Trekking · Nepal
The Khopra Danda Trek
An off-the-beaten-path 7-day community-lodge trek to Khopra Ridge (3,660 m) with optional Khayer Lake, near Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri.
The Khopra Danda trek, also called the Khopra Ridge trek, is the Annapurna region's quiet alternative: an off-the-beaten-path 7-day route to a 3,660 m ridge with a head-on view of Annapurna South, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. Run on a community-lodge model, it offers solitude, big mountains and a more local experience than the busier trails out of Pokhara.
Overview and highlights
The trek climbs through Gurung and Magar villages and forest to the open Khopra Ridge, where the community lodge faces a wall of high peaks across the Kali Gandaki. Highlights are the sweeping Dhaulagiri panorama, the peaceful trails that see a fraction of the foot traffic of Poon Hill, and the optional day hike to the sacred Khayer Lake at around 4,500 metres. It shares lower trail sections with the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, so the two are often combined into a longer loop.
Itinerary
A typical 7-day plan from Pokhara:
| Day | Stage | Approx. altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive to Nayapul/Kimche, trek to Ghandruk | 1,940 m |
| 2 | Ghandruk to Tadapani | 2,630 m |
| 3 | Tadapani to Bayeli/Dobato | 3,420 m |
| 4 | Trek to Khopra Ridge (3,660 m) | 3,660 m |
| 5 | Optional day hike to Khayer Lake (4,500 m) | 4,500 m |
| 6 | Descend to Swanta/Chitre | 2,390 m |
| 7 | Trek to Ghorepani area, drive back to Pokhara | 820 m |
Skip day five if you do not want the high lake side trip.
Difficulty and fitness
This is a moderate trek. The trails are quieter and steeper in sections than the main routes, with steady climbs to the ridge, but Khopra itself stays below 3,700 metres, so altitude is manageable. The optional Khayer Lake day to around 4,500 metres is considerably harder and higher, so treat it as a serious add-on and read our guide to altitude sickness. A good level of hiking fitness is enough for the main route.
Best time
Autumn (October–November) gives the sharpest views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South from the ridge. Spring (March–May) adds rhododendron colour in the forest below. Winter is doable but cold, with snow likely on the higher trail and at Khayer Lake.
Permits and cost
You need the ACAP permit (around USD 25) and a TIMS card (around USD 17–20); see trekking permits in Nepal. On-trail costs run about USD 25–35 a day, so a 7-day trek totals roughly USD 175–250 plus permits, a guide and transport — and your spending in the community lodges stays in the villages.
Accommodation
The defining feature is the network of community-owned lodges, where villages share the income from trekkers. They are simpler than lodges on the main routes, particularly at Khopra Ridge itself, and meals and beds are basic but welcoming. Bring a warm sleeping bag for the higher, exposed nights.
Getting there
The trek is staged from Pokhara. A short drive reaches the Nayapul or Kimche trailhead near Ghandruk, and you finish with a drive back from the Ghorepani side. For kit and acclimatisation advice, see our Nepal trekking guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Khopra Danda trek?+
Most itineraries run about 7 days from Pokhara, including the climb to Khopra Ridge and the descent. Adding the optional day hike to Khayer Lake extends it to 8 or 9 days, since the lake is a long, high out-and-back from the ridge.
How high is Khopra Ridge?+
Khopra Danda (Khopra Ridge) sits at about 3,660 metres. The community lodge on the ridge looks straight across at Annapurna South, Nilgiri and the Dhaulagiri massif, making it one of the finest viewpoints in the region.
Is the Khopra Danda trek difficult?+
It is moderate. The trails are quieter and steeper in places than the main routes, with steady climbs to the ridge. Khopra itself is below 3,700 metres, so altitude is manageable, but the optional Khayer Lake side trip climbs to around 4,500 metres and is much harder.
What is special about the community lodges on this trek?+
The Khopra route is run on a community-lodge model, where villages collectively own and manage the trailside lodges and share the income. Staying in them supports local livelihoods directly, which is part of why the trek appeals to responsible travellers.
What permits do I need for the Khopra Danda trek?+
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, around USD 25, plus a TIMS card, around USD 17 to 20. Both are easy to arrange in Pokhara, and a licensed guide is required for the route.
When is the best time for the Khopra Danda trek?+
Autumn (October to November) gives the clearest views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South from the ridge, and spring (March to May) adds rhododendron blooms lower down. Winter is possible but cold, with snow on the higher sections.
