13-Day Annapurna Khopra Ridge & Khair Lake Trek

See All Photos

After breakfast, you'll have a 45-minute drive to Kathmandu Valley. The first stop is one of the largest and most beautiful Hindu temples in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple, which is also used for the cremation of the dead. The temple dates back to the 15th century. Across the main temple, devotees take baths in the holy Bagmati River. Then, a short drive brings you to the largest Buddha stupa in the world, the Bouddhanath temple. You'll return in the late afternoon for pizza and beer.

See All Photos

The drive begins from Kathmandu after breakfast. It is a scenic eight-hour drive along the Prithivi Highway with exposing countryside and rafting on Trishuli River. The bus stops twice along the highway for lunch and snacks. After checking into your room at the Trekker's Inn, you'll head out on a short traditional boat ride on Phewa Lake and take an evening walk on the lakeside street. In the evening, you can watch a cultural show while eating delicious food at the Boomerang Restaurant.

See All Photos

Leaving from Pokhara after breakfast, you'll take a scenic drive along the Pokhara-Jomsom highway to Nayapul. The trek begins from Nayapul descending down and across the Modi River over the saggy suspension bridge. After Birethanti, you'll trek along the Burungi River and pass villages until you stop for lunch at beautiful Hile village. Then, a short trek to lovely Tikhedunga village and a strenuous uphill trek will take you to Ulleri with gorgeous views of the valley and Annapurna south.

See All Photos

Today, you'll trek to Ghorepani, a beautiful village where you'll get stunning sunset view on the mountain. You'll follow the trail which used to be the trade trail of Pokhara to Tibet. In this mixed vegetation forest, you can see lots of birds and animals. After lunch, you'll take a short trek to Poonhill viewpoint with stunning sunsets.

See All Photos

You'll begin the day with an early morning short ascent to a spectacular viewpoint, Poon Hill. Here, you'll get mesmerising views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna range and Mount Fishtail. After a hot breakfast back at the guesthouse, you'll resume the trek to Swanta village. Once you cross the beautiful Chitre village, the trek descends off-the-beaten-track into the forest. After crossing a monsoon washed wooden bridge, the trail leads uphill to Swanta village.

See All Photos

This morning, the trek starts ascending through the jungle, animal grazing pasture and finally trekking along the ridge, where you can see yaks and mountains in the background. After eating lunch at community lodge at Khopra Ridge, you'll trek further up for acclimatisation. Khopra Danda is a great place to see the sunset and sunrise on Mount Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks.

See All Photos

Today you can explore the sacred mountainous freshwater lake on an eight-hour trek for acclimatisation. You will have long and tough trek day ascending 1100 metres and descending 200 metres from hills to the sacred Lake. The isolate holy lake is situated at the base of the Annapurna south. The path looks a bit complicated at the top (4700 metres) then a short drop-down brings you pristine Khair Barahi Lake. You'll explore the lake and then head back.

See All Photos

After a 30-minute trek from Khopra Community Lodge, you'll have two options depending on the season. April to November, you can take the upper trail, a shorter route to reach Dobato village with great green valley views. From December to May, you can take the lower trail via Sistibung. After Bayeli, it's an easy trail leading through forest to Dobato. If the weather is good, you'll ascend Muldei Hill viewpoint for a stunning sunset on Machhapuchhare, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Himchuli.

See All Photos

Mulde Hill is the tallest viewpoint on your trek and it presents spectacular Himalayan views of more than 25 surrounding mountains. After taking photos, you'll return to the guesthouse for a hot breakfast. Now the trek continues downhill, passing tea shops at Isharu, Messar and Tadapani. After Tadapani where you'll stop for lunch, the trail becomes quite crowed to Ghandrunk village where you'll stay overnight.

See All Photos

Once again, you'll enjoy the fiery sunrise of Mount Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South while having breakfast. You'll start the day visiting the village and museum, then a take a trek through the farm. From Birethanti, it is a two-hour drive to Pokhara where you'll have a farewell dinner with your trekking crew and say goodbye.

See All Photos

The bus departs at 7:30 am from Pokhara. On the way, the bus will stop along the way for food and bathroom breaks. After checking in at your accommodation in Kathmandu, you'll have some free time to do some last-minute shopping and exploring before you sit down to a farewell dinner with your trekking guide and trekking crew.