Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 1
Duration
9 Days
Highest Altitude
15,710 ft
Age
13 to 55 years
Duration
9 Days
Age
13 to 55 years
Difficulty
Moderate - Difficult | Level 1
Highest Altitude
15,710 ft
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Khopra Ridge Trek
An Off-beat Nepal Trek that Takes You Close to 22 Big Mountains
For many decades now, the Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp treks have been the bucket list treks for most trekking. If you think about trekking in Nepal, these are the two treks that come to mind.
But there’s another trek, very close to Annapurna Base Camp and much more rewarding, and that’s the Khopra Ridge Trek. Why is it more rewarding?
You see 22 big mountains from the Khopra Ridge.
Out of which 2 are amongst the 14 highest mountains in the world – Mt Dhaulagiri I (7th highest)! and Mt Annapurna I (10th highest). But that’s not the full picture. You see the Annapurna massif at an arm’s distance (even closer than on the ABC trek). You see the Mt Machapuchare as glorious as ever. You see Mt Nilgiri North and South. There’s Mt Himchuli, Mt Ganga Purna, it’s endless!
Let’s not forget Mt Dhaulagiri. It is right in front of you!
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Trek fee
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Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Khopra Ridge trek
Day 1
Reach Pokhara from Kathmandu
Drive distance: 215 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Stay for Indiahikes Trekkers: Hotel Paradise Inn, Pokhara
You will reach Pokhara on your own by either taking a bus or flying in from Kathmandu. You will meet the rest of the team at Hotel Paradise Inn. Your stay at Hotel Paradise Inn is taken care of by Indiahikes. You don't need to pay extra for this.
Day 2
Drive from Pokhara to Syauli Bazaar. Trek to Ghandruk
Drive Distance: 60 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours | Altitude Gain: 2,760 ft to 3,350 ft
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude Gain: 3,350 ft ft to 6,575 ft
Easy – Moderate. Gradual ascent from Syauli Bazaar to Ghandruk. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way and from Modi Khola river.
Day 3
Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
Trek Distance: 6.70 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,575 ft to 8,905 ft
Moderate. Mix of gradual ascent and level walk on forest trails. You can refill your water bottles from small streams and tea houses on the way.
Day 4
Trek from Tadapani to Dobato
Trek Distance: 6 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,905 ft to 11,485 ft
Moderate-difficult. A gradual ascent through forest trails, with a short descent towards the beginning. The last hour of the trail is above the tree line. Carry two litres of water. There are no natural water sources on the trail today. You can refill your water bottles at two tea houses on the way to Meshar and Isharu (2 hours apart).
Day 5
Trek from Dobato to Khopra Ridge
Trek Distance: 11 km | Trek Duration: 7 hours | Altitude Gain: 11,485 ft to 11,975 ft
Difficult. A complete ridge walk with steep ascents till Khopra. You can refill your water bottles from streams and tea houses on the way.
Day 6
Trek from Khopra Ridge to Khayar Lake, and back to Khopra Ridge
Trek Distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,975 ft to 15,300 ft, and back to 11,975 ft
Difficult. Starts with a gradual ascent on a ridge and becomes steeper as you proceed. Carry two litres of water. After the first three hours, there are no water sources.
Day 7
Trek from Khopra Ridge to Shwata
Trek Distance: 9.5 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,975 ft to 7,785 ft
Easy-moderate-difficult. Descend along a ridge for the first two hours. This is followed by a level walk through a forest all the way to Shwata. You can refill your water bottles from streams on the way.
Day 8
Trek from Shwata to Ghorepani
Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,785 ft to 9,775 ft
Easy-moderate. A short day with gradual ascents and descents. You can refill your water bottles from natural streams tea houses on the way.
Day 9
Trek Ghorepani to Ulleri. Drive to Pokhara
Trek Distance: 7 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,775 ft to 6,400 ft
Drive Distance: 35 km | Drive Duration: 2-3 hours | Drop off point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Hotel Paradise Inn, Pokhara
Easy. Descent through the forests till Ulleri.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges.
- On the trek, you will be staying in tea houses.
- We do not have a cloakroom facility at Pokhara. Do not carry any excess luggage on the trek.
A route map of the Khopra Ridge trek
PRO-TIPS
Onward Travel
If you're planning to reach Pokhara, take a bus instead of a flight from Kathmandu on Day 0 of your trek. Buses are a lot more reliable than flights that usually get cancelled in case there is a weather fluctuation.
Return Travel
While returning, you will reach Pokhara between 6.00 - 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Pokhara.
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Khopra Ridge trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder
Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.
I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.
I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.
In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.
Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.
What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek
What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge is Best Discovered Through Pictures
Picture by: Ujwala Kadam
The Pink Dusk
Know Your Trek
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Khopra Ridge trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
PRO TIPS
Why fitness matters on the Khopra Ridge Trek
On Moderate-Difficult treks like the Khopra Ridge, you’ll walk for about 8-12 km each day. Gradual to steep ascents and descents are common on all days. Expect to reach high altitudes of 15,000+ ft. There will also be technical sections (such as rockfall zones, near-vertical sections, glacier walks), which our technical teams will help you navigate.
Your goal is to comfortably run 5 km within 32 minutes.
Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test report within 7 days of registration.
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Khopra Ridge
Did you know you are trekking on the Annapurna Circuit trail when you trek to Khopra Ridge?
Khopra Ridge is an extension of the Annapurna Base Camp trek. It also falls in the line of the Annapurna Circuit. From Khopra Ridge, you go to Dobato and then to the Muldhai viewpoint. Kagbeni is a very rarely visited extension of the Annapurna Circuit.
Khopra Ridge gives a glimpse of doing Annapurna Circuit. It takes you to Kagbeni village which is one of the most beautiful villages in Nepal.
You have heard of Khayar Lake, but there is one more lake called the Hidden Lake, at the base of Annapurna South. This is frequented by the locals. You must not miss this lake when you are on the Khopra Ridge trek.
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