via Khopra Ridge (Danda) side trek (5 days)
Annapurna Region, Nepal

View full itinerary: Poon Hill

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Highlights: Poon Hill and Khopra Danda

Difficulty: moderate

This route climbs up the Khopra Ridge for magnificent panoramas of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and other Himalayan peaks. An overnight at Khopra Danda (3640 m, 11,942 ft) lets you wake to this spectacular view just outside your room, at what must be one of the best lodge locations in the region.

Weather Conditions in January

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January is one of the coldest and driest months, which makes it good for Himalayan views while wearing lots of layers. While there is little rain, skies in the hills and valleys further from the high mountains can be hazy from dust and pollution. The days are short and the nights long, so you can finally catch up on War and Peace while hiking the Himalayas. Now that’s something to be proud of! Go with the e-book version, your back or your porter’s back will thank you for it. At high altitudes, temperatures can drop to well below freezing. Even during the day, temperatures may not rise much above freezing, if at all, and the snow that does fall doesn’t melt and can become hard and icy. This can make crossing high passes more difficult. During this season it may be wise to bring crampons or at a minimum a good trekking pole.

At a glance
On average there are 2 days with precipitation in January. The highest point on the trek is Khopra Danda at 3640 m. During January, expect high temperatures of around 5.6°C (42°F) and lows down to -11.4°C (11°F) at Khopra Danda.

via Khopra Ridge (Danda) Side trek
(Elevation Profile)

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(5 days)

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Extra rest days and overnights can be added once the itinerary is created. However any side trips must be added in this step before the itinerary is created.

Sat Jan 29 (day 1)
Ghorepani (2874 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.2°C (50°F) and lows of about -6.8°C (20°F) in January. Overnight more info on Ghorepani

Sun Jan 30 (day 2)
Poon Hill (3210 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 8.1°C (47°F) and lows of about -8.9°C (16°F) in January. more info on Poon Hill
Swanta (2350 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.3°C (56°F) and lows of about -3.7°C (25°F) in January.
Chistibung (3000 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 9.4°C (49°F) and lows of about -7.6°C (18°F) in January. Overnight

Mon Jan 31 (day 3)
Khopra Danda (3640 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.6°C (42°F) and lows of about -11.4°C (11°F) in January. Overnight more info on Khopra Danda
Side Trip to Khopra Danda Khayer Lake Day Trip (1 extra day) Khayer Lake Day Trip Highlights: Khopra Danda Difficulty: challenging The long day hike to this remote sacred lake at the foot of Annapurna Fang is a strenuous but rewarding side trip climbing 1000 m from Khopra Danda to this small lake at 4660 m (15,289 ft). You will need to pack a lunch and bring water or water purification equipment with you since there is no lodging along the route or at the lake. This hike brings you right next to the soaring rock and ice of the Annapurna Massif.

Mon Jan 31 (day 3)

Khopra Danda (3640 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.6°C (42°F) and lows of about -11.4°C (11°F) in January.

Overnight

more info on Khopra Danda

Side Trip to Khopra Danda Khayer Lake Day Trip
(1 extra day)

Khayer Lake Day Trip

Highlights: Khopra Danda
Difficulty: challenging
The long day hike to this remote sacred lake at the foot of Annapurna Fang is a strenuous but rewarding side trip climbing 1000 m from Khopra Danda to this small lake at 4660 m (15,289 ft). You will need to pack a lunch and bring water or water purification equipment with you since there is no lodging along the route or at the lake. This hike brings you right next to the soaring rock and ice of the Annapurna Massif.

Tue Feb 1 (day 4)
Tatopani (1190 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 22.3°C (72°F) and lows of about 5.3°C (42°F) in February. Overnight more info on Tatopani

Wed Feb 2 (day 5)
Public bus from Tatopani to Beni (Not Included) Estimated cost: $2.00 Travel time: about 2 hours Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)
Beni (830 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 24.4°C (76°F) and lows of about 7.4°C (45°F) in February.
Public bus from Beni to Pokhara (Not Included) Estimated cost: $4.00 Travel time: about 4 hours Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)
Pokhara (827 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 24.4°C (76°F) and lows of about 7.4°C (45°F) in February. more info on Pokhara

via Khopra Ridge (Danda) side trek (5 days) Annapurna Region, Nepal