Khayar Lake Trekking (Khopra Danda / Rhododendron Trek) in Annapurna

Trip Information

Adventure Pilgrims Trekking takes you to remote and less trekkers trails which you will be looking over villages,off the beaten path, mountain and lakes, rivers and Kali Gandaki Gorge. This spectacular adventure treks through the Annapurna Trek foothills to the wild and remote Khopra Ridge – one of the best vantage points in the Himalaya. We stay in lodges, local community whose profits benefit local schools and village projects. From Lumle we ascend terraced hillsides to Upper Ghandruk Trek, enjoying fine views of the Annapurna mountains. The itinerary offers the best of the best trails in the Annapurna with Rhododendrons.

At Tadapani we leave the popular main trail and for the next week head through remote alpine terrain to Bayeli, before ascending to Khopra. Here we view the lofty peaks of Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Fang and Annapurna South. Dhaulagiri dominates the western skyline across the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Ghandaki. Our return route descends through open alpine pastures, oak forest and rhododendrons to Swanta. We rejoin the main trail to unwind beside Lake Phewa in lovely Pokhara Tour, One can encounter with Yetis foot print if you are Lucky !!

Day 1 : - Pick upfrom Airport and departure to Hotel
Arrival in Kathmandu and you will be met at the airport by our representative of Adventure Pilgrims Trekking outside the terminal and transfer to Hotel by private car. Welcome drink and after you settle into the hotel there will be a group briefing with your tour leader. He will discuss the trek details and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 : - Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (850m.) which takes about six hours
You depart for six hours drive to Pokhara (850m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marshyangdi River You follow the Marshyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 3 : - Drive to Pokhara Nayapul and to ghandruk
After breakfast drive 2 hours driving by car and Five hours walking) and then walk to Ghandruk (1700m) Explore rest of the day in Ghandruk Gurung Village and over night at lodge.

Day 4 : - Ghandruk – Tadapani (2675m.)
Start your day with a slow Ascending towards tadapani through bheri khara where you could see many birds floura and funa and a pleasant greenery a nice and pleasant hike with a view of mt.fishtail and Annapurna range stay over night 

Day 5 : - Tadapani – Dobato(3350m)
Your walk starts through the big dark and wet rendondorn forest with insights of many flours , fun and beautiful landscape while going to leave mt. fishtail after 3 hour we reach masher (2969 m) / tea breake and continue to is hair (3137m) for lunch and 1 hour and half takes as to dobato (3426m). Where we have splendid view of greenery and mountain stay in lodge .

Day 6 : - Dobato – Shistibumg(3450)
Early morning walk for 30 – 40 minutes for best sunrise view with mountains where you see Lamjung , Annapurna , Dhaulagiri , Manaslu to range with many many famous peaks descent to dobato and head to shistibung through Bayeri may stop for tea or lunch / and three more hour to shistibung camp stay in community lodge. 

Day 7 : - shistibung – Kopra Ridge (3860m)
A tough walk for 3 hour will take as to the top of ridge Khopra Dada from where we can see 240 mountain view and rest valleys and gorge at attitude of 4000m nay the sunset on lacy mountain.

Day 8 : -  Hike to Khayer Lake
The walk is magnificent with ascending 400m to the high lake Khayer lake which lies at bottom of Brahashikhar a beautiful mountain shape of boar (this place was one in habited by lord bishun to medicate in form of boar , Devocate to lard for your wish most of the people say their wish are fulfilled if we ask with pure soul enjoy your packed lunch and back to lodge.

Day 9 : - Kopra – Swanta (2200m)
The percent through Khopra to shistibung and dawn to river and a bit ascent through beautiful forest with river sound will make your adventure very memorable, We will enjoy swanta as it is a bigger settlement with school, monasteries / stay in lodge.

Day 10 : - Swanta – Ghorepani (2820m)
A descent for an hour and ascent for 3 hour takes you to Ghorepani which place is very famous and most visited trekking route for travelers. Enjoy the bar, Pool , Beautiful mountain view, Culture and Nature stay at lodge or nice Hotel.

Day 11 : - Ghorepani – Tikhedhunga(1640m)/hile (1590m)
We descend all the way through Rhodendurn forest and pass through olleri a magar ethnic group inheriting this place. We can see tadapani from olleri. Percent all the way to thikhedhunga camp or keep going for hile. 

Day 12 : - Tikhedhunga – Pokhara (850m)
Hike for 4 hour through terrace fields and scattered settlement and by river side to Nayapul the place we started our trek on first day. Car pick up as to Pokhara.takes around two and half hour 

Day 13 : - Pokhara – Kathmandu
While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En- route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green Sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. 

Day 14 : - Farewell
According to your flight time one of our staff will check you out of hotel and drop to international airport for your flight to sweet home. 
NOTE :: We can make this trek longer or shorter depending on your trekking adventure plans from 7 days to 28 days mixing the abc khopra ghorepani and circuit

Trip Itinerary 2

Day 1 : Kathmandu
On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met at the airport by our representative who will be waiting you’re your name outside the terminal ant transfer to hotel. After you settle into the hotel there’ll be a group briefing with your Tour guide and manager in the late afternoon. He will discuss the trek details and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements.

Day 2 : Kathmandu
This morning we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour which includes: Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa; we also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. 

The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your Trek Pack and departure information for the next morning. Breakfast

Day 3 : Flight to Pokhara and drive to Ghandruk
We have an early departure from the hotel for our flight or drive to Pokhara which usually offers spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north. In Pokhara we are transferred by road  to the starting point of the trek at Ghandruk. Ghandruk is one of the biggest Gurung villages in the area and one can see the difference in the lifestyle of the Gurungs to that of their neighbours in the lower areas. Ghandruk is well known for the number of its menfolk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments.

From our lodge at Old Ghandruk, we have spectacular views of Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Machapuchhare (6993m) and Hiunchuli (6434m). Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 4 : Tadapani

Another day ascending, but an easier walk now that we have found our trekking legs! Leaving the terraced hillsides and the village of Ghandruk behind we enter oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk, the forest often alive with the sound of birds, the small tumbling waterfalls and if you visit in spring, (late March to April) the rhododendron in full bloom.

There are no villages on today’s route, but there are a few Tea house at Baisi Kharkha providing welcome drinks and a place to rest. There are fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) along the way. Our lodge at Tadapani is the perfect setting for sunset and sunrise views. Breakfast / lunch and dinner.

Day 5 : Bheri Kharka Muldai View
We leave the main trail that leads to Ghorepani and follow a rarely used trail initially through a thick rhododendron forest that leads to local water buffalo pastures. The climb is gradual and we soon emerge above the tree line to superb views of the Annapurna range. 

We take lunch by a small stream and then continue to climb gradually though open countryside to reach a small pass, where our trail descends through rhododendron to an open clearing known as Bheri Kharka and our lodge.

From the lodge there are great views of Dhaulagiri Himal with the best sunrise view for the Annapurna Region.
Breakfast / lunch and dinner.

Day 6 : Upper Chistibung 
This morning we descend through open ground and forest to reach the pastures of Lower Chistibung, where we have lunch. After lunch we continue to walk through forest, ascending gradually and passing through several buffalo grazing pastures to reach a clearing and temporary herder’s settlement at Upper Chistibung, where we stay in the small community lodge.

For the next week we will stay in lodges run by the local communities. Being off the beaten track the villages have previously not enjoyed the benefits of tourism. Now with the network of our Community Lodges, profits are going to benefit local projects and schools. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 7 : Kopra Ridge
To reach the ridge at Kopra we have a steady climb that takes us above the tree line. This area is noted for wildlife and we should keep our eyes open for Himalayan Tahr and Danfe pheasant. The best way to tackle the climb is to ascend steadily, take our time and rest as often as we wish.

We reach our lodge on Kopra Ridge in time for lunch and we will be greeted more fantastic views. This extraordinary panorama includes Annapurna South, towering directly above and only six kilometres away, and Fang and Nilgiri prominent to the north, whilst across the depths of the Kali Gandakhi Valley, the Dhaulagiri Himal dominates the entire western skyline.

The Kopra Community Lodge is the highlight of our work in the region. Profits from this lodge have contributed to the secondary school at Nangi, which we visit in a few days time. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 8 :  Hike to Khayer Lake
The walk is magnificent with ascending 400m to the high lake Khayer lake which lies at bottom of Brahashikhar a beautiful mountain shape of boar (this place was one in habited by lord bishun to medicate in form of boar , Devocate to lard for your wish most of the people say their wish are fulfilled if we ask with pure soul enjoy your packed lunch and back to lodge.

Day 9:Swanta
From Kopra Ridge we descend off the hillside and continue steeply downhill. We retrace our route back to Chistibung. We then head to the village of Swanta, where we overnight in the newly constructed lodge. We have supported the local school over the years, and there is time to pay a quick visit, and perhaps interact with the kids. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 10: Ulleri

From Swanta we descend through the village fields to a small river and take a quick look at the local water mill. From here we cross the suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where we join the main trekking trail.

There is a further ascent to reach the village of Ghorepani where there are great views of the Dhaulagiri massif and a well earned rest. For the rest of the day it is all downhill. The walk passes through beautiful rhododendron forest and we will have lunch at the village of Nangethanti. In the afternoon we continue to trek through the forest and for those trekking in late March or April the rhododendron should be in full bloom. We arrive at Ulleri in the mid afternoon with plenty of time to explore this picturesque village. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 11 : Pokhara 
Another early start to make the most of the day. From our lodge at Ulleri there is a very steep descent of over 500 metres on a stone staircase to the Bhurungdi Khola River where we cross a small suspension bridge to reach the village of Tirkedunga.

After giving the knees some time to recover, we continue on a more gentle descent to the village of Birethanti, on the banks of the Modi Khola. Here we have lunch and then cross the new bridge to the east bank, before following the river back to our pick-up point at Naya Phul.

After saying farewell to our porters we are transferred by coach back to Pokhara. We stay at the Hotel Barahi, which is located close to the lakeside. This hotel has a swimming pool, so you may wish to bring your swimming costume. After a welcomed shower, we have the rest of the day free to relax or do some exploring. It is well certainly worthwhile hiring a boat for a row out on the lake (Phewa Tal), which is the second largest in Nepal.

Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. The lakeside area has good shopping opportunities and internet cafes. In the evening there is the option to dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants (cost not included). Breakfast/ lunch and dinner.

Day 12: Pokhara 
We have allocated a further day in the peaceful surroundings of Pokhara. Your leader can advise you of sightseeing opportunities or you may just wish to relax and laze around the hotel swimming pool. Pokhara has an interesting old area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. There are various small museums scattered around town including the International Mountain Museum, which is well worth a visit. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner. Breakfast

Day 13 : Kathmandu
After breakfast we have the morning free in Pokhara to relax or do some more sightseeing. Fly back to Kathmandu and enjoy a free afternoon to shop for souvenirs or see some more sights. Patan which is located in the south of the city is also worth a visit with its own Durbar Square full of historic structures and statues of past kings. Our final night in Kathmandu gives us a chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with our travelling companions and new-found friends. Breakfast/ lunch and dinner. Breakfast

Day 14 : Kathmandu 
Our trip ends today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is not included and Kathmandu has so much to offer, so we recommend that you consider booking pre-tour or post-tour accommodation and a departure transfer before you commence your travels. This trek can be busy some time in lodge because there are not sufficient lodges so we also recommend to you take your tent or our tent for sleeping eating will be in lodge for sleeping will being tent some places.

Included in the Cost