Trekking · Nepal
The Mohare Danda Trek
A 4–6 day community eco-lodge trek to Mohare Danda (3,300 m) with sunrise views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.
The Mohare Danda trek is a quiet 4–6 day community eco-lodge route in the Annapurna foothills, climbing to a 3,300 m ridge with a head-on sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. It is one of the gentlest of Nepal's short treks, offering big mountain views, peaceful trails and a genuinely local experience without serious altitude.
Overview and highlights
Staged from Pokhara, the trek winds through Magar and Pun villages, terraced fields and rhododendron forest to the open Mohare Danda ridge. Highlights are the dawn panorama from the ridge viewpoint, the network of village-run lodges, and the chance to combine it with the neighbouring Khopra Danda ridge trek, which shares the same community-lodge system. Because it sees far fewer trekkers than the famous Poon Hill route nearby, it feels wonderfully uncrowded.
Itinerary
A typical 5-day plan from Pokhara:
| Day | Stage | Approx. altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive to Galeshwor, trek to Banskharka | 1,520 m |
| 2 | Banskharka to Nangi village | 2,300 m |
| 3 | Nangi to Mohare Danda (3,300 m) | 3,300 m |
| 4 | Sunrise on the ridge, descend to Tikot | 1,900 m |
| 5 | Trek out and drive back to Pokhara | 820 m |
Faster trekkers can compress this into four days, and you can extend by crossing to Khopra Ridge.
Difficulty and fitness
This is an easy to moderate trek. Days are short, the highest point is only around 3,300 metres, and lodges are comfortable for the standard. The effort comes from steady forest climbs rather than altitude, so a reasonable fitness level is enough. As with any Himalayan walk, it is still worth understanding altitude sickness.
Best time
Autumn (October–November) delivers the clearest Dhaulagiri sunrises from the ridge, while spring (March–May) brings rhododendron blooms through the forest. Winter is feasible but cold at the top, and the summer monsoon brings cloud and leeches. See the best time to visit Nepal for the wider seasonal picture.
Permits and cost
You need the ACAP permit (around USD 25) and a TIMS card (around USD 17–20). On-trail costs run about USD 25–35 a day, so a 5-day trek totals roughly USD 125–200 plus permits, a guide and transport — and much of your spending stays in the community lodges. For kit lists and acclimatisation tips, read our Nepal trekking guide.
Getting there
The trek is staged from Pokhara, with a road transfer to the Galeshwor or Beni-side trailhead and a drive back at the end. The community lodges are simpler than those on the main routes, so bring a warm sleeping bag for the higher nights on the ridge.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Mohare Danda trek?+
Most itineraries run 4 to 6 days from Pokhara, including the climb to the ridge at Mohare Danda and the descent. It can be shortened to a tight three-day push or extended by linking it with the neighbouring Khopra Danda ridge.
How high is Mohare Danda?+
Mohare Danda sits at about 3,300 metres. From the open ridge and its viewpoint you look across to Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Nilgiri and Machhapuchhre, making it one of the finest low-altitude sunrise spots in the Annapurna region.
Is the Mohare Danda trek difficult?+
It is easy to moderate. Daily walks are short, the highest point stays around 3,300 metres so altitude is rarely an issue, and the trails are quiet. The main effort is steady forest climbs between villages, well within reach of fit beginners.
What permits do I need for the Mohare Danda trek?+
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, around USD 25, plus a TIMS card, around USD 17 to 20. Both are quick to arrange in Pokhara, and a licensed guide is required. The route also runs on a community eco-lodge model, so your spending stays in the villages.
