The Khopra Trek, often referred to as the Khopra Ridge Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, or Khayer Lake Trek, is a well-liked off-the-beaten-path trip in the Annapurna region.Khopra Danda trek inside the Annapurna Conservation Area can be an alternative to the congested trekking routes Ghorepani and Poonhill. 

Khopra Danda Trek takes you to off-the-beaten-path locations where you can experience all that Nepal has to offer, such as terraced farms, traditional villages, swift-moving rivers, lush forests, and breathtaking mountain views, such as those of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna (I, II, and III), Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Lamjung Himal, and Mt. Nilgiri.

Short Itinerary of Khopra Danda Trek, Khayer Lake

Day 1	Kathmandu to Pokhara to Ghandruk	Drive 7-8 Hours
Day 2	Ghandruk to Bayeli Kharka	Trek 7 Hours
Day 3	Bayeli Kharka to Khopra Danda, Hike to Khayer Lake	Trek 8 Hours
Day 4	Trek to Khayer Lake	Trek 8 hours (Both ways)
Day 5	Khopra to Swanta	Trek 6 Hours
Day 6	Swanta to Ghorepani	Trek 6 Hours
Day 7	Ghorepani to Birethanti to Pokhara	Trek 4 Hours

Detailed Itinerary of Khopra Danda (Ridge) Trek

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara, Pokhara to Birethanti

From Kathmandu , board a bus for six hours to Pokhara. From Pokhara, drive for one to two hours to Nayapul and then toGhandruk, where you can spend the night in a hotel. You can fly to Pokhara if traveling by bus doesn’t appeal to you.

Day 2: Ghandruk to Bayeli Kharka

You’ll walk in the direction of Tadapani from Ghandruk. You will pass through an oak and rhododendron forest as you make your way there. Along the route, you’ll get to enjoy the stunning views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, and Lamjung Himal.

You will go to Bayeli Kharka, our next stop, after lunch at Tadapani.  You will reach Bayeli Kharka after a comfortable 4 hour hike. After arriving at the destination, you will  enjoy delicious foods while gazing at the Himalayas. Overnight at Bayeli Kharka.

Day 3: Bayeli Kharka to Khopra Danda

To go to Chistibang meadows from Bayeli Kharka, you must first travel through forests on a downward slope before climbing upward for around two hours to reach Khopra Danda. You might catch sight of Danfe and Himalayan Tahr (goats) along the trip (pheasant). The Khopra Ridge offers views of Kaligandaki Valley, the world’s deepest gorge.

Day 4: Hike to Khayer Lake

You have to walk around 4 hours from Khopra Ridge to Khayar Lake (4665m). Hindus regard this lake as holy and believe that by bathing in it, one can attain Nirvana. We will trek back to Khopra after exploring the lake.

Day 5: Khopra Ridge to Swanta

One of the easier days of your trek is today. You descend gradually to the village of Swanta. One of your journey’s easier days is today. You descend gradually to the Swanta settlement. Swanta village is well-known for its local cheese production. You can wander through Swanta Village and savor the local cheese.

Day 6: Khopra Ridge to Ghorepani

Your legs have had enough rest since the previous day, so you continue your descent to Ghorepani, which is the most well-known location for mountain views, sunsets, and sunrises. Between Swanta and Ghorepani is the village of Chitre. Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna South, I, and other peaks are seen from Ghorepani. You can make your way  to the top of Poon Hill, which is 45 minutes away from Ghorepani, if you want to go there for the sunset. Or you can spare it for the sunrise.

Day 7: Trak to Birethanti, Drive to Pokhara

The greatest views of the Himalayas may be found at Poon Hill, a favorite location for photographers. Hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast once you’ve seen the sublime sunrise vistas of the enormous mountains and rice terraces. To go to Birethanti, you descend further down. We’ll take a bus from Birethanti to Nayapul on the way back to Pokhara. In Pokhara, your journey comes to a conclusion.

Highlights of Khopra Ridge Trek

• Discover the distinctive cultural and traditional villages of the Magar and Gurung tribes.
• Rhododendron, oak, and pine forests, as well as off-pitch hiking trails, make for a serene view.
• PoonHill, Khopra Ridge offers magnificent sunrise and sunset views.
• Panoramic views of the Himchuli Mountains, the Nilgiris, Dhaulagiri, and the Annapurnas (I, II, III, and South).

Also Check: Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek – 7 Days Itinerary – YTROT