Khopra Danda (Ridge) Trek - 14 Days

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Group size: Min 2 pax Max-Altitude: 4600m
Destination: Nepal
Arrival on: Kathmandu Departure from: Kathmandu
Meals: All meals during trek
Accommodation: Hotel/Mountain Lodge
Fitness level: Moderate

Trip Introduction

The Khopra  Danda (Ridge) lies away from the bustling trails of Annapurna region but presents exceptional views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fang, and Nilgiri.
Khopra Danda (Ridge) Trek is a soft to moderate type of trek that trek takes you in the intact world to explore typical lifestyle and culture, beautiful villages, along with a wonderful view of Himalayas on mesmerizing sound from the deepest gorge the Kaligandaki. The route follows a local trail that takes you down into the valley north of Ghorepani, before climbing up another ridge, known as "Khopra Ridge".  The main attraction of this trip is Kaire Lake.  It is a holy land for the mountain residents who visit here every year at a certain festival.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. 

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara in a Tourist Bus, transfer to Hotel
Altitude: 820 m/2705 | Drive: 5-6 hrs. | Meal: Breakfast

Day 3: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk
Altitude: 1940m/6360 ft. | Drive: 1 and a half hrs. | Trek: 5/6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
Altitude: 2,600m/8528 ft. | Trek: 5-6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 5: Trek from Tadapani to Bayli Kharka
Altitude: 3420m/ 11285 ft. | Trek: 5/6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 6: Trek from Bayli to Upper Chistibung
Altitude: 2975m/ 9818 ft. | Trek: 4/5 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 7: Trek from Chistibung to Kopra Ridge
Altitude: 3660m/ 12078 ft. | Trek: 3/4 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 8: Rest day- excursion to Kaire Lake
Altitude: 4600m/15180 ft. | Trek: 9/10 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 9: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Chitre
Altitude: 2390m/ 7887 ft. | Trek: 5/6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 10: Trek from Chitre to Ghorepani
Altitude: 2860m/ 9438 ft. | Trek: 4/5 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 11: Excursion to Poonhill, Trek to Tirkhedhunga
Altitude: Poonhill: 3193m/ 10535 ft. | Trek: 5/6 hrs. | Meal: BLD

Day 12: Trek from Tikhedunga to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
Altitude: 823m/2,700ft | Trek: 4/5 hrs. | Drive: 2 hrs. | Meal: B

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. | Drive: 5-6 hrs. | Meal: B

Day 14: Final Departure from Kathmandu
Meal: B

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu (Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. )
On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, one of our representatives will pick up you and escort you to the hotel as well as help you to check-in at the hotel. After your refreshment, you will be briefed about the next day trip.

Day 02 Drive to Pokhara in a Tourist Bus, transfer to Hotel (Altitude: 820 m/2705 Drive: 5-6 hrs. Meal: Breakfast)
Early morning, after breakfast, catch the Tourist bus or we can also organize a private vehicle for you. Viewing countryside villages, farm, shops, and river, you will reach Pokhara. A beautiful place with tremendous views of mountains and lakes. You can also go for Boating at Fewa Lake. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 3: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk (Altitude: 1940m/6360 ft. Drive: 1 and a half hrs. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Check-out hotel in the morning after breakfast to transfer to the trek point Nayapul. Your trek will start with a short hike in an easy trail. You will cross a suspension bridge and a stream following the Modi River you will reach Birethanti. You are required to show trekking permits at the Annapurna Conservation Check Post. From Birethanti, you will trek to Ghandruk, a beautiful village mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. Overnight at local lodge.

Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (Altitude: 2,600m/8528 ft. Trek: 5-6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Wake up with the stunning sunrise views over the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. After breakfast, you will continue to walk uphill through Daurali passing dense rhododendron and oak forest. You will walk in the forest trail most of the time and totally avoid villages in between however offer few Tea houses at Bhaisi Kharka with a place for rest. Following the narrow passes, you will reach Tadapani. It a perfect setting for sunrise and sunset views.

Day 5: Trek from Tadapani to Bayli Kharka (Altitude: 3420m/ 11285 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will avoid the regular trail that leads to Ghorepani following the thick rhododendron forest trail. You will see the local water buffalo pastures. Then, starts climbing up to a ridge above the tree line viewing the fantastic scenario of Annapurna range. Gradually, starts walking following a small stream to the open countryside that leads you to a small pass. Then onwards, you will slowly descend through the rhododendron trail to an open area Bayli Kharka offers manifesting views of Mt. Dhaulagiri. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 6: Trek from Bayli to Upper Chistibung (Altitude: 2975m/ 9818 ft. Trek: 4/5 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today, you will walk downhill through open ground and forest that takes you to the pastures of lower Chistibung where you can stay here for a while. Then, continue to walk following the forest, gradually climbing up and passing through several buffalo grazing pastures towards the temporary settlements of herders at Upper Chistibung. Here, you will be staying at local community lodges. Being this trail an off beaten track there will be very limited lodges even run by the local community or Homestay.

Day 7: Trek from Chistibung to Kopra Ridge (Altitude: 3660m/ 12078 ft. Trek: 3/4 hrs. Meal: BLD)
The motive of the entire trek is to reach Khopra Ridge. Today, you will walk on a steady climb that carries you above the tree line. Now, you will enter the area noted for the wildlife, keep your eyes open and grasp the opportunity of viewing Himalayan Tahr and a colorful bird Danfe. You should climb steadily with appropriate rest and time. Just reaching the ridge, you will receive the sparkling surrounding including the attraction of Mt. Annapurna South, Mt. Nilgiri, Kali Gandaki valley, and Mt. Dhaulagiri. Spent overnight in Lodge/Homestay.

Day 8: Rest day- excursion to Kaire Lake (Altitude: 4600m/15180 ft. Trek: 9/10 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Today will be the most exciting and long walking to the Khayer Lake lies at an altitude 4600 m. It is a sacred lake for the Hill dwellers practicing Shamanism and those who belong to Hindu. Especially on the day of Janai Purnima on the month Shrawan (July/August) when the sacred thread is changed by the Brahmin and Kshetris taking a holy bath, a fest is held here. It will be a long walking, hence, could not recommend for every trekker. For those who like to walk for a certain distance, they can go to explore the fantastic landscape of Thanti lies at an altitude of 4180 m. This place is a temporary shelter for the Yak Herders and shepherds. They stay here during monsoon season. It is a place where pilgrims spend overnight while going for worship at Khayer Lake. Spend overnight at Khapra village lodge.

Day 9: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Chitre (Altitude: 2390m/ 7887 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
It is a time to return back following steep downhill. Retrace the trail back to Chistibung and following the trail towards Swanta. Then, descend through the village fields to a small river and take a quick look at the local water mill. From here you will cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre Stay overnight at Lodge.

Day 10: Trek from Chitre to Ghorepani (Altitude: 2860m/ 9438 ft. Trek: 4/5 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Following the ascending trail, you will reach the village of Ghorepani where you will enjoy the picturesque views of the Dhaulagiri massif. Stay overnight at Lodge.

Day 11: Excursion to Poonhill, Trek to Tirkhedhunga. (Altitude: Poonhill: 3193m/ 10535 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
Wake up early morning and make your journey to Poon Hill. It is a perfect place for sunrise view over the snowcapped mountainous peaks. Walking for hours in steep uphill really amaze you when you grasp the eye-popping view of mountains in the north turning yellowish color step by step by the strike of sun rays over the snowcapped top. Retrace your journey back to lodge for breakfast. Get ready to walk for the next journey Tirkhedhunga. The trail passes through beautiful rhododendron forest continuing the trail of Bhurungdi Khola. Rest for a while at Ulleri taking some picturesque views of the surrounding, then follow the stone steep steps down the hill. Follow the trail of Bhurungdi Khola and crossing a small suspension bridge, you will reach the village of Tirkedunga. Stay overnight at Lodge.

Day 12 Trek from Tikhedunga to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara (Altitude: 823m/2,700ft Trek: 4/5 hrs. Drive: 2 hrs. Meal: BL)
Today, you will continue to walk in a gentle descend trail to the village of Birethanti. It lies on the bank of Modi Khola. Here, you can spend your time for a while then retrace your journey to Nayapul to catch a vehicle to drive back to Pokhara. Explore the streets of Pokhara in the evening, release all your trek exhaustion and enjoy. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 13 Drive back to Kathmandu (Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. Drive: 5-6 hrs. Meal: B)
Now, it’s a time to return back to Kathmandu. You can either fly or drive back to Kathmandu. Spend your time as you like. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Final Departure from Kathmandu
Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements.

Important Note

Included / Exclude

Cost included

  • Airport transfer by Treks Planner office representative in a private vehicle
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast on twin sharing basis
  • Accommodation at well and comfortable Mountain Lodge available en-route during the trek (Few nights’ at during trek with attached bathroom/toilets)
  • Accommodation at Hotel  Batika Classic in Pokhara with breakfast on twin sharing basis
  • Full board meal during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • English speaking, First Aid and Eco-trained local trekking guide, Assistance guide as per the group size, porters (2:1)
  • All the expenses for guide and porters along with Insurance
  • Trek transfer as per the itinerary in a private vehicle
  • Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu transfer in a Tourist Bus
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) fee
  • Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card fee
  • Pokhara/Nayapul/Pokhara Drive in a sharing vehicle
  • Exclusive medical kit bag, Duffle Bag, Trekking T-shirt, Trekking Maps, Adventure Certificate
  • Sleeping Bag and Down Jacket during Trek
  • All government and local taxes as applicable

Cost Excluded

  • Nepal Visa - (Cost- US$- 25 for 15 days & $- 40 for 30 days)
  • Lunch & evening meals while in Kathmandu and Pokhara (Except welcome/farewell dinner)
  • Travel insurance
  • Cost of personal nature expenses, Beverages (Mineral water or coca cola), cost of extra meals, snacks, phones bills, Internet, WiFi, laundry etc.
  • Cost incurred during an emergency, evacuations
  • Tips for Guide/porters/driver

Best time to travel

Spring (March to early June) & Autumn (September to early December)

Physical Condition and requirement

Additional info

Important notes


Source:www.treksplannernepal.com