Khair Ridge Trek

On arrival, meet our TH staff for a courtesy transfer to your respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu, in the Thamel area, an interesting place for shopping and dining at many world-class restaurants, pubs, and bakeries. Our guide will provide details about the Khair Ridge Trek.

Morning after breakfast at a given time our city and cultural guide will guide you in and around Kathmandu at places of interest and importance, as Kathmandu Valley is full of World Heritage Sites the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, ancient Kings Palaces and courtyard in Kathmandu; after an interesting sightseeing back to the hotel, preparation for the trip to Khair Ridge Trek.

A scenic drive to Pokhara takes about 6 hours, following Nepal’s main highway for a while along the Trisuli River, then heading west with views of the Ganesh and Langtang Himal, and getting closer to Pokhara with the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. In Pokhara, a haven for tourists and a scenic place with mountains and lakes, transfer to a hotel on Lake Phewa (Fewa) for an overnight.

A two-hour drive away from Pokhara leading west, with fabulous views of Annapurna Himalaya ranging from A I, A II, A III, and A IV with stunning Mt.Machhapuchare “Fish Tail” on reaching Nayapul, begin the trek following Modi river for a short distance to a nice village at Bhirethati and then on the old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route trail to Ghorepani, the walk leads to a winding up hills with stone steps in some villages and then arriving at Tirkhedhunga for overnight stop with beautiful waterfalls close by.

After Tirkhedhunga, the morning walk starts with a climb on long stone steps to Ulleri village a nice traditional Gurung village with stone slate roofs with views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli, and the top of Machhapuchhre peak from the top of this village walk gets better on the winding trail through enchanting forest of thick rhododendron, pines and oaks trees and the with steep up and gradual section reaching at scenic Ghorepani for overnight stop with grand views of Dhaulagiri massif with Tukuche, Nilgiri’s peaks and Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang ( Vara Shikar) Ghorepani located in the middle of rhododendron forest on the Trans Himalayan Trade of Nepal / Tibet through Mustang.

Early morning at the break of dawn, an hour's hike to Pun Hill at 3,190 meters above sea level if the morning is fine and clear, striking sunrise views over the mountain panorama ranging from peaks of the Dolpo area, the Dhaulagiri massive range, Nilgiri’s peak with Annapurna and Manaslu range with magnificent Mt. Machhapuchhre. After an exciting and enjoyable time head down to Ghorepani for breakfast and start trekking towards Sauta through serene rhododendron and pine forests throughout the walk on the downhill, after being on the main path for a while our diverts to Sauta village in complete isolation from the popular route, from Chitre village a short distance walk to a lovely farm village at Sauta for an overnight stop.

Start with a slow, gradual morning walk on an off-beaten trail, passing farm fields and scattered villages. Trek north through an enchanting, serene rhododendron and bamboo forest. Continue with a slow climb into the woodlands, following the route to Khair ridge. A small stream leads the walk, then continues with an uphill path through meadows and summer pastures to Chistebung for an overnight stop. Chistebung is a small place with a few small huts serving as tea-houses.

Today’s walk is for a few hours to our final destination at Khair, also called Kopra Ridge. From this place, we gain more altitude, leaving behind the tree lines only for alpine bushes and shrubs. Around here, there's a chance of seeing wildlife like the Himalayan Thar and the Danphe Pheasant (National Bird of Nepal). The morning after a few hours of scenic walk, we finally reached an overnight stop at Khair or Kopra Ridge, a scenic, picturesque spot with awesome scenery of surrounding green landscapes along with stunning views of Mt. Dhaulagiri's massive range and Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang), Annapurna South, which towers directly from this wonderful spot.

A grand, wonderful spot for a rest or free day, being here will be an awesome experience for a sporty and energetic optional hike to the holy lake at Khair Lake, located at 4,247 m., which is a long and strenuous walk, but worth the views, the site of a religious festival occasion held annually around August and September. Villagers from the surrounding area assemble here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva, bathe in the icy waters, and sacrifice sheep and goats.

After a great time at Khair Ridge top, the morning walk leads to a long descent east through grazing lands in the middle of rhododendron forest, from Khair a long downhill walk reaching back to tree lines and towards our overnight stop at Dobato, a summer pasture, a grazing land for the local shepherds with striking views of Annapurna South and Mt. Machhapuchhre 6,993 m.

From this nice spot at Dobato, follow a downhill walk into the nice woodlands of rhododendron and pine trees to reach the main trail in Tadapani village, full of lodges with striking views of Annapurna South, Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail). After a stop here, continue walking with a long descent to reach Ghandruk village for an overnight stop. Gandruk is the gateway to many Annapurna treks and to Annapurna Sanctuary. Here, overnight in a nice Gurung lodge with views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli, and Machhapuchhre “Fish Tail” peak.

With lovely morning and views, starting with descend through the dense alpine forest towards Gandruk in the forested area with a couple of teashops and then on a gradual trail with few short ups and down to reach Gandruk village, and then on nice stone steps downhill to Modi River after crossing the bridge on the uphill uphill trail to Landruk village with great views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli at close distance, from here back to warm rice fields and terraces with a pleasant walk for a while and then a short climb to a Tolka village for an overnight stop.

With mountain views for breakfast, from here a winding nice walk for an hour and then a climb for 45 minutes to Deurali hill with super views of snowcapped mountains including Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain range, after Deurali on the downhill through nice woods to Potana a lovely spot with views of Annapurna and Manaslu, from this village Mt. Machhapuchhre looks magnificent, starting the last walk of this trip with an hour climb to Australian camp or Thulo Kharka with marvelous scenery of mountain panorama, from here an hour downhill to the road head at Kande village for the drive to Pokhara of an hour scenic journey reaching Pokhara check into the fine hotel by the lake Phewa for overnight with afternoon at leisure. (in Pokhara extension trips, Paragliding, kayaking clinic, Ultra light flight, Zip Flyer on a long cable wire, or Bungy Jump called Touch the Lake)

Last day in Nepal with a wonderful, memorable time in Nepal Himalaya around the High Annapurna area in Khair Ridge trekking with Team Himalaya and transferring to the airport for the flight back home or to the respective destination.