Khopra Ridge

Altitude: 5,853 ft (Kimche) | 6,600 ft (Ghandruk)

• Drive Distance: 56 km | Duration: 5 hrs
• Trek Distance: 7 km | Duration: 2 hrs
• Grade: Easy to moderate. A gradual ascent from Kimche to Ghandruk.
• Highlights of the trek: Stunning mountain views
• Stay: Teahouse/ lodge

Today is the first day of trekking and we will start from Kimche. Kimche is a short drive away from Pokhara and it takes about 2 hrs to reach Kimche. From here, the trek starts toward Ghandruk. The trek to Ghandruk is an easy to moderate one with a gradual ascent. Initially, the trail from Kimchee is a little narrow and passes through a small mountain settlement.

As you keep ascending the trail, the mountain views open up and the Modi Khola River flows serenely beside you. If you look on the opposite side of the mountain, you can spot the Mardi Himal trail. Ghandruk starts to come into view about 1.5 hrs into the trek. It is a gradual ascend to Ghandruk from here.

Ghandruk is a panoramic village in the Modi Khola Valley of Nepal. It is the largest village in the Annapurna Conservation area and you can see the old stone and slate-roofed architecture. From Ghandruk, you can see sweeping views of the Annapurna Massif with Annapurna I – the tenth tallest mountain in the world. Here, you can observe the everyday life of the Gurung people of Nepal. The village is lined with prayer flags on all streets with accompanying mountain views making Ghandruk a picturesque and leisurely location where you can feel the serenity of the mountains.

Interestingly, Ghandruk also happens to be a recruitment hub for the British army’s Gurkha soldiers. This allows you to observe and learn about the Gurkha heritage and the community.

Your overnight stay will be in a teahouse or lodge in Ghandruk.

• Altitude: 8,705 ft
• Trek Distance: 4 km | Duration: 4.5 hrs
• Grade: A mix of level walks and gradual ascents.
• Stay: Teahouse

Today’s trek will take you from Ghandruk to another mountain hamlet, Tadapani. The inclines are quite steep in places and you will gain around 2500 ft in altitude today. It’s a lovely walk through Rhododendron forests to Tadapani.

Waking up to a beautiful sunrise in Ghandruk, we will have our breakfast and start towards Tadapani. Begin the trek by taking the narrow path that runs through the village. Five minutes into the trek and you will arrive at a junction point. The trail that runs centrally heads towards Kommorong and further on to ABC. We will take the route that heads west to arrive at Tadapani.

The trail is cut into steps so it can be a little hard on your legs. Although you may face a little difficulty ascending 10 minutes into the climb and a surprise waits for you! You arrive at a beautiful viewpoint named the ‘Lovely Viewpoint’ presents stunning views of Mt. Macchapucchre, Mt Annapurna South, Mt Annapurna III, Mt Ganga, and Mt Himchuli.

Continue on the trail and you will enter a beautiful forest of Rhododendron and a variety of other tall trees. Sunlight streams in through the dense canopy making the forest appear sparkling here and there. If you’re trekking in April, the Rhododendron trees are blooming with big red flowers. Continue walking through the forested trail until you reach a small bridge crossing over a stream. The stream is a good source of water and you can refill your water bottles here. After the stream, it is a steep ascent of about 45 minutes. A little more into the trek and you will arrive at a tiny settlement called Bhaisi Kharka, it is a remote village in the far western region of Nepal.

The remaining part of the trek is through similar forested trails that you have encountered before until you arrive at Tadapani. We will have lunch at Tadapani and the stay for the night is arranged in a guest house Tadapni. Mt. Macchapucchare is vividly visible from here and you will end your day with a beautiful sunset view over this majestic mountain peak.

• Altitude: 11,255 ft
• Trek Distance: 2 km | Duration: 6.5 hrs
• Grade: Moderate to difficult.
• Witness a series of major mountain views.
• Stay:

Today again begin your trek through the forested trails of Bamboo and Rhododendrons. Further,  into the trail, Oak trees start appearing, and the Annapurna Ranges remain on your right. From this point onwards it is a descent for about 30 minutes and then you start climbing up once again.

An hour’s climb takes you to Meshar where you have your first water source. Fill your water bottles here. From here, you can see grand views of Mt Annapurna Fang, and Mt Annapurna. The two mountains remain visible until you reach Isharu. From Meshar, the trail starts ascending once again, all the way to Isharu. Isharu is another great viewpoint with a staggering panorama of Mt Ganesh Himal, Mt Annapurna II, and Mt Annapurna IV, along with other peaks in the Annapurna Range.

A mix of ascent and descent of about an hour will take you to Dobata. Have a delicious lunch at Dobata and an overnight stay at a teahouse here.

• Altitude: 9,678 ft (Chhistibang) | 11,811 ft (Muldai Top)
• Trek Distance: 2 km | Duration: 6 to 7 hrs
• Grade: Ridge walk with steep ascents.

Stay: Teahouse.

 

Today is going to be a long day of trekking, so we will start early in the morning. From Dobata, the trail begins with an ascent and after ascending for about 30 minutes, you will arrive at a junction. The trail on the right goes to a hidden lake in the Himalayas and the one straight ahead follows towards Khopra Ridge. We will take the trail that continues toward Khopra Ridge.

As you continue on the trail, the Annapurna Ranges begin to disappear giving way to the Dhaulagiri Range. The appearance of the Dhaulagiri Ranges indicates that you are close to the Muldai Top viewpoint, which lies en route to Chhistibang.

Muldai viewpoint offers a straight-line panorama of 22 mountain peaks. Two of these mountain peaks rank amongst the tallest peaks in the world – Mt Dhaulagiri I (7th highest) and Mt Annapurna I (9th highest). The complete ensemble of Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri Range, Mt Nilgiri North & South, and Tukche is a sight that you will never forget in your life.

From Muldai Top, descend for about 2 hrs and you will arrive at Chhistibang. The teahouse here is located in the middle of a forest! Overnight stay will be at Chhistibang before we proceed to Khopra Ridge the next day.

• Altitude: 11,975 ft
• Trek Distance: 5 km | Duration: 3 hrs
• Stay: Teahouse

From Chhistibang, it is a short trek to Khopra Ridge. Khopra Ridge is about 3.5 km away and takes about 3 hrs to reach the ridge. The trail from Chhistibang to the Khopra Ridge although short is quite steep and you gain an altitude of 200 m every km.

As you walk out of the treeline from Chhistibang, the views become more and more impressive every moment. You will be gazing at snow-capped mountains all around and also come across numerous small streams and waterfalls along the way. The trail will snake around the ridge taking you to a teahouse at the ridge. The teahouse is a viewpoint in itself.

From the ridge, you can see close-up views of the Dhaulagiri Range along with Mt. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, Mt. Nilgiri North & South and Mt Tukuche.

The sunset view here is truly amazing and after the sun sets, the temperature drops drastically, so keep your warm layers on to protect yourself from the cold.

• Altitude: 15,300 ft
• Trek Distance: 16 km | Duration: 8 to 9 hrs
• Grade: A gradual ascent that becomes steeper as you gain altitude.
• Highlight of the trek: An alpine lake at the foothills of Mt. Annapurna South.
• Stay: Teahouse.

Today we will trek to a high-altitude glacial lake, Khayer Lake. It is a 16 km long trek so we need to start as early as possible. The beginning of the trek is a levelled walk for about 45 minutes. The Dhauligiri Range accompanies you today as well. Soon the trek becomes a mix of ascents and descents. This continues for the next two hours. Look to your left and you will see the deepest valley in the world – the Kali Gandaki. It is located between Mt. Tukuche and Mt. Nilgiri North. It is an intimidating yet incredible sight to behold.

Keep walking and you will soon arrive at barren fields quite similar to the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti. This is an indication that you will soon arrive at Khayer Lake. Keep walking and you will arrive at a Dhaba serving tea and snacks. From this point, it is another 1.5 hr trek to the lake. From here, it is a continuous ascend on steps and along the way, you will get to see symbols of bells and temples. These symbols represent the mythological tales of the region. The lake is situated at the foot of Mt. Annapurna South and the mountain looms large above the lake - a majestic sight to behold!

We will spend some time at the lake, post which we will return back to the ridge. It will take about 3.5 hrs to return to Khopra Ridge. Enjoy a beautiful sunset view as you descend down the trail.

• Altitude: 6,561 ft
• Trek Distance: 5 km | Duration: 6.5 hr
• Stay: In a homestay.

The trek from Khopra Ridge to Paudwar takes about 6.5 hrs and you will cover a distance of 8.5 km. The trek starts with a gradual descent and soon you will arrive at a forest covered with Rhododendrons.  During the months of March and April, the forest is bedecked with blossoming red, pink, purple, and white Rhododendrons. Crossing the forest, you arrive at a teahouse at Loreni which is about 2 hrs above Paudwar. There’s a teahouse at Loreni as well. From Loreni, the trail winds along the hills of the Jarbhang Valley into a patch of bamboo forest and cow pastures. Crossing this section of the forest, it is a steep descent all the Paudwar.

Paudwar is a scenic traditional village belonging to the Magar community of Nepal. The lovely hamlet showcases the ancient Nepali stonework architecture in its houses. All the houses here are more than 80 years old. The people here are very friendly and welcoming. The labyrinthine paths, the winding staircases, and the stonework architecture of Paudwar make it worth the effort of the trek. Tonight, you will stay in a homestay at Paudwar.

• Altitude: 3,904 ft (Tatopani) | 2,760 ft (Pokhara)
• Trek Distance: 7 km | Duration: 3 hrs
• Drive Distance: 110 km | Duration: 5 hrs
• Grade: Gradual descent through forests.

This is the last day of your trek and we will trek down from Paudwar to Tatopani and drive back to Pokhara. Tatopani village falls on the old route to Mansarovar Lake. It is an easy descent from Paudwar to Tatopani. You will descend through a forested trail for about 2 hrs and once the treeline recedes, you will walk alongside a stream until you reach Tatopani. The Khopra Ridge Trek ends here. From here, you will be driven back to Pokhara, which is approximately 110 km away from Tatopani and the drive takes about 5 hrs.