Khopra Ridge Trek – 7 Days

Overview

Khopra Ridge trek is a newly opened route in the Annapurna region. The trek takes us on off beaten trails with amazing views of everything that Nepal has to offer from awe-striking mountain Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna (I, II, III, and south), Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal and Nilgiri views, rural villages, and rice fields We pass through Rhododendron forest and meet Himalayan wildlife like pheasants and yaks .we can also go up to the holy and beautiful Khayar Lake. This trek also leads to Ghorepani Poon Hill, you get the best sunrise views over the massive Annapurna, Dhaulagiri Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre from the top of Poon Hill (3,210m/10,531ft). This is a very unique trail that many people don’t even know about! 

Friendship World Treks would like to recommend all our Valuable clients that they should arrive in Kathmandu a day earlier in the afternoon before the day we departed and start our Khopra Danda Trekking the next day, To make sure that you’ll attend our Official Briefing as an important Pre-meeting. The reason we do so is we want to make sure that you get proper mental guidance and necessary information just to have a recheck of equipment and goods for the journey so that if you have forgotten something than we’ll provide you with that ASAP.

Highlights

• 2 Nights at the beautiful lake city of Pokhara
• Trip on off beaten rarely trails
• Local Cheese factory at Paudwar
• Awe inspiring views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fang and Nilgiri.
• Optional Trek to the holy Khayar Lake
• Amazing sunset view from Poonhill
• pretty villages and farmland at Ghandrung,
• Go up to Khopra Danda ridge

Benefits

• Airport arrival and departure transfer to/from Hotel by private transportation.
• Provide pulse oximeter for blood oxygen saturation level monitor to high altitude. It is an important indicator to recognize early signs of impending altitude sickness and other potentially health risks.
• Medical Kit.
• Arrangement of sleeping bags and down jackets if you do not have your own.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day1: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul /syauli bazaar /kimche (1,784m) -Trek to Ghandruk (1940m / 6,364 ft )

After having breakfast early in the morning in Pokhara and drive to Nayapul then off-road through a small village,Sauli Bazar and Kimche, Then we trek up steps and continue to walk to the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk, a village with vibrant Buddhist monasteries and houses made of slate and stones. with beautiful mountain views and rich in Gurung traditions Overnight at a guest house in Ghandruk.

Day2: Trek from Ghandruk (1940m / 6,364 ft ) to Tadapani (2675m.8,630 ft)

We leave the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind and trek through rhododendron and oak forest. There are no villages on this route, but there are a few teahouses at the place called Baisi Kharkha (Buffalo Grassing place) to rest. We will get to see awe-inspiring views of Machhapuchhare (6993m), Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way.

Day3: Trek from Tadapani (2,675m.8,630 ft) – Bayeli Kharka (3,450m/11,318 ft)

From Tadapani we walk the first and half hours through the forest of rhododendrons and Primula.then after 4 hours of the gradual climb we reach above the timberline with amazing views of the Annapurna .we will stop for lunch my streams and continue through the through open countryside to reach a small pass from here the trail descends through rhododendron to a clearing known as Bayli Kharka, and the lodge. From the village, we can enjoy superb views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world.

• Overnight at community lodge
  • Included standard meals ( Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner )

Day4: Trek from Bayli Kharka (3,450 m/11,318 ft) to Khopra Danda (Ridge) (3,660m/11,811 ft)

From Bayli Kharka we will descend through forests to reach the pastures of Chistibang. From Chistibang we trek for around 2 hours to ascend above the timberlines to reach the ridge at Kopra, You might get to see Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant on the way. On top, we will see amazing views on all sides of Dhaulagiri, Damphus Peak, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, and deep down Sikha.

• Overnight at “Khopra community lodge”
  • Included standard meals ( Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner )

Day5: Trek from Khopra Danda (Ridge) (3,660m/11,811 ft) to Swanta (2,214m/7,874 ft)

From Khopra Ridge we can walk to Khayar Lake at 4600m which will take around 5 hours we’ll take a steep trail on the ridge with stone steps with a gorgeous view of nature. After visiting the lake we will come back down to Khopra. For those who don’t want to visit the lake we will trek down a trail to reach the nice little village Swanta,with incredibly friendly people, it is also also the community cheese factory. where not many other tourists come. You can explore the place as well as taste cheese.

Day6: Trek from Swanta (2,214m/7,874 ft) to Ghorepani (2,880 m/9,350 ft)

We will descend through the village fields to a small river then will cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where will join the main trekking trail. There is a further ascent to reach the Ghorepani .we will enjoy seeing great views of the Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre massif, and a well-earned rest.

Day7: Early morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m/ 10,525 ft) then trek to Birethanti (1,039 m/3,250 ft) -Drive to NayaPul – Pokhara.

We ascend to poon Hill (3,210m) early morning to view sunrise over the whole Annapurna, Dhaulagiri massif including Mt Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), After taking natural view of sunrise and the warm sun kissing and surrounding rice terrace A favorite spot among photographers After visiting Poonhill, we will trek to Birethanti then drive to Nayapul and back to tourist hubs Pokhara.

What is Included?

• Both way transportation service between Kathmandu and Pokhara by Tourist bus.
• Both way private transportation service from Pokhara to kimche(trek start), Birethanti(trek end) to Pokhara.
• Two nights accommodation with Breakfast (room with attached bathroom) at “Hotel Crown Himalayas” in Pokhara.
• Accommodations: Two nights room with attached bathroom at Ghandruk, and Ghorepani, four nights standard room at Tadapani, Bayeli Kharka,Khopra Danda and Swanta. (Generally twin Sharing room)- 6 Nights
• All Standard Meals (7 Lunches, 6 Dinners and 7 Breakfasts) during the trek.
• Government License holder Friendship World Treks experienced and qualified trek leader (guide), assistant trekking guide, (12 or above trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porter to help trekkers luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter “9 kg per trekker max limit”).
• Coverage of Guides and Porters, Their meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, flight and other necessary equipment.
• Water purification tablets for safe drinking water
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) Fee.
• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card fee.
• Snacks (cookies) and Seasonal fresh fruits every day
• All government, Local taxes and official Expenses
• Assistance in arranging rescue operation in case of complicated health condition (funded by travel insurance).
• Souvenir – A company’s T-shirt & Cap
• Friendship World Treks appreciation of certificate after over the successfully trek.
• Farewell Dinner at the end of the trek

What is Excluded?

• International flight airfare
• Nepal Entry Visa Fees for multiple Entries on arrival at Tribhuwan Internationa Airport- (15 days – $25-30, 30 days- $40-50 and 90 days- $100-110)
• Excess baggage charges (Limit is 9kg per Person)
• All Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before and after we start our journey
• Lunch and Dinner in Pokhara.
• Extra night accommodation, Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to early arrival or late departure, early return from the trek.
• Personal expense (shopping, snacks, boil bottle water, hot and cold drinks, hot shower, Alcohol, Wi-Fi, telephone call, battery re-charge fee), extra porters etc
• Personal clothing and gear
• Travel insurance which has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation compulsory
• Tips for guide and porters (Recommended by the Culture)
• Additional costs or delays caused by out of management control, for example, landslide, weather condition, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes etc.
• All the costs and expenses which are not listed in “cost includes” will be counted as Excludes