| Trip code | |
| Package name | Khopra Ridge Community Trek |
| Duration | 10 |
| Max. elevation | 4300 m |
| Level | MODERATE |
| Transportation | All ground transportation as per itinerary |
| Accomodation | 3*** Hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara and Lodge/Tea house during the trek |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | |
| Cost | USD 590 per person |
Khopra
Ridge Community Trek is an off-the-beaten hiking trail in the Annapurna region.
It is an underrated trekking destination, as not a lot of travelers and
trekkers are aware of this majestic trail. Panoramic Mountain views,
Khayer Lake, Rhododendron forests, waterfalls, hilly gorges, and
community villages inhabited by the majority of Magar ethnic tribes are the
major features of this excursion.
Walking on the stone-stepped uphill trail through
the Rhododendron forest leads to Ghorepani. A sunrise view side trip to Poon
Hill offers a once-in-a-lifetime worth view of the Annapurna and Dhawalagiri
mountain ranges. The hiking trip to Khopra continues through the dense forests
with diverse flora, fauna and offers incredible views of mountain peaks
Annapurna South, Himchuli, and pyramid-shaped Fishtail.
Khayer Lake is located at 4827 meters altitude is
another attraction of the trek with Khayer Baraha Temple being one important
pilgrimage site for Hindus. Hundreds of pilgrims visit this site during Janai
Purnima and sacrifice a sheep as the ritual is supposed to grant people with
boon. In recent years, the number of domestic and international travelers
visiting this region is rising.
Vertex Holiday recommends Khopra Ridge Community
Trekking itinerary for the spring season when the Rhododendrons are in full
bloom. However, if you are planning a hiking trip in Nepal, this trek can be
the best vacation destination for internal and international tourists. We
organize both camping and lodge-based Khopra Lake trekking with a suitable
itinerary. Please, contact us for more details.
Food &
Accommodation on this trek to Khopra ridge, can best choices at Ghorepani and
Tatopani villages. At Tirkhedhunga with a limited food menu list, but great
meals and snacks as well the lodge will have a room basic with a common toilet
and bathrooms. At Ghorepani, one can enjoy a choice of rooms with attached or
common toilets and bathrooms, as well as at Tatopani.
Ghorepani and
Tatopani villages provide excellent room accommodations with choices of rooms
attached bath/toilets or common. As per travelers budgets most baths with
running hot and cold waters for showers and bathing.
The foods are
excellent at Ghorepani and Tatopani with a comprehensive food menu to order
from Continental, Oriental like Chinese, Korean or Japanese.
Includes Tibetan,
Nepali, and Indian as well Italian and Mexican foods also.
At Ghorepani and
Tatopani, one can find fresh bakeries products also like varieties of pastries,
cakes, and pies.
At Chistibung and
Khopra Ridge, the accommodation in rooms are simple and basic but clean, warm,
and cozy. Meals are served in big dining rooms with warm heat from pot-belly
stoves, meals are limited due to remote and isolated location.
Where trekkers
seldom venture, the foods are limited in the menu.
Choices of Nepali famous Dal Bhat with seasonal vegetables or meat mild curry additional choice of pickles hot, sour or sweet.
Khopra Ridge is
based on community trekking, which means most lodges from Sauta, Chistibung,
and Khopra Ridge are run and managed by the local village community, as well
maintaining the trekking trails.
The views are
mesmerizing, the closest and glorious scene and vista of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri,
Vara Shikar / Annapurna Fang, and Annapurna South. As well as from scenic Poon
Hill where you will enjoy the stunning sunrise over an array of the world’s
highest peaks and the mountain range of the Mid-West Himalayas.
Besides the view of
Himalayan peaks, the scenery of green hills, valleys, and enchanting forests
are the best while you trek along.
The best season for this trek or any other adventure around the Himalayas is in spring March to May. Most days are clear for views and walks with enough sunshine, can get cloudy with rains sometimes. This is the time when wildflowers are in season making the hills alive and bright with flowers, especially the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal.
Next, the best season is in autumn or falls, starts from September to November days are clear for views and pleasant walks. But shorter days due to sunlight hours, cold in the morning and night time, chances of snow sometimes at Ghorepani and Khopra Ridge.
All trekkers joining
on this trek need travel and medical insurance, just for precautionary
measures, in case of unfortunate accidents, political strikes which might
hamper our trekking and itinerary days.
Altitude-wise and medically this trek is safe and sound, as the elevation gains slowly, and spending overnights at certain heights helps and supports acclimatization. For serious health conditions or personal problems, if it needs immediate evacuation, the fastest means of transport is taking a helicopter service to the nearest hospital in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Where you travel and medical insurance will cover the extra expenses incurred during the trek.
As per the provided
list by Vertex Holiday Treks & Expeditions, requires to prepare as per the
season-wise. Basically warm clothing, down jackets, sleeping bags, and personal
daily items with good trekking boots.
One needs to exercise at least an hour after the booking for this trek, running-jogging, swimming, walking up and downstairs. Counsel with your family doctors for personal medical items to carry with medicines. One should inform ahead of special dietary also to the company before the trek departures.
All trekkers should be physically fit and in sound health for this trek, as it involves a steep uphill climb for some hours and a long downhill.
Namaste and welcome to Nepal. After your arrival, Kathmandu, Vertex Holiday’s airport representative receives you at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed, a short briefing and orientation will be conducted by our trekking leaders. In the evening we will visit a Nepalese restaurant for dinner with the Nepali cultural program. Overnight at the hotel.
The morning after
breakfast, or on the way to Pokhara starting as early as possible for 6-7 hours
interesting drive on the main Nepal Highway. An enjoyable journey past farm
villages and towns with views of snow-capped peaks, as the drive ends on
reaching Pokhara by the Phewa Lakeside. Where most hotels are located, after
checking into your rooms, enjoy a short stroll on the streets of lakeside
before dinner.
Having a hearty breakfast at the hotel, a guide will pick you up at the hotel for an exciting short drive of a few hours. On leaving Pokhara city and the valley enjoy grand views of the Annapurna Himalaya range. As drive leads to the starting point of the trek at Nayapul or further at Bhirethati a nice village. Start the walk on the gentle trail for short while and then uphill to Tirkhedhunga for an overnight stop in a local nice lodge, Tirkhedhunga a small farm village close to beautiful waterfalls.
Start the morning with a steep climb for a few hours on stone-paved steps, all the way to Ulleri a hill village with views of Annapurna South and a tip of Machhapuchare Himal / Fish Tail peak. After having a short refreshing break continue to walk on a gradual winding path through dense woodland of rhododendron, oaks, and pine trees till Ghorepani is reached for an overnight stop.
Staying in a nice cozy local lodge, the morning before breakfast hike for an hour to Poon Hill, located at 3,210 m high for stunning sunrise views over an array of peaks that reflects on Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu Mountain range.
After an enjoyable and exciting panorama of snow peaks and striking sunrise, down to Ghorepani for breakfast, and start the walk. The first hour walks on a downhill to Chitre village, from here leaving the main busy trail for absolute wilderness towards Khopra Ridge. From Chitre a short walk down and then up to the last village of Sauta, facing grand views of Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.
The walk continues
on leaving Sauta village, back into a forest with the last climb to Chistibung,
a small farm area with few huts serving as simple lodge and tea-shops.
A great day from
Chistibung reaching our main highlight destination, from this small farm
settlement, located amidst a beautiful forest. From Chistibung morning walk
leads to climbing on leaving the green vegetation and tall tree lines for short
bushes. Short morning walk of few hours as route leads to steep climb then
reaching atop the ridges of Khopra. A place with few simple mountain lodges and
shops, situated in between great giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
Himalaya range. After checking into a lodge, enjoy the afternoon at leisure or
take a short walk facing views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna Fang / Vara
Shikar with the nearest Annapurna South peak.
After a great walk
and spending a great scenic time at Khopra Ridge, the highest spot of the
adventure, as well the main highlight. Morning from Khopra Ridge, head downhill
to reach the large village of Ghara within nice tended farm terraces.
The walk continues
downhill towards Kaligandaki River, where the road to Beni and Tatopani divers.
Following the river upstream and crossing a bridge then reaching a lovely
village at Tatopani, located on a low warm country close to the river.
A village with the
name Tatopani, means hot-water / spring, after checking into one of its best
lovely lodges, enjoy the afternoon dip in the warm pools of Tatopani.
Enjoy a
refreshing time at nice Tatopani village, the morning after a good breakfast,
and board on a vehicle either in a local jeep, coach, or bus as per the group
size. An interesting drive following the Kaligandaki River downstream to Beni,
a large town and headquarter of Mygdi district. From Beni on the nice road as
drive leads past Kusma town and then at Nayapul, as road climb to Kande village
and then downhill all the way to Pokhara, reaching by the Phewa Lakeside for
last overnight around Annapurna region. Afternoon at leisure for individual
activities before heading back to Kathmandu.
Morning at Pokhara,
depart from the hotel after early breakfast for an overland journey to Kathmandu,
on the same scenic highway following Trisuli River for some hours and then on
winding uphill to the outskirt of Kathmandu valley.
Last day in the land of high Himalayas, as per your time for an international and connecting flight, transfer to Kathmandu airport. After a marvelous experience on Khopra Ridge Trekking.