Khopra Ridge Trek - 12 Days

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Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek
Trip Details
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: As per Itinerary
  • Food: Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel /Lodge
  • Group Size: 01 to 10 Pax
  • Max Elevation: 4,500 m/14,763 ft
  • Start from: Kathmandu
  • End in: Kathmandu

Highlights

  • Experience the local life and culture of the people living in the Annapurna area.
  • Walking along with the beautiful village, rhododendron, and bamboo forests.
  • Enjoy the closer views of the mountain such as Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Machhapuchhre, and many more.
  • Hike to sacred holy Khayer Lake at the foot of Annapurna south.

 

About Khopra Ridge Trek

Khopra Ridge Trek is a relatively new eco-trail in the Himalayan foothills of the Annapurna region. This off-the-beaten trek passes through the lush alpine forests, stunning hills, and unique village settlements.

The viewpoint in Khopra Ridge offers an incredible panoramic vista of the entire Annapurna region. The awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped mountains, including Annapurna (I, II, III, and South), Mt. Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal, Himchuli, and Nilgiri are the highlights of the trek.

Khopra Ridge trek promotes both natural as well as cultural aspects of the region. The exotic landscapes, pristine Himalayas, enchanting villages will spellbind you. The uphill trek to the sacred Khayer Lake (4,827 m) is the prime attraction of the trek. This lake is a pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

Moreover, the diverse culture, traditions, and lifestyles of the Gurung and Magar community are enchanting. There are community-based teahouses and lodges along the trail. Local people run these tea houses and lodges. The fantastic hospitality of the local people will make you fall in love with this place.

Furthermore, you can also spot rare wildlife, including Danphe and Himalayan Tahr along the trail. There are beautiful terraced farms, Yak cheese factory, cow and Yak farms as well. Overall, the trek is ideal for those who love a quiet adventure in the mountains. It is a great alternative to the popular Poonhill trek in the Annapurna region.

We are offering this stunning trek at a reasonable cost. Read further for the detailed description of the Khopra Ridge trek.

When is the Best Time for Khopra Ridge Trek?

The best time for the Khopra Ridge Trek is the Autumn (September, October, and November) and Spring (March, April, and May).

Autumn (September-November)

The stable weather conditions with less precipitation are the major highlight of the trek in the Autumn season. There are no heavy downpours or harsh cold conditions. You will get the incredible views of the snow-capped mountains, and the daytime temperatures are perfect for trekking.

Spring (March-May)

Spring is an ideal time to trek the Khopra Ridge. Clear weather and excellent visibility are the prime attractions of the trek in the Spring. The temperatures are mild and there are fewer chances of rainfall or snowfall. Wildflowers bloom all over the hills providing a colorful atmosphere.

The off-season treks in the monsoon season are challenging due to the muddy and slippery trails. Besides that, there are chances of landslides and avalanches in the region. Winters are extremely cold in the region. Harsh winds, heavy snows, and thick fog make the trek challenging in winters.

Overall, the ideal time for the Khopra Ridge Trek is Autumn and Spring. However, with proper packing and preparation, the trek is possible all around the year.

How Difficult is the Khopra Ridge Trek?

The Khopra Ridge trek is a moderately difficult trek. There are many factors that make this trek challenging. Some of them are as follows:

Khayer Lake Trek

Khayer Lake trek from the Khopra Ridge is one of the most difficult sections of this trek. The remote trails take around 5 to 6 hours to complete. Moreover, the strenuous trail also gains around 1000 meters in altitude in just a few hours.

Thus, it is quite challenging to complete the trek. However, the serene beauty of the magnificent Khayer lake more than compensates for the struggles during the trek.

Weather Conditions

The weather conditions are another major factor that determines your trekking experience. It is tough to trek in the rain or snow-covered trails. You must check the weather forecast for the day before starting on the trekking adventure. With adequate gears and proper preparation, you can overcome this challenge.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the major issues that can arrive during the Khopra Ridge community trek. Khayer Lake (4600 m) is the highest point of the trek, and the trails move along the altitude of 4000m at all times. The chance of altitude sickness is high during this trek. Proper acclimatization with regular hydration is the key to tackle altitude sickness.

Remote Trails

The Khopra Ridge trek itinerary passes through the remote trails of the Annapurna region. You will pass through the rugged terrains in the foothills of the Himalayas. There are fewer settlements in these off the beaten trails, and trekkers mostly pass through alpine rhododendron forests. Therefore, you should carry a Khopra Ridge trek map for safety.

Itinerary

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While you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will pick you and transfer you to the hotel. You can rest in the hotel. You will stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you will get transferred to the airport for an early morning flight to Pokhara. After a scenic mountain flight of half an hour, you will arrive at the picturesque tourist town of Pokhara. The city is also famous for its lakes, including Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa Lake.

After arriving at Pokhara, we will take a private car for a drive to Syauli Bazar, which takes around 2 hours. Our trek starts from Syauli Bazaar to Ghandruk (1950 m) which is a 3 hours journey. Ghandruk has the largest Gurung community in the entire Annapurna region.

Furthermore, you can observe the exceptional views of Mt. Annapurna, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and others from the viewpoint in Ghandruk. There is also the headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. You will stay overnight at a homestay in Ghandruk.

After breakfast, we start our trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani. We move ahead observing the incredible views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Himchuli mountains. The trail passes through the lush rhododendron forests.

The scenic vista of rhododendron blooming all over the hills and turning the hills into a colorful garden of flowers is amazing. Besides that, the wilderness of nature and the spectacular waterfalls will make you fall in love with the place.

You can find a vast buffalo pasture along the trail where we will have our lunch. We arrive at Tadapani (2590 m) after a trek of 3-4 hours. You can observe the breathtaking views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli mountains from the viewpoint. We will spend the night at a teahouse in Tadapani.

After breakfast, we will start our trek from Tadapani to Dobato on a beautiful trail that passes through rhododendron and oak forest. The trail then makes its way uphill through rhododendron forests to arrive at a bigger ridge top at Dobato. You can observe the spectacular views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre from the ridge. We will stay overnight at a teahouse in Dobato.

After breakfast, we will start our trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibung, passing through the village of Bayeli Kharka. You can observe the splendid views of the seventh highest mountain in the world, Mt. Dhaulagiri, from the village.

The trail then descends through the beautiful forest to arrive at the pastures of Lower Chistibung. From there, we will pass through the gentle uphill path to arrive at Upper Chistibung (2975 m).

The trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibing takes around 4-5 hours. You can find a temporary herder’s settlement in Upper Chistibing. On a lucky day, you can also spot some rare animals and birds, including the national bird of Nepal, Lophophorus (Danphe), and the Himalayan Thar.

After breakfast, we start our trek from Upper Chistbung to Khopra ridge (3660 m). The 3-4 hours trek takes you above the elevation of 3000 meters for the first time during the trek. You should carry snacks and water along the trail to maintain your energy levels.

The steep uphill trek ascends above the tree line of alpine meadows and pastures to arrive at Khopra. We will have regular breaks in between the trek to observe the pristine wildlife, including the Himalayan Tahr and Danfe (Lophophorus).

We can observe the spectacular view of Annapurna South from the Khopra Ridge. After having our lunch at the Khopra ridge, we will resume our trek. A short walk from the Khopra Ridge will take us to a viewpoint from where we can observe the serene Kali Gandaki river below the valley.

The panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Bahrasikhar, Dhaulagiri range, Nilgiri, and others will spellbind you. You will stay at a community lodge in the Khopra ridge.

After breakfast, we will start our trail to the beautiful Khayer Lake. The sacred Khayer lake provides us incredible views of Fang (7,647m) and other mountains nearby. Khayer lake is an important religious landmark for Hindus and Buddhist pilgrims.

According to mythology, taking a dip in the holy lake will cleanse all your sins of the mortal life, and you will attain “moksha” or Nirvana. The tranquility of the lake will calm you. You will stay overnight at a community lodge in Khopra.

After breakfast, we observe the panoramic views of the mountains from Khopra ridge. We then start our trek to Swanta village from the Khopra ridge as we descend along a steep trail to Chistibung.

The trek to Chitsibung is just 2 hours long. We continue our trek to Swanta passing by a Pasture land, also known as a Kharka. From this Kharka, we make our way through various uphills and downhills paths to arrive at Swanta Village (2200 meters).

The incredible views of Mount Dhaulagiri and the village settlements will spellbind you. It takes you 5-6 hours to complete this trek. You will spend the night at a community lodge in Swanta.

After breakfast, we will start our trek to Ulleri (2050 m) from Swanta. The trek starts with a descent on a 5-6 hour trekking journey. We pass through village fields to arrive at a small river. You can also find a small local water mill along the way. We then cross a suspension bridge and climb uphill to arrive at the village of Chittre.

We then trek further until you arrive at Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a scenic village with the largest rhododendron forest in the world. You will then descend through the rhododendron forest to arrive at Ulleri, where you will stay overnight.

After breakfast, we start our trek to Nayapul. The incredible hilly landscape of the Annapurna region will amaze you. The trek from Ulleri to Pokhara is a long descent through 3000 stone paved staircases. You will arrive at Nayapul after a trek of 4-5 hours.

Our trekking journey of the Khopra Ridge trek itinerary comes to an end. You will then have a short drive to Pokhara. After your arrival at Pokhara, you can stroll around the Lakeside in the evening and enjoy the nightlife. You will stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

After breakfast, we will start driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The scenic drive takes us through the scenic hilly landscapes along the region to arrive at the capital city of Kathmandu.

We can observe the rural landscapes, terraced farmed hills, and local settlements along the way. We will arrive at Kathmandu after a drive of 6-7 hours. You can stroll around the city in the evening and stay overnight at a hotel.

Our staff will receive you from the hotel and transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You can then board a flight to your desired destination.

Cost Details

Included

  • Airport pick up & drop transport
  • 2 night standard twin sharing hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
  • 1 night standard twin sharing hotel in Pokhara with breakfast.
  • Air tick from Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • Tourist bus transport from Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Private transport from Pokhara airport to trek’s starting point, and from trek’s ending point to Pokhara
  • Gov-licensed, experienced, helpful, and friendly guide and porters (1 porter per 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accident insurance
  • Tea house accommodation during the trek
  • All standard meals like Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner, during the trek with a cup of tea or coffee during breakfast time.
  • Down Jacket and sleeping bag (if needed)
  • Annapurna Conservation Park Permits (ACAP) fees
  • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) fees
  • Trekking map
  • First-aid medical kit
  • Government taxes & office service charge

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Your travel and medical insurance (recommended)
  • Personal expenses (Phone call, internet, laundry, bar bills, snacks, battery recharge, bottled or boiled water, hot showers, etc.)
  • Tips for trekking staff (tipping is expected)

Useful Information

Some Essential Tips for Khopra Ridge Trek

Walk gradually with regular hydration.

Carry water purifying pills and refillable bottles with filters.

Carry protein bars, chocolate bars, and granola bars, and other snacks to munch on during the trek.

Get a comfortable trekking shoe to save yourself from blisters.

Be careful on the rugged and remote trails as accidents, leg injuries or sprains are quite common.

Carry a good quality sleeping bag as accommodation facilities in the high altitude region are not satisfactory.

What to Pack for Khopra Ridge Trek?

Clothing

Half sleeve T-shirts

Full Sleeve T-Shirts

Lightweight thermals

WindCheater

Warm Hat

Waterproof jacket

Waterproof trekking pants

Comfortable trekking shoes

Hiking Shorts

Trekking pants with Fleece

Sunglasses

Headscarf

Fleece gloves

Woolen socks

Toiletries

Sunscreen with high SPF

Sanitizer

Toilet Paper

Lightweight towel

Soaps

Shampoos

Moisturizer

First Aid

Anti-altitude sickness pills

Water purification tablets

Sanitary pads

Anti-nausea pills

Band-aids

Allergies medicine

Anti-diarrheal antibiotics

Cold and cough medicine

Accessories

Camera with extra batteries

Comfortable backpack or daypack

Maps

Sleeping bag

Power bank

Headlamp

The Final Say

Khopra Ridge Community Trek is a recently developed eco-trail in the pristine Annapurna region. The scenic off-the-beaten trails pass through lush alpine forests and charming villages. Moreover, the incredible panoramic vista of the entire Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range is the primary attraction of the trek.

Furthermore, you can also visit the pilgrimage site of the holy Khayer Lake. The natural as well as cultural beauty of this spectacular trek makes it quite unique. Overall, the Khopra Ridge Trek is an excellent adventure in the Himalayan foothills of the Annapurna region.