Bradley is a travel journalist and guidebook author specialising in trekking in Central Asia, Nepal, Bhutan and elsewhere in Asia. He writes for Lonely Planet, Odyssey Guides, Insight Guides, among others.
- Best trek for: Quieter, less-crowded route
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trek duration: Five to six days
- Max. elevation: 3,660m
- Accommodation: Camping and limited trekking lodges
- Start/end point: Ghorepani/Tadapani
Also known as the Khopra Danda trek, this is well off the standard Annapurna trekking routes and offers a low-key, peaceful trek to lofty viewpoints on the flanks of Annapurna South. There are a number of different route variations but my favourite branches off the Poon Hill trek at Tadopani and climbs to lodges at Bayeli (with its amazing Mulde viewpoint), Chistibang and then Khopra Danda, before descending to Swanta and Ghorepani
The trails pass through charming villages with simple private and community lodges and lots of pretty forests. Khopra Ridge itself is an impressive dome with an exposed trail running along it that feels much higher than it really is (especially when covered in snow). The views across to Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) are unforgettable. From the ridge it’s possible to make a very long and challenging 10-hour day trip to the high altitude Khayer Lake (4,600m). Given the 1,000-metre height gain in a day, plus the beauty of the lake, it’s much more advisable to go on an organised camping trek and sleep on the lake shore.
At a glance
Destinations
Annapurna Region
Activity
Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & WildlifePhysical Level
Moderate
Duration
5 days
Related Guides

Trekking in Nepal

I clearly remember the day, thirty years ago, when walking down the street during my first visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, I looked up at the clouds towering above the northern end of the city and it suddenly hit me that they weren’t clouds at all but were the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalaya. A week later, and after three long days of walking, I stood within a giant amphitheatre of rock and ice, totally enveloped by those same mountains.

The best Annapurna treks

For lots of visitors, trekking in Annapurna = trekking in Nepal, in particular the two blockbuster treks: the Annapurna Sanctuary and the Annapurna Circuit trek.

-
Khopra Ridge trek
...
