-
14 Days
-
97 km
-
6-7 hrs
-
Spring/Autumn
-
Public/Private Vehicle
-
Hotels, Tea Houses and Camping
-
Moderate
-
Khopra Danda
-
4500m
Overview
Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking is excellent off the beaten adventure in the Annapurna region. This scenic trek takes you to the pristine foothills of the Himalayas. Trekkers will pass through the alpine forests, terraced farmed hills, and other natural landscapes of the region.
You can observe the awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped mountains from the Khopra Ridge viewpoint. The breathtaking views of the Annapurna (I, II, III and South), Machhapuchhre, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, Lamjung Himal, Nilgiri Himal, and others will spellbind you.
Moreover, you have an opportunity to explore the cultural aspects of the region as well. The incredible enchanting villages have a unique culture, tradition, and lifestyle. The significant attraction of the trek is the pilgrimage to the holy site of Khayer Lake (4,827m). Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims consider the Lake as an important religious site.
Furthermore, you have an opportunity to explore the rare and endangered wildlife, including Danphe, snow leopard, and Himalayan Tahr. You can visit the agricultural farm, terraced hills, and Yak cheese factory, cow and Yak farms as well. The quiet trails provide an incredible adventure in the Himalayan region.
Similarly, the lovely heritage of the Gurung, Magar, Ghale, and Lama community will enthrall you. You will stay at the local tea houses and lodges along the trail. The incredible hospitality along the accommodations will melt your heart. This spectacular trek package is available at a reasonable cost. Read further for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking Itinerary and other relevant information.
Significant Highlights of the Trip
- Outstanding views of the entire Kali Gandaki valley and river
- Awe-inspiring snow-capped mountain views of Annapurna (I, II, III and South), Tukuche peak, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri Himal, Dhampus Peak, Machhapuchhre, Himchuli, Lamjung Himal, and others
- Exploration of the sacred Khayer Lake
- Incredible sunrise view from the Poon hill viewpoint
- Exploring the culture, lifestyle, and heritage of the Gurung, Magar, Ghale, and Lama community
- Walking along with the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA)
- Tasting the delicious local cuisine of the region
- Climbing the adventurous Khopra Danda trekking peak
- Opportunity to spot the rare and endangered wildlife
- Incredible hospitality of the Nepalese people
You may also like:
Itinerary
Maximum altitude: 1350 m
Drive duration: 6-7 hours
Our staff and representative will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the lovely city of Pokhara. The drive along the winding highways and hilly landscapes take around 7-8 hours. After arriving at Pokhara, you will get transferred to a hotel in Lakeside, Pokhara.
We will have our lunch and go on a short tour of the Lakeside area. We will also go on a quick tour of the Tal Barahi Mandir and boating tour of Lake Phewa. The nightlife in the Lakeside area is incredible. We can observe the restaurants, beaches, cafes, pubs, nightclubs of the region that will enchant you. You will spend the night at a hotel in Lakeside, Pokhara.
Maximum altitude: 1450 m
Drive duration: 2 hours
Trek duration: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, we will start our drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and then trek to Hile. The scenic 2-hour drive will take you on a hilly green landscape of the region. The view of the snow-capped mountains all along the trail is incredible.
Moreover, the awe-inspiring views of the natural landscapes of the region in enchanting. After arriving at Nayapul, you will start your short trek to Hile. The beautiful trek will take you along the forested trails of the region with numerous ascends and descends. After arriving at Hile, you can rest and stay overnight at a teahouse.
Maximum altitude: 2860 m
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
After an early break breakfast, we will start our trek from Hile to Ghorepani. We pass through the natural wonders of the tranquil region. The trails take you through the scattered settlements before arriving at Ghorepani.
Moreover, the trails take you through the famous Ulleri stone stairs to reach the destination. The trek takes you around 6-7 hours to complete. We pass through the lush alpine forest of the region to arrive at Ghorepani. You will spend the night at a teahouse in Ghorepani.
Maximum altitude: 3210 m
Trek duration: 7-8 hours
Early in the morning, we start our 45 minutes hike to the majestic Poon Hill viewpoint (3210 m). We will observe the stunning sunrise view from the famous viewpoint. The gorgeous sunrise views over the Himalayan mountains is an incredible adventure.
The trail then descends from Ghorepani after we take incredible pictures. We will arrive at Swata (2,630m) from Ghorepani after a trek of a few hours. You can complete the trek efficiently as it is a downhill trek. There are vast orange orchards and beautiful waterfalls along the trail.
Moreover, you also have the opportunity to taste the local oranges of the region. We arrived at Swata after a trek of around 4 hours. We will stay overnight at a teahouse or lodge in Swata.
Maximum Altitude: 3,660 m
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, we start our trek from Swata to Khopra ridge (3660 m). The high altitude trek takes you above the elevation of 3000 meters, and therefore you need to be careful about the altitude sickness. The trek can get taxing, and thus you should carry lots of snacks and energy drinks during the trek.
The trail climbs uphill towards the alpine forests, green meadows and pastures to arrive at Khopra Danda. We can spot the rare and endangered wildlife of the region, including the Himalayan Tahr, snow leopards, and Danfe (Lophophorus). The view of the Annapurna South is incredible from the Khopra Ridge.
Furthermore, we have our lunch and explore around the Khopra Danda premises. The trail then leads us to a spectacular viewpoint near the Khopra Danda from where we can observe the beautiful Kali Gandaki river. You can observe the snow-capped mountains, including the Annapurna range, Mt. Dhaulagiri range, Bahrasikhar, Nilgiri, and others. You will rest and spend the night at a lodge or teahouse in the Khopra Danda premises.
Maximum Altitude: 4,500 m
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, we will start our trek to the beautiful Khayer Lake from Khopra Danda. The sacred Khayer lake provides you with an outstanding view of Fang (7,647m) and other mountains. The spiritual Khayer lake is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist pilgrims.
This section of the trek from Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake is quite challenging. Trekkers need to walk for 5 to 6 hours on rugged terrain to complete this trek. The challenging part of the trek is the 1000 meters gain in elevation in just a few hours. However, the tranquility of the lake will calm you to the core. You will spend the night at a camp in the Khayer lake premises.
After an early breakfast, we will start our exploration tour of the magnificent, beautiful Khayer Lake. It is an important pilgrimage site of the region for Hindus and Buddhist pilgrims. You can take lovely pictures of the place and explore further around the region.
Locals believe that if you take a dip on the holy lake, you will get relieved of all the sins committed in mortal life and gain “Moksha” or Nirvana. The calm waters of the pristine lake will enchant you. You will rest and spend the night at a camp in Khayer lake premises.
Maximum Altitude: 4500m
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, we will start our trek from the Khayer Lake to Khopra Danda. We get up early to watch the incredible sunrise from the edge of the mountain peaks, and the first rays of the sun fall upon the majestic Mt. Dhaulagiri.
Moreover, the trail then leads us to the steep lower slopes of the Annapurna Massif itself. The challenging trek requires about 1,000m in altitude gain. The stunning views of the snow-capped mountains will bind you all along the trail. After a few hours of trekking, we will arrive at Khopra Danda and stay overnight at a teahouse.
Maximum Altitude: 4500m
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
After breakfast, we will start our trek from Kobra Danda to Chistibung. The trail then takes us along the beautiful settlements of the region as we observe the awe-inspiring views of the mountains. The trek then descends towards Chistibung. The trail to Chitsibung takes us around 4-5 hours.
Furthermore, we pass through the scenic village settlements and pasture lands or Kharka. The trail moves uphills and downhills to arrive at the village. The breathtaking views of the Mt. Dhaulagiri and other village settlements will spellbind you. The trek of 5-6 hours will lead you to the village of Chistibung. You will stay overnight at the teahouse in Chistibung.
Maximum Altitude: 3,350 m
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
After breakfast, we will start trekking from Chistinbung to Dobato. We can observe the temporary herder’s settlement in Upper Chistibing along the trail. There you can also spot some rare and endangered wildlife including snow leopard, Lophophorus (Danphe), and the Himalayan Thar.
Furthermore, the trail then descends through alpine forests and meadows to arrive at the village of Dobata. The trek from Chistibing to Dobato takes around 4-5 hours. The incredible views of the snow-capped mountains will welcome us to the village. We stay overnight at a village in Dobato.
Maximum Altitude: 2,975 m
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
After an early breakfast, we will start trekking from Dobato to Tadapani. The trail passes through the Rhododendron, oak forests and green meadows. We descend gradually on a steep hill to arrive at the village of Tadapani.
Moreover, you can observe the magnificent views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Himchuli from the viewpoint in the village. We will rest and spend the night at a teahouse in Tadapani.
Maximum Altitude: 2,590 m
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, we start our trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk. We can observe the majestic views of the Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) along the trail. The trails of this exciting trek also pass through the lush Rhododendron and Oak forests.
Moreover, if you trek in the spring season, you can observe the Rhododendron blooming all over the hills and painting them red and pink. You can also find many other natural wonders, including the serene waterfalls that will spellbind you.
Furthermore, we will arrive at Ghandruk after a trek of around 3-4 hours. The scenic Gurung community village provides you with the incredible views of the snow-capped mountains, including Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli. We will stay overnight at a teahouse in Ghandruk.
We will observe the magnificent sunrise overlooking the beautiful Himalayan panorama from Ghandruk. After observing this once in a lifetime event, we have our breakfast and start our trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul.
We will pass through the terraced farmed hills and unique village settlements to arrive at Nayapul. The short descending trek takes around 2-3 hours. After having our lunch at Nayapul, we take a short and scenic drive to the quaint city of Pokhara.
Furthermore, we can observe the vibrant nightlife of Lakeside in Pokhara. We will rest and spend the night at a hotel in Pokhara.
Maximum Altitude: 1,300 m
Drive duration: 6-7 hours
After breakfast, we will continue our drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The scenic drive takes us along the winding highways and hills to arrive at Kathmandu.
You can observe the different local settlements and the terraced farmed hills on the journey. The drive takes us around 6-7 hours to complete. You will spend the night at a hotel in Kathmandu.
When is the Best Time for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking?
The ideal time for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking is the Autumn (September, October, and November) and Spring (March, April, and May).
Autumn (September-November)
Autumn provides stable weather conditions with minimal precipitations, which makes trekking the region an incredible adventure. You will get clear, unobstructed views of the snow-capped mountains all along the trail.
Moreover, the daytime temperatures are moderate and ideal for trekking. Cultural exploration is also possible as many festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chaath, and others fall under this season.
Spring (March-May)
Spring is another excellent time for this stunning trek. You will get clear weather with beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains in the Spring season. There are fewer chances of rainfall and other weather related interruptions. Moreover, the wildflowers bloom all over the hills, painting them red and pink. Hence, the Spring season is a scenic time to trek in the region.
The monsoon season (June-August) brings maximum precipitation, and that subsequently makes the trail slippery. There are landslides and avalanches in the region, which makes the path dangerous. Winters (December-February) are quite cold with freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall. The heavy snows and harsh winds make the trek quite challenging.
Overall, the Autumn and the Spring season are the best time for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking. However, if you take the necessary precautions, the trek is possible all around the year.
How Difficult is the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking?
The Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking is moderately challenging. Some of the significant factors for the difficulty are as follows:
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is quite common in this high altitude trek. The Khayer Lake at the altitude of 4600 m is the highest point of the trek. There is significant altitude gain along the trail that contributes to the altitude sickness. Hence, you should acclimatize properly and hydrate regularly during the trek.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions also cause some difficulties during the trek. The occasional rain and snowfalls pose incredible challenges for trekkers. Hence, you should always check the weather forecast before starting the trek. You should have the proper gear and packing to tackle all types of weather conditions.
Khayer Lake Trek
The Khopra Danda trek to Khayer Lake is one of the most challenging sections of this trek. Trekkers need to walk for 5 to 6 hours on rugged terrain to complete this trek. The challenging part of the trek is the 1000 meters gain in elevation in just a few hours. However, the simmering beauty of the Khayer lake will refresh you and recharge you after this taxing trek.
Remote Trails
The Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking itinerary consists of remote trails in the Himalayan region. This stunning trek passes through the rugged terrains and untouched territories. You will pass through the forested trails of alpine rhododendron trees. Hence, you should carry an Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking map, which will help you immensely during the trek.
Hence, these were the various difficulties you might face during the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking adventure.
Why Take the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking?
Magnificent mountain views
The trek also provides you with magnificent mountain views along the region. The breathtaking snow-capped mountains views of Annapurna (I, II, III, and South), Mt. Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Tukuche peak, Nilgiri Himal, Dhampus Peak, Himchuli, Mt. Lamjung Himal, and others will enchant you.
Moreover, you can also observe the green hills, serene waterfall, and Himalayan water streams along the trek. Besides that, a pleasant aroma of herbs will follow you all along the trail.
Off the beaten trails
Nepal is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts. The trek to Mt. Annapurna Base Camp and Mt. Everest Base Camp are some of the popular well-trodden treks in Nepal. However, this Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking adventure is less traveled by and provides a unique experience.
Moreover, the rugged trails of the trek remain less crowded and quiet. Hence, this outstanding trek is an excellent opportunity for backpackers and those who love solitary travel.
Spectacular sunrise from Poon hill
Poon Hill’s viewpoint provides a magnificent opportunity to observe the breathtaking Himalayan sunrise from Poon hill. The golden rays of the sun falling over the silver mountains is a lovely experience. You will get to experience this once in a lifetime Himalayan sunrise during this trek.
Opportunity to explore the cultural aspects
The cultural exploration of the area is another essential aspect of the trek. You can also explore the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Tamang, Gurung, Lama, and Ghale community. The settlement and architecture of the ethnic community is quite unique. The unique dressing and the local cuisine of the region is incredibly enchanting as well.
Food and Accommodation Along the Trek
You will get basic tea houses and lodges as accommodation facilities during the trek. The tea houses are mostly community-run by the locals and provide facilities for meals and accommodation. During the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking adventure, you will get a warm welcome and incredible hospitality.
The room in the tea houses has twin beds, a pillow, and warm blankets. You should carry your toiletries, including soap, shampoo, toilet paper, towel, and others. Besides that, you will also get to stay at the homestays of the local people in Ghandruk and fancy hotels in the city of Pokhara.
Moreover, you will get “ Dal Bhat ‘‘ as your primary meal during the trek in the tea houses. It contains rice, dal (pulses), lentils, spinach, vegetables, pickles, Gundruk, meat, and others. You will also get limited western and international dishes, including pasta, pizza, momo, burger, Chowmein, and others along the trail.
Furthermore, there are also many hot drinks available along the trail, including tea, coffee, lemon water, rhododendron tea, mint tea, hot chocolate, and others. You should book all the food and accommodation facilities in advance to be safe from any hassles during the trek.
Some Essential Tips for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking
- Walk at a slow and steady pace
- Carry water purifying tablets along with a refillable bottle
- Trek carefully in the accident-prone rugged and remote trails
- Carry a proper sleeping bag
- Acclimatize and hydrate regularly
- Hire a guide and a porter
- Carry snacks like protein bars, granola bars, and energy drinks along the trek
- Pre-book your accommodation and meal facilities
- Wear a comfortable trekking shoe to protect yourself from leg injuries or sprains during the trek
- Get yourself a travel insurance coverage
Packing List for the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking
Clothing
- Lightweight thermals
- WindCheater
- Warm Hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trekking pants
- Half sleeve T-shirts
- Full Sleeve T-Shirts
- Sunglasses
- Headscarf
- Trekking pants with Fleece
- Fleece gloves
- Woolen socks
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Hiking Shorts
- Raincoats
Toiletries
- Soaps
- Shampoos
- Sanitizer
- Toilet Paper
- Lightweight towel
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Moisturizer
First Aid
- Anti-altitude sickness pills
- Allergies medicine
- Anti-diarrheal antibiotics
- Cold and cough medicine
- Water purification tablets
- Anti-nausea pills
- Band-aids
- Sanitary pads
Accessories
- Camera
- Sleeping bag
- Comfortable backpack or daypack
- Power bank
- Extra batteries
- Headlamp
- Maps
Important Documents
- Passport
- Travel permits
The Final Say
Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking is excellent off the beaten adventure in the foothills of the Himalayan region. The remote trails of this stunning trek pass through the green alpine forests and rare village settlements. You can observe the beautiful Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range from the various points along the trek.
Furthermore, the trek takes you to the spiritual Khayer Lake. The trek also provides a remarkable opportunity to explore the cultural aspect of the region. Overall, the Annapurna Khayer Lake Trekking is a lovely adventure for trekkers of all skill levels. You can contact us for more details about this incredible trek.
Contact us if you need any assistance.
Write a Review