Khopra Danda Trek
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Nepal
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Trip grade: Moderate
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Destination: Annapurna region
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Activities: Trekking
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Accommodation: Hotels/Lodges
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Meals: Full-board on trek
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Transportation: Private vehicle/Plane
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Maximum altitude: Khayer Lake (4660m)
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Group size: 2 pax min
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Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Khopra Danda Trek is a less-crowded trekking path with some of the best Himalayan panorama the Annapurna region is bestowed with. Besides, one gets to witness the authentic local culture, discover traditional mountain villages and hike to another Himalayan viewpoint in Annapurna at Khopra Danda.
Khopra Danda or hill located at 3640 meters offers brilliant views of peaks like the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, including the majestic Fishtail Peak. If you are adventurous enough then a side excursion to Khayer Lake (3640m) from Khopra Danda adds yet another dimension to the trek. This will take you about 7-8 hours but the result will be rewarding with more dazzling Himalayan views.
Khayer Lake is a sacred lake that Hindu pilgrims and especially Magar community visit the lake to pray the Goddess Khayer Barahi whose small temple is located at the lake’s bank. During the Hindu festival of Janai Purnima, Hindu devotees flock to Khayer Lake to get blessings. You will have to cross over a brown and barren landscape to get to Khayer Lake with occasional sightings of the local shepherds on the trail.
The trek to Khayer Danda begins after a scenic drive from Pokhara to Nayapul then a trek to Tikhedhunga. Then you will have to follow the Ghorepani Poon Hill trail and further continue passing along traditional Nepalese villages, dense forests, and lush meadows with spectacular Himalaya views on your backdrop.
Eventually, you will reach Khayer Danda where fewer lodges are scattered which commands a great panorama of the surrounding mountains. You can climb up to the Khopra Ridge which offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains like the mighty Annapurna range, including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fang, and Machhapuchhre ‘Fishtail’.
Khopra Danda Trek is a great option for trekkers looking for an off-the-beaten-path trek in Annapurna and exploring the remarkable landscapes of the Annapurna region while avoiding the crowds of the more popular trekking routes.
Khopra Danda Trek Highlights
- Pokhara- the most beautiful lakeside city & natural wonder of Nepal.
- Grand amazing sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
- Witness a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas from Khopra Danda ridge.
- Hike to sacred Khayer Lake at the foot of Mt. Annapurna South.
- Trek off the beaten track.
- Majestic views of peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South & Nilgiri.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by a tourist bus (6-7 hrs)
Day 03: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1010m/2hrs) & trek to Tikhedhunga (1480m/4 hrs)
Day 04: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2850m/5-6 hrs)
Day 05: Trek from Ghorepani to Upper Chistibung (2,975m/5-6 hrs)
Day 06: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Danda (3640m/3 hrs)
Day 07: Rest day in Khopra Danda, Day-trip to Khayer Lake (4660m/7-8 hrs)
Day 08: Trek from Khopra Danda to Sikha (1935m/5-6 hrs)
Day 09: Trek from Sikha to Tatopani (1190m/2-3 hrs) & drive to Pokhara (822m/5 hours drive)
Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara by a tourist bus (5-6 hrs)
Day 11: Final departure
Arrive in Kathmandu and one of our representatives will receive you and then transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the time is free to explore the city where your hotel is located which is usually at Thamel – the popular tourist hub in Kathmandu where every needs and facilities for the tourist are located like hotels, pubs, restaurants, departmental stores, trek gear shops etc. Or you can simply rest at your hotel if you are jet lagged and get ready for an amazing Himalayan trek.
Early in the morning take a bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The early departure ensures that you reach Pokhara by early afternoon, leaving you with enough time to explore the city on the same day. The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara is incredibly scenic, offering stunning views of lush hills, terraced farms, and the Himalayan mountain range. Keep your camera ready to capture the breathtaking landscapes along the way. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check-in hotel and the rest of the time is free to explore or rest.
Option: You can choose to either take a private vehicle or flight (25 min) for Kathmandu/Pokhara or Pokhara/Kathmandu transfers.
After breakfast drive to Nayapul, which takes about 2 hrs. from here that our trek actually commences. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests, past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where we halt for lunch. After lunch, we climb steadily up the side of the valley, passing by Hile until we arrive at Tikhedhunga.
We move ahead from Tikhedhunga crossing a stream on a suspension bridge near a camp site. The trail now ascends a steep stone staircase (which has about 3300 steps) to the large Magar village, “Ulleri” at 2080m. Above the village, the trail climbs gently through the pastures and cultivated fields. There is another campsite at about an hour’s walk above Ulleri. We cross two sparkling streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti, where we stop for lunch. In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti, we climb all the way up to Ghorepani, which offers spectacular mountainous panorama of Dhaulagiri (8172m), Tukuche Nilgiri (6940m), Annapurna South(7219m), Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6434m) and Tarke Kang (7069m)
After breakfast, trek begins with ascending path through the ridges of mountains towards Chistibung. En route witness spectacular Himalayan panorama, beautiful mountain flowers and lush vegetation. Chistibung is the best location to catch the perfect mountain views from it’s closest point. The hike is about 5-6 hours and upon reaching, check-in lodge and free to explore the area in the evening.
Today is to hike to the main highlight of the trek ‘Khopra Danda’. You will continue trek from Chistibung down towards Khopra danda. The viewpoint from Khopra Danda provides one of the best Himalayan panorama in Annapurna of the peaks like Mount Annapurna I (8091 m), mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Hiuchuli (6441 m), Nilgiri (7,061 m) and any almost every mountain in Annapurna region. You can witness sunrise from here early in the morning the next day which is just spectacular.
Today is a rest and acclimatization day. You can rest in your lodge and if you want to stretch those legs then you can go for a side-excursion to Khayer Lake above Khopar Danda which is located at an elevation of 4660 meters above sea level. After exploring around the lake, return back to Khopra Danda.
Today is going to be a long trek of about 5-6 hours of walking. The path is mostly going downhill so you need to start early having your breakfast at Khopra Danda and start the trek. The trek begins with going through some section of woodlands and crossing over a number of small villages en route, and finally arrive Shika.
Trek continues after breakfast from Sikha to Tatopani in Beni which literally means ‘Hot Springs’. Upon reaching Tatopani, check-in lodge and head straight to the hot springs soaking yourself with the fresh and warm water of the Himalayas and easing your aching muscles of the long hike in the mountains.
Afterward, drive to Pokhara which is about 5 hours drive from both on and off roads. Upon reaching the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara, check-in hotel and the rest of the time is free to explore Pokhara which basically is visiting the Phewa Lake, hunting down some good restaurants in the lakeside area closer to Phewa Lake and simply enjoy the evening at one of the pubs or restaurants at lake side celebrating a successful trek in the Himalayas.
After breakfast drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara by a tourist bus retracing the same highway route which you took earlier. Upon reaching Kathmandu, check-in hotel and the rest of the time is free to explore or rest. In the evening is Farewell Dinner at one of the authentic Nepali Restaurant with a cultural show.
A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the airport for your final departure. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. You need to be at least 3 hours prior to your flight time at the airport.
You can always extend your trip to try out some of our other adventurous packages like Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
What is included?
- Airport pick-up and drop services.
- Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu & Pokhara with breakfast as per itinerary.
- Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu by tourist bus. (Option: Private vehicle/Flight)
- Pokhara/Nayapul & Tatopani/Pokhara transfers by private vehicle.
- All trekking accommodations with Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner at local lodges.
- Four seasonal sleeping bags (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron Treks duffel bag
- A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide)
- Experienced Government licensed English Speaking Guide & Porter (1 porter for two people) including their food, accommodation, salary & insurance.
- Permits for Annapurna Conservation Area and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
- Farewell dinner with Nepalese cultural program.
- All government and local taxes.
What is not included?
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD30 for 15 days)
- Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
- Other expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, hot shower etc.)
- Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
- Tips for guides & porters
Route Map
Trip Info
Accommodation
While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 4- or 5-star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (4-star), Hotel Manaslu (4-star), Radisson (5-star), Yak & Yeti (5-star), or similar. During the trek, you will be accommodated in a local mountain lodge, better known as Tea House. These lodges and teahouses provide good services and are equipped with basic amenities. We will endeavor to provide you with the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.
Meals
We never compromise the quality of food or the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Generally, we opt for the fresh and nutritional local community food available. You could make your delicious pick from an array of traditional foods like Sweet potatoes, buckwheat barley, etc. This way, you could not only get a real sense of the local culture and life patterns but also contribute to promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Besides, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads, Masala curry, etc. are also available in the restaurants for your retreat.
Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a serious risk while trekking in the Himalayas. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days at lower altitudes before heading higher. By spending time at lower altitudes before pushing higher, your body has time to adjust. Our trekking packages have enough acclimatization days planned where you'll be spending a day or two at lower altitudes, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.
Electricity & drinking water
For an additional cost, you can use the electricity in all tea houses and lodges to recharge your batteries. The lodges have packaged mineral water for sale, or you can fill your bottle with boiling water. To make water drinkable, you can use water purification tablets too. But, due to hygienic issues, you should avoid drinking water from taps, rivers, or wells in trekking areas.
Communication
At lodges, restaurants, and hotels, Wi-Fi is available for an additional fee in the most popular trek regions, like Everest, and Annapurna. However, at high elevations, phone calls are the only means of connection. Our office in Kathmandu is in constant communication with your trek guide. In Kathmandu, you can purchase a local sim card for communication purposes. At high elevations, the mobile signal might not be as strong, though.
Luggage
Our porters are paired with one trekker for every two hikers, and one porter can safely carry 30 kg maximum weight. Therefore, we advise you to fill your duffle bag not more than 15 kg with your belongings. You may carry a small backpack with your valuables and informational documents. The things you are not taking along on the trek can be stored in a hotel in Kathmandu free of cost.
Typical Trek Day
Mostly your trek day starts with breakfast at 7-8 am, followed by a 3-4 hour morning trek. Lunch break is around an hour, then you continue trekking to your destination for the day. After reaching the teahouse lodge, you can relax, explore nearby areas, and enjoy dinner at 6-7 pm. Evenings involve socializing, a trek briefing, and leisure activities before bed.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical and evacuation costs. Having travel insurance with you makes your trip secure and hassle-free.
Our Guides
Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you can actually connect with nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides who are very well-versed in the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the trek region you are traveling in. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining but also equally informative.
Porter and Staff Care
When it comes to high-altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitudes are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our field staff are covered by insurance.
