Khopra Danda Trek

After your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative of Nepal Mountain Trekkers will be at the terminal to welcome you to the land of the Himalayas. Then you will be taken to your representative hotel and into your rooms so that you can relax your jetlagged body. Now you have time to prepare for the next day ahead. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Early in the morning after having breakfast you will start a scenic drive to the beautiful city of Pokhara and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon if time permits boating in Phewa Lake and visits Barahi temple situated in the Center of Phewa Lake, also side trip around the lakeside. Stay overnight in Pokhara

From Pokhara, you will be transferred by road (private bus) to the starting point of the trek at Nayapul. The porters will be waiting, and after a brief stop to stretch your legs while the porters organize the load, you will set off on the walk. You will walk through the busy trading post of Nayapul. You will cross a small stream via a suspension bridge and continue on a dirt road before crossing the Modi River to reach Birethanti. Soon you will reach the small hamlet of Syauli Bazaar where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, you will start the climb to Ghandruk. From here the trail climbs more steeply up stone steps through settlements of Klieu, Kimche, and Chane, where one can see beautiful scenery and village life. From the small village of Chane, the trail traverses and then climbs up to the village of Ghandruk. Stay overnight at Ghandruk.

Another day ascending ahead, but the walk will be easier now that you’ve found your trekking legs! Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind, you will enter oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk, the forest is alive with the sound of birds and small tumbling waterfalls, and if you visit in spring, (late March to April) the rhododendron will be in full bloom. There are no villages on today’s route, but there will be a few teahouses at Baisi Kharkha, providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. There will be fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machapuchare (6993m), and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way. Your lodge at Tadapani is the perfect setting for sunset and sunrise views. Stay overnight at Tadapani.

You will leave the main trail that leads to Ghorepani today and follows a rarely used trail – initially through thick rhododendron forest – that leads to local water buffalo pastures. The climb is gradual and soon you will emerge above the tree line to superb views of the Annapurna range. You will take lunch by a small stream and then continue to climb gradually though open countryside to reach a small pass, where the trail descends through rhododendron to an open clearing known as Bayli Kharka and the lodge. From the lodge, there are great views of Dhaulagiri Himal. Stay overnight at Bayli Kharka.

This morning you will descend through open ground and forest to reach the pastures of Lower Chistibung, where you will have lunch. After lunch you will continue to walk through the forest, ascending gradually and passing through several buffalo grazing pastures to reach a clearing and temporary herder’s settlement at Upper Chistibung, where you will stay in the small community lodge. For the next few days, you will stay in lodges run by the local communities. Being off-the-beaten-track, the villages haven’t previously enjoyed the benefits of tourism. Now with the network of our Community Lodges and tourism industry, there are profits to benefit local projects and schools. Stay overnight at Upper Chistibung.

To reach the ridge at Khopra, you will embark on a steady climb that carries you above the tree line. This area is noted for wildlife, so you should keep your eyes open for Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant. The best way to tackle the climb is to ascend steadily, take your time, and rest as often as you wish. You will reach the lodge on Khopra Ridge in time for lunch and will be greeted by more awe-inspiring views. This extraordinary panorama includes Annapurna South, towering directly above you at only six kilometers away, with Fang and Nilgiri prominent to the north. Across the depths of the Kali Gandaki Valley, the Dhaulagiri Himal dominates the entire western skyline. Stay overnight at Kopra Ridge.

It is a very good idea to stay here for at least two days; you can take a beautiful day’s hiking trip to Khayer Lake at 4,700m/15,420ft. This, however, is not recommended for every trekker, because it is a very long way to trek to the lake and come back the same way to Khopra. It takes a minimum of 7 to 8 hours as a round trip but once you make your way up to there, you won’t regret your walk because of the eye-dazzling sceneries of Mountain Ranges including Annapurna I and other surrounding peaks. And it is also a good idea to go as far as Thanti (around 4,200m high) and come back. At Thanti, there are some shelters for yak herders and shepherds to stay in during the monsoon. The views of nature’s beauty are mesmerizing here.

From Kopra Ridge you will descend off the hillside and continue steeply downhill. You will retrace the route back to Chistibung. You will then head to the village of Swanta, where you will stay overnight in the newly constructed lodge. We have supported the local school over the years, and there is time to pay a quick visit, and perhaps interact with the kids. Stay overnight at Swanta.

From Swanta you will descend through the village fields to a small river and take a quick look at the local watermill. From here you will cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where you’ll join the main trekking trail. There is a further ascent to reach the village of Ghorepani where you will be met with great views of the Dhaulagiri massif and a well-earned rest. Stay overnight at Ghorepani.

From Ghorepani, you will follow the trail of Poon Hill for 40 minutes, and then turn left on the grassy and rhododendron forests with small ups and downs until reaching where the trail is flat. Then there is a more strenuous climb up to Humpal pass (3,098m/ 10,165ft). Still, continue hiking along the ridge with Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and Manaslu for sunset vistas makes Mohare Danda is a good place to take an extra day’s rest! Mohare Danda itself is a perfect natural towering ridge. It offers a spectacular 360-degree mountain view through the Dhaulagiri range (8167m) high, Annapurna range (8091m), Manaslu Himal (8163m) vistas of deep magical landscapes, and magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the mountains. You will have your lunch there and return back the same way to Ghorepani. Stay overnight at Ghorepani.

After having breakfast, you will start your walk passing through the beautiful rhododendron forest. You will arrive at Ulleri with plenty of time to explore this picturesque village. From Ulleri there is a very steep descent of 500 meters on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River where you will cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tikhedunga. Stay overnight at the lodge.

After giving your knees the next day to recover, you will continue a more gentle descent to the village of Birethanti, on the banks of the Modi Khola. Here you will have lunch and then cross the new bridge to the east bank, before following the river back to the pick-up point at Nayapul. After saying farewell to your porters, you will be transferred by coach back to Pokhara where you can rest and relax. Stay overnight at Pokhara.

With an end to your trek, you will head back toward Kathmandu today on a scenic drive of about 5-6 hrs. and after reaching Kathmandu, you can spend your time on activities of your desire as much as possible with the availability of time with you. Stay Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today after breakfast we transfer you to the international airport in Kathmandu for your next destination, at least three hours prior to the flight schedule. We hope that the diversity of culture and tradition, natural beauty and wildlife, flora, fauna, and architectural heritage has created a special place in your memory strong enough to come for another adventure or exploration in this enchanting nation, Nepal.