Khopra Danda Trek - 12 Days

The first day of the Khopra Danda Trek starts with a warm welcome in Kathmandu. An airport representative from Mountain Treks Nepal will bring you to your hotel for check-in. While you settle in, you can take a stroll through Thamel or get rest just after your flight. This day is excellent for last-minute shopping, checking all your gear, verifying permits, etc.

You may want to check out some of these famous landmarks, such as the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), or the holy Pashupatinath Temple. These cultural places will expose you to the rich history of Nepal and its spiritual traditions. The evening will bring a warm welcome dinner to savor. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Today, your journey starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which takes about 6-7 hours. The impressive views of terraced hillsides, winding rivers like Trishuli and Marsyangdi, and countryside villages make this travel memorable. The travel makes this trip more enjoyable for lovers of photography due to the fact that much of this journey is with the Trishuli River, which is accompanied by verdant hills.

As soon as you arrive at Pokhara, the beautiful scenery in the city creates magic for you. It is a calm and beautiful place with Phewa Lake. The view of the Annapurna range mirrored in water makes it even more so. You can spend the evening along the lakeside, exploring little shops, or even take a short boat ride across the lake. This overnight stay in Pokhara prepares you for the trekking adventure, which begins the very next day.

On the third day, we will set on a journey to the entry point of the Khopra Danda Trek 12 Days; Nayapul, on a drive. As the journey transforms into a well-defined trail, it will take us through both gradually through terraced fields and small settlements. The trail continues towards Ghandruk, which is considered a gorgeous Gurung village, boasting beautiful traditionally modelled houses and stone-paved streets.

As you climb the uphill trails, the peaks of the Annapurna range will be seen. Here are its well-known peaks, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Himchuli, greeting with their wide-open snow capped flakes. You will find many cozy lodges and warm people at Ghandruk, which makes a great time exploring this beautiful village. This is just one of the many incredible, intense experiences Ghandruk provides; mountain views and cultural richness will always leave behind an unforgettable memory.

Trekking from Ghandruk to Tadapani is a splendid journey, as you move uphill through thick forests and scenic landscapes. The trails move through lush rhododendron, oak, and pine forests to create a magical atmosphere, especially in spring when the flowers bloom. The sounds along the way are those of streams and waterfalls, soothingly combined by the chirping of birds. This is the section of the trek that offers some stunning views of the towering peaks such as Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli. 

After a few hours of trekking, you will finally reach Tadapani. Tadapani is a village located in beautiful places where one can witness sunrise-sunset views over the snow-covered pieces of the sky. The tea houses in the village provide comfort to you with warm meals and comfortable bedrooms.

On the fifth day of the Khopra Danda Trek, we will move uphill from Tadapani to Dobato. The main Ghorepani trail comes to the point where the trek to Dobato starts after leaving Tadapani. This trek passes over thick rhododendron forests and eventually climbs above the treeline out into open meadows. This area is full of wildlife, with the more common species like the Himalayan pheasants (Danphe), langurs, and many others.

The last section of the Dobato ends with awesome mountain views, with the full exposure of the Annapurna range. Dobato is also famous for its peacefulness, thus breathtaking sunrises and sunsets above the Himalayas. You can spend the evening at a teahouse.

Right from Dobato, the trail rises towards the Khopra Danda. During the hike, a view of the majestic Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges comes up with a huge smile as you climb steadily above the line of treetops. The walk to Khopra Danda could be one of the highlights of the trek: on a clear day, you can see Nilgiri and Annapurna South, as well as the gorge of Kali Gandaki below.

At Khopra Danda, a community lodge awaits you, where you will spend overnight. It is this spot where trekkers can enjoy the beauty of Dhaulagiri, one of the tallest mountains in the world, and also the Annapurna massif.

As you have already hiked all the way up Khopra Danda, today remains a separate day to find the glory of the area. The early morning breakfast begins your charge, after which you will head towards one of the major attractions of this trek: Khayer Lake. 

Located at 4500 m above sea level, this lake attracts global trekkers spiritually while representing awesome views of Annapurna I and Himchuli. It will take a round trip of about 7–8 hours of walking through alpine meadows and rocky paths to reach the lake.

After exploring Khayer Lake and its surroundings, you will now return to Khopra Danda for just one more night.

Today, we will hike to Swanta Village from Khopra Danda as our exploration of the major destination is already complete. The bumpy trail goes past high pasture fields and terraced fields as you descend. This section of the trek is extremely beautiful, where visitors can relish the surrounding hills and valleys gradually entering again into dense forests. Grazing yaks and the mountain goat can be seen if you are lucky, adding to the charm of the trail.

The landscape now shifts to a traditional Nepali rural farmland of terraced rice fields scattered with small settlements as you approach Swanta Village. It is a very beautiful, quiet village that represents the real life of a rural village. When you stay in Swanta, this will allow you to interact with the locals and learn about their culture while enjoying warm hospitality.

Moving away from Swanta Village, you will take a very gradual trek to Ghorepani, a famous stopping point for trekkers in this region of the Annapurna circuit. This trek goes through dense forests of rhododendrons and oak trees, touching places that offer amazing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. 

Ghorepani is popular because of the beauty it is donned with. It lies very close to the famous viewpoint at Poon Hill, from where you can have magical sunrise views. Overnight stay at Ghorepani.

As the last days of the Khopra Danda are nearing, you must get back to Pokhara on the tenth day. You will wake up early and then take a short trek to Poon Hill and have magnificent views of sunrise over the Himalayas. This viewpoint offers you an amazing view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, with the golden light bathing them in glory. 

After coming back from Poon Hill, you will be returning to Ghorepani and then hike downhill to Nayapul. The trail covers captivating villages and lush forests, signifying an end to the mountainous adventure. A drive from Nayapul takes you back to Pokhara, where you can rest at your hotel.

You can drive or fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara, depending on your preference. The drive takes you through the same picturesque route along Prithvi Highway, while flying gives a quick aerial glimpse of the Himalayan peaks. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

You can visit culturally rich places like Boudhanath Stupa Patan Durbar Square and a little shopping at Thamel for souvenirs. Later in the evening, Mountain Treks Nepal organizes a farewell dinner to celebrate your trek’s success. Overnight stay at a hotel.

On the last day of the Khopra Danda Trek 12 Days, you can do you last minute shopping, depending on flight schedules. A representative from Mountain Treks Nepal will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport for a seamless and easy departure. You will leave, having created timeless memories in your journey, like ever-glowing embers from the Khopra Danda Trek and the Himalayan glory.