Mohare Danda Khopra Ridge Trek

A representative of enlightenment treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After some rest, we will offer a trip briefing about your 11 days at Mohare Danda Khopra Trek and answer each of your questions at our office. We will also give you quick do’s and don’ts during the trip. After the trip briefing prepare yourself and your equipment for your trek tomorrow.

We will drive 1.5 hours from Pokhara to Nayapul at a height of 1,070 m to start our trek. From Nayapul, we'll take the path heading west-north and cross a suspension bridge over the Modi River. We'll walk through Deupur village on a gently uphill trail until reaching Purna Gaun situated at an altitude of 1780 m, where we'll spend our first night after 4-5 hours of trekking along a 7 km route from Nayapul. 

We will trek from Purna Gaun through villages and farming fields for about 1 hour before entering a forest. We trek along the trees for four hours and we can spot some wildlife during this section. We will reach Lespar village situated at an altitude of 1,800 m after 4-5 hours of trekking covering an 8 km distance. We will spend the night in a basic hotel at Lespar.

From Lespar, we will climb steep hills and forests for 9 km over 4-5 hours to reach Nagi Village at 2,300m elevation. Nagi is a beautiful and famous village, well-known for its Wireless Internet Service introduced by Mr. Mahabir Pun, recipient of the Magasese International Award. The village has a high school, telephone facilities, and a brown paper factory to visit. The Dhaulagiri mountain range is visible from Ngagi.

Today we will climb uphill via Hampal Pass to reach Mohare Camp at 3,300m elevation through a wild forest area. The 5-6 hour trek covers a distance of around 10 km. On the way from Hampal Pass, we can already start enjoying views of the Annapurna range. Once at Mohare Danda, we can see an amazing panoramic vista of the mountains. We will stay overnight in the community lodge at Mohare Camp. We will wake up early the next morning to admire the beautiful sunrise over the peaks.

We begin by enjoying the magnificent mountain views glowing in morning sunrays and then start descending to Poon Hill (3,210m) through forests filled with rhododendron and birds. Continuing downward for about 2 hours, we have lunch in Ghorepani (2,860m). After lunch we descend 1.5 hours to Chitre (2,220m), then take a new trail to Swantha village (2,260m), completing the 9km, 5-6 hour trek and gateway to the Khopra Ridge.

Shortly after leaving Swanta village, we will enter pleasant forests filled with river sounds and birdsong. After two hours of trekking, we will cross a stream to have lunch, before making a tough 1.5-2 hour ascent up steep Khopra Hill to reach Chistibung Village. After covering 7 km in 3-4 hours, we halt for the night in Chistibang village (3,020m). Chistibung village is nestled amongst rhododendrons and oak trees. 

The trail from Chistibung up to Khopra Ridge is short but steep, following a narrow mountain ridgeline. After a tough 3 - 4 hours trek, covering 4 km along the ridge we reach Khopra Danda at an altitude of 3,900 m and we will be rewarded with majestic 360-degree views of peaks like Annapurna South and Nilgiri. Standing tall before us, the impressive Dhaulagiri (8,167m) dominates the horizon. We stay overnight at the basic Khopra Community Lodge.

We can reach Dobato via two routes from Khopra. The high route to Dobato (3,420m) is very scenic in dry seasons, following narrow ridges through blooming rhododendrons with dramatic views, but can be dangerous in rain or snow.
The longer low route through forests has more up and down but is safer in winter or bad weather - but crampons are recommended. Both the 6km routes take 5-6 hours, reaching Dobato by day's end either by towering peaks or sheltered woods. We pick our trail based on season and climate to complete this stage of our high-altitude trek.

Today is a bit longer day of trekking. After leaving Dobato, we will descend into forests for 2 hours to a junction, before ascending 3 hours up to Tadapani (2,610m) - a popular trekker's hub with awesome Annapurna views. From here we take a pleasant rhododendron trail down to Ghandruk, completing the overall 12km, 6-7 hour trek. We may spot Grey langur monkeys as we near our endpoint for the day, and be ready to interact with these friendly Gurung locals in Ghandruk village.

Leaving Ghandruk village, we will descend to a bridge before reascending to Landruk, onward through Tolka's lovely villages towards Deurali (2,100m). From here, we descend the final stretch to Pothana (1,890m), completing the 9km, 5-6 hour trek. Pothana is a beautiful village surrounded by mountain views. 

On our final day, we hike out from Pothana (1,900m) just 3 hours downhill to Dhampus village, soaking in the last views of the mighty Annapurnas. From Dhampus we trek towards Phedi. Reaching Phedi after 4kms, we meet our transport completing the 11-day Mohare Khopra Danda Trek. A scenic 30-minute drive takes us back to Pokhara city for well-deserved rest, views behind us, and memories ahead.