Khopra Danda and Mohare Danda Trek - 14 Days

After a brief orientation, you’ll spend the day sightseeing around the Kathmandu City. Kathmandu is an ancient city renowned for its cultural heritage, glorious history and fine arts carved on wooden and stone sculptures that it has conserved for centuries. It has witnessed numerous ruling dynasties along with many rulers and their diverse concepts of arts which enriches the city with impressive architecture showcasing the skill of various artist and craftsman over several centuries. Early in the morning you’ll pay a visit to sacred Hindu and Buddhist shrine of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. You’ll also visit 200 centuries old legendary Stupa of Swayambhunath situated at an elevation, also nicknamed “Monkey Temple”. If the day remains then you’ll also visit the city of fine arts: Lalitpur. Lastly, the visit will come to a conclusion with afternoon visit of Basantapur Durbar Square along the glimpse of warm setting sun. The Durbar Square exhibits the living goddess Kumari, the freak street, the Kaal Bhairav, the Swet Bhairav and many more.

Today we will head for Pokhara from Kathmandu on a private vehicle via Prithvi Highway. The journey covers about 200km taking about 6-7 hours depending on traffic conditions. During the drive, we get to observe and hear the lively flow of the winding rivers i.e. Trishuli and Marsyandi with the stunning view of the snow-capped peaks of Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, Hiunchuli (6441m), Ganesh Himal and most of the Annapurna range by the highway. Also, you will get the opportunity to see the striking landscapes consisting green and wet terraced agricultural land. You’ll be delighted to see the swift movement of slender leaves in barley and paddy fields due to gentle breeze, and the untouched valleys low-lying among the colossal hills and rocky gorges. Once you arrive at Pokhara, either you can enjoy the extreme sport the city has to offer or you can visit the renowned landmark sites like Davis Falls, Bindhyabasini Temple, World Peace Pagoda, Lakeside Area, etc. You can enjoy boating around Phewa and Begnas Lake.

Kimche is the starting point of our upcoming adventures. We head to Kimche on a private vehicle via Nayapul which takes about 3 hours of drive. Now from Kimche, we will walk about 45 mins on the trail that climbs up to the village of Ghandruk which is one of the biggest Gurung villages in the area. The local people there are friendly, generous and helpful. Most of the men in the village had served in British and Indian Army. You can explore the village learning and understanding the ethnic culture and lifestyle of Gurung people visiting old but traditional Gurung Museum and Buddhist monastery, then only, you will grasp the apparent differences in the lifestyle here to that of their neighbors in the lower areas. The village also offers alluring and sparkling views of Annapurna South (7,219m), Machhapuchhre (6,997m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m).

Biding farewell to the friendly locals of Ghandruk, we now follow the trail that ascends ahead, leaving behind the terraced hillsides and enter the Rhododendron and Oak forest. Now the walk will be much easier on this stretch of trail. While passing through the forest, we can hear the twittering and chirping of birds, burbling of small streams and sometime notice some monkeys that make us feel like the forest is alive. If the visit is timed at spring, (late March to April) we can observe the full bloom of the rhododendron throughout the forest. Expect some tea houses at Besi Kharka, the human settlement is absent en route. We can spot astonishing views of Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Machhapuchhare (6,997m) and Lamjung Himal (6,983m) along the way to Tadapani (2,630m) where we can catch the sight of beautiful sunset and sunrise views. Today we will travel a total of 7-8 hours. (3 hours drive and 4-5 hours of hiking)

Today, we will try the new untouched route. We leave the main trail leading to Ghorepani or Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and hike along with an infrequently used trail which initially passes through Rhododendron forest that head to local water buffalo grasslands. The trail now follows a gentle climb emerging above the treeline to unveil the astounding panoramic view of Annapurna Range. After ascending through the Rhododendron forest for nearly 2 hours, we reach Meshar Danda. Continuing the climb for 30 mins through the forest we gradually arrive through open and settling environment to set foot in Isharu. We now walk through the savanna leading to a small pass then from there; we move down for some time and ascend to an uphill through Rhododendron forest to an opening where the forest is clear known as Dobato (3,420m). A 7 hour round trip; hiking from Dobato can lead us to very remote and unexplored lake. From here, the Himalayas can be observed in close proximity. Anyone who have enough time for exploration can go for it or if we don’t have much time then just above Dobato, there is a small ridge called Muldai View Point where we can observe the splendid panoramic sight of Dhaulagiri Range to the north-west, Annapurna Range in the middle and Mt. Machhapuchhre to the South. Early in the morning, we can catch the sunrise view over the high Himalayas. It takes about 5-6 hours to reach Dobato from Tadapani.

It’s the sixth day and now we will descend on the trail that passes through dense Rhododendron forest and again ascends to flatland reaching Bayli Kharka which takes about an hour. Here, we can get graceful view of Dhaulagiri Range. Then, through dense forest of Rhododendron, we move down until we reach a small stream, crossing across via wooden bridge. We walk for some time and again encounter and cross across a small stream and begin moving up for few minutes through the forest until we reach a flatland and then grasslands. Moving further, we pass through forest again, gradually moving up and across several Buffalos/Yaks pastureland to arrive at Chistibung: a clearing and temporary herder’s settlement.

From here, we now ascend an abrupt climb to reach above the treeline. This region is renowned for wildlife and we can get a glimpse of Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant. Hiking for considerable length of time we arrive at Kopra Danda (3,450m) where we are welcomed by additional bewitching views of snow-capped mountain picturesque. This remarkable full-length 360^◦ view includes Annapurna South, only six km away imposing directly above us, with Nilgiri and Fang/Bahra Sikhar prominent to the north. The depths of the Kali-Gandaki Valley are prevailed by the Dhaulagiri Range across the entire western horizon. It takes 7-8 hours of hiking to reach Kopra Danda from Dobato.

Today we will head for Khayer Lake which is sacred shrine to both Hindus and Buddhist situated at the elevation of 4,700m above the sea level. Further Khopra Danda, the human settlement is absent so we have to prepare bad carry our own lunch pack that include enough drinking water, and energy bars with adequate warm clothes. The hike to Khayer Lake will take about 7-8 (Return hike to Khopra Danda included)  long hours of hiking which will be rewarded with marvellous views of snow-capped peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range, Nilgiri and surrounding mountains. Also, we will witness the perfect harmony of nature which is completely enchanting. According to the mythology that surrounds here, it is believed that if you visit Khair Lake and implore the goddess whatever you want, she will grant it. Following the legend, it is considered truthful that the infertile married woman will get her descendant if worship to deity Khayer Barah. The locals assemble at this sacred lake on occasion of August full moon (Janai Purnima) with their tradition culture, dress and customs to offer their prayers to the mighty deity. We now head back to Khopra Danda.

After exploration of the mesmerizing Khayer Lake we proceed to Swanta Village from Khopra Danda. We now descend down the hillside and carry on with abrupt downhill back-tracking the route back to Chistibung utilizing about 1-2 hours. Then the trail goes abruptly down through the forest until Kharka for an hour. Crossing a small wooden bridge, the trail continues to a distance of 5-6 hours of hiking uphill for some time through bamboo forest and uneven terrain until reaching village of Swanta, majorly populated by Magar people.

Leaving the village of Swanta, we will now move down the trail that progress through farmlands to a small river. Here, we can catch sight of local water mill. Moving on, we now cross a suspension bridge and ascend to the village of Chittre. It is a junction where the main trekking trail coming from Tatopani merges with the trail we followed. A short climb will lead us to the prepossessing village of Ghorepani (2,860m) inhabited by ethnic Gurungs. It is the largest village in its surrounding. Majority of men folks in this alluring village had served in British or Indian armed forces. Local people are kind, helpful and generous to the foreign people who happen to visit their place. Also, a face-to-face encounter with the ethnic Gurung culture and lifestyle is a good opportunity to learn and understand the norms and values inside a traditional Gurung village. On a clear day, the glimpse of the snow capped Himalayas is astounding. The panoramic vista of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhre and Barah Sikhar can be observed from the village. It takes about 3-4 hours of trekking to cover the distance from Swanta to Ghorepani.

To catch the sight of heavenly sunrise we get started early in the morning, we begin an hour hike to Poonhill from Ghorepani where we will encounter outlook of mesmerizing sunrise atop the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After keeping those scenery in our hearts and mind we then follow the trail now turn left on the grassy Rhododendrons and Oak forest with uneven terrain until it reaches flatland. Following the flatland for a while we now climb up into the forest where we will find abrupt, trufy track along the upland and finally the House of Mohore Danda becomes visible. Mohore Danda itself is a flawless natural upland.  Still continuing the hiking along the upland, we can have a glimpse of exquisite sunset over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges and Mt. Manaslu. It also presents the astonishing panoramic view through the Dhaulagiri Range (8,167m), Annapurna Range (8,091m) and Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) along with views of the surrounding forest and the unfathomable, southern topography as well as view of extensive enchanted terrain and irresistible sunrises and sunsets over the mighty Himalayas.

Unlike getting up early in the morning and hiking for about an hour to reach Poonhill from Ghorepani, today you’ll wake up on your bed, only to see rising sun over the horizons and snow-capped peaks, as you’ll staying in the one of the community lodge at Mohore Danda. You will be blessed by the early, warm but gentle rays of sun. First, stunned and enchanted by the magical vista of sunrise, you’ll soon realize that you have forgotten to capture those alluring moments and will rush to get a perfect click. Afterwards, we’ll start our trek down utilizing about 5-6 hours to the village of Ulleri (1,960m)

We are frequently looked up by policeman, souvenir vendors and of course, monkeys (The real one!!!) we’ll pass through narrow valley climbing down 3,280 steep stone steps. As we advance forward, we can observe the increase in human settlements proceeding across Hille, Matathanti, Birethanti.  From Nayapul, we will head to Pokhara on 1-hour drive via private vehicle. Once in Pokhara, you can enjoy the elegant “Lake City” by wandering/cycling around the delightful Lakeside area and its surrounding or you can visit the landmark sites like Bindhyabasini Temple, Mahendra Cave, Davis Falls, World Peace Stupa, etc. You can also enjoy an evening boating in the peaceful Begnas or Phewa Lake or you can enjoy extreme sports that the city renders. You have got plenty of options and all you have to do is get ready, make up your mind and preferences and enjoy accordingly.

Today a scheduled tourist bus/private vehicle waits to take us back to Kathmandu City which is 6-7 hours drive from Pokhara via Prithvi Highway depending on traffic conditions. You can visualize lifestyle of commoners in Nepal as you pass through urban/sub-urban and rural areas located by the highway. Also, you can enjoy the landscapes and natural scenery as your journey advances. Once in Kathmandu, you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying different ethnic live events, shop for some souvenirs or click some pictures as memories of visit to Nepal.

Today marks the end of your adventures accompanied by us. We are happy to get an opportunity to get tag along with you, sharing moments of joy and pain [Knee-crushing pain!! You felt it!! (Wink)]. We are honored to be a part of your beautiful memories and hope that we had met your expectations and our short relationship can turn into long term and friendly one. You can also plan for next adventure and extend your stay in the country or you can fly back home. At airport, we will be with you in your last moments in the county. Wish you a safe fight back home. Sayonara!!!