Khopra Ridge Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, our company representative will meet and welcome you to Nepal and then you'll be transferred to your confirmed hotel. Once you finish the check-in procedure, you can rest & relax at the hotel. Later you will be accompanied by the office staff for a short tour of Thamel to make you familiar with some good restaurants, ATM's, money changer and other necessary places you might need during your stay in Thamel.

Day 2: A full day sightseeing around Kathmandu valley, the capital city

The very next morning, after breakfast you will leave for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You can visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath and the fine arts and historical architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square reflecting the ancient Nepalese culture which is the highlights of our guided tour.

A visit to Patan City will enchant you with its famous fine arts and historical architecture. On return to your hotel, you will have time to explore the local area, have dinner and perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the famous streets. Finally, day ends with an Authentic Nepalese Dinner in Nepali Cultural Restaurant.

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (850m/2,788ft)

Today, we drive to Pokhara in luxurious tourist bus sightseeing through the attractive scene of Nepalese countryside like Muglin, Gorkha- Manakamana, Pokhara-Prithvi Narayan Chowk, bus station, lakeside of Pokhara. These countrysides offer the various vegetation, green forest, rivers, narrow, congested, roundabout roads, and very beautiful green hills.  One can also take a flight to Pokhara.

Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul to Ghandruk (1,940m/6,363ft)

We leave from the hotel at 8.00 am. The drive from Pokhara to Syauli Bazaar will take around 3 hours. You cover around  60 km during this time.The initial trail from Syauli bazaar is narrow and runs through a village. The river to your left is Modi Khola. On the opposite side of the mountain, you can spot the trail for the Mardi Himal trek. Ghandruk becomes visible after 1.5 hours of trekking. Have lunch at Syauli Bazaar before you begin the trek to Ghandruk. The trail continues to ascend gradually.

 As you approach Ghandruk, after about another hour, the view starts opening up. You see Mt Himchuli and Mt Annapurna south. This is just the beginning of mountain views. As you ascend some more, Mt Machapuchare (the ‘fishtail’ mountain) welcomes you. This is also an indication that you are very close to your first tea house. Ghandruk is the largest village in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP). You will see old stone and slate roofed houses lining the slope. You will also find a lot of tea houses spread through the entire village.

Day 5: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (2,600m/8,528ft)

To go to Tadapani from Ghandruk, begin by walking through the narrow path running through the village. The trail here consists of steps cut into the rocks. After climbing for 20 minutes on these steps, you will reach the first view point. This is the “Lovely view point”. From here, you will be able sight Mt Annapurna South, Mt Himchuli, Mt Ganga Purna, Mt Annapurna III and Mt Machapuchare (fishtail). These mountains stay with you on your right as you move ahead.

As you proceed on the trail, you enter a forest trail dominated by a variety of tall trees. Very soon you hear the faint sounds of a waterfall in the distance. The dense canopy of the trees above coupled with moist air from the flowing stream gives you a fresh respite. Rhododendron trees also make an appearance here. You will see big red flowers on these if you are trekking here in April

Follow the forest trail till you reach a small bridge. From here you get a perfect view of the source of the stream. Take a break here and refill your water bottles. The next section is a steep ascent for about 45 minutes. As you climb up along the small waterfall, you will reach Bhaisi Kharka, a small village in the far western region of Nepal. This is 5 km from Ghandruk.

The rest of the day’s hike will take you through similar but denser forest trails. Rhododendrons dominate here. These are unusually high if you have only seen the shorter trees in the Indian Himalayas. At certain places, the branches of the trees intertwine on the top to form a gateway for the trail ahead. Another 2 hours of trekking brings you to the tea houses at Tadapani. Have lunch here. End the day with a perfect sunset view of Mt Machapuchare

Day 6: Trek from Tadapani to Bayeli Kharka (3,420m/11,217ft)

Bayeli Kharka is our next destination. We shall begin our trek early in the morning. The trek, in the beginning, is a gradual uphill. We will continue trekking on a gradual slope until we reach a small pass. The trail in the open countryside offers the grandest views of the Annapurna Massif. Then, we will descend through the rhododendron forest to an open surrounding known as Bayeli Kharka. We shall spend the night at a lodge. We shall have an appealing view of Dhauligiri Himal from here. We will spend the night here today.

Day 7: Trek from Bayali Kharka to Upper Chistibung (2,975m/9,758ft)

We will continue to walk through a forest, ascend on a slightly steep trail and pass through several pastures to reach a summer settlement of the people called Upper Chistibung. We shall have the most alluring scene from here too. We will stay in a small community lodge, interact with the people and spend our night at a local teahouse.

Day 8: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge (3,660m/12,004ft)

Today will be the most important day for us. We will climb up to the Khopra Danda/ Ridge. We will begin with a steady climb. Then we will embark through the forest. This is the region which is popular for wild lives. This region is famous for the Himalayan Thar and Lophophorous. We will continue ascending continuously. The trail offers the extraordinary panorama of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri. The Khopra Danda is a small mountain settlement high above the Kali Gandaki Valley. The Khopra Community is a very famous hidden village where we will be spending the night.

Day 9: Acclimatization day

This day shall be an exploration day. We will take a hike towards Khayar Lake which is located at an elevation of 4500m above the sea level. We will walk continuously for about 9-10 hours. This is a physically demanding section. So, undertake it only when you are physically and mentally fit. There is not any teahouse at Khayar Lake. It is a very famous Hindu Pilgrim. There is a fair during the occasions of Janai Purnima. This region has a mind-blowing diversity of landscapes. If you are unable to go on this hike, there is Thanti which is relatively easier to hike and takes just about 6-7 hours. We shall spend our night in Khopra Danda.

Day 10: Trek from Khopra Ridge to Swata Village (2,200m/7,216ft)

Today’s trek starts with a ridge walk which descends into the forest. Up to Chhistibang, it’s the same trail that you took to get to Khopra ridge. After 2 hours of continuous descent, you reach Chhistibang. At Chhistibang, the trail splits. The one to the left goes back down to Dobato. Avoid this, and take the trail to the right – this leads to Swanta and further on to Ghorepani.

From Chhistibang, you will trek through a dense forest which is entirely different from the initial two days of forest trails. You mostly find oaks here, followed by bamboo.Three more hours of trekking through this forest trail brings you to a village named Swanta. There is a lot of agricultural land here, but very few tea houses. Your tea house is near a basketball court. Enjoy your rest of the day exploring the quiet village life of Swanta.

Day 11: Trek from Swanta Village to Ulleri (2,050m/6,724ft)

We shall begin our reverse trek back to the Ulleri village today. We will descend through the villages, fields and cross the suspension bridge and head towards Ulleri. The trail embarks breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri Massif. We shall stop over some popular villages and easily reach the village of Ulleri to spend the night.

Day 12: Trek from Ulleri to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara (1400m/4,592ft)

Our destination today is Pokhara. We will begin trekking towards Nayapul from Ulleri. We will climb down the valley along with the trail that passes by Birethati. We will then pass along the valley retracing our footsteps and cross the suspension bridge over Modi Khola and continue up to Nayapul. From Nayapul we will have a ride towards the hotel in Pokhara. We will spend the night in Pokhara with chill martinis. Evening life in Pokhara is awesome.

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara

Today we will be moving back to Kathmandu. We will move along the Pokhara Kathmandu Highway that passes through many small towns. We can enjoy the scene in the backdrop. Many small resorts and water parks and the adventurous rafting activities in the Trishuli River enthral us. After arrival at our hotel, we shall rest and recreate in the evenings. And you will have time to plan for your departure.

Day 14: Leisure day in Kathmandu

Leisure day at Kathmandu. You can ask your guide to take you on a sightseeing trip inside Kathmandu Valley. On this day you can go to the various museums around the valley including the Narayanhiti Museum which earlier used to be the residence of the last king of Nepal. You may also go to the hilltop of Nagarkot. After some sightseeing around the world heritage sites in the valley, you will have a farewell dinner and enjoy with your Nepali friends and guide. You might even make plans for extending your stay for Chitwan jungle safari, rafting activities, and more with your guide.

Day 15: Departure

Finally, it’s SEE OFF TIME. There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. You will be picked from Hotel by representatives of Wongchhu Peak Promotion staff and dropped at Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours earlier than your flight time with a hope to see you again. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.