Khopra Danda Trek

Welcome to Nepal and the beginning of your Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a Himalayan Dream Team representative will meet you and transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free to relax after your international journey or take a short walk around the nearby streets of Kathmandu.

In the evening, we will welcome you with a traditional Nepali dinner, giving you your first introduction to Nepali food and hospitality. Your guide will also brief you about the Khopra Danda Trek, the route through the Annapurna region and the journey ahead.

After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu and travel west to Pokhara (822 m), the gateway to the Annapurna region and the starting point for our journey towards Khopra Danda. The drive follows Nepal's winding highways through the middle hills, passing rivers, terraced farmland, traditional settlements and green valleys along the way.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, we transfer to the hotel and check in. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the lively Lakeside area beside Phewa Lake. On a clear day, you may enjoy beautiful views of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) rising beyond the Pokhara Valley.

For travelers who prefer to avoid the longer road journey, a Kathmandu–Pokhara domestic flight can be arranged at an additional cost.

After breakfast in Pokhara, we drive into the Annapurna foothills toward Syauli Bazaar, where we begin the first walk of our Khopra Danda Trek. Leaving the road behind, the trail climbs gradually through terraced farmland, small settlements and the green hills of the lower Annapurna region.

Our destination is Ghandruk (1,940 m), one of the best-known Gurung villages in Nepal. The village lies beneath the Annapurna mountains and, in clear weather, offers beautiful views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

After arriving in Ghandruk, we check into our lodge and have time to relax and explore the village. This relatively short first trekking day provides a comfortable introduction to the trail before we continue higher into the mountains over the coming days.

After breakfast, we leave Ghandruk and begin climbing through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests toward Tadapani (2,630 m). The trail is peaceful and shaded, with occasional clearings offering views across the surrounding hills and valleys.

As we gain altitude, the mountain scenery becomes more impressive. On a clear day, Tadapani offers excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

We spend the night at a lodge in Tadapani, surrounded by forest and Himalayan scenery. This is another relatively moderate trekking day before we leave the more frequently travelled trails and continue toward the quieter Khopra Ridge route.

Today we leave Tadapani and enter a quieter section of the Khopra Danda Trek. The trail climbs through dense rhododendron and oak forest, gradually moving away from the busier trekking routes of the Annapurna region.

The walk involves a steady gain in altitude, with sections of uphill and undulating forest trail. As we climb higher, openings in the forest reveal increasingly wide views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

We eventually reach Dobato (3,420 m), a small mountain settlement surrounded by high ridges and forest. Dobato is particularly known as the access point for Muldai Viewpoint, which we visit the following morning.

We start early with a hike from Dobato to Muldai Viewpoint (3,637 m). Weather permitting, the viewpoint offers a spectacular panorama across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, with views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri and Hiunchuli.

After enjoying the mountain views, we descend to Dobato for breakfast before continuing toward Bayeli Kharka. The trail follows a quieter ridge and forest route, with changing views of the surrounding mountains and deep valleys.

We reach Bayeli Kharka in the afternoon and settle into our lodge. This remote section of the trek provides a very different atmosphere from the busier trails around Ghandruk and Ghorepani.

After breakfast, we continue toward the main destination of the trek, Khopra Danda (3,660 m). The route crosses high pastures and open hillsides, with the landscape becoming increasingly dramatic as we approach Khopra Ridge.

The final section brings us onto the broad ridge of Khopra Danda, where the views open dramatically toward the surrounding Himalayas. On a clear day, Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) dominates the western skyline, while Annapurna South, Nilgiri and other peaks rise across the surrounding valleys.

After reaching Khopra Danda, we check into our lodge and have time to enjoy the mountain scenery. The ridge is especially beautiful in the late afternoon and provides a memorable setting before tomorrow's challenging hike to Khayer Lake.

Today is the most demanding day of the trek. We start early for the full-day hike from Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake (approx. 4,660 m), gaining around 1,000 metres in altitude as we move into a much higher and more rugged Himalayan environment.

The trail climbs steadily above Khopra Ridge through open alpine terrain, with increasingly dramatic views of the surrounding mountains. Khayer Lake is considered sacred by local Hindu communities and lies in an impressive high-altitude setting beneath the Annapurna range.

After spending some time at the lake, we follow the same trail back to Khopra Danda, where we spend a second night.

The Khayer Lake excursion is optional and subject to weather, trail conditions and individual fitness. Your guide will assess the conditions and your acclimatization before deciding whether the full hike is suitable.

After breakfast, we leave Khopra Danda and begin a long descent toward Swanta Village (2,200 m). The trail drops from the open ridge into forest and gradually returns to the greener landscapes of the lower Annapurna region.

As we descend, there are opportunities to look back toward the high ridges and enjoy views across the surrounding valleys. The changing vegetation and quieter trail make this a pleasant contrast to the high-altitude terrain of the previous days.

We arrive at Swanta, a traditional Magar village surrounded by terraced fields and forest. After several nights at higher elevations, the warmer air and peaceful village setting provide a relaxing place to spend the night.

After breakfast, we leave Swanta Village and continue toward Ghorepani. The trail passes through terraced farmland, small settlements and forest before gradually joining the more established trekking route leading to Ghorepani (2,874 m).

Today's walk is considerably easier than the previous high-altitude days around Khopra Danda and Khayer Lake. Along the way, there are opportunities to enjoy views across the surrounding hills and, when the weather is clear, towards the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

We arrive in Ghorepani in the afternoon and check into our lodge. The rest of the day is free to relax and prepare for tomorrow's early-morning hike to Poon Hill, one of the best-known sunrise viewpoints in the Annapurna region.

We start early in the morning with a hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210 m), one of the most famous sunrise viewpoints in the Annapurna region. Weather permitting, the viewpoint offers a spectacular panorama as the morning light reaches the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

From Poon Hill, we can enjoy views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) before returning to Ghorepani for breakfast.

After breakfast, we leave Ghorepani and descend through rhododendron forest and mountain settlements to the accessible roadhead. From here, we continue by private vehicle to Pokhara (822 m). The exact pickup point may vary depending on current road conditions.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax around Phewa Lake and Lakeside after completing the trekking part of our Khopra Danda journey.

After breakfast, we leave Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu. The journey follows the highway through Nepal's middle hills, passing river valleys, terraced farmland, small towns and rural landscapes along the way.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, explore Thamel or enjoy some last-minute shopping after completing your trek in the Annapurna region.

For travelers who prefer to avoid the long road journey, a Pokhara–Kathmandu domestic flight (approx. 25 minutes) can be arranged at an additional cost.

Today is a free day in Kathmandu, giving you time to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

If you would like to discover more of the Kathmandu Valley, optional sightseeing can be arranged to some of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. You can also spend the day exploring Thamel, shopping for souvenirs or simply relaxing at the hotel.

This extra day also provides useful flexibility at the end of the itinerary in case road conditions, weather or other unforeseen circumstances affect the journey back from the Annapurna region.

Your 14-day Khopra Danda Trek with Khayer Lake comes to an end today. After breakfast, you will have free time depending on the departure time of your international flight.

At the appropriate time, a Himalayan Dream Team representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you by private vehicle to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. We normally arrange the airport transfer with sufficient time for international check-in, taking Kathmandu traffic conditions into consideration.

If your flight departs later in the day, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy some additional free time in Kathmandu before the airport transfer.

For travelers wishing to extend their stay in Nepal, Himalayan Dream Team can also arrange additional experiences in Chitwan, Bandipur, Lumbini or other destinations.