A challenging route to EBC across Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass and Kala Patthar 

A legendary and thrilling trek that takes you close to the 3rd highest mountain in the world!

Trek difficulty

Trek Duration

Highest Altitude

SUITABLE FOR

The world knows of the Everest Base Camp trail. To go to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is on every mountain lover’s bucket list. However, we believe, to truly do justice to trekking in the Everest region, Everest Base camp- Gokyo Ri circuit is the trek to do! This trail offers you the best of both worlds: the well-trodden Everest region and the lesser-visited Gokyo region. By adding three more days to the itinerary, the trail becomes infinitely more rewarding. 

First, the views from the Gokyo Ri summit are much grander than the ones you will see from on top of Kala Patthar in the Everest region.  From Kala Patthar, you would see three of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world – the Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. On the Gokyo Ri summit, you not only see these mountains but also see another eight-thousander, Cho Oyu.  Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is an additional treat you get on the Gokyo trail.

Then, when you look down from the Gokyo Ri summit, you see the Ngozumpa glacier – the longest glacier in the Himalayas.   Behind you, you see three blue-green lakes that seem to dwarf everything around them. These are the Gokyo lakes. There are five of them – each grander than the other that you get to visit.  All of this, coupled with the seclusion the Gokyo region offers, makes it a stupendous addition to the Everest Base Camp trail.

That being said, Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri is a difficult trek. You climb to over 17,000 ft at least thrice on this trek (Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass and Kala Patthar). Going to that altitude three times is not easy at all. Then there is the Ngozumpa glacier and Chola Pass, both of these places with terrain that are tricky to traverse.  You must come well-prepared for this trek.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri - 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 Everest Base Camp via the Gokyo Ri 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.

Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek.

➤ Documents required:  It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their ID Card for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

➤ Stay facility: At Lukla, your stay will be arranged in lodges. On the trek, you will be staying at tea houses

➤ Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: We have a cloakroom facility at Lukla. No valuables can be kept. Also, do not carry any excess luggage on the trek.

➤ Insurance: Insurance is not included in the trek fee. If you want to avail insurance for this trek, you can write an email to your Experience Coordinator and apply for insurance. 

➤ Food and Water on Trek: Any food you have during your trek or during the travel is at your own expense. This is not included in the trek fee. You will have access to drinking water at the tea houses where you stay. However, if you are buying drinking water, then the charges are extra. This is not included in your trek fee.

Note: A filtered water bottle is highly recommended when going on this trek.

If you're planning to reach Lukla, take a flight from Kathmandu on Day 0 of your trek. Flights are your only option even though they are unreliable. They can get cancelled if there's bad weather. Planning your flight on Day 0 will give you a day's advantage in case your flight is cancelled.

Example: If your trek date is starting on 1st April, you need to plan on reaching Lukla on 31st March.

Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla have reduced a lot due to traffic. If trekkers cannot get a flight from Kathmandu, they can travel from Ramechap to Lukla. Trekkers can take 6:30 am flight to Lukla.

Ramechap is 4 hours from Kathmandu. They can start from Kathmandu around 2 am and reach Ramechap (It costs 2500 Nepali Rupees).

Note: You are only allowed to carry 15 kg luggage on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and return.

Since food is not included in the trek fee, bring INR 35,000 for food only. It costs approx INR 1600-1700 per day. Overall, you can bring INR 45,000-50,000 for the entire journey/trek.

While returning, you will reach Kathmandu by taking an early morning flight from Lukla. Plan your travel any time after 2.00 PM from Kathmandu

A small hack for hot water is to bring at least one Metal Water bottle. Tea houses always have fireplaces. 
If you have a metal water bottle, you can just keep the bottle next to the fireplace and get hot water without paying any money. Hot water otherwise costs INR 200 a liter.

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

What I Like About the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Safety on the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek is a difficult trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Lukla which is at an altitude of 9,300 ft and reach an altitude of 18,200 ft in a matter of 13 days.

For the most part, it is a moderate hike through the valleys of Nepal.

However, the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to Everest Base Camp. The days, in general, involve long walks of about 9 hours.

This makes the trek a difficult one. It is a good trek for experienced trekkers.

You will need at least 8 weeks of solid preparation for this trek. You can begin preparation by going for brisk walks and then doing brisk jogs to improve your cardio. Your target should be to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes comfortably by the start of the trek.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

There are two distinct seasons for the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek – April (Spring) and October (Autumn) and the weather is very different in these seasons.

Say, in Spring, although you will find patches of hard snow at higher altitudes, the temperature during the day will be slightly warmer than that in Autumn when there won’t be any snow on the trek.

Even the air is different. While Spring is moist, Autumn is dry and crisp.

It’s that time of the year when winter has totally left the slopes. But, you will still find snow patches on the ground above 12,000 feet.

In Spring, expect pleasant daytime temperatures around 18 °C. But at night it dips to almost zero levels.

During the day if the sun goes behind the clouds and there is about of rain, then the temperature can fall to around 12 °C.

Presence of snow: You may find snow patches on the trail.

Day time: Between 18 °C and 24 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 5 °C and 0 °C. 

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri in Spring (April)

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Autumn is slightly like winter. Colder than Summer, although you won’t find patches of snow.

Nights in Autumn get chilly. In October the temperature dips to -5 ° C.

During the day, you will experience temperatures around 12 ° C. But any rain or slight drizzle brings down the temperature by a few degrees. So keep a jacket handy with you always.

Presence of snow: You will not find snow at this time of the year.

Day time: Between 12 °C and 15 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between -5 °C and -10 °C. 

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri in Autumn (October)

No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Tapoban. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Pangarchulla Peak trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.    

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of identity card. In Nepal, only passports or Voters' ID is accepted as valid ID proof.  

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.  

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Warm layers 
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri

Please read carefully the following criteria before registering for the trek.

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end.

Eligibility Criteria for Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri

We are organising a small group on October 17th, where only 6 trekkers will be accommodated. Our guides from Nepal will lead this group. 

Introducing "Small Groups" at lower costs:

Complete information on the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri 2024 - A More Rewarding Trail to the Base Camp of the Highest Mountain in the World

Evrest Avrest Evrast EBC Gakyo Gokya everest base camp everest mt everest base camp 

Better than ABC. Trek with 22 Big Mountains

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

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!

Khopra Ridge - Complete Trek Information 

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.

- 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 have a cloakroom facility at Pokhara. Trekkers are allowed to keep one bag per person. Any additional luggage will be charged Rs 500 per bag. 
- We won't be providing accommodation on the last day at Pokhara.

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.

While returning, you will reach Pokhara between 6.00 - 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Pokhara.

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.

Khopra Ridge Trek is a moderate-difficult trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Pokhara which is at an altitude of 2,760 ft and reach an altitude of 15,300 ft in a matter of 6 days.

For the most part, it is a moderate hike through the villages of Nepal.

However, the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to Khayar Lake. The summit day is a long walk of almost 9 hours.

This makes the trek a moderate-difficult one. It is a good trek for experienced trekkers.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

There are two distinct seasons for the Khopra Ridge trek – April (Spring) and October (Autumn).

In Spring, although you will find patches of hard snow at higher altitudes, the temperature during the day will be slightly warmer than that in Autumn, when there won’t be any snow on the trek.

It’s that time of the year when winter has left the slopes. But, you will still find snow patches on the ground above 12,000 feet.

In Spring, expect pleasant daytime temperatures around 20 °C. But at night it dips to almost zero levels.

During the day if the sun goes behind the clouds and there is about of rain, then the temperature can fall to around 15 °C.

Day time: Between 20 °C and 24 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 10 °C and 5 °C. 

No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers

Nights in Autumn get chilly. In October the temperature dips to 0° C.

During the day, you will experience temperatures around 15° C. But any rain or slight drizzle brings down the temperature by a few degrees. So keep a jacket handy with you always.

Day time: Between 15 °C and 18 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 5 °C and -5 °C. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend on the last day. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Khopra Ridge trek.

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Original and photocopy of identity card. In Nepal, only passports or Voter IDs are accepted as valid ID proof.  

1 passport-size photograph. This is required to obtain the trekking permits

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300

Khopra Ridge requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here.

For a trek like Khopra Ridge, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from. 

| Rental: The 48-litre backpack by Adventure Worx is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack. Rent here.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Buying Tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends and Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

The Khopra Ridge trek is primarily a winter trek. If you’re going any time between December and March, you will need at least 5 warm layers.

You will need 1 pair of inner thermals, 2 light fleece layers, 1  light sweater and 1  padded jacket. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

For your outer layer, a padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

| Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.  

| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.

A minimum of one pair and a maximum of two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry one just in case it rains/snows. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon even in the cold climate.

| Buying Tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup. 

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek.

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Khopra Ridge without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first. 

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a winter trek like Khopra Ridge, expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection. 

| Wearing tip: Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| Buying Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.  

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens. Read this article for more guidance on managing contact lenses on treks.

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance. 

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

On a trek like Khopra Ridge, you are going to be handling snow quite a bit. You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.   

Ensure these cover your head. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. If you get a woollen cap that only covers your head, you will need a neck warmer or a woollen scarf.

Apart from three to four pairs of sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry.

As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Khopra Ridge trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles. 

| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you.

| Rental: Headlamps are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Khopra Ridge trek, there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and (partially) your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing. 

| Pro tip: Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.  

| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.  

| Pro tip: It’s good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

 In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites. 

A daypack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 litre capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them. 

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro Tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

| Pro Tip: Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Khopra Ridge. 

| For Women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.  

| Pro Tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. 

| Two 1 litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration pack: Khopra Ridge has many hours of trekking every day (approximately 6 hours). You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.   

| Rental: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Indiahikes store. Rent here.

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Khopra Ridge

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 32 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 32 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

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