Why Short Khopra Danda Trek

  • Updated on Mar 21, 2021
  • Nirajan Chaulagain
  • 5125 views

Annapurna Region is famous for some of the well-known trekking trails such as Annapurna circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poon Hill so on. Many trekking routes have been discovered within a few years. Most of the treks in Annapurna foothills look like the same Mountain views but every trek has its own character. I am writing my personal experience not as a company founder but as a traveler. Sometimes it's quite hard to convince our customers about the new trekking routes which can be the best option among the popular well-known treks. I am not a travel blogger or a writer but love to share my words with everyone which can actually help to pick the perfect trek. 

Table of Contents

Short Khopra Danda / Ridge Trek

Recently I was on the trek which was quite new for me even I had done almost all the treks in the Annapurna Region. I haven't counted how many times I did Mardi Himal, Ghorepani, Annapurna Base Camp so I was quite excited for this trek especially the Mulde Viewpoint. Annapurna Khopra Danda was well known for me but I was excited for the Mulde Viewpoint which is on the way to Khopra Danda. Indra (our senior guide) 4 Customers, 2 porters and I (Nirajan) started our journey from Pokhara. Weather was beautiful and we can clearly see the Mountain views from Pokhara while driving to Ghandruk. The drive is never easy in Nepal especially when we have to sit for 3 hrs on the dirt roads. We Nepalese are used to with this kind of road and I often tell people to get ready for the free Massage on ride!. 

After 3 and a half hrs drive to Ghandruk, we had our lunch at Ghandruk Village. By the time we reach there, it was cloudy and seems like going to rain soon. We didn't see that many people once we started our proper trek towards Tadapani Village. The Coronavirus was hitting everywhere which we can see on the route and the tea houses were almost empty. I can see the hope for people that it will recover soon and the world will get back on top. The hope is not only for them but for me also because we are also living from this Tourism Industry. Before reaching Tadapani started raining like hell we stopped at a small tea house for tea and got time to dry our clothes. The rain was light and then we started our last push to Tadapani, it's a junction for Ghorepani, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and Khopra Danda. 

Everyone was friendly and flexible which was easy and enjoyable on the trek. The most important thing while going on a trip must need an open mind and flexible.

Traveling with me and if I am leading the trip I expect my customers to be friendly and flexible so that I can share more information. We all have problems and burdens inside whether it's big or small but opening minds and sharing can help and make travel fun. We pick the Himalayas not just to see them but also to be healed so forget nitty-gritty, Starbucks, fancy rooms, and beds. If you are for this kind of trip then join me!. 

We were hoping the next day the weather will be nice and can see the Mountains, the same thing happen the morning view was beautiful and I love this place too. We designed the itinerary based on the views, altitude, and distance. Check out the picture below which does explain more than my words.

My words are getting longer than I was going to write. I am going to make it shorter with the 3 viewpoints which are the most beautiful and can be combined all together within 5 to 7 days.  

Why Short Khopra Danda Trek?

In simple words Including Khopra Danda Trek route has the best viewpoints. Khopra Danda is not the place we will visit but on this trek, we will see and visit other beautiful viewpoints. I Am an amateur photographer and I love bouncing in the Nepal mountains to explore, and to feel it. Most of the pictures and videos of Rugged Trails Nepal had click by me and from my eyes also I would say this is the perfect trek. Eyes never lie! 

Best Viewpoints on Khopra Danda Trek.

  • Mulde Viewpoint.
  • Khopra Danda.
  • Poon Hill - Ghorepani.

Within a short time if you can cover all these best viewpoints than why not? If you are doing Ghorepani PoonHIll trek for 5 days then I suggest picking this short Khopra Danda Trek. Let's talk about viewpoints. 

  • Mulde Viewpoint. 

Mulde viewpoint is after Tadapani and the place name called Deurali. This viewpoint and place weren't that famous even Khopra Danda was becoming the popular trek in Annapurna. People used to skip and usually a Lunch stop at Deurali than walk further towards to Khopra. From Deurali Mulde Viewpoint is just about 25 to 30 min maximum. You can the viewpoint below which is incredible and much better than PoonHill. Once we reach Deuarali started snowing so don't expect snow at the viewpoint. From Mulde viewpoint we can see the Panoramic ranges from Gurja Himal, Dhaulagiri Ranges, Nilgiri, Annapurna Ranges, Fishtail, Lamjung range, Himal Chuli, Boudha Himal, Ganesh, and many other peaks. We will not able to see all this long-range from Khopra Danda and Poon Hill. 

  • Khopra Danda or Khopra Ridge.

Khopra Danda is the best viewpoint for Mt. Dhaulagiri and this is the world's seventh-highest mountain peak. Khopra Danda is also a community trek and quite off the beaten path on this trek. Viewpoint is famous for the Dhaulagiri Ranges which we can see near the Khopra ridge and also the Annapurna South. Khayer Lake is another attraction which is a 1-day excursion from Khopra Danda. The Mountain views are nothing exciting but the landscapes are beautiful which is also people's favorite choice. If you are expecting a big lake but it's not and we always skip the lake and for those who love to stay one extra day in Khopra we take them up to the lake.

  • Poon Hill Ghorepani. 

There are hundreds and millions of pictures and different blogs about this viewpoint which is always a popular viewpoint. Ghorepani Poon Hill is a popular destination for those who want to explore and see the Mountain views more closer within a short time. Rugged Trails Nepal most popular and short 2 days Ghorepani Poonhill trek departs from Pokhara all around the year. From PoonHill we can more mountain ranges than Khopra Danda but less then Mulde Viewpoint. Check the image below for the ideas. 

I love to share one incident which I think more important why you need to pick the right person on the trek. Weather was cloudy and was raining, snowing at Deurali (Mulde Viewpoint). There were few trekkers as I mentioned coronavirus was hitting in the Himalayas too. Since it was snowing badly we can hear other guides were not helpful for their customers about the morning sunrise view from Muldeviewpoint. It's was clearly seen that they didn't want to wake up early morning to take them for sunrise view. Instead of checking weather reports they were busy on Facebook which is weird which I couldn't stop myself and gave hope to everyone that morning will be clear and can see the best view. Guides must understand the investment of customers why they come in such places not just to walk but to see and explore the beauty. Other people and our customers gathered and listen to us finally we can see the smile on their faces. When I woke up midnight to check the weather it's was just unbelievable stars were shining, and the clear views.  The morning wasn't disappointed and the best view we saw from the Mulde Viewpoint.

Always travel with that kind of team who is an enthusiast and eager to show something different. 

Nepal Trek Booking open now and start booking Short Khopra Danda Trek for 2021, and 2022.