Upper Mustang Trek - 14 Days
The 14-Day Upper Mustang Trek starts from Kathmandu via Pokhara & Jomsom into the trans-Himalaya...
OVERVIEW & HIGHLIGHTS
The Mohare Danda Trek is a suitable option for beginners, as it is relatively easy and leads through secluded villages. Along the way, trekkers can enjoy a panoramic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. The trek can begin from either Tikhedhunga or Galeshwor and will take you through traditional Magar villages, dense forests, and terraced fields.
A small, beautiful hill between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains in the district of Myagdi, Mohare Danda is a lesser-known trekking destination in the Annapurna Sanctuary. The place is a stunning destination for anyone seeking a unique experience in the Annapurna Region. Mohare Danda Trek is a less busy trekking route than other trekking trails in Nepal, like the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Everest Base Camp trek, Poonhill Sunrise Trek, and more.
Photo: Mohare Danda alpenglow of mountain and blooming rhododendron in spring of 2026.
Merely 5 km from Poon Hill, Mohare Danda Trek is also called Myagdi Community Eco Trek or Mohare Danda Community Trek. The trail passes through hills, forests, and grassland. You will also witness rhododendron flowers all over the path if you do this trek during spring.
Milan Tamang, Assistant Trekking Guide
Mohare Danda Trek route and pacing are drawn from 12+ years guiding the Annapurna region. Mohan founded North Nepal Trek in 2015; since then, Milan has led 10+ Mohare treks.
After breakfast, the second day of the Mohare Danda Trek starts with hiking from Lespar. The route is mostly ascending, and the trails are trekking trails with no motor roads.
Photo: Fleeting moments of the sunset from Mohare Danda.
The route begins with an ascending climb over the stairs for about 2 - 2:30 hours. After the stairs, we will trek along the forest path with slight ascends and straight paths. During this trial, we can see the hills and valley scenes. The trek from Lespar to Mohare Danda takes about 6 - 7 hours in total.

After we reach Mohare Danda, we can see the surreal views of mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri Mt, Fishtail, Tukuche Peak, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and many others. Overnight stay at Mohare Danda, after enjoying the sunset view from here.
We wake up early for the mesmerizing sunrise views from Mohare Danda when the first sunrays fall on the white mountains. After that, we will have our breakfast and trek towards Ghorepani. The route is descending with straight trails along the way.
The trek from Mohare Danda to Ghorepani is also a short one. You can also call it a rest day after yesterday’s long trek. The overall trek takes about 2 - 3 hrs and we pass through Poon Hill during this trek. You can enjoy the view from Poonhill and we will set for Tadapani.

From Poonhill we trek through rhododendron forests and stunning views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre along the route. After another 3 - 4 hrs of walking, we will reach Tadapani, where we will stay at Teahouse.
Our trek begins with a gentle descent from Tadapani to Ghandruk, taking about three hours through dense forests. This trail offers breathtaking up-close views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

Once you reach Ghandruk, we will enjoy a delicious lunch while taking in the village's charm. We also visit the Ghandruk Museum, where you can explore the Gurung culture and traditional local culture.
After lunch, hike down the traditional classic trails to Kilyu, passing through picturesque landscapes and traditional villages.
At Kilyu, your vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Pokhara, concluding the Mohare Danda Poon Hill Trek with mountain views, cultural exploration, and serene trekking to remember after the trek.
For any additional information or questions, please get in touch with us on WhatsApp.
Note:
You can include a porter (carries up to 20 kg ), with an extra cost of $ 25 per day.
Best Season: March-May and September-November give the clearest views from Mohare Danda – the trek is doable in winter too since it stays below the snowline most years, unlike higher Annapurna routes.
We just had a 5-day trip to Mohare Danda and Poon Hill.
This trip left us with so many unforgettable memories, especially for us who were first-time trekkers. The people who made it so incredibly special were our amazing guide - Zeewan, our warm-hearted porter - Mr. Balaram and of course, Mr. Mohan.
Probably the most memorable moment was on day 2 when we saw a frozen puddle for the first time, and we were really really really excited. Together with Zeewan, we literally went crazy trying to break the ice apart, and we laughed a lot. After that, we saw snow for the very first time in the forest, it was spectacular, and we went insane out of pure excitement.
The next day at Mohare Danda, we were able to witness a breathtaking sunrise. And even tho it was freezing cold at -3°C (it was brutal😵), we still had a hilarious time playing in the snow, especially laughing at Balaram instantly dropping a snowball because it was toooo cold. That was one of the most delightful highlights of the trip.
The entire trek was filled with astonishing views. The people and everything about this place just gave us the greatest warmth.
Since this was our first time, and the route was also suitable for us beginners. The feeling of exploring, running through the woods, to say "wow" to the stunning landscapes felt more special than ever, and we couldn't have had this experience without North Nepal.
As for Zeewan, he is humble, kind, sweet, energetic, playful, incredibly thoughtful, knows exactly what he's doing, sincere and a loveable person. Thank you, for being such a special friend of ours.
And Balaram - who always has the warmest smile, just as playful and dedicated, endearing, always made jokes and took great care of us. Thank you and we'll miss you a lot tooooo Balaram🥺
During the trip, we could clearly see everyone with their porters and guides, and we realized just how exceptionally cared for we were, even with the smallest details. They befriended us, treated us like family, making us feel closer than ever.
As for Mohan - a busy yet incredibly hardworking man who puts his whole heart into getting everything done in the best way possible. Even though the schedule was often changed and we were kinda "troublesome", he would do anything to make our trip perfect.
Thank you for everything.
Youve made our trip complete, we just want to go back immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p/s: thanks zeewan for the best bowl of noodles ive ever had😵💫
Kriens, Switzerland
Apr 2023 • Couples
Traveling Asia for a couple of months we visited Nepal rather spontaneously. We knew we wanted to do a trek but had no idea where to go or what to do. After doing some research on the web we visited Mohan in his office in Pokhara. We had a rough idea of what we were looking for. We wanted to do a trek that wasn’t too crowded. Still, we wanted to go places where we could enjoy those amazing views of the Himalayas.
With the help of Mohan we figured out our personalized itinerary that would take us to Mohare Danda, Khopra Data and Muldai. After agreeing to do the trek he organized everything in the shortest of time so we could start the very next day. We had an amazing trek and the fantastic experiences will remain in our memories for a a lifetime.
Breathtaking sunrises at Khopra ridge and Muldai peak are just two of the many highlights we experienced.
Special praise goes out to Buddhiman though, our guide on this trek. We could not have asked for a better guide. Buddhiman took such great care of us, he was very attentive and thanks to his tremendous experience he knew what we could do and what would be to much for us. He made sure that throughout the trek we wouldn‘t miss anything. He led us to the most incredible view points and provided us with a lot of information. He also took best of care in regard of our culinary needs. He even stepped into the kitchen and helped preparing the meals for us. Beside being an exceptional guide Buddhiman is also a great entertainer. He has such an amazing humor and is man of many, many talents. At the same time Buddhiman is a very smart man and has such a profound knowledge about the mountains of Nepal, Nepali society and history. We learned so many things from him and are so grateful for everything he has shared with us. We look back to our trek with greatest of memories.
Mohan and Buddhiman you guys made this trek a 5 Star experience!!! Thank you so much. Thomas and Christian

Itineraries are structured with careful elevation profiles and designated stops in local community eco-lodges to ensure proper preparation as you gain altitude. Guides conduct rigorous daily health assessments for early symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If severe symptoms appear, standard protocol mandates immediate descent to lower elevations.
In cases of severe injury, acute altitude illness, or extreme weather conditions on remote trails, emergency helicopter evacuation is coordinated directly through local rescue services, adhering strictly to regional aviation regulations set by CAAN. Evacuations are initiated promptly upon assessment by your guide in communication with our Kathmandu and Pokhara offices.
All trekkers must hold comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical treatment, trekking, and emergency helicopter rescue/evacuation up to a minimum of 4,000 m. Insurance details must be submitted prior to the departure of the trek to streamline emergency logistics if required.
Secure the Mohare Danda Trek for 2026/2027 before the seat gets fully booked.
The Mohare Danda trek is a short, off-the-beaten-path route in the Annapurna region of western Nepal, reaching the Mohare Danda viewpoint at 3,300m for panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. It passes through the Gurung and Magar villages of Bans Kharka, Nangi, Tadapani, and Ghandruk, and runs almost entirely on community eco-lodge trails rather than the busy standard teahouse circuit. At 90m higher than Poon Hill with far fewer trekkers, it's one of the best-value viewpoint treks in the Annapurna region.
The Mohare Danda trek takes 4 to 5 days on our standard itinerary, covering roughly 50 km. The exact duration depends on which starting point you use and whether you add extensions like Poon Hill. It can be shortened or combined with the Khopra Ridge or Poon Hill treks for a longer Annapurna ridge experience. Tell us your available days and we'll tailor it.
The Mohare Danda trek is rated easy to moderate, making it a good choice for first-timers, families, and anyone who wants solid mountain views without a technically demanding route. You walk 4 to 6 hours a day on well-maintained community trails. The altitude tops out at 3,300m, which keeps serious altitude sickness uncommon, though some people may experience mild symptoms and should take the usual precautions.
The headline highlight is the Mohare Danda viewpoint at 3,300m, which is 90m higher than Poon Hill and less crowded, with a wide panorama of 10 or more Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks and outstanding sunrise and sunset views. Beyond the viewpoint, the trek passes through authentic Gurung and Magar villages, rhododendron forests that bloom red and pink in spring, and the Nangi community education and eco-tourism project. The community eco-lodge accommodation is also a genuine differentiator from the standard teahouse circuit.
Yes. The Mohare Danda viewpoint (3,300m) and Poon Hill (3,210m) are close enough that you can reach Poon Hill in 2 to 3 hours from Mohare Danda. The two treks share sections of trail, making them easy to combine into a single extended ridge walk. If you want both viewpoints in one trip, tell us and we'll connect the itineraries.
The Mohare Danda trek can be done counterclockwise, starting from Phedi and ending at Bans Kharka instead. It also combines naturally with the Poon Hill trek and the Khopra Danda trek for an extended Annapurna ridge experience. For a three-viewpoint combination (Mohare Danda, Poon Hill, and Khopra Ridge), we run a dedicated Three Peaks trek. Tell us how many days you have.
The Mohare Danda trek requires two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 (about USD 25) for foreign nationals. Must be carried throughout the trek and shown at checkpoints. North Nepal Trek arranges both permits as part of the package.
Yes. Since April 2023, a licensed guide is mandatory for all international trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, which includes the Mohare Danda route. Solo, unguided trekking is no longer permitted. A guide is especially valuable here because the community eco-lodge trails are less signposted than the main Annapurna circuit, and local knowledge makes a real difference. Our guides are government-licensed and know the Nangi village community project and local families personally.
The Mohare Danda trek is distinctive for its community eco-lodge accommodation, run by the Annapurna Community Eco Lodge network. These are family-owned lodges built and managed by local Gurung and Magar communities as part of a sustainable eco-tourism model. They're simpler than the standard Annapurna teahouses but genuinely welcoming, and staying in them directly supports the village economy. There are enough lodges along the route for small groups without any accommodation concern.
The Mohare Danda trek uses community eco-lodges rather than the fully developed teahouse trail, so the menu is more limited than on popular routes like Annapurna Base Camp. Expect Nepali staples: dal bhat, dhindo, roti, vegetable curries, and eggs. Some lodges offer noodles or simple rice dishes. Don't count on pizza, pasta, or sandwiches the way you might lower on the Annapurna circuit — the community lodges cook what's locally grown and available. It's honest, filling food that reflects the villages you're passing through.
Pack trekking trousers or shorts, moisture-wicking t-shirts, a warm fleece and down jacket for the cold mornings and nights at 3,300m, a waterproof shell, gloves, a warm hat, sturdy trekking boots, trekking poles, a daypack, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a headlamp. Nights on the upper trail can drop to 0°C or below regardless of season. See our all-seasons packing guide for the full breakdown; we also send a season-specific list after booking.
Our Mohare Danda trek package costs roughly USD 70 to 80 per person per day, with the per-day rate dropping as group size increases. The package covers community eco-lodge accommodation, three meals a day, a licensed guide, ACAP permits, and private jeep transport from Pokhara and back. Message us with your group size and preferred dates for a firm, itemized quote.
You can start the Mohare Danda trek on almost any day of the year, though the best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). If you want to join a group departure, we have scheduled dates; for private treks you choose your own start date. Send us your dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and set everything up.
The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November). Spring brings blooming rhododendrons, clear mornings, and vibrant green hillsides alongside the possibility of snowfall higher up. Autumn offers the clearest, driest skies and the sharpest views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Daytime temperatures on the trail average around 20°C, but nights and early mornings at the 3,300m viewpoint can drop to 0°C or below even in spring and autumn, so a warm jacket and sleeping layers are essential. Afternoon winds and clouds are typical, so plan to reach the viewpoint in the morning.
The Mohare Danda trek is a safe, well-maintained route, but it reaches 3,300m so some basic altitude awareness is wise. Mild altitude symptoms like a headache or light fatigue are possible and usually resolve with rest and hydration. The trail passes through sections of rhododendron forest that can be slippery in rain. Our guides carry a first-aid kit with a pulse oximeter and know when to slow the pace or turn back. Tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell at any point.
No dedicated acclimatization days are needed on the Mohare Danda trek. The maximum altitude is 3,300m and the ascent is gradual across several days, which gives your body enough time to adjust naturally. If you feel any discomfort, your guide will slow the pace or add rest. Staying hydrated and walking steadily rather than rushing is the most effective precaution at this altitude.
Yes. Bottled water and boiled water are available at the community eco-lodges along the route. We recommend boiled water over bottled where possible, and carrying purification tablets or a filter as backup, especially between lodges. Staying well hydrated is important at altitude even when the temperature feels cool.
Yes. Nangi village is the cultural highlight of the route: it runs a well-known community education and eco-tourism project, including a school founded by locals that has become a model for sustainable community development in Nepal. The Gurung and Magar villages along the trail offer a genuine window into traditional highland life, with local family-run lodges, organic farming, and in spring, traditional dances and festivals. This is one of the few Annapurna routes where the community tourism aspect is as memorable as the mountain views.
The Mohare Danda trail lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, home to diverse wildlife. You may spot Himalayan monal pheasants (Nepal's national bird), vultures, eagles, and various smaller birds in the rhododendron and oak forest sections. Mammals like monkeys, barking deer, wild boar, and Himalayan tahr are also present. The less-crowded, quieter trails increase your chances of wildlife sightings compared to the busier Annapurna routes.