Kathmandu: Blaze mountain, a leading Nepal-based travel and trekking company, has announced Khopra Danda/Khair Lake Trek for autumn 2024.
Blaze mountain expresses commitment to providing expert guidance, safety and logistic support. With its extensive experience in trekking, the company assures trekkers of making the journey a success by providing high-quality services.
“As our top priority is to ensure our clients’ safety,” said the company’s managing director Dhiraj Paudel, adding, “our experienced team and meticulous planning ensure a safe and rewarding ascent.”
Khopra Danda Trek/ Khair Lake Trek
Khopra Danda Trek is a hidden gem less exploited lying in the Annapurna region. Many people mistakenly call it Khair Lake Trek. But the fact is that Khair Lake Trek lies in the same route. It lies around 5 hours trek ahead from Khopra Danda. Situated at an elevation of 4640 metres above sea level, the pond is considered sacred for pilgrims including Hindu ones. There is a belief that dipping in the pond washes away sin of lifetime.
Standing at a height of around 3660 metres above sea level, Khopra Danda Trek offers breathtaking views of snow-capped Mt. Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna South, Gurja Himal, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
Khopra Danda Trek starts from Nayapul, some hours’ drive from Pokhara, and ends with Khair Lake. Another beautiful aspects of the trek is that you can include Poon Hill Trek and Khair Lake Trek on your trip. Poon Hill Trek and Khair Lake Trek fall within the route to the Khopra Danda Trek.
Poon Hill is the best stopover, offering sunrise. Lush forests, suspension bridges, rocky trails, variety of Himali birds, bears, yaks and other wild creatures greet you along the way. The Khair Lake Trek goes through a quite trail with the captivating view of surroundings and unmatched encounter of sunrise from the Poon hill. You will have a lifetime experience along the way as you encounter awe-inspiring landscapes and towering peaks. Warm welcome and greetings by people of the ethnic Magar and Gurung communities, and local dishes, culture, clothing, and language will be memorable.
Nayapul or Ghandruk serves as the starting point for Khair Lake trek. This trek is popular among the trekkers, as it can be trekked around the year without any seasonal constraints.
Major Highlights of the Khopra Danda Trek/Khair Lake Trek
- Nayapul village serves as the starting point for the Khopra Danda Trek, which can be reached after a brief drive from Pokhara.
- Khopra Danda can be reached through a quite trail with the splendid view of surroundings and unmatched encounter of sunrise from the Poon hill.
- This trek is popular among trekkers, as it can be trekked round the year without any seasonal constraints.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in typical Nepalese restaurant.
- A lifetime experience along the way as you encounter awe-inspiring landscapes and towering peaks.
- Warm welcome and greetings by people of the ethnic Magar and Gurung communities, and local dishes, culture, clothing, and language will be memorable.
- Lush forests, suspension bridges, rocky trails, variety of Himali birds, bears, yaks and other wild creatures greet you along the way.
- Teahouses and local food items: During the Khopra Danda Trek, you will find teahouses and lodges along the way. These teahouses provide you with typical Nepal cuisine including Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, pickles), momo, noodles etc.
- Remote and less-explored places: The Khopra Danda Trek allows you to explore remote and less-explored places apart from experiencing the lifestyle, culture, and religion of local indigenous nationalities.
- Ancient temples, monasteries and other religious structures: Nepal is home to thousands of temples, monasteries and other religious structures. The Khopra Danda Trek will lead you through ancient temples, monasteries and other religious structures. You will have an opportunity to learn about these things.
- Trekking throughout the year: The Khopra Danda Trek can be explored throughout the year. However, spring and autumn are the best season for the Khopra Danda Trek for good weather conditions. But, winter and monsoon have also unique features to offer for the trek.
- Best time for the trek: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) is the best season offering pleasant weather condition for trekking.
- Difficulty: Khopra Danda Trek is moderately difficult trek.
Itinerary for the Khopra Danda Trek/Khair Lake Trek
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
You will be picked up and taken to the hotel by the agency’s staff. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
During the journey, you will see stunning views of the Himalayan nation of Nepal. The journey will be approximately 7 hours. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pokhara.
Day 3: Drive around two hours from Pokhara to Nayapul (41 km), and trek from Nayapul to Ghandruk (approximately 2000 metres). Overnight stay at the hotel. It takes around six hours hiking from Nayapul to Ghandruk. You will go through Syauli Bazar and Kimche.
Ghandruk is predominately inhabited by Gurung community. The village is renowned for Buddhist monasteries and houses made of slates and stones.
Day 4: Trek around four hours (8 km) from Ghandruk to Tadapani (over 2630 meters). Overnight stay at the hotel.
You will go through Bhainsi Kharka. Along the way, rhododendron forests and Gurung and Magar villages will be encountered, offering panoramic views of the nature and countryside. You will also enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the seventh highest mountain in the world.
Day 5: Trek around 6 hours (around 13 km) from Tadapani to Dobato (over 3420 meters). Overnight stay at the hotel. Overnight at Mountain Lodge
Day 6: Trek around 7 hours (17 km) from Dobato to Khopra Danda (3660 meters). Overnight stay at the hotel.
On the way, you can view wildlife and birds. You will also be stunned by the views of Dhaulagiri, Damphus Peak, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna 1, and Annapurna South, and Kaligandaki Gorge – the deepest gorge in the world.
Day 7: Trek around 6 hours (approximately 15 km) from Khopra Danda to Swanta (2214 meters). Overnight stay at the hotel.
From Khora Danda, you can opt for the Khair Lake Trek. Khair Lake is around 6 hours trek from Khopra Danda. If you go on Khair Lake Trek, you should return to Khopra Danda, and trek down to Swanta village. Swanta village is famous for cheese. You can get cheese factories and taste cheese in the village.
Day 8: Trek about 5 hours (around 9 km) from Swanta to Ghorepani (2860 meters). Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9: Early morning hike around 8 hours (22 km) to Poon Hill (3210 meters). You can enjoy sunrise at Poon Hill.
Enjoy the Sunrise and Himalayan views. You can also enjoy stunning views of mountains including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Mt Machhapuchhre. Thereafter, trek from Ghorepani from Nayapul, and drive to Pokhara through Nayapul.
