Nepal Trek – Khopra Danda, the Quiet Annapurna Trail

A route through a little-visited part of the Annapurna region
Views of 3 eight-thousanders: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu
With an optional day hike to the remote Khayer Lake

Local Nepali roots. European standards.

Our own team on the ground. Dutch certified. The best of both worlds.

Small team. Real contact.

Deliberately small groups. And personal attention before, during and after your trip.

Travel that keeps families together.

By hiring local guides and porters, you help them earn a good income. Close to home, not overseas.

In a nutshell

During the Khopra Danda Trek you walk through the quiet part of the Annapurna region, far from the busy trails that most trekkers follow. Over 12 days, we walk through traditional Gurung villages, dense rhododendron forests and open alpine ridgelines to the Khopra Danda ridge. This is a place where the mountains fill the horizon. 👀

From Pokhara, a short drive brings us to Kande, where the trek begins. The trail climbs through Landruk, Ghandruk and Tadapani before entering quieter terrain towards Dobato and Dhankarka. The higher we climb, the fewer trekkers we meet. By the time we reach Khopra Danda at 3,660 m / 12,008 ft, the views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu stretch out in every direction.

We spend two nights on the ridge. On the rest day, there is an optional hike to Khayer Lake at 4,500 m / 14,763 ft. It’s a sacred glacial lake revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, and one of the most remote and rewarding highlights of the entire route.

The descent takes us through Chitre to Tatopani, where natural hot springs(!) sit beside the river. Then a short drive brings us back to Pokhara.

Note: This is a suggested itinerary. Your trip is custom-made to fit your wishes and experience. Tell us what your preferences are. We’ll draft a personalised day-to-day program.

level

4,600 m

Annapurna

Spring (February through May) and autumn (September through November) are the best seasons for this trek. The weather is stable, the skies are clear and the chance of snow at Khopra Danda is at its lowest.

Autumn is slightly busier. Spring is a little quieter, with rhododendron forests in full bloom along the route.

You don’t need to be a top athlete, but this trek does ask something of you. Think 5 to 7 hours of walking per day, several days in a row, at altitude. If you’re used to multi-day mountain hikes, you’ll generally be fine. The optional hike to Khayer Lake (4,600 m / 15,090 ft) is the most demanding section.

Not sure? Just get in touch. We’re happy to look at your experience level together and see whether this route suits you.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone. Regardless of age, fitness or experience. Even the most seasoned mountain walkers can struggle with it.

The best prevention is ascending slowly. That’s why you walk high and sleep low(er). This gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.

Drink plenty of water and listen to your body. Headaches, dizziness or nausea are signals to take seriously. Our guides are trained to recognise symptoms and will adjust the programme if necessary.

And if you do get altitude sickness? Descending is the only right choice. No debate, no hesitation. That’s not failure. That’s wisdom.

This is a suggested itinerary. A plan that shows what a trek like this can look like. Not how it has to go.

Get in touch and we’ll create a trek that fits your level of fitness and experience.

What’s included

The price of the Khopra Danda Trek is per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.

Are you travelling solo or with a larger group? We are happy to make you a custom price proposal. Just send us a message and we’ll get back to you with the options.

Included in this trip

Pre-trip meeting and gear check in Kathmandu
Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Hotel accommodation in Pokhara (including breakfast) – 1 night before the trek
All required trekking permits
Licensed, English speaking trekking guide (salary, transport, accommodation, meals, gear and insurance)
Private transport from Pokhara to the trailhead and back
All teahouse accommodation during your trek
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your trek
24/7 support from the By Mountain People team throughout your trip
Booking secured through the Calamity Fund
Booking secured through VZR Garant
VAT and tourist service charge

Not included

Porter (on request)
Any hot and cold drinks
Insurance covering rescue and evacuation
Tips
All other expenses not listed under 'Included'

Day-to-day program

This is an example itinerary. It shows you how our trek to Khopra Danda is typically structured, day by day. Because we tailor every journey to your wishes and experience, the exact program may vary.

Note: walking times are indicative and depend on your walking pace.

The day before the trek begins. You meet your guide, go through the itinerary and check your gear. Missing something? Your guide will take you to the outdoor shops nearby to get everything sorted.

Got everything you need? Take the rest of the day to recover from the jetlag, explore Thamel at your own pace or venture a little further into the city.

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An early start. We board the tourist bus to Pokhara. The ride takes about 6 hours through hills, river valleys and terraced farmland.

🚙💨 Prefer a private vehicle or domestic flight?

That's possible. It's faster and a bit more comfortable and flexible. Get in touch for details.

A short drive from Pokhara takes us to Kande, where the trek begins. 🙌

The trail descends through terraced fields and rhododendron forest to the Gurung village of Landruk. The first steps. And … with good weather, the mountains appear!

A shorter day through terraced hillsides and Gurung villages. Ghandruk is one of the largest Gurung settlements in Nepal. With stone houses, narrow alleys and Annapurna South rising directly above. It’s time to explore the village and rest before the climb ahead.

We climb through dense oak and rhododendron forest, with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre growing closer with every step. Tadapani sits on a ridge with wide views in all directions.

We leave the forest behind and climb into quieter, more open terrain. Moss-covered rocks, silent paths and the first real sense of being far from the crowds. Dobato is basic and beautiful.

A shorter day through alpine meadows and rocky terrain. The trail is quiet here. Yaks, wind and mountain views. Dhankarka is a small, simple settlement where the pace slows right down.

The final climb to Khopra Danda. The ridge opens up completely: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu all visible at once. We spend two nights here.

Today the choice is yours. Rest at the lodge, or hike up to the sacred Khayer Lake at 4,600 m / 15,092 ft. It’s a full day of walking with no facilities along the way, so we bring food and water.

Active rest

Today is built for acclimatisation. That doesn’t mean lying still. Walking up to a higher point during the day, then back to the lodge for the night, helps your body adjust to the altitude.

Relax at the lodge

There are very few places in the world where you can sit outside with a book and have Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre as your backdrop. No village, no noise. Just a ridge, a teahouse, and all the time in the world.

Hike to Khayer Lake

At 4,600 m / 15,092 ft, Khayer Lake sits higher than Annapurna Base Camp and is almost always deserted. The lake is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Once a year, during the Janai Purnima festival, pilgrims trek up here to pray and bathe in the glacial water. Next to the lake stands the Khayer Barahi temple. Keep your eyes open for rare birds on the way up.

We leave the ridge and begin the descent. The landscape shifts back to forest and terraced hillsides. Chitre is a quiet village with warm teahouses and the first signs of lower altitude.

A long descent to Tatopani, a village known for its natural hot springs beside the Kali Gandaki river. After days at altitude, the warm water is exactly what the legs need.

We board our vehicle and drive back to Pokhara. The trek is done. 🎉

You walked through the quiet heart of the Annapurna region, stood on one of its finest ridges and earned every step.

Walking & pace

We usually start the day early. Breakfast is at 7 AM, and we leave the lodge around 8. The morning hours are when the air is freshest and the views are at their clearest.

We stop for lunch towards the end of the morning. Lunch is freshly prepared, warm and unhurried. It can take a while for the food to come out, but that is part of the rhythm. You sit down, drink something, rest your legs and refuel for the afternoon.

In the afternoon, we usually walk a little further to reach the lodge for the night. By around five, we sit down for an early dinner. We order breakfast for the next morning at the same time, so it is ready when we are.

Throughout the day there is plenty of time to drink water, reapply sunscreen, take photos and simply look around. The mountains are not in a hurry, and neither are we.

More information

The Khopra Danda Trek takes you through the southern Annapurna region over 10 trekking days. We walk an average of 4 to 5 hours per day on well-maintained mountain trails. The optional hike to Khayer Lake is the longest day at around 8 hours. There are no high passes on this route. One rest day is built into the itinerary at Khopra Danda.

The terrain varies from stone staircases and forest paths in the lower sections to open ridgelines and alpine meadows higher up. No technical sections, no glacier crossings.

Quick facts

Route type: point to point
Starting point: Kande (approx. 1,770 m / 5,807 ft)
Highest point on main route: Khopra Danda (3,660 m / 12,008 ft)
Highest point with Khayer Lake: 4,500 m / 14,763 ft
End point: Tatopani (1,190 m / 3,904 ft)
Number of trekking days: 10
Highlights along the way:
- Landruk, Ghandruk and Gurung culture
- Tadapani ridge
- Khopra Danda viewpoint
- Khayer Lake
- Tatopani hot springs

Practical

Everything you need to know before you go. Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the trek to Khopra Danda. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to reach out.

Once your Khopra Danda Trek is confirmed, you’ll receive all the practical information you need to leave well prepared. This includes visa information, recommended vaccinations and a detailed packing list.

After arriving in Kathmandu, there’s a pre-trip meeting with your guide. We go through the route, the latest weather forecasts and there’s plenty of room for any final questions. We also do a gear check, to make sure you have everything you need for the trip. Missing something, or not sure about your gear? We’ll head out together to sort it. Kathmandu has plenty of good outdoor shops. 😉

The best preparation is simply walking. Preferably several days in a row, with a backpack and elevation gain. In the months before departure, build up to walking days of 5 to 6 hours. Work on your overall fitness with cardio training (running, cycling, swimming) and don’t neglect your legs: squats, lunges and stair training work wonders.

Just as important: break in your hiking boots in time. New boots in Nepal are a guaranteed recipe for blisters. Ideally, start your training 3 to 6 months before departure.

During the trek you sleep in teahouses: simple mountain lodges with firm mattresses, pillows and blankets against the cold, and dal bhat in the shared dining room.

Expect a twin room, a shared bathroom and cold water. A hot shower or wifi is sometimes possible, usually for a small extra fee. Charging your electronics is always possible, sometimes for a small fee. And then there is the warm fire in the dining room, friendly hospitality and views no hotel can match. This is the Himalaya.

PS: even though pillows and blankets are provided, we recommend bringing your own warm sleeping bag. The nights at altitude get cold, and your own bag makes a real difference. After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list that helps you prepare for both the trek and the nights in the lodges.

Yes, always.

The teahouse menu is plant-based by nature and offers plenty of choice. Three warm meals a day are freshly cooked in the teahouse kitchen. Breakfast options include porridge, pancakes, omelette and local bread. For lunch and dinner, expect dal bhat, curry, lentil soup, noodles, dumplings, spring rolls and pasta.

We strongly advise against eating meat on the trail. Ingredients are often carried in on foot and cannot always be kept properly refrigerated. Vegetarian and vegan options are the safer and more reliable choice.

Yes. Our individual trips are custom trips, and hiring a porter is optional and can be added to your booking. Most people travelling as a pair share one porter. The porter carries a maximum of 15 kg (33 lbs) in a duffel bag, which we provide on loan for the duration of the trek.

Hiring a porter is more than a practical choice. It is one of the most direct ways to contribute to the local economy. Portering is an important source of income and often the first step into the tourism sector for young people from mountain communities. It is how most of the guides started out. They learn the trekking routes, work with international travellers, pick up English and other languages, and build the experience needed to become a guide themselves.

If you feel uncertain about hiring a porter, there is no need to. At By Mountain People their work is valued, the pay is fair and the opportunity matters. If you would like to add a porter to your trip or have questions, get in touch and we will put together a proposal.