Khopra Ridge beats Poon Hill at its own game

A 3,660 m ridge with Dhaulagiri directly across the valley, lodges owned by the villages themselves, and a fraction of the crowd.

By Dawa Gurung · 7 min read · Updated 1 August 2026

If someone tells us they want the Poon Hill experience without the Poon Hill crowd, this is where we send them. Khopra Danda is a long grassy ridge running north from the Ghorepani area, topping out around 3,660 m, with the entire Dhaulagiri massif standing directly opposite across the Kali Gandaki gorge.

The view is arguably better than Poon Hill's, because you are higher, closer, and looking at a 8,167 m mountain across an enormous void rather than at a distant horizon line. The other thing that makes it different is who owns the lodges.

Community lodges, and where the money goes

The lodges along this route are community-owned rather than private. Villages run them collectively and the profits go into local funds — schools, health posts, trail maintenance — instead of to a single family or an outside investor.

In practice this means the accommodation is simpler than a commercial teahouse on the ABC trail. Fewer menu options, less hot water, and the building is functional rather than charming. If your priority is comfort, this is a real trade-off and you should know about it before you book. What you get instead is a trek where your money demonstrably stays in the valley, and evenings where the person cooking your dal bhat is a shareholder rather than an employee. For a lot of our guests that is the whole appeal.

The ridge itself

The walk in goes through the same rhododendron forest as the Poon Hill route, then climbs away from it into open country. Above about 3,000 m the trees stop and you are on grass and rock with the view opening behind you.

Khopra Danda is a long, exposed shoulder. Sunset from the ridge is the moment — Dhaulagiri goes from white to gold to pink across the gorge while the valley below fills with shadow. Because almost nobody is there, it is quiet in a way Poon Hill has not been for thirty years.

It is cold up there in a way people do not plan for. The ridge catches wind from both sides and there is nothing to shelter behind. A proper down jacket and a hat, even in October.

Khayer Lake, if you want the hard day

From Khopra you can push to Khayer Lake at around 4,660 m — a sacred glacial lake in a cirque below Annapurna South. It is a long day, roughly ten hours return, with close to 1,000 m of ascent and no facilities on the way.

It is the hardest single day in this part of the Annapurnas and it is not part of the standard itinerary for good reason. People who are moving well and acclimatising cleanly enjoy it enormously. People who are not should stay on the ridge and have a slow morning, which is also an excellent day. In August the lake is a pilgrimage site for the Janai Purnima festival and the trail sees a completely different kind of traffic.

Who it suits

People who have done a short trek before and want something a step up. It is higher than Poon Hill, quieter than ABC, and long enough to feel like a proper expedition without needing two weeks.

It suits travellers who care where their money lands. We are straightforward about this: the community lodge model works only if enough people choose it over the more comfortable commercial option.

It does not suit anyone whose enjoyment depends on a hot shower and a varied menu. That is not a criticism of either the route or the trekker — it is just worth being honest before you are four days in.

Walk it with us

Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.

Khopra Ridge Community Trek6 days · 3,660 mRs 87,000 · See dates →Khayer Lake Trek8 days · 4,665 mRs 120,500 · See dates →Mohare Danda Community Trek5 days · 3,300 mRs 64,200 · See dates →

Questions we get asked

How does it compare to Poon Hill?

Higher, harder, colder, quieter, and a better view of Dhaulagiri. Poon Hill is a comfortable three days; Khopra is a proper six. If Poon Hill was your first trek and you liked it, this is the natural second one.

Can I combine Khopra with Poon Hill?

Yes, and it is a good loop — Ghorepani and Poon Hill on the way in, then out along the ridge to Khopra, with Mohare Danda as another community-lodge option. Around eight to nine days for the full circuit.

Is the accommodation really that basic?

Clean, warm enough, and simple. Twin rooms, shared bathrooms, dal bhat and a short menu. Think mountain hut rather than hotel. Described properly, it has never disappointed anyone we have sent.

Do I need to book ahead?

In October and April, yes — the ridge has limited beds and it does fill. We book it as part of the trip. Outside those months you will often have the place close to yourself.