Side by side
| Khopra Danda Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 8 | 16 |
| Highest point | 4,660 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Challenging |
| Total distance | 78 km | 210 km |
| Best months | March to May and October to December | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $680 to $1,150 | $900 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Nayapul or Ghandruk, near Pokhara | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Khopra Danda Trek if
The Khopra Danda trek is an 8 day ridge trail in Nepal's Annapurna region reaching 3,660 m at the lodge and 4,660 m at holy Khayer Lake. It offers close panoramic views of Mount Dhaulagiri across the Kali Gandaki gorge without the heavy foot traffic of Poon Hill.
Steep forest trails and an exposed ridgeline. The excursion up to Khayer Lake at 4,660 m requires good fitness, early morning departures and steady footing over loose stone paths.
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
