Jan 19 - Jan 26, 2026 | Change
via Khopra Ridge & Poon Hill
side trek
(8 days)
Annapurna Region, Nepal
View full itinerary: Annapurna Sanctuary
Highlights:
Ghandruk, Muldai, Khopra Danda, and Poon Hill
Difficulty:
moderate
This route climbs up the Khopra Ridge from Ghandruk for magnificent panoramas of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and other Himalayan peaks. Enroute you'll climb to the panoramic view point at Muldai before reaking Khopra Danda. 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. Finally you'll finish up via the classic view point at Poon Hill.
Weather Conditions in January
change startJanuary 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 & Poon Hill
Side trek
(Elevation Profile)
Itinerary (8 days)
Add side trips by clicking '' in the itinerary below.
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.
| Mon Jan 19 (day 1) |
|---|
|
Ghandruk (2000 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.4°C (60°F) and lows of about -1.6°C (29°F) in January. Overnight |
| Tue Jan 20 (day 2) |
|---|
|
Tadapani (2590 m)
About 3-4 hours from Ghandruk (trail climbs through forest) Overnight |
| Wed Jan 21 (day 3) |
|---|
|
Dobato (3350 m)
About 4-5 hour from Tadapani Overnight |
| Thu Jan 22 (day 4) |
|---|
|
Muldai (3637 m)
About 30 min from Dobato. |
|
Bayeli Kharka (3440 m)
About 1 to 2 hours from Dobato |
|
Chistibung (3000 m)
About 5 to 6 hours from Dobato and 4-5 hours from Bayeli Kharka Overnight |
| Fri Jan 23 (day 5) |
|---|
|
Khopra Danda (3640 m)
About 4 hours from Chistibung Overnight |
| Sat Jan 24 (day 6) |
|---|
|
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. |
|
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. Overnight |
| Sun Jan 25 (day 7) |
|---|
|
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 |
| Mon Jan 26 (day 8) |
|---|
|
Poon Hill (3210 m)
About 1-1.5 hours up and a half hour back down to Ghorepani |
|
Tikhedunga (1525 m)
About 5-6 hours from Ghorepani (while not required it is recommended to add an overnight in Tikhedunga to avoid a very long day and more time on top of Poon Hill) |
|
Birethanti (1025 m)
About 1-2 hours from Tikhedunga |
|
Naya Pul (1000 m)
About 45 minutes from Birethanti |
|
Public bus from Naya Pul to Pokhara
(Not Included)
Estimated cost:
$2.00
|
|
Pokhara (827 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 22.4°C (72°F) and lows of about 5.4°C (42°F) in January. |
via Khopra Ridge & Poon Hill Itinerary Reviews
by Charlie (Australia) on Oct 14, 2024
Annapurna Sanctuary via Short Modi Khola Start, with Annapurna Base Camp Day Visit, and via Khopra Ridge & Poon Hill led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa
