Khopra Ridge

A quieter ridge trek west of Poon Hill, staying in community-run lodges, to the Khopra viewpoint facing Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, with an optional steep climb to the sacred Khayer Lake.

7–14 walking days · highest point Khayer Lake (optional) 4,638 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov · Start and end: Ghumaune Tal → Paudwar · Protected area: Annapurna Conservation Area

Getting there

Bus from Pokhara about 4 hours along the Beni road to Ghumaune Tal; the walk ends near Paudwar, with a drive back to Pokhara. Many agencies run the trek from Nayapul or Ghorepani instead.

The route

1. Banskharka — 1,526 m
2. Nagi — 2,320 m
3. Mohare Danda — 3,300 m
4. Swanta — 2,270 m
5. Dhankharka — 3,026 m
6. Khopra — 3,660 m
7. Khayer Lake — 4,638 m

Know before you go

Khayer Lake is about 1,000 m above Khopra, a long, steep day, and there is no lodge on the way: carry food and water. The Khopra lodge can fill up in the busy seasons.

A licensed guide is required on this trek (Nepal Tourism Board rule since 31 March 2023).

Most of these treks go above 3,000 m. The US CDC advises: once above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 500 m higher each night, add an extra day for every 1,000 m you gain, never go higher with symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), and go down if they get worse.

Permits you need

• Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit: NPR 3,000
• TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System): NPR 2,000

Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.

Sources disagree

• Khayer Lake: 4,638 m (The Kathmandu Post); 4,500 m (Wikivoyage)
• Mohare Danda: 3,300 m (The Kathmandu Post); 3,310 m (The Rising Nepal)
• Best months: March–May, September–November (Nepal Tourism Board (Annapurna area)); open all year (The Kathmandu Post)

Sources

• The Kathmandu Post — Where nature reigns supreme (Khopra, 31 August 2019)
• Wikivoyage — Trekking in Nepal
• Nepal Tourism Board — Annapurna Conservation Area (seasons)
• National Trust for Nature Conservation — ePermit
• Nepal Tourism Board — TIMS Card
• US CDC Yellow Book — High-altitude travel and altitude illness

Trekking and sightseeing in Nepal

General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.