Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge
Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge
8 Days | So easy, so diverse and so spectacular!
Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge
Poon Hill and Khopra Ridge combine to offer an unforgettable Himalayan experience, perfect for trekkers seeking both breathtaking views and a closer encounter with the mountains. Poon Hill provides a fantastic introduction, with its stunning sunrise views over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, making it a favorite for many. But for a deeper, more immersive journey, trekking up to Khopra Ridge (Khopra Danda) takes you closer to the towering peaks, offering unparalleled vistas and peaceful solitude.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style:Â Active with Guide in Teahouses
Hiking, trekking, adventure with a guide, and staying in teahouses.
Physical Rating:Â 3 - Energetic
Trail is sometimes on a rough track with obstacles and arduous sections with limited signage.
Service Level:Â Basic Teahouse
Comfy, family-owned teahouses with all meals provided along the trail.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
Trip Type:Â Small Group
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 2 to 8
Age requirement:Â 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Important pre-departure information
To help you prepare for your trip, please ensure you understand the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions by destination, for both directions of travel, which may change frequently.
IMPORTANT PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
When to visit Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge?
Lying to the south of the Great Himalaya Range, this region has a typical monsoonal climate: a long rainy season from June/July through to the end of September and then a period of stable weather through to February. Later winter and spring storms frequently obscure the trail until the spring thaw in late March.
Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge
Postive Impacts
GHG Footprint 14kg CO2e per day
Social Impacts: 63% of trek expenses support local communities directly
Why you will love this Trek
There is nowhere else on earth that a cup of tea can come with such an amazing view.
The climb to Poon Hill for sunrise is always, always worth the effort!
Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge: Route Options
Pooh Hill and Kopra Ridge sit inside a web of connecting trails that spans over 100km of Annapurna and Dhaluagiri foothills. This is an ageless terrain with countless villages offering homestays or simple shelter for the night. If you have the time and are feeling a little adventurous, walk among them, seeing how your route unfolds each day.
If you want something more structured, connect with the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Sanctuary, or Mardi Himal treks, or wander along the Gurung Heritage Trail to Siklis.
How can your Poon Hill and Kopra Ridge create positive impacts?
To help you budget and plan, we’ve made a comprehensive costing explanation on How Much Does the GHT Cost? But here’s a simplified breakdown.
From US$878
Trek cost per person (twin share)
Total GHGe per trekker
124kgCO2e
Total GHGe per trekker per day
14kgCO2e
Average per capita EU GHGe = 20kgCO2e per day (www.statistica.com)
What we do…
…make Positive Impacts
% of Trek Cost
Go Local Transport
Use Local Accommodation
Eat Local Meals
Waste Management
Highly Experienced Guide
Biodiversity
Locally supplied transport reduces drive times and fuel usage
Locally supplied accommodation reduces commissions
More nutritious, fresher ingredients, no packaging
Carry out ALL PLASTIC, avoid snacks and soda drinks
A knowledge bank for your peace and wellbeing
National Park entry fee for you and the team
Administrative and office costs
27%
36%
0%
21%
5%
11%
Do you have any questions about the trail, when to go or the costs? Please Get in Touch to ask an expert and for more details.
Customisation is Normal
Want to do things a little differently? Maybe take some extra time, or go a bit faster? Or avoid technical sections or combine with other trails? Every GHT trek is different and that changes the price, but please feel free to Get in Touch to ask questions and how to customise your own trek.
Bookings
Please note that www.greathimalayatrail.com does not handle bookings for treks. We are here to inform you about the trails and logistics, but you will need to book through a registered trekking operator in Nepal. If you would like an operator recommendation or feedback on a company you are already talking to, then please Get in Touch.
Itinerary
DAY 1: POKHARA – BIRETHANI – BANTHANTI (DRIVE OR TREK)
A 2-hour taxi or bus ride from Pokhara brings you to Birethanti (1025m) and the metal bridge to the true right bank of the Modi Khola where you register at the ACAP checkpost. From the checkpost, continue to drive on a rough dirt road to Banthanti (2430m, 2 hours), where you can rest some cramped legs after a long day.
You can also walk from Birethanti, which takes about 5.5 hours by following the road west as it follows the Bhurungdi Khola on the true left bank. You must remain on this bank of this river all the way to Tikhedhungga. It is an easy gradient as you ascend to Lamdawali (1160m), Sudame (1340m), Hile (1430m), and on to Tikhedhungga (1540m, 2.5 hours), where the trail now steepens to well-made stone steps; apparently, there are 3280 of them! You should reach the Magar village of Ulleri (1960m) in 2 hours, where there are comfy teahouses and views of Annapurna South and Hiun Chuli. In less than 1 hour you will come to Banthanti (2210m).
DAY 2: BANTHANTI – GOREPANI DEURALI 3 HRS
Follow the main trail as it climbs for another 1.5 hours to Nangge Thanti (2430m), where there are good teahouses that make an ideal rest stop. Continue climbing for another 1 hour along the same track to reach Ghorepani (2860m), a large village with a police checkpost at the entry. Rather than staying in the main village, continue up to the ridge above, Deurali (2858m, 20 minutes) where the teahouses boast the best views of the Annapurnas, which dominate the skyline. To the west is the huge bulk of Dhaulagiri and the unseeable depths of the Kali Gandaki gorge.
DAY 3: GHOREPANI – POON HILL – SWANTA 3.5 HRS
The panorama of Machhapuchhare and the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill is one of the classic Himalayan views. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top of Poon Hill (3200m) and many trekkers get up early to enjoy the sunrise. There is a wooden viewing tower on the summit but you will need to be early to beat the crowds and get a good vantage point; remember to take water and a snack. The crowds will begin to thin out about an hour after sunrise as people head down to their teahouse for breakfast and prepare for the day’s trek.
The Poon Hill–Ghorepani Ridge marks a cultural change as well as being a wonderful viewpoint. So far you have been trekking through Gurung communities but now you enter Magar villages. Sometimes, there is a little friction between the two ethnic groups as many of the businesses developed for trekking (teahouses, etc) are controlled by Gurungs. Annapurna-Dhaulagiri Community Trail is exclusively Magar-controlled and it is interesting to see how Nepali people are both proud of their heritage and understand that diversity adds flavour and contrast to mountain tourism.
From the centre of Ghorepani follow the main trail north as it rapidly heads downhill. In 1 hour you reach the new dirt road at Chitre where you turn left (west) and in a few minutes come to a corner where a small ACAP sign points towards Khopra Ridge.
The trail heads down through scrubby forest and bears left into a tributary gully, which you follow straight down to a bridge over the Ghara Khola (2100m, 30 minutes). Cross the river and then a 20-minute climb brings you to the two teahouses in Swanta (2230m), you might need to ask around to find them as road construction has broken some of the old trails. You should check here that the lodges ahead will be open. The morning view of Dhaulagiri from this village is very impressive.
DAY 4: SWANTA – KHOPRA RIDE 5.5 HRS
The trail gradually climbs northeast into the Dhasta Khore Khola, with occasional loose sections but nothing difficult. Blue and white painted trail markers are obvious along the whole trail and in less than 1.5 hours come to a waterfall beside a small bridge (2348m) over the Khola. Locals claim that they sometimes see tigers drinking here! A short climb brings you to a lovely ‘Rest Cottage’ (2501m, 15 minutes), which makes an excellent snack or lunch stop.
It is now a long climb through the rhododendron forest to Chhistibang (aka Dhankharka, 2995m, 1.5 hours) where a couple of teahouses can provide lunch. It is worth checking with the locals in Swanta before you leave, just to make sure someone is here! If you want to break the climb into two days, this is the only place to stop.
Continue climbing through the rhododendron forest to a major trail junction at 3474m (1.5 hours). You will return here tomorrow, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the trail options. To reach Khopra Ridge you turn left (west) passing between some boulders before climbing across a grassy hillside to a ridge. Stay on an obvious trail, which follows the ridge to the teahouses at Khopra Ridge (3651m, 1 hour). There is normally only one teahouse operating, and again it is worth checking in Swanta that it is open.
The views of Annapurna, Annapurna South, and Dhaulagiri are fantastic in both evening and morning light!
DAY 5: KHOPRA RIDGE – BAVELI 5 HRS
After enjoying the great views over breakfast, retrace your steps to yesterday’s trail junction (45 minutes) and take the trail to Bayeli. This is a small, undulating trail and feels a little exposed at times. There is a very good chance of spotting Bharal (Blue sheep) along this trail as well as many Daphne pheasants. After a long hill-side traverse, you reach a small stream and then climb through a rhododendron forest to Bayeli (3405m, 4 hours). The sense of peace and stunning views from the dining room of the pretty teahouse make it hard to believe you are in the most popular trekking region in the Himalaya!
DAY 6: BAVELI – TADAPANI 5.5 HRS
Today begins with a short climb to the ridge above Bayeli and then a truly fantastic ridge walk. Wildlife is common along this trail so take your time, enjoy the views, and spot as many birds and wild sheep as you can!
Dobato has a few teahouses (3376m, 2.5 hours) and makes a good lunch stop if you have taken your time. You now trek through pristine forest to Isharu (3087m, 1.5 hours) where there are a few teahouses. The trail becomes easier as you descend about 250m before following an undulating trail through mixed forest. Entering the extensive village of Tadapani (2655m, 1.5 hours) feels like returning to civilisation!
DAY 7: TADAPANI – GHANDRUK 3.5 HRS
From Tadapani the trail winds through a beautiful oak forest with great views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare to the large village of Ghandruk (1940m, 2.5 hours), where there are plenty of teahouses with magnificent morning views of Machhapuchhare.Â
DAY 8: GHANDRUK – KATHMANDU DRIVE
You can take a taxi from the lower village back to Birethanti or to Pokhara. The walk along the road to Birethanti is very dusty and takes about 4 hours.
Trek Gallery
- Trekking Grade: Grade 3 Energetic
- Duration & distance: 12 days, an average of 15 km a day
- Gradient: Some steep sections
- Quality of path: Formed and rough tracks, some obstacles
- Quality of markings: Limited signage
- Experience required: Some walking experience required
- Walking times: Up to 7 hours per day
- Steps: Steps on steep sections
- Highest point: 5135 mÂ
- Best season: Apr-May/Oct-Nov Â
- Accommodation: Teahouses
- Recommended Guide Book:Â Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalaya Trail, Trailblazer, 2020.
- Recommended map: NP106 Manaslu & Ganesh Himals
FULL TRIP DOSSIER & INFORMATION PACK
Inclusions
Transportation
Bus/jeep, walking.
Accommodations
Teahouse lodges (11 nights).
Safety & Wellbeing
Fully qualified guide all of the time.
Other on activities
- Your Welcome Moment to Nepal moment: Special care airport pickup
- English-speaking local guide for the trek
- All necessary permits for trekking
- Porters can be included on the trek – contact your operator
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Book Now / Choose Your Operator
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Destination
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Grade3
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Idea Date Range31/08/2024
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Style of Trek
TOUR LOCATION