Away from the crowds on the off-the-beaten path of Khopra and Khayer Lake Trek, embrace the magical monsoon madness and experience the beauty of lush nature and unique culture!
The Khopra Danda Trek is also known as the Khopra Ridge Trek. It is also known by the name Khayer Lake Trek. The Khopra Danda trekking is a newly opened trek introduced by Dr. Mahabir Pun and run by the local communities. The trek includes a day hike from the Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake.
The Khayer Lake is one of the most sacred and scenic blue water lakes at the base of the majestic Annapurna South. At Khayer Lake, there is a small temple honoring Khayer Barahai. Both the Magar and Hindu communities conduct pilgrimages there. Many Hindu devotees flock here to seek blessings during the Janai Purnima festival in the monsoon. The primary tourist attractions of this journey are the Khayer Barahi Temple or Khayer Lake, Narchyang Village, Tatopani, and Ghandruk Village. The trek provides an insight into the unique and rich indigenous Gurung and Magar communities. You can learn about the lifestyle of the sheep shepherds with their herds of sheep in the green pasturelands.
The trek is a fantastic substitute for the renowned and overcrowded Ghorepani Poonhill trek. It offers you greater heights to another outstanding Annapurna perspective. From Khopra Ridge, you can overlook one of the most beautiful valleys on the Kali Gandaki River. As well as the 7th highest mountain Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the 10th highest mountain Annapurna I (8,091), Annapurna II, III and South, Bharaha Shikhar (7,647m), Nilgiri (7,061m), Machhapuchhre (6,997m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), and Dhampus Peak (6,012m).
The amazing sunrise and sunset over the mighty Himalayas from the Mulde and Khopra viewpoints will lure everyone. Unquestionably it is one of the best short trekking destinations gaining popularity in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trail is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a wonderful week-long trek. It is quite an off-the-beaten path that is more secluded and secret with stunning vistas of the Annapurna mountain ranges. Being so little known is the most pleasing part of this trek. You can see only a few trekkers and sometimes no one on these peaceful trails.
The trek is accessible and doable all around the year in all seasons. But autumn and spring are the best trekking season when the weather is clear and dry. Some trekkers also claim that the monsoon is the best time to go on this trail. The trails are large enough well-paved with staircases, and almost leech-free except for some jungle trails. It is quite a thrilling experience to trek on the route while it is pouring rain with the frequent biting of leeches. During the monsoon, the wildflowers blossom everywhere in the entire highland trails and pasturelands adding vibrant colors to the nature. With the green, lush valley, clean surroundings, calm weather, flowing waterfalls, and blooming wildflowers, trekking during the monsoon season would be an unforgettable experience. After the rainfall and clearing up of the clouds, the mountain views usually will be spectacular.
Despite the fact that the weather will be cloudy and rainy with the possibility of landslides and floods in the monsoon season, the trek is moderate and suitable for monsoon trekkers with previous trekking experience in the monsoon season. However, you must take some caution as the path may be slippery and landslide-prone during the monsoon trek. The early and late monsoons can be excellent times to take this journey because you’ll escape the crowds and probably still get fantastic vistas along the way when the clouds part.
Blog and photos by: Lhakpa Gyalbu Sherpa
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