One of the most exotic and an off-the-beaten-path trekking trail in the Annapurna region, the Khopra Ridge Trekking is quite a quintessential trekking experience to be done in Nepal. Locally known as “Khopra”, the Khopra Ridge is located away from the busier trekking trails of the Annapurna region yet provides remarkable views and sights of many Himalayas like the Dhaulagiri Peak, Annapurna South, Nilgiri Mountain and the Peak of Fang. The Khopra Ridge Trekking is suitable for those who wish to enjoy the majestics of Mount Annapurna in the secluded trails where not many people venture for trekking. Because of this feature, the Khopra Ridge Trekking takes place on relative isolated and far-off destination and the trekking trail turns remote. Encompassed with the Annapurna region’s unique cultural and traditional heritage, the Khopra Ridge presents breath-taking landscape and marvelous sights of the mountains along with the region’s natural beauty in the most profound of ways. It contains all of the elements of a classic trekking route like excursing to ethnic villages, encountering wildlife, panoramic views of the mountains and a beautiful landscape adorned with alpine forests and lush vegetations. The Khopra Ridge is ornamented with the sapphire Kaire Lake and the Kali Gandaki Gorge. From the top of the gorge, as you look down, the terrain below looks like it’s been compressed and you are looking at the landscape in a giant snow-globe!
Highlights of Khopra Ridge
Khopra Ridge Trekking has trails going through many ethnic villages like Ghandruk, Tadapani, Chistibung, the Swanta Village, the village of Ulleri and many more. Usually, the trek starts with the Lake-side city of Pokhara and continues off to an alternate secluded path that diverts off the Ghorepani Poon Hill destination. Views of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre Mountain can be seen from the village of Ghandruk. The whole terrain is naturally decorated with natural beauties and is shrouded with an isolated feeling. Here are some highlights of Khopra Ridge trekking…
Pokhara
A metropolitan and one of the largest cities of Nepal, Pokhara is located 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The Annapurna range with three of the ten highest mountains in the world- Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu- are within 15 to 36 miles of the valley. Pokhara is considered as the most expensive place in Nepal after Namche Bazaar and is often referred as the tourism capital of Nepal. In order to reach Khopra Ridge, one must pass through the city and while on the trail, Pokhara city offers some great recreational activities to do like boating on the Phewa Lake, visiting the island temple of Talbarahi and excursing to the World Peace Pagoda.
The village of Ghandruk
The ethnic village of Ghandruk is a popular place while trekking to Khopra Ridge. The dainty village is located on an altitude of 1,920 meters and offers views of various mountain peaks from its location. While on the trail to Khopra Ridge, the village offers a nice respite as it caters to tourism and has many guesthouses. The natural beauty that the village is surrounded by offers a nice picturesque view. Many of the settlements at Ghandruk are Gurung people and they showcase their tradition and culture quite opulently on various temples, Gumbas and chortens that dot the village. The village has a Gurung Museum as well.
The Kaire Lake
The lake of Kaire along the crevasse of the Khopra Ridge is regarded as holy by the Hindu and Gurung people. Its sapphire water is pristine and the lake presents a wonderful sight that adds to the natural beauty of Khopra. From around the Kaire Lake’s vicinity, one can view the sight of the Fang Mountain. The clear cerulean waters of the lake Kaire reflects the sky and the surrounding mounds of high snow around the lake makes it look like a sky-mirror.
The pasturelands at Bayerka Kharka
The Khopra Ridge is brimming with terrace rice farms, but as you reach Bayerka Kharka, the wide open grassland presents a majestic sight. The pastureland is filled with mountain goats and sheep grazing peacefully on the mountain grass. The sight of the distant mountains rising high and enveloped with glistening snow makes the whole scene heavenly. Many small huts and herder’s teepee can be seen aligned perfectly on the pasture. Hybrid animals like Dzos can also be seen on the grassland. On the peripheries of the pasturelands, one can even catch rare glimpses of Himalayan Thars and occasional Danphe birds scurry along the fields. Add the florescent presence of rhododendrons on the trails and the Khopra Ridge positively turns celestial.
The Kali Gandaki Gorge
The Kali Gandaki Gorge or the Andha Galchi is the gorge of the Kali Gandaki River in the Himalayas. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world with a measure of 5,571 meters lower than the Peak of Annapurna I. The upper part of the gorge is also called the Thak Khola after the local Thakali people who became prosperous from trans-Himalayan trade. The Kali Gandaki gorge separates the major peaks of Dhaulagiri on the west and Annapurna on the east. If one measures the depth of a canyon by the difference between the river height and the heights of the highest peaks on either side, the gorge is the world's deepest. As tectonic activities force the mountains higher, the Kali Gandaki River cuts further down through the uplift. This region is also known for Shaligram fossils, revered as one of the five non-living forms of Lord Vishnu.
The Kali Gandaki gorge has been used as a trade route between India and Tibet for centuries. Today, it is a popular trekking route from Pokhara to Khopra Ridge or to Muktinath. The gorge also lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. While reaching the Khopra Ridge, one would be able to stand at an elevated acreage and view the gorge below. Sometimes, scenes of airplanes flying low on the gorge can be seen from Khopra Ridge and is surreal to look at. All of the above mentioned highlights beautifully compliment the seclusion of the place. Khopra Ridge Trekking is a beautiful opportunity to look at isolated villages and see views of the Annapurna Peaks from locations that do not necessarily present themselves on the regular trekking radar. Its seclusion is what makes trekking to Khopra Ridge a mystical adventure!
