Trail & Weather

Skip the Poon Hill crowds: Khopra Danda is the Annapurna trek in the know

Same Dhaulagiri sunrises, a fraction of the foot traffic. The newly opened Khopra Danda ridge is the quiet Annapurna alternative seasoned trekkers…

By Laxman Rawal · Jun 12, 2026

Read the full story

Poon Hill is glorious — and, on an October morning, packed shoulder to shoulder. So here is the trek the experienced crowd is switching to: Khopra Danda. A newly opened ridge route in the same Annapurna foothills, it serves up arguably better, closer views of…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Why it is the locals' pick

Khopra Danda branches off the classic Ghorepani–Poon Hill trails into genuinely quiet country, climbing a ridge that stares straight across at the huge south face of Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Nilgiri. It is run largely through community-owned lodges, so your…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Who it suits

Khopra Danda is ideal for trekkers who want the Annapurna foothills — the rhododendron forests, the Gurung and Magar villages, the dawn light on the giants — but cannot stand crowds, or who have done Poon Hill and want something fresh and a little higher. It…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Plan your trek

Khopra Danda Ridge Trek — 6 Days

NMA-certified guides · permits sorted · 5,000+ treks since 1998.

From $750

Plan this trek