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Khopra Ridge and Khayer Lake Trek: Off The Beaten Trail Trek in Nepal

khopra ridge and khayer lake trek

Khopra Ridge and Khayer Lake Trek are known as off-the-beaten trails in Nepal. Also known as Khopra Ridge Trek, the Khopra danda Annapurna region trek can be a great alternative to the very crowded and popular, Ghorepani trek. In this trek, you can undoubtedly experience the fascinating landscapes, Himalayas, biodiversity, and many others, as well as an enticing village route.

Populated by Gurung, Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri & many other ethnic groups, the villages exhibit diverse cultures, lifestyles, languages, and traditions.

Situated just between the two popular trekking destinations in Annapurna Region; Annapurna Base Camp and Jomsom-Muktinath trek, Khopra Ridge Khayer Lake trekking is a newly opened, off-the-beaten trail trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

On the other hand, this trek has attracted several trekkers to the unexplored trails to Khayer Lake offering the magnificent Himalayan vista. Besides, the Khayer Danda offers the best glimpses of unbeatable viewpoints.

Major Highlights of Khopra Danda and Khayer Lake Trek

The Pastoral villages
Handmade paper production
Cheese factories and Mushroom farms
Visiting Yak and Cow breeding farms
Explore the unexplored Khayer Lake, situated at 4600 meters
Explore different settlements witnessing the unique culture and languages of Magar, Gurung, Brahmin, Chhetris, and other ethnic people.
Incredible views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna I, II, III and south, Hiunchuli, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Lamjung Himal, and Mt. Nilgiri.
Trek to Khopra Danda Annapurna Region Trek

The journey starts by driving for seven hours precisely from Kathmandu to Pokhara. After you arrive in Pokhara, you will again be driven to Nayapool and the trek to Tikhedunga starts from there. The distance up to Tikhedhunga is about fifteen hundred meters and it will take four hours to reach there. The very next day, our destination will be Ghorepani. Further, the distance of twenty-eight hundred meters can be covered in seven hours.

Besides, Ghorepani is a village in the Myagdi District of the Dhaulagiri Zone situated in the northern central part of Nepal. Laying at an elevation of approximately 2874 meters, this village is situated seventeen kilometers from the district capital of Beni. Located within the Annapurna conservation area, the village contains several guesthouses that provide lodging and meals to mountain trekkers and also requires a national park permit to visit.

Journey From Ghorepani

Now from Ghorepani, we will trek up to Swata which is 2400 meters and take approximately four hours. Destined to go up to Dhankharka, we will wake up the next morning to walk for about four to five hours up to an altitude of 3000 meters. It will take us four hours to reach Khopra danda from Dhankharka which is at an elevation of 3660 meters and will take four hours to reach. Further, the next day will be more challenging cause we will have to walk up to 4600 meters to reach Khayer lake and return on the same day.

Finally, it is time for you to get rewarded after a long walk. As you reach Khayer lake, you will get rewarded with some amazing mountain vistas in the entire Himalayas range. You will get to walk some remote forest trails that very few trekkers know about.

Now back to the journey, we will head up to Dobato. It will take seven hours to cover the distance up to 3425 meters.

Unfortunately, you couldn’t enjoy the sunrise from Sarangkot, but you will get a much better view from Ghandruk. Moreover, we will walk for about six hours to reach Ghandruk located at an elevation of 2000 meters. There we will enjoy the very great sunrise and we will be back to Nayapul trek and back to Pokhara.

Khopra Ridge and Khayer Lake Trek Map:

Khopra Ridge and Khayer Lake Trek Itinerary:

1st Day: Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (1,300 m)
2nd Day: Kathmandu valley sightseeing or trekking equipment preparing
3rd Day: Kathmandu Drive to Pokhara 6 hrs. of driving
4th Day: Pokhara Drive to Nayapul (1,050 m) then trek to Tikhedhunga (1,570 m) 4 hrs. of trek
5th Day: Tikhedhunga Trek to Ghorepani (2,840 m) 6 hrs. of trek
6th Day: Morning Hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) and trek to Sauta village (2,200 m) 5 hrs.
7th Day: Sauta village Trek to Chistibung (3,000 m) 5 hrs. of trek
8th Day: Chistibung Trek to Kopra Ridge (3,870 m) 4 hrs. of trek
9th Day: At Khopra Ridge for local exploration and hike to Khayer Lake (4,620 m).
10th Day: Khayer lake Trek to Dobato (3,420 m) 5 hrs. of the trek
11th Day: Dobato Trek Ghandruk villages (1,950 m) 6 hrs.
12th Day: Ghandruk Trek to Bhirethati 4 hrs. of the trek and drive to Pokhara (860 m) 2 hrs. drive
13th Day: Pokhara Drive back to Kathmandu 7 hrs. of drive
14th Day: Final departure day transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport

For those who want to explore off the beaten trail trek along with ethnic villages, see wildlife, breathtaking snow-capped mountains, beautiful landscapes adorned with alpine forests, and the local culture of people then this Khopra Ridge and Khayer Lake trekking is for you.