Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Highlights
- Shortest off-beat path suitable for family trek
- Actual knowledge about the Magar and Gurung lifestyle, culture, and tradition
- Dense forests of pine, oak, bamboo, and rhododendron of ACAP
- Sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,210m) as well as sunrise and sunset view from Khopra Danda
- 360-degree view of Annapurna (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993m) and Lamjung Himal (6,983m), Barha Shikhar (7,647m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,434m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m)
- Less risk of altitude sickness
- Customizable to Jomsom Trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Overview
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek is a newly introduced trekking destination of Nepal. It is one of the shortest off the beaten path trek that takes you around Annapurna region. This trek rewards you with the amazing combination of nature and culture.
Khopra Ridge trek combines Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, which is popular for its captivating sunrise view. Ghorpani Poon Hill trek (also known as Annapurna Sunrise View trek) rewards you with the amazing sunrise and sunset view of the region.
From the top of a 3,210 m-high-hill, you see Annapurna (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m) and Lamjung Himal (6,983 m). The other peaks seen during this trek are Barha Shikhar (7,647 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,434 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m) and so on.
As the trekking destination lies in Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), you will also sight the flora and fauna. Walking along the dense bamboo, pine, oak and rhododendron forests, you come to see some animals and birds.
The lifestyle, culture and tradition of the Gurung and Magar communities make this trek a lifelong memory. You get to know the actual information about their customs and costumes including typical cuisines.
Khopra Danda (Khopra Ridge) is just 3,660 m high that provides the best sunrise and sunset view like that of Poon Hill. The snow capped peaks seen from Poon Hill viewpoint are seen right from this ridge but from a different angle.
You can also visit Khayer Lake by keeping an exploration day at Khopra Danda. Khopra Danda Khayer Lake trek takes you to a famous pilgrimage site of the Hindus. On Janai Purnima Festival, thousands of the Hindu people visit this lake for taking a dip into the holy water. Janai Purnima Festival falls on Full Moon day of Shrawan (the 4th month of Nepali Calendar).
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Itinerary
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek itinerary ranges from 5 days to 14 days and even longer. If you want to visit Khopra Danda only for the brilliant sunrise view, you can customize it up to 5 days. It is possible to cut short the two-weeks-long trek into just 5 days due to the transportation facilities.
This trek is specially designed to let you know more about the Gurung and Magar culture and tradition. The villages like Ghorepani, Tadapani, Bayali Kharka, Khopra Danda, Ghandruk are all Gurung villages. You can observe their customs and costumes during this leisurely trek. Ulleri is a Magar village of Annapurna region famous for the stone-paved trails and clean surrounding.
As Khopra Danda lies between the trails of Jomsom trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek, you can extend it accordingly. In doing so, you can reach the base camp of Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m) and witness the best sunrise view from Poon Hill and Khopra Danda as well.
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Cost
You know the cost of any tour or trek package depends upon a few factors. They are trekking duration or itinerary, the services of food and accommodation, mode of transportation, etc. This trip can be customized from 5 days to more than 3 weeks. Poon Hill Khopra Trek cost is fixed according to the itinerary you choose.
It is totally a teahouse trekking in Nepal that you don’t have to worry about managing camping equipment. You don’t have to pay higher for numerous crew members. As the teahouses on the route to Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek are community based, the cost is comparatively low.
Somewhere you will find homestay facilities provided by the community people. There also you find the typical food items: Daal Bhaat or Gundruk Dhindo with chicken soup. In some places, you can also find Mo:mos, chow main, spaghetti, noodles as well.
As you begin this trek from Pokhara, you can reach there by flight or driving along the Prithvi Highway. If you use domestic flight the cost goes to be higher while the roadway transportation cost is lower.
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Difficulty
Talking about Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Difficulty level, it is an easy type of trekking in Nepal. Due to the low altitude destination and well-maintained trails, it is suitable for family trek.
The highest place to reach is Khopra Danda (3,660 m). Per day, you have to walk not more than 6 hours along the comfortable trails. The trails are not ice-coverer, so it is easy to cover them. But in winter, the downpours may make the trials muddy and slippery that it is a bit challenging to walk through.
There are not any high pass's en route Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek until the final destination. Even the children and senior citizens can complete this trek without any difficulty.
Nevertheless, altitude sickness may sometimes be a cause for Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek difficulty. It is 1,000 m higher than the altitude safe from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). To avoid this trek, you need to follow some steps like drinking enough water; having hygienic food and sound sleep. Moreover, you should walk with the slow pace by taking pauses in the middle of the trek.
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Solo Vs Organized
You can do Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek is possible as a solo trekker or in an organized group. As there is not any restricted area, you can trek independently as well. There is not any high pass en route to the final destination. In addition, the Nepal Trekking trail condition is good that even the children and senior citizens can do this trek.
As it lies close to the Lake City Pokhara, you can also visit Poon Hill and Khopra Danda region alone. It can be customized up to 5 days that you don’t need any guide or porter to carry your load as well. Doing this trek solo can help you minimize the cost also.
But we recommend you to book for an organized trek to Poon Hill Khopra Ridge. The guide and the porter can really help you in case of difficulty like missing the route or altitude sickness. More than this, they will give you the detailed briefing about the natural and cultural landmarks of the region.
Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Map
To know about Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek Map, you must be clear that from where you start the trek. You fly or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and spend a night over there. Then, you drive up to Nayapul and begin Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek formally ending at Tikhedhunga on the first day. Then, you walk up to Ghorepani, a classic Gurung Village of Annapurna region. Next morning, you hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for experiencing the wonderful sunrise view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs. You spend another night at Tadapani and then move towards Khopra Danda via Bayali Kharka.
You can stay at Khopra Danda one more day if you want to visit Khayer Lake. Then, you trek back to Bayali Kharka and Ghandruk respectively. You stay a night at Ghandruk by exploring the Gurung Museum and typical culture and tradition of the Gurung community. Next day, you trek up to Nayapul and after that, drive to Pokhara. You celebrate the accomplishment of Poon Hill Khopra Danda Trek at the Lake City Pokhara. Finally, you return to Kathmandu via bus service or air service.
