Khopra Ridge trek

Namaste and welcome to Nepal! Today the driver will take you to Pokhara, the town located on the shores of the beautiful Phewa Lake. On the way you will stop at least 2 times. On an idyllic spot next to the river you can have lunch! In the late afternoon you will arrive in Pokhara, where there is a lot to do. Pokhara is situated along the beautiful Phewa lake. When the weather is nice you can see the snowy peaks of the Annapurna chain. The reflection in the lake is beautiful. Take a nice walk along the lake and / or a boat trip on the water to the island with the Hindu temple. You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Pokhara.

After breakfast you will be picked up by your driver and left for Kimche, a winding drive through the green mountain landscape. Today you will climb up together with your guide and porter. Luckily it's only a short walking day! Along the way you'll meet the locals and pass through many small mountain villages. You'll see the farmers working their land. You hike to the village of Ghandruk, where mainly Gurungs live. These indigenous people are subsistence farmers who live in the mountains of agriculture & cattle breeding. Here you will visit a local museum about the Gurung and a Buddhist monastery. If you want, you can also put on the traditional Gurung clothes. From Ghandruk you have a beautiful view of the Annapurna South (7219m) and the Machhapuchhre (6993m). You spend the night in a teahouse in Ghandruk.

You wake up today with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains! You climb a stone path out of the village of Ghandruk and walk along terraced fields. Enjoy today a beautiful walk under the sound of birds and small waterfalls. In spring the rhododendron is in full bloom, giving beautiful shades of red and pink. Along the way you have an incredibly beautiful view over the Annapurna massif, the Machhapuchhre (6993m) and the Lamjung Himal (6983m). After a walk through an oak and rhododendron forest you will finally arrive in Tadapani, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. You spend the night in a teahouse in Tadapani.

Today you will first walk through a thickly wooded area full of rhododendrons and climb above the tree line. From here you have a beautiful view of the Annapurna Mountains. You arrive in Meshar Danda. Then the path slowly goes up and you climb to Isharu. Afterwards you walk up and down in less wooded area between small hills to Dobato. You spend the night in a teahouse in Dobato.

In the morning you get up early and walk to the Muldai viewpoint. Here you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas: you can see the Dhaulagiri Mountains and the Annapurna massif with the Machhapuchhre (6993m). After a descent through a thick rhododendron forest you climb up to Bhayli Kharka. Then you descend again through a rhododendron forest and cross a wooden bridge. You continue uphill to the alpine meadows and you arrive in Chistibung, a shepherd village. You spend the night in a teahouse in Chistibung.

Today you reach the highlight of the trekking: Khopra Ridge. You rise above the tree line and may encounter several wild animals, including the pheasant. After about 3 hours walking you will reach Khopra Ridge and have an overwhelming view of the Annapurna Mountains. Over the Kali Gandaki Valley you will see the Dhaulagiri Mountains and the Nilgiri (7061m). You spend the night in a teahouse in Khopra Ridge.

Today you will make a day hike to Lake Khayar, located at 4650 meters. Lake Khayar is a sacred lake for Hindus. The lake is visited by pilgrims on the occasion of Janai Purnima, normally in August. Those who bathe in it would find themselves in Nirvana more quickly. Today you rise more than 1000 meters. After a strenuous hike you pass a last stone Chorten and arrive at the quiet Khayer Lake with the snow-capped peaks in the background. After enjoying the beautiful view over the lake and the surrounding mountains, you return to Khopra Ridge. You will spend the night in a teahouse in Khopra Ridge.

First you descend steeply and follow the path back to Chistibung. Afterwards you climb through a forest and reach Kharka. After lunch you continue. You cross a wooden bridge and the path continues through a bamboo forest. You walk up and down again or as the Nepali say: 'Nepali flat'. You finally arrive in the Magar village of Swanta, where you will be received hospitably. Overnight stay in a teahouse in Swanta.

After breakfast in Swanta the path descends through village fields to a small river. Here you can admire a traditional watermill! Then you cross a suspension bridge and climb to the village of Chittre where it is busier again: here is also the trekking route towards Ghorepani so it is busier. You continue downhill through the rhododendron forests to Ulleri, a small but popular village in the Annapurna region. Overnight stay in a teahouse in Ulleri.

From Ulleri the stone path descends first. While walking you will enjoy the beautiful view of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna South and the Hiunchuli. The path descends further via stone steps until you reach a suspension bridge above the Tirkedunga River that you cross. You pass the village of Tirkedunga (1480m) and then Hile (1510m). The path descends further along the side of the river. Then you walk on the banks of the Bhurungdi river. The path takes you along a swimming well, a beautiful waterfall and through bamboo forests. In Birethanti (1000m) you leave the Annapurna Conservation Area. You cross a bridge and walk along the eastern bank of the river. After crossing a bridge again, this time over the Modi Khola, follow the path until Nayapul. In Nayapul your driver will be waiting for you and you will drive to Pokhara. You can fill in the rest of the day yourself. You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Pokhara.

The end of the journey has come. Today you drive back to Kathmandu. You will stop several times to enjoy the surroundings and stretch your legs. The distance is not that great, but road traffic is slow in Nepal. You have lunch in the village of Malekhu, where you can taste the fish caught in the river in a local restaurant. After arrival in Kathmandu you have some time to score souvenirs. In Nepal incredibly beautiful handmade goods are made, in various materials. Feel free to ask us for advice if you are looking for something specific! If you want some rest, go and have a look in the Garden of Dreams. This neo classic garden is a green oasis in the heart of the city.