The Khopra Ridge Trek, also known as Khopre Dhada Trek, offers a unique and less crowded adventure in the heart of the Annapurna Himalayas. Unlike the popular trekking routes, this trail takes you through hidden corners of Nepal’s majestic mountains, providing a peaceful experience amid breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled between the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, the trek leads to the stunning Khopra Ridge — a high-altitude scenic ridge perfect for those seeking tranquility away from the main trails.
Originally a grazing and hunting area for locals, Khopra Ridge remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. Pilgrims visit the sacred Khair Lake annually, a small glacial pond surrounded by the imposing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) peaks. The lake holds religious significance, and an important festival is held every August during the full moon, attracting devotees who come to pay homage.
Starting with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the trek begins from the lush sub-tropical foothills near Pokhara. After a short drive to the trailhead, you’ll hike uphill to the charming village of Ghandruk, a cultural hub of the Gurung people, rich in Buddhist traditions and farm life. The trail continues through pristine forests and quiet mountain villages like Tadapani, gradually ascending to the open alpine terrain of Khopra Ridge.
Spending time on the ridge, surrounded by towering peaks, you then descend to the crystal-clear Khair Lake. After enjoying the peaceful ambiance and sacred site, the return route takes you downhill to Ghorepani, followed by a rewarding hike to Poon Hill for a magnificent Himalayan sunrise before heading back to Pokhara.
The Khopra Ridge Trek connects well with other popular trekking routes in the Annapurna region. You can extend your journey to the Mardi Himal Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek, adding anywhere from a few days to two weeks of exploration. For a shorter off-the-beaten-path experience, consider the Panchase Hill Trek near Pokhara.
Pokhara offers more than trekking. Spend extra days enjoying thrilling adventure sports like paragliding, ultra-light flights, and zip-lining. Alternatively, relax and explore the natural beauty of Phewa Lake and the surrounding hills.
For nature lovers, extend your holiday with white-water rafting on the Kaligandaki, Seti, or Trisuli Rivers. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit nearby Chitwan National Park for an unforgettable safari experience.
After a great flight landing at Kathmandu the only International Airport in the country, after going through immigration then check out. Where our representative or guide welcomes you adorn you with a traditional greeting of garland. All your baggage will be taken care and then a short drive takes you to the hotels, located in the main areas of Kathmandu city.
On reaching respective hotels check into your lovely rooms and relax get refreshed from the Jet-Lag, and then meet your guides and other fellow members of the trek in the hotel foyer or lobby. Where our expert guide will provide you with full information about the trek to Khopra Ridge & Khair Lake. While briefing one may ask questions, our guide will take care of all the group from here onward till you depart from the country, after an enjoyable time in Nepal.
Evening time depart from the hotel for group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant, which will be a great introduction to get into Nepalese colorful culture. Where you will be entertained with folk dance and music of all parts of Nepal.
To reach the start of our adventure, drive leads to Nepal Far Mid-West Himalaya, to reach beautiful Pokhara, the 2nd largest city after Kathmandu. Taking a private vehicle or in tourist coach that operates every morning for Pokhara. It also depends upon the size of a group.
Drive heads past Kathmandu valley towards lower warm farm areas within interesting villages and towns to witness. As journey heads following Trisuli River for few hours. Then from Mugling Bazaar, our route diverts due west on leaving Trisuli River, a famous and popular river for rafting.
An exciting drive continues overlooking the grand scenery of the country-side with Manaslu, Lamjung, and Annapurna Himalaya peaks. Then finally at Pokhara, transfer into a nice hotel, rest of the afternoon enjoy a walk around Fewa Lakeside where many hotels, restaurants, and shops are located. Pokhara, a renowned tourist destination blessed with natural beauty located on the lap of high Annapurna Himalaya range with calm Fewa and Begnas Lakes. (To reach Pokhara with options for a short scenic flight from Kathmandu of 30 minutes) the flight cost is 125 USD.
After a pleasant overnight and time around Pokhara, morning having breakfast depart from the hotel for a short scenic drive to reach the town of Nayapul. Where our week-long walk begins, following the main path through the nice village of Bhirethati, then reach Syauli Bazaar. From here climb on stone steps past several hamlets and farm terraces to reach a large village in Ghandruk.
One of major Gurung village, a hill tribe of Annapurna Himalaya, as well as famous Gorkha soldiers in British and Indian infantry. Traditionally a farmer and raising livestock, Ghandruk also a gateway to several trekking destinations of the Annapurna region. With time here explore the cultural village and its small museum with full information of Gurung tradition and custom.
Morning walk leads above Ghandruk village and then gradual walk into a forest, as climb starts up to Bhainse Kharka, a small place in the middle of woods. From here trek continues on a pleasant forest path to reach Tadapani, catch of the trail of Annapurna base camp trek, located amidst a lovely forest with grand views of Annapurna peaks. Tadapani offers stunning views of the Annapurna Himalaya range, having lunch then start the afternoon walk, heading into hidden trails away from mainstream trekking routes. As walk progress and then climb into forested areas to reach Dobato facing tremendous views of Annapurna range of peaks, a peaceful spot in the middle of the forest. A place with a simple and basic lodge for travelers, overnight in one of its lodge simple but clean rooms and limited food menu to order.
On leaving Dobato, as altitude gains slowly leaving the tree lines behind after few hours of scenic walk and steep climb reaching at Khopra ridge for overnight stops. Khopra is situated on a high ridgeline with incredible close views of Mt. Dhaulagiri with Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang), and Annapurna South, certainly a magnificent place to marvel at the beautiful scenery of the dramatic country landscape.
Overnight in a nice simple guest-house or a lodge with a simple food menu, due to its remoteness, isolated from the rest of main villages and main trekking trails.
Second overnight at this wonderful spot in Khopra, after a good breakfast carrying pack-lunch, the start the long day hike to reach the holy lake of Khair at an altitude above 4, 500 m, leads to long-distance of 3-4 hours hike but worth the views of high snow-capped mountains. Walk follows a ridgeline close to Annapurna South and then heading north on a nice paved path to reach our major destination at Khair Lake, which is a small glacial pond. Regarded as a religious site where once a year festival held in August, as per Hindu Lunar calendar. Hundreds of local devotees and pilgrim visits to worship and prayer to Lord Shiva. As in Hindu belief mountains are an abode of Lord Shiva and other holy spirits.
Visitors take bathe and a dip in the icy waters, as well sacrifice sheep and goats to mountain spirits, enjoy the tranquil surroundings enclosed by high peaks of Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar. After a lovely moment head back on the same route to Khopra ridge for an overnight stop.
Enjoying great times within the hidden area of Annapurna remote wilderness, from Khopra Ridge, an easy morning walk downhill to reach Sauta village facing great views of Dhaulagiri-Nilgiris with Annapurna Fang (Vara-Shikar). After few hours descend to reach a small farm settlement of Chistibung, and back into a forested area. After a short stop on this isolated spot, walk leads to long downhill to reach back Into the farm field for an overnight stop at Sauta village with views of Dhaulagiri
Himalaya, from here onward the lodge is much better and up to tourist standard With a long list of food menus to enjoy.
Morning from Sauta village, walk leads on the main trail to join at Chitre village, where steep climb takes you into a beautiful forest of pine and rhododendron trees reach Ghorepani. Located at the bottom of famous Poon Hill amidst dense rhododendron woods facing fabulous views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South. Where all houses are painted blue that blends perfectly with their green surroundings. Ghorepani a popular trekking spot with many good lodges to stay, provides an excellent food menu to enjoy with friendly services of Poon people of Magar ethnic hill tribes of western Himalayas.
Early morning start an hour hike to Poon-Hill at 3,210 m and 10,531 feet high, offers stunning sunrise views over the 360-degree mountain range that includes Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu to Annapurna extends far towards Ganesh Himal includes Mt. Machhapuchare “The Fish Tail”. After an enjoyable moment with exciting views of glorious snow-peaks with striking sunrise. Walk back to Ghorepani for breakfast, and continue the last day trek downhill to Tirkhedhunga village, Hile, and Birethati, The final walk of the adventure ends at a small farm village of Nayapul, after then few hour rides takes you to Pokhara for overnight stops by the famous and scenic Phewa Lake.
After breakfast, depart from Pokhara for an exciting and interesting drive to Kathmandu, as the journey heads on the main highway past many farm villages and towns. The drive follows the Trisuli River for some hour and then climbs to reach the suburb of Kathmandu valley. Finally, the ride heads down to enter the hustle, bustle city life of Kathmandu, and then transfer to your respective hotel.
The rest of the afternoon free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs or enjoy rest with grand memories of the adventure on the high mountains of Annapurna Himalaya. . Evening group farewell dinner in a lovely Nepalese Restaurant with an introduction to Nepalese culture of various parts of Nepal with folk dance and music.
(Flying options half-hour on-air to Kathmandu with a sweeping panorama of mountains) the flight costs are 125 USD from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Last day in Nepal, a country of great bio-diversity of cultures and landscapes with Himalayan wonders, as per your international flight time transfer to airport for final flight departure homeward bound, after a great mesmerizing experience on Khopra Ridge & Khair Lake Trekking.
