Khayar Lake Trekking

18 Days

Overview

Khayer Lake Trekking is the off-the-beaten trekking and into the wilderness in the Annapurna region. The trek is newly introduced trekking route among other routes in the Annapurna region. Only few people knew this trekking trail so this is the prime highlight of the trek. The trek is ideal for those who wish to hike out of the main trails and to more quite and less crowded routes. Initially the trek starts in the lower and more temperate locations of forested hillsides and going to sub-alpine kinds of vegetations passing along Gurung and Magar villages’ en-route. It’s a nice opportunity to observe the local culture and traditions and daily rural lives of these communities plus greeted by the warm hospitality of the locals. The ultimate goal of the trek is to reach the icy Khayer Lake located at an elevation of 4,500 meters. The trekking trail offers greats views of the mountains like Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre. Khayar Lake area is indeed one of the untouched and unique destinations of Nepal and ideal for those who are looking into wilderness experience. Some of the spectacular views can be seen from the Khopra Danda and Khayar Lake itself.

Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 : Kathmandu to Pokhara 6-7 hours bus ride
Day 04 : Drive to Kade & trek to Tolkha (1700m) 6 hrs
Day 05 : Tolkha to Ghandruk (1540m) 6 hrs
Day 06 : Ghandruk to Tadapani (2590m) 5 hrs
Day 07 : Tadapani to Dobato (3350m) 6 hrs
Day 08 : Dobato to Chistibung (3000m) 5 hrs
Day 09 : Chistibung to Khopra Danda (4020m) 5 hrs
Day 10 : Khopra Danda to Khayar Base Camp (4620m) 6 hrs
Day 11 : Hike from Khayar Base Camp to Khayar Lake (4500m) & back to base camp 3 hrs
Day 12 : Khayar Base Camp to Khopra Danda (4020m) 5 hrs
Day 13 : Khopra Danda to Swata (2270m) 5 hrs
Day 14 : Swata to Ghorepani (2870m) 4 hrs
Day 15 : Ghorepani to Hile (1460m) 6 hrs
Day 16 : Birethanti to Nayapul (1070m) & drive to Pokhara
Day 17 : Pokhara to Kathmandu (25 Minutes Flight
Day 18 : Transfer to the Airport for your onward destination

Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy Kathmandu Sightseeing tour at the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Explore Pokhara- the most beautiful lake city of the country with great mountain views
  • Enjoy spectacular views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and other Himalayan ranges
  • Hike through off-the-beaten paths passing
  • Witness variety of floras and faunas
  • Enjoy spectacular view from the Khopra Danda (4,020m)
  • Discover the icy Khayar Lake at an elevation of 4,500 meters
  • Get along with ethnic people and their culture

Itinerary

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be received by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate who will then transfer you to you allotted hotels. If the time persists, you can either visit the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel.

The Kathmandu sightseeing trip will begin in the morning. After breakfast, you will be taken towards Kathmandu Durbar (Palace) Square, one of the heritage sites where you can view many historical and cultural monuments. Later, you will visit another heritage site known as Pashupatinath Temple. This is a sacred Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva named which is always crowded by Hindu pilgrims. After lunch, visit to Buddhist pilgrimage Swoyambhunath (famous by the name of Monkey temple among tourists) will be carried forward. Likewise, Boudhanath Shrine will be covered by the evening. After concluding the sightseeing, there will be seminar for you to attend to discuss about the upcoming trekking plans. O/N at Hotel.

After exploring the historic Kathmandu Valley, on the day, you will board a tourist bus which will take you towards Pokhara, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. During this 6-7 hours bus ride, you can see Trishuli River along the way. You will reach Pokhara during the early afternoon hours. After lunch, you can wander around the beautiful lake city known for enthralling spectators with its superb mountain views. O/N at Hotel.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will drive from Pokhara to Kade, the trek-start-point and commence the hike. The drive is about 40 minutes and the trail leads to Tolkha from Kade. Tolka is a beautiful Magar and Gurung village. O/N at Lodge

The trail today gradually descends from Landruk passing thru terraces and few villages. Then it steps descends down and reaches Modi Khola and after crossing an iron bridge and steeping uphill will finally reach the village of Ghandruk. Ghandruk is inhabited by mainly Gurung and few Brahmins communities. There are many lodges at Ghandruk including a Gurung museum and the houses are traditionally made of stone slabs. Great views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna III, Glacier Dome and Fish tail can be seen from Ghandruk. O/N at Lodge.

The trail passes thru rhododendron and oak forests with soothing chirping of birds en-route. This trekking route is also the best alternative for bird lovers. The trek is about 5 hours and upon arrival at Tadapini, check-in lodge and the rest of the time is free to explore around. O/N at Lodge

After breakfast, continue the trek leaving the main trail and ascend on a less defined path thru a forest. The area itself welcomes you to explore and at the same time enjoy the spectacular mountain panorama and witness the diverse flora and fauna. After following the trail, you will finally reach Dobato. O/N at Lodge.

From Dobato the trail goes on a ridge following the very summit of Annapurna South. You will then further follow the trail to KaliGandaki Valley and finally reach Chistibung. O/N at Lodge

Today’s walk will be steady but comfortable in the morning. We rise through the forest and above the tree line. Enjoying the excellent views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna South and Annpurna I, and Tukuche Peak, we eventually reach the wonderful ridge called Khopra Danda. O/N at Lodge.

Today the trek is towards Khayar Base Camp from Khopra Danda. The hiking takes about six hours and upon reaching the base camp, we have to stay in tented camp. O/N at Camp.

The hike to Khayar Lake is well worth the effort and upon reaching the base camp, you will be greeted with magnificent view. You will also spot a shrine where the annual Bhadau Purnima Festival is held. This hike takes you even closer to the sheer cliff face of Fang. Later on descend back at the base camp. O/N at Camp.

Today trace the same route back to Khopra Danda from Khayar Base Camp. The trek is about 5 hours. O/N at Lodge.

The trial descends steeply following the ridge line towards the Kali Gandaki. You shall pass the shrines used by the pilgrims on their annual visit to the sacred lake. Finally the trail reaches Swata. O/N at Lodge.

Continue the trek at first arriving at Chitre after a short walk. You will then follow a zigzag trail and at the same time witnessing great views of Dhaulagiri range. Finally the trek ends at Ghorepani. O/N at Lodge.

After breakfast, the trek involves going down towards Hile which takes about 6 hours. O/N at Lodge.

From Birethanti you will trek to Nayapul where our vehicle will be waiting for us to drive back to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check-in hotel and the rest of the time is free to explore Pokhara or just rest at the hotel. O/N at Hotel.

We will drive back to Kathmandu on a tourist bus today. Driving back to Kathmandu is a great fun as it offers wonderful views of beautiful rivers, landscapes and traditional villages on our way back. Upon reaching Kathmandu we will organize a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant. The traditional dances and cultural shows at the restaurants would be a great opportunity to understand the Nepali culture and tradition. After the dinner we will get back to the hotel for the overnight stay.

As per your flight timings, you will be escorted by one of the representatives of Breakfree Adventures to the international terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your flight schedule from your hotel in Kathmandu. A day to bid farewell to the glorious country situated in the South Asia. While waiting for your flight, you can make plans to venture other destinations of the majestic country in near future.
We hope you had a lovely time with us. Breakfree Adventures would be obliged to be your travel partner during your next adventure in Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!

Cost

What is Included

  • Airport pick up / drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the itinerary.
  • Guided Kathmandu city tours inclusive of private vehicle and guide.
  • Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by tourist bus.
  • Accommodation in Pokhara including breakfast as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodation during the trek at guest houses/lodges/Camps.
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
  • Experienced English speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipments and insurance.
  • Annapurna Conservation area entrance Permit and fees.
  • Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees. (Please bring 2 passport size photos for TIMS & Permit)
  • First Aid medical kit.
  • Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag and walking pole.
  • Breakfree Adventures T-shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate
  • Farewell dinner in Authentic Nepali Restaurant.
  • All government taxes, VAT and office service charge.

What is Not Included

  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Monuments entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara if needed.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
  • International airfare and travel insurance.
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower etc.)
  • Any kind of drinks (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottle water, cola, beer etc.)
  • Tips for guide, porter and driver.

Trip Information

 

What is Not Included
We will provide you with comprehensive information on the every trek and tour we arrange. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or have any questions, we are more than happy to assist you in anyway.

When to go:
Spring (Feb – May) and Autumn (Sept- Dec) are the best seasons for the Khayar Lake Trekking. The weather is sunny and warm offering outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing in higher elevations. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for Khayar Lake Trekking, only issue is cold (obviously). Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.

Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended and is in fact compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.

Meals and Accommodation:
In Kathmandu, we normally use three star tourist standard hotel with breakfast but can upgrade/downgrade upon request. During the Khayar Lake Trekking, we provide the best available guest house which is called Tea house(lodge). Tea Houses are more like hotels, with hot showers, western food, and private rooms (twin sharing). Some guesthouses are basic with shared washing and toilet facilities. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a room with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. Keep in mind that there are several places which do not allow single accommodations during peak season, but we will try our best to accommodate your preferences if possible. In this arrangement overnight halts with dinner and breakfast will be in Tea-houses (Lodges) and lunches in local restaurants en-route. Furthermore as you will be staying in locally owned lodges you will be benefiting and interacting with the local community. It will give you a true feel for the Nepalese people and their lives.

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu. While Khayar Lake Trekking, your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

Fitness and Experience Required:
Our 18 days Khayar Lake Trekking is moderate trek suitable for passionate walkers who have ability to walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the 18 days Khayar Lake Trekking successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip is good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek.

The Trekking Group:
For the Khayar Lake Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (8 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Khayar Lake Trekking for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as weve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if youd like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.

Trekking Guides and Staff:
The most significant thing that makes your Khayar Lake Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek and Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:
Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)

Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP(Kathmandu environment education project)
Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association
Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.

Climate and Weather:
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.

Safety and Security:
Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel that you should consider before booking. Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.

Responsible Travel
Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.

Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.

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Khayar Lake Trekking

Trip Facts

  • Nepal
  • 18 Day(s)
  • Feb – May and Sep - Dec
  • Minimum 2 People
  • Private vehicles, Tourist bus/flight as per the Itinerary
  • Khayer Lake (4,500 meters)
  • Moderate
  • Kade
  • Nayapul
  • Cultural Sightseeing & Trekking
  • 4 - 6 hours each day
  • Lodge/Camping Trek
  • Khopra Danda, Khayar Lake, Mt. Annapurna ranges, Variety of floras and faunas
  • Hotel in Kathmandu, lodge/camp during the trek

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