Khopra Dada / Khayar Lake Trek Nepal

Khopra Dada / Khayar Lake Trek Nepal 

The Khopra Danda trek is a fairly new trekking route in the Annapurna area, previously only possible to do as an organized camping trek. The newly opened community lodges on the trail enabled trekkers to visit this area without the need for camping. The Khopra ridge is situated on a top of a hill (3660m) overlooking the whole Annapurna range, including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. It is possible to disconnect from the main trail after reaching Poonhill (a popular hill station) and continue on to Khopra Danda and even further on to the sacred Khayer lake situated on around 4400 meters above sea level. The trail takes you through thick forests, rhododendron bushes, rivers, waterfalls, high pastures and alpine meadows. The view from Khopra Danda is said to be way better than from the commercial Poonhill station, with clearer views of the range and with much less people around. This trek takes about 8-14 days (depending on whether you will take the detour to the Khayer lake or not) and is perfect for those trekkers who want a more intimate experience in the Annapurna area.

Khopra Dada / Khayar Lake Trek Nepal Map 

Khopra Dada Trek Fact 
Activities: Trekking & Hiking
Start/End:   Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Destination: Khopra Dada Khayar lake
Trip Duration: 14  days ( All Nepal trip )
Max. Altitude: 4500 meters
Trekking type : Tea house
Group Size: Min.1/Max.20
Himalayan sights : Dhaulagiri Himalayas range from Poonhill  , Fishtail, Annapurna himalayas Range, Manaslu, Nilgiri
Extra Activities : Paragliding, City tour in Kathmandu & Pokhara, Natural Hot spring
Best Season: March to May & September to Mid December
Trip Grade: Moderate or Grade B
Most Attraction of trek : Close Mountain View, Villages
Daily walking Hour: Approx. 4-7
Itinerary type : Fixed / Customized (According to guest Request)

Outline Itineraries 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek Preparation
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m) 6hrs
Day 04: Pokhara to Ulleri (1950m)
Day 05: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2850 m)
Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon Hill ( 3210m) and Trek to Swata (2270 m)
Day 07: Trek to khopra ridge (3660m)
Day 08: Hike to Khayar lake (4500). explore around
Day 09: Trek to Dobato (3460m)
Day 10: Trek to Ghandruk (1990m)
Day 11: Ghandruk to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara
Day 12: Pokhara Free day
Day 13: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 14: Departure

Details Itinerary 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Upon arrival at the airport, meet and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, you have an option to be escorted stroll around Thamel and the local streets of Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek Preparation

After breakfast, start sightseeing covering the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, which are Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa. Kathmandu Durbar Square area holds the palaces of the medieval Kings who ruled over the Kathmandu Kingdom. Swayambhu meaning the “the self-existent” is popular among the foreigners as Monkey Temple owing to the large number of monkey population residing in this area. It is said that Swayambhunath Stupa is more than 2,000 years old, and it symbolizes knowledge. The painted eyes on all four sides symbolize the all-seeing power of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist place where pilgrims from all over the world come. In the afternoon you will get short briefing and discussion regarding your trek.

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m) 6hrs

Distance 200kms – Approximately 6 Hours Drive

Early morning after breakfast, drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu (200km) via Prithvi Highway, takes 6hrs approximately (option to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, takes extra cost). Along the way we will stop in scenic spots, for lunch and to get fresh as well, en-route we see more about countryside of Nepal that offers greenery, rivers, local villages, farm lands and beautiful mountain scenarios. In the evening, you have option to stroll around the Phewa Lake and local market in Pokhara..

Day 04: Pokhara to Ulleri (1950m)

Drive 42km Approximately 1:5 Hours and walk 11 km to Ulleri ,6 hours walk

After breakfast we drive to Nayapul on the way we pass some beautiful village and scenery, we will stop for while to take picture close to Nagdada and cross the beautiful village Lumle and reach in Nayapul (1100m) situated along the Modi River. After that we arrive in Birethanti where we check out TIMS and Permits and cross the modi khola bridge and passes and follow the Vuramdi Khola when we arrive in Tikhedhunga start to climb up to Ulleri top , from where we can see Annapurna south and Himchuli

Day 05: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2850 m)

Trekking distance 8 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

Get up early morning and see the beautiful sunrise after breakfast start to trek Ghorepani, on the way we pass some beautiful tea houses which is managed by local people ( Called Magar ) and we start to walk through the beautiful Jungle we will passes some water fall . Before arrive to Ghorepani we will see welcome gate and reach in beautiful Village Ghorepani is one of the most popular village along the Annapurna Region . Almost all of village are Magars. From Ghorepani we can see 2 Himalayas range Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas range, Guide consult with local people for tomorrow sunrise time , Suggest sleep early because tomorrow morning wake up early for Sunrise

Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon Hill ( 3210m) and Trek to Swata (2270 m)

Trekking distance 11 kms – Approximately 7 Hours walk

Wake up early morning prepare for the sunrise , suggest wear warm clothes and take headlight start to Hike up to Poon Hill (3210m) 45 minute climb. from Poon Hill we can see beautiful sunrise and beautiful mountain from poon hill we can see Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountains Descend back to Ghorepani and after having breakfast at Lodge and trek to Swata village. Most part of the trail we trek through Rhododendron forest, the beautiful flower makes the jungle colorful in spring when they bloom.

Day 07: Trek to khopra ridge (3660m)

Trekking distance kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk

After breakfast, we cross a stream and start to ascend all the way to Khopra ridge. During the trek we walk passing beautiful rhododendron and oak trees. the lodges around here are build by community based and provides internet and telephone facilities. Overnight at Guesthouse.

Day 08: Hike to Khayar lake (4500). explore around

Trekking distance kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk

A great place for rest day and hike to holy Khair Lake located at 4,247 m. a long and tough walk but worth the views, a holy site with religious festival held annually around the month of August and September. Villagers from the surrounding area assemble here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and bathe in the icy waters, sacrifices sheep and goats.

Day 09: Trek to Dobato (3460m)

Trekking distance kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk

We take the higher trail straight above Khopra hill, enjoying the views of the fully bloomed rhododendron forest and admiring the landscapes of the Kali Gandaki valley and the spectacular mountains. You can choose the lower route to avoid icy trail. The lower path is a little longer because of ups and downs but quiet safe. Stay overnight at guest house in Dobato.

Day 10: Trek to Ghandruk (1990m)

Trekking distance kms – Approximately 7 Hours walk

We walk through narrow downhill walk through the forest and keep continue walking to get Tadapani village, a touristy junction. Tadapani offers one of the best view of Mt. Annapurna South, Himchuli and Machhapuchre (Fishtail). After lunch, we descend through the forests again to the biggest Gurung Settlement Ghandruk. Take your time to explore the typical culture and lifestyle of ethnic Gurung people and interact with local people. Ghandruk also offers some of the magnificent views of mountains and ancient museum. Stay overnight at a local guesthouse

Day 11: Ghandruk to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara

Trekking distance 10 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

Today is our final day for trekking, we slowly follow our trail back to Nayapul where we can take see beautiful local people and we cross the Paddy field, when we reach to Syauli bazaar the path is flat till Nayapul when we arrive in Nayapul then we drive Back to Pokhara .

Day 12: Pokhara Free day

After finish trekking pokhara is a really nice places for chill out , pokhara is very popular for paragliding so suggest for that and you can enjoy the boat ride in phewa lake which is beautiful lake in Nepal or if you like to do city tour we can do city tour and visit most popular places like Bindivashini Temple , Devi’s Fall Gupteshwor cave , Tibetan refugee camp , Mountain museum old Bazaar Etc , in evening if you are interested for shopping it a best places for shopping

Day 13: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu(200km/6-7hrs). we can enjoy the diverse landscape and scenery en-route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 14: Departure

You will be transfer to the International airport by Private vehicle according to your flight schedule.