This moderate, off-the-beaten-path adventure, also known as the Khopra Danda Trek, is a peaceful alternative to more popular treks in the lower Annapurna region. Climb through local villages, terraced farmland, and dense oak, pine, and rhododendron forests to get up close and personal with the snow-capped Annapurnas. In addition, you can go on a strenuous but rewarding day hike to Kaire, a sacred lake that Hindus believe will help you achieve Nirvana.
Overview
Khopra Danda Trek via Kaire Lake is a newly opened trek in the Annapurna region that offers stunning views of snowcapped mountains as well as exposure to the region’s various ethnicities. Because the trails are well-maintained and easy to walk on, this lesser-known trek is ideal for families and families with children.
Highlights
- Trek through one of the Annapurna Himalaya’s less-visited areas
- Hike to Kaire, a lake sacred to Hindus
- Admire the sunset and sunrise views from Muldai Peak
- Soak your tired muscles in the natural outdoor hot springs at Tatopani
Want to know more?
| Viber / WhatsApp | 9864014537 |
| Kathmandu office | 01-4439962, 01-4439963 |
| Price | US $ 1,120 |
Trip Itinerary Brief
| Day | Highlights | Overnights |
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu | Kathmandu |
| Day 3 | Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara; Trek to Tadapani (8,694 feet / 2,650 m) | Tadapani |
| Day 4 | Trek from Tadapani to Dobato (11,220 feet / 3,420 m) | Dobato |
| Day 5 | Trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibung (3,198 feet / 2,975 m) | Upper Chistibung |
| Day 6 | Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Danda (12,007 feet / 3,660 m) | Khopra Danda |
| Day 7 | Rest day in Khopra Danda (Optional day hike to Kaire Lake) | Khopra Danda |
| Day 8 | Trek from Khopra Danda to Tatopani; Dip in the hot spring | Tatopani |
| Day 9 | Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara; Fly to Kathmandu | Kathmandu |
| Day 10 | Depart from Kathmandu |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!
When you fly into Kathmandu, you’ll be able to see the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After clearing customs, Deshatan Travels and Tours a representative will meet you outside the airport and assist you in navigating the narrow, winding streets of Kathmandu to your hotel.
After you’ve settled in, go exploring in the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a good place to start your exploration, as it leads you through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is a great place to stretch your legs and watch the sunset over the valley.
In the evening, the tourist district of Thamel is a good place to get your first meal, with a variety of restaurants serving both Western and Nepali cuisine.
Day 2: Explore Kathmandu
Kathmandu has a unique atmosphere in the early morning hours, when the city is slowly awakening but not becoming too chaotic. It’s a great time to go for a walk and explore the streets, or to enjoy a chai while looking out over one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.
After breakfast, you have a variety of options for how to spend your day given the abundance of famous sights in the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or hire a local English-speaking guide who is familiar with the city and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).
In the evening, dine at one of the city’s fine restaurants, or have your specialist arrange a home-cooked meal with a local family.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara – Trek to Tadapani (8,694 feet / 2,650 m)
After breakfast in Kathmandu, you will be picked up and driven to the domestic airport for your flight to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city. This is a breathtaking half-hour flight along with the Himalayan range, with views of four of the world’s 14 giant mountains (standing over 26,000 feet/8,000 meters): Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Manaslu, and Shishapangma. Your specialist can assist you in securing a seat on the plane’s right side for views of the Himalayas en route.
When you arrive in Pokhara, you will be picked up and driven to Kimche (2.5 hours drive from Pokhara); from there, you will begin the trek to Ghandruk, where you will have lunch and enjoy spectacular views of the Machapuchhre and Hiunchuli.
After lunch, wind your way up through Ghandruk’s beautiful old homes and up an undulating trail to a tea house with a spectacular view of Annapurna. From here, you continue through the rhododendron forest, which becomes more beautiful as the day progresses, until you reach the teahouses at Bhaisi Kharka. Following this beautiful section of the trail, there is a short, steep climb up into Tadapani.
Time spent driving: 2.5 hours
Time spent trekking: 5 hours
Day 4: Trek from Tadapani to Dobato (11,220 feet / 3,420 m); Sunset from Muldai Peak
After breakfast in Tadapani, you’ll leave the main trail and begin walking through a beautiful rhododendron forest in a more remote area of the Annapurna region. This off-the-beaten-path trail passes through beautiful Nepali villages as well as a variety of flora, fauna, and ancient trees. It’s a magical setting straight out of a Tolkien novel.
After a short climb and descent into a dell, you’ll begin a more difficult climb that will take you up to the Dobato lodges. After about 30 minutes, you’ll be on the northern side of the ridgeline. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Annapurna South massif towering above you, and listen to the roar of many waterfalls as the river rushes away into the dramatic steep-sided valley far below. The forest will now be dominated by oaks and conifers. The teahouse at Meshar Danda, perched on the ridgeline with truly incredible views, is a steep half-hour hike up from here.
After a cup of tea and a short rest, you’ll have about an hour more of this type of forested trail until you reach Isharu, where shepherds graze their sheep. Before getting back on the road, refuel with a hearty lunch. The trail begins with a gentle ascent as it contours around the hillside, then ascends to a small but beautiful pass where the path passes through a fascinating Gurung temple.
From here, it’s a short descent to a lovely open valley before returning to the trees and ascending to the ridgeline. Along the way, you’ll see incredible purple barked rhododendron trees, much smaller than the ones you saw earlier but striking for their color (and, if the weather is clear, the mountain backdrop!). You’ll contour down from the ridge to a creek bed and a small pass, from which you’ll traverse to the Dobato lodges.
If you have the energy, hike up to Muldai Peak for sunset views. It takes about 45 minutes from the teahouse to reach the view tower, and the view is breathtaking — one of the trek’s highlights!
Time spent trekking: 5-6 hours(4 miles / 6.5 km)
Day 5: Trek from Dobato to Upper Chistibung (3,198 feet / 2,975 m)
After an early breakfast in Dobato, you’ll begin the ascent to Muldai Peak for a spectacular sunrise panorama. From here, you’ll descend through open ground and a beautiful forest to the Lower Chistibung pastures.
Then, gradually ascend the trail through another forest until you reach Upper Chistibung, a temporary herder’s settlement. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Nepalese national bird, the Lophophorus (Danphe), as well as Himalayan Thar on the grassy ridge high above the trail.
Time to complete the trek: 4-5 hours (2.4 miles / 4 km).
Day 6: Trek from Upper Chistibung to Khopra Danda(12,007 feet / 3,660 m)
After breakfast in Upper Chistibung, you’ll set out on a steady ascent above the treeline through beautiful alpine meadows and pastures to reach Khopra. Look for the tip of Annapurna South in the distance as you enter the ridge.
When you arrive in Khopra, take a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Kali Gandaki River far below in the deep valley. You’ll spend the night in Khopra and get to see the stunning snow-capped mountain panoramas of Mount Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna South.
Time to complete the trek: 2-3 hours (2 miles / 3.2 km).
The Teahouse provides lodging.
Day 7: Rest day in Khopra Danda (optional day hike to Kaire Lake)
Today is a rest day, so sleep in and spend the morning relaxing in Khopra Danda. Alternatively, go on a full-day hike to Kaire Lake’s sacred waters.
Kaire Lake day Hike
After breakfast, you’ll have the option of embarking on a strenuous full-day hike to Kaire Lake, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The Hindus consider Kaire to be a sacred lake, and bathing in it is thought to aid in the attainment of Nirvana. Because Hinduism and Buddhism are so intertwined in Nepal, you can visit several Hindu and Buddhist shrines scattered around the lake.
Kaire Lake is located at an elevation of 15,272 feet (4,665 meters).
Trekking time to Kaire Lake: 7-8 hours
The trekking distance to Kaire Lake: 10.2 miles (16.5 km) round-trip
You don’t want to hike to the lake? A half-day hike from Khopra is also possible.
Day 8: Trek from Khopra Danda to Tatopani; Dip in the Hot Spring
You’ll descend steeply downhill into the valley toward Paudwar from Khopra Danda. You’ll continue the hike down to Tatopani after lunch in the village (meaning “hot water” in Nepali).
You’ll spend the night in a teahouse and can relax in the hot spring for the rest of the day, as well as interact with locals and children.
Day 9: Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara; Fly to Kathmandu
You have the rest of the evening in Kathmandu to explore and enjoy yourself.
6 hours of driving
Flight duration: 30 minutes
Day 10: Depart Kathmandu
It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal. Enjoy your final moments in Kathmandu by having breakfast in a café, taking a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and shopping for souvenirs. A driver will meet you at your hotel and transport you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s best to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.
Best Season To Trek
The best trekking seasons in Khopra Danda Trek are September, October, November (autumn), and March, April, and May. (spring). During the peak season, there may be accommodation issues due to a shortage of tea houses.
Difficulties
Khopra Danda Trek is considered easy and short in comparison to other Annapurna Region Treks such as Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and so on. Trekkers must walk 5-6 hours per day for the majority of the trek, with frequent breaks at tea houses and lodges. We recommend taking some preparation before trekking because it can take up to 8 hours of walking. With a long-distance walk, the trails progress from low altitude to higher altitude.
The Price Include
- Airport Pickup and Drop by private Vehicle.
- Two Night Accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu tourist bus ticket for the guide.
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu tourist bus ticket for the client. (if you need a flight ticket, you must pay the extra cost for your flight)
- Two-night accommodation in Pokhara with B/B.
- Private transport to the trekking starting point and back.
- All teahouse (lodge) accommodation during the trek
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
- An experienced English-speaking trekking guide and necessary porters to carry luggage. Note: (1 porter can carry two people’s luggage up to 30 kilograms)
- Trekking crew’s salary, insurance, equipment, transport, food, and lodging
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit & TIMS(Trekkers Information Management System)
- Free Company’s Duffel Bag.
- Free Trekking Maps and NHA T-Short
- Company service charges
- VAT and local Tax
Cost Excludes
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Lunch and Dinner at Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle er, shower, etc)
- Tips for guides and porters
- Any extra activities after the trek
Map
