Khopra Danda Trek

Also known as Khopra Ridge Trek (with Khayer Lake).

Khopra Danda Trek is a moderate 7-9-day teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 4,660 m. It starts at Kimche/Ghandruk (drive from Pokhara via Nayapul) and ends at Tatopani (drive back to Pokhara via Beni).

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Kaski, Myagdi)
Duration
7-9 days, 5-7 hours walking per day
Distance
62 km
Maximum altitude
4,660 m
Difficulty
Moderate — A quieter alternative to Poon Hill with sustained 5-7 h days, a high ridge camp at 3,660 m and an optional long day trip to sacred Khayer Lake at 4,660 m that pushes the trek to genuinely high altitude. Trails are good but less trafficked and lodge choice is thinner than on mainline Annapurna routes.
Trek type
Teahouse, point-to-point route
Best season
Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-Apr)
Guide
Not mandatory
Restricted area
No
Budget cost
NPR 35,000–50,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 55,000–80,000
Guided cost
NPR 83,000–112,000
Getting there
Kathmandu → Pokhara (tourist bus, 6-8 h, 204 km) → Nayapul/Kimche (local bus/jeep, 1.5-2.5 h) → trail; exit Tatopani → Beni → Pokhara (local bus/jeep, 4-5 h)
Altitude sickness
Moderate: sleeping altitude tops out at 3,660 m (Khopra Danda), which most fit trekkers tolerate, but the Khayer Lake day gains 1,000 m to 4,660 m and back in one push - AMS symptoms on that day are common if the ascent profile before it was rushed.

Weather

Spring rhododendron forest between Ghandruk and Dobato is a highlight; autumn gives the clearest Dhaulagiri/Annapurna South panoramas from the ridge. Khayer Lake is often snowbound Dec-Mar and the pilgrimage trail can be icy. Monsoon brings leeches and obscured views.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk, 1.5-2 h, 1,940 m — Large Gurung village, Gurung museum, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre views
  2. Day 2: Ghandruk to Tadapani, 4-5 h, 2,630 m — Rhododendron and oak forest, langur monkeys
  3. Day 3: Tadapani to Dobato, 5-6 h, 3,420 m — Leaving the ABC crowds; ridge forest, first Dhaulagiri views
  4. Day 4: Dobato to Khopra Danda, 6-7 h, 3,660 m — Optional dawn climb of Muldai viewpoint (3,637 m); ridge walking via Bayeli Kharka and Upper Chistibung; danphe pheasant and Himalayan tahr country
  5. Day 5: Khopra Danda to Khopra Danda (Khayer Lake excursion), 7-9 h, 3,660 m — Sacred alpine Khayer Lake (4,660 m) below Annapurna South; Khayer Barah temple pilgrimage site
  6. Day 6: Khopra Danda to Swanta, 4-5 h, 2,200 m — Long descent with Dhaulagiri ahead; Magar village of Swanta, community lodge and local cheese
  7. Day 7: Swanta to Tatopani, 5-6 h, 1,190 m — Terraced farmland via Paudwar village; hot springs at Tatopani
  8. Day 8: Tatopani to Pokhara, 0 h, 820 m — Kali Gandaki gorge drive

More Annapurna treks