Khopra Ridge, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek are one of the newest trekking trails, which was introduced in the Annapurna region as a community trek to help raise the economic standard of the villages lying on the Khopra Danda route only in 2012. It is off the beaten path, far away from the popular routes in the Annapurna region that go through secluded and serene landscapes filled with enchanting views of Dhaulagiri (7th highest mountain in the world), Annapurna Massif (the tenth tallest giant in the globe), Hinchuli, Nilgiri Himal, and other peaks.
The trek offers you an incredible journey to venture into the spell-binding beauty of the Himalayas in Nepal, which contributes directly to the welfare of the mountain communities along the way as well. Most of the villages lying on this route weren’t receiving the expected visitors, struggling economically. As an alternative, this new route came to light to uplift the economic condition of the villages situated on the trail.
It is a community teahouse trek whose profits fund the local schools and health clinics. It is also the hometown of renowned educationist and social activist, Magsaysay Award recipient for establishing wireless computer technology in remote areas, Mahabir Pun, who has been promoting this trail since it was first introduced.
Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill, each of these less-frequented trekking destinations, have their own distinctive significance and charming features, which are briefed below:
About Khopra Danda
Khopra Danda, otherwise called the Khopra Ridge or Hill, is one of the newly introduced off-beaten trekking trails of the Annapurna region, located to the north-east of Pokhara, bordering the districts of Myagdi and Kaski in closer proximity to the Ghorpani and Mount Dhaulagiri, standing tall at an elevation of 3,660m.
The hill is an excellent vantage point, offering stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. A trek here is truly an amazing journey to experience the Annapurna ranges and their magic within the region without having to summit the peak itself. On this trip to the Annapurna region of Nepal, expect:
Panoramic views of the peaks
The Khopra Danda is one of the best places to witness the ethereal beauty of the tenth-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), along with the jaw-dropping sight of the seventh-tallest mountain in the globe, Dhaulagiri (8,167m).
They are set like the crown jewel, with the other dominating peaks, such as Nilgiri (7,061m/23,166 ft) and Tukuche 6,992m, preaching up above the sky where the first and last illuminating rays of the sun look as inspiring as you have been in the gate of heaven.
Khopra Community lodges
The hilltop station of Khopra, with its epic Himalayan views, though it doesn’t have a long history of village settlements, now offers a community lodge to enjoy your stay to the fullest while overlooking the yak farms and cheese factories.
The community is largely famous for its Nepali paper, plum jam, and handmade warm wool products, which are more popular with tourists and pilgrims during the auspicious festival of Janai Purnima.
Along with the local products, the lodge is introduced to uplift the lifestyle of the native communities living in their area and to contribute to sustainable tourism while protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The lodge managed by the local Gurung communities, providing a not-to-miss opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their authentic cultures, traditions, and customary life, must be seized at once for sure.
Off-the-beaten Trekking Trail
The Khopra Danda Trekking Route, compared to other more popular trekking trails, is one of the relatively newly discovered trekking trails that sees comparatively fewer trekkers, offering more solitude and isolated experience in the serene ambiance of the Himalayas.
The Khopra Danda Trekking Trail hence allows for more intimate natural and cultural connections in less than two weeks, starting from Kathmandu.
Incredible wildlife observation during Khopra Danda Trek
The trekking route to Khopra Danda Passes by several green and scenic forests dominated by tightly packed trees of rhododendron, which bloom fully in the months of spring. The whole wood is home to varying species of flora and fauna to come across for the most fulfilling moments during your journey.
The wide array of bird species, including the Himalayan Monal and Griffon vulture, and mammals such as the Himalayan Tahr, Langur monkey, red panda, musk deer, and pikas, are the natural charms of the region in the diverse landscapes of the trek, beginning from the terraced fields, rhododendron forests, and alpine meadows to the high mountain deserts.
About Khayer Lake
Khayer Lake, also called Khair Lake of Khayer Tal, at an elevation of around 4,500 meters (15,290 ft) above sea level, is a pristine alpine lake in the Annapurna trekking region that is often visited by Hindu and Buddhist devotees throughout the year as one of the sacred lakes to take a holy dip and make a wish.
Locals here show a strong belief in being granted a wish on the auspicious occasion of Janai Purnima while bathing in the glacial water flowing directly from the majestic peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, which look mesmerizing from the lake area where the native communities of Magar and Gurung believe that the god resides.
The vast cultural exploration in Khayer Lake
The turquoise water lake, Khayer, is precisely situated in between two of the popular trekking destinations of the Annapurna region, Khopra Danda and Ghorpani, passing by the large Gurung village in Ghandruk.
The remote, newly promoted, beautiful trekking trail of the Annapurna region area is profound with the mix of cultures of Gurung and Magar, with their untainted ancient culture, arts, and traditions set in the lap of the sky, towering mountains, as well as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri.
During your hike to this exceptionally beautiful tranquil lake, you will get to witness the warmest hospitality of the Gurung and Magar, locals of the Himalayas who have been carrying and protecting their cultural, religious, and traditional practices from generation to generation, including the delicate Himalayan ecosystem for its lovers to relish on whenever they want.
Nearby the lake is a spiritual temple of Khayer Barahai in the bank that receives thousands of local and international devotees, where sheep are offered and sacrificed as part of the cleansing process of human faults and struggles.
Therefore, get ready to be stunned by the unique culture and traditions of the native Himalayan people and their beliefs connected to Khayer Lake and its surrounding monuments during the trek to Khayer Lake.
Picturesque Landscapes
The adventurous journey to Khayer Lake, which is usually done combined with the Khopra Danda and Poonhill Trek, goes through stunning scenery, from lush forests of oak and rhododendrons to high alpine meadows and later on, high deserted terrain, which provides the jaw-dropping backdrops of the Annapurna ranges and others.
The trekking trail of the lake takes you to pass the thundering waterfalls, the empire of snows, and barren lands with shepherds, contrasting largely to the lower region, which is usually full of lives mostly inhabited by locals from agricultural practices in the nicely terraced fields and traditional villages.
The typical stone-roofed and raised houses of Gurung and Mager in the heart of the hills lying at the foot of the Himalayas beautify the overall trekking experience to capture in your lens during the trek. In addition, the multi-color bloom of rhododendrons and other wildflowers swarmed with butterflies and other nectar-loving insects is a masterpiece sight to behold.
Gorgeous mountain backdrops
The Khayer Lake Trek combined with the Khopra Danda and Ghorepani is visually remarkable and presents a rewarding experience when the smashing mountain vistas bind every trekker with their grandeur.
The Annapurna south, Hinchuli, Macchapuchare, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Tukuche Peak, and Nilgiri dominate the skyline as you progress further and further towards Khayer Lake. Hinchuli is noted for its rugged features and dramatic landscapes, while the iconic Machapuchare stands out for its fishtail-like summit.
Magical Sunset and Sunrise view
From Khayer Lake, you can get unparalleled sunrise and sunset views in the morning and evening when the sky changes its colors and alpenglow peaks create a worldly ambiance to witness for adventurers around the globe.
They look magnificent from the moment you begin to spot them. Hence, Khayer Lake is considered an excellent vantage point and a great photogenic scene for photographers, nature enthusiasts, and trekkers from all nd the globe.
About Poonhill
Poonhill is one of the most beloved short trekking trails within the Annapurna Conservation Area in the Annapurna region, Gandaki province, the central part of Nepal, due to its easy accessibility from Kathmandu at an altitude of 3,210 meters (10,532 ft.).
Although not at an extremely high elevation, the lofty hill is a top-notch viewpoint, providing the most amazing views of the surrounding summits and landscapes below while you make your way through the classic trail with picturesque villages, terraced farms, and lush forests of oak, rhododendrons, and pines.
It is one of the widely preferred stopovers for the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp trekkers, which offers:
The awe-inspiring sunrise view
The Poonhill is famous among nature’s admirers more significantly for its first ray of sunlight illuminating over the predominating seventh and tenth highest peak in the world: Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft).
The valley and surrounding it come alive with the morning light shade of pink, orange, and gold, enchanting everyone atop the hills and mountains bathed in the soft morning light. It is truly an awe-inspiring place to be part of, especially for photography enthusiasts to capture the changing colors, and hence the Ghorepani is also known as the photography paradise.
Cultural insight in the Ghorpani and other villages
The Poon Hill Trek traverses different traditional villages characterized by stone houses with artistically carved wooden doors and windows, inhabited primarily by Magar and Gurung people along with other indigenous populations.
They have their distinctive culture, traditions, dialects, and attire, making the whole area one of the most colorful destinations to observe in 2024 during the Poonhill Trek while immersing yourself in the rich local flavors of Dal Bhat Tarkari (one heap of rice with lentil soup and seasonal vegetables), momo, and pancakes.
Nearby these villages including Ghorpani, you will be able to find local handicrafts that include handmade textiles and regional jewelry to take as souvenirs, representing the area's swankiness in architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural aesthetics.
Therefore, the Poonhill is a must-visit place to broaden your Himalayan geographical and cultural knowledge.
Panoramic mountain views from the Poonhill
If there is any place in Nepal that is simply famous for its panoramic mountains, it is Poon Hill. The tower is visited throughout the year by photography aspirants who wish to capture the combined ranges of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, along with other peaks and hills.
The hill of Poon gains popularity amongst its trekkers seeking a short but rewarding and equally challenging trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, offering an out-of-the-world blend of nature, culture, and a sense of accomplishment in the Himalayas.
Here are some of the most notable mountains, from Poon Hill to completely fall in love with:
- Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft), the tenth-highest peak in the world
- Annapurna South (7,219m/23,684ft), Annapurna III (7,555m/24,787ft), Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft)
- Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m/26,795 ft) is the seventh-tallest mountain on earth.
- Dhaulagiri II (7,751m/25,430ft), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m/25,299ft), Dhaulagiri IV (7,661m/25,135ft), Gurja hImal (7,193m/23,599ft)
- Hinuchuli (6,441m/21,132ft), Machapuchare (6,993m/22,943ft), Nilgiri (7,061m/23,166ft), and Lamjung Himal (6,983m/22,901ft), etc.
Adventurous Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek Itinerary
The combined journey to the Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill begins with a thrilling drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which appears so scenic as if a piece of heaven has dropped into Nepal.
Then the itinerary takes you to the official starting point of the Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek, Nayapul, and consequently ascends through Gandruk, Tadapani, and Dobato to the lofty hill station of Khopra, the major highlight of the overall trek, which opens up the otherworldly beauty of the Annapurna region to its visitors concealed from the rest of the world.
The next day, you will hike up to Khayer Lake to conquer the serene and turquoise water body with its huge religious and spiritual importance for the locals as well as the Hindus and Buddhists spread around the world.
Thereafter, the 12-day itinerary takes you to the Swanta village, which later on pays a visit to another substantial viewpoint of the Annapurna region, serving as one of the best stopovers for trekkers heading forward to the Annapurna Circuit or the Annapurna Base Camp and other popular destinations within the region, Poonhill via Ghorepani.
After hiking up to Poon Hill with more extensive views of the encompassing Himalayan giants such as Annapurna I (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) pondering you with a natural amphitheater never seen before, you will trek to Hile and catch a four-wheeler to return to the capital of tourism in Nepal, Pokhara.
Hence, the overall 12-day journey to trek the Khopra Ridge/Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill, crafted carefully by Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, is the best itinerary amongst the best in 2024 to go trekking in the region of the tenth highest summit in the world, Annapurna, which facilities similar multiple routes to be around it. Including:
- Ghorepani Poonhill Trek - 10 Days
- Ghorepani Poonhill with Mardi Himal Trek - 11 Days
- Ghorepani Poonhill Trek and Jungle Safari - 12 Days
Why Adventure Himalayan Travel and Trek’s 12 days itinerary to go Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill trek?
Adventure Himalayan Travel and Trek’s 12-day Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill treks can be customized and tailored according to your specific needs and special requirements during the trek.
We have been getting an edge for our personalized services to meet the needs of our clients, providing greater flexibility in every logistical aspect of trekking, including budget, permits, duration, meals, accommodations, and others.
We are just the right hand for you for a hassle-free trekking, tour, and travel experience in Nepal to make the most of your every dollar. With us, all you will get to do is enjoy life to the fullest!
Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek Cost 2024
It is quite an impossible task to determine the exact Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek cost for 2024, as it can be highly impacted by the preferences of individual trekkers as well as their choices in the services provided.
Nonetheless, we at Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks are offering a group discounted price trek to the Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill in 2024, which is:
- USD 995 for 1 pax
- USD 895 for 2-3 pax
- USD 845 for 4-6 pax
- USD 795 for 7-10 pax
This budget plan for you, tailored by us, covers the expenses of essential trekking permits, food, accommodation, means of transportation used during the trek, and the cost of hiring a guide or porter once the trek officially begins from Pokhara.
Please note that the package cost we are offering is standard and does not include the Nepal Visa Fee, international flight, insurance, lunch and dinner during your Kathmandu, and extra accommodation and meals outside of the presented itinerary.
Is Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill Trek right for you?
Yes, as one of the most preferred vacation destinations, even for internal tourists, the Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poonhill are the best places to get away from hectic modern schedules and relish memorable moments.
The journey to the community lodge houses, established with the applaudable purpose of enhancing the life standard of the Himalayan locals and promoting sustainable tourism in Nepal, is a fantastic trekking spot.
Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poonhill—all of these are some of the major highlights of the Annapurna region, which provides adventurers with a true sense of achievement, tranquility, and serenity without having to summit some of the largest peaks in the world itself.
Throughout the trek, the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges never leave your sight, playing hide and seek while you pass by several lush woods of the region decorated with oak, rhododendron, bamboo, and pines.
This countryside of the Annapurna trekking region is densely inhabited by numerous ethnic communities of Nepal who treasure their temples, gompas, and monasteries and share happiness with their festivals, making it an ideal trekking destination to get comprehensive enlightenment in the cultural and historical richness of the area.
Likewise, in comparison to other high-altitude adventures in the Himalayas, the Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poonhill fall in the lower Himalayan zone, which rarely carries the risk of acute mountain sickness and unsafe navigation while you begin embarking on the locally trodden but still hidden from tourist influx routes.
There isn’t any age or experience barrier to completing this 12-day Khopra Danda, Khayer Lake, and Poon Hill trek. The only criteria you have to meet are fitness and health, making it the best vacation destination to spend in Nepal with your family, including your children over seven years old and those who can hike 5–6 hours a day.
