Regd.no: 146445/072/073

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khayar Lake and Kopra Ridge Trekking

a magnificent trekking around hidden areas of Annapurna Himalayan range

Trip Summary

Trip Mode
On Lodge / Tea House basis.
Trekking grade
Moderate & Adventurous
Trekking duration
09 / 10 days (Pokhara to Pokhara).
Highest elevation
4,247 m at Khair Lake & 3,860 m at Kopra Ridge.
Total Trip
13 / 14 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Seasons
All season except July / August (the wet months).

Trip Highlights

  • Super panorama of world highest mountains Dhaulagiri- Annapurna and
  • Mt. Manaslu range, traditional hill villages of Gurung-Poon / Magar ethnic tribes, charming rhododendron,
  • Magnolia forest, on the least trekked trail of Annapurna Himalaya, in complete wilderness.

Trip Overview

View Nepal Treks offers and exclusive khayar Lake Trekking and Kopra Ridge trek, around fabulous hidden areas of southern mid hills of massive Annapurna Himalaya range of mountains with close views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Vara Shikar peaks (Annapurna Fang).

This fascinating khayar Lake Trekking, Kopra Ridge trek leads with uphill and downhill walks through interesting traditional farm villages of Gurung and Poon / Magar tribe of people renown as Gorkha soldiers serving in British / India army battalions for more than 200 years of history.

khayar Lake Trekking  & Kopra Ridge trek leads you through enchanting rhododendron and magnolia forested area, a paradise in flowering season around March to May months.

Walk leads through interesting villages of Bhirethati, Tirkhedhunga, Ulleri and into the cool shade of alpine forest at Ghorepani with famous Poon Hill at 3,210 meters, a high a scenic view point for sunrise views over 360° wide angle panorama of mountains.

This adventure leading into complete wilderness in the harmony of nature through farm villages of Sauta and Shistebung away from mainstream trekking trail to Kopra ridge with close views of Dhaulagiri with Vara-Shikar, Nilgiris and Annapurna South, from here explore the holy Khair Lake, where local pilgrims visits once a year to offer prayer and sacrifice domestic animals.

After a blissful moment heading back to Pokhara on an alternative route providing you more views of the mountains and mid hills villages of Annapurna region.


Khayar Lake Trekking Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: Drive or fly to Pokhara 950m – 06 hrs journey distance 220 k.m.

Day 03: Drive to Nayapul 1,100m begin a trek to Tirkhedhunga 1,450m.

Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani 2,874m – 05 hrs walk.

Day 05: Morning hike to Poon-Hill and trek to Sauta 2,200m – 05 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Shistibung 3,000 m -05 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Khair or Kopra Ridge 3,870 m – 03 hrs.

Day 08: At Kopra Ridge for a day hike to holy Khair lake.

Day 09: Trek to Dobato 3,420 m – 05 hrs.

Day 10: Trek to Ghandruk 1,951m – 04 hours.

Day 11: Trek to Pothana 1, 900 m – 05 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Kande and drive to Pokhara.

Day 13: Drive of fly back to Kathmandu.

Day 14: International departure homeward bound.


Useful information while Khayar Lake Trekking


Trekking guide and Porter:

Our trekking will have long experience in trekking field. He speaks English and keeps knowledge about the mountain, mountain sickness, people, and culture. Generally, he will have a right to choose a guest house to stop overnight and right to take a necessary decision if the weather is not favorable if you are physically not in good condition or if there any potential danger of life or etc.

We will provide a porter (helper to carry the luggage) with warm clothing with warm clothing’s while going to the high mountain. We give priority to the local porter as much as possible.

Guest House in Mountain:

There are nice and tiny guest houses in the village on the way to trekking, also known as a tea house. We will accommodate to our trekkers in that guest houses. You will your own room (twin sharing) and a bathroom is outside. They are safe and people are friendly.

Meal in Mountain:

The general understanding in the mountain, you buy food from the same guest house where you say. We will buy a freshly cooked food from the local guest house. They will have a standard menu which is set by the Local Lodge Management Committee. You can choose your meal from the menu.

Medical facilities:

There are rare medical facilities in the mountain. We generally recommend bringing own medicine (a headache, stomach ache, painkiller, Diamox, bandage, iodine, cotton, gauze, hansaplast, common cold, diarrhea, ) to the normal situation.  If it is serious, you should go down or call an emergency evacuation.

Electricity:

There is not enough electricity in Nepal. You could expect power cut in some certain time of the day. While you are in the mountain, you will require electricity to charge your battery, mobile, camera or etc. generally they will ask you to pay extra money for charging.

Drinking water:

There is bottle water available along the normal trekking trail. Besides that, you can take your own water filter or can buy a medicine to purify the normal water. Further, you can buy boil water as well as in trekking.

Telephone and internet:

Some village has internet facilities. However, you can buy a local telephone SIM card which will help you to buy the internet and use with your smartphone set. You can use for calling to anyone if it requires at the same time.

Transportations:

There require or to use a local transport or you may want to use them as well as. The local people or local club will force to use their transport facilities. The price will be negotiable and a vehicle could be old and with very basic services.

Emergency evacuation:

You might have to be rescued due to some accident or serious ill. We can send rescue Helicopter service immediately to bring you back. The helicopter services are expensive in Nepal. We recommend you to buy insurance which covers search and rescue in need. After you rescued, we can help you for documentation to claim the payment.

Cost Includes / Excludes

Cost Includes

 
  1. All arrival and departure transportation airport / hotel / airport.
  2. Accommodation in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotel on  bed/breakfast basis
  3. Accommodation in Pokhara at tourist standard hotels on bed/breakfast basis.
  4. Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu (if mentioned and added in the itinerary) or as optional.
  5. A professional English speaking government licensed guide
  6. Porters (every 2 clients: 1 porter)
  7. Food in Trekking (Break fast-Lunch -Dinner)
  8. Accommodation in tea house/lodge
  9. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area project) permit.
  10. TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems).
  11. Service of trekking guides his equipment, daily wages-medical insurance, meals and transportation allowance.
  12. Service of trekking staff -porters their daily wages-medical insurance, meals and transportation allowance.
  13. Welcome or farewell dinner in Kathmandu at authentic Nepalese restaurant with cultural programs.
  14. Down jackets-sleeping bags (with inner linear) and comprehensive medical kits.
  15. Transportation to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu with deluxe tourist bus before and after the trip and Pokhara - Nayapul -Pokhara by private car.
  16. Trips briefing with full information and reconfirmation of international air tickets

Cost Excludes

  • Nepal Visa-International airfare-personal travel / medical insurance.
  • Expenses of personal nature and meals in Kathmandu, hard / soft drinks throughout the trip.
  • Tips for Guide and porter.
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Emergency evacuation by any means of transportation including Heli services and personal medical kit.
  • Early return from the trip due to personal/medical problem in this case clients should bear his / her own expenses on return from trek and in Kathmandu including expenses of accompanying guide/porters.

khayar Lake and Kopra Ridge Trekking Detail Itinerary

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport received by View Nepal Treks staff and then a short drive to respective hotels, briefing wills be done by our guide / leader regarding Khair & Kopra Ridge trekking, hotels, lodge on route with do and don’ts with evening group welcome dinner.

Morning travel overland on the scenic highway towards amazing Pokhara valley driving leads through Himalayan foothills, on arrival at Pokhara transfer to respective hotels close to beautiful Phewa Lake with afternoon free for short walks.

(For flying option a 30 minutes of scenic flight to Pokhara).

Morning about two hours’ drive leads to the start of the trek from Nayapul (new bridge) located on the Pokhara-Baglung / Beni highway.

From Nayapul starting our adventure with gentle walk through nice village of Bhirethati, encountering trekkers, and mule, donkey trains as our route leads on ancient Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal to Tibet via Mustang area.

Walk leads past farm lands, villages with views of waterfalls as the day walk completes on reaching at Tirkhedhuga village in the comfort of a nice lodge after a good day walks.

Morning starts with a steep uphill for nearly two hours on the stone steps all the way to the Ulleri village with views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machapuchere.

From Ulleri walk gets better through cool alpine forest of oaks-pines and rhododendron trees.

Walk leads with short climb gaining heights on reaching at Ghorepani village with fantastic views of world’s 07th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri range of peaks.

This lovely village offers views of Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar (Annapurna Fang), located on old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade Route which leads to Upper Mustang and beyond to Tibet border.

Village of Poon / Magar ethnic tribe, and famous for hike to Pun Hill view points, a super wide angle views of world’s three highest peaks and range of mountains with striking sunrise and sunset.

An hour hike to Poon-Hill at 3,210m, offering awesome sunrise views over mountain sceneries Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu to Annapurna and as far to Ganesh Himal in the far eastern horizon with Mt. Machapuchere “The Fish Tail”, most respected and unclimbed peak.

After an enjoyable moment, walk continues towards Sauta village on the off trail, away from the main trekking path through enchanting rhododendron forest, a paradise in flowering season with superb mountain views, heading down hill with last short climb to Sauta village for overnight stop.

Starting with a gradual morning walk passing farm fields and scattered villages, trekking through enchanting serene rhododendron and bamboo forest, a slow climb i uphill through meadow and summer pastures to Chistebung for overnight stop, a small place with few small huts serving as tea-houses.

Today’s walk for few hours leading to our destination at Khair and Kopra ridge, from here gaining altitude on leaving behind tree lines for short alpine bushes, around chances of seeing some wild-life like Himalayan Thar, Danphe Pheasant (National Bird of Nepal).

After few hours of scenic walk reaching at Khair / Kopra ridge, a scenic spot with amazing views of surrounding landscapes and Mt. Dhaulagiri massive range, Vara-Shikar (Annapurna Fang), Annapurna South which towers from this wonderful spot.

A great place for rest day and hike to holy Khair Lake located at 4,247 m. a long and tough walk but worth the views, a holy site with religious festival held annually around the month of August and September. Villagers from the surrounding area assemble here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and bathe in the icy waters, sacrifices sheep and goats.

After a wonderful time at Khair /Kopra ridge, morning walk leads to a long descend towards east through grazing pasture lands in the midst of rhododendron forest, from Khair walk leads back into tree lines and towards our overnight stop at Dobato a summer pasture a grazing land for the local Sheppard’s with striking views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machapuchere 6,993 m.

From Tadapani beautiful sunrise views with close mountain backdrop, today a short walk to Ghandruk village with gentle descend into enchanting forest of rhododendron, oaks and pines, after a nice pleasant morning walk with excellent views reaching at Ghandruk village for lunch and overnight stop.

Afternoon free to marvel the views and to explore this large Gurung village of Annapurna region, the men folk of this village have long tradition of supplying some of the finest soldiers as Gorkha soldiers to British and Indian Armies.

Morning starts with a slow downhill for an hour to reach at the bottom of Ghandruk and Landruk hills, by the Modi River. After crossing over a bridge a short climb brings to Landruk village, from here on the winding trail through rice terraced and farm villages and into forest and then leading to an uphill climb for 40 minutes to Deurali ridge at 2,150 m.

After Deurali a nice pleasant walk leads to Pothana with grand views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Manaslu including Fish Tail peak. This village located in the middle of beautiful alpine forest with fantastic views of the snowcapped mountains and valley.

Morning with super views and through cool shade of forest reaching at Thulo Kharka also called Australian Camp, a wonderful spot in the midst of forest with large meadows overlooking magnificent views of the Himalayan range of mountains.

After a short break here, last hour walk an easy descend to Kande village on the road head connecting Baglung-Pokhara highway. From here an hour drive back to Pokhara after a wonderful time up in the high mountains.

Morning drive back to Kathmandu after a wonderful and memorable trip on the high hills of Annapurna Himalaya and on reaching Kathmandu transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free for own individual activities with farewell dinner.

(options by air to Kathmandu a 30 minutes scenic flight to Kathmandu).

Today, last day in amazing Nepal with great experience and fond memories of Khair & Kopra Ridge trekking, as per time for your international flight departure.

View Nepal Treks staff transfers you to airport for your final farewell homeward bound or to your next port of call.

*NOTES

View Nepal Treks Pokhara extension program (adventure holidays) for interested people with time in Nepal.

Para-gliding, Zip Flyer, Ultra -Light flights or biking around Pokhara, short hike, rafting Trisuli / Kaligandaki / Seti Rivers, Kayaking or Jungle Safari in Chitwan.

Trip Reviews

  • Amazing experience with View Nepal Treks View Nepal Treks Clients

    We had an amazing experience with View Nepal Treks & Expedition.We found this company through searching in internet and started to communicate with Mr. Bhupendra, He was so helpful and answer our questions without any hasitation and finally booked our Nepal trip and travel with them. He arranged a great guide with excellent English with full information and I enjoyed the flexibility in my trip. In our trip The guesthouses and hotels chosen were all comfortable and the food was always fresh and good. The communication was great, and we were well taken care of Pick up, flights etc, which was  always on time. Also I was lucky to have met so many other inspiring people on the track which was a extra bonus. The highlight was the guide and staff were always happy to help us with a smile as  a close friend. We enjoyed the travel in Nepal Himalayas a lot and feel easy when I am in the mountains. Thank you Mr.Bhupendra for making my trip so special which I Never forget, hope to see you again soon.
    Anna & Herma
    The Netherlands

    Review submitted -December 11, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the most gradual and moderate trip with up and down hills walks, chances of getting AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is slim, includes a day at Kopra ridge where the altitude gains making it adventurous walk for few hours. One will enjoy this trek as long you walk with your own chosen pace with few short breaks to catch the views and breathe.
Lodges / Tea-Houses are nice, clean and simple some with attached baths / toilets with mostly common bath / toilets with cozy large dining rooms. From Ghorepani onwards to Kopra Ridge area lodge are basis and simple for few days with good food menus serving as per the seasonal vegetables items.
First few days walking on the main trekking route till Ghorepani encountering other trekkers, mules and donkey trains, after Ghorepani on leaving the main trekking trail in complete wilderness where few trekkers seldom visits and chances of seeing other trekkers are few for 3-4 day on this trek.
Daily views of fabulous mountains into world largest rhododendron forest in flowering season this area will be magic, the people and climate changes daily as the walk progress from sub-tropic-meditarrean to alpine climatic zone. From Hindu villages to hill and mountain villages of Buddhist culture with change of houses and vegetations also.
On treks we carry Satellite phones also, but at present there are many places and lodge with ISTD / STD system including local Cell phone works as well.

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Map of khayar Lake and Kopra Ridge Trekking

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