Dobato on the Khopra Danda Trail: The Tree-Line Night Stop Above Tadapani

Last updated 13 October 2026.

Dobato is the night stop on the Khopra Danda trail where the forest runs out. It is a handful of lodges at the tree line, at 3,420 m, on a long ridge above Tadapani, and it is the place where the quiet side of the Annapurna foothills really begins. Most people who walk the Poon Hill and Ghandruk trails never see it.

Short answer: Dobato sits at 3,420 m (11,220 ft) between Tadapani at 2,630 m and the Khopra ridge at 3,660 m. You reach it on day 3 of our Khopra Danda Trek, 9 days after five to six hours and about 12 km of steady climbing through Bhaisi Kharka, and you sleep in a simple teahouse. In the evening the ridge behind the lodge looks across to Dhaulagiri. Next morning you walk up to the Muldai viewpoint for sunrise before the ridge walk to Khopra. It is a good place to sleep because it gives you a night at 3,400 m before the higher ridge, and there is almost nobody else there.

I want you to know what Dobato is before you get there, because it is not a village and it does not look like the places in the guidebooks. There are no shops, no square and no temple to visit. It is a place you reach tired and leave early, and I think that is exactly why it is worth a page.

Dobato at a glance

Where does Dobato sit on our trips?

• Khopra Danda Trek, 9 days: Dobato is the night of day 3, between Tadapani and the ridge.
• Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek, 12 days from Pokhara: the same night on day 7, after the Mardi Himal section.

The Khopra Danda Trek is USD 749 (Budget), USD 1,449 (Standard) or USD 2,249 (Luxury) per person for 1 to 4 people, and the 12-day combination starts at USD 1,245, USD 2,015 and USD 3,810 for 2 to 4 people. The price falls as the group grows, and I list every band on the package pages. Both are walked privately with your own licensed guide.

What is the walk up from Tadapani like?

This is the day I tell people to enjoy. At Tadapani the crowds turn right towards the Annapurna Base Camp trail, and we turn left. My guide to Tadapani describes that clearing and its sunrise. From there the path climbs through Bhaisi Kharka and along a long forested ridge, with the trees thinning to open pasture as you go. It is steady rather than steep, and it takes the whole day: five to six hours for about 12 km.

Walk it slowly. You start at 2,630 m and finish at 3,420 m, which is a gain of nearly 800 m, and your body will notice the last hour. Drink water at every stop, keep a warm layer in your daypack, and tell your guide if you get a headache. He carries a pulse oximeter and checks your oxygen in the evening.

What is it like to sleep at Dobato?

The lodges are simple. You get a bed in a basic room, a dining room with the stove and a menu that is short and filling: dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs and tea. A sleeping bag and down jacket are free to use on our trek, and you will want both. It is cold once the sun goes, because you are above the trees on an open ridge. Carry some cash for tea and snacks.

What you get in return is the silence and the evening sky. If it is clear, the ridge behind the lodge looks straight at Dhaulagiri. It is the seventh highest mountain on earth at 8,167 m, and its first ascent was on 13 May 1960 by a Swiss, Austrian and Nepali expedition. Standing at 3,420 m and looking at a peak that big, with no other trekkers about, is the reason I like this trail.

Why do we sleep at Dobato and not push on?

There are three reasons, and none is about saving money.

First, acclimatisation. Going from Tadapani at 2,630 m to the Khopra ridge at 3,660 m in one day would be a gain of more than 1,000 m. A night at 3,420 m splits it into two sensible days. Second, time. The walk from Tadapani is long, and arriving at Khopra in the dark would be unpleasant and cold. Third, the sunrise. From Dobato the Muldai viewpoint is a short walk before breakfast, so you see Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre light up and then walk on, rather than hurrying to catch it.

The ridge and the lake beyond are the main trip, and my Khopra Danda trek guide covers all nine days, while my notes on the Khopra ridge describe the community lodge you reach on day 4.

How does the day after look?

Pack the day before so that the morning is calm. The air is cold and your fingers will be slow, so keep gloves and a hat in the top of your bag.

When is the best time to be at Dobato?

For 2027 my pick is the first half of November or April. If you want more on the lower forest, read my Ghorepani guide, which is where the same trek finishes.

Questions people ask

Where is Dobato? On the ridge above Tadapani in the Annapurna Conservation Area, on the trail to Khopra Danda. It is a group of lodges, not a village.

How high is Dobato? 3,420 m (11,220 ft).

How long is the walk from Tadapani to Dobato? Five to six hours and about 12 km, climbing steadily through Bhaisi Kharka and the forest.

Is there altitude sickness risk at Dobato? It is a modest height, but the climb is nearly 800 m in a day, so it can affect some people. Walk slowly, drink well and tell your guide early. My altitude sickness guide explains what to watch for.

What are the lodges like? Simple teahouse rooms and a warm dining room. Expect cold nights and basic facilities.

Can I see Dhaulagiri from Dobato? Yes, if the evening is clear. The ridge behind the lodge faces it.

Do I need a permit? You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. Both are included in our price.

Can I skip Dobato and go straight to Khopra? I would not. The extra night makes the climb easier and gives you the Muldai sunrise.

How are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can travel alone. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and which trail you have in mind. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.