Khopra Ridge Trek: Complete Guide 2026/2027

The Khopra Ridge Trek (also called Khopra Danda) is an 11-day off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal's Annapurna region, reaching a high viewpoint ridge at 3,660m with an optional side trip to sacred Khayer Lake (4,827m). It's rated moderate, ideal for trekkers who want big Himalayan views without the crowds of the standard Annapurna trails, and costs US$999 to US$1,390 per person depending on group size.

Hand-picked itineraries

Recommended Trips

Related journeys you may want to explore after reading this article.

Khopra Ridge & Khayer Lake Trek 7 days 6 Days Easy From USD 550pp View trip Khopra Ridge and ABC trek 11 Days Easy From USD 700pp View trip Khopra Ridge Trek 11 Days Moderate From USD 999pp View trip

If you've looked at Ghorepani Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp and wanted something with the same jaw-dropping panoramas but far fewer trekkers on the trail, this is the route worth knowing about.

What Is the Khopra Ridge Trek?

Khopra Ridge sits on a high, open shoulder between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, reached via a network of trails that branch off from the busier Ghorepani-Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp routes. Because it only gained real recognition among trekkers in recent years, it remains genuinely uncrowded compared to its Annapurna-region neighbors — despite offering some of the same 360-degree Himalayan views.

The trek passes through Ghandruk, the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna region, before climbing above the treeline to the Khopra community lodge at 3,660m, with sweeping views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna (8,091m), and Machhapuchhre (6,993m). From there, many itineraries include an optional side trip to Khayer Lake at 4,827m — a sacred glacial lake considered one of the region's most rewarding, if demanding, side excursions.

Annapurna Encounter runs this as an 11-day Khopra Ridge Trek starting and ending in Kathmandu, with a scenic flight to and from Pokhara.

Khopra Ridge Trek Cost

Here's what the 11-day Khopra Ridge Trek costs per person with Annapurna Encounter, based on group size:

This all-inclusive package covers:

• Airport and hotel transfers by private vehicle
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the trek
• Twin-share tented or lodge accommodation along the route
• A licensed English-speaking trekking guide
• All required permits and fees
• Kathmandu–Pokhara return flight
• A farewell dinner with cultural performances
• All government taxes and service charges

Not included: travel insurance with high-altitude rescue coverage, your Nepal visa fee, international flights, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, hot showers and device charging at tea houses, and tips for your guide and support staff.

Khopra Ridge Trek Itinerary

Here's the standard 11-day route:

The heart of the trek runs from Day 3 to Day 5 — climbing through Dobato and Chistibung to reach the Khopra community lodge, with the option to add an extra day for the Khayer Lake side trip before continuing on toward Mohare Danda, another spectacular viewpoint ridge, and the Magar village of Nangi on the way back down.

Khopra Ridge Trek Highlights

• Uninterrupted panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from a ridge that sees far fewer trekkers than Poon Hill
• Immersion in Gurung and Magar village life, including the Gurung Museum and monastery in Ghandruk
• Dense rhododendron forests, spectacular in spring bloom
• The optional Khayer Lake excursion — a sacred, high-altitude glacial lake at 4,827m
• Scenic Kathmandu–Pokhara mountain flights on both ends of the trek

How Difficult Is the Khopra Ridge Trek?

Annapurna Encounter grades this trek moderate. It suits trekkers with a reasonable baseline of fitness and some hiking experience, without requiring the technical skills or extreme altitude exposure of routes like the Everest Three Pass Trek or Tilicho Lake Trek. Daily walks generally run 3 to 7 hours over varied terrain — forested climbs, ridge walks, and village trails — with the longest day (Swanta to Mohare Danda) covering around 7 hours. Trekkers considering the optional Khayer Lake extension should note it's a significantly more demanding day, given the jump to 4,827m.

For first-time Himalayan trekkers who want something gentler, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a good comparison point — Khopra Ridge covers similar terrain types but stretches further, higher, and deeper off the main trail.

Permits Required

Every trekker needs the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, both arranged and included as part of every Annapurna Encounter package. Since 2023, a licensed guide has been mandatory for foreign trekkers throughout the Annapurna Conservation Area — which this route falls entirely within.

Best Time for the Khopra Ridge Trek

Autumn (September–November) and spring (March–May) are the recommended seasons, offering the clearest skies for the panoramic views this trek is built around. Spring adds the bonus of rhododendron forests in full bloom along the lower sections of the trail. Winter is possible for well-prepared trekkers but brings colder temperatures at the exposed Khopra ridge lodge, while monsoon season (June–August) reduces visibility on the very views that make this trek worthwhile.

What to Pack for the Khopra Ridge Trek

• Clothing: a wool jacket or pullover, waterproof and windproof shell jacket and trousers, long-sleeve base layers, warm gloves, and wool socks
• Footwear: waterproof trekking boots, plus a pair of sandals for evenings at lodges
• Gear: a sleeping bag, trekking poles, a backpack with rain cover, headlamp or torch
• Essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a first-aid kit with basic medication, a water bottle, chapstick, a power adapter and charger, a travel towel, and toiletries

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Khopra Ridge Trek? The standard itinerary runs 11 days from Kathmandu, including flights to and from Pokhara.

How much does the Khopra Ridge Trek cost? Between US$999 and US$1,390 per person, depending on group size.

What is the maximum altitude on the Khopra Ridge Trek? Khopra Ridge itself sits at 3,660m; the optional Khayer Lake side trip reaches 4,827m, the highest point on the extended itinerary.

Is the Khopra Ridge Trek harder than Ghorepani Poon Hill? Yes, somewhat. It covers more days, reaches a higher main viewpoint, and spends more time on remote, less-supported trail sections, though it's still graded moderate rather than strenuous.

Do I need a guide for the Khopra Ridge Trek? Yes — a licensed guide is mandatory for all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, and is included in every package.

What permits do I need? The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, both included in every guided package.

When is the best time to trek Khopra Ridge? Autumn (September–November) and spring (March–May), for the clearest mountain views and, in spring, blooming rhododendron forests.

Can I combine Khopra Ridge with Mohare Danda? Yes — the standard itinerary already routes through Mohare Danda on Day 7, so you get both viewpoints in a single trip.

Final Thoughts

The Khopra Ridge Trek is the route for trekkers who want the Annapurna region's signature mountain panoramas without the trail traffic of Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp. Between the ridge viewpoint, the optional Khayer Lake excursion, and genuine Gurung and Magar village culture along the way, it's one of the most rewarding off-the-beaten-path options in the region.

For an accurate quote based on your travel dates and group size, get in touch with Annapurna Encounter directly.