Highlights
- Achieve an altitude of approximately 4,320m
- Find yourself in the midst of the Himalayas and lakes for almost 13 days
- Crossing Khopra Ridge to get to the Hidden Lake
- Experience the unique Magar and Gurung villages and their culture
- Visit Pokhara, a picturesque city known as the gateway to the Annapurna region
- Trek along terraced fields, lush forests, rhododendron-filled valleys, ancient pathways, and quaint villages
- Behold the majestic mountains like Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and many more
Overview
Hidden lake trek is one of the most adventurous treks in Nepal that takes you off the beaten path to explore the serene beauty of the Himalayas. Nestled in the Annapurna region, this trek offers an exciting opportunity to explore untouched beautiful landscapes, cascading waterfalls, dense forests, pristine lakes, and traditional Hilly villages.
This lesser-explored trek is located in the lap of the Annapurna region, which is quite popular among trekkers for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Classic Annapurna circuit trek, Poon Hill trek, and many more.
Annapurna Hidden Lake trek is slowly gaining admiration from trekkers so it unlocks a new trail to explore the Annapurna region. As you embark on this trek, you’ll gradually ascend through rural villages with friendly locals who will welcome you with traditional customs.
Behold panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains, including Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhre, among others. Though the trekking route is quite rough, it encompasses diverse ecosystems of rare flora, vegetation, and distinct bird species. These hidden treasures create a suitable setting for avid trekkers to unwind and soak in the natural splendor.
It is an 11 to 13 days long trek that takes to an elevation of 4,320m. The main attraction of this trek is the Sacred Khayer Lake, also known as the Annapurna Hidden Lake.
Hidden Lake trek is a long trek that requires around two weeks to complete. Since this trek covers an altitude of 4,320m and the trails are steep, the trek can be quite challenging for some trekkers.
The trek usually starts from Tadapani. The excitement adds up when you cross the Khopra ridge. Enjoy the beautiful rhododendron forests, waterfalls, rivers, suspension bridges, and numerous stunning villages along the way.
Itinerary
Here is the 13 days itinerary for the Hidden Lake trek. Note that you can always customize the itinerary at your convenience with the help of the travel agent.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will escort you to a nice hotel nearby where you can freshen up and relax. Have some lunch and take a quick tour of the ancient Kathmandu city. The most beautiful and visited places in Kathmandu are Bouddha, Swoyambhu, Basantapur Durbar Square, Thamel, Garden of Dreams, and many more. After you finish the Kathmandu tour, take some rest and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara [850 m/ 5-6 hours]
Fill your stomach with some delicious morning meal and start your journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can either take a road trip or enjoy a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara as a means of transportation.
A road trip via jeep will be of around 5 to 6 hours. Drive through the Prithvi Highway and enjoy the view of picturesque valleys, terraced fields, green hills, rivers, and some glimpses of the Himalayas. The flight will take only 25 minutes though. When you arrive at Pokhara, visit the stunning Fewa Lake. You can try some activities also like boating, paragliding, Bungy, Ziplining, etc at Pokhara. Spend a night in a nice hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Nayapul, Trek to Ghandruk [1,940 m/ 5-6 hours]
Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul in the morning. The trek begins from Nayapul. Cross a suspension bridge over the Modi Khola to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. You need to have an ACAP permit to enter this restricted area.
Following a trek of approximately 5 to 6 hours, you will arrive at the charming Ghandruk village, residing in the vicinity of the majestic Himalayas. Stay overnight at Ghandruk.
Day 4: Trek to Tadapani [2,590 m/ 5-6 hours]
From Ghandruk, it’s time to head towards Tadapani. It takes around 5 to 6 hours of walking o arrive at Tadapani village. Embraced by rhododendron forests, Tadapani village offers a stunning view of the Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre mountains. A tranquil and picturesque village, Tadapani offers a good opportunity for trekkers to relax. Spend the night at Tadapani village.
Day 5: Trek to Bayeli Kharka [3,420 m/ 5-6 hours]
The trail to Bayeli Kharka takes you through dense forests, terraced fields, and open greenlands. The village of Bayeli Kharka is situated at an altitude of 3,420 m. At Bayeli Kharka, you may get a chance to spot some wildlife species near the forest area including Himalayan thars, pheasants, and other exotic bird species. Stay overnight in a nice lodge.
Day 6: Trek to Khopra Ridge [3,660 m/ 4-5 hours]
From Bayeli Kharka, make your way up to Khopra Ridge at an altitude of 3,660m. The mountain view from this viewpoint is stunning.
Behold the breathtaking sunrise and sunset view from Khopra Ridge. Also, the Himalayan ranges like Annapurna massif and Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and more are clearly visible from here.
Compared to other popular treks in the Annapurna region, Khopra Ridge is relatively less crowded. Thus, you can enjoy a peaceful trekking experience amidst the pristine Himalayan landscapes.
For accommodation, stay at the Khopra Community Lodge, which provides rooms and meals to trekkers while contributing to sustainable tourism practices. Stay overnight at Khopra Community Lodge.
Day 7: Trek to Khaire Khola [4,200 m/ 4-5 hours]
From the Khopra Ridge, trek to Khaira Khola (river). You can acclimatize at Khaire Khola. The trek to Khaire Khola is exciting as the route encompasses suspension bridges over rivers and deep gorges, terraced fields, dense forests, charming villages, and the view of some distinct species of birds.
Trek to Khaire Khola offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic culture of remote villages and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Stay overnight at Khaire Khola.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day at Khaire Khola [4,200m]
Since you are at an altitude of more than four thousand meters, you need to acclimatize and adapt to the climate of Khaire Khola. Acclimatizing at high elevations is necessary to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Leave Khaire Khola only the next day.
Day 9: Trek to Hidden Lake [4,320 m] to Khopra [3,660 m/ 6-7 hours]
You will finally arrive in the vicinity of the sacred Hidden Lake at an altitude of 4,320m. After walking for more than a week on rough paths, your hard work will pay off today.
Enjoy the view of the serene lake nestled quietly in the lap of snow-capped mountains. Behold the majestic mountains with a closer glimpse from the Hidden Lake like Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and many more.
The ambiance is calm and the fresh air releases all the stress and fatigue from your body. You can also take a few dips in the lake that is said to cleanse the soul and remove sins.
Try to arrive at Hidden Lake before sunset to enjoy the sunset view. The sun setting down behind the snow-capped mountains enhances the scenic beauty of Hidden Lake. Shortly after enjoying the lifetime experience at Hidden Lake, it’s time to proceed back to Khopra. Stay overnight at Khopra Ridge.
Day 10: Khopra to Chhomrong [2100 m/ 8 hrs]
From Khopra, descend to Chhomrong village. Walking ahead, you approach teahouses at Jhinu, a small village where trekkers usually rest and have lunch. Then, continue the trek to arrive at Chhomrong. The Himalayas hasn’t yet bid goodbye as it gives stunning glimpses from Chhomrong too. It is a traditional village with some Tibetan influence in its culture and lifestyle.
You can find stone-made temples along the way, colorful prayer flags, Buddhist monasteries, farmlands, distinct vegetation, and so on. Explore the different cuisines, cultural dresses and dances, and lifestyle of local Gurung people. They have several stories to share with you. Call it a day at Chhomrong.
Day 11: Trek from Chhomrong to Nayapul
Bid farewell to the locals who took care of you during your stay. Don’t forget to thank them for their warm hospitality. The locals feel joy in your happiness. From Chhomrong, trek down to Nayapul where it is easy to find a ride to Pokhara. Chhomrong to Nayapul is an easy trek and won’t cause fatigue. So, you can use your spare time by exploring the surrounding.
Day 12: Drive from Nayapul to Pokhara
From Nayapul, drive to Pokhara in the morning. You can relax and have some drinks by the Lakeside, a popular spot for tourists to spend quality time in Pokhara. Enjoy the view of Fewa Lake and stay overnight in a nice hotel in Pokhara.
Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu
It’s time to wrap up the trek. Finally, you arrive in Kathmandu from Pokhara. You are back in the bustling city, ready to catch a flight to your hometown. Our agents will bid you farewell and escort you to the airport.
Accommodation during Hidden Lake Trek
Though the trekking trail is an off-the-beaten-path, several teahouses and lodges are available for accommodation. However, due to the less crowd, they may have limited facilities compared to the popular routes.
Meals during Hidden Lake Trek
The package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks other than the 3 times meal do not belong to the package. Dal Bhat is a prominent meal during trekking in the Himalayas. You can also try the local cuisines of the Annapurna region that are hardly found in other places.
Best Time for Hidden Lake Trek
The best time of the year to embark on the Annapurna Hidden Lake trek is in the Autumn and Spring season. The weather from mid-September to mid-November is fresh and suitable for trekking in the Himalayas. Similarly, the weather from March to May is warmer and a favorable time for greenery to be dense. You will get an opportunity to explore distinct flora and fauna, different species of birds, and wildlife during these peak seasons.
Trek Difficulty Level
The trekkers consider the Hidden Lake trek to be moderately challenging. Though it doesn’t involve any technical climbing, the long and steep ascents and descents make the trekking a bit slow and tiring.
Solo trekking
Since the Hidden Lake trek lies in an isolated area, trekkers are not recommended to walk alone. To reduce the risk, you can hire a guide who is familiar with the trekking trail. If you walk with a guide, the Hidden Lake trek is safe solo trekking.
Permits required for the Hidden Lake
Trekkers require a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit to be eligible for this trek. You can obtain these permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
If you hire a trekking guide for the Hidden Lake Trek, they can provide guidance, ensure safety, and assist with logistics throughout the journey.
Hidden Lake Trek Cost
The cost of the Annapurna Hidden Lake trek usually varies according to the number of trekkers in a group and as per the peak season. The cost may range from 1800 to 2200 USD. Please contact the travel agent to confirm the price of the package. The package includes Airport pick up and drop off by our private vehicle.
Conclusion
Annapurna region is a well-known trekking destination where lies some explored and unexplored magical gems. Hidden Lake is one of those secluded gems of Nepal.
Venture into this beautiful trek at least once in your lifetime. This trek assures you an authentic trekking experience of being close to the Himalayas and Natural lakes.
If you have any queries, please leave a message. We’ll get back to you. And, if you are ready for the most adventurous journey of your life, book this trip now!
