- Length
- 6 days
- Highest point
- 3,660 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Starts
- Nayapul (drive from Pokhara)
- Group size
- 2–10 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Community Lodge
A hidden Annapurna gem — Khopra Danda ridge rewards 6 days of walking through rhododendron forests and traditional Gurung villages with arguably the finest unobstructed Dhaulagiri and Annapurna panorama in Nepal, well off the main Poon Hill circuit.
- Khopra Danda (3,660 m): more intimate Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South views than the famous Poon Hill
- Khayar Lake (4,559 m): a glacial sacred lake ringed by prayer flags just below the snowline
- One of Nepal's best-kept secrets — a community lodge trail that opened to trekkers only in 2010
- Rhododendron forest in full bloom March–May; clear windows above 4,000 m into November
- Small community-run lodges at Khopra and Bayeli put tourism money directly into local households
- Far quieter than Poon Hill even in peak season — some days you'll have the ridge entirely to yourself
- Connects easily with Ghorepani for a combined Poon Hill + Khopra Ridge loop
The climb, day by day
Day 1Drive Pokhara → Nayapul · Trek to Ghorepani (2,860 m)2,860 m
Drive to Nayapul trailhead, then trek through Modi Khola valley past Hile and Ulleri to Ghorepani ridge.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Poon Hill Sunrise → Trek to Swanta (2,200 m)2,200 m
Pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for panoramic Annapurna views. Descend south along the Khopra ridge trail to Swanta village.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Swanta → Dobato (3,530 m)3,530 m
Climb steeply out of the Modi Khola watershed onto the high Dobato ridge with sweeping views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Dobato → Khopra Danda (3,660 m)3,660 m
Short trek to Khopra Danda community lodge at 3,660 m — a superb vantage point for Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Nilgiri in perfect morning light.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 2–3 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Khopra → Chitre → Tatopani (1,190 m)1,190 m
Long descent via Chitre through rhododendron and oak forest all the way down to the hot springs resort town of Tatopani on the Kali Gandaki river.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Tatopani → Beni → Drive Pokhara820 m
Short morning walk to Beni (830 m), then vehicle transfer back to Pokhara. Hot springs soak optional before departure.
- Distance
- 8 km + drive
- Walking
- 2–3 hours + drive
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Pokhara–Nayapul private jeep (both ways)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The Khopra Danda Ridge Trek is the Annapurna region's best-kept secret — a 6-day community lodge route that opened in 2010 and delivers more intimate Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South views than the famous Poon Hill, with far fewer trekkers. Khopra Danda (3,660 m) is a high grassy ridge with 270-degree Himalayan panoramas; Khayar Lake (4,559 m) above is a glacial sacred lake ringed by prayer flags at the edge of the snowline.
The small community-run lodges at Khopra and Bayeli were built specifically to direct tourism income into villages that previously received none. The trail connects easily with Ghorepani for a combined Poon Hill and Khopra Ridge circuit, and during peak season (October–November) it is common to have the Khopra ridge entirely to oneself while Poon Hill is crowded. Rhododendron forest at peak bloom from March to May is spectacular on the approach trail.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Start: Pokhara (private jeep to Nayapul). Max altitude: Khayar Lake 4,559 m.