Khopra Trek or South of Annapurna region is one of Nepal’s last
Himalayan jewels; a glittering array of panoramas, gigantic peaks and peaceful
nature awaits the adventurous explorer. However, as magnificent as the
mountains are, it is perhaps the people of Nepal that are its greatest asset. Trekkers
visiting South of Annapurnas (Moharedanda, Khopra Ridge, ABC, Poon hill and
Mardi Himal) are sure to be smitten by the mystical cultures, quaint villages,
massive glaciers, mysterious forests and beautiful exciting trails with vistas.
All will leave with a renewed inspiration for life; there is something very
uplifting about exploring some of nature’s most magical areas…
Flora: types of plant species reported
in ACA region;
1135 species of Angiosperms (dicotyledons : 938 + monocotyledons 197)
Gymnosperms : 15 species
Pteridophytes : 83 species
Total: 1233 species of plants found in ACA region.
1135 species of Angiosperms (dicotyledons : 938 + monocotyledons 197)
Gymnosperms : 15 species
Pteridophytes : 83 species
Total: 1233 species of plants found in ACA region.
Fauna:
102 species of mammals - from 23 different families
488 species of birds
40 species of reptiles
23 species of amphibians
20 species of fish
102 species of mammals - from 23 different families
488 species of birds
40 species of reptiles
23 species of amphibians
20 species of fish
Butterfly:
347 species
Households and population residing in ACA region:
(Ghandruk, Lwang, Sikles, Bhujung, Manang, Jomsom and Lo
Manthang):Households : 18,680
Population:
Male : 43,142Female : 45,245
Total: 88,387
How to get there?
Pokhara 820m to Nayapul 1070m (1.20 – 2 hrs)
There are two transport options; if you want a cheap drive then
you would go to Baglung bus station (the new bus park) and catch a bus to
Nayapul, which costs around 2.5 Euro, but sometimes it would take more
than 2 or 3 hours , because the bus stops at many places to collect passengers.
The other option is to hire a taxi or car; it would bring you to
Nayapul in 1.20 hrs. Recently it cost around 16 to 20 Euros for a single drive.
Contact person; MR. RANA BAHADUR PURJA, mobile 9847771337 or 990670001
Note: Book your rooms at Purnagaun at
least one day ahead.
Nayapul to Deupur Maidan 1520m (3 hrs. approx)
On 18.01.2013, three of us; guide Bhim Kulung Rai, guide Sukraraj
Rai and I started marking the Khopra trail at Nayapul. The trail starts at
Tallo Chouk (lower junction) near the Hotel Buddha, where there are also some
local restaurants and shops. This is about 300 meters west of the first
Nayapul bazaar.
Now, you turn right and will see the blue/ white signs painted on the
wall of the road. Continue walking on the motorable dirt road for about
200 meters and then you will enter the bigger bazaar of Nayapul (a few hundred meters
below the highway).
Soon you will see another blue/ white sign on the electric pole.
Now you turn left and descend steps through some houses, after which you cross
a high suspension bridge over the Modi river. Continue to follow the blue
/white signs. You gently climb up along the side of the wall protecting the
fields against the Monsoon River and, in a few minutes, you connect with the
dirt road. Follow it till you come to Aate village, 1030m., and keep following
the road until you reach Kalyani Ridge, in 25 min., (1080m), then, in another
25 min.,Makha village (1170m.).
From the last point of this village (1245m), you ascend steps to
Deupur Maidan (1.20 hrs) through the scrubby forest, a few villages with
beautiful surrounding views of forests, neighboring villages and farming landscapes.
At Maidan there are a school, temple, electricity light, some
local shops and a couple of basic homestays with outside, communal toilets.
The Didi (Manageress) can cook Dal bhat, noodle soup and other local
foods for you. There is a proper drinking water supply.
The population here includes Gurung, Brahmin, Kami and Damai .
Maidan to Purnagaun , 1705m (45 – 50 min., approx)
Near the public water fountain, you will find blue /white signals
on the wall of a house. Follow them and, in the next 15 to 20 mins, you will reach
Deupur Jogithum (1600m.), where a nice homestay is available. It can
accommodate 10 to 14 people and has a communal toilet and shower outside. It is
also possible to cook food yourself in the private kitchen if you want: for that,
you need to contact MR. BISHNU PRASAD SUBEDI (mobile no. : 9756700217 or
9847623685). There is a proper supply of drinking water and electric
light.
After the next 30 to 40 mins, of following the dirt road you come
to Purnagaun. Some minutes before reaching the village, you separate from the
road and climb up steps till reaching a school, then next to it are a
few teashops, grocery shops . One of the shop provides homestay,
opened recently, where 8 or 9 people can sleep. There is a communal
toilet and bucket hot shower provided on request. They can cook for you: Dal
bhat, noodle soup, tea, boiled potato, egg, plain rice and nettle leaf soup
(sisnu) and chapatti (sukka rotee). The owner of this lodge promised me to put
up a signboard soon, “PURNAGAUN GUEST HOUSE & RESTAURANT. “ The contact is:
MR. RANA BAHADUR PURJA, mobile number: 9847771337 or 990670001 (he
is chairperson of this village).
At Purnagaun, there are a health post, a higher secondary school,
church, electric light and temples. Most people are Hindu and Buddhist, with
some Christians. The people are Magar, Gurung, Kami and Damai. This is a
beautiful village.
Note: Book your rooms at Lespar at
least one day ahead. The contact; 9847717301 or 9805177583 (Mr. Narasing
Pun) or LAXMI HOTEL & RESTAURANT (9847734200).
Purnagaun to Langdi 1810m. (1 hr. approx)
From the last house of this village you hike for 10 mins, on the
dirt road and come to a Chautari (a resting place), where we put blue/ white signs.
From here you can take the beautiful, lower, classic trail to Langdi. If,
however, you are there in the Monsoon season, you would need to take the upper
trail on the road to Langdi.
At Langdi there is a basic homestay, sleeping a maximum of 5 people.
The communal toilet is outside of the house. The Didi can cook you Dal
bhat, chapatti, noodle soup and tea etc.
There are 64 households at Langdi (24 Kamies, 22 Damaies and 18
Gurungs). There are a post office, temples, electric light and beautiful Gurung
styled houses. There is farming on terraced land with high surrounding green
hills and views of the neighboring villages.
Langdi to Lespar 2015m. (5 - 6 hrs.)
The road crosses through the middle of Langdi village and it
continues to Ghurunga, the next village. But at the trail junction, just below
the temple and high trees in the middle of the village, you should look for the
blue/ white signs we erected on the rock. There the trekking trail crosses over
the road and you should continue climbing up the steps. After some minutes, you
will come to a trail junction near the last house. Now you follow the
lower flat trail instead of climbing the steps and, after 15 to 20 minutes, you
gradually enter the forest and climb gently up, with a view of southern
villages, landscapes and high green hills to the north. In 1.30 hrs, you come
to Dhad Kharka (1970m.) with a little ruin. You continue further on the dense
rhododendron forest trail, and reach Ghurungalek 2120m, in 2 hrs; there are two
houses a few hundred meters below the trail. Now you can clearly see the
beautiful Lespar village with its shining roofs and blue windows. Keep hiking
at the same altitude in the dense forest, past some streams until you arrive at
a little village called Chhupeni (2215m); there are 3 little empty houses. You
go further on and gently descend, make a long contour and you reach the school
or lower village of Lespar, both of which we marked in blue /white colors.
The school is the centre point of both Lower and Upper Lespar.
From the school if you turn left and walk for 5 minutes down steps, you come to
LAXMI HOTEL & RESTAURANT (contact number: 9847734200). There is one lodge
at Lespar currently but at Upper Lespar MR. NARASING PUN is going to provide a
homestay, and if this accommodation is not sufficient, he will manage homestays
in other houses.
At LAXMI HOTEL, 10 people can sleep and there are 5 rooms. The
beautiful smiley Didi can cook for you Dal bhat, noodles, boiled potato, egg,
plain rice + nettle leaf soup (sisnu), chapatti and other local foods. Indeed,
the vegetables, which she grows in her garden, are organic! The toilet
and bucket hot shower is outside of the house.
MR. PUN is a very well respected and an important personality of
this village and neighboring villages too. He is the chairperson of this
village and his contact numbers are: 9847717301 or 9805177583.
Lespar is a huge and well- managed village. It is very clean and
all the houses are beautiful, with slate roofs. There are 169 households, and
with the exception of a few Kamies and Damaies, 98% of the population is Magar.
Most of these people are Hindu but there are a few Buddhist and Christians as
well.
There are a higher secondary school, a basket ball playing field,
a football ground, health post, post office, internet service, phone, proper
drinking water supply and electricity.
The surroundings are those of gorgeous landscapes, villages and
views of high green hills.
Note: Book your rooms at Nangi at
least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile number:
9857622028)
Lespar to Nangi 2260m. (6 – 7 hrs approx)
From the middle part of the village, you hike on a well paved
trail via the upper village, amidst scenic beauty. Slowly you bend
towards the right and come up far above the school. Soon you reach a Chautari
(a resting place) - cross it and, a few meters further on, you come to a trail
junction. Now you have to take the upper trail (left) which leads you gently up
into the forest. Later on you climb up more hills, sometimes steep, and then
finally arrive at a little pass at Chautari (2450m.). (2 hrs. approx).
Now, follow the flat left trail with blue /white signs and, in 30 to 40 minutes,
you will reach Gaira Kharka (2495m.). Here there is a small house and a
couple of buffalo shelters. You can already see a beautiful view of the
Mt. Dhaulagiri range, the surrounding high and dense forest hills and Shalija
village.
You still have to go a long way to Thadako Danda, a little pass at
the Chautari 2520m (2 to 3 hrs. approx). It is sometimes steep and confusing to
find the right trail, but we did try to put blue/ white signs wherever
possible. From this pass the view of Annapurna South, Himchuli and Nilgiri is
breathtaking, especially if you are here in April with the rhododendron flowers
in full bloom!
Be careful not to turn left or right now, from whichever direction
you arrived, from Lespar side. You just have to cross this pass through the
Chautari and come down on the other side. Now the dense forest trail to
Nangi is clear and well made and goes down the steps till the dirt road is
reached, 1.5 km. before the main Nangi village. After reaching the road, you turn
right and walk on it. Soon you come to a temple (looking like a chorten)
at the first village of Nangi. Continue on the road and 8 to 10 minutes before
main Nangi, you separate from the road and take the upper trail. Finally you reach
Nangi Community Lodge with its red roof and windows.
This lodge has 10 rooms and 20 beds with communal toilet and solar
heated shower inside the same building. There is a big dining hall. Food is on a
menu system. If these rooms are not sufficient, they can provide other cottage rooms
nearby the school. A few basic homestays are also available. It is very
important to reserve rooms by phone one or two days earlier. An official
person to contact for this area (Nangi, Moharedanda, Danda Kharka, Swanta,
Chistibang, Khopra Ridge and Bayeli) is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile number:
9857622028) and Nangi Community Lodge (mobile: 9847649801 or 9847703341).
At Nangi, there are a higher secondary school, a handmade paper
factory, women’s handicrafts, a group of women who make plum jam, a telephone service,
proper drinking water supply, electric light and a “tele-teaching” service.
The majority of the residents are Magars, Kamies and Damais. Most
of these people are Hindu and some are Buddhist.
Nangi is a beautiful place with views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri
and Annapurna range, including vistas of high green hills and the surrounding villages.
DR. MAHABIR PUN (Ramon Magsaysay Awardee) and his team have
brought a new and very good concept in that they have built community
lodges at a variety of different places such as Nangi, Moharedanda,
Danda Kharka, Swanta, Chistibang, Khopra Ridge and Bayeli Kharka. Two years
ago, they also brought 156 yaks into the Khopra region. They also established a
cheese factory at Pawdar, so they can supply yak cheese and meat to the
restaurants in Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk, Shikha, Tatopani etc. All
profit made goes to support the schools of those areas.
Brief information about “tele-teaching”
Today, the internet connectivity is changing Myand; using Dr.
Pun’s “tele-teaching” network, the teachers in one school instruct students in
others. Local health workers use Wi-Fi to consult specialists in Pokhara and
Kathmandu. Once isolated students are now able to surf the Net and they are
learning global skills. Among the villagers’ local products are buffalo meat,
honey, tea, jams, women’s handicrafts, sold through the e-market and the web is
used for drawing payments.
Note: Book your rooms at Moharedanda
at least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile number:
9857622028)
Nangi to Moharedanda 3300m. (7 hrs. approx)
The trail begins directly at the Community Lodge where you should
also see the blue/ white signs and arrow. From the Chautari you climb up the
steps and soon you will enter the forest. Flat at first, the gradient
trails up in the dense forest. Continue climbing up more steeply until
you reach a little pass (2 hrs approx). Go down the other side, where the trail
is flat. Then there is a more strenuous climb up to Humpal pass (3098m.).
(2 hrs approx.). Over the pass is a shelter with a red tin roof. Now you
descend a bit on the other side, walk along a flat trail walk, then go up into
the forest. There is a steep, grassy path along the ridge and finally you come
to see the house of Moharedanda. Still continue hiking along the ridge with
Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and Manaslu for sunset vistas! And views of the
surrounding forest and the mysterious, southern landscapes!
Moharedanda is a good place to take an extra day’s rest!
Moharedanda itself is a perfect natural towering ridge. It offers a spectacular
360 degree mountain view through the Dhaulagiri range ((8167m.) high, Annapurna
range (8091m.), Manaslu Himal ( 8163m .)
vistas of deep magical landscapes
and magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the mountains.To see all these views you don’t need to wake up at 4
o’clock as at Poon hill! You can even view them from your bedroom or fire-
heated dining hall or you just can step out of the door to see them.
There is a Community Lodge with 10 rooms and 20 beds. There are also
a newly built porters’ house and two yak shelters. The Lodge has a fire- heated
dining hall, the food is on the menu system, and Wi-Fi internet and solar light
are available. There is a communal toilet and a hot bucket shower is available
on request.
Note: Book your rooms at Swanta at
least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile number:
9857622028)
Moharedanda to Phulbari 2835m. (1.30 – 2 hrs. maximum)
From Mohoredanda you gently descend into the dense rhododendron
forest with vistas. Follow the blue/ white signs and, (45mins. to 1 hr), you
come to Chautari with a small pond and a temple in the left corner (3040m.).
Look carefully to find the arrow we put there, cross through for some minutes
till you reach grassy open land, where the trail is more confusing. We tried to
put bigger signs but did not find any large rocks or trees; still we did put
some arrows and blue /white signs on some small rocks. You should not turn left
or right, but cross here directly and enter the forest. Keep going down through
the scrubby forest to some open grassy slopes. Again the trail becomes confusing:
look carefully down and you should see the little red and white flag with a
high wooden pole which has been placed there. Go down to it, more steeply,
and you will reach Phulbari Guest House, a private lodge at Phulbari (2835m.).
(45 mins, 1 hr). There are 5 rooms and 10 beds, a communal toilet and hot bucket
shower, available on request. It has a fire- heated dining hall and the food is
on the menu system. This is a beautiful place to stay, with gorgeous mountains
views and peaceful green forest surroundings. The phone contact is: 069
680460 or 9746041157
Phulbari to Danda Kharka 2750m. (10 – 15 min)
After 10 – 15 minutes ‘ walk in the rhododendron
forest, you will come down to Danda Kharka (2750m.); there is a Community Lodge
with 8 rooms and 16 beds. The food is on the menu system, and there is a fire
-heated dining hall, communal toilet and bucket shower outside.
This place is a trail junction leading to Swanta/Khopra, Tatopani,
Ramche/Nangi and Phulbari-Moharedanda.
Danda Kharka to Phalante 2270m (4 hrs approx).
Now you hike on the flat and clear trail in the dense forest and,
in 20 minutes, you come to a shelter for buffalo herders. Continue on a long
hike and you will arrive at a little pass with chautari (Nakako Bisaune) (2670m.).
Cross it and come down on the other side and continue further into the dense
forest. After a flat walk, you go gently down and reach a house with well
protected fields and a view of Dhaulagiri in the background. From here, you
straight away descend by a grassy slope to a Chautari, entering a scrubby
forest: now the trail is more confusing. You already see the Phalante,
still continue downhill, come to another Chautari, and descend the steps.
Finally you will reach a big wall protecting fields. Cross it by the
wooden ladder, follow the blue/ white signs on an electric pole and house wall.
Go through the fields and join the dirt road near the Sharada primary school of
Phalante.
Phalante to Swanta 2260m (1 hr approx.)
The school is a very important landmark as it marks the trail
junction leading to Swanta/Khopra, Tatopani/Jomsom, Ghorepani/ABC,
Moharedanda/Nangi and Nayapul. There are a couple of basic lodges and
restaurants. After the gate of this school, you still descend and continually
follow the trail marked with blue/ white signs, through villages, forest and
steps leading steeply down to the suspension bridge over Kholang Khola (30 – 40
min.), then you climb steps on the other side to Swanta village which takes
about 30 min.
At Swanta, there are two nice lodges: Swanta Guest House
with 10 rooms and 21 beds, and Hotel Trekker’s Sanctuary Lodges with 7 rooms
and 15 beds. Both lodges have a communal toilet, hot bucket shower, menu system
food, a warm dining hall and electric light.
Swanta is a very beautiful village with its farmed terraced fields,
beautiful surrounding high green hills and villages, and views of the
Dhaulagiri mountain range, Tukuche peak and Annapurna South.
At Swanta, the residents are 100% Pun Magars. According to the
data, the households total 72. Most of the men are working in the British and
Indian Gurkha Army and Singapore police. These people are kind and friendly;
they are mostly Hindu with a few Buddhists too. There is a primary school and
temple in the middle part of the village.
The phone contact is: 9846200616 or 9745037663 (Swanta Guest
House) and 9847675240 (Hotel Trekker’s Sanctuary).
Note: Book your rooms at Chistibang
(Dhan Kharka) at least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN
(mobile number: 9857622028).
Swanta to Aahal Kharka 2600m (3 – 4 hrs, maximum)
Begin hiking through the school’s grounds and go behind it, and
then follow the blue/ white signs alongside the fields. Cross by a big house
and enter the forest trail. The gradient slopes up into the dense forest, and
then climbs more steeply up. Then there is a gentle descent to the
beautiful Dhaste Khore Khola. Cross over a well built wooden bridge
(2.30 – 3 hrs). Now turn a bit to the right hand side and climb up the hill,
reaching Aahal Kharka 2600m, (30 – 45 min).
There is a beautiful cottage, Ever Green Rest Cottage, with a nice
terrace, dining hall and kitchen and a communal toilet. The cottage owner (Mr.
Hem Bahadur Pun) is a very good, energetic and open minded person. He serves
you Dal bhat, boiled potato, mushroom items, plain rice + nettle leaf soup
(sisnu) , ginger tea, tea, coffee and mint tea etc. This is a perfect
place to have lunch. All vegetables are fresh and organic from his garden.
Accommodation is not available yet, but we did sleep in a buffalo shelter
belonging to this man. The phone contact is: 9846288449 (Mr. Hem Bahadur
Pun).
The trail climbs up via a steep hill into the oak and rhododendron
forest. It is easy to find but you have to look for the blue/ white signs as well.
Chistibang is a nice and peaceful place with surrounding green forest and a
view of high grassy hills. At Chistibang, there are two lodges: Hotel
Rockland & Restaurant is a private lodge with 9 rooms and 18 beds. Another
Community Lodge has 10 rooms and 20 beds. Both lodges have menu system food,
fire -heated dining hall, communal toilet and hot bucket shower available on
request. Solar light is available. The phone contact is: 9847603971 (Hotel
Rockland).
Note: Book your rooms at Khopra Ridge
at least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile
number: 9857622028).
Chistibang to Khopra Ridge 3660m (3 – 4 hrs)
You begin to hike near the Community Lodge and follow the blue
white signs. Walk some way on the flat trail, and then follow the gradient up
into the forest, which gets steeper until you reach a Kharka (pasture).
Cross it, entering a scrubby forest; again climb steeply up and you come
to a trail junction with a small, man- made pond for animals to drink water
from. This leads to Khopra Ridge, or Bayeli Kharka and Chistibang, coming
from the other direction. There are many blue /white signs and arrows which we
put on the rocks.
Now veer towards the left and continue further on. You first climb
up steeply on a grassy slope with a view of beautiful mountains and landscapes.
Soon you cross the ridge and come to a chautari, then you hike at a similar
altitude to Khopra Ridge! This is what you had been dreaming of for a long
time!!
This is the last point for lodging on this trek, at the time of writing.
Mountain views are stunning: they include the Dhaulagiri range (8167m.),
Tukuche peak, Thapa peak, Nilgiris, Baraha Shikhar and Annapurna South.
We had beautiful sunset and sunrise views of them and the landscapes to
the south are breathtaking!
At Khopra Ridge, there is a Community Lodge with 10 rooms and 20
beds. If these rooms are not sufficient, they provide you with tents to sleep
in. It has a nice dining hall, communal toilet and bathroom inside the building
and a hot bucket shower available on request. Food is on the menu system. Wi-Fi
internet service and solar light are available. The lodge is open the whole
year round. There are also a couple of yak shelters.
At Khopra hundreds of internal tourists come to join a special
festival in July, called “Yak Fresh Blood Drinking Festival!” These
people believe drinking fresh blood of living yak is a very good treatment for
gastritis and increasing energy and sex power and has many other advantages. If
you drink it once or twice a year it is thought to be very good. This festival
lasts for five days.
It is a very good idea to stay here at least two days; you can
take a beautiful day’s hiking trip to Khayar lake at 4600m. This, however, is
not recommended for every trekker, because it is a very long way to trek
to the lake and come back the same way to Khopra. It takes a minimum of 9 to 11
hours as a round trip. But it is good idea to go as far as Thanti (around
4200m. high) and come back. At Thanti, there are some shelters for yak herders
and shepherds to stay in during the monsoon.
Khayar Lake is very famous for Hindu belief; on the occasion of
Janai Purnima , around the full moon of Saaun (July-August) the high caste men,
Brahmin and Kshetri , must change the janai, which they wear looped over
their left shoulder. So Janai Purnima brings crowds of pilgrims to this sacred
Khayar lake and many pilgrims come from India as well. There they garland a
statue of Shiva and throw coins at a temple and into the lake. There are two
places to make pooja, seven minutes before this lake and a temple, where
hundreds of sheep and goats are sacrificed on the same occasion.
The pilgrims sleep one or two nights at Thanti, where the yak
herders’ shelters are used to sleep in, but those are not enough for all these
people. They bring large tents and set them up as shelter for many people and
then they go up to the lake, making pooja, and come back to Thanti and stay
overnight.
If you don’t mind bringing a light tent, cooking gear, some
noodles and dry food and a warm sleeping bag, it would be fantastic to take the
Khayar lake trip. The views of nature’s beauty are mesmerizing!!
Unfortunately, we could not mark the trail between Khopra and
Khayar Lake, because there was too much snow at the moment we were there. But
it is a clear and not confusing trail.
From Khopra Ridge, some tourists go down to Tatopani (1200m)
as well; there are two trail options to take, either via Pawdar village and
Tatopani or Upper Narchyang - Narchyang besi and Tatopani. It is a long
descent! The phone contact is: 9745039392 (Khopra Ridge).
Note: Book your rooms at Bayeli
Kharka at least one day ahead. The contact person is: MR. CHITRA PUN (mobile
number: 9857622028).
Khopra Ridge to Bayeli ( Bayeli Kharka) 3460m (4 – 5 hrs.)
From Khopra you return down to the trail junction with a small
pond, where you have to follow the blue/ white signs and arrows pointing
towards Bayeli. 80% of the hiking is at the same altitude on the grassy steep,
bamboo scrubby and rhododendron forest, and the remaining 20% of the hike is a
mixture of down and uphill trail with southern green slopes and sky touching
grassy mountain view in the north. The trail is somewhat narrower than normal,
but it is beautiful to walk on it. Today you cross mainly through three different
pastures; there are two shelters for yak herders at the first and second
pastures. The last pasture has a ruin, and just before and after this point it
is quite confusing to find the trail. We did put an arrow and blue /white signs
right near this ruin. Make your way straight through and enter the rhododendron
forest, walk some way on the flat and in a few minutes you will come to a Chautari,
trail junction. This leads up to Bayeli, then down to Chistibang in the
opposite direction to Khopra. After crossing through this chautari, you gently
climb up in the rhododendron forest and arrive at Bayeli.
At Bayeli, there is a Community Lodge with 8 beautiful rooms and
16 beds. Mt. Dhaulagiri and the view of the landscape through your window are
awesome! If those rooms are not sufficient, they provide you with tents to
sleep in. There is a warm fire- heated dining room and a nice kitchen. The toilet
and bathroom are communal and hot bucket showers are available on request.
Bayeli is a very beautiful and peaceful place to stay and, if you have an
extra day to rest, it would be absolutely worthwhile to do so. From here
you can also trek to Hidden Lake (Toji Baraha taal) as a day trip. It
takes 4 to 5 hrs, to get there and coming back the same way to Bayeli would
take an extra 3 to 4 hrs. We could not mark the trail between Bayeli and Hidden
Lake because there was too much snow.
The phone contact is: 9846208067 or 9846200799 (Mr. Lok
Bahadur Pun).
Bayeli Kharka to Dobato 3426m (2 hrs. maximum)
From the lodge, you first go up to the ridge for 10 minutes, then
descend down a steep, grassy slope on the other side and continue further on
the flat until you come to a high ridge. You bend down along this ridge with
breathtaking views of mountains and landscapes. Soon you enter the forest, on a
path varying between flat and steep, until you reach Dobato. There are three
lodges: Hotel Lucky Guest House (5 rooms and 10 beds) is already running. The
other two lodges, of similar capacity, are about to open soon. All lodges have
communal toilets outside of the building and hot bucket showers available on
request. They have warm dining rooms and the food is menu system.
Mt. Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapuchre, Annapurna II and IV,
Lamjung Himal and surrounding high green hills, with wide landscape views, are
an extra attraction.
People of Dobato may suggest you trek to another viewpoint called
Mulday Ridge (3600m.) (4 hrs. approx to get there and 3 hrs. minimum to
get back ). Some may find this wonderful to do, but in my opinion, after
making Moharedanda and Khopra Ridge, it is not necessary: still if you want to
do this, it is up to you.
The phone contact: 9746064385
Dobato to Isharu 3137m (1.30 hrs. approx)
The trail in the beginning is flat, and then it goes gently down into
the rhododendron, bamboo and pine forest. Keep descending further and enter a
narrower gorge, following blue/ white signs. Then come out of the forest and
bend a bit towards the left, for a few minutes, climb up to cross a little pass
with a tin roofed temple and come down a grassy steep, and soon you reach at
Isharu. There are two lodges already open and another one is about to be built
soon. Hotel Isharu Green Hill Point has 6 rooms and 12 beds and the other lodge
has 4 rooms and 8 beds. Both lodges have communal toilets, a warm dining room and
bucket showers available on request. The food is on menu system. This place is
located on a warm sunny side. People here also may advise you to
make it to Mulday Ridge viewpoint, but my advice to you is the same as for
Dobato.
The phone contact is: 9746064649 or 9846258589 or 9816127074 (Mr.
Bishal Rai).
Isharu to Meshar 2930m (45min. – 1 hr)
Now you walk in the dense forest, mostly downhill, sometimes steep
and sometimes flat. We only put a few blue /white signs, because the trail is
wide and clear.
At Meshar, there is a basic, newly built lodge which is ready to
run with 4 rooms and 8 beds; the toilet is outside. There are also two tea
shops about to open in time for next season.
Meshar to Tadapani 2590m (1.45 hrs. approx)
You still descend in the dense and peaceful forest, with a mix of
flat and steep gradient, and finally you reach Tadapani. There are more than 7
big lodges with restaurants and a few tea shops (bhatties) and a newly built
porters’ house.
This place is a very important trail junction; leading to
Chomrong/ABC, Ghadruk/Nayapul, Ghorepani/Jomsom and the starting point for
Khopra Trek (near the Hotel Grand View).
The combination of the surrounding mysterious rhododendron forest
and the beautiful landscape of the Annapurna mountain range and Machhapuchre is
a magical attraction for trekkers!
The phone contact is: 9756000881 or 9846257686 (Hotel Grand
View).
Tadapani to Chuile 2230m to Ghurjung 1800 (3 hrs. approx)
At Tadapani, “Hotel Grand View” is very important as a
starting point for the Khopra trek and trail down to Chuile and further on… You
directly enter the dense forest by going down steps from this hotel.
“From this direction
to start the Khopra trek, you have to come to this hotel and cross through its
front ground and go behind it, follow blue/ white signs on the tree bark and enter
the forest and continue climbing uphill.”
And you may still follow some blue/ white signs, though the trail
is clear and it is easy to find all the way down to Discovery Lodge &
Restaurant at the top village of Chuile. Still you have to descend a long way
to the suspension bridge over Kimrong Khola at the end of this village (45
min). After you come to the other side of this khola, you directly climb
steepsteps to Ghurjung, where there are a primary school, lodges and nice
Gurung houses and farmed terrace fields.
Ghurjung to Taulung 2180m to Jhinudanda 1780m (2 to 3 hrs. approx)
From the last lodge of this village, you climb upwards through
steep scrub and come to a tea shop. From here you have to take the lower trail
and a descent to a small stream and then all the way on the flat to Taulung.
This is the first village of Chhomrong. Now, if you are able to extend an extra
day, you can continue to the second village of Chhomrong (Nayagaon) with many
big hotels (20 – 25 min). This is a very good idea too, because Chhomrong is a
nice village in beautiful natural surroundings. And in the morning after taking
breakfast you could go to Jhinudanda and the hot spring.
Otherwise, directly from the first village (Taulung), you may
continue steeply down to Jhinudanda (1 hour.). We put many arrows and
blue/ white signs at the trail junction here, so go ahead following their directions.
Jhinu is a nice place with the sky touching green hills, mountains
and the deep gorge view of Modi River coming from Annapurna I. There are 4 big
lodges and some small tea shops. They have properly supplied drinking water,
electricity, nice shower rooms, dining room, and toilet. The food is very good.
Hot Spring (Tatopani)
Going down to Hot Spring takes about 15 minutes and coming back to
the hotel would take 20 to 30 minutes, maximum. The trail condition is well
maintained and clear in the peaceful forest with beautiful sounds of birds and
river! The hot spring is located at the shore of Modi River and, while bathing,
a very good atmosphere may be enjoyed, as you are sit in the hot pool
whilst refreshing with the cool air coming from the river! There are two
big pools and a fountain to take showers in. The entry fee to the hot spring is
NPR, 50/- per person.
Jhinudanda to New Bridge 1340m (1.30 hrs. approx)
You first hike down steps to the bridge (have a look at the winter
and summer trail) over the Kimrong Khola again, and come to Samrung Bensi, a
little village. Now you have to take the lower flat trail (instead of climbing
steps up), entering the forest and descending to New Bridge. There you find
many basic lodges and restaurants etc.
New Bridge to Landruk 1565m (1.30 – 2 hrs approx)
In 10 minutes you descend to a high and long suspension
bridge crossing over Modi River and you hike on through Himalpani, climb some
steps up, cross two suspension bridges and then you arrive at the
Himalayan Lodge & Restaurant. This is the beginning point of Landruk
village from this direction. It is also a trail junction leading to Ghandruk,
Nayapul, Khopra trek via Chhomrong or Ghandruk, Pokhara via Australian Camp or
Phedi and to Mardi Himal Trek (it begins near the camping ground in the middle
of this village).
Landruk is a large village inhabited by Gurungs, Brahmin, Kshetri,
Magar, Kami and Damai. There are beautiful slate roofs of typical Gurung
-styled houses and terraced fields surrounded by high green hills, villages and
the Annapurna Mountains. These people are Buddhist and Hindu. There are several
lodges with restaurants and camping sites. There are a proper drinking water
supply, electricity, toilets, and shower and dining room etc.
Landruk to Tolka 1700m (45min. – 1 hr)
There is beautiful hiking through the villages and fields with
nice terraces, mostly flat until the suspension bridge over the Kumkum Khola.
Cross it then climb steps up to Tolka. There are several lodges and restaurants
there, with electricity and a good drinking water supply etc. Tolka is a
beautiful village with its nice farming fields and surroundings, of forest,
hills, villages and high mountains etc. The resident majority is Magars and
there are a few Gurungs and Brahmins, most of whom are Hindu, with a few
Buddhists too.
Tolka to Bhedi Kharka 1765m to Bhichuk Pitam Deurali 2100m (2 hrs
approx)
After the last house of Tolka, you hike a few minutes on the flat
and come to a fork trail junction. Now take the upper trail and try to
find the blue/ white sign on the rock and enter the forest through the
foothills and gently climb up to a suspension bridge Cross it and soon you come
to Bhichuk Bhedi Kharka (Bhedi Kharka) with two beautiful lodges and
restaurants, and a perfect spot for a lunch break in peaceful surroundings,
with a jungle view and very fresh air. The Hita Guest House owner serves
organic fresh vegetables from his/her garden (I highly recommend the green
mustard leaf or Raayoko saag!).
Now, you begin an upwards gradient, then more steps up. Then there
is a steep trail in the red sandalwood forest and, after strenuous climbing,
you hike flat in the dense forest and reach Bhichuk Pitam Deurali. There are
two basic lodges and restaurants and a bhatti (tea shop). This place is the
beginning and end point for the “Mardi Himal Trek” with blue /white marking
signs.
Pitam Deurali to Pathana 1950m (45 min)
The flat trail begins through a beautiful red sandalwood forest,
and soon you come to a chautari, from where you should descend along the ridge
and continue further on to Pathana. There are 6 nice lodges and a couple of
bhattis (tea shop). There is an ACAP permit check point and tourist information
centre. Please make sure that all your necessary permits are arranged in
Pokhara beforehand.
Pathana to Australian Camp 2060m (20 – 30 min)
You directly enter the forest for a short descent and you will see
an ACAP signpost, directing to Australian Camp and Dhampus. Both trails are
marked with red /white colors. Unfortunately, the Dhumpus trail is not that
pleasant due to the road construction until the last point of the village,
coming from opposite direction. So I highly recommend taking the hike through
Australian camp, because no single vehicle chases you till Kande. The trail
condition is peaceful in nature, the walk is easy and there is a fantastic view
of landscapes and high, magic mountains. And Australian Camp is a very
good place to make an overnight stop. There are nice campsites and four lodges
with restaurants.
Australian Camp to Kande 1770m (1 – 1.30 hrs)
After a short flat hike, you gently descend into the forest with
beautiful views of landscapes and villages in the south. You climb down more
steps and soon you reach a small village. Continue further on then finally you
come to join the Baglung Highway at Kande. This is the beginning and end point
for the Mardi Himal Trek, ABC, Poonhil and Khopra Trek.
Kande to Pokhara 820m (1 hr)
There are two transport options; if you want a cheap drive then
catch a bus coming from the direction of Baglund and Nayapul. But be careful of
arriving here in the late evening as there are far fewer buses or taxis. Consider
the situation and act accordingly. At the time of writing the bus fare to
Baglung bus station in Pokhara is 2 Euros per passenger. A normal taxi costs 15
Euros to Lakeside, (drop at your hotel).
Testimonials;
Testimonials;
In January 2011, my
friend and I spent two wonderful weeks trekking in the Annapurna region
doing the "unbusy" Khopra Trek. We highly recommend the Khopra Trek.
We loved the fact that it was not busy, very peaceful and quiet. The
scenery was a good mixture of farming land and villages and forest. It
was excellent to have a guide who was knowledgeable about the area and
could tell us about the wildlife and explain what was happening in the
fields. It was also very good to have someone who could translate for
us! The walk was a good balance of easy and more strenuous days.Our
longest day was seven and a half hours down 2500 metres but we were
taking it slowly and had a number of rests. The mountain views were
beautiful and we had clear fine weather. The night spent at Mohore
danda was memorable with the magnificent sunset and sunrise over the
mountains. Amazing 360 degree views. (Also rather nice to be delivered
a hot coffee while we were standing,rugged up, waiting for the sun to
rise!) Another highlight was staying in a traditional Gurung house at
Langdi. Very interesting to be so close to and experience a small part
of Nepali life. Ram was a great cook preparing delicious meals
seemingly from very little. We were so well cared for by Pal, Govinda
and Ram. All in all an amazing 14 day trek.
Our trek was organized by Prem Rai (premmainarai@hotmail.com)
and included international airport pick up and drop off, all
tickets,(air and overland) plus a days sight seeing in Pokhara and
Kathmandu.This made the whole trip stress free and very easy.Prem gave
us advice about where to stay before and after our trek which was very
helpful. Prem and his lovely wife Maina welcomed us openly and we felt
very comfortable with them. Maina and her sister gave us the most
wonderful massages before and after the trek.
Sharon Western Australia
E-mail: sljay46@hotmail.com
We would like to emphasize once again the very friendly nature and the reliable organization of Prem Rai and especially the well two best companions that you could wish for such a trek. Tara and Dev are both very very experienced, courteous and friendly guides (Dev was in this case our Porter). They make sure that you do not overstrain, can tell a lot about the nature and Nepal and are also humorous. Every minute we felt safe and very comfortable and would go with the two trekking again and again! We hope that we can go back with them on a discovery tour of this gorgeous country very soon. Nepal and especially the trek are among the best memories that we have made in the last six months on the road!
Dev, Prem and Tara , we thank you! It was incredibly unforgettable! We'll be back!
Martin and Jana
In October 2013 we have been in Nepal for four
weeks. Three of them we have placed in the trusted hands of Prem Rai, who
organized our two week trek, a few days stay in Pokhara and two days Chitwan
National Park. The mail contact with Prem was easy and we were quickly able to
agree on a route or the expiry of the three weeks respectively. Since we were
less interested in tourist trekking routes, we quickly agreed on the so-called
khopra Trek ( he has been labeled , among others personally by Prem) . We took
the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where we met in the evening at the hotel
with our guide Tara and he explained us all the important details. The next
morning, Dev (Our Porter) and Tara came to us to the hotel and from there we
went along with the taxi to our starting point of the trek. The advantage of
the khopra Trek is that it is little tourism at the moment. We were mostly, in
the often newly built lodges along the trek, the only guests. The nature and
the views that we enjoyed were stunning, especially the 360 ° - view from
Mohare Danda ( Daulagiri , Annapurna ... ) ! The trek is very versatile and not
too demanding. In addition, the highest point one can reach is 4600 m (one -day
excursion from the khopra lodge) . The food at the lodges was mainly incredibly
well! Back in Pokhara we had some relaxing days for sightseeing. At the end we
went further into the Chitwan National Park, where we could observe some
interesting animals (rhinos, crocodiles ...).
We would like to emphasize once again the very friendly nature and the reliable organization of Prem Rai and especially the well two best companions that you could wish for such a trek. Tara and Dev are both very very experienced, courteous and friendly guides (Dev was in this case our Porter). They make sure that you do not overstrain, can tell a lot about the nature and Nepal and are also humorous. Every minute we felt safe and very comfortable and would go with the two trekking again and again! We hope that we can go back with them on a discovery tour of this gorgeous country very soon. Nepal and especially the trek are among the best memories that we have made in the last six months on the road!
Dev, Prem and Tara , we thank you! It was incredibly unforgettable! We'll be back!
Martin and Jana
Germany
Itinerary:
Option: (A) &
(B);
Both would take in minimum 14 to 15
days, if you want to include Mardi Himal Trek, then it would be 20 day trek.
Please, if you want have an Itinerary
for this trek, let me know, I will send you on my earliest convenient, because it
is well prepared…
"My special thanks to Ms.
Chris Panks, in London, who helped in the editing of these texts."
“Feel open to contact me,
whether you have any interest about Nepal and all related activities in tourism
and adventures. I can help you arrange any treks and tours or itineraries in
Nepal. You can make any of these trips longer or shorter to fit your stay in
Nepal.".”
With warm regards – namaste!
With warm regards – namaste!
Contact:
Prem Rai
At PREMS NEPAL TREK PVT. LTD.
Lakeside - 6, Pokhara, Nepal.
New e-mail:
New e-mail:
Websites:
Namaste!!
1 comment:
Thank you for giving such a great and thorough description of the whole trek through the Kopra Ridge. The section between Nayapul via Langdi, Moharedanda down to Phalante are not normally described. I also read the Mardi Himal trek description. I definitely want to make that whole trek, Mardi Himal plus Kopra Ridge before it becomes more popular and overly developed. And also Thanks for the painstaking work to mark the trails with the paint.
Mangalam,
the trekkingmonk ka Bhante Y. Rahula
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