Trip Highlights

• Opportunity to enjoy in the beautiful city of Pokhara.
• Enjoy the eye-catching dawn and dusk at Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.
• Be in the sacred Khayer Lake located at the lap of Annapurna South.
• Enjoy off the beaten path.
• Being in the dense forest of rhododendrons, oaks, and pines.
• Local Cheese factory at Paudwar
• Visit Ancient Buddhist Monastery and School.
• Hospitable settlements and beautiful farmland at Ghandruk.

About The Trip

Khopra Danda Trek, also called Khopra Ridge Trek is located in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. This trek combines amazing mountain views, rice fields, pastoral villages, and beautiful local people. The beauty of this trek is itself the Khopra Ridge. You will see the 2 highest mountains in the world – Mt Dhaulagiri I (7th highest) and Mt Annapurna I (10th highest). But that is not the broad picture. You see the Mt Machapuchare, Mt Nilgiri, Mt Himchuli, Mt Ganga Purna as marvelous as ever. You will also get to experience the sacred Khayar Lake, authentic communities, interact with local peoples, and know the tradition, culture, and hospitality.

Overview

For many decades, Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp treks have been favorites for most of the trekkers. If you are thinking about the trek in Nepal, these two treks come to mind. But there is another trek, located inside the Annapurna Region with much more rewarding, and this is Khopra Ridge Trek. Why is it more pleasant?

You walk for two whole days and you will be surrounded by majestic mountains. There are very few treks in the world where two days of the walk takes you to such a heaven-like ridge. The glittering  Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna (I, II, III, and south), Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal and Nilgiri views amaze you during the trek. You will also pass through rural villages, rice fields, rhododendron forest and meet Himalayan wildlife including yaks, pheasants, and many more. You will be thrilled to be in the alpine lake called Khayer Lake at an altitude of 4660 m above sea level.

Khopra Ridge Trek goes through the north of scenic Ghorepani and rises gradually to Khopra. This ridge is recognized as the best spot for the many majestic Himalayas. Those who are fond of authentic village stay with the near observe of the day to day lifestyle will be best. Less crowded with the remote routes with far away from the hectic city makes this trek memorable. As you ascend, you will be thrilled to visit the sacred Khayer Lake (4,665 m), which is famous among the wanderers in Nepal. This lake is sacred among the Hindu and Buddhist people. According to the locals, doing the holy bath in this holy lake can attain nirvana.

Khopra Danda Trek Route

Khopra Ridge Trek Route starts after we reach Nayapul from Kathmandu via Pokhara. Napayal is also the trekking starting point for Poon hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. From Nayapul we will gradually ascend to the village of Birenthanti, Syauli Bazar, and reach Ghandruk Village. This village is rich in Gurung village and you will be amazed to see their crafted village. If you are curious, then you can explore the historic Gurung Museum, ancient Buddhist Monastery, and Schools.

The trail then enters into the beautiful rhododendron and pine forest which takes you to the Tadapani and then further to Dobato. Further, you will cross the beautiful village and farmlands of Chistibung and then gradually to Khopra Ridge. You will be amazed to see the golden sun over the majestic glittering peaks during the sunset. We will stay one more night here to soak the beauty of this ridge and hike to Khayer Lake. There is no teahouse so we have to take the packed lunch if we are going to Khayer Lake. Early morning we will hike for around 3-4 hours to reach the lake. That day we will be back to Khopra Ridge and spend the night there. Next morning, we will be back in Pokhara and then Kathmandu.

Best Time to do Khopra Danda Trek

During the Spring, the trek can be done from March to May. While in autumn, it can be done from September to November. These are the best season to do Khopra Ridge Trek. Each of these trekking seasons has something very different to offer during the trek. It includes different terrain, difficulty, weather, and scenery. In a nutshell, let us tell you about subtle differences you will get in these different seasons of the year. This will suddenly help you to plan your trek better.

Khopra Danda in Spring

Spring Season in Nepal falls from March to May and is very stable and dry with a moderate climate. During this month, you will experience fairly perfect trekking, which offers a crystal clear view of mountains and sceneries every day. 

Khopra Danda in Summer

Summer in Nepal falls in the month from June to August. During these months, you will also experience the Monsoon run, which makes the treks nearly impossible. These months usually do not attract tourists to the Himalayas. The rains in the hilly area wash the bridges, slippery trails, leeches, and landslides.

Khopra Danda in Autumn

Autumn is another best season of Khopra Danda Trek. Autumn falls in the month from September to November. The weather will be perfect, and the view of the surroundings will be unforgettable. During the initial month of September, you may experience the leftover Monsoon. As of October starts, your door to this trek will be clear.

During those months, the temperature will reach around 14 to 20 degrees in the daytime and decrease from -0 to -2 degrees celsius during the night.

Khopra Danda in Winter

Winter in Nepal falls from December to February. Trekking to higher altitudes will be challenging and impossible to cross the three passes during the trek. The temporary Teahouse lodge will also remain close during the winter. So, Khopra Danda Trek is impossible to trek in the winter season.

Khopra Danda Trek Difficulty

Khopra Danda Trek is not so difficult as it only takes 3 to 4 days to reach the hill. The maximum altitude of this trek is 4,600 meters which are at Khayer Lake. You may feel some difficulty walking from Khopra Ridge to Khayer Lake. You will be walking through the settlements, dense forests, and agriculture fields to reach the Khopra Ridge.

Weather also plays another great factor during the trek. If you are traveling during the off-season then, you should look at the weather conditions. The trial will become wet and slippery, making Khopra Ridge Trek adventurous during the off-seasons.

Khopra Danda Trek Cost

The first thing comes to mind while you are planning the trek is, “What will be the price to trek Khopra Danda Trek ?” Cost varies according to lots of factors, including duration, pax means of transportation, and accommodation.

Whether you are budget trekking or not, it is important to consider the actual cost during the trek. The baseline cost of this will depend on how comprehensive you want your trek to be. On average, the cost of Khopra Ridge Trek will generally cost USD 1405 to USD 1505 for 9 to 12 days. The price includes domestic flights, permits, meals, guides, porters, accommodations, and many more.