Khopra Ridge Trek

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transfer to the hotel. After check in, you can either take rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Hotel Encounter Nepal

Meals: Dinner 
Max Altitude: 1300m/4264 ft

After breakfast, break the day with guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. The first visit is made in Swayambhunath Stupa- oldest stupa situated on the hillock. Enjoy the bird eyes view of Kahtmandu Valley and mountains. After then visit Kahtmandu Durbar Square – Palace of Malla and then Shah King of Nepal. Visit Kumari Ghar (living goddes), Kasthamandap (made up of single tree), Hanuman Dhoka (Gate to enter the palace) and many more temples. Finally visit in Patan Durbar Square- city of fine art and architecture. Visit Krishna Temple, Palace square, Mahabauddha, Mahabihar and many more temples and master piece monuments. Late afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Black Diamond briefs us regarding the trip as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu; Hotel Encounter Nepal.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we fly to Pokhara in the morning. During the flight, we have an opportunity to see the amazing views of the Himalayas from the right side of our aeroplane. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, the beautiful lake city, we can see splendid views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and others. In the afternoon, we drive to Syauli Bazaar and start the trek to Ghandruk. This trek takes about 3 hours. Ghandruk is the major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha soldiers and is also the hub of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which promotes many varied ecological projects. Overnight in Ghandruk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek Duration: 3 hrs
Drive Duration: 2 hrs
Flight Duration: 30 mins

Ghandruk offers mesmerizing views of snowcapped mountains such as Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. After breakfast, we continue uphill through Deurali and into the dense rhododendron forests. The national flower of Nepal, Rhododendron turns into gardens of dazzling red flowers as when they bloom and are seen from a distance. The trail leads through a small pass before it takes us to Tadapani which again offers the excellent views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and Hiunchuli mountains. You have an opportunity to buy souvenirs from the Tibetans who stay there for a sale of the presents. Overnight in Tadapani

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,590m/8,497ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

After breakfast, we continue our trek and from Tadapani we also leave the main trail and continue trekking to a more remote area of the Annapurna region for the next five days. This off-the-beaten-paths trek leads us through the diverse flora and fauna of the region and of course the magnificent view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South. Trekking in a relatively easy trail we reach Dobato which is dominated by the excellent view of the Annapurna South. Overnight in Dobato.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,350m/10,990ft
Trek Duration: 4-5 hrs

After breakfast, we go for some easy climbing as we descend through open ground and beautiful forest to reach the pastures of Lower Chistibung. Nevertheless, lower Chistibung asks us to ascend gradually through a forest to go to Upper Chistibung which is popular for a temporary settlement of the herders. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the colorful Lophophorus (Danphe), the national bird of Nepal, as well as Himalayan thar on the grassy ridge high above the trail. Overnight in Upper Chistibung.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,975m/3,198ft
Trek Duration: 4-5 hrs

After breakfast, we embark on a steady climb above the tree line through alpine meadows and pastures of and nearby areas of upper Chistibung and head towards Khopra Danda. As we approach Khopra Ridge, we see the tip of Annapurna South. Upon reaching Khopra Ridge, we go for a short walk down Khopra Ridge to a viewpoint which overlooks Kali Gandaki river far below in the deep valley. Khopra Ridge also offers the stunning mountain panorama including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna South. Overnight in Khopra Danda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 3,660m/12007
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Today is the rest day. Those who want to explore the Khopra ridge can stay in the teahouse. However, we will not let your time wasted for nothing for those who still have courage to walk further. We will explore the Khopra ridge while trekking to the holy Kaire Lake today. We begin trekking from around six in the morning towards the Kaire Lake from where we attain excellent views of Mount Fang and surrounding other mountain ridges. Considered to be a sacred lake by the Hindus, it is believed that bathing in the lake will help attain Nirvana. Nepal being the holy place of the Hindus and the Buddhists, we can even see a number of Hindu and Buddhist shrines on the lakeside. For those of us who do not want to walk all the way to the lake, a half day walk from Khopra can also be arranged upon your request. We have packed lunch today. Overnight in Khopra Ridge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 4,500m/14,763ft
Tour Duration: 10-11 hrs

Today, after breakfast, we descend off the hillside of the Khopra Ridge and continue downhill on a steep trail which offers magnificent views of the valley downwards and the mountains alongside. Further we proceed, the more exhilarating views we come across. It offers exciting views of Mount Dhaulagiri with the mountain providing a lovely backdrop to the terraced fields and traditional houses in the nearby villages until we reach Swanta village. Overnight in Swanta village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,200m/7,217ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

This morning, after breakfast, we leave Swanta village and descend through the village fields to a small river and take a quick look at the traditional water mill, which is a rare view even for the Nepalese people. As we continue walking, we cross a suspension bridge and head upwards to the village of Chittre, where we meet the main trekking trail at Ghorepani. We continue our trek through the main trail from Ghorepani. As we descend through the rhododendron forest, we come across excellent views of the lush green vegetation and the mountains and finally we arrive at Ulleri. Overnight at Ulleri.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2,050 m/6,725 ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

This morning, after breakfast, we trek to Nayapul leaving Ulleri behind. As we proceed our journey, we come across the amazing hilly landscape of the western Nepal until we reach Nayapul. Our trek ends at Nayapul where we board on our vehicle waiting for us and start our drive to Pokhara, the beautiful lake-city. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we are captivated by the magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,156m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We check-in to our hotel and have a rest. Those of us who still want to explore the city can lurch around the streets of Pokhara having found oneself in one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal. Overnight in a hotel in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs
Drive Duration: 1 hr

Today, we have our breakfast early in the morning and head towards the Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist Stupa ranked as the top second attraction in Pokhara by TripAdvisor. From the Stupa, an amazing view of the rising sun from the mighty Himalayas can be observed. Afterwards, we continue touring the city’s landmarks including Davis Falls, Shiva Cave and the International Mountain Museum (IMM). We also do some boating in Phewa Lake, the largest lake in Pokhara and visit Tal Barahi Temple floating at the center of the lake like an island. In the late afternoon, we fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in our hotel in Kathmandu, we celebrate a farewell dinner upon the successful completion of our journey. Overnight in Hotel Encounter Nepal,in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Our scheduled trip to Nepal comes to an end today! One of the representatives from Black Diamond Expedition will escort you to Tribhuvan international airport approximately 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight for the next destination.

Meals: Breakfast