KHOPRA RIDGE

Better than ABC. Trek with 22 Big Mountains

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate - Difficult

TREK DURATION

9 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

15,710 ft

Better than ABC. Trek with 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!

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?

Khopra Ridge - Complete Trek Information

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.

Expert Speak

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

As one of the veterans of the trekking community, here's Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes, talking about one of the most beautiful treks of Nepal.

What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek

What I Like About the Khopra Ridge Trek

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

As one of the veterans of the trekking community, here's Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes, talking about one of the most beautiful treks of Nepal.

1. More than just a ridge walk

The beauty of the Khopra Ridge is the fact that it is a ridge. You walk two whole days on this ridge. So for two days, there are big mountains on either side of you. I am not very sure if you understand the significance of this. There are very few treks in this world where you walk for two whole days on a ridge. Leave alone a trek with such astounding mountain views. When you combine these two, the Khopra Ridge becomes a very special trek.

Then there is the sense of adventure. On the Khopra Ridge trek, you climb to Khayer lake, which is at around 15,700 feet. Getting to an alpine lake at this altitude is thrilling and adventurous. Unfortunately, I don’t feel this on the ABC trek.

Photo by Nitesh Kumar

2. Great views from inside the tea houses

You see great views from even inside your tea house. Just like any other trek in Nepal, the Khopra Ridge trek has tea houses all along the trail, where you stay for the night. They’re almost luxurious compared to other treks where you camp.

Photo by Nitesh Kumar

3. Additional highlights

Well, there are a lot of talking points here. We take a deviation to Khayer Lake. It is a small hidden lake. But getting there is like a spiritual experience. The locals revere the lake.

If you thought the Grand Canyon was full of deep gorges, on this trek you see the deepest gorge in the world — Kali Gandaki. It separates the summits of the Dhaulagiri range from the Annapurna range.

I am not going to guarantee it, but there’s a very high chance of walking above a bed of clouds. If you’re lucky, see the sunset above it.

I don’t know if it is right for me to say this about a favourite trek of ours, the Annapurna Base Camp, but the ABC is full of steps to climb and descend. After a while, it hurts to your knees. On the Khopra Ridge, it is a usual mountain trail. It has its ups and downs and challenges, but not the crazy steps of ABC.

For us, Khopra Ridge has turned out to be the best off-beat trek in Nepal. We know what it means to trek on a crowded trail in Nepal. The Khopra Ridge is a godsend in that respect. No maddening crowd on this trail.

Khayer lake. Photo by Mrinal

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.

Green Trails: Sustainable Trekking

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Get expert guidance even before you start the trek

Get personalised support from our expert Experience Coordinators. From registration to departure, they'll prepare you every step of the way.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Meet like-minded trekkers

Indiahikes carries with it a strong spirit of trekking, one that comes with fitness, minimalism, mindfulness and a deep love for nature.

Other Treks Like Khopra Ridge

trek image

7 Days

.

Moderate

Surya Top

A Summit Climb Amidst Grand Meadows
trek image

10 Days

.

Moderate-Difficult

Goechala Trek

The closest you can get to Mt Kanchenjunga without climbing it
trek image

8 Days

.

Moderate-Difficult

Buran Ghati Trek

A Grand Buffet Of India's Greatest Treks
imgs

Surya Top

A Summit Climb Amidst Grand Meadows

7 Days

Moderate

imgs

Goechala Trek

The closest you can get to Mt Kanchenjunga without climbing it

10 Days

Moderate-Difficult

imgs

Buran Ghati Trek

A Grand Buffet Of India's Greatest Treks

8 Days

Moderate-Difficult