Kopra Ridge Trek
Kopra Ridge Trek is recently opened as the trekking destination despite being in the center of the Annapurna region. If you are looking for a relatively short trek where you can experience the best of what Nepal has to offer, this one is tailored for you. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that this route is one of the best-kept secrets of the Annapurna region and since the cat is out of the bag, let us proclaim that we connect this route with Ghorepani Poon Hill in order to combine the best elements to give you that ultimate experience!
The Kopra Ridge Trek excursion begins with a short drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and once we hike through the Gurung and Magar villages, their green paddy fields that overlap each other, their way of life and heart-warming hospitality makes you feel like a part of the whole. Moving on, after passing the rhododendron forests and alpine landscapes, it is advisable to visit Khayer Lake, a sacred lake at the foot of Annapurna south.
During this exotic journey to Kopra Ridge Trek, you will be graced by the behemoths like Mount Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Nilgiri (7061 m), Bharha Shikhar (7647 m), and Annapurna I (8091 m). Away from the busier trails of the Annapurna region, you will be enjoying fewer crowds, and also the teahouses/lodges set up by the local community will add a welcoming and wholesome touch to your itinerary.
The wonderful Gurung people and their warm and hospitable nature will add a homely feel to your journey even though you will be traveling far away from home. This unique infusion of less-trodden trails, warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, diverse landscape, and awe-inspiring picturesque mountains will surely leave an imprint in your mind and soul.
Mardi Himal Trek is the best suitable alternative to this trek. Click on it, for further information on Mardi Himal Trek.
Itinerary
Trek Venture Nepal airport representative welcome you on your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu displaying Trek Venture Nepal signboard outside the airport terminal. We will be transferred to our hotel in the city center. The drive will take around 30 minutes from airport depending on the traffic of the day. A brief itinerary will be given on the way to our hotel about your schedule. We can take rest of the time for leisure after you get to hotel. In the evening, get together for an welcome, introduction dinner.
Overnight at hotel. Breakfast, Dinner included.
rek Venture Nepal staff will receive you from your respective hotel at 6.30 am and take you to the tourist bus station if you prefer bus travel. The bus journey will start after an hour with offering a beautiful view of hills and rivers. Beautiful city in the band of Phewa lake with panoramic views of first glimpse of Annapurna and Machapuchare which is seen like a tail of a fish in the north, Manaslu in the east and Dhaulagiri in the west. If we are taking a flight to Pokhara,the flight time is approximately 25 minutes with the distance of 146 km (straight line) with free 20 kg baggage and 7 kg hand carry. This alternative can give you spare time in Pokhara for leisure, shopping etc
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
We take the road drive to Kimche early morning. Once we arrive at Nayapul, we turn to the Modi Khola River, which we follow to the village of Birethanti. The track becomes bumpier until Kimche. If the view is clear, the sacred summit of Machhapuchhre (6993m) stands proudly beyond the village of Shyauli. We leave the bus at Kimche and start walking. The path goes winding. In the village of Chane, the beautiful panoramas await us. From Chane, the trail climbs up the village of Ghandruk, where we stop to spend the night. Superb views of the Annapurnas and the Machhapuchhre.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Ghandruk is the largest village of the Gurung ethnic group. Each family prides itself on having at least one member belonging to the clan of the famous warriors, the Gurkhas! We take the time to visit the village, temples and museums, before starting the march towards Tadapani. Tadapani means "distant water" in Nepali. We continue the ascent to the pass of Komrong Danda (2650m) along with a very nice view of Machhapuchhre. A balcony trail leads to the villages of Melanje (2050m) and Chiule (2050m). The road straightens and crosses a forest of imposing rhododendrons, real trees, blooming in March. Set on the ridge, Tadapani (2590m) offers a view over the steep valley leading to the Annapurnas sanctuary. Annapurna III (7555m) and Gangapurna (7454M) dominate the scene .
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
As we leave the main road that leads to Ghorepani the trail follows a path rarely used by people other than the inhabitants. The path climbs first through a thick forest of rhododendrons before arriving at the pastures of water buffalos. Grass shaved is a precious commodity in these villages. The views of the Annapurna Range emerging above the tree line are stunning. We arrive at Dobato, at the place called Isharu.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
We leave early to witness the sunrise. We progress through a forest of rhododendrons. At the top, the Dhaulagiri appears in all its splendor and completes the spectacle of the Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Machhapuchhre. We descent back to the community lodge of Dobato after the sunrise view and for breakfast then departure for Chistibung. Beautiful ridge course, small pass, and long descent in the rhododendrons to reach the bottom of the valley, then ascended, always in the rhododendrons.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 :
Trek to Kopra ridge (3642m). Hike to sacred lake of Khayar (4025m) – 3 hrs trek. 3 hrs hike.
he path goes through a beautiful rhododendron forest to a small sacred pond. The trail slips between the blocks and joins a spur from where the view of the Dhaulagiri is remarkable. Magnificent views, extraordinary panorama formed by the Annapurna South, close to a few kilometers.
After lunch, to enjoy even more of this wonderful landscape, a hike on the ridges that dominate Kopra Ridge, towards the sacred lake of Khayar (4025m), is possible. In summer, a pilgrimage takes place on the shores of the lake.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
We follow the steeply descending trail. This area is known for its wildlife; If you are lucky enough, you may see a Himalayan thar, robust and agile mammal, or a pheasant Danfe, Nepal's national animal. We find the dense forest of rhododendrons; pass before the lodge of Chistibung before reaching a bridge of wood that spans a river. The path that continues is pleasant and well marked. We arrive at the pretty hamlet of Swanta, in the middle of the rice fields.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
We descend to a small river and take a quick look at the water mill supplying the numerous villages in the vicinity. From there, crossing the suspension bridge and climbing up to the village of Chittre. We then join the wide road linking Tatopani to Ghorepani (end of the great tour of Annapurna). The path goes up to reach the village of Ghorepani, from where the views of the stages of the previous days are magnificent.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Rise to the dawn for the sunrise in Poon Hill, we are not alone! While most visitors of the day turn back, we have breakfast in front of the show of Dhaulagiris and Annapurnas. Then we take the ridge of Mohare Danda and keep the Dhaulagiri in the line of sight all along. We leave the rhododendrons, pass in front of a splendid sheepfold of yaks and buffalos and remain on the crest lines. Arrival at the community lodge of Mohare Danda, from where the view, once again, is impregnable. Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, the Annapurnas on one side and on the other, the Dhaulagiris, the Tukuche and even the Phewa lake of Pokhara.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Pokhara Departure morning after admiring the sunrise, we follow a magnificent peak first uncovered than in the forest until a small pass and then down to a clearing. Ascent to the small pass of Hampal Pass (2990 m). Beautiful view over the deep valley carved by the Kali Gandaki between Baglung and Beni. Effective descent to the village of Nangi. Here, a trail takes us to Pokhara.
Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12 :
Drive/Flight to Kathmandu.
We will enjoy our last view of the high mountains while flying back to the Kathmandu from Pokhara. The snow-capped mountains will be worth to watch. After 25 minutes of flight, we arrive in Kathmandu domestic terminal where our representative will be waiting to take us back to the hotel where you can enjoy your chilled beer and warm shower. If we choose land travel, it will take us hours. We can experience the various landscapes and people from the window. It sure is a smooth and fun.
Overnight in hotel. Breakfast Included.
We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square reveals the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world.
Overnight in hotel. Breakfast, Dinner Included.
Depending on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 11 am. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel.
Our representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport.
