Catch stunning views of mountains like Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri.
Get the best and most stunning sunrise or sunset views from the Poon Hill area.
Make your way to the majestic Khayer Lake at Annapurna Mountain’s foot.
Explore the beautiful Ghandruk valley and learn the cultures and rituals of Gurungs residing locally.
Trek along the magnificent oak trees and rhododendron forest and get the experience lasting a long time.
Visit Annapurna Conservation Area and glimpse all the rare and endangered flora and fauna including snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, and others.
Stunning scenic trek to one of the beautiful hill stations in Ghorepani.
Khopra Danda Trek Overview
Khopra Danda Trek 8 Days is among Nepal’s most underrated but beautiful trekking destinations. This trek lies in the Annapurna region and is less crowded than other popular trekking destinations from that region. You can get some of the best viewpoints of Mount Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, and Annapurna from Khopra Danda.
It stands at an elevation of 3640m and is located in the Annapurna Conservation Area. You can experience many attractions while Khopra Danda Trek, including a pristine Khayer Lake located just at the base of the hill.
The trek to Khopra Danda starts at Pokhara as you head towards the stunning hill station in Ghandruk. You will visit several amazing places like Tatopani, Dobato, Ghorepani, Poon Hill etc.
You will experience some stunning vistas of mountains and lakes and come across amazing local cultures, traditions, and rituals. Explore the majestic local villages, meet local Gurung and Magar people, and immerse in their culture and traditions.
The total distance you have to cover the trek ranges from 30 to 35 km so you have to trek for at least 5 to 6 km per day. So despite falling in the moderate category of trekking destinations in Nepal you still must be physically fit to enjoy your adventure.
Overall, Khopra Danda trek is the hidden gem among many trekking destinations in Nepal and if you are unsure about it then this guide is for you.
Drive to Syauli Bazar from Pokhara and Trek to Ghandruk
2 hour driveB.L.DLodge1960m/6430ft
The first day of the Khopra Danda Trek begins with breakfast in Pokhara. After having breakfast you will head out early towards Syauli Bazar via drive. It will take up to 2 hours to reach Syauli Bazar from Pokhara via either jeep or bus. Once you stop in Syaluli Bazar or Nayapul your trek starts.
You will then start trekking toward Ghandruk from Syauli Bazar which takes up to 3 hours. Ghandruk is a great spot for tourists visiting the Annapurna region.
You can easily reach it while trekking in the area. The village is mostly inhabited by Guruns of the area is located at an elevation of 1930m. You will stay overnight at Ghandruk concluding your first day of trekking.
Day
02
Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
4 hours TrekB.L.DTeahouse2610m/8563ft
The second day of your trek starts with an early breakfast at Ghandrul where you can enjoy sunrise as well. After having breakfast you will head towards Tadapani which is not far from Ghandruk. It will only take up to 4 hours to trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani so today’s trek is quite relaxing.
The trek begins early in the morning after having your breakfast as you start climbing the trails. There are continuous ascend and descend along the way and the stunning mountain views keep you company throughout your trek. You’ll arrive at Tadapani in the afternoon. The teahouse there is located at an elevation of 2610m and you’ll be staying there overnight.
Day
03
Trek from Tadapani to Dobato
6 hours TrekB.L.DLodge/Teahouse3420m/11220ft
After having breakfast in Tadapani the third day of your trek starts with the early morning trek. Today’s destination is Dobato which elevates at the height of 3420m which means you have to climb quite a distance. This trek will start to get a bit strenuous as it takes up to 6 hours to reach Dobato.
Just after walking half an hour from Tadapani, you will come across a huge forest which you have to cross. You’ll now start ascending to reach the ridge of Deurali. It’s a bit of a distance, but you can take a short break once you get there before continuing to climb the trail to reach Dobato. Stay overnight in a teahouse in Dobato.
Day
04
Trek from Dobato to Khopra Danda
6 hours TrekB.L.DLodge3660m/12007ft
Today is the day to reach your destination at Khopra Danda. Your trek begins with breakfast in Dobato as you start descending through the small bush with trees and shrubs. Continuing to walk for a few hours, you will reach the small but beautiful village of Chistbung. Here, you can take another short break before trekking for a couple of hours to reach Khopra Danda.
After taking a short break, you can start your trek from Chistbung village and pass through a beautiful route of Alpine trees. Khopra Danda, located at an altitude of 3640m, will offer you breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri mountains. Although not the highest peak on the trek, you can spend the night at a teahouse on the ridge.
Day
05
Excursion to Khayer Lake and Back to Khopra Danda for Overnight
8 hours TrekB.L.DLodge at Khopra Danda4500m/14763ft
Today marks a special day for your trek as you finally reach Khayer Lake, situated at an elevation of 4,660m. It takes 3-4 hours to reach Khayer Lake and the excursion is extremely beautiful. You can either directly start trekking towards Khayer Lake or first trek around Khopra Danda.
Khayer Lake is the perfect opportunity to click awesome pictures of a lake surrounded by mountains. The panoramic views of Annapurna, Niligiri, and other mountains from the lake are pristine and this is also the perfect opportunity to get those stunning pictures for your social media.
After completing your excursion at Khayer Lake you will return to Khopra Danda. if you haven’t hiked around the ridge you can do this after returning. You can also go straight into your teahouse for an overnight stay.
Day
06
Trek from Khopra Danda to Swanta
5 hours TrekB.L.DTeahouse2,214m/7263ft
On the sixth day of the trek, you start descending considerably. Today’s destination is Swanta which lies at an altitude of 2214m which means you have to descend significantly. After having an early breakfast in Khopra Danda you will start descending for up to an hour before reaching Chistung Village. You will continue to descend more and today is all about lowering altitude.
As you continue to descend you will pass by various barley and potato fields along the way. You will pass by a few more small villages before reaching the charming village of Swanta. Swanta Village is the home of the Magar people who are very welcoming. So enjoy your day exploring the village and learning their cultures and rituals.
Day
07
Trek from Swanta to Ghorepani
4 hours trekB.L.DLodge2,874m/9429ft
On the seventh day of the trek, you will climb an altitude a bit and reach Ghorepani. The day begins with a tasty breakfast at the teahouse in Swanta as you begin moving towards today’s destination. At first, you will trek in the descending trail till you come across a huge green forest.
After passing through a forest you will start climbing a trail considerably until you reach the beautiful hill station of Ghorepani. While climbing the trek you will get a glimpse of the beautiful Annapurna range from one of the ridges which is the perfect place for break and capturing photos.
You will Ghorepani after almost 4 hours of trek. After reaching Ghorepani you can either hike around the village and get acquainted with local people or rest in your teahouses.
Day
08
Early Morning Hike to Poon Hill. Trek to Banthanti and Jeep Ride to Pokhara
4 hours trekB.LSelf820m/2690ft
Today is the last day of our Khopra Danda 8-day trek. Early in the morning, you will trek towards Poon Hill for the beautiful sunrise and views of the mountains and then return to Ghorepani. Poon Hill is the hidden gem in the trek as you get a chance to click stunning pictures of Annapurna mountain ranges.
After returning to Ghorepani, you can rest a bit and have your breakfast or lunch based on your necessities. Now your trek continues towards Banthanti from where you will board a private jeep and drive back to Pokhara.
You can either sightseeing around the lakeside area, do some shopping, visit different restaurants or just enjoy your remaining time in your hotel room concluding your Khopra Danda Trek.
Accommodation
7 Nights of Accommodation During the trek (Twin Sharing Basis)
Meals
All standard meals (Lunches, Dinners, & Breakfasts/The main course) during the trek.
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek
Transportation
Pokhara to Syaulibazar (trek start), Banthanti (trek end) to Pokhara by Taxi/Jeep
Extra
Government Licensed and qualified trek guide, assistant trekking guide for a group of 10 or more. One porter for two trekkers. Luggage limit 10 kg per trekker.
Guides and porters’ costs – their meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment costs
Water purification tablets for safe drinking water
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card fee.
Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
All government, local taxes, and official expenses
Souvenir – a company’s T-shirt. warm head trekking map
Duffel Bag & Sleeping Bag (return after trek)
Trekking completion certificate
Not Included
International flight airfare
Nepal entry visa fees on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport
Kathmandu -Pokhara- Kathmandu Transportation ( If you ask we can arrange)
All accommodations and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara before and after the trek
Extra night accommodation, and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to early arrival, late departure, or early return from the trek.
We offer both group departures and private Khopra Dada Trek trips to suit different travel preferences. Choose from the scheduled group dates, or contact us to create a custom itinerary that fits your time frame.
Khopra Danda falls under one of those treks for trekkers visiting the Annapurna region that you will only know about once you experience it. However, lately, its popularity has increased due to more awareness.
Among many famous treks in the region like Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek, Khopra Danda Trek stands on its own. Despite being just 8 days of trek there are still tons of attractions that can indulge you during your trek.
Here are some of the major attractions that you can enjoy during your Khopra Danda Trek.
Khayer Lake
One of the major attractions you will find during the Khopra Danda Trek is Khayer Lake. The lake is located at an altitude of over 4500m. To reach Khayer Lake at the foot of the Danda, it takes up to 8-9 hours of trekking. The route from Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake is not crowded so trekkers can enjoy their quiet which is not available among other treks in the Annapurna region.
You will trek towards Khayer Lake on the 4th or 5th day of your Khopra Danda trek package. Khayer Lake is the sacred lake for the religious Hindus that reside in Nepal. Many Hindu pilgrims from India also visit the lake for religious purposes. The trek to Khayer Lake starts from Khopra Ridge Hotel and is among the highlights of your trek passing through beautiful waterfalls, temples, snow-covered peaks, and dry barren landscapes.
Poon Hill
Poon Hill is a very popular hill station located at an altitude of 3210 meters. The hill is the perfect place to watch sunrise and sunset and possesses some stunning 360-degree panorama views of the mountains in the Annapurna region.
You can get stunning views of mountains like Annapurna, Fishtail, Ghorepani, Nilgiri, Ghorepani, and others. Similarly, you can also get a stunning vista of Pokhara as well as Phewa Lake. From the top of the Poon Hill vantage point, you can see people boating in Phewa Lake.
In recent years, Poonhill alone has started to become a short trekking tourist for tourists. It is one of the hidden gems of a place among other magnificent trekking spots in Nepal.
Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a small but beautiful village situated at an altitude of 1940m. The Nepalese Gurung community is the predominant inhabitant of the village. The village is indeed one of the best tourist destinations in Nepal. However, it is often only included as part of the final trekking package for tours and treks in the Annapurna region.
Ghandruk is a renowned stopover for trekkers in the Annapurna region, drawing travelers from all over Nepal. The village offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna Mountain ranges, including Machhapuchre and Himchuli.
Ghandruk has become an important trekking destination in Nepal, and its awareness has helped the local community in maintaining resources and creating employment opportunities as well. Despite attracting many tourists over the years, the village is not influenced by Western culture, The local lifestyle, delicious local cuisines, welcoming guests and mesmerizing vistas make Ghandruk very special.
Ghorepani
To visit Ghorepani you have to pass through Annapurna Conservation Area. It is a small hill station in the Annapurna region mostly known for providing beautiful mountain views and its surrounding areas.
It is also mostly famous for its hospitality as there are tons of homestays where you can stay to get stunning views of sunrise the next day. Ghorepani has not been a place for rest and stop in the modern day but was a place for traders to stop while visiting or coming back from the capital city of Kathmandu.
While trekking Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, or Khopra Danda Trek you are advised to either include or extend your trek to include Ghorepani.
Best Seasons For Khopra Danda Trek 8 Days
The best seasons for Khopra Danda Trek are Spring and Autumn. During these seasons, the weather and temperature are mild, and there are fewer chances of rainfall making the trail wet and easy to trek. Spring in Nepal lasts from March to May, whereas the Autumn season lasts from September to November. Best Time For Khopra Danda Trek Guide will help you choose the best time of year to start your journey.
Among these two seasons, the preference is based on which season you prefer. If you feel cool but clear weather then you might prefer Autumn but if you like blooming flowers accompanying your path then you will prefer Spring season.
Apart from the Spring and Autumn seasons, the winter season is also not bad for trekking for some trekkers. However, during the winter season, the temperature at the higher altitude is well below the freezing point. But since the Khopra Danda trek doesn’t take you to very high altitudes you can still enjoy this trek in the winter season that lasts from November to February.
The worst among all these seasons is the Monsoon season which lasts from June to August. During this season the mild to heavy rains are continuous which makes your trails wet and slippery. There is also a high chance of natural disasters like floods and landslides especially in hilly areas so you must avoid this season especially if you don’t have a trekking experience.
Food and Accommodation for Khopra Danda Trek
Khopra Danda Trek accommodation consists of two nights of hotel stay in Pokhara and six nights of lodges or teahouses stay during your trek. During your stay at hill stations like Ghandruk and Ghorepani, you will have standard lodges with big rooms and attached bathrooms.
You can even get a single room if the hotels are not booked entirely but in other small villages like Tadapani, Dobato, Swanta, and Khopra Danda, you will stay in the normal teahouses.
During these teahouses, you will stay in a room with a twin bed which means you might have to share your room with either your group or other trekkers based on the number of trekkers that have booked.
In the case of food options, you will have tons of menus in city areas like Pokhara. During these trek days, you will have options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For Breakfast, you can get menu options of French Toast With jam, Oatmeal, Bread, Roti, Noodle Soup, Eggs, Pancakes, Hot Drinks, Fruits, and Vegetables.
In the case of Lunches, you will have the option to have Rice, Lentils, and Vegetable curry known locally as Dhal Bhat and Tarkari. You can also get options of Western dishes like Steaks, Stews, Momos, Pizzas, Burgers, Macaroni, Spaghetti, vegetable salads, and local Snacks like Chana, Bhatmas, and Papad.
Your final meal for the day will be your dinner which also consists of a mix of local and western menus. For Dinner, you can have local Dhat, Bhat, and Tarkari along with Pizzas, Burgers, Momos, Pasta, Thukpa, Soups, Stews, and Steaks.
There are plenty of options for food and drinks during your trek. Hence it is recommended that you avoid coffee and alcohol as they are the root cause of dehydration.
What kind of permits do you need for Khopra Danda Trek?
Every type of trekking in Nepal is subject to specific restrictions, requiring a particular permit based on the trek or region you plan to visit. Likewise, permits are necessary for the Khopra Danda Trek, and they include:
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Every trekker must issue their TIMS card immediately after visiting Nepal and before heading towards trekking in any region. Moreover, an ACAP permit is needed if you are a foreign national and if you want to explore the Annapurna region.
You can issue these permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara or via your trekking agency. There are certain charges you have to pay to issue these permits.
2.
Is Khopra Danda Trek a new trekking destination?
Khopra Dada Trek is a relatively new trekking destination in Nepal. Many trekkers have only heard of other trekking destinations like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, or Fishtail but haven’t heard of Khopra Dada Trek. Khopra Danda trek passes through mostly the same area as other treks in the region but they are way less crowded.
In recent years, this trek’s publicity has been increasing due to different experiences than other treks. You can only reach Khayer Lake via Khopra Dada Trek which is another reason for its popularity.
Nepal Tourism Board and Annapurna Conservation Area are working tirelessly to promote the Khopra Dada Trek to the trekkers who flock to the region.
3.
Is Khopra Danda Trek difficult?
For veteran trekkers, Khopra Danda Trek falls under the easy category. Even for beginners, this trek is moderately difficult only. You have to trek 5-6 km every day for a few days and most of the route is upward scaling which stresses your core.
So if you are physically fit the trek is not as difficult as you think. Altitude sickness can also make your trek difficult so be sure to not rush towards the peak of the altitude and keep yourself hydrated all the time.
4.
Are guides and porters compulsory for the Khopra Danda Trek?
Since April 1, 2023, You must take at least one authorized guide on any trek you are heading to. The new rules are implemented to ensure more security and safety for foreign tourists who are new to the region and have language and cultural barriers with local people.
Guides are essential if you need any emergency help, medical attention, or even quick helicopter rescue. You can hire a guide of your choice from the trekking agency of your choice.
In the case of porters, they are not mandatory but it is highly recommended. They carry heavy loads and have experience with the local areas. Porters also have access to yaks, mules, etc to carry heavy bags of many trekkers. They are also familiar with local people and will help you in case of any emergencies.
5.
How long does it take to complete the Khopra Danda Trek?
The Khopra Danda Trek can typically be completed in 8 to 10 days, but it can be customized according to your preferences. If you’re considering a visit to Khopra Danda and other attractions in the Annapurna region, you have the option to combine them. However, if you want to focus solely on Khopra Danda, you can complete the trek in just 8 days.
6.
Is Khopra Danda Trek suitable for solo female trekker?
As mentioned above you cannot travel solo yourself and must hire at least one guide with you. So if you are trekking with at least one guide your problems are reduced as they will help you in any way. It is the same case with solo female trekkers as Khopra Danda is relatively easy you can easily complete the trek. During your stay in hotels or lodges, you can also get a single room without paying an additional amount if they are not fully booked.
7.
Are there any health posts or hospitals around Khopra Danda Trek?
There are the best hospitals and health posts in city areas like Pokhara. In the rural areas that you come across while trekking you will get standard health posts.
They have trained doctors and have many regulated medicines for all kinds of basic illnesses like headaches, diarrhea, common cold, and normal acute mountain sickness. You are also advised to carry medicines like Diamax, painkillers, etc to get instant relief if you feel unwell at a higher altitude.
Hari & his staff are extremely helpful & will fulfill all our needs & requirements at all times. We are very very comforted dealing with them & always have peace of mind & therefore need not worry at all
The fabulous views and surroundings that we expected were delivered. For incredible days our guide, Hari Gurung kept us moving through trails, over hills and villages that were fabulous to experience.
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