Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake & Poon Hill

The Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer lake & Poon Hill is a difficult trek. Although the trek from Ghandruk to Khopra and then from Khopra to Ulleri is easy to moderate difficulty, the day trek to Khayer lake is difficult. The trek to Khayer Lake takes anywhere from 8-11 hours, depending on fitness level, and requires ascending over 1,000 meters before descending that 1,000 meters back to Khopra. The last 2 kilometers of the trek before reaching Khayer Lake is particularly difficult, as it requires climbing approximately 400-500 meters up stone stairs with nothing to hold on to and no guardrails. As a result, this trek is recommended only for experienced hikers or people with good levels of physical fitness. 

If you already have a running routine or are a regular hiker, your fitness levels are likely already high enough for this trek. If you are not a regular runner or hiker, we do recommend that you spend the 1-2 months before your trek gradually increasing your walking distance per day, as well as your general fitness level. There are great resources online if you are looking for a walking routine to get into hiking shape, but generally we recommend starting with at least one walk a week that is at least 3 kilometers in distance, and gradually working your way up from there. Be sure to gradually increase your walking distance, as well as the number of days per week that you walk, in order to prevent injury. On this trek there will be days where you will walk up to 10 kilometers and there will be significant changes in altitude during your trek, so it is important that you train your body so that you can handle these distances. 

One aspect of the trek that is more difficult to train for is the altitude. On this trek you will reach a maximum of 4,660 meters, which is well within the zone where symptoms of altitude sickness can appear. Unfortunately, there is little that one can do to prepare for the altitude, aside from hiking slowly and taking rest days to help with acclimatization. Our itineraries leave plenty of time for acclimatization and rest, so with proper sleep, adequate hydration, and a healthy diet on your trek, we are confident in your ability to succeed.

Although the Khopra Danda Trek is available all year, because of the ever-changing weather in the mountains, there are some times that will make for a much better trekking experience than others.

The typical trekking season in the Annapurna Region is from March to May, and then again from September to November. While these are still the most popular seasons to trek, we have noticed a shift in the weather in the Annapurna Region over the past few years. Mid-late May, as well as early-mid September, were once among the best times to trek in the Annapurna Region, as the weather tended to be warmer while the skies remained clear and free of rain. However, recently the summer monsoon seems to be arriving earlier and lasting longer in previous years, which results in more cloudy days, more rainy days, and more difficult trekking conditions. Meanwhile, mid-late February and early-mid December, once unpopular times to trek due to the cold, have become a bit warmer and more favorable. As such, we would recommend a bit of caution when booking dates close to the monsoon season, while also advising clients to keep an open mind about trekking in February and December.

As for trekking in off-season, the winter season, though cold, provides the best views of the mountains you can get. It almost never rains from December until February and the skies remain clear all day. In addition, there are far fewer trekkers on the trail during this season, so trekking in winter makes for a more peaceful and natural experience. Since the Khopra Danda Trek is a relatively new trek, some stops along the trek have few options for accommodation, and the available accommodation is very basic. In addition, some of these locations lack a permanent water source, which can present a problem during certain times of the year. And the trek to Khayer Lake goes high into the mountains, where conditions in winter can be icy and treacherous. If you are thinking about undertaking the Khopra Danda trek in winter, please contact us in advance so we can ensure accommodation is available throughout the trek. 

Trekking during the monsoon season is possible for those that cannot trek at other times during the year, but it does bring difficulties. During the monsoon season it will rain frequently, which can make the trails muddy and slippery, especially in the upper reaches of the trek like Khayer Lake. And there are far more clouds in the Annapurna Region during the monsoon season, so the beautiful, panoramic views of the Himalayas may be harder to see. But even during the peak of monsoon season there will be times where the weather is clear and blue skies can be seen. And although it is wet, the weather tends to be warmer than in any other season. Plus there are far fewer trekkers on the trail than at other times of the year. It really depends on your personal preference. Either way, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have and to assist you in any way we can.

In order to reach the starting point of your trek, you must first travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Our standard package includes transportation to Pokhara via Tourist Bus. These buses are bigger and sturdier than the local buses, and provide air conditioning and comfortable seats.

The drive to Pokhara improves with every season as the new highway continues its construction and existing sections of road are widened and improved. Currently, the drive to Pokhara takes approximately 7-8 hours, stopping around halfway for a brief lunch. During the drive, you will be able to see rural life in Nepal, with towns from large to small, terraced farms, beautiful rivers, and of course mountains.

Another option for transportation is a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The flight takes a mere 30 minutes and is very comfortable compared to other domestic flights in Nepal. If you would like to fly instead of take a bus, please contact Roving Nepal Treks to discuss how the price of the trek will change by flying instead of taking a bus.

The quality of food and options available depend on the location. In the lower altitudes and more populated villages, such as Ghandruk and Ghorepani, the quality of food and the types of food available aren't too far off from what you might find in Pokhara or Kathmandu However, as you continue your trek to more remote areas at higher elevations, the food quality and variety do begin to suffer.

Tea houses and restaurants throughout your trek will have trekking staples such as chow mein, potatoes, fried rice, momos, different types of pasta, and of course dal bhat. Some restaurants, even at higher elevations and in more remote areas will have meat items on their menu for purchase. However, we do not recommend our clients to eat meat in Dobato, Sistibung, or Khopra, as these locations are far from roads and have frequent issues with electricity. As such, there may be issues regarding freshness and quality.

If there are particular food or snack items that you desire, we would advise bringing them from Kathmandu, as many items are not available in the mountains and those that are typically cost far more than they would in Kathmandu.

Yes, we believe that children are capable of completing the Khopra Danda / Khayer Lake / Poon Hill Trek. That said, trekking with children does present certain issues.

The Khopra Danda Trek is difficult for some adults, as requires hiking up to 10 kilometers each day. The trek to Khayer Lake is particularly difficult. Some children may not be able to walk such great distances in a single day. But don't let the distances alone discourage you, as this issue can be easily remedied by adding more days to the trek or additional rest days. This will allow for a greater number of stops along the way so that the amount of walking each day will be more manageable. If you wish to trek with children, Roving Nepal Treks would be happy to discuss appropriate modifications to your trekking itinerary based on your situation.

Another potential difficulty for children is that in certain places along the trek, there may be no tea houses, restaurants, or bathrooms for quite a long time. It is not uncommon that in the more remote areas of the trek, such as between Dobato and Sistibung, Khopra and Khayer Lake, as well as Sistibung and Khopra, clients must walk more than two hours before finding the next location with food, water, or bathrooms. If you are hiking with children, be sure to pack sufficient water and snacks for them to enjoy along the way, and make sure they are able to time their bathroom breaks so that they won't be forced to relieve themselves along the trekking trail.

From a physical standpoint, we believe that with appropriate planning and modifications to the itinerary, children are capable of doing this trek. However, trekking is an activity that not all people enjoy. Before deciding to trek in Nepal with children, we highly recommend going on day hikes and preferably smaller treks at home to ensure that your children have the motivation and desire necessary for a successful trek to Khopra Danda and Khayer Lake.

Aside from Ghorepani and perhaps Ghandruk, it is unlikely that you will be able to use credit cards on the Khopra Danda Trek. Every year the mountains become better connected and more vendors begin to accept credit cards, but the area of the trek between Tadapani and Khopra is quite new to trekking and lacks the infrastructure to support credit card payments. Even if credit card payments are available in certain places, these payment methods are unreliable and sometimes unavailable due to issues with internet access and sufficient electrical power. Similarly, some mobile payment apps may be available at certain locations in the mountains, but as with credit cards, they cannot be relied upon as a primary means of payment.

For the majority of your Khopra Danda Trek, payment by cash is the only reliable way to pay. Please ensure that you have sufficient cash on hand before leaving Pokhara. because aside from Ghorepani and perhaps Ghandruk, you will not find ATMs along the trekking route. It is highly advised that the money you bring with you on your trek be in Nepali Rupees, because although some tea houses and restaurants may accept USD, the exchange rates they will offer are far less favorable to the client than money exchangers in Kathmandu or Pokhara will offer.

It is important that you bring sufficient money with you from Pokhara to cover any expenses you incur during the Khopra Danda Trek. Although Roving Nepal Treks provides for accommodation, meals, and certain other expenses, any expenses not mentioned as included for your trek must be paid by the client. The amount of money that a client should bring for the Khopra Danda Trek depends on the client. Some clients may want to buy souvenirs, snacks, and other things not included in the trekking package.

As a general rule, we recommend that clients bring at least $150 worth of Nepali Rupees per person with them for the Khopra Danda Trek. It is better to bring more money with you than you might think is necessary, because aside from a few ATMs in Ghorepani at the end of your trek, you will not be able to take out more money once you start your trek. Plus, any extra Nepali Rupees you have at the end of your trek can be easily exchanged in Kathmandu to your home currency, and at relatively good exchange rates.

Yes, you can rent or buy trekking equipment and supplies in Nepal. In Thamel there are hundreds of shops specializing in trekking equipment that offer a wide range of supplies at a variety of price points.

There are some shops that specialize in high quality trekking gear consisting of the exact same products that you can buy at expensive trekking supply companies in your home country. The prices at those stores are quite similar to stores in your home country, so don't expect to find a great deal on authentic, high quality trekking gear in Nepal. There are a far greater number of shops that sell cheaper versions of the same gear, at widely varying levels of quality. At these stores, it is important that you bring your negotiation skills, as the store clerks are likely to quote you a higher price than they would be willing to accept! Either way, pretty much everything you need for your trek can be purchased in Nepal.

Certain gear, such as hiking boots and woolen items, we recommend buying in your own country, as these are very important for a successful trek and the quality of these items in Nepal can vary greatly. If you do decide to buy trekking gear in Nepal, make sure that you have at least one full day in Kathmandu before starting your trek, so that you have enough time to peruse the stores and find the gear you need. 

Please note that Roving Nepal Trek may have certain items, such as down jackets, sleeping bags, and crampons available for use, sometimes free of charge.

Insurance is a requirement for all treks booked with Roving Nepal Treks. Any insurance policy purchased must contain helicopter evacuation for medical reasons. Please look over your policy to ensure that it covers hiking activities in Nepal, that it covers altitudes up to at least 5,000 meters, and that it provides for helicopter evacuation.

Before coming to Nepal, we request that you send a copy of the certificate of insurance and the policy provisions for the insurance policy that you purchase, so that we can review to ensure that you are adequately covered while in the mountains. If you have any issues finding an appropriate insurance company, please contact us via email and we can provide a list of insurers based on your country of origin.

While helping clients to successfully complete their trek is an important goal for us, our number one priority is the health and safety of our clients. As such, we use only experienced guides who have first aid training and expertise in identifying signs of altitude sickness. All of our guides carry a first aid kit containing a variety of medications, ointments, bandages and dressings for wounds, and pulse oximeters. Our guides are trained to ask questions and are constantly examining clients for signs of altitude sickness that might not be apparent to most, such as; puffy and swollen eyes, face and hands, changes in gait and walking pace, and loss of appetite.

All of our guides carry cellphones with sim cards on the most reliable cellular network in Nepal. Similarly, our guides have experience with helicopter evacuation and have good working relationships with many helicopter companies. Our guides are in regular contact with our office in Kathmandu throughout the trek, giving real-time updates about the condition of our clients so that we can be proactive.

If you have any additional questions about what Roving Nepal Treks does to help ensure the safety of its clients, please to email us and we would be happy to discuss further.

For most visitors, the visa process in Nepal is quite easy. Visa on arrival is available at Tribhuvan International Airport for people from nearly every country on Earth. For a list of the countries excluded from the visa on arrival program, please visit http://www.immigration.gov.np/en/page/visa-on-arrival.

Tourist visas obtained under the visa on arrival program are available in three durations: 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days. The costs of these visas are $30, $50, and $125, respectively. We recommend bringing crisp, new dollar bills to insure there is no issue with immigration staff rejecting your money. Please check the visa on arrival page before coming to Nepal, as the costs of a visa are subject to change.

Visas can be extended, if necessary, by visiting the Nepal Immigration Office. Please note that foreigners are only permitted to stay in Nepal for a total of 150 days per calendar year.

No, there are no vaccinations or immunizations that are required in order to enter Nepal or to obtain a trekking permit. That said, some countries do recommend certain vaccines for visitors to Nepal. Please consult the appropriate public health agency from your home country to determine which vaccines, if any, are recommended.

That said, many public health agencies recommend travelers being vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. These diseases are more often than not foodborne, and can occur in areas with inadequate sanitation and waste disposal. Some health agencies also recommend vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis, especially for travelers who visit the Terai region in Southern Nepal. It is recommended that you consult your local healthcare provider to discuss which vaccinations are appropriate for you.

The best way to stay safe in Nepal is to practice good hygiene. Drink only treated, sterilized water. Bottled water in Nepal, if properly sealed, is treated and safe to drink. Water purification tablets are also great for purifying water, and provide a cost-effective and environmentally conscious alternative to bottled water while trekking. Water that has been boiled is also safe to drink if it is properly filtered to remove other contaminants. Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless they have been washed with purified water, as tap water in Nepal can contain microbes and other contaminants which can be transferred to food. Be careful when eating meat products, especially in the high mountains, as sometimes meat can spoil due to improper refrigeration.

Yes, the Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake listed on our website can be customized.

The itinerary listed is one that we have found from our experience works very well for our clients. That said, if you want to customize your trip by visiting additional locations, spending more or less time in a particular location, staying in a different location than the one listed in the itinerary, or in any other way, we are happy to discuss customization possibilities with you. Please note, customizations to the itinerary listed on the website will likely change the price of your trek, but we would be happy to outline any cost changes with you in detail. 

We encourage our clients to peruse our website to familiarize themselves with the other treks we offer in the Everest Region. Many of the changes requested by our clients, such as skipping Ghorepani / Poon Hill in favor of Tatopani, are included in other treks that we already offer for our clients. It is also possible to add other regional treks like Mardi Himal or Mohare Danda as part of your itinerary, which will save money versus booking these treks separately. Reading about these other treks can also be a valuable resource for our clients by helping them to familiarize themselves with the different hiking opportunities available.

One change sometimes requested by clients is shortening the trek. This can be accomplished in two ways. The first way is by hiking from Dobato to Khopra directly, skipping the night in Sistibung. The other way is by hiking from Khopra to Ghorepani directly, skipping the night in Swanta. We have had clients successfully complete this trek without spending a night in Sistibung or Swanta, but doing so substantially increases the difficulty of this trek and the risk of altitude sickness. Rather than an easy level of difficulty, an itinerary that skips Sistibung and Swanta is firmly in the moderate difficulty category, bordering on being a challenging trek. We would only recommend this change to experienced trekkers or people with high levels of physical fitness, as the walking distance each day will increase substantially and the number of rest and acclimatization will similarly increase. If a shorter Khopra Danda Trek interests you, please contact us to discuss, so we can determine whether such a trek is suitable for your situation.

Our packages are priced not only based on the length, difficulty, and logistics of the trek, but also based on the number of clients. Two clients can share the services of one porter and one guide can easily handle a group of five trekkers by themselves. The money saved by using shared porters and guides is passed on to our clients. Groups larger than five persons can often receive even bigger discounts due to the logistics of large treks being easier to manage than a greater number of solo or small group treks.

If you have questions about the discounts applicable for groups of a particular size and how additional or fewer trekkers might affect said discount, please contact us to discuss.

All of our guides speak English and Nepali. If you would like a guide who speaks another language, such as Mandarin, Spanish, or Russian, we can ordinarily arrange the appropriate guide for you. However, this may take some time, so requests for guides who speak languages other than English should be submitted at least 15 days before the start of your trip. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a guide in time.

Please note that specialized guides who speak languages other than Nepali and English typically charge higher rates than most guides. As a result, the cost of your trek may increase if such a guide is used. If you would like to use a specialized language guide and wish to know the additional cost, please email us and we would be happy to provide you with an estimate.

You are not required by law to have a guide for the Khopra Danda / Khayer Lake /Poon Hill Trek. In fact, we have arranged treks for clients who wanted to trek alone without the services of a guide. But we would highly recommend using a guide.

Guides are very important in the mountains because they have specialized training and substantial expertise that helps keep clients safe. Our guides are very experienced, with first aid training and expertise in identifying signs of altitude sickness. These guides also carry a first aid kit containing a pulse oximeter, as well as medications, bandages, and other supplies to deal with unforeseen injuries or illnesses in the mountains. Additionally, these guides can identify signs of altitude sickness that clients might not notice themselves, such as swollen eyes, face and hands, changes in gait and walking pace, and loss of appetite. Should a client become sick, guides are an invaluable resource for ensuring a prompt, effective rescue, as our guides have substantial experience and connections within the helicopter rescue community. By using an experienced guide, you can trek confidently knowing that someone is there to make sure that you will reach your destination safely.

Aside from client safety, using a guide also helps make for a smoother trekking experience. The Khopra Danda Trek is a relatively new trek, so there are sections where the trail isn't well marked and the trail conditions are less than ideal. Our guides know the safest route and can identify potential dangers. By allowing a guide to handle the navigation, you can focus on the incredible views. Our guides also have great working relationships with the many tea houses along the trek, and will make sure that you stay in a good tea house at a fair price. They will help you order food, communicate with tea house staff, fill your water bottle, and they can even procure things you need from local shops.

Finally, by using a guide, you are helping to contribute to Nepal's economy and making a real difference in the lives of your guide and their family. Unfortunately, many Nepalese people live in poverty, and without a lot of good job opportunities, many are forced to leave Nepal in search of work. Being a mountain guide is a job that pays quite well by Nepali standards, allowing these guides to remain in Nepal and earn enough money to support a family. After trekking to Khopra Danda and Poon Hill you will take home incredible memories that will last a lifetime. Using a guide is a great way to give something back.

You are not required by law to have a porter for the Khopra Danda / Khayer Lake / Poon Hill Trek. In fact, we have arranged many treks for clients who wanted to trek without the services of a porter. But we would highly recommend using a porter.

The Khopra Danda / Khayer Lake / Poon Hill Trek is a long journey that requires a lot of gear to complete safely and comfortably. It is not uncommon for our trekkers to bring more than 10 kg of gear with them into the mountains, which doesn't include the weight of the 2 liters of water they should carry with them at all times. If a trekker wants to bring a digital camera or laptop, the weight increases even more. Carrying this much gear on one's back during an 6 hour hike is hard enough at sea level, but on the Khopra Danda Trek you will be trekking at altitudes of up to 4,660 meters at Khayer Lake. Using an experienced porter to carry most of your belongings makes the trek less physically taxing, which in turn greatly reduces the risk of altitude sickness.

In addition, porters are a valuable resource in case of unforeseen emergencies. If you talk to most guides who were porters in their younger years, they will recount times where they (or one of their porter friends) were forced to carry a sick client down the mountain on their back, in the middle of the night or in cloudy weather, because helicopters were unable to fly to their location. These situations are rare, but they happen every year in Nepal. In addition, in case illness strikes when a client is nowhere near a tea house and without cellular service, having a porter and a guide allows the porter to go off in search of help while the guide tends to the client's illness.

Porters make the trek safer and provide a valuable resource in case of emergency. But safety aside, porters also make the trek more enjoyable. By using a porter, clients can trek with only day packs containing water, an extra layer or two, gloves, sunscreen, and their camera. This makes the trek easier and more enjoyable, and you will start and end the day with far more energy than if you carried all the gear yourself. 

Finally, by using a porter, you are helping to contribute to Nepal's economy and making a real difference in the lives of your porter and their family. Unfortunately, many Nepalese people live in poverty, and without a lot of good job opportunities, many are forced to leave Nepal in search of work. And those that are unable to speak English or other foreign languages are often shut out of Nepal's tourism industry, closing the door to one of the few opportunities to make a good salary. Being a porter is a job that does not require English proficiency which also pays pretty well by Nepali standards, allowing these porters to remain in Nepal and earn enough money to support a family. Using a porter is a great way to give back to Nepal and help those in need of stabile, gainful employment.

Yes, we generally require a deposit in order to book a trek with Roving Nepal Treks.

The amount that we require as a deposit is 20% of the total cost of your trek. This amount goes to paying for flight tickets, ground transportation, accommodation in Kathmandu, all necessary permits, and other upfront costs to arrange your trek. If for some reason you are unable to come to Nepal and complete your trek on the agreed upon start date, we can provide a full refund of your deposit if your cancellation is received no less than 15 days from the start date of your trek. If you experience delays and would like to move your trek to a later date, we will do our best to accommodate this change at no additional cost.

Currently, the only available means of payment for your deposit is through bank transfer. The banking information for the account all deposits should be sent to is as follows:

Bank Name: Sanima Bank

Account Number: 038010010001270

Swift Code: SNMANPKA

Recipient Name: Roving Nepal Trek Pvt. Ltd.

Address of Bank: Nayabazar, Kathmandu

Roving Nepal Treks requires that a deposit of 20% of the total cost of the trek be paid in order to book a trek. This deposit must be paid by bank transfer. The banking information needed to make this bank transfer can be found below:

Bank Name: Sanima Bank

Account Number: 038010010001270

Swift Code: SNMANPKA

Recipient Name: Roving Nepal Trek Pvt. Ltd.

Address of Bank: Nayabazar, Kathmandu

After your deposit has been paid, the remainder of the cost of your trek can be paid once you arrive in Nepal. Although you can pay the entire amount for your trek by bank transfer, we do not recommend this as the fees associated with a bank transfer are higher. We recommend that clients pay the remaining balance for their trek by cash, either in US Dollars or Nepali Rupees. If necessary, payments can be made via credit card, but please note that due to bank charges, any payments made by credit card will incur an extra 4% banking fee.

While not explicitly required, tipping is customary and expected in some instances.

For guides and porters, tips are not included in the price when you book a trek with Roving Nepal Treks. However, it is customary to give tips if you are happy with the service you received. The amount of tip to be given depends on many factors, including the duration of the trek, the difficulty of the trek, and how happy you are with the services provided by the guide and the porter. As a general rule, if a trekker is happy with the service they received, the average tip tends to be approximately $15 per day for guides and $10 per day for porters. The amount a trekker gives for tips is personal to them, but a sizeable portion of the income that guides and porters receive comes from tips. As a result, the tips you give to your guide and porter are greatly appreciated.

Private transportation such as taxis, cars, and vans to airports and starting points of treks are paid for by Roving Nepal Treks. Therefore, tipping is not required and is not expected. But if you are happy with their service and would like to provide your driver with a little extra money, they will certainly be appreciative. If you decide to tip your driver, the amount to tip depends on the length of the drive and how happy you are with the service provided by your driver. For trips to the airport or where there is less than an hour of driving required, around $2 is a good amount. For longer drives, such as to Ramechhap Airport, a tip of $5 is a good amount that will make your driver quite happy.

As for your tea houses and the places that you eat during your trek, tipping is not required nor is it expected, but it is appreciated. Some tea houses and restaurants will have tip jars available if you would like to leave money for the staff. The staff of tea houses and restaurants in the Everest Region certainly appreciate tips, but they don't expect them. If you do decide to tip the staff at a restaurant, as a general rule, rounding up your food order to the nearest 100 rupee amount and leaving that as a tip is a good amount when it comes to food (example: if your food order costs 750 rupees, paying 800 rupees and leaving the extra 50 rupees as a tip). For your tea houses, if you were happy with the staff, food quality, and accommodation, leaving 100 rupees as a tip is fine. These tips aren't required or expected, so leave them only if you are happy with the service you received and want to offer an extra thank you.