Khopra Ridge Trek a classic journey into pure mountain wilderness, where route takes you from main popular path to off the beaten tracks.
Khopra Ridge Trek, a beautiful country walk of a week and little more where you can enjoy fabulous scenic views of high Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri Himalaya.
An adventure into remote and isolated country seldom visited by trekkers, where you will encounter only few travelers after leaving from main popular trails as our route takes you into hidden areas of Annapurna.
Khopra Ridge Trek starts and ends at scenic and picturesque Pokhara a leading and renowned touristic destination of Nepal, and in whole Himalaya region, a beautiful city with grand views of Annapurna peaks that reflects on its serene lakes.
Adventure takes you to short drive on the outskirt of Pokhara valley where walk begins heading towards high green hills visiting nice farm villages and then enter into lovely rhododendron forest to reach Ghorepani village.
Ghorepani located on a hill top on route to scenic Poon Hill and towards Khopra Ridge our next main destination, a lovely village situated in the midst of lovely rhododendron tree lines facing grand views of Dhaulagiri mountain range.
Next early morning short hike to scenic Poon Hill a high scenic spot where you can catch breathtaking views of sunrise over range of peaks that extends from Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna towards Manaslu in the east with majestic Machhapuchare Himal / Fish Tail.
Enjoying stunning sunrise and panorama of mountain range where our walk takes you towards our main destination to Khopra Ridge, as adventure heads down and ups on leaving behind main trekking path for sheer mountain wilderness.
As trek progress within tranquil surroundings of tall rhododendron and pine tree line and soon climb takes you on top at Khopra Ridge where tree lines and green vegetation fades for short alpine bush and shrubs.
Khopra Ridge situated on a high hill with close views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri in the west with Vara-Shikar / Annapurna Fang in the north with Annapurna South towards east.
At Khopra Ridge enjoy free day for interesting day hike to Khair, a place with small glacial lake in the midst of high peaks, regarded as holy lake where once a year festival takes place where hundreds of pilgrims visits for a holy dip and bathe in the sacred pond.
Enjoying marvelous moments with scenic beautiful surrounding at Khopra Ridge journey takes you back to Pokhara using an alternative route with grand views of Annapurna Himalaya all along the walks.
On return journey walk back into lovely forest then reach at main trekking trail towards large Ghandruk village inhabited by Gurung people the indigenous mountain tribe of Annapurna Himalaya region.
From Ghandruk with last overnight on high hills of Annapurna where walk ends taking a short exciting drive to beautiful and scenic Pokhara after a most exciting adventure and memorable experience on Khopra Ridge Trek.
Khopra Ridge Trek where one can enjoy the adventure nearly all months of the year except monsoon times of wet and rainy season, from June to August, best time from March to May with September till early December months during spring and autumn / fall with pre-winter seasons.
March to May spring times when wild flowers are in full bloom especially the rhododendron flowers of various species from tall trees to bush.
Most days are clear with enough sunlight hour’s cold in the morning and night time as well in shade, can be cloudy by late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes.
September to December during autumn / fall and pre-winter times when days are clear for views and walks but short sunlight hours, freezing cold morning and night time can get snow sometimes.
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu airport 1,320 m staff transfer to your hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 860 m transfer to hotel -06 hrs on 220 kms distance with options 30 mins by air.
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul and further to Bhirethati 1,100 m and walk to Tirkhedhunga village 1,445m- 04 hours walks and 2 hour drive.
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani village 2,885 m – 06 hrs.
Day 05: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Sauta 2,210 m – 05 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Chistibung 3, 130 m- 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,870 m -04 hrs.
Day 08: Free day at Khopra Ridge for optional hike to Khair Lake at 4,620 m.
Day 09: Trek to Dobato 3,420 m – 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Ghandruk 1,930 m via Tadapani – 06 hrs.
Day 11: Short walk and drive to Pokhara and transfer to hotel – 05 hrs.
Day 12: Fly or drive to Kathmandu with afternoon free at leisure.
Day 13: International departure for home ward bound.
On first arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal international airport where our staff or Guide receives you for short transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city and then check into your nice rooms.
After a refreshing rest at your room then join with other member of Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trek for trek briefing our guide will provide you information of the treks to make your stay with us interesting and enjoyable.
Evening includes group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant where you can taste local cuisines along with local folk culture program.
Annapurna base camp trek begins with exciting drive to reach beautiful country at around Nepal Mid-West within massive Annapurna Himalaya range in Pokhara, a charming city blessed with natural beauty of high snow-capped peaks of Annapurna and Manaslu Himalaya range with majestic Mt. Machhapuchare the famous Fish-Tail Peak.
A journey of six hours scenic drive that takes you to witness the in-depth traditional farm life of Nepalese as ride heads past several nice villages and towns to reach at lovely and picturesque Pokhara.
Pokhara a low warm valley located in the shade of high Himalayan Mountains with simmering Fewa and Begnas Lakes where most hotels located, with time for pleasant stroll around the street around Phewa Lake side.
(From Kathmandu one can take the options of short scenic flight of half hour to reach Pokhara)
After lovely overnight halt in Pokhara, our short exciting adventure begins with scenic drive\ of few hour to reach starting point of the trek, heading beyond Pokhara.
Where drive takes you past farm villages and town as journey leads ups and downhill to reach Nayapul town and then reach impressive Bhirethati village.
From this nice village walk begins with climb towards lovely farm areas to Reach overnight stop at Tirkhedhunga village and enjoy views of water-falls.
Start morning walk to reach our major destination at Ghorepani and Poon Hill, where climb takes you first at high Ulleri village facing grand views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’ peaks. As walk continues heading past nice villages of Ulleri and Bhanthati and then air gets much coolers as altitude gains slowly to reach at Ghorepani for overnight stop.
A lovely hill village located at 2,885 m situated on a high ridge beneath scenic Poon Hill, enjoy overnight in a nice cozy lodge with warm hospitality of native Poon people the main hill tribe of Ghorepani and Western Nepal.
Early morning climb for an hour to reach on top Poon Hill the highest spot of the adventure where you can enjoy incredible views of stunning sunrise over array of Himalayan peaks. Which include world highest Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu Himal with Machhapuchare the famous and magnificent looking Fish-Tail peak, after a glorious time at Poon Hill return to Ghorepani.
Having hearty breakfast continue trek and descend into forest of rhododendron and pines facing views of snow-mountain range to reach at Chitre village, from here our route diverts away from mainstream trekking trails towards Khopra hills with overnight at Sauta.
A large farm village of Poon Magar village with grand views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.
From here onwards on off the beaten path on leaving farm villages, as walk leads into rhododendron, pines and bamboo forest, following cattle herders tracks with uphill climb to reach at small temporary settlement at Chistibung for overnight stop.
Chistibung a small farm are with small tea-shops and huts as lodge for trekker’s overnight stop, located in the midst of lovely forest surroundings.
After overnight at Chistibung walk leads to climb as dense vegetation and tree-lines disappears from here onwards for few days to reach our main highlight destination on top Khopra Ridge.
On walks within tranquil surrounding chances of seeing some wild-life like Himalayan Thar, Danphe (Impeyan / Lophorous Pheasant National Bird of Nepal) and other mountain antelopes.
Slowly as climb progress reaching our much awaited destination on reaching Khopra ridge, a scenic spot facing glorious panorama of Annapurna South, Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang), with massive range of Dhaulagiri Himalaya.
Free and leisure or spare day in Khopra for exploration around pristine wilderness or just relax and enjoy marvelous scenery of rolling hills and snow-capped mountains.
For energetic and interested people can take a long day hike to Khair Lake located at above 4,620 meter high which is a long and demanding day.
Khair Lake a holy glacial pong fed from the glacier of Annapurna and Vara-Shikar peaks also called Pautarko Kair, where once a year in the month of August religious festival held called 'Badau Purnima'.
Hundreds of pilgrims visits here for holy bathe and dip in the sacred pond and offer prayers to Lord Shiva, as well sacrifice sheep and goats.
Enjoying long tough day walk and worth the views return back Khopra Ridge for last overnight on highest spot of the adventure.
On completing our major goal and highlight return journey from Khopra Ridge, leads to long descend towards east past grazing areas reaching back into forest with tall rhododendron and pine tree lines.
After downhill walks trails climbs gradually rest of the day heading to a small notch that takes you at Dobato, a small clearing facing views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machhapuchare Himal or Fish-Tail peaks.
Morning route heads downhill into lovely dense forest area to reach at Tadapani a small scenic settlement with many good lodges situated in the midst of dense forest.
From here on nice easy and pleasant walk downhill to Ghandruk as route follows winding path past few cattle herders camps then finally end the day walk on at Ghandruk village.
Afternoon with ample time to explore around this nice and large Gurung village to witness local interesting culture of age old heritage and farm life, with tour of Gurung museum in the close shadow of towering Annapurna Himalaya.
Today last walk of the adventure, where morning walk from Ghandruk village takes you downhill to reach on a road head for exciting and scenic drive of few hours to Pokhara and then transfer to your hotel by the Phewa Lake-side.
Enjoy afternoon for individual activities one can join for exciting Adventure Sports like Paragliding, Ultra-Light Flight or Zip-Flyer or spend the afternoon relaxing and taking boat ride on calm Phewa Lake.
Enjoying pleasant and wonderful time at scenic Pokhara, morning drive takes you to Kathmandu, as journey heads past many farm villages and towns following Trisuli River for few hours.
A scenic drive facing views of beautiful landscapes views with snow-capped peaks and farm lands as ride head towards winding uphill to reach Kathmandu valley and into hustle and bustle busy city of Kathmandu.
Where short drive from the city area reach you at your respective hotels with rest of the afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.
(Options for flight from Pokhara of 30 minutes to reach Kathmandu)
After a great and wonderful experience in Nepal and around high Himalaya with scenic adventure on Khopra Ridge Trek, on your last day transfer to airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.
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