05 Khopra Danda

We left Swanta at 8:30AM and started climbing the ridge to the North of Swanta. It was a long climbing day.

At 10:20 we reached a Tea shop "Namaste Evergreen Teahouse" where stopped for a Lemon Tea.

Looking back at Namaste Evergreen after climbing a bit at 10:50AM

Climbing steadily we reached Chistibang Teahouse at 12:40PM We stopped there for a Dal-Bhat lunch. And left at 1:30PM.

The Dining Hall of Chistibang Teahouse

After lunch we continue climbing higher and higher and reached the last ridge of Khopra and then at a Trail Junction (3:40PM) saw some Prayer flags. This is where the the high trail to Bayeli joins. There was an "X" marked on a rock and a "No entry" chalked ... as that trail was considered risky.

We continued and soon neared the top of the Khopra Ridge and continued walking West just below Ridge top. We could see Dhaulagiri now from the trail.

Dhaulagiri range ... seen from the Trail as neared Khopra (4:20PM)

We finally reach the Khopra Community Lodge at 4:30PM

The Khopra Lodge was superbly located with a grand-stand view of Dhaulagiri Range and probably on a ridge running down from Annapurna South itself. The weather was very clear and sunny

with no clouds in sight. So the Views were extremely good.

Annapurna Main (L) and Annapurna South from Khopra Lodge

Next Morning ... View of Khopra Lodge (L) and Dhaulagiri (6:45AM)

At 10:20 We near Teahouse where we stop for tea

The Chistbang Teahouse at 1:30PM .. Locals call this place Dhaan Kharka

A look at the Rooms section of Chistibang ... Nice, but we didn't stay here

Prayer Flags at the Trail Junction from Bayeli 3:40PM

The high Bayeli trail starts here ... you can see the 'No Entry' marked on the stone

Zoomed view of Dhaulagiri ... and Khopra Lodge is seen ahead

Annapurna South at sunset time from above Khopra Lodge (5:05PM)

Annapurna Main Massif at sunset time from above Khopra Lodge (5:05PM)