Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trek is a delightful and the most acceptable journey in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trip offers marvelous Annapurna Himalayas peak, diverse landscapes, and diverse unique culture too. Besides, you will have a great opportunity to discover the world’s 7th and 10th tallest peaks with thrilling western Himalayas. Likewise, Khair Lake a glacial pond fed from the glaciers of Annapurna South and VaraShikar / Annapurna Fang is regarded as a holy site. It’s once a year in the month at the end of July or August as per the Hindu lunar calendar during the full moon a religious festival held.
Where thousands of local devotees and pilgrims from all over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri region pay homage to the sacred pond of Khair for a holy dip, the belief it washes the sin of a hundred lifetimes. Furthermore, Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trek is an adventurous journey that leads you far and away from the popular and mainstream trail for a few days in the harmony of mountain wilderness within tranquil surroundings.
As well as a real journey begins from Nayapul/Birethati and its major gateway to Khopara Lake Trek. Moreover, you can go through the Ghorepani or Tadapani and there are some separate trails to reach there. Although most travelers visit Poon Hill and then head to Khopra Valley.
Obviously highly recommend visiting the stunning Poon Hill viewpoint and probably its most preferred vantage point in the Annapurna region. As well as from Poon Hill able to the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hicuhuli, Machhapuchhre, and spectacular sunrise view too. Khopra Ridge will be the highest overnight stop of the adventure at the height of 3,870 m or 12, 697 feet high located high above Ghorepani and Kaligandaki River valley. It lies in between the towering Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya range.
At Khopra spend two overnights with a free day for a hike and excursion to our main destination. Besides Khair Lake Trek takes you a maximum height of 4,620 m and it has surrounded by the towering VaraShikar / Annapurna Himalayas. Enjoy the pristine environment standing close to the serene glacial holy Khair Lake in between a giant mountain range, and then back to Khopra for an onward journey to Pokhara. Return trek downhill and then join on the main trail to the large and lovely Gurung village at Ghandruk.
After the last overnight in Ghandruk short last walk with a few hour drive to reach at Pokhara by the beautiful Phewa Lake, where our great wonderful adventure Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trek concludes.
Mode of Accommodation: Hotel in Pokhara with a local lodge on treks.
Grade of Trekking: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest altitude gain: At Khopra Ridge 3,870 m and Khair Lake 4,620 m.
Walking duration: Minimum 4 hours to a maximum of 6 hours.
Trekking duration: 08 Nights and 09 Days with drive and walks.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: From Pokhara drive to Nayapul and further to Bhirethati 1,100 m and walk to Tirkhedhunga village 1,445 m- 04 hours walk and 2-hour drive.
Day 02: Trek to Ghorepani village 2,885 m – 06 hrs.
Day 03: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Sauta 2,210 m – 05 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Chistibung 3, 130 m- 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,870 m -04 hrs.
Day 06: Free day at Khopra Ridge for an optional hike to Khair Lake at 4,620 m.
Day 07: Trek to Dobato 3,420 m – 05 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Ghandruk 1,930 m via Tadapani – 06 hrs.
Day 09: Short walk and drive to Pokhara and transfer to hotel – 05 hrs.
Day 01: From Pokhara drive to Nayapul and further to Bhirethati 1,100 m and walk to Tirkhedhunga village 1,445 m- 04 hours walks and 2-hour drive.
The morning starts after getting organized for Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge trek, having breakfast where a few hour drives reaches you at Nayapul and Bhirethati villages. Start the trek heading through several farm villages with views of water-fall to reach at Tirkhedhunga village for an overnight stop.
Day 02: Trek to Ghorepani village 2,885 m – 06 hrs.
Enjoy breakfast and begin a second-day walk to reach Ghorepani village, starts with a steep climb for few hours to reach above Ulleri village. From here on gradual path into lovely cool forest of rhododendron and pines. Then reach at nice village of Poon the Magar tribe the native of Ghorepani and Western Himalaya hills, located within beautiful rhododendron and pine forest offers grand views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. Overnight in one of its cozy lodge with the warm hospitality of local villagers with time for a stroll around Ghorepani village which is at the base of famous Poon Hill.
Day 03: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Sauta 2,210 m – 05 hrs.
Early morning before breakfast hike for an hour up towards scenic Poon Hill for a stunning sunrise over wide panorama of the Himalayan mountain range, after a glorious moment facing mind-blowing sunrise and views.
Down to Ghorepani for breakfast, and then on the road where our route takes you away and off the main popular trekking route, as the walk takes you to remote and isolated farm village at Sauta for an overnight stop.
Day 04: Trek to Chistibung 3, 130 m- 05 hrs.
Morning on leaving the last farm village, where walk heads on a pleasant forest path and then climb towards the nice meadow and Kharka (cattle herders temporary huts and shades). Finally reaching our overnight halt at a lonely spot amid alpine forest at Chistibung, a temporary cattle herders place with few huts and simple lodge for travelers comfort.
Day 05: Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,870 m -04 hrs.
A short walk today, morning leads to a short climb to reach a small wide-field within forest surroundings, chances of spotting some mountain wild-life like herds of Himalayan Thar, mountain goats, and colorful Danfe pheasant (national bird of Nepal). From this lovely spot, climb leads you for an hour where tree lines disappear for short prickly wild bushes as walk reaches you on top of Khopra Ridge for lunch and overnight stop.
Day 06: Free day at Khopra Ridge for an optional hike to Khair Lake at 4,620 m.
Enjoy the morning views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Fang / VaraShikar peaks at close distance with Annapurna South, today an early start for a scenic hike to reach our main destination and the highlight of the adventure at Khair Lake.
The walk can be quite tough in snow condition sometimes, but the path is well defined although narrow with steep ups for a short while as you reach the target at holy Khair Lake. Marvelous scenery awaits you with a serene calm glacial lake surrounded by series of high peaks within a tranquil environment, enjoying time here retrace the journey back to Khopra ridge for last overnight on high and hidden areas of Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 07: Trek to Dobato 3,420 m – 05 hrs.
From here onward on the trail back to Pokhara as the walk takes you to more Downhill within the scenic surroundings and then into tree lines on reaching at the overnight stop in a remote and isolated place at Dobato.
Day 08: Trek to Ghandruk 1,930 m via Tadapani – 06 hrs.
Today walk takes you back on the mainstream trail and into major villages of Annapurna Himalaya, morning on the downhill to Tadapani a small settlement with many good lodges, located on route Ghorepani and Ghandruk villages.
From here into lovely woodland with long descend to reach at large Gurung
village in Ghandruk populated by the Gurung the main hill tribes of Annapurna
region.
Day 09: Short walk and drive to Pokhara and transfer to hotel – 05 hrs.
Enjoying pleasant overnight stop at Ghandruk, with last morning walk of the adventure as route heads downhill to reach a road-head, a few hour drives
brings you back at beautiful Pokhara by the side of Phewa Lake, where all hotels are located. A wonderful place to conclude our overwhelming adventure on Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trek.