Khopra and North Annapurna Base Camp

Srijan and I recently led a group of friends (Anjan, Avash and Bimal) on the Khopra Ridge trek, located in the foothills of the Annapurna range. The trek began in the scenic village of Ghandruk. The weekend brought a lively atmosphere to Ghandruk, with music playing late into the night. Some of us woke up early, eager to escape the festivities and find some peace on the trails.

As we made our way to Tadapani, we enjoyed relatively fewer crowds on the trails, thanks to the onset of winter. Views of Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri, and Macchapurchre were our constant companions.

At Khopra, one team exited the trail at Paudwar. Srijan and I continued our journey towards North Annapurna Base Camp.

Positives

# At Khopra, we stayed at the Khopra Community Lodge, which is owned and operated by the local community of Paudwar village.

# We stayed at Deepa didi’s homestay in Narchyang. We enjoyed clean rooms and delicious meals featuring fresh, homegrown produce. It was a simple yet satisfying experience. Deepa didi’s homestay is facilitated by the Community Homestay Network.

Alley next to Deepa didi’s homestay in Narchyang.

Negatives

# On the North ABC trail section, one of the most disheartening aspects of the trek was the amount of litter we encountered along the trail, including discarded gas cans, noodle packets, and other debris. If we are drawn to the pristine beauty of the mountains and its ecosystem, shouldn’t we strive to preserve it for future generations? Are we inadvertently contributing to a culture of “fast-instagrammable adventures,” hopping from one destination to another without regard for the environment? Perhaps it’s time to implement a system similar to the garbage deposit required for climbing expeditions to encourage responsible waste management on trekking routes.

We decided to pitch our tent instead of staying at a shelter which was unkempt.

As we were descending the mountain we saw a climber and his entourage making their way up the Miristi river valley in preparation for climbing Annapurna. We couldn’t fathom the cold and discomfort! We ended the trip at Tatopani hot springs, a fitting change from our cold nights in the mountains.