| Trip code | KDT-2 |
| Package name | Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake |
| Duration | 11 |
| Max. elevation | 4660 m |
| Level | Difficult |
| Transportation | Tourist Bus, Jeep |
| Accomodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Tea Houses along the trekking route |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | |
| Cost | USD 930 per person |
Embark on a journey to explore one of Nepal’s best-kept secrets in the heart of the Annapurna Region in the Himalayas. Experience ultimate tranquility and serenity while undertaking the new and relatively unknown Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake in Nepal. The Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake is a relatively new, but nonetheless world-class trek. It is also one of the more difficult treks in the region, and therefore recommended only for experienced trekkers and/or people with good levels of physical fitness. At an altitude of 3640 m, Khopra Ridge is the perfect destination for travelers to who want to get as close as possible to Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and other mountains in the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges. Khayer Lake, sitting at an altitude of 4,660, is a beautiful lake nestled in a small valley surrounded by enormous snow-capped peaks, including Annapurna South. When the weather is right, there are few places in Nepal as beautiful and tranquil as Khayer Lake.
The Annapurna Region of Nepal is a true gem of the Himalayas. The Annapurna Region boasts a wide variety of trekking routes for the trekkers to enjoy. Some of the most famous trekking routes of the region include: the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. These trekking routes attract thousands of trekkers from across the globe every year, and as a result, they are typically very crowded. Some people hike to escape the crowds and experience the peace and tranquility that only untouched nature can offer. For those that want to escape the crowds and still experience the amazing views that the Annapurna Region has to offer, the Khopra Danda Trek is perfect!
There are many possible trailheads for the Khopra Danda Trek. Some of the possible starting locations for the Khopra Danda Trek are Tatopani, Nayapul, Tikhedhunga, and Ghandruk. However, the most popular and easiest way to start the Khopra Danda trek is from Ghandruk. Ghandruk can be reached from Pokhara by jeep, with the driving time between two and two and a half hours.
Although there are many articles written about the Khopra Danda Trek, the information from these articles can be confusing, and even contradictory. This is because the Khopra Danda trail is quite new and relatively untouched. Currently, there is no consensus for the best route to accomplish the Khopra Danda Trek, with treks having different start points, endpoints, and stops along the way. In order to come up with the best itinerary for our clients, Roving Nepal Treks sent its travel planners to the region in search of the best route. The itinerary offered by Roving Nepal Treks represents what we believe to be the best route, combining safe and comfortable trekking with the best views possible.
The trekking starts from Ghandruk. This village is home to a large community of local Gurung people, and is a model cultural village of Nepal. Ghandruk village can be reached by bus or jeep from Pokhara. After leaving Ghandruk, you will traverse through lush, green forests before reaching Tadapani, your first sleeping location. Trekkers will continue to enjoy the serene, forest environment on their way to Dobato, the next sleeping location on the trek. Dobato is home to Mulde View Point, a relatively unknown location whose views are even more impressive than those found on the legendary Poon Hill. After watching sunrise from Mulde View Point, trekkers will walk along a mountain ridge with incredible views of the Annapurna Range and Fish Tail Mountain, before hiking down a hill towards Sistabong, encountering dense forests and impressive waterfalls along the way.
After spending the night at Sistabong, trekkers will have a brief, but physically demanding morning of trekking uphill to reach Khopra, a small settlement on a narrow mountain ridge, 3,660 meters above sea level. When you stand on Khopra Hill, you will feel as if you are inside a postcard, with stunning views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges looming above you. The close-up views of these legendary mountain ranges make for a truly an awe-inspiring experience, demonstrating the true scale of the mighty Himalayas.
The following morning you will hike to Khayer Lake, a small lake hidden within the Annapurna Range, surrounded on all sides by beautiful mountain scenery. On a clear day with little wind, the water from this lake is as smooth as glass, glowing blue and white from the reflection of the sky and mountains above. This day will be the hardest day of the trek, with anywhere from 8-11 hours of hiking and over 1,000 meters of elevation gain on rocky, steep trails. But the difficulty of this day's trek is proportionate to the views that you will see along the way. Stunning views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Nilgiri, along with panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri Range, will be ever present throughout your trek, tempting you to stop for more pictures than you probably need!
Next, you will walk down the same hill that you came up the day before, but this time you will instead head towards Swanta, a picturesque village dotted with small, hillside farms. On the way to Swanta you will walk along mountain ridges and later through dense forests, passing mountain streams and waterfalls, with views of the mountains on all sides. You will spend the night in Swanta, enjoying the beautiful views and vibrant local community.
As with the starting point of the trek, there are different places where the Khopra Danda Trek can end. Some trekkers choose to end the trek in Banthani after spending a night in Ghodepani and visiting Poon Hill. But having already seen Mulde View Point on this trek, some trekkers don't want to visit Poon Hill, which might appear to some a more crowded and less impressive version of Mulde. For these trekkers, we recommend ending the trek at Tatopani, a village that is home to famous hot springs which provide the perfect location to relax and recuperate after your long and arduous trek.
Although the difficulty of the trek until Khopra is easy to moderate, the trek to Khayer Lake is difficult. You must be an experienced trekker or possess a good level of physical fitness for this trek, as the walking distance each day is substantial and there are long steep, ascents and descents along the way, especially on the trek to Khayer Lake. The trail is narrow and and steep in some sections. The maximum altitude of 4,660m is well within the altitude sickness zone. Therefore, proper planning and a reliable trekking companion are highly recommended. Don’t underestimate this trekking route, especially the trek to Khayer Lake.
Yes, you can do Khopra Danda Trek and Poon Hill Trek in one single trip. Roving Nepal Treks offers a trekking package that goes to Ghorepani instead of Tatopani after overnighting in Swanta. Ghorepani is a hill station which is the main town from which trekkers hike to Poon Hill. After sleeping in Ghorepani you can take the 45 minute walk up to Poon hill to see the sunrise before trekking down to Ulleri or Tikhedhungga to catch a jeep back to Pokhara. Trekkers who go opt to include a visit to Ghorepani can also can also extend the trek to include Mohare Danda.
The Khopra Danda Trek has many names, but for the most part, they all mean the same thing! Danda means "hill" in the Nepali language, so saying Khopra Danda and Khopra Hill is saying the same thing, only in a different language. The small village of Khopra is technically not on a hill, but rather a mountain ridge that leads to the lower reaches of the Annapurna Range. In fact, there are hills with higher elevations on either side of Khopra. Whether you hear someone say Khopra Hill, Khopra Danda, or Khopra Ridge, just know that these refer to the same place and the same trek.
Khayer Lake is a picturesque mountain lake above Khopra, at an altitude of 4,660 meters. Some Khopra Danda Trek itineraries, such as this one, include a visit to this lake. The reason why some itineraries skip Khayer Lake is because the hike to Khayer Lake is considerably more difficult than any other day on the Khopra Danda Trek. The trek to Khayer Lake can take anywhere from 8-11 hours, with about 1,000 meters of elevation gain along the way. The Khayer Lake Trek is recommended only for experienced trekkers or people in good physical condition. If you decide that you are not interested in seeing Khayer Lake as part of your Khopra Danda Trek, Roving Nepal Treks offers other treks which do not include it in the itinerary.
Contact the travel planners of Roving Nepal Trek and plan your trek today!
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day resting and exploring the vibrant capital city of Nepal at your leisure.
Embark on a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a beautiful lakeside city with incredible views of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri Range, and Fish Tail Mountain. Enjoy stunning views of the countryside and mountain along the way. The drive takes around 7-8 hours, depending on traffic. Overnight stay in Pokhara.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive by jeep to Ghandruk, the starting point of your trek. The drive offers scenic views of the countryside and the mountains that you will be seeing up close and in person in the coming days. The road ends shortly before Ghandruk, so you must walk approximately 30 minutes along a well-maintained stone path to reach Ghandruk, where you will eat lunch. This walk offers views of Langdruk, another Gurung village on the other side of the river, as well as the Annapurna Range and Fish Tail in good weather.
After lunch, the stone path gives way to well-maintained dirt paths, with views of the nearby mountains and hillsides covered in terraced fields. The trail eventually passes through dense forests full of birds and other wildlife, with the occasional view of the Annapurna Range through the thick foliage. After 3-4 hours you will reach Tadapani, a small village with beautiful views of mountains such as Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Fish Tail. Here you will sleep for the night.
After enjoying the views of Fish Tail and the Annapurna Range during breakfast, we will begin the trek to Dobato. The first hour of the trek is a leisurely walk through thick, lush jungles filled with local trees, plants, and wildlife. The trail during this period is mostly "Nepal flat," meaning a little bit up, a little bit down, but generally around the same altitude. Soon the jungle will open up and you will be treated to views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Fish Tail.
Next you will begin a steady but manageable trek uphill, passing the villages of Meshar Danda and Ishuru along the way, one of which you will enjoy lunch at. After passing these villages, the tree canopy begins to open up a bit, giving way to lush grasslands, flowery meadows, and beautiful mountain streams.
The final portion of the trek follows a mountainside trail with views of the Annapurna Range and Fish Tail before reaching Dobato. Overnight in Dobato.
This morning you will wake up shortly before sunrise and walk to Mulde View Point (3,637 meters). The walk takes approximately 30 minutes with about 200 meters of elevation gain. At Mulde View Point, you can enjoy stunning, panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I and II, Annapruna South, Annapruna Fang, Hiunchuli, Fish Tail Mountain, and countless other peaks. Take time to soak in the views before returning to Dobato for breakfast.
After breakfast, you will walk steadily uphill along mountain ridges and through dense forests, with views of the Annapurna Range and Fish Tail Mountain. After an hour or so, the trail will turn westward, leaving the Annapurna Range behind (for now). You will walk downhill through bamboo and rhododendron forests, with the occasional mountain stream and waterfall. During this part of the hike, you can enjoy views of the Jomsom Valley.
Upon reaching the river, you will have a brief walk back uphill among dense forests until you reach Sistibung (3,000 meters). Overnight in Sistibung.
Your trek today will be much shorter than the previous two days, but it will be just as physically demanding. The distance from Sistibung to Khopra is only around 3 km, but over that short distance you will gain over 500 m in elevation. But with plenty of spots to rest along the way and a short distance to cover, this can be one of the most relaxing days of the trek.
The trail begins in dense forests with the occasional meadow and clearing, where views of the Jomsom Valley can be enjoyed. As you climb high, you will eventually cross the tree line and the trees will disappear, offering clear views of the Jomsom Valley, and as you get higher, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri as well. Eventually you will come to the mountain ridge where Khopra lies, where you will be treated to incredible views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna Fang, and Annapurna South, among others. After lunch, relax and admire the amazing views, which are best around sunset. Overnight in Khopra.
Today will be the most difficult day of your trek for sure, but also the most rewarding. During the first couple of hours, you will walk along a mountain ridge with stunning views of mountains in the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges, including Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna Fang, and Annapurna South. The trekking trail is a relatively well-trodden dirt path which passes by many small huts used by local yak farmers. It is likely you will encounter many yaks during this stretch of the trek, but these yaks are peaceful animals that won't bother you if you don't bother them.
After climbing the ridge, the trail becomes rocky and begins to follow the mountainside in the lower reaches of the Annapurna Massif. The trail in this section is a bit steeper uphill, but still relatively straightforward. After a total of around 4 hours of trekking, you will reach the Khayer River. At certain times of the year (specifically in the month or so before the start of the monsoon season), this river will look more like a stream. The valley through which this river flows is surrounded by mountains, making for a truly impressive sight. On the other side of this valley is a small tea house where you can refill your water bottles for the arduous trek ahead.
After passing this tea house, your will trek on a relatively new but very well-maintained trail for about 15 minutes before reaching a large set of stone steps. The trek from here to Khayer Lake is easily the hardest part of this day's trek. You will walk up a steep hill gaining approximately 400 meters of elevation in less than 2 km, using mostly stone steps. Although the trail here is very steep, the steps are relatively new and quite well-maintained. The stairs will give way to another small valley with more views of the mountains before the final summit push.
After another set of stone stairs, you will reach a small temple with lovely views of the valley and nearby mountains. From this temple, the walk to Khayer lake is less than 20 minutes. Once you reach Khayer Lake, spend some time walking on its banks and admiring the incredible views from different angles.
The trek back down to Khopra follows the same route that we took going up. After stopping for lunch at the tea house where you filled your water bottle earlier this morning, we will continue down the mountain, hopefully reaching Khopra in time to enjoy the beautiful sunset that Khopra is famous for. Overnight in Khopra.
Today we will head back down the mountain, ultimately ending up in Swanta. For the first hour or so, you will walk down the same path that you took from Sistibung, except this time, the trail will be sharply downhill instead of uphill. In the early morning, the clear weather will provide amazing views of Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri as you trek along mountainside trails. Before reaching Sistibung, you will take a different trail that leads towards Swanta.
After a couple hours, you will reach the river which lies at approximately 2,400 meters, where you can spend some time admiring a lovely waterfall and a fast-moving mountain stream. After crossing the river, the trail will take you through thick jungles that are once again "Nepal flat" before ultimately reaching the village of Swanta (2,300 meters). Swanta has the same tea houses as other villages you have experienced so far on the trek, but it has a much more local feel than the villages you have experience thus far on your trek. Swanta is covered in fields, terraced farmlands, and small houses full of locals going about their daily lives.
After lunch in Swanta, you have the rest of the day to explore this lovely village at your leisure. Visiting the local temple, playing basketball with the children of the local school, or taking a leisurely walk through the village are recommended activities if you're looking for things to do with your afternoon. Overnight in Swanta.
Today is the final day of hiking in the Himalayas. After breakfast, you will hike downhill towards Tatopani. The trek is relatively short and straightforward, and mostly downhill. The trails are well-maintained and weave their way through lush forests filled with birds and other wildlife. Along the way, you will encounter rivers, mountain streams, and even a few waterfalls.
After reaching Tatopani, the hiking will be complete. But there is much to do in Tatopani throughout the remainder of your day. Tatopani is a relatively large village, owing to it having famous hot springs. These hot springs are a popular pilgrimage site, and a dip in these hot springs is a wonderful way to relax and recharge after a long hike through the Himalayas. After reaching Tatopani, the rest of your day is at your leisure. Overnight in Tatopani.
After breakfast, we will drive by jeep back to Pokhara. On the drive, you can enjoy the views of the picturesque villages and terraced farms lining the hills along the way, and reflect on all the beautiful sights you have seen throughout your trek. Upon reaching Pokhara, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can take a stroll along Phewa Lake, visit the Peace Pagoda, or just relax in the hotel room. Overnight in Pokhara.
After breakfast, we will drive by jeep back to Pokhara. On the drive, you can enjoy the views of the picturesque villages and terraced farms lining the hills along the way, and reflect on all the beautiful sights you have seen throughout your trek. Upon reaching Pokhara, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can take a stroll along Phewa Lake, visit the Peace Pagoda, or just relax in the hotel room. Overnight in Pokhara.
After breakfast, enjoy the rest of your time in Kathmandu until your flight home. Our representative will handle your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in plenty of time for your departure flight, and in addition to your luggage, you will carry with you unforgettable memories of the Khopra Danda Trek and Khayer Lake, as well as your time in Nepal.