The Khayer Lake trek takes you on the less ventured parts of the Annapurna region which starts from the beautiful Pokhara valley. There are many things to do and see here. You shall enter the Annapurna Conservation Area from Nayapul, and you’ll walk through the vegetated trails to reach Tikhedhunga. Walk past Gurung villages to arrive at Nangethanti, and from here, hike to the summit of Poon hill. Take in the delightful scenery of Annapurna mountain range and proceed towards the Khopra danda. Walk on the Khopra ridge and witness the allure of the Khayer Lake and far away mountains. Learn the spirituality behind this lake and move to Tatopani where you’ll relax in its hot waters. A quick drive takes you to Pokhara where this trip will end.
This region of Annapurna is yet to be fully explored so why not take this opportunity and dwell in it? All you need is the will to explore and a certain level of fitness. Let’s join together for a memorable Khayer Lake Trek towards the spectacular Annapurna region.
Day 01: – Arrival at Kathmandu
You shall arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and once you reach there, you will be greeted by our staff representative. He will take you to your hotel where you will be briefed about the trip contents and trip highlights. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: – Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing pre- Treks (1350m)
To go trekking, you need to get all your permits sorted. Today, we shall spend our day doing it. After completing this, you will go on a short sightseeing trip which includes the major UNESCO world heritage sites of the Kathmandu valley. They include Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square. These areas are rich in cultural heritage. Once you get back to the hotel, you can take a much-needed rest. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03: – Drive or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (950m/3117ft) 6-7 hrs by bus
Today we will head towards Pokhara. We have the option of going there either by a bus or an airplane. If you go by bus, it takes 7 hours whereas, on an airplane, it takes 25 minutes. Once you reach Pokhara, you can explore the natural landmarks like Fewa lake, World Peace Pagoda, and the Begnas lakes. Spend the evening by roaming around Lakeside. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 04: – Drive to Nayapul (1010m/3314ft) and trek to Tikhedhunga (1,577m / 5,157 ft) 4 hrs trek
The journey today starts early and after we have breakfast, we find ourselves on a vehicle that takes us to Nayapul. It is the starting phase of many treks in the Annapurna region and is an hour’s drive away from Pokhara. From here, we walk along the densely forested trails to reach our stopping point for the day, Tikhedhunga. You need to indulge in some steep uphill climbing to reach this place. Overnight in Tikhedhunga.
Day 05 – Tikhedhunga trek to Ghorepani (2775m/9104ft) 4-6 hrs trek
From Tikhedhunga, the trail sees us cross a suspension bridge and forge towards the Bhurungdi Khola. You need to climb a lot of stairs and later, enter the Magar village Ulleri. Walk along the cultivated trails and soak in the delightful display of rhododendron forests. Take a moment to relax at Nangathanti. As you move ahead, you can witness trails that are covered in snow. After we walk for an hour, we reach Ghorepani. Overnight in Ghorepani.
Day 06: – Hike to Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,497 ft), Trek to swanta Village (2,200m/7,217ft) 6-7 hrs trek
Wake up early and get on a morning hike to reach the vantage point at Poon hill. This hill provides us with a delightful panorama of snow-laden mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Siringi Himal. After witnessing the sunrise, we have breakfast and then we move down to Swanta village. The road to Swanta sees a slight decrease in elevation and we need to walk through forested trails. Swanta is a Gurung village that serves as a resting point. Overnight in Swanta village.
Day 07: – Trek to khopra danda (ridge) (3,660m/12007ft) 4-5 hrs trek
As we have our breakfast, we walk along the densely forested trails. The trail sees a sharp increase in elevation and you need to be mindful of altitude sickness. We head to Khopra Danda which is a relatively new vantage and trekking point. The hills are decorated with rhododendron forests and you can see lodges and small tea houses here. The lodges here have telephone and internet facility. Overnight in Khopra Danda.
Day 08: – Rest day in Khopra Danda, Day-trip to Khayer Lake (4660m) 7-8 hrs trek
Our trail sees a sharp increase in elevation as we move ahead towards the beautiful Khayer lake. This lake is a famous tourist destination and is a pilgrim hub for people of the Hindu community. As per the locals, this lake is home to the Khair Barahi goddess. The lake is bluish in color and sits in the middle of the hills. It sits at a high elevation so walk carefully. The trail is steep too. From here, we head back to the Khopra Danda once again. Overnight in Khopra Danda.
Day 09 – Trek from Khopra Danda to Tatopani (1250m) 5 hrs trek
From the Khopra Danda, we begin our descent to Tatopani. This is a natural hot spring that is situated on the banks of the Kaligandaki River. To reach here, you need to walk past terraced fields and villages. The hot springs here are believed to possess natural healing properties. Take a moment to relax in these hot waters and feel the stress leaving your body. Overnight in Tatopani.
Day 10 – Tatopani Drive back to Pokhara 6 hrs
From Tatopani, you will catch a bus or get on a private vehicle that will take you back to Pokhara. The road is rugged and bumpy but the view it provides is amazing. The drive takes about 6 hours. Once in Pokhara, you can do some last-minute shopping. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 11: – Drive back to Kathmandu early in the morning by Tourist Bus 6-7 hrs by bus
From Pokhara, we shall get on a tourist bus and travel along the Prithivi highway. The drive takes us about 7 hours and we shall take quick breaks in Malekhu and Kurintar. Once you reach Kathmandu, you can take a rest at the hotel. You can even go souvenir shopping in Thamel too. At night, you will dine with the company representative. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 12: – Final Departure
Today is your final day in Nepal and our representative will make it sure that you reach the airport on time. We hope that you have had a wonderful time with us and we hope to see you again in the future. Goodbye and Thanks.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Boating in the Fewa lake and visiting the Talbarahi temple
- Relaxing in the hot springs at Tatopani
- Observing the beauty and grandeur of the Khayer Lake
- Witnessing the delightful panorama of mountains from the summit of Poon Hill
- Learning the Gurung culture and traditions in Ghorepani
WHERE TO MEET
The company representative will pick you up at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel. You will start the trek from your hotel. If you do not need a pick and drop facility, then you can contact the manager.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Khayer Lake trek takes place in the less-visited parts of the Annapurna region. In this trek, you can explore the beauty of the Pokhara valley through its natural sites. You will climb steep terraces and learn the culture of Gurung people. You’ll get to relish at the sight of mesmerizing mountains from the summit of Poon Hill. The mountains include Macchapucchre, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. The holy Khayer lake is the major highlight in this trek. You shall explore its periphery and then climb the Khopra ridge as well to get a better view of the surroundings.
Trip Includes
- Airport pick up and drop by private vehicle
- 3 Nights twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- 2 Nights twin sharing accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast
- One full-day guided city tour by private vehicle in Kathmandu
- Annapurna trekking permits like ACAP and TIMS
- Bus transportation (Tourist Coach A/C Deluxe) to and from Pokhara (Flight or private car/jeep can be arranged at extra cost)
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), during the trek
- Accommodation during the trek (Lodge/Tea House)
- Safe drinking water (Medicated), during the trek
- Seasonal fresh fruits (during the trek only) after dinner.
- Government-licensed, experienced, knowledgeable, well-trained, English-speaking guide and his entire expenses
- Porter and his entire expenses (One porter for every 2 trekkers)
- Insurance of Guide and Porter
- All required Government and local taxes
- Down jackets and sleeping bags (if required)
- First Aid service (Basic)
