Annapurna region’s alluring Khopra ridge trekking

• Sushant Lama

Khopra ridge trek also known as Khopra Danda trek is one of the most enthralling trekking routes located in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is a newly discovered trekking trail that competes with Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking in natural exquisiteness.

Though Khopra ridge is situated at the heart of the Annapurna region elevated 3,640 m above sea level, its beauty is unexplored by many trekkers due to its remoteness. It is less crowded than other trekking trails in this region. The experience it provides is truly amazing and is even considered one of the best short treks of Nepal.

Khopra ridge trek offers everything you could ask for the best trekking experience. Picturesque views of mountains, village life, wildlife, and a wide range of landscapes from forest to high alpine.

Since it is located alongside of Poon Hill trekking, the views you will get in Khopra ridge trek and Poon Hill trek are of similar caliber or even more stunning.

On Khopra ridge trek you are able to get the stunning views of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Bharha Shikhar (7,647 m), Nilgiri Himal (7,061 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,434 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m) Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), etc.

Khopra ridge trek is sure to provide you an experience of a lifetime. It is an exotic trekking with nature and cultures as you will pass through some culturally enriched Gurung and Magar villages. The warm hospitality of Gurung and Magar people, their local cuisines, traditions, and rituals are definitely going to melt your heart.

The fabulous views of the sunrise and the sunset seen from the Khopra ridge is what appeals most of the people trekking through this region. Views of the paddy field layered on top of each other descending into the valley, forests filled with Rhododendron are worth seeing in this region.

Khopra ridge trek is a short trek up to the Khopra ridge but it can be extended up to 1 day by adding the Khayar Lake, and the Khayar Barah temple to the trekking destinations. Khayar Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of Nepal with Hindu religious significance elevated at an altitude of 4600 meters above sea level at the foot of Annapurna South.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not going to be a problem up to Khopra ridge as teahouse can be found in Khopra ridge but if you add Lake and the temple to your destination then you have to manage the food and the accommodation by yourself which makes camping the only viable option as the teahouses cannot be found beyond the Khopra ridge.

Since our mission is limited to development of tourism related web contents and we do not operate trekking tours ourselves you can rely on some of the travel itineraries developed by private travel and trekking agencies operating in Nepal.

Here is the general itinerary you will get in Nepal.

Day 1 – Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara

Day 2 – Drive to Nayapul and trek up to Ghandruk (1,920 m)

Day 3 – Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (2,590 m)

Day 4: Trek from Tadapani to Bayerka Kharka (3,420 m)

Day 5: Trek from Bayerka Kharka to Upper Chistibung(2,975 m)

Day 6: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge (3,660m)

Day 7: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Khayar Lake (4,600 m)

Day 8: Trek from Khayar Lake to Swanta Village (2,200 m)

Day 9: Trek from Swanta Village to Nayapul

Day 10: Drive from Nayapul to Pokhara

Day 11: Travel back to Kathmandu