Khopra Danda Trek

Upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our tour officer and then transferred to a hotel located in the prime Thamel area, where you will spend the night in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, take a flight to Pokhara, enjoying spectacular views of the Himalayas along the way. Upon arrival at Pokhara airport, board a vehicle for an approximately 3-hour drive to Kimchi, a small traditional settlement where your trek begins.

From Kimchi, embark on a pleasant short trek of about two hours (depending on your pace) along a well-maintained trail. You will climb a series of stone steps to reach Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village nestled in beautiful natural surroundings. Upon arrival, check into your teahouse and refresh yourself before exploring the village.

Take time to interact with the locals and learn about their culture by visiting the Gurung Museum and a nearby Buddhist monastery located on the edge of the village.

Ghandruk lies on the famous Gurung Heritage Trail and is one of the most well-preserved Gurung villages, showcasing the rich culture and traditions of this ethnic mountain community. Many men from Ghandruk and other Gurung villages in the Annapurna region have historically served in the British and Indian armies. Spend the night comfortably in your lodge.

After breakfast, we begin trekking through the beautiful Ghandruk village, enjoying stunning views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Himchuli. The trail passes through lush rhododendron and primula forests. Along the way, you will encounter only one teahouse, called Bhainsi Kharka, before reaching Tadapani, where you will be greeted by colorful Buddhist prayer flags.

After a lunch break in Tadapani, the trek continues through open countryside to a small mountain pass. From there, the trail descends through dense rhododendron forests to a clearing known as Bayeli Kharka, where we will spend the night. Here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the seventh-highest mountain in the world. Overnight stay will be at a community teahouse in Bayeli Kharka.

After breakfast at the community lodge, begin your trek from Bayeli Kharka by descending through forested trails to reach the Chistibang pastures. You will walk for approximately two hours before ascending above the timberline to reach Khopra Danda.

Along the way, you may catch glimpses of wildlife such as the Himalayan Tahr (wild goat) and the Danfe (Himalayan Monal pheasant). As you gaze toward the horizon, enjoy breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Dampus Peak. You can also see down to Sikha village below.

By late afternoon, arrive at Khopra Ridge and check into the community lodge for an overnight stay. Khopra Danda also offers spectacular views of the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.

Today is a big day on this walking adventure. Wake up early in the morning to witness the magnificent Himalayan sunrise. Watching the sun rise over the snow-covered peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Nilgiri, and other majestic mountains is truly a sight to behold. While the mountains glow in the morning light, get ready with your camera to capture this glorious mountain view. After breakfast, prepare for a long day hike to Khayer Lake — a highlight of your Khopra Danda trek.

To reach the lake, you will hike up the slopes of the Annapurna Massif. This place feels like a gift from the gods, a paradise surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers. Khayer Lake is a sacred high-altitude mountain lake, dotted with Hindu shrines around its perimeter. Locals believe that taking a dip in this lake purifies the soul and cleanses one’s sins. The holy Khayer Lake is about 6 kilometers from Khopra Danda.

From the lake, you will enjoy a close and breathtaking view of Annapurna South. After exploring this beautiful and serene lake, you will retrace your steps back to your local community lodge at Khopra Danda for an overnight stay.

Overall, today will be a big day filled with incredible mountain scenery and the chance to experience the holy Khayer Lake.

In the morning, enjoy breakfast with a breathtaking mountain vista from Khopra Ridge before starting the descent toward Swanta Village. Trek carefully as the trail is steep downhill. As you walk, the massive spire of Dhaulagiri looms majestically on the horizon. Take in the typical Nepalese mountain landscape, filled with terraced fields and ridge-top villages. Upon reaching Swanta, head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.

This village, filled with traditional houses, lies on a gentle hillside surrounded by paddy and potato fields. If you’re not feeling tired, you can explore this picturesque village and enjoy the grand views of the neighboring hills. Overnight stay will be in Swanta Village.

After breakfast, we will leave the charming village of Swanta and head toward Ghorepani. Our journey begins with a descent through the village, passing by paddy fields and lush jungle. As we approach the river, you’ll come across a traditional water mill, which you can take a moment to visit.

Cross the river on a swaying suspension bridge, and from there, begin the uphill trek to the village of Chittre. At Chittre, we’ll join the classic Annapurna Circuit trekking trail. From here, continue ascending through beautiful forested paths to reach Ghorepani, which means "Horse Water" in Nepali.

Today promises to be another beautiful day. Start with an early morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210m), where you’ll witness one of the most magical sunrises in the Himalayas. Poon Hill is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Nepal’s Annapurna region. From the summit, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Himalayan giants such as Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna Massif, Himchuli, Gangapurna, and many other snow-capped peaks.

As the golden sun rises over the mountains, it bathes the landscape in brilliant shades of pink, red, and gold—a truly unforgettable sight that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

After soaking in the views, hike back down to the lodge for breakfast. Then, pack your bags and begin the descent toward Hile. The trail is steep but offers spectacular scenery along the way. Upon reaching Hile, board a vehicle for a scenic 3-hour drive to Pokhara. Once in Pokhara, transfer to a hotel near the peaceful Phewa Lake. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax or enjoy a stroll around the charming lakeside area of this beautiful city.

In the morning, you’ll have some free time to explore the sights of Pokhara at your own pace. You may enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake or visit some of the city’s major attractions, such as Devi's Falls, Gupteshwar Cave, and the Seti River Gorge.

In the late afternoon, take a scenic 25-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

According to your international flight schedule, our representative will transfer you to the airport in time—approximately 3 hours before your departure—for your homeward-bound flight.

If you're interested in exploring more of Nepal, or would like to visit Bhutan or Tibet, feel free to let us know. We offer a range of exciting itineraries that may interest you.