A World Expeditions porter looks on as the group enjoys the view on Kopra Ridge | Joe Kennedy
A World Expeditions porter looks on as the group enjoys the view on Kopra Ridge  | Joe Kennedy
Alfresco breakfast at Gandruk with superb mountain views  | Brad Atwal
Our Eco-Comfort Camps in the Annapurna region are exclusively for our trekkers  | Sue Badyari
Views of the impressive Annapurna range  | Mark Watson
Trek along the Modi Khola valley and marvel at the Annapurna range  | Jake Hutchins

Annapurna Dhaulagiri over 55's

Explore the Himalaya at a gentle pace with full support, comfort and World Expeditions’ trusted expertise.

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 16 reviews

18 Days from

$2820 USD

Trip Code: AN5
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Ultimate Annapurna Dhaulagiri 55+ Tent Only SS
$190 USD
Ultimate Annapurna Dhaulagiri 55+ Single Supplement hotel & Chitwan only
$200 USD
Ultimate Annapurna Dhaulagiri 55+ Single Supplement
$390 USD

Duration

  • 18 Days

Activities

  • 13 day trek

Accommodation

  • 5 nights hotel
  • 5 nights private eco campsite
  • 7 nights eco lodge

Meals

Valued at USD$600

  • 14 Dinners
  • 14 Lunches
  • 17 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

5 / 10

Moderate

Annapurna Dhauligiri trek to Khopra Ridge Trip highlights

  • Take in the sweeping views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges on a carefully paced itinerary tailored for comfort
  • Walk through quiet rhododendron forests to Kopra Ridge and the sacred Khayer Lake, set beneath Annapurna South
  • Explore Kathmandu’s ancient temples, colourful shrines and vibrant lanes
  • Relax by Pokhara’s lakeside cafes and stroll its lively streets, the perfect balance after days on the trail

Overview

Experience the very best of Nepal’s mountain landscapes on this trek for those who want to explore the Himalaya at a comfortable, unhurried pace. Suitable for first-time trekkers or those seeking a gentler introduction to multi-day walking, this journey allows ample time to acclimatise and truly take in the breathtaking scenery.

Our unique route ventures off the busy main trails, through quiet rhododendron forests, traditional Gurung and Magar villages, and peaceful alpine pastures. From the sweeping ridgelines of Kopra Ridge to the sacred waters of Khayer Lake, nestled below Annapurna I, the views across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges are simply unrivalled. As we descend into the foothills, a stay near Poon Hill lets you witness sunrise over the Himalaya without the usual crowds.

Along the way, you will stay in our exclusive Eco-Comfort Camps, set in stunning, secluded locations. These permanent camps feature raised beds with mattresses and clean linen. These camps enhance the experience with comfort and character, while minimising environmental impact and spreading economic benefits to remote communities.

Your journey is made even more rewarding with our unbeatable list of inclusions. All meals on trek are freshly prepared by our dedicated cooks, with unlimited boiled water, daily hot drinks and a five kilogram extra baggage allowance on domestic flights. Our included Trek Pack saves you hundreds in gear hire, providing a high-quality down jacket, sleeping bag, insulated mat and more.

Safety is always paramount, with a well-paced itinerary, wilderness first aid-trained guides and medical equipment such as a Portable Altitude Chamber. Through our Pioneering Porter Policy, we also ensure our crew is properly outfitted, insured and treated with the same care and respect as our trekkers.

If you are seeking a quality, immersive and comfortably paced Himalaya trek, this journey offers stunning mountain scenery, rich cultural encounters and World Expeditions’ trusted expertise every step of the way.

Itinerary

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You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals: Nil

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.

Meals: B

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest town (820m). In good weather we are greeted with sights of the entire Annapurna Range. From here we drive for an hour to a pass between two river valleys to the village of Phedi, where we commence our trek. There is no need to rush as this is a short day with plenty of time to reach our overnight stop. The trail ascends for the first hour, following a ridge through fields of bamboo clusters to magnificent rhododendron forest. Villagers greet us with “Namaste”, the traditional Nepalese greeting, as we pass their homes and continue to the ridge top where at the crest the scale of the mountains astounds us. Machapuchare (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m) can be seen from our immediate viewpoint. Overnight eco lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

After a glorious mountain sunrise we follow the trail through rhododendron forest before continuing through a series of Gurung villages where lifestyles have not changed substantially over the centuries. After lunch we follow a well-marked trail to the prosperous village of Landruk where we camp for the night. Our private eco campsite affords dramatic views of Annapurna South.

Meals: B,L,D

Our destination today is easily seen across the valley, the attractive Gurung village of Ghandruk. We exit the village and slowly descend through rice terraces, crossing a steel bridge that spans the glacial river of the Modi Khola and commence our ascent. As we trek up the many staircases, we enjoy the beauty of the Himalaya at a relatively close range and observe the glaciers flowing from them to form the rivers below us. It really is a magnificent location and a photographer's delight. Our leisurely approach along these ridges with their fine mountain views ensures proper acclimatisation and the un-hurried opportunity to fully savour this magnificent scenery. Overnight at private eco campsite.

Meals: B,L,D

Our trail meanders uphill through fields and into forest of rhododendron, magnolia and lichen covered fig. We pass by waterfalls that cascade down narrow gullies that provide the perfect home for many small ferns and delicate plants such as exotic orchids bursting with colour. Tadapani is a small village with limited campsites, our overnight accommodation will be in an eco lodge. This is the last stop before we head into the more uninhabited regions of our trek.

Meals: B,L,D

Leaving the main trekking trail we continue to ascend on a less defined path through old growth forest where we may be fortunate enough to see Himalayan Thar, Hyrax or Ressus and Langur monkeys. Eventually we rise above the tree line and gain stunning views of the Annapurna Himal, our lunch spot will most likely be a yak pasture at Timuje perched high on the hillside with fantastic views of Annapurna South and Himul Chuli. Following our lunch break we ascend steeply to the ridge where spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and it's surrounding peaks unfold before us. This section of the trek is magnificent and we are now well off the main trail. Continuing down the opposite side of the ridge we drop into smaller rhododendron forest and arrive at our remote campsite high on the hillside overlooking the valley.

Meals: B,L,D

We make our way down towards the valley floor and venture through an old growth forest surrounded by colourful rhododendron. If we are lucky, we might be able to spot the vibrant Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal or the Himalayan Tahr. After lunch we ascend gradually through grassy pastures and villages to the small settlement of Chistibung, our overnight spot for today. Overnight: eco-lodge

Meals: B,L,D

We start the morning with a gradual ascent to Kopra. There is no need to rush, take your time, rest as needed and remember to look up and appreciate the views every few steps. We reach our eco lodge at Kopra and are rewarded with truly amazing and some of the best in the entire Annapurnas. Dhaulagiri dominates the scene and towers above the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki. Overnight: Eco-lodge

Meals: B,L,D

For those who are feeling fit and motivated for a big day hike, and dependent on weather and route conditions, the trip to the sacred Khayer Lake high above us is well worth the effort. The views are outstanding and you will trekking along an ancient pilgrimage trail to the site of the annual Badau Purnima Festival. The trail contours the steep hillsides and takes us even closer to the impressively sheer cliff face of Annapurna's Fang Face. In the late afternoon, we will descend back to our eco lodge at Kopra. Our staff will accompany you on this hike and you may turn around after a few hours if you choose to, or simply enjoy a rest day in the comfort of our eco lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

We descend steeply from our lodge towards a stream and pass through the village of Chistibung. Today's route takes us through heavily forested terrain. Overnight in our private eco campsite in Swantha.

Meals: B,L,D

A short walk brings us to Chitre where we join the old Tibet-Nepal trade route. The walk this morning offers excellent views of the Dhaulagiri range as the trail zigzags until we reach our lunch stop at Ghorepani. This is a large village which is on the main tourist trail. You may wish to wander through the bazaar for a short period following lunch, as there are many Tibetan wares on display, and also a bakery or two. Most trekkers to Ghorepani take a a pre dawn 45 minute climb to the summit of Poon Hill (3200m), which is a highlight of trekking in the Annapurnas. We will make the climb in the afternoon, when there are no crowds. From Poon Hill we leave the main trail and traverse on old yak herder trails to Upper Phulbari. The location affords spectacular views of the Dhauligiri Massif, with the luxury of no pre-dawn start, unless of course you chose to photograph the stunning views at sunrise. Overnight eco lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

The views in the early morning are tremendous, with forested foot hills as a fore ground and some of the world's greatest mountain ranges surrounding us. If you are up early enough, the glow of the rising sun catches Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna. Our trail takes us through beautiful forests of rhododendrons, fir, pine, cedar and bamboo, there are many small trails through the forest, and we are unlikely to see any other westerners in this section of the trek. Eventually we emerge to open grassland ridges that offer a particularly pleasant trekking experience, before descending to a pretty lunchspot in a narrow valley skirted by multicoloured rhododendron bushes. From here there are three trails, we take the south trail which leads us to our private eco campsite at Les Par (Swarga).

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking along the ridge of Bharmakot Dhanda we gain excellent views of Annapurna South, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli and the Manaslu ranges. Ghibrang is a delightful village, largely untouched by western influence, and our private eco campsite offers yet more stunning views in a peaceful terraced setting amidst this pretty village.

Meals: B,L,D

Have your trekking poles at the ready today as our descent is approx. 1000m. We pass through interesting villages situated on steep rocky hills and terraces. The villages we pass are mixed communities of predominantly Gurung, Brahmin & Chettri. The final descent into Nayapul is 20 minutes on stone stairs. Here we will have a quick lunch break and then board the bus to our hotel in Pokhara. Once settled in we highly recommend you take a stroll down to the lake at Pokhara, there are many stores selling Tibetan wares which are less expensive than Kathmandu. The main street running along the lake is vibrant and an interesting place to sit and watch the world go by. Overnight: hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Today you will have a free day to explore Nepal's second largest city, Pokhara. This relaxing city surrounds Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal and is a popular starting and ending point for trekking in the Annapurna region. This city offers plenty of modern restaurants, bars and a buzzing nightlife. There are countless stores to pick up last minute souvenirs or locally made goods. For those still in seek of adventure can choose to go paragliding, cycling tour, paddle boat across the lake or an ultra light scenic flight. You may also explore historical and religious sites including Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave or Binyabasini Temple. Whilst there are plenty of options, nothing beats a gentle stroll to discover this relaxing city. Overnight: hotel

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we transfer to the airport for the spectacular 40 minute flight back to Kathmandu. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals: B

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further arrangements have been made. Those people travelling by aircraft to further destinations will be transferred to the airport.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 17 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners including all meals on trek valued at US$650
  • airport transfers if arriving on day 1 and 18 or if you booked pre/post tour accommodation at the Radisson through World Expeditions
  • internal flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • expert bilingual guide
  • group medical kit
  • good quality accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • the use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag and down or fibre fill jacket (valued at over US$500)
  • souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
  • private transportation
  • all park entrance fees and trekking permits
  • porters to carry all personal and group equipment
  • porter's insurance
  • accommodation in a combination of our comfortable eco lodges and private eco campsites with off the ground camp beds, mattresses and pillows

Not included

  • Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
  • Bottled water, aerated & alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • International flights
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance

Reviews (16)

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