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
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!
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 are expected to reach by 4 pm. 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.
Please note: We will only be serving dinner at Hotel Paradise after trekkers arrive post 4 pm.
Day 2
Drive from Pokhara to Kimsee. Trek to Ghandruk
Drive Distance: 56 km | Trek Duration: 2.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 2,760 ft to 5,440 ft
Trek Distance: 3.7 km | Trek Duration: 2 hours | Altitude Gain: 5,440 ft to 6,561 ft
Transport will be arranged for this transport. The cost for this will be approx Rs 2,500 per person. This includes the transport from Pokhara to Kimsee and back from Tatopani to Pokhra
Day 3
Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani
Trek Distance: 6.4 km | Trek Duration: 4.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,561 ft to 8,705 ft
Day 4
Trek from Tadapani to Dobato
Trek Distance: 6.2 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,705 ft to 11,225 ft
Day 5
Trek from Dobato to Chhistibang via Muldai Top
Trek Distance: 9.2 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain & Loss: 11,220 ft to 9,678 ft via 11,811 ft
Day 6
Trek from Chhistibang to Khopra Ridge
Trek Distance: 3.5 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,678 to 11,975 ft
Day 7
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
Day 8
Trek from Khopra Ridge to Paudwar via Gorge Point
Trek Distance: 8.5 km | Trek Duration: 6.5 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,975 ft to 6,561 ft via
Day 9
Trek from Paudwar to Tatopani | Drive from Tatopani to Pokhra
Trek Distance: 4.7 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,561 ft to 3,871 ft
Bus Drive Distance: 110 km | Drive Duration: 5 hours
You will reach Pokhra by 7pm.
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.
- We wont be providing accommodation on the last day at Pokhra.
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.
Khopra Ridge is Best Discovered Through Pictures
Picture by: Ujwala Kadam
The Pink Dusk
What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek
What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek
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.
Do you know about the indigenous people of Nepal?
The ruler of the Shah dynasty, Dravya Shah started the Gorkha Kingdom in the 16th Century, and they began ruling the lands in and around Nepal.
It is said that the ruler did not have wealth. But he convinced his people that he will give them a share of the land upon conquering. And hence he began assembling his army.
The result was that everyone was fighting for themselves, and not for the king. This enabled them to expand the Gorkha kingdom rapidly.
This trait of the Gorkhas makes them one of the most fearless warriors in history. Fighting for the land and fearlessness is imbibed in their upbringing.
Available Dates
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