Four Peaks Trek: A Unique Trek of Annapurna Region

The Four Peaks Trek can be completed throughout much of the year, but weather, trail conditions, mountain visibility, and temperatures vary significantly by season. The best trekking months are March to May and September to November, when the Annapurna region offers stable weather and the clearest Himalayan views.

Spring (March to May) — Best Overall Season

Spring is widely considered the best season for the Four Peaks Trek. Rhododendron forests around Mohare Danda, Ghorepani, Khopra Danda, and Mulde Peak burst into bloom, creating one of Nepal's most spectacular trekking landscapes.

• Daytime temperature: 10°C to 20°C at lower elevations
• Night temperature: -5°C to 5°C near Khopra Danda and Khayer Lake
• Trail conditions: Dry, stable, and ideal for trekking
• Mountain visibility: Excellent, especially in the mornings
• Crowd level: Moderate to high during April

Autumn (September to November) — Best Mountain Views

Autumn is another outstanding season following the summer monsoon. The air is clean, humidity is low, and the Himalayas are exceptionally clear.

• Daytime temperature: 12°C to 18°C
• Night temperature: -5°C to 3°C at higher elevations
• Trail conditions: Dry with excellent footing
• Mountain visibility: Outstanding after the monsoon
• Crowd level: High, particularly during October

If your priority is panoramic views of Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Annapurna South, autumn offers some of the best conditions of the year.

Monsoon (June to August) — Lush but Wet

Frequent rainfall creates more challenging trekking conditions: wet, muddy, and occasionally slippery trails, mountain visibility often limited by clouds, and leeches in lower forest sections. Experienced trekkers can still enjoy the route, but this is generally not the preferred season.

Winter (December to February) — Quiet Himalayan Trails

Winter offers peaceful trails and crisp mountain views, but colder temperatures (-10°C to -5°C at night at higher elevations) and snowfall can affect higher sections, particularly around Khayer Lake (4,660 m). Winter is suitable for experienced trekkers with proper cold-weather gear, and snow may occasionally require itinerary adjustments.

For most trekkers, April and October offer the ideal combination of stable weather, excellent visibility, comfortable temperatures, and unforgettable Himalayan scenery.

The Four Peaks Trek is graded moderate and is best suited for trekkers with a good level of fitness. While no technical climbing or mountaineering skills are required, previous multi-day trekking experience is recommended because the route includes long walking days, steep ascents, and reaches a maximum altitude of 4,660 meters (15,289 ft) at the sacred Khayer Lake.

Is the Four Peaks Trek hard?

The trek is more challenging than shorter Annapurna foothill hikes such as Panchase or the Royal Trek, but it is less demanding than technical mountaineering expeditions. Expect to walk 5 to 7 hours per day, with occasional days of 7 to 8 hours, depending on the itinerary and trail conditions.

Which day is the most challenging?

The ascent from Khopra Danda to Khayer Lake and back is the most demanding day of the trek. This involves a significant altitude gain, rough alpine terrain, and a long return hike. Starting early, maintaining a steady pace, and following your guide's instructions are essential for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Is altitude sickness a concern?

Yes. Since the trek reaches 4,660 meters, there is a genuine risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). A gradual itinerary, proper hydration, adequate nutrition, and ascending slowly help reduce the risk. If symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath develop, you should immediately inform your guide.

Do I need training?

• Walk or hike 45–60 minutes, 3–5 times per week.
• Climb stairs or hike hills with a light backpack.
• Build cardiovascular fitness through running, cycling, or swimming.
• Strengthen your legs and core with regular exercise.

Who should not attempt this trek?

• Travelers with serious heart or lung conditions unless medically cleared.
• Anyone unable to comfortably hike 6–8 hours on consecutive days.
• People recovering from major surgery or injury.
• Travelers looking for luxury accommodation rather than traditional mountain teahouses.

Mohare Danda (3,300 m)

Standing at an altitude of 3,300 m above sea level, Mohare Danda offers a panoramic view of the Annapurna Range and Dhaulagiri Range. The trek passes through settlements of different ethnic groups like Magars and Chhetris, giving a peek at typical village livelihood. Mohare Danda is even more alluring during the spring season because of the varieties of blooming rhododendrons along the trails, and you can see the expansive view of the whole Pokhara Valley and Beni from the top.

Ghorepani Poon Hill (3,210 m)

Just 5 km away from Mohare Danda, Ghorepani Poon Hill is a very renowned short trek among trekkers. The Poon Hill viewpoint stands at an altitude of 3,210 m and gained its popularity for the soul-stirring sunrise view rising from the Himalayas of the Annapurna range, with astounding views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhampus Peak. The trails are filled with green vegetation and rhododendrons during the spring season, and are usually more crowded during the trekking season.

Khopra Danda (3,660 m)

As we walk further ahead from Ghorepani, we witness another equally famed and beautiful peak called Khopra Danda. Situated at an altitude of 3,600 meters, Khopra Danda offers mesmerizing views of the high Himalayan ranges such as Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung. The sunrise view from the top will blow your mind. Khayer Lake, sitting at an altitude of 4,660 m, is also one of the main attractions during the Khopra Ridge section. The small settlements along the trails, lush vegetation and wildlife, and rhododendron-filled hills add more to its beauty — and the trails are less crowded.

Mulde Peak (3,637 m)

Standing at an altitude of 3,630 meters, the Mulde Peak trek is less known among trekkers but is equally appealing and beautiful as the Poon Hill trek. This peak even offers a more expansive view of the high Himalayas than Poon Hill's viewpoint, with mind-boggling views of more than 20 peaks such as Annapurna, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Ganesh Himal. The sunrise view from the Mulde viewpoint is even more alluring, and the trails are less crowded than the Poon Hill trek.

The Four Peaks Trek is located within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you'll need trekking permits before starting your adventure. When you book with North Nepal Travel & Trek, we arrange all permit applications on your behalf, saving you time and ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly.

• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 23) — issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (Kathmandu or Pokhara) or ACAP permit offices.

Total permit cost (2026): NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) per international trekker booking through a registered trekking agency like North Nepal Trek. Permit fees are subject to change if revised by the Government of Nepal or the relevant authorities.

The Four Peaks Trek is as much a cultural journey as it is a mountain adventure. As you travel through the Annapurna Conservation Area, you'll pass traditional villages where generations of local families have preserved their customs, architecture, and way of life beneath some of Nepal's most spectacular Himalayan peaks.

Ethnic Communities Along the Route

The trail is home primarily to Gurung and Magar communities, with smaller populations of Brahmin and Chhetri families in the lower villages. The Gurung people are renowned for their warm hospitality, traditional stone houses, Buddhist heritage, and long history of serving in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. The Magar community contributes its own rich traditions, folk music, and agricultural lifestyle.

Villages You'll Visit

Depending on your itinerary, you'll trek through well-known mountain settlements such as Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Swanta, Chistibung, Khopra Danda, and nearby villages along the Mohare Danda community trail. Each village offers a unique glimpse into daily Himalayan life, with terraced farms, grazing livestock, prayer flags, traditional lodges, and friendly local families welcoming trekkers.

Traditional Food

Meals are freshly prepared using local ingredients grown in the surrounding hills. Popular dishes include Dal Bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and curry), Dhindo (buckwheat or millet porridge), Gundruk soup (fermented leafy greens), Tibetan bread, noodles and fried rice, potato curry, homemade pickles (achar), yak or buffalo cheese in some higher villages, and fresh apples and seasonal fruits during harvest season.

Homestay & Teahouse Experience

Accommodation is mainly in family-run teahouses and community lodges, giving trekkers the opportunity to interact closely with local hosts. Evenings are often spent around a warm dining room, sharing stories with guides, fellow trekkers, and village families. Choosing locally owned lodges directly supports the mountain communities that maintain these trails.

Festivals & Traditions

If you visit during festival season, you may witness celebrations such as Dashain, Tihar, and Lhosar, along with local Buddhist ceremonies and harvest festivals. Traditional Gurung dances, village music, and seasonal gatherings provide a deeper understanding of the culture that has flourished in the Annapurna region for centuries.

Regional History

The Four Peaks Trek is located within Nepal's Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), the country's first and largest protected conservation area, established in 1986 and covering more than 7,600 square kilometers across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas.

This unique itinerary links four of the Annapurna region's finest viewpoints: Mohare Danda, Poon Hill, Khopra Danda (Khopra Ridge), and Mulde Peak. Along the route, trekkers pass through well-known villages including Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Swanta, Chistibung, and Bayeli Kharka, where Gurung and Magar communities have lived for centuries. These settlements developed along ancient Himalayan footpaths that once connected villages with Pokhara, the Kali Gandaki Valley, and trading routes leading toward Mustang and Tibet — historically used by traders transporting salt, grain, wool, livestock, medicinal herbs, and handmade goods.

One of the highlights of this trek is Khopra Danda, a community-managed trekking destination developed to promote sustainable tourism. Community lodges along the Khopra Ridge help generate income directly for local villages while preserving traditional culture and protecting the surrounding environment.

Trekking & Expedition History

Dominating the skyline is Annapurna I (8,091 m), the 10th-highest mountain in the world and the first mountain over 8,000 meters ever climbed — on 3 June 1950 by French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, marking the beginning of the modern era of Himalayan mountaineering.

To the south rises the iconic Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), or Fishtail Mountain. In 1957, a British expedition led by Wilfrid Noyce climbed to within approximately 150 meters of the summit before voluntarily turning back out of respect for its sacred status. Shortly afterward, the Government of Nepal permanently closed Machhapuchhre to climbing, and it remains one of the world's most famous unclimbed mountains.

From viewpoints such as Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, and Mulde Peak, trekkers enjoy spectacular panoramas of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Baraha Shikhar (Annapurna Fang), and Lamjung Himal. Dhaulagiri I, the world's seventh-highest mountain, was first climbed on 13 May 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian expedition.

The Four Peaks Trek follows a classic teahouse trekking route through the Annapurna Conservation Area. You'll stay in locally owned mountain lodges and community teahouses in villages such as Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Swanta, Chistibung, and Khopra Danda. Accommodation is simple, comfortable, and offers an authentic Himalayan experience.

Accommodation

Most teahouses provide:

• Twin-sharing rooms with two single beds, mattresses, pillows, and blankets.
• Shared bathrooms in most villages, with a limited number of attached bathrooms at lower elevations.
• Warm communal dining rooms heated by a central stove during colder months.
• Solar or hydroelectric power for lighting and charging devices.

Charging mobile phones, cameras, and power banks is usually available for an additional NPR 200–500 per device, depending on the village. Wi-Fi is available in many teahouses, particularly in Ghandruk and Ghorepani, but connections become slower and less reliable around Khopra Danda. Internet access generally costs NPR 300–500 where available.

Meals

Three freshly prepared meals are served each trekking day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Popular menu items include Dal Bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and curry), fried rice, noodles, Tibetan bread, pasta and macaroni, soups, momos, pancakes, eggs, tea, and coffee.

Vegetarian meals are widely available and are the preferred choice at higher elevations because fresh meat is difficult to transport safely. Vegan meals can usually be prepared with advance notice, although options may be more limited in remote villages.

The Four Peaks Trek reaches Khayer Lake (4,660 m), the highest point of the journey, where temperatures can drop below freezing, even during spring and autumn. Packing in layers is essential to stay comfortable as conditions vary from warm valleys to cold alpine terrain.

Essential Gear

• Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
• Moisture-wicking base layers
• Fleece jacket and insulated down jacket
• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket
• Warm trekking pants and thermal leggings
• Gloves, beanie, and neck gaiter
• Sunglasses with UV protection and sunscreen
• 30–40L daypack with rain cover
• Reusable water bottles or hydration bladder (2–3 litres)
• Headlamp, power bank, and personal first aid kit

Seasonal Packing

• Spring (Mar–May): Warm layers, rain jacket, trekking poles for melting snow.
• Summer/Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Waterproof clothing, backpack cover, gaiters, and insect repellent.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Layered clothing, insulated jacket, gloves, and warm hat for cold mornings.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Heavy down jacket, thermal base layers, insulated gloves, thick socks, and microspikes if conditions require.

Free Trekking Gear from North Nepal Travel & Trek

When you book with North Nepal Travel & Trek, we provide the following free of charge:

• Sleeping bag
• Trekking poles
• Duffel bag

Packing smart and keeping your daypack light will make your journey to Khayer Lake safer and more enjoyable.

When you set out to summit and survey four of the Annapurna's most iconic viewpoints — Mohare Danda, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, and Mulde Peak — in a single continuous journey, your safety, physical pacing, and panoramic success depend entirely on seasoned local expertise. Here is why trekkers choose North Nepal Travel & Trek:

100% Locally Owned & Pokhara-Based

We are proudly based right here in Pokhara, the literal doorstep to the Annapurna foothills. Booking directly with us keeps your investment local, directly supports the community lodges and rural families along these ridge trails, and guarantees immediate on-the-ground support.

Officially Licensed & TAAN-Registered

We are a fully government-registered trekking agency and an active member of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). We guarantee complete legal compliance, financial security, and professional safety standards on every multi-peak departure.

Specialized Ridge & Multi-Peak Route Expertise

Connecting four distinct high viewpoints requires seamless logistical flow across stone staircases, forested ridges, and high alpine pastures. We bring over a decade of specialized experience mastering these exact interconnected Annapurna ridge routes.

Expert Local Leadership

Your trek is personally led by our government-certified, English-speaking local guides who know every ridge line, sunrise timing, and trail variation like the back of their hand, ensuring safe navigation and rich cultural context from start to finish.

Top-Rated Client Satisfaction

Backed by a 4.9/5 rating across global review platforms, our travelers consistently praise our expert physical pacing across multiple ridges, warm teahouse hospitality, and unforgettable 360-degree Himalayan vistas.

Mohare Danda

Mohare Danda trekking is a short trek of 4-5 days from Pokhara. During our journey to Mohare Danda, we will pass through several settlements of different ethnic groups like Magars, Chhetri, etc, so we get a peek at the typical village livelihood of local communities. Moreover, the view perceived from the top of Mohare Danda will melt our hearts like butter.

Standing at an altitude of 3300 m above sea level, Mohare Danda offers a panoramic view of the Annapurna Range and Dhaulagiri Range. Furthermore, Mohare Danda Trek is even more alluring during the spring season because of the varieties of blooming Rhododendrons along the trails. Also, we can see the expansive view of the whole Pokhara Valley and Beni from the top of Mohare Danda.

Ghorepani Poon Hill

Just 5 Km away from the Moahare Danda, Ghorepani Poon Hill is a very renowned short trek among trekkers. The Poon Hill viewpoint stands at an altitude of 3210 m and gained its popularity for the soul-stirring sunrise view rising from the Himalayas of the Annapurna range.

Moreover, it grants astounding views of the mighty Himalayas such as Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhampus Peak. Similarly, the trails are filled with green vegetation and Rhododendrons during the spring season. PoonHill sunrise trek is counted as one of the most renowned short treks of the Annapurna region, so the trails are usually more crowded during the trekking season.

Khopra Danda

As we walk further ahead from the Ghorepani, we will witness another equally famed and beautiful peak called Khopra Danda. Situated at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level, Khopra Danda Trek offers mesmerizing views of the high Himalaya ranges such as Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung, etc.

Moreover, the sunrise view from the top of Khopra Danda will blow our minds. Similarly, Khayer Lake, sitting at an altitude of 4660 m, is also one of the main attractions during the Khopra Ridge Trek. Furthermore, the small settlements along the trails, lush vegetation and wildlife, and Rhododendron-filled hills have added more to its beauty. Also, the trails are recently brought to light, so they are less crowded.

Mulde Peak

Standing at an altitude of 3630 meters, the Mulde peak trek is less known among trekkers but is equally appealing and beautiful as the Poon Hill Trek. Moreover, this peak even offers a more expansive view of the high Himalayas than Poon Hill's viewpoint. The viewpoint of Mulde Peak can be counted among the best viewpoints of the whole Annapurna Sanctuary. This peak offers mind-boggling views of more than 20 peaks, such as Annapurna, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Ganesh Himal, etc.

Furthermore, the sunrise view perceived from the Mulde viewpoint is even more alluring and hypnotising. Similarly, the human settlements, like Ghandruk Village, Tatopan, etc, rhododendron-filled forests, and cultures perceived along the way have added more to its charm. Also, the trails are less crowded than the Poon Hill Trek.