Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Pokhara
After breakfast, you'll drive to Pokhara and get settled into your hotel. If there's time before the day winds down, you can take a boat out on Phewa Lake and see the Barahi Temple situated in the middle of the water. The lakeside area gives you a chance to walk around and get oriented to the town.
- Start point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Pick up location as per client, 06:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Pokhara
- Boating in Phewa Lake (if time permits)
- Visit Barahi Temple
- Lakeside exploration (if time permits)
Landmarks Phewa Lake Barahi Temple - Day 2
Pokhara to Ghandruk
Head out on a 3-hour drive through Lumle and Nayapul to reach Kimche, where the Kopra Ridge Trek officially starts. After lunch (depending on when you leave), you'll hike for about an hour through farmland to get to Ghandruk, a Gurung village sitting at 1,940 meters. From there, you can see Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre rising in the distance.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Lumle and Nayapul villages
- Trek to Ghandruk (approximately 1 hour hike)
- Mountain panorama observation
Landmarks Ghandruk Annapurna South Machhapuchhre Hiunchuli 
- Day 3
Ghandruk to Tadapani
Start the morning by wandering through Ghandruk to see how the Gurung community lives and take in the surrounding mountains. Then trek for roughly 3 hours through oak and rhododendron forests heading toward Tadapani at 2,630 meters. Along the way, you'll pass a buffalo pasture where you can grab some dairy snacks. Waterfalls and bird calls fill the forest, and once you arrive, you get views of Annapurna II, III, IV and Lamjung Himal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Village exploration in Ghandruk
- Trek to Tadapani through oak and rhododendron forests (approximately 3 hours)
- Stop at buffalo pasture for dairy snacks
- Mountain panorama observation at Tadapani
Landmarks Tadapani Annapurna II Annapurna III Annapurna IV Lamjung Himal - Day 4
Tadapani to Dobato
After breakfast, you'll leave the main Annapurna Base Camp route and take a quieter path. Trek through rhododendron forests and pastures for about 3 hours to Isharu, where you'll have lunch. From there, continue for another 2.5 hours through more rhododendron forest until you reach Dobato. If energy and daylight allow, the Muldai Viewpoint sits about 30 minutes uphill and offers wide Himalayan views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Tadapani to Isharu through rhododendron forests and buffalo pastures (approximately 3 hours)
- Trek from Isharu to Dobato through rhododendron forests (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Muldai Viewpoint visit (optional, 30-minute ascent)
Optional Activities
- Visit Muldai Viewpoint from Dobato (30-minute uphill walk)
Landmarks Muldai Viewpoint Machhapuchhre Dhaulagiri Annapurna - Day 5
Dobato to Chistibung
Get an early start hiking uphill for 30 minutes to catch the sunrise at Muldai Viewpoint, then head back down to your lodge in Dobato for breakfast. After eating, trek through rhododendron forests with both climbing and descending for about an hour to reach Bayli Kharka, a nice pasture where the Dhaulagiri Range seems close. Keep going for roughly 3 more hours to arrive in Chistibung, a small settlement with basic but comfortable lodges.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning hike to Muldai Viewpoint for sunrise (30 minutes uphill)
- Trek from Dobato to Bayli Kharka through rhododendron forests (approximately 1 hour)
- Trek from Bayli Kharka to Chistibung (approximately 3 hours)
- Dhaulagiri Range observation
Landmarks Muldai Viewpoint Bayli Kharka Dhaulagiri Range - Day 6
Chistibung to Khopra Ridge
Hike uphill for approximately 3 hours toward Khopra Ridge. Pack a good breakfast and bring snacks along since this is a steep climb with regular stops to rest. Watch for Himalayan Tahr and Danfe (Nepal's national bird) on the slopes. When you reach Khopra Ridge, take lunch and absorb the 360-degree views of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri Range, Nilgiri, and Bahrasikhar. Stay at one of the community lodges, known for treating guests well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Khopra Ridge (approximately 3 hours uphill)
- Mountain wildlife observation (Himalayan Tahr, Danfe)
- Panoramic mountain vista viewing at Khopra Ridge
Landmarks Khopra Ridge Annapurna Range Dhaulagiri Range - Day 7
Khopra Ridge to Khayer Lake and Back to Khopra Danda
Trek from Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake, a high mountain lake with a Brahma Temple close by. Plan for about 5 hours of walking and don't underestimate how tiring this stretch can be, though the payoff is worth it. Since no lodges exist at the lake, you'll camp here with your support staff setting up tents and handling meals. After spending time there, return the same way, taking over 4 hours to get back to Khopra Danda for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Khayer Lake (approximately 5 hours)
- Visit Brahma Temple
- Trek back to Khopra Danda (approximately 4 hours)
Landmarks Khayer Lake Brahma Temple - Day 8
Khopra Danda to Swanta
Take time to enjoy the 360-degree views and have breakfast, then make a relaxed 2-hour walk down to Chistibung. After an hour more of walking, stop for lunch at Kharka. The path then alternates between climbing and dropping until you reach Swanta, a lesser-known Magar village that's quite beautiful. Altogether you'll walk about 5 hours. Pick a lodge somewhere along this route that works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Descent from Khopra Danda to Chistibung (approximately 2 hours)
- Trek to Kharka for lunch (approximately 1 hour)
- Trek to Swanta village (approximately 2 hours)
- Panoramic vista viewing before descent
Landmarks Swanta - Day 9
Swanta Trek
This day involves minimal elevation changes and mostly stays level as the path meanders through the landscape. Walk at an easy pace surrounded by rhododendron forests and their fragrance. Finding lodges along the way isn't difficult, so you have flexibility on where to stop for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Level trek through rhododendron forest landscapes
- Rhododendron forest exploration
- Day 10
Trek End to Pokhara
Trek for around 2 hours, mostly downhill, to reach Nayapul where you'll catch a bus back to Pokhara. The bus ride takes about 1.5 hours to reach the lake city. Once there, you might have a few hours to check out local attractions, or if you prefer, stay an extra night to see more of the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Final trek to Nayapul (approximately 2 hours, partly downhill)
- Bus ride from Nayapul to Pokhara (approximately 1.5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Visit tourist attractions in Pokhara
- Extend stay to second night in Pokhara for more exploration
Landmarks Pokhara - Day 11
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Decide on your travel method based on timing. A flight gets you to Kathmandu quickly if you're pressed for time. If you have a full day, the scenic bus ride takes approximately 8 hours, so plan accordingly.
- End point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Drop off service as per clien suggestion, 06:00 - 23:00)
Optional Activities
- Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Bus ride from Pokhara to Kathmandu (approximately 8 hours)
Landmarks Kathmandu Pokhara
