About the Trip
Adventure on Annapurna Himalaya high ridges to hidden Khair glacial Lake’
Highlights:
- “Adventure on the hidden pockets of Annapurna Himalaya high scenic ridge
- From popular route of Ghorepani and Poon Hill to off the beaten tracks
- Striking sunrise views over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain range
- Walk into lovely woodland lined with rhododendron, magnolia and pines trees
- Journey to remote and isolated holy Lake of Khair in between towering peaks”
Trek Previews:
Accommodation Mode: Hotels in Kathmandu / Pokhara with local lodge on treks
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Mid-West around Annapurna Himalaya region.
Highest altitude: On top Khopra Ridge 3,870 m and 4,620 m at Khair Lake.
Trek duration: 08 nights and 09 days (Pokhara to Pokhara)
Total Trip: 13 nights and 14 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Best Seasons for Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trekking:
Best Seasons for Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trekking:
- From March to May during spring times when days are longer with enough sun-lights, however cooler morning and night time. During spring where hills and valley are alive with wildflowers in bloom with different species of rhododendron flowers from tall trees to bush.
- Next best months from September to November during autumn/fall season, where you can enjoy a clear fine day for excellent views of high snow-capped peaks and pleasant walks.
- Much cold morning and from late afternoon chances of snow sometimes above
- 2, 000 m above, shorter day with sunlight hours.
Introduction:
Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trekking, an adventure around hidden corners southwest of Annapurna Himalaya and quite close to massive Mt. Dhaulagiri Himalaya. The two great Himalaya Mountain ranges, separated by the deep valley of Kaligandaki River a slump of more than 6, 000 meters down, thus making a world deepest gorge sandwiched between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif. Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge area, almost unknown to most travelers around the world the hidden region of Khopra, pioneered in the early 1980’s by some explorer to make it possible for all interested trekkers to visit this remote country. In early days and at present a summer grazing pasture for local cattle herders, which you can witness on this trek with few temporary huts and shades, the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from Khopra ridge is mind-blowing to look at. Located on a higher ridge south of Annapurna Himalaya range just a few days walk from popular Ghorepani and Poon Hill treks, where for someday you will be incomplete mountain wilderness. Starts from lovely Pokhara city with a short drive on the busy trail to Ghorepani village for few days, but wonderful walk with a steep climb to begin and then entering into cool rhododendron and pine forest to reach at Ghorepani. A famous and very popular village among trekkers for short moderate treks where one can catch stunning sunrise views over an array of Himalayan peaks from the scenic viewpoint from Poon Hill. From Ghorepani and Poon Hill enjoying outmost views of surrounding landscapes and high mountain range, where the walk takes you away from mainstream trails to reach much higher at Khopra Ridge.
One of the highest spots of the adventure beside day hike to hidden holy Lake of Khair, tucked in a corner of Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar Himal / Annapurna Fang. Khair Lake an icy glacial lake, where once a year in monsoon time of August great religious festival takes place, thousands of Hindu followers and pilgrims visit for a dip and a bathe in the lake, belief is that it relinquish the sin of a hundred lifetime.
Enjoying grand glorious moments in tranquil surroundings of high snow mountains, return journey downhill back into farm villages, and at large and lovely Ghandruk village for last overnight in the high hills of Annapurna Himalaya.
Where next morning short walk ends with a drive to the beautiful tourist hub of Himalaya at Pokhara for final stop and thus completing our adventure on Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hours journey (30 mins by air)
Day 04: Drive to Nayapul start walk to Tirkhedhunga 1,460 m- 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani 2,880 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Hike to Poon Hill 3,210 and trek to Sauta 2,215 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Chistibung 3, 130 m- 05 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,870 m -04 hrs.
Day 09: Extra day at Khopra Ridge for a hike to Khair Lake at 4,620 m.
Day 10: Trek to Dobato 3,420 m - 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Ghandruk 2,012 m via Tadapani 2,630 m - 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to the road head and drive to Pokhara-04 hrs.
Day 13: Drive / Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 14: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Day to Day Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, received by our staff for a short transfer to your hotels.
Where hotels are located within the hub of Kathmandu around the Thamel area, an exciting and interesting location, on reaching your respective hotel check into your rooms and get refreshed.
Meet a hotel lobby where our guide/leader will brief you with full information on the treks, local cultures, and other necessary details to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable.
The evening group welcomes dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant along with local folk programs to entertain you while enjoying delicious meals.
Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
In Kathmandu for a guided full-day sightseeing tour around interesting old monuments world heritage sites.
Where tour takes you to visit old Durbar Square (palace courtyard), ancient Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, and world largest dome/stupa of Bouddhanath with Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.
After an enjoyable and fascinating tour back to the hotel with time for trek preparation for next morning departure for Pokhara.
Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hours journey (30 mins by air)
Morning as a given time for departure for Pokhara and as the size of a group board in a private car, coach, bus, or taking tourist bus to reach scenic Pokhara city.
Drive of 5-6 hours journey on 220 k.m road distance an interesting overland on the main country highway as ride lead past many farm villages and towns to reach Pokhara and then transfer to respective hotel.
Where most of nice hotels are situated by Phewa Lakeside with excellent views of Annapurna with Machhapuchare Himal the Fish Tail peak.
Pokhara a leading touristic city blessed with natural beauty of high snow mountains of Annapurna and Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ peak that reflects on the lakes of Phewa and Begnas.
(By air from Kathmandu of 30 minutes flight to land at Pokhara airport)
Drive to Nayapul start walk to Tirkhedhunga 1,460 m- 05 hrs.
Enjoy short morning drive after breakfast in the hotel that leads you beyond Pokhara valley with grand views of Annapurna, Manaslu, and Machhapuchare Fish Tail peaks.
As the drive continues for few hours reaching at Nayapul (42 km from Pokhara) where our trek begins towards Bhirethati, a lovely looking village, as walk follows Modi River past Bhirethati with scenic views of beautiful waterfalls as climb heads to Hille farm village then end the day walks at Tirkhedhunga for overnight stop a place with beautiful waterfalls.
Trek to Ghorepani 2,880 m-06 hrs.
Early morning climb from Tirkhedhunga to reach our main highlight destination at Ghorepani, where morning takes you across a bridge with a steep climb on stone steps about 3,300 of them!
Then reach on top of Ulleri village located above 2, 080 m high populated by Magar hill tribe, and then on a nice pleasant winding path to Bhanthati with views of Machhapuchare and Annapurna South.
From here enter into the cool shade of mixed rain forest as the walk continues reaching at Ghorepani located in the middle of alpine forest lines with tall rhododendron, magnolia, oaks, pines, and firs trees.
Ghorepani for overnight stop at 2,880 m high offers grand views of Mt. Dhaulagiri 8, 167 m, with Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Huin-Chuli peaks.
With time to explore this nice hill village populated by Poon- Magar tribe which is at the base of scenic high Poon Hill.
Hike to Poon Hill 3,210 trek to Sauta village 2, 215 m - 05 hrs.
Rise early morning for a hike up to Poon Hill at 3, 210 m high, rewards you with a stunning sunrise over the uninterrupted Himalayan mountain range that includes Annapurna, Dhaulagiri gleams with yellow and orange color with the first touch of sunrise.
From Poon Hill along with sunrise enjoy the fantastic panorama of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8, 167 m), Tukuche Peak (6, 920 m), Nilgiri (6,940 m), Vara-Shikar / Annapurna Fang (7,847 m) with high Mt. Annapurna -I (8,091 m), includes Annapurna South (7,219 m), Annapurna- III (7,855 m), Machhapuchare Peak (6,993 m), extends further east to Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m) with Lamjung Himal (6,931 m) and Manaslu Himal (8,163 m).
Having breakfast, continue the trek with an hour descend into a forest of rhododendron and pines facing views of snow-mountain range to reach at Chitre village, from here our route diverts from mainstream trekking trails towards Khopra hills.
As walk follows down to a stream with a short climb to Sauta village, a large farm village populated by Poon Magar with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.
Trek to Chistibung 3,130 m -05 hrs.
From here on hidden and off the beaten tracks, after leaving farm villages as walk leads into rhododendron, pines and bamboo forest, following cattle herders tracks with an uphill climb to reach a small temporary settlement at Chistibung for overnight stop.
Chistibung a small farm area, with some small tea-shops and huts serves as lodge for trekker’s, located amidst lovely forest surroundings.
Trek to Khopra Ridge 3,870 m -04 hrs.
After Chistibung climb into dense vegetation and then tree-lines disappears from here onwards for few days to reach our highlight destination at Khopra Ridge and Khair Lake.
As climb progress reach on top Khopra ridge, a scenic spot facing close views of Annapurna South, Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang), with Dhaulagiri Himalaya in the north-west.
Extra day at Khopra Ridge for the hike to Khair Lake at 4,620 m.
Extra day at Khopra for excursion to Khair Lake, our main last highlight of the adventure, located at 4,620 meters high a long day hike.
Khair Lake, regarded as a holy pond fed from the glacier of Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar peak or Annapurna Fang, the area around also called Pautarko Khair, once a year in the wet month of August a religious festival takes place called 'Badau Purnima'.
Hundreds of pilgrims visit here for holy bathe and dip in the sacred pond and offer prayers to Lord Shiva, as well as sacrifice sheep and goats.
Enjoying the tranquil surrounding with exceptional views, then back to Khopra Ridge for last overnight on the highest spot of this adventure.
Trek to Dobato 3,420 m - 05 hrs.
After completing major highlights to holy Khair Lake, return journey from Khopra Ridge, as morning starts with slow descend to reach the eastern side of the high Khopra ridge, around summer grazing area and then back to tall rhododendron and pine tree lines.
Few short climb to a small notch that takes to Dobato for overnight stop, on a small clearing facing views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machhapuchare Himal / Fish-Tail peaks.
Trek to Ghandruk village 2,012 m - 04 hrs.
From Dobato, morning walk downhill to reach the main trail of Ghandruk and Ghorepani at a small settlement in Tadapani enjoy views of Annapurna South with Machhapuchare Himal, walk continue to descend towards the large village at Ghandruk for overnight stop.
Ghandruk one of the main village around the Annapurna region, populated by Gurung the indigenous hill tribe of Annapurna Himalaya, afternoon short tour around this lovely village with a visit of small Gurung museum to learn more about local culture.
Trek to the road head and drive to Pokhara-05 hrs.
Last day of the adventure a short final trek to end walks reaching on a road-head at Kimche or further down at low warm farm areas, where short exciting drive takes you back at beautiful Pokhara, after a most enjoyable and scenic time on high hills of Annapurna Himalaya.
Drive / Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
After a pleasant stop in beautiful Pokhara with fabulous views of Annapurna Himalaya, then having hearty early breakfast travel by overland on the same scenic and interesting highway past farm villages and towns.
As the ride continues following Trisuli River for some time and then on winding uphill to reach into Kathmandu valley, and back into hustle and bustle city life after checking into your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping.
Evening enjoy last day farewell group dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurants with folk programs from various parts of Nepal to entertain you.
(By air from Pokhara to Kathmandu of 30 minutes scenic flight)
Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Khair Lake and Khopra Ridge Trekking.
