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  • Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Overview

Kopra Ridge lies to the south of Annapurna ranges at 3210 m. This off the beaten trekking trip offers you the fantastic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), Annapurna I (8,091 meters), Nilgiri (7,061 meters), Bahrashikhar (7,647 meters), Annapurna South (7,219 meters), Annapurna II (7,937 meters) and many other mountains from a close distance.

It is more stunning than Ghorepani Poon Hill and it still remains very basic and rural, that’s why we call it a community trek with basic stay over that provide the ‘real exploration feeling’.


Trip highlights

  • A hidden spectacular trek on Kopra Ridge in the foothills of the Annapurnas
  • Pass through forest of rhododendron, oak and pine trees
  • Landscape from thick forest to high alpine region
  • Magnolia forest in complete wilderness
  • Witness the beautiful Gurung community and their glorious hospitality

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel

Day 02: Fly to Pokhara – approx. 30 minutes, Drive to Kimche (1690m) – approx. 7 hours and Trek to Ghandruk (1990m) – approx. 2 hours

Morning flight to Pokhara and transfer by road to Kimche, where our rest of the team will be waiting for us. Once we arrive at Nayapul, we turn to the Modi Khola River, which we follow to the village of Birethanti. The track becomes bumpier until Kimche. If the view is clear, the sacred summit of Machhapuchhre (6993m) stands proudly beyond the village of Shyauli. We leave the bus at Kimche and start walking. The path goes winding. In the village of Chane, the beautiful panoramas await us. From Chane, the trail climbs up the village of Ghandruk, where we stop to spend the night. Superb views of the Annapurnas and the Machhapuchhre. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 03: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (2630 m) – approx. 4/5 hours

This is an easy trekking day to your next destination, Tadapani. After 3 hours’ hike through oak and rhododendron woods, you will reach Tadapani (2,630 meters). The sound of waterfalls and chirping of birds will endlessly give you the pleasure of nature. There is no particular village on the route, but there is a huge buffalo pasture where you can stop and have some dairy snacks.

Tadapani is an excellent place to view the panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains like Annapurna II (7,937 meters), Annapurna III (7,555 meters), Annapurna IV (7,525 meters), Lamjung Himal (6,931 meters), etc. Moreover, it is also an excellent place to have sunrise and sunset views over the top of those mountains. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 04: Trek from Tadapani to Dobato (3420m) – approx. 6/7 hours

You leave the traditional way that takes you to Ghorepani and take a route that is used by the locals. This path takes you through a forest of Rhododendrons before arriving at pastures of water buffalo. Short grass is a very precious commodity here. The views of the Annapurna chain merging with the line of forest trees are superb. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 05: Trek from Dobato to Chistibang (3,026 m) – approx. 5/6 hours

Leave early in the morning to watch a sunrise. We progress through a forest of rhododendrons. The summit of Dhaulagiri appears in all its glory joining the magnificent views of Annapurna South, Hinchuli and Machapurchhre. Beautiful ridge route takes you on a short climb and the long descend into the rhododendron forest taking you to the end of the valley and then back again where you can find ample amount of rhododendrons bloom. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 06: Trek from Chistibang to Kopra Ridge (3,640 m) – approx. 4/5 hours

The path crosses a beautiful forest of rhododendron up to a small sacred lake, the landscape changes, the path winds its way between the blocks and joins a spur from where the views of Dhaulagiri is remarkable. We descent back to the community lodge of Dobato after the sunrise view and for breakfast then departure for Chistibung. Beautiful ridge course, small pass, and long descent in the rhododendrons to reach the bottom of the valley, then ascended, always in the rhododendrons. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 07: Trek from Kopra to Swanta (2200m) – approx. 6/7 hours

You follow the route which descends and is a steep slope. This region is known for its fauna. If you are attentive you will maybe get glimpse of the Himalayan Tahr, Danfe – national animal of Nepal. You catchup again with the rhododendron forest and then pass before the lodge of Chistibung before going through the wooden bridge to cross the river. The path is well marked with directions. You shall then arrive at Swantha which is in the middle of rice fields. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 08: Trek from Swanta to Ghorepani (2855m) – approx. 4/5 hours

After breakfast, we will walk to Chitre village and we will follow the main trail to Ghorepani. From Ghorepani, we can see Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna South, I and other peaks. If you feel like to go for sunset to Poonhill then the guide will take you on top which is 45 min further from Ghorepani. However, we will be visiting in the morning for sunrise. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 09: Excursion to Poon Hill (3160m), Trek to Ulleri (2080m)

From Ghorapani a pre-dawn 45 minute climb brings us to the summit of Poon Hill (3,210m). The views of the Himalaya are tremendous, with forested foothills as a foreground, and some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges surrounding us. The glow of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges as the rising sun catches the peaks will take your breath away. We descend to camp for breakfast, and, during the morning descend through forest and small settlements to enter a deep ravine where multiple waterfalls follow our trail. We make camp just outside Ulleri village at a point where we have an overview of our trek route, as well as views of the Annapurnas at the head of the valley. We leave the main trail and trek through little known traditional villages such as Bhuka and Jhelibrang, on an alternate route to Nayapul. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10: Trek from Ulleri to Nayapul – approx. 5/6 hours, Drive from Nayapul to Pokhara - approx. 1 hour

We have a short descent through the village this morning before we join a little-used local trail that traverses through lush forest. We walk through the forest for some hours, often spotting monkeys in the trees as we go, before the trail enters a beautiful traditional Gurung village. We continue through terraced fields until we reach the traditional village of Bukha. This is a particularly enjoyable day and a great way to finish the trek. On arrival in Nayapul, we will drive back to Pokhara. Overnight in Hotel

Day 11: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu – approx. 30 minutes

We fly back to Kathmandu in the morning and you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day you are free to take rest in your hotel room or go for a walk around Thamel or do last minute shopping in and around old markets of Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel

Day 12: Departure from Kathmandu.

As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.

Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.

  • Trip facts

  • Trip duration : 12 days
  • Grade : Moderate to fairly challenging
  • Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking
  • Starts in : Kathmandu
  • End in : Kathmandu
  • Trek Type : Tea House
  • Accomodation : Hotel & lodge (tea house)
  • Max Altitude : 3640m

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick-up and drop off services by private A/C vehicle
  • 2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu on twin /double sharing basis with breakfast only
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English Speaking local Tour Guide and entry fees
  • All meals during the trek
  • Accommodation during the trek in Tea House
  • English speaking local expert guide, porters (ratio:2 members=1 porter) during the trek (per member max 12-13kg weight)
  • Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight
  • Transfer from Pokhara to Nayapul and from Nayapul to Pokhara by private land transportation
  • 1 night accommodation in Pokhara on twin/double sharing basis with breakfast only
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
  • Equipment clothing for porter & staffs for the trek
  • Insurance for all staff & porters
  • Rescue assistance (Should any emergency arise during your trek, we will provide prompt and professional rescue and medical services. For this, we recommend you to have your own travel insurance that can cover helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost in case required.)
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
  • All tax, VAT and company service charge

Cost Excludes

  • International flight & any other airfares
  • Nepal visa
  • Extra baggage charge if any (weight allowance 12kg+3 kg in domestic flight)
  • Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
  • Tips for Guide, porters, drivers etc.
  • Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason
  • Personal expenses such as table drinks, snacks while walking, hot water/shower, internet, telephone etc during the Everest Base Camp trek.
  • Clients insurance and Medical expenses
  • Any other tours, transfers and hotel accommodations other than mentioned above
  • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara


Extension Tours

Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
Rafting

Necessary Information

1. Visa to Nepal

You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For that, you require a valid passport with 2 copies of passport size photos. Similarly, A visa for Nepal can be obtained at Nepal India border entry point at Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Kakadvitta, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki and Kodari on the Nepal China border. A15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

2. Welcoming upon your arrival in Nepal

We will be at the airport to welcome you upon your arrival to Nepal. We will be carrying the Raj BalaTreks & Expedition placard with your name underneath. From airport you will escorted to your hotel and we help you to check-in.

3. Health Issues and Vaccinations Requirement for Kopra Ridge Trek

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

The main health consideration during Kopra Ridge Trekking is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and handle the low oxygen rate. If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude areas before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.

4. Difficulty Level of the trek

Kopra Ridge Himal Trek is a moderate to fairly challenging trek that does not require any technical expertise of mountaineering. It is basically a long hike up to the altitude of 3690 meters . The trek is only grueling because of its duration of 10 days hike up and down the hill across diverse terrains (12 days including arrival and departure). You should be moderately fit, used to some regular exercises and enjoy walking in the high altitude conditions.

5. Trekking Type

Mardi Himal Trek is a tea house trek. A Nepalese tea house is a lodge or guest house located in one of the trekking regions in the Nepal Himalayas. At the end of the day’s trekking you pitch up and have a room and food provided. Teahouse trekking in Nepal is an incredible experience.

6. Accommodation on the trek

There are plenty of basic, clean and friendly lodges along the trail. You often have to share rooms but you can also stay in single rooms where possible. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets. A few have electric blanket, hot bags (luxury lodges) and all have a spacious dining room-lounge.

We will accommodate you and your group in a comfortable local lodge each day. The Guide coordinates with the local lodge owners and a porter is sent ahead to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot always be booked in advance).

7. Food on the Trek

On trek, we have breakfast and dinner in the tea-houses/lodges we spend the night and lunch on our way to the next destination. Nepalese, Tibetan, the more common continental and Indian cuisines are common choices in the menu.

To get an idea about your meals on the go, breakfast comprises a hot beverage, toasts, pancakes, eggs, etc. while lunch will include rice items, noodles, potato varieties, pizza, pasta, burger, meat items, and so on. The starters in dinnertime are soup varieties while the main course includes more or less similar items as that of lunch menu, including a dessert item and a hot beverage.

8. A Typical Day on a Tea House Trek in Nepal

We provide a comfortable experience on our teahouse lodge-style treks. Our team works hard to support you so that you can relax and enjoy trekking in Nepal. The lodges provide your meals in a communal dining room. There is a range in standard and service in teahouse lodges depending on location. i.e. lodges at higher altitude and places with fewer trekkers tend to have more basic facilities.

The day starts with getting up in your room shared with another trekker in our group. Before heading for breakfast you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag. You would have given your breakfast orders to the guide to pass onto the kitchen last night. At the designated time the group will assemble in the dining room to eat breakfast. The menu has a range of items to choose from such as porridge, cereals, chapattis, and a choice of egg dishes. There is also the choice of tea or coffee plus other hot drinks like the popular ginger, lemon honey drink.

While the group is having breakfast the porters arrange their loads and set off in the cool of the morning. After breakfast, between 7am and 8am, we start trekking. The pace of the trek is moderate as there is plenty of time in the itinerary to reach the lodge for tonight. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local villages. Lunch will be around midday at a teahouse lodge by the side of the trail.

After lunch, we continue the trek and on most days we arrive at the lodge by mid-afternoon. For dinner, you get a two-course dinner (soup and main meal). The menus are quite standard with a range of dishes such as dal bhat, momos and the famous Sherpa stew. Dal bhat is a Nepalese dish of rice and lentils with vegetable curry. It is also possible to order spaghetti and pasta; pizzas; vegetable burgers and chips and fried rice.

After the meal, the leaders will discuss the plan for the next day. Afterwards, people might stay in the dining room chatting about the day’s events or playing cards. After a tiring day, most people head to their rooms quite early for the night. Tomorrow is likely to be very similar to today!

We cater for a variety of dietary requirements. There are always meals that are suitable for vegetarians. During booking, we find out if you have any dietary needs and agree upon meal plans before departure. If you have any questions about the food provided please get in touch with us to discuss further.

9. Flight / Land Transfers

From Kathmandu, you will be transferred by domestic flight to Pokhara. From Pokhara you will be driven to Kimche by private land transportation, the starting point of the trek. On your return from the trek, our car/bus shall pick you from Nayapul and drive to Pokhara. You will be flying back by domestic airlines from Pokhara to Kathmandu. We will also arrange the transportations from your hotel to the airport and from airport to the hotel in Kathmandu.

10. Personal Expenses – Approximate money you should carry on the trek

Our 12 days Kopra Ridge Trek cost is all inclusive of your accommodation, meals, permits and other official expenses.(See price includes and excludes section for more detail). Besides, other expenses depend on your spending habits. A USD 10-15 is sufficient to buy bottled water, snacks, chocolate bars, hot and cold drinks, and showers during the trek besides your included meals and accommodation.

11. Money Exchange

You can exchange money at a Bank or the money exchange counter in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many Tourist class Hotels have money exchange facilities. For Trekking, there are Banks and exchange counters at major Tourist hubs like Namche and Lukla. These days, there are availability of ATMs everywhere in Kathmandu and some in Lukla and Namche.

12. Tips

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

13. Facility of communication available on trek

Communication during Kopra Ridge Trek is not challenging but there are certain things to be considered. Phone reception is available in most of the places during the trek. Likewise, WIFI services are also available on the trail. To use WIFI services, you are expected to pay a fee. These fees increase as you scale up the higher altitude. Usually, the cost of WIFI services ranges about NPR 400-500 each depending upon the location you are staying in. And another option to stay connected with your family back home is by using an internet data package if you have a local SIM card. You can buy a SIM card around the street of your trip hotel in Kathmandu/Pokhara or ask your guide to arrange it one for you. However, we must inform you that internet service may not be strong in all places.

14. Luggage while trekking

During Annapurna trekking, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kgs for travel safety and porter welfare as per IPPG standard. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel in Kathmandu while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel's safekeeping.

15. Trekking Gears and Equipments

You will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons/ -20C rated), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun-screen and day pack. Comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Majority of these gears can be bought or hired at reasonable rates in Kathmandu.

16. Climate & best time to do the trek

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.

Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.

Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

17. First Aid Kit

We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors and a user’s manual. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

18. Rescue /Evacuation

Your safety and security are our top priority, and we always make sure that nothing untoward happen to you. However, if anything serious like sickness or a casualty occurs, we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. As you are responsible for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it.

19. Insurance

Before joining the Annapurna Trekking, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Our staff will collect your insurance details before you leave for the trek.

20. All our guides are certified guides

All our guides are certified and trained trekking leaders. Our guides are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal. They have years of experience working in this line of work and know the different trekking trails of Nepal, mountain ranges, culture, and mountain sickness.

21. Booking Procedure

Your booking of this Kopra Ridge Trekking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of 20% of the total trip and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

22. Cancellation Policy

 If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply:

  • 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (20% of the total trip)
  • 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
  • 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
  • Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost

Additional Information