A short teahouse loop from Pokhara through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani and the Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210 m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pokhara & Annapurna, Annapurna Region
Mohare Danda Trek
A short community-run trek from the Beni side through Magar villages to Mohare Danda (about 3,300 m), a hilltop with a community lodge facing Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
- Days
- 4-6
- Max altitude
- 3,300 m
- Distance
- -
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Start / end
- Banskharka (by road from Pokhara via Beni and Galeshwor) / Tikot or Tipling (by road via Beni to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Lodges, Homestays
- Permits
- 2 required
Overview
The Mohare Danda trek climbs from the Kali Gandaki side of the hills, near Beni, through the Magar villages of Banskharka and Nangi to Mohare Danda, a hilltop at about 3,300 m south-west of Ghorepani. From the top the view runs from Dhaulagiri across the Kali Gandaki to Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and, on clear days, Manaslu.
The route was set up as a community eco-trek by Mahabir Pun, the Nangi-born teacher known for connecting remote villages to the internet by wireless relay. Lodges and homestays are owned by village communities, and the income supports local schools and services.
It is quieter than Poon Hill and can be joined to it or to the Khopra Danda route by trails from Mohare Danda to Ghorepani.
Dhaulagiri and Annapurna panorama from Mohare DandaCommunity-owned lodges and homestaysNangi, the village of Mahabir PunMagar village life away from the main trails
Why it is rated moderate
- Daily walks of 5-7 hours with long climbs
- Highest night at about 3,300 m
- Quieter, less-marked trails and long road transfers via Beni
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banskharka | 1,550 m | - |
| 2 | Nangi | 2,300 m | - |
| 3 | Mohare Danda | 3,300 m | - |
| 4 | Tikot | 2,200 m | - |
| 5 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Drive to Galeshwor, walk to Banskharkasleep 1,550 m3 h
Drive about 3-4 hours to Beni and on to Galeshwor, then walk up to the village of Banskharka. Jeeps may get closer depending on the road.
Community lodge or homestay in Banskharka
Day 2Banskharka to Nangisleep 2,300 m5 h
A hard first climb to Danda Kateri, then an easier walk to Nangi, the home village of Mahabir Pun, with its school and community projects.
Community lodge or homestay in Nangi
Day 3Nangi to Mohare Dandasleep 3,300 m6-7 h
Through forest and pasture along the ridge to the community lodge on Mohare Danda, in time for sunset over Dhaulagiri.
Community lodge on Mohare DandaAbout Mohare Danda
Day 4Mohare Danda to Tikotsleep 2,200 m6-7 h
Sunrise from the top, then a long descent north-west through forest to the village of Tikot. Some itineraries go east to Ghorepani instead and finish via Poon Hill.
Homestay in Tikot
Day 5Tikot to Tipling, drive to Pokharasleep 822 m3 h
Walk down to Tipling and the road, then drive via Beni to Pokhara, roughly 4 hours.
Hotel in Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Sources disagree on whether the core Mohare Danda route lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Routes that link to Ghorepani, Poon Hill or Khopra enter it. Ask the NTNC/ACAP office in Pokhara or your agency, and carry a permit if in doubt.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links). Guide rule: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November: clear views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas from October.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February: cold and often clear, with possible snow on the hilltop; check that lodges are open.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May: rhododendrons flower on the approach, with more cloud in the afternoons.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August: rain, leeches and landslides on the access roads; views are rare.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Banskharka, 1,550 m), highest overnight (Mohare Danda, 3,300 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Banskharka (start)
Forecast for 1,550 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Mohare Danda (highest overnight)
Forecast for 3,300 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Mohare Danda is about 3,300 m. Mild altitude symptoms are possible; do not go higher with a headache and nausea, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.
Trails are less marked than on the Poon Hill route; go with a guide or someone who knows the way.
Access roads via Beni can be blocked by landslides in the monsoon.
Buy travel insurance that covers trekking and evacuation.
What to pack
- Sleeping bag for the hilltop lodge
- Warm layers for sunrise
- Headlamp
- Trekking poles
- Cash for community lodges and homestays
- Water purification
Side trips and alternatives
A ridge trail links Mohare Danda with Ghorepani; finish via Poon Hill instead of Tikot.
From Ghorepani, continue via Swanta to Khopra Ridge for a longer circuit.
Mohare Danda questions
How many days is the Mohare Danda trek?
Usually 4-6 days from Pokhara, including road transfers via Beni.
How high is Mohare Danda?
About 3,300 m; the summit is mapped at 3,313 m.
Who runs the lodges on the Mohare Danda trek?
Village communities, under a community eco-trek started by Mahabir Pun.
Do I need an ACAP permit for Mohare Danda?
Sources disagree for the core route; if you link to Ghorepani or Khopra you are in the conservation area. Check with ACAP in Pokhara or your agency.
Can I combine Mohare Danda with Poon Hill?
Yes. A trail connects Mohare Danda with Ghorepani, so you can finish via Poon Hill.
Similar treks
A quieter loop west of the Annapurna Sanctuary from Ghandruk via Tadapani, Dobato and Khopra Ridge (about 3,660 m) to Swanta, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, with an optional hike to Khayer Lake.
- Days
- 7 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,660 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A four-day loop from Pokhara via Ghandruk, Tadapani and Dobato to the Muldai viewpoint (about 3,637 m) for sunrise, returning over Ghorepani and Poon Hill.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,637 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: A complete guide to the Mohare Danda trek, Nepal Hiking Team, Mahabir Pun, Wikipedia, National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links), Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023)
Mohare Danda · 5 days