Khopra Ridge Trek

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel - 1,300m

  On reaching Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, you are received by Trail Himalaya staff and guides for a short transfer to your hotel in the center of Kathmandu city around the main interesting place at Thamel area. After checking into rooms and getting refreshed, join other members of the same trek to Annapurna Poon Hill for a briefing provided by our guide or leader. Evening enjoys group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant with a live cultural program to entertain you with dinner.

  Altitude: 1300m

  Meals: Breakfast

  Accommodation: 5 star hotel in kathmandu

• Day 02: Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparation - 1,300m

  Enjoy a spare and free day in Kathmandu to overcome jet lag. In the morning, take a guided sightseeing tour around Kathmandu to visit places of great interest led by an expert guide. Kathmandu city is steeped in world heritage sites that make the entire valley an intriguing place to explore. In the afternoon, prepare for the trek to the Annapurna region.

  Altitude: 1300m

  Meals: Breakfast

  Accommodation: 5 star hotel in kathmandu

• Day 3: Fly 30 min or Drive to Pokhara 850m - 08 hrs

  By 7 a.m. in the morning, we hit the road for an overland journey to Nepal's beautiful mid-western city of Pokhara. The drive takes us along an interesting highway, passing through many towns and villages before we reach Pokhara, nestled by the serene Phewa Lake. Pokhara is blessed with natural beauty, situated in the lap of the Annapurna Mountain range, with towering peaks including Machhapuchare, famously known as 'Fish Tail,' which reflects in the waters of Phewa and Begnas Lakes. Pokhara is an ideal place for an overnight stay and serves as both the starting and ending point for many treks and other adventures in the Annapurna Himalayas and beyond. (There are also 30-minute scenic flights available from Kathmandu to Pokhara.)

  Altitude: 850m

  Meals: Breakfast

  Accommodation: 4 star hotel in Pokhara

• Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tirkhedhunga 1,400 m - 04 hrs

  From Pokhara, our first day trek begins with a nice short drive of a few hours to reach the starting point of the walks, heading past the Pokhara valley along with beautiful views of the Annapurna range of peaks. On reaching Nayapul town or further to the lovely village of Bhirethati, where walks start up through spread-out farm villages and terraces with views of waterfalls, we reach our overnight stop at Tirkhedhunga village, close to its beautiful waterfalls.

  Altitude: 1400m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani 2,880m - 06 hrs

  In the morning, a steep climb on stone steps for an hour or more leads to the large Ulleri village, offering views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchare peaks. After Ulleri, the walk improves with a gradual ascent through cool shades of rhododendron and pine forests. Continuing on, we reach the pleasant village of Ghorepani for an overnight stay, our final destination situated below Poon Hill. Ghorepani provides magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range. The village is inhabited by the Poon Magar hill tribe of Western Nepal and is nestled amidst rhododendron forests. In spring, the area is lively with the full bloom of flowers.

  Altitude: 2800m

  Meals: Breakfast/lunch/Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 06: Hike to Poon Hill 3,210 m and trek to Sauta village 2,230m -06 hrs.

  Early morning before breakfast, climb for an hour to scenic Poon Hill, which rewards you with stunning sunrise views over a 360° wide panorama of snow-capped peaks from Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri’s massive Annapurna range, including Manaslu and the towering Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish-Tail’ peak. Getting soaked with views of the sunrise and an array of snowy mountain ranges, descend to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue the trek, heading downhill to Chitre village. From here, our route leads away from the main trekking trails to reach Sauta, a nice farm village on the Khopra route with views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks.

  Altitude: 2300m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 07: Trek to Chistibung 3,020 m - 05 hrs

  After overnighting at Sauta, which is the last permanent village on the route towards Khopra Ridge until the trail leads to Tadapani, the morning begins with gentle walks past farm fields and cattle herders' sheds. The trek leads into enchanting rhododendron and bamboo forests. After a few refreshing stops, a slow and steady climb takes you past summer pastures to reach Chistibung for an overnight stop. It's a small place with a few small huts serving as teahouses.

  Altitude: 3020m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 08: Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,864m - 04 hrs

  Morning heading for a climb for a few hours as altitude gains slowly on leaving tree lines for short alpine and rhododendron bushes, with chances of spotting some wildlife like Himalayan Thar and Danphe Pheasant (National Bird of Nepal) on this peaceful walk. After a few hours of climbing, I reached the top of Kopra ridge, facing a fantastic panorama of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Vara-Shikar (Annapurna Fang), and Annapurna South with Nilgiri’s peaks.

  Altitude: 3864m

  Meals: Breakfast/lunch/Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 09: At Khopra Ridge with options for day hike to Khair lake 3864m - 06 hrs

  Today presents a unique opportunity to explore the pristine wilderness surrounding the Khopra Ridge trek. Embark on a challenging day hike to the sacred Khayer Lake, nestled at an elevation of 4,620 meters.

  Khayer Lake, also known as Pautarko Kair, is fed by the glaciers of Annapurna and Vara-Shikar peaks. It holds deep cultural significance as the venue for the annual ‘Badau Purnima’ festival, celebrated between August and September. During this auspicious event, villagers from nearby areas converge to pay homage to Lord Shiva, partake in icy pond baths, and offer sacrifices of sheep and goats.

  For those preferring a less strenuous option, a leisurely stroll along a high ridge offers breathtaking vistas. The panoramic views include the towering Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) and its neighboring peaks dominating the western horizon, along with Annapurna I (8,091 m), Fang or Vara Shikhar (7,647 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), and the Nilgiris (7,061 m) to the east. This range is separated from the Dhaulagiri massif by a staggering 6,000-meter drop, forming the world’s deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki River gorge.

  After an unforgettable experience at Khayer Lake, the pinnacle of our adventure, return to Kopra for a final night amid this pristine wilderness.

  Altitude: 3864m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 10: Trek to Dobato 3,420m - 05 hrs

  With a grand moment and enjoyable time at Khopra Ridge and around Khair Lake, the return journey takes you down to Chistibung. From there, the walk leads east past grazing lands within a rhododendron forest, through serene, cool woodlands to reach the overnight stop at Dobato. Dobato is an isolated area within a summer pasture and grazing land for local herders, offering grand views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machhapuchare, the 'Fish Tail' peak.

  Altitude: 3420m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 11: Trek to Ghandruk 2000 m via Tadapani 2,630m - 06 hrs

  Enjoying morning views of mountains, as the walk starts heading into lovely woodland and then downhill to reach Tadapani, a settlement with a number of lodges where the trail from Ghorepani and Khopra ridge joins to reach the large village of Ghandruk, populated by Gurung, the hill people of Annapurna and Lamjung Himal.
  From Tadapani, take a refreshing break and lunch stop, enjoying views of the high snow-capped peaks of Annapurna, then take afternoon walks for another few hours downhill to reach Ghandruk village. At Ghandruk for the last overnight stop around the high scenic hills of Annapurna Himalaya, with time here to explore the local Gurung culture and visit its nice small museum for more information on the history and heritage of Gurung people.

  Altitude: 2000m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: Tea house

• Day 12: Trek to road/head and drive to Pokhara - 04 hrs

  Morning after breakfast in the hotel, depart for Kathmandu for more than five hours of interesting and exciting drives following the main highway through nice farm villages and towns with views of the snow-capped mountain range. As the drive continues, winding up to reach the top spot on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley and the city, a short drive from the top reaches you to your hotel, with the afternoon free for individual activities and shopping. (Flying options from Kathmandu to Pokhara include a 30-minute scenic flight.)

  Altitude: 850m

  Meals: Breakfast

  Accommodation: 4 star hotel in Pokhara

• Day 13: Fly or drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

  After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, depart for Kathmandu on an interesting and exciting drive of more than five hours, following the main highway through charming farm villages and towns, with views of the snow-capped mountain range.

  As the drive continues, you will wind up to reach the highest point on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. From there, a short drive will take you to your hotel. The afternoon is free for individual activities and shopping. (Alternatively, there are flying options from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which offer a scenic flight of 30 minutes.)

  Altitude: 1300m

  Meals: Breakfast / lunch / Dinner

  Accommodation: 5 star hotel in Kathmandu

• Day 14: Farewell and final departure - 1,300m

  Our airport shuttle service will usually be scheduled three hours before to your departure, depending on your itinerary. If you have more time, you are welcome to go exploring on your own or we may arrange for any side trips for you.

  Altitude: 1300m

  Meals: Breakfast