Best Seasons for Khopra Hill and Khair Lake Trekking:
March to May and September to November months of the year, March to May when most of day is clear for views and pleasant walks with moderate temperatures, longer sunlight hours when wild flowers are in bloom, especially rhododendron of various species from trees to bush of different colors (national flower of Nepal the rhododendron).
March to May where late afternoon can get cloudy with chances of rain and snow in higher altitude sometimes.
September to November around autumn / fall best times with clear blue sky and sunny days (for short while from morning to mid day) can be cold and freezing during morning and night times above 1,800 m high.
Sunlight is short during autumn and winter seasons but most of the morning till late afternoon are clear for views and pleasant walks with chances of snow around higher areas above 1,800 m.
People and Culture:
Low warm farm areas of Nepal Mid West are of mixed ethnic tribes of people with mostly Gurung, Magar with some Tamang including Hindu Brahmin, Chettries and Dalits with various cultures and custom with same farm traditional life of both Hindu and Buddhism religion.
Higher mid hill around Annapurna region where villages populated by Poon / Magar and Gurung ethnic tribes of Annapurna and Western Nepal, follows Hindu and Buddhism religion along with own ancestral culture and heritage, worship of nature and mountain spirits.
Poon / Magar and Gurung people are traditional farmers and cattle herders where most men folk are famous as courageous and brave Gorkha soldiers in British, Indian Army and as well in Singapore police infantry.
Introduction:
Khopra Hill and Khair Lake Trekking leads you to fabulous and adventurous walks on the hidden trails of Western Himalayan in between massive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range.
Khopra Hill and Khair Lake Trekking certainly refresh you walking into pristine natural surrounding with fantastic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri with majestic Machhapuchare the Fish Tail peak.
One of the best adventure destinations around Himalaya within close to main popular trekking areas of Annapurna and yet far where route leads beyond busy trail and away from villages and human settlement for some days heading into complete wilderness.
Khopra Hill and Khair Lake Trekking starts from beautiful city of Pokhara and then heading far towards mid hills as walk continues visiting nice farm villages and into dense rhododendron forest to reach at Ghorepani village and famous scenic Poon Hill.
At Ghorepani short hike to Poon Hill for stunning sunrise views over panorama of Himalayan peaks that includes from Dhaulagiri, Annapurna to Manaslu range with Machhapuchare Himal the Fish Tail peak.
After Ghorepani and Poon Hill where our route leaves the main busy trail as walk enters into far and remote high hills at Khopra Hill located on a scenic ridge line with fabulous close views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks.
AT Khopra where side excursion and hike takes you to hidden lake of Khair enclosed within high Annapurna mountains where the glacier feeds the pond regarded as holy, where once a year great religious festival take place.
Hundreds of Hindu pilgrims make their way here for a dip in the icy pond and worship to Lord Shiva and other mountain holy spirits, after a marvelous time head back for return journey to Pokhara.
Walk leads on eastern side of Khopra Hill within dense pines and rhododendron to reach at main trails towards Tadapani and Ghandruk villages populated by Gurung people the tribe of Annapurna Himalaya region.
Adventure continues on downhill to reach back into low warm farm country where short exciting drive brings you to beautiful city at Pokhara by its serene Phewa Lake for last overnight around Annapurna after a remarkable adventure and experience on Khopra Hill and Khair Lake Trekking.