nights in Khopra Danda because the mountain views are magnificent at sunrise and sunset. If you have an extra day, explore Khaire Lake, which is a day’s trek from Khopra Danda. It’s well worth it! From Khopra Danda the trail goes back down to Ghorepani, via Swanta and finally on to Pokhara.
There are several possible ways to do this trek, so to customize it to your own liking, speak to your guide and arrange it the way you would like.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival day (1,350m)
Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu city tour
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara by plane, drive to Syauli Bazaar and trek to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Day 04: Ghandruk to Tadapani(2,630m)
Day 05: Tadapani to Dobatoo(3,426m)
Day 06: Dobatoo to Chistibung(3,026m)
Day07: Chistibung to Khopra Ridge(3,660m)
Day 08: Exploration day (Visit Khayer Lake)
Day 09: Khopradanda to Swanta(2,270m)
Day 10: Swanta to Ulleri(1,960m)
Day 11: Ulleri to Pokhara(850m)
Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu by plane
Day 13: Final departure day
It is possible to customize the itinerary to suit yourself, e.g. make it longer or shorter. Talk about it with your guide.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m)
Welcome to the Land of Mountains! Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, our representative will be waiting for you holding a Popular Treks signboard with your name on it. We will transfer you to your hotel, where you may rest for the rest of the day or you can take a stroll around the city if you are feeling more energetic after your flight. We will give you a short briefing about our trip in the evening. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.
WELCOME DINNER
Day 02: Sightseeing tour and trek preparation
In the morning we will go for sightseeing tour of World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. After the sightseeing tour, you can do any last minute shopping in preparation for your Khopra Danda trek, including shopping for any clothes or equipment you need, exchange extra money for the trek, or any other necessary arrangements you may need to do. Remember you will need Nepalese rupees on the trek, in case you want to buy anything not included in the trekking price. By the end of the day, you should be ready for your Khopra Ridge trek with your bag packed. Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara, drive to Syauli Bazaar and trek to Ghandruk (30 mins flight, 2 hours drive and 3 hours trek)
We will take an early flight to Pokhara from the Domestic airport. Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is only a short thirty-minute flight away. You will get the chance to view snow-capped mountains on the flight, mountains like Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, and Dhaulagiri to name just a few. As soon as we land in Pokhara, we drive to Syauli Bazaar and start the trek to Ghandruk. The village is a major recruitment center for the famous Gurkha soldiers and is the hub of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which promotes many varied ecological projects. Ghandruk is the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal. It’s surrounded by neatly terraced fields and has outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in the teahouse at Ghandruk.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 04: Ghandruk to Tadapani (2,630m) 3/4 hours
Early in the morning, you can enjoy amazing views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli Mountains. From here we continue upwards through Deurali and into the dense Rhododendron forests. On the right-hand side, you will get glimpses of a previous landslide and a small village. Rhododendron is our national flower and when they bloom, the forests turn into gardens of dazzling red flowers and the sounds of birds chirping is lovely to hear. The trail gently climbs up to a ridge and we reach Tadapani, where we get to enjoy excellent views of Machhapuchhare, Annapurna, and Hiunchuli mountains. There are many Tibetans in the village who sell things for the tourists to take back home as a souvenir but it is better to buy in Thamel in Kathmandu. Overnight in the teahouse at Tadapani.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 05: Tadapani to Dobato (3,426m) 5/6 hours
We leave the main trail at Tadapani and for the next few days, we will walk in a more remote area of the Annapurna region. We start our trek walking through beautiful Rhododendron and oak forests on an upward trail. We will stop for a tea break on the way. Take your time and enjoy the views. Again the trail zigzags steeply up a stone staircase into bamboo and rhododendron forests. Then after a small descent, we continue climbing again to the shoulder of a hill through a rhododendron forest that is reminiscent of images from Lord of the Rings. We also pass several clearings with abandoned shacks, before arriving on a bigger ridge – top clearing at Dobato, which in good weather should provide splendid views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. Overnight in the teahouse at Dobato.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 06: Dobatoo to Upper Chistibung (3,026m) 4/5 hours
In the morning we go to a view point at Muldai, with the help of torchlight. It takes 30mins to reach there, but the panoramic views of mountains including Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna range, and Machhapuchare are outstanding. We will then go back down for breakfast, after which we descend along the open ground and beautiful forest before crossing a river to reach the pastures of Lower Chistibung. Next, we ascend gradually through a forest before reaching Upper Chistibung which is a temporary herder’s settlement. If you’re lucky you might even spot the colorful Lophoporous (Danphe), the national bird of Nepal, as well as Himalayan Thar(goat) on the grassy ridge high above the trail. Overnight in the teahouse at Chistibung.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Khopra Ridge (3,660m) 3/4 hours
This morning we embark on a steady climb above the tree line through alpine meadows and pastures to reach Khopra. As we approach Khopra Ridge, we see the tip of Annapurna South. Upon reaching Khopra we will go for a short walk down Khopra Ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the Kali Gandaki river far below in a deep valley. From Khopra we also admire the stunning mountain panorama including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna South. If weather permits, the sunrise and sunset views are outstanding. Overnight in the tea house at Khopra Ridge.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 08: Rest day in Khopra Ridge: Tour of Khayer Lake (4500m) 10/11 hours
Today we embark on a long journey to Khayer Lake, from where we attain excellent views of the Fang and surrounding mountains. Considered to be a sacred lake by the Hindus, it is believed that bathing in the lake will help attain Nirvana. As Hinduism and Buddhism are intricately related in Nepal, we can even see a number of Hindu and Buddhist shrines on the lakeside. For those of us, who do not want to walk all the way to the lake, a half day walk from Khopra can also be arranged. Overnight in the tea house at Khopra Ridge.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Swanta Village (2,270m) 5/5 hours
From Khopra Ridge we descend off the hillside and continue downhill on a steep trail. Along the way, we get more views of Mount Dhaulagiri with the mountain providing a lovely backdrop to the terraced fields and traditional houses in the nearby villages. Overnight in the tea house at Swanta.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Ulleri (1,960m) 5/6 hours
From Swanta we descend through the terraced fields to a small river and take a quick look at the local water mill. From here we cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where we’ll join the main trekking trail at Ghorepani. After Ghorepani, we descend through rhododendron forest to Ulleri where we stay the night. Overnight in the teahouse at Ulleri.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Trek to NayaPul then drive to Pokhara 5/6 hours trek, 1-hour drive
On our way to Nayapul, we get to enjoy the amazing hill landscapes of western Nepal. Our trek will end at Nayapul where we board our vehicle to Pokhara, the beautiful lake city. Even from the city, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,156m), Machhapuchhare (6,993m), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We check-in to our hotel and take a rest. We may also stroll in the streets of Pokhara and just enjoy being in one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal. Overnight in hotel at Pokhara.
Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Our flight to Kathmandu is short and after landing at the airport, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the city. You can spend the rest of the day taking a much-needed rest or catch up on some last minute shopping. It is the usual practice for clients to invite their guides/porters to share a farewell dinner and exchange a khata (ceremonial scarf) If you have been happy with the service provided by the guide a tip is given. Relive your experiences of the trek around the dinner table and enjoy your last night in Kathmandu. Tomorrow you will fly home. Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
13: Final departure
Our Khopra Ridge (danda) trek ends today with your departure. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, our representative will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at the international airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trek. Please come back and see us soon.
Included meals: Breakfast
- Included in the cost
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
- 3 Night’s twin standard bedroom in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- 1 Night twin standard bedroom in 3-star hotel accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast.
- Nepali welcome dinner as the first day.
- Half day guided city tour with World Heritage entrance fees as listed in the itinerary.
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu).
- All ground transportation in a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek with twin sharing bed.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- English speaking trained and experienced trekking guide.
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter).
- Insurance of all staff including porter, guide and assistant guide.
- We provide an assistant guide if there are more than 6 clients.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff including porters and guide.
- Food for all of the staff including porter and guide.
- Duffel bag and map of Khopra Base Camp
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permit.
- Medical Kit (carried by your guide).
- Excluded in the cost
- Nepal entry visa fees.
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around @2 per kg)
- Items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, beverage drinks and bar items like chocolate etc.
- Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (in case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary.
- Tips for Guide, Porter, and Driver
