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Khopra Ridge Trek Itinerary

A quiet ridge walk with big views of Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri, and an optional high lake. A 11-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

11 days

8 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

4,660 m

Khayer Lake (optional hike)

Difficulty

Moderate

Annapurna

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startMuldai Viewpoint: about 3,637 mKhayer Lake: about 4,660 mPoon Hill: about 3,210 mDay 1: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 2: Ghandruk, about 1,940 mDay 3: Tadapani, about 2,610 mDay 4: Dobato, about 3,350 mDay 5: Upper Chistibung, about 3,030 mDay 6: Khopra Ridge, about 3,660 mDay 7: Khopra Ridge, about 3,660 mDay 8: Swanta, about 2,200 mDay 9: Ghorepani, about 2,860 mDay 10: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 11: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567891011Day

2 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Pokhara is the lakeside gateway to the Annapurna region. Flights are weather dependent in the morning, so book a flexible ticket. Spend the evening sorting gear and checking your permits.

  2. Day 2

    Pokhara to Nayapul to Ghandruk

    Sleep: Ghandruk · about 1,940 m (sources: 1,940 to 1,980 m)Walking 5 to 6 hDrive Pokhara to Nayapul, about 1 to 1.5 h

    Walk up the valley to the large Gurung village of Ghandruk.

  3. Day 3

    Ghandruk to Tadapani

    Sleep: Tadapani · about 2,610 m (sources: 2,590 to 2,700 m)Walking 4 to 5 h

    Climb through rhododendron forest to Tadapani.

  4. Day 4

    Tadapani to Dobato

    Sleep: Dobato · about 3,350 mWalking 4 to 5 hSleeping altitude +740 m

    Climb onto the ridge, with views as the forest thins.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 740 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  5. Day 5

    Dobato to Upper Chistibung

    Sleep: Upper Chistibung · about 3,030 m (sources: 2,950 to 3,030 m)Walking 4 to 5 hReach Muldai Viewpoint · about 3,637 m

    A sunrise walk to Muldai Viewpoint (about 3,640 m), then a descent via Bayeli Kharka to Upper Chistibung.

  6. Day 6

    Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge

    Sleep: Khopra Ridge · about 3,660 m (sources: 3,600 to 3,660 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +630 m

    A short but steep day to the ridge. Sources give Khopra between 3,600 and 3,660 m.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 630 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  7. Day 7 · rest day

    Khayer Lake day trip, or rest at Khopra Ridge

    Sleep: Khopra Ridge · about 3,660 m (sources: 3,600 to 3,660 m)Walking 8 to 10 hReach Khayer Lake · about 4,660 m (sources: 4,500 to 4,660 m)

    The optional hike to Khayer Lake (about 4,660 m, sources 4,500 to 4,660 m) is long and hard, 8 to 10 hours round trip. Take a rest day instead if you are tired or the weather is poor.

  8. Day 8

    Khopra Ridge to Swanta

    Sleep: Swanta · about 2,200 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    A long descent to the village of Swanta.

  9. Day 9

    Swanta to Ghorepani

    Sleep: Ghorepani · about 2,860 m (sources: 2,855 to 2,870 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Climb back up to Ghorepani, the base for Poon Hill.

  10. Day 10

    Poon Hill sunrise to Tikhedhunga to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 mWalking 5 to 7 hVehicle from Nayapul to Pokhara, about 1 to 1.5 hReach Poon Hill · about 3,210 m (sources: 3,193 to 3,232 m)

    Sunrise at Poon Hill, then down the Ulleri steps to Tikhedhunga and Nayapul, and a vehicle to Pokhara.

  11. Day 11

    Pokhara to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Return to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day before an international flight in case of delays.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Khopra Ridge Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Khopra Ridge (also called Khopra Danda) trek leaves the busy Poon Hill and Ghandruk trails and climbs along a high ridge to a community-run lodge at about 3,660 m, with close views of Annapurna South, Fang and Dhaulagiri. An optional hard day trip goes to Khayer Lake at about 4,660 m.

The trail passes Tadapani, Dobato and Upper Chistibung, then comes down through Swanta and Ghorepani. Lodges are simple, and the Khayer Lake hike is long at 8 to 10 hours, so keep it optional.

Day-by-day itinerary (11 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.
  2. Day 2: Pokhara to Nayapul to Ghandruk. Sleep at Ghandruk (about 1,940 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h. Drive Pokhara to Nayapul, about 1 to 1.5 h.
  3. Day 3: Ghandruk to Tadapani. Sleep at Tadapani (about 2,610 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  4. Day 4: Tadapani to Dobato. Sleep at Dobato (about 3,350 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  5. Day 5: Dobato to Upper Chistibung. Sleep at Upper Chistibung (about 3,030 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h. Reach Muldai Viewpoint (about 3,637 m).
  6. Day 6: Upper Chistibung to Khopra Ridge. Sleep at Khopra Ridge (about 3,660 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  7. Day 7: Khayer Lake day trip, or rest at Khopra Ridge. Sleep at Khopra Ridge (about 3,660 m). Walking about 8 to 10 h. Reach Khayer Lake (about 4,660 m).
  8. Day 8: Khopra Ridge to Swanta. Sleep at Swanta (about 2,200 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  9. Day 9: Swanta to Ghorepani. Sleep at Ghorepani (about 2,860 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  10. Day 10: Poon Hill sunrise to Tikhedhunga to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h. Vehicle from Nayapul to Pokhara, about 1 to 1.5 h. Reach Poon Hill (about 3,210 m).
  11. Day 11: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Khopra Ridge Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 11 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 8 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Khopra Ridge Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Khayer Lake (optional hike), at about 4,660 m.

What is the best time for the Khopra Ridge Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Khopra Ridge Trek?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How high is Khopra Ridge?

About 3,660 m, although some sources give 3,600 m. The optional Khayer Lake is about 4,660 m and a long day trip.

Is the Khopra Ridge trek quiet?

Yes, compared with the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp routes. Lodges on the ridge are simple, and the trail is steep in places.