Khopra Ridge Treks is one of the most beautiful trekking trails which cover hidden treasures of Annapurna region. The lush green forests, peaceful surrounding and the panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are the best rewards for your trekking efforts. This trekking route offers off the beaten less-crowd and remote with sweeping mountain views. Khopra is located at an altitude of 3660 meters.

The region is home to two big festivals in Khayer Lake every year. The local people gather on the top of the ridge once in March and April and again in July and August. The villagers take blood from a yak and drink its blood while it is still warm! They believe that this will cure any illness. It is also the time people believe that they will receive everything they pray for including a wife, and also women asking for fertility.

Khopra Ridge trek known as Khayer Lake. This classical trek is an alternative to the popular trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek (4130m) Choosing this trek will take you to even higher altitude than Annapurna Base Camp within a short time the Khayer Lake is (4700m) the highest point of the trek.

Why trek in to Khopra Ridge?

01: Close-up view of Mt. Dhaulagiri – 8167m (Seventh Highest Mountain in the world) and Mt. Nilgiri along with other Annapurna mountain ranges.

02: Tantalizing views of Mt. Annapurna 8091m and all Annapurna range from Mulde view point.

03: Catch sights of rare species like Dzos, Himalayan Tahr, Danphe etc.

04: An uninterrupted view of Sunrise from Mulde view point (3400m) and Khopra Ridge (3660m).

05: Walk along the rhododendron and orchid forests of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

06: Thrilling views of the Kali Gandaki gorge, which is the deepest gorge in the world.

07: Khayer Lake (4750m) situated in the foot of Annapurna South.

08: Watch Mountain Yak and stay in a community lodges and tea houses.

How difficult is Khopra Ridge Trek??

Khopra Ridge Trek is a moderate level trek. It is not difficult for a regular trekking lover. However, the trekkers have to be ready to gain, 3,640m within 5 days, which comes an average 600 m of elevation every day and 5 to 6 hours of walking. 

It is recommended that if you are first time gaining experience of trekking to altitudes higher than 3000m, then think one level up with this trek.  If you are a beginner but committed to preparing, then you need at least 1 to2 months to prepare physically & mentally for this trek.

When trek to Khopra Ridge?

 

Autumn (September, October, and November) Winter (December, January and February) Spring (March, April, and May) are the best seasons for completing the Annapurna Khopra Ridge trek. All those trekkers who come to complete this trek they come in these three seasons. The weather is often clear in these seasons. So you can see some stunning views Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range.

Autumn season,

From (September to November) are considered as the perfect seasons to start up Khopra Ridge trek. Moderate temperature, green vegetation and clear weather with negligible issues are the terms and conditions that demonstrate, autumn seasons is the great.

Winter Season,

Winter is not as cold in Annapurna Khopra Ridge trek as like other high-altitude treks. December and January reaches below zero temperatures in night but weather would be cold and very clear but days are still beautiful and warm. The views of mountains are the most amazing in the winter season.

Spring Season,

spring is March to May and it gets hot in March, April and May, just before the monsoon season.The temperature in March is around 12 degrees. This temperature goes up to 15-16 degrees in the month of April and peaks to almost 20 degrees in May.

Summer season,

If you prepare for the occasional showers and slippery trails by having sturdy trekking equipment to keep the effect of rain away, you can enjoy the Annapurna Khopra Ridge in the summer season as well.

How to avoid mountain sickness in Khopra Ridge Trek?

Ascent slowly, Keep to a maximum ascend rate (height between sleeping places) of 400 meters per day above 3000 meters and 250 meters per day above 4000meters.

Avoid dehydration. Drink sufficient water (3 – 4) liters or more per day at altitude) to keep your urine pale and plentiful.

Proper Acclimatization, do not allowed strenuous exercise while acclimatizing. 

Avoid alcohol and cigarettes, during trekking up to the Everest Base camp is strictly prohibited alcohol and cigarettes because of your health security and to be prepared with mentally.

What is Important to Khopra Ridge Trek?

Please be aware that your safety while in Nepal is our number one propriety.  All itineraries are subject to change if there are safety concerns, health concerns of people in the group and/or weather concerns.  This will be decided by the trek leader but we will always discuss the options with the group where possible to ensure peoples wishes are taken into account, however, the Treks leader decision is final.

Tiji Festival, celebrated annually in the walled city of Lo Manthang is one of the most important and colorful festival in Upper Mustang. This is an old story about chasing the demons from the sacred land of Lo Manthang. The festival marks the end of the dry season in Mustang. Local devotees gather from all over the Mustang. So does foreigners. Centuries old religious ceremonies will be performed by Buddhist Monks. Equipped with colorful costumes and masks Lama performs several religious dances. This all happens in the courtyard of the King’s palace. The story reflects the war in between deity named Dorje Jono who had battled against his demon father.

Being in the rain shadow of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massif region receives a very rare rainfall. You can imagine the importance of water in such dry land. Destruction mode was activated on the father of Deity Dorje Jono. He was trying to destroy the kingdom of Upper Mustang by creating a shortage of water. According the myth Dorje Jono defeats all the demons and banishes them from the kingdom. This entire story is demonstrated by several dances and shows. This is a symbolic demonstration of good over evil. Upper mustang was closed until 1992 for foreigners. According to the rumors Michel Peissel was the first western people to witness the celebration of Tiji Festival. It dates back 1964. We are not sure how he got permission to enter the Kaligandaki Valley ahead Kagbeni. According to the historical kingdom was formed during the 14th Century. Entire settlement is fenced with high walls. This is the reason why Lo Manthang is often known as city of wall. According to the local legends entire city is divided into four smaller subunits. Each unit gets their named on the basis of their guardian deities.

Word Tiji is derived from Tenji. According to Tibetan dictionary Tenji mean “praying for world peace”. Dates for the festival are derived on the basis of Tibetan Calendar. Every year. According to the Tibetan Calendar it happens on the third month during 19th to 21st. According to the English calendar festival is held in mid of the fifth month. After earthquake had left few impacts on Upper Mustang. It is ok to trek entire region depending on teahouse. We will organize private and group joining tour for the 2022Tiji Festival.

How is the Tiji festival celebrated?

In the event of Tiji festival, the main dancer, Tsowa completes a three month of retreat before the main event of the festival. During the main event, the members of Mustang royal family and all the villagers of the seven provinces of Upper Mustang/Lo Chhodun participates to witness this sacred dance, which is done along with many other rituals. According to the Mustang (Lobo) dialect, it is Tiji or Tenchi, which is the part of the meditation practice based on the Tantra text related to Vajrakumar/Vajrakila. However, the original name of this sacred dance is Tenpa Chirim, which means the benefits of Buddha’s teaching and all sentient beings. It is also believed that the performers of this dance receive empowerment of Vajrakila.

Three Days of Tiji Fastival Date in 2022:

The First Day

The first day of Tiji festival is being celebrated on 27^th of May in 2022, and when the afternoon Lamas play Kangling and two twelve feet cooper dunchens. The double reeled horns, drums, and cymbals are also played along. The music is very unique and Lo-Monthang becomes loud and musical.

Afterward, a three story high, enormous Tibetan ancient art Thanka of Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava gets unrolled down the south wall of the square.

In the late afternoon gelong and lamas wearing traditional maroon and gold costume with high red hats arrive at the square. They take their respective seats along the wall where the Thanka hangs. The main priest sits on the elevated seat in the center.

Now, the masked dancers start performing the mythical act via dancing. Dorje Jono and his powerful sword dance when he fights the demon are magical. Towards the end of the dance, Dorje Jono destroys the demon.

The Second Day

After Dorje Jono kills the demon, people believe that their misfortune ends bringing peace, harmony, prosperity in their kingdom. Also, they believe that water becomes plentiful at Lo-Manthang again as the demon dies.

On the second day of festival is 28^th of May in 2022, and the festival will start by local women are wearing their traditional clothes and colorful jewelry coming to the square from the nearby villages. The square fills with cheerful monks, women, and children wearing their colorful dresses.

The dancers wear elaborated costumes. The ceremonial King of Mustang “wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones. He wears beautiful pieces of antique pieces of jewelry and matched ornaments of turquoise.

People wear beautiful costumes and masks. They look cheerful and happy. The twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes are attractive. The wind, sun, and the beautiful surrounding views make a beautiful combo.

The Third Day

This is the last day of the celebration of Tiji festival which is 29^st of May in 2022. The festival ends with a grand celebration. On this day, they destruct the remainings of the evil. The ceremonial destruction is unique. They represent the destruction with some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red furry.

The demons red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin. People attack the skin with bow and arrows, slings, and old guns. The heavy gunfire from the old muzzle-loaders overturns the remains of the demons upon the ground. The Tiji festival ends with the demise of the demon.