trekhigh

Mohare Danda Trek — 6 Days

After sunset annapurna
Length
6 days
Highest point
3,300 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Best months
Oct–May
Starts
Nayapul / Pokhara
Group size
2–12 People
Sleeping
Tea House

Walk a quiet community-run ridge above Ghorepani for sweeping Annapurna and Dhaulagiri views with far fewer crowds and a direct positive impact on local village life.

  • Mohare Danda (3,300 m) — community-owned eco-lodge ridge with 360° Himalayan panorama
  • Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Nilgiri visible from one ridge
  • Nayapul → Ghorepani → Mohare: adds a pristine off-trail extension to the classic circuit
  • Community forest lodge with solar-powered eco accommodation
  • Rhododendron canopy at peak bloom March–April — the most colourful trail in Nepal
  • Fewer than 100 trekkers per month — the true insider Annapurna foothills viewpoint
  • Connects to Poon Hill, ABC, or Khopra for multi-week Annapurna combos

The climb, day by day

1,000 m2,000 m3,000 m3,300 m, day 3
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Altitude reached each day of the itinerary
  1. Day 1Drive Pokhara → Nayapul · Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m)1,540 m

    Morning drive from Pokhara to Nayapul. Trek along the Bhurungdi Khola through Birethanti, passing local tea houses and riverside settlements. Steadily climb terraced farmland to Tikhedhunga, the last major village before the famous Ulleri staircase.

    Distance
    12 km
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  2. Day 2Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (2,860 m) via Ulleri2,860 m

    Ascend the celebrated 3,000-step stone staircase through Ulleri (1,960 m), a traditional Magar village. The gradient eases through oak and rhododendron forest to reach Banthanti, then continues to Ghorepani. First views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massif emerge above the treeline.

    Distance
    11 km
    Walking
    5–6 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  3. Day 3Ghorepani · Poon Hill Sunrise · Trek to Mohare Danda (3,300 m)3,300 m

    Pre-dawn ascent to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for the iconic Himalayan sunrise panorama encompassing Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, and Nilgiri. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then follow the less-trodden ridge trail northeast to Mohare Danda, a community-run eco-lodge on a sweeping ridgeline with 360-degree Himalayan views and strong conservation credentials.

    Distance
    10 km
    Walking
    4–5 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Lodge
  4. Day 4Mohare Danda · Ridge Walk → Tadapani (2,630 m)2,630 m

    Spend the morning exploring the Mohare Danda ridge — the views of the Annapurna South face and Machhapuchhre are among the best on any Annapurna foothills trek. Descend through rhododendron and oak forest via Deurali to Tadapani, a small ridgeline settlement popular with both trekkers and birds.

    Distance
    11 km
    Walking
    4–5 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  5. Day 5Tadapani → Ghandruk (1,940 m)1,940 m

    Descend through magnificent rhododendron forest, one of the finest floral corridors in Nepal in spring (March–April). Reach Ghandruk, the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna region — a beautifully preserved settlement of stone-paved lanes, traditional courtyards, and a Gurung museum. Views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre are exceptional.

    Distance
    8 km
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  6. Day 6Ghandruk → Nayapul · Drive to Pokhara827 m

    Final morning trek through Kimche village and descend the Modi Khola valley to Nayapul. Board a private jeep or tourist bus for the scenic 1.5-hour drive back to Pokhara. Afternoon at leisure on Phewa lakeside.

    Distance
    13 km
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B
    Night
    Hotel

The price includes

  • Government-registered English-speaking guide
  • Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
  • ACAP permit and TIMS card
  • Pokhara–Nayapul private jeep (both ways)
  • Community forest lodge accommodation (Mohare Danda)
  • 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • All government taxes and service charges

You pay separately

  • International airfare to/from Kathmandu
  • Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
  • Meals not listed in daily itinerary
  • Personal trekking gear and equipment
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure

The Mohare Danda Trek is a 6-day community-run ridge walk in the Annapurna foothills that puts you on a high vantage point between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, with 270-degree Himalayan views and almost no other trekkers. Mohare Danda (3,300 m) is the culmination of the route — a grassy ridge summit with a 360-degree panorama of the region's greatest peaks that rivals Poon Hill for drama while receiving a fraction of its visitors.

The community lodge at Mohare Danda was built specifically to direct tourism income into villages that previously saw none. Staying there is a direct contribution to the Myagdi district community development fund. The approach through Narchyang, Nangi (with its famous high-altitude school), and Phalante passes through terraced farmland and rhododendron forest that is stunning in spring bloom. Connects easily with Ghorepani for an extended loop.

Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Start: Pokhara (private jeep to Nayapul included). Max altitude: Mohare Danda 3,300 m.

Questions people ask

Is the Mohare Danda Trek suitable for beginners?
Yes — this is one of Nepal's most beginner-friendly moderate treks. Daily walking stages average 4–6 hours on well-marked trails with maximum altitude of 3,300m. A basic level of fitness (comfortable with regular walking and some uphill) is sufficient. The gradual elevation gain means altitude sickness is unlikely, though drinking plenty of water and pacing yourself remains important.
When is the best time to trek Mohare Danda?
October–November offers crystal-clear skies and the best Annapurna and Dhaulagiri panoramas from the ridge. March–April is equally beautiful with rhododendron forests ablaze in red, pink, and white along the trail. The monsoon (June–September) makes trails slippery and views cloud-covered; December–February can bring frost and snow at the ridge but is still walkable on most days.
What permits are needed, and what does $480 include?
You will need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card — both included in our price. The $480 covers all permits, an English-speaking guide, a porter (up to 15 kg per trekker), accommodation in community lodges throughout, and three meals per day. Internal transport to and from the trailhead is also included. International flights are not covered.
Is altitude sickness a concern on this trek?
At a maximum of 3,300m altitude sickness is uncommon but possible for those who ascend quickly. Our itinerary follows a sensible acclimatisation pace, and the 6-day duration allows the body to adjust naturally. Staying well-hydrated, avoiding alcohol on the first nights at altitude, and informing your guide of any headaches early are the best precautions. Descent to lower elevation is always available if needed.
What makes the community lodge accommodation special?
The Mohare Danda route is operated through a community-based tourism model where local families run the lodges and most of your trek fee stays directly within the villages. Rooms are clean, warm, and simple — typically twin beds with blankets in wooden lodge buildings. Meals are home-cooked Nepali food alongside some Western options. This model has transformed incomes in villages like Nagi and Mohare, making your trek a direct contribution to local livelihoods.
How does Mohare Danda differ from the classic Poon Hill route?
Mohare Danda follows a quieter ridge trail north of the Poon Hill route with far fewer trekkers, offering a more intimate experience of the same breathtaking Annapurna and Dhaulagiri panoramas — arguably from even better vantage points. The trail connects to Ghorepani, meaning you can combine both in one trip. While Poon Hill has become very busy, the Mohare Danda ridge feels genuinely off-the-beaten-path with authentic village encounters along the way.

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