Overview
This Khopra Danda trek is a nine-day loop from Pokhara that leaves the busy Annapurna trails for a high ridge facing Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. You start in the Gurung village of Ghandruk, walk through forest to Tadapani and Dobato, and climb to the Mulde viewpoint before dropping to Chistibung. From there you reach Khopra Danda, at 3,660 m, where a community lodge looks straight across at Dhaulagiri, and spend a full day walking up to Khayar Lake, a sacred lake below Annapurna South. The route then descends through the village of Swanta to Ghorepani, and you finish with sunrise on Poon Hill before returning to Pokhara. It suits fit walkers with some hiking experience who want big views and quiet trails without a very high pass.
The itinerary
- Drive of around 2 hours from Pokhara to the road below Ghandruk
- Short walk up into Ghandruk, one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal
- Afternoon in the stone-paved lanes and the Gurung Cultural Museum
- Overnight in a Ghandruk lodge with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre above the village
- A shorter day climbing out of the village through terraces and forest
- Steady uphill on stone steps into rhododendron forest
- Arrive at Tadapani, a small lodge settlement in the forest, with time to rest
- Overnight in a Tadapani teahouse
- Leave the main trail and head north into quieter forest, 5 to 6 hours on foot
- Few lodges and few other trekkers from here on
- Climb to Dobato, a small clearing at about 3,420 m
- Overnight in a simple lodge, with an early night for the viewpoint
- Early climb of about 45 minutes to Mulde viewpoint at 3,637 m for sunrise
- Views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna III when clear
- Back to Dobato for breakfast, then 6 to 7 hours through forest and across ridges
- Overnight at Chistibung, at about 3,000 m
- Shorter climb of 3 to 4 hours above the tree line
- Arrive at Khopra Danda, 3,660 m, on an open ridge facing Dhaulagiri
- Afternoon to rest and acclimatise before the lake day
- Overnight in the Khopra community lodge
- Early start for the round trip to Khayar Lake, 7 to 9 hours on foot
- Steady climb on a high, exposed trail below Annapurna South
- The lake and its small Barahi temple, sacred to local Magar and Gurung communities
- Return to Khopra for a second night in the community lodge
- Long descent of 5 to 7 hours from the ridge back into forest
- Last wide views of Dhaulagiri and the Kali Gandaki side of the range
- Arrive at Swanta, a farming village below the forest
- Overnight in a village lodge or homestay
- Climb of about 6 hours through fields and rhododendron forest
- Rejoin the main Poon Hill trail and its busier teahouses
- Arrive at Ghorepani, the lodge village below Poon Hill, at about 2,860 m
- Overnight in a Ghorepani teahouse
- Pre-dawn climb of 45 to 60 minutes to Poon Hill at 3,210 m
- Sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre when the sky is clear
- Breakfast in Ghorepani, then walk down to the jeep road at Banthanti or Ulleri
- Jeep of 3 to 4 hours back to Pokhara, arriving in the evening
Things to carry
- Warm down jacket, hat and gloves for nights at Khopra and the lake day
- Sleeping bag rated for below freezing
- Trekking poles for the long descents to Chistibung and Swanta
- Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream for the high, open ridge
- Head torch and a refillable bottle with purification tablets
Good to know
Complete guide
The Khopra Danda trek is a nine-day teahouse loop from Pokhara that leaves the main Annapurna trails for a high, open ridge facing Dhaulagiri, with a day hike to sacred Khayar Lake. It sleeps no higher than 3,660 m at Khopra, climbs higher on the lake day and ends with sunrise on Poon Hill. This guide covers what the route is like, how hard it is and what we arrange for you.
What the Khopra Danda trek covers
You drive around 2 hours from Pokhara to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village, and walk up to Tadapani the next day. From there the route turns north into quiet forest to Dobato, at about 3,420 m, and the following morning you climb about 45 minutes to Mulde viewpoint, 3,637 m, for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. A long day through forest takes you down to Chistibung, and a shorter climb of 3 to 4 hours brings you onto Khopra Danda. You spend two nights there, with a full day for the round trip to Khayar Lake, before descending to the village of Swanta, climbing to Ghorepani and finishing with the Poon Hill sunrise and a jeep back to Pokhara.
If you want the Poon Hill sunrise without the high ridge, our two-day Ghorepani Poon Hill trek covers the last part of this route. For the classic walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary instead of a ridge view, look at the Annapurna Base Camp trek from Pokhara.
How hard it is, honestly
This is a moderate to challenging trek. Most days are 3 to 7 hours on foot, but the Khayar Lake day is 7 to 9 hours on a high, exposed trail, and the stages to Chistibung and Swanta include long descents. The final day is also full: sunrise on Poon Hill, the walk down to the jeep road and a drive of 3 to 4 hours to Pokhara. You do not need technical skills, but you should be fit and ideally have done a multi-day walk before. Trekking poles help on the descents.
Altitude and the Khayar Lake day
You sleep highest at Khopra Danda, 3,660 m (12,008 ft). Published figures for Khayar Lake vary from 4,500 m to 4,700 m, so we describe it as between the two. Either way, the lake day takes you well above where you sleep, which is why the trip rests an afternoon at Khopra first and returns there the same evening.
Headaches and breathlessness are likely up high. Your guide checks on everyone each evening and morning, and on the lake day will turn the group around if anyone shows worsening symptoms or the trail is under snow. The lake is a bonus, not a summit to be reached at any cost. We recommend insurance that covers trekking at this altitude and helicopter evacuation; we do not sell insurance ourselves.
The community lodge and the sacred lake
The lodge on Khopra Danda was set up in 2007 by social entrepreneur Mahabir Pun so that trekking income stays local. It is community-run, and its proceeds help support a village school and a micro-hydropower plant. Rooms are simple and shared, but the view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Nilgiri and the Kali Gandaki gorge is right outside the door.
Khayar Lake is a Barahi site for the local Magar and Gurung communities, with a small temple on the shore, and Hindu pilgrims walk up during the Janai Purnima festival in July or August. Treat it as you would any temple: no swimming or washing in the water, and ask your guide before photographing rituals.
Permits and when to go
The whole route lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP entry permit. We arrange your ACAP permit and TIMS card before you start, and a licensed guide leads every departure. Autumn, October to November, gives the clearest views. Spring, March to May, brings flowering forest, with snow sometimes lingering on the lake trail early in the season. Winter can close the lake trail and the monsoon brings cloud and leeches. Not sure whether Khopra or a shorter trek suits your days? Send us your dates and we will tell you honestly.
