Khopra Danda Trek

The Best Trekking Route to stay away from the Classic Annapurna Trailratingbased on 2 reviews
  • Duration12 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Activity Trekking/Hiking
  • Max. Altitude 3660 m.
  • Group Size 1 - 20
  • Best Season March to May & September to November
Group Discount Prices
  
1 paxUS$790
2 - 6 paxUS$690
7 - 10 paxUS$645
11 - 15 paxUS$595
16 - 20 paxUS$545
Highlights
  • Supreme sunrise views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Poon Hill
  • A quieter, more intimate, and culturally pristine experience of the Annapurna region
  • Wide-ranging landscapes of dense jungle, rhododendron forests, and soaring mountains
  • Panoramic views of the Himalayas from the close proximity of Kopra Danda
  • An excellent opportunity to experience the community lodge and their hospitality
  • The unique experience of the hot springs by the banks of the Kali Gandaki River

Only recently opened, the Khopra Danda Trek offers a less explored, less crowded, and off-the-beaten trail in the Annapurna region. This is the perfect route for those looking for shorter alternatives to the classic treks in the area that offer a certain level of seclusion and serenity in addition to the region’s famous mountain panoramas and intriguing cultures.

Starting with the drive from Pokhara to the popular starting point of Nayapul, the trek sets out towards the village of Birethanti where we pause to register with the TIMS Card and Annapurna conservation area trekking permits. Two challenging days of hiking lead to Ghorepani and the supreme daybreak vistas from Poon Hill (3210m), Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Fishtail, and a host of other Himalayan giants aglow in the warm light of sunrise. Dobato is the next destination, trailing through lush jungles en route to the village, then the trek moves on through dense rhododendron forests and a patchwork of Yak pastures to Bayeli Kharka – if trekking in spring the rhododendrons are a blaze of color from their flowers. Gradually the trek inclines upwards through the tree line to open slopes below Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, offering superb views of the two legendary peaks.

A side trip from Khopra Danda to Khayar Lake (3600m) is an option that adds even more luster to the journey, offering sublime reflected views of the Himalayas from the sacred Hindu waters.

After the return hike to Khopra Danda the trek descends to Tatopani and the welcome indulgence of the village’s natural hot springs before making the return drive to Pokhara on the following day to complete the memorable experience.

As with many of the treks in the region, the optimal times to consider the Khopra Danda Trek is the spring season of March through April or the autumn period from September through November. That’s simply a guideline though, and for those wishing to traverse the region in the quieter months of the year, we have the connections and experience locally to make it viable year-round. The Khopra Ridge Trek is the perfect expression of all that hiking in Nepal has to offer, so feel free to get in touch with us and allow our experienced staff to discuss all the options available to you.

Itinerary
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  • Max. Altitude:1400m/4593ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:2/3 star hotel

Nepal Trekking Experts will welcome you at the airport and then transfer you to the Hotel.

  • Max. Altitude:1400m/4593ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:2/3 star hotel

Free day for final trekking preparation, guide meeting then spend the day the way you wish.

  • Max. Altitude:822m/2697ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:2/3 star hotel

Kathmandu to Pokhara drive by tourist Bus. Then, have a small sightseeing around the natural beauty city of Pokhara, Phewa Lake.

  • Max. Altitude:1960m/6430ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The first day commences via a drive to Nayapul where the trek begins by heading out for a relaxed hike to the scenic town of Birethanti and the checkpoints for entering the protected region. From there the trail leads out again towards Ulleri and courses through a mixture of farmland and wilderness, with ever-present waterfalls adding their harmonious background to the day's efforts. With some extra effort, we continue to the picturesque village of Ulleri.

  • Max. Altitude:2880m/9449ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

After breakfast we continue ascending through stone paved stairs then the trail will lead through a massive beautiful forest and some waterfalls. If you are trekking in the spring season, then you will have a great opportunity of exploring the blooming colorful Rhododendron forest during this trek. Ghorepani is situated at an open place that will offer magnificent mountain vistas including 8000m plus Dhaulagiri and Annapurna first.

  • Max. Altitude:3448m/11312ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The trek's dramatic climax comes early in the day — at dawn to be precise. Rising pre-dawn we make our way up to nearby Poon Hill via a short one-hour hike and watch in wonder as the magnificent panorama slowly unfolds before us, with a dense green jungle in the foreground giving way to Himalayan foothills in the near distance that would stand proud in any other setting, yet barely pass muster as all eyes are drawn to the magical allure of the soaring and snow-covered peaks in the background — Singa Chuli, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, and the entire Annapurna massif — aglow from the sun's warm embrace. The view is justifiably world-famous, and after taking time to bask in the scenery we return to Ghorepani for a welcome breakfast before heading out to Dobato and its glorious views.

The trek gets off to the new day by deviating away from the regular route to Annapurna and heading away towards the Kopra region. The trail undulates through rhododendron forests and a scenic landscape that peaks at the village of Bayeli Kharka, with its glorious perspectives of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.

  • Max. Altitude:3660m/12008ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The trail ascends continuously, with increasingly vivid views toward the nearby mountain range, including the formidable summits of Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Dhampus, and countless others. Khopra Danda ridgeline is another of the region's premier viewpoints for spectacular sunrise panoramas, though the outlook is breathtaking at any time of the day.

  • Max. Altitude:3660m/12008ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

After reveling in the glorious sunrise from the ridge the opportunity awaits to enjoy the day's other addition to the trek's highlight reel, a visit to beautiful Khayar Lake and its high altitude setting amidst a magnificent amphitheater of surrounding snow-clad peaks. The lake is sacred to Hindus and constitutes a major pilgrimage site during Janai Purnima, a ceremonial day in August that highlights kinship, particularly the bonds between brothers and sisters. Visiting the lake at any time of the year is an amazing experience — visiting it during Janai Purnima makes it even more enthralling.

  • Max. Altitude:1190m/3904ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

From the heights of Khopra Danda, the trail descends rapidly to Tatopani, one of the major villages on the trekking route between Jomsom and Muktinath. After the climb to the lake and the day's sharp descent, Tatopani's famed natural hot water springs come in handy to ease the ache of sore leg muscles!

  • Max. Altitude:822m/2697ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:2/3 star hotel

The bus drive to Pokhara concludes the journey, and once there the opportunity presents itself to throw off our trekking gear, ease back into the comfort of your hotel room, and unwind with a stroll around the town in the afternoon and a relaxing meal in the evening.

  • Max. Altitude:1400m/4593ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast

A free day to relax and enjoy all that Pokhara and its beautiful lakeside setting have to offer.

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    Note

    The above itinerary is a guideline. If you're not satisfied or have an alternative plan please feel free to discuss it with us.

    Dates & Availability
    Start:SaturdayApr 01, 2023
    End:WednesdayApr 12, 2023
    PriceUS$790
    StatusGuaranteed
    Start:SaturdayApr 15, 2023
    End:WednesdayApr 26, 2023
    PriceUS$790
    StatusGuaranteed
    Start:TuesdayApr 25, 2023
    End:SaturdayMay 06, 2023
    PriceUS$790
    StatusGuaranteed

    Note

    Are you satisfied with the fixed departure dates? If not, do not worry! We are more than happy to organize private vs. group joining on any dates you prefer. Let's contact the local experts now.

    Useful Information

    Proper trekking gears

    Respect the preserved culture and tradition

    Slow and steady during the hike

    Drink more than 3 liters of water per day

    Manage your garbage

    Take your medicine kit

    Aware of altitude sickness

    2Travelers' Reviews
    • TripAdvisor
      rating star

      Brilliant Trekking Company!

      Had a wonderful experience with Nepal Trekking Experts. We'd never hired a guiding service before, usually preferring to explore on our own, and were a bit concerned that it might be an awkward, or uncomfortable experience having both a guide and porter helping us out. Turns out our concerns were completely unwarranted.

      Rabin and Gautam were wonderful companions on a trek that finished in rather ... interesting ways. We chose to do the Khopra Trek because it was a 'less travelled' route into the Annapurna Sanctuary. When we reached the high point of our trek, five days in at Khopra Danda, we got the news that many countries were starting to close their borders due to the coronavirus, and if we didn't get to Kathmandu asap we might not be able to leave Nepal. In difficult hiking conditions (snow & ice at Khopra Danda and a steady rain in lower elevations), Rabin and Gautam brought us safely into Kathmandu in two days!! This entailed a 10K foot descent on foot followed by a 5 hour taxi ride on the first day, and a 7 hour bus ride into Kathmandu on the second. Unfortunately, we were still unable to get a flight out of Nepal before the airport shut down, and Kathmandu went under a strict shelter in place order.

      During the time we were sheltering in place in Kathmandu, Nepal Trekking Experts found us a wonderful hotel to stay at, and checked in on us multiple times to make sure we were safe and comfortable. We were able to get seats on a flight chartered by the US Embassy back to the USA a week and a half later, and Rabin even checked in with us after we landed to make sure we made it back to the US safely!!

      All of this was well above and beyond the call of duty for a trekking company. We will be forever grateful to the boys at Nepal Trekking Experts for the extra efforts they made to see to our safely, both during and after our trek, in what were obviously very, very challenging times for them and the people of Nepal. Thank you! We hope things return to normal very soon for fine businesses like Nepal Trekking Experts!!

      C
      Christopher SalcedoJul 24, 2020United States
    • TripAdvisor
      rating star

      Amazing experience with Nepal trekking experts!

      Rajesh and his brother Rabin are a great team and organized our amazing 10 days trekking in the Kopra Dhanda region. We decided to do the Kopra Dhanda trek as it is far less crowded compared to the Annapurna circuit but has the same beautiful view on the highest mountains of earth. Before going to Nepal, we had a constant email contact with Rajesh, who took care of all the permissions, transportations and accomodations. This safed a lot of time for us and we can definitely recommend to do it in this way. Rabin was our guide during the trek. He was always there for us, told us interesting facts about the nature and culture over there, was always flexible to meet our needs and enabled this unforgettable experience. We (4 persons) decided to go for one porter (Guna) which was definitely the right decision. Guna is a warm-hearted person and passionated card player and took parts of our stuff, depending on our respective daily condition. From breakfast to dinner (including fresh fruits as dessert), Guna and Rabin took care of our physical well-being and after a few days and many card games in the evening it really felt like spending time with two new friends.

      S
      Simon PJul 04, 2019Germany
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