The Best Mohare Danda Trek Itinerary They Don’t Tell You

I’ve noticed that most people do the Poon Hill trek but remain completely unaware of Mohare Danda, which lies just a 3-hour hike away, at even a higher altitude of 3,313 meters.

Simply put, within the same 2 or 3-day itinerary, you could visit two iconic locations in the Myagdi district. In fact, if you follow the route we took, you’ll also pass through Kokhe Danda (the highest point in Parbat).

The reason I’m endorsing this trail so strongly is that it’s less crowded, less challenging, and offers even better views. If the weather’s on your side, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing panorama of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, Tukuche, and several other nearby mountains.

Now, let’s dive into the article, where I won’t just throw an itinerary at your face, but also share some real insights from my very own Mohare Danda trek.

Key Facts About Mohare Danda Trek

Mohare Danda Trek Route Map

Mohare Danda Trek Itinerary With Poon Hill (2 or 3 Days)

This trail to Mohare Danda isn’t often talked about. It’s short, less challenging, and even takes you through Kokhe Danda.

However, due to the limited availability of vehicle services, time management becomes crucial if you plan to complete it in just 2 days. Otherwise, you may stretch it to 3 days, just like we did.

Note: If you’re coming from Kathmandu, make sure to arrive in Pokhara a day in advance and arrange jeep services from Hari Chowk.

Day 1: Drive From Pokhara to Banthanti & Hike to Mohare Danda

Wake up early and head to Hari Chowk, Pokhara. The earlier you arrive here, the sooner you can start and end today’s hike.

You’ll find jeep services lined up. Either take a private jeep for your group or, if your team is small, look for other trekkers heading to Banthanti. It’s the starting point of both the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek and the Mohare Danda trek.

If you’re looking to save some money, you can opt for a local bus that departs from Hari Chowk at 8 AM. However, it moves slowly, so you might reach Kokhe or Mohare Danda a little late.

Travel Tip: Stick with the group you travel with or take their contact numbers. This comes in handy when returning (something we learned the hard way on our trip).

It takes about 3 hours to reach Banthanti (2,160m) from Pokhara (822m). You can stop at a local hotel for a quick snack or a hearty breakfast. It’s a good idea to take the hotel’s contact number too.

In our case, we relied on a Snickers bar and planned to have our snacks in Taprang, about a 2-hour hike from Banthanti.

Note that there are two routes: the right one leads to Ghorepani, and the left leads to Kokhe Danda. There are signboards to guide you.

After reaching Taprang (2,717m), continue onwards to Doya Ple (2,850m), Tutan (2,950m), and Danfe Hill (3,150m). Eventually, you’ll reach Kokhe Danda (3,309m) in about 4 to 5 hours.

If the weather is clear, you’ll probably be blessed with breathtaking mountain views along the way. Why “probably“? Because we missed it due to bad weather!

I’d actually recommend spending the night at Kokhe Danda if you prefer a peaceful stay. Mohare Danda usually has more guests, as trekkers arrive from different directions (some from Ghorepani, others from Nangi).

But if you’re following along with our itinerary, you’ll have enough time to push forward. Since we were surrounded by nothing but fog, we decided to head first to the 360-Degree Viewpoint (known for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views).

Make sure to stop there before continuing to Mohare Danda (3,313m), which takes about 30 minutes to reach from Kokhe Danda. Spend the night there to prep for another hiking day tomorrow.

Day 2: Multiple Options

While this trip could have gone very smoothly, the unreliable vehicle service in the region can be quite frustrating. But my fellow trekkers, you need not worry!

Since I’ve already mapped out the best plan in my head, you won’t have to stress during the return.

Make sure to wake up early and not miss the sunrise from Mohare Danda. After that, have your breakfast and begin the downhill hike right away.

Here’s the overall route:

Mohare Danda > Poon Hill (3,210m) > Ghorepani (2,874m) > Nangithanti (2,350m) > Banthanti (2,160m) > Ulleri (1,960m) > Tikhedhunga (1,480m) > Birethanti (1,100m) > Nayapul (1,070m)

You’ll stop along the way based on the options provided below:

Option 1: Hike Mohare Danda to Banthanti & Take a Jeep to Pokhara

This approach works best for those who have a good walking pace and are trekking in a large group.

First, stop at Poon Hill after a 2.5 to 3-hour walk. Enjoy the panoramic mountain views from here before continuing to Ghorepani, which takes around 30 minutes. You can make a quick stop here for snacks or lunch.

Then, proceed towards Banthanti via Nangithanti, completing the circuit. 

Once you reach Banthanti, visit a hotel and request them to arrange a jeep service back to Pokhara. This way, you can complete the trek in just 2 days.

But here’s the thing: since you’re in a group, the jeep drivers are more likely to accept your request. However, for smaller groups, they often hesitate to make the trip to Pokhara.

And even if they agree, you’ll have to pay the full fare (which goes above NPR 8,000), making it quite expensive. That’s exactly why I previously advised you to stick with the team you arrived with, or at least take their contact number.

Option 2: Hike Mohare Danda to Ulleri & Take a Bus to Pokhara

This approach is for those who have an excellent walking pace, as you need to reach Ulleri by 2 PM.

It takes about 6 to 7 hours to reach Banthanti from Mohare Danda, which is exactly why I emphasized earlier how important time management is.

Your goal is to reach Ulleri in time to catch the only public bus that departs for Pokhara during the day.

Option 3: Hike Mohare Danda to Banthanti / Tikhedhunga / Nayapul

If you’re not someone who likes to hurry, walk gently, connect with nature, and spend plenty of time appreciating the sunrise and mountain views from both Mohare Danda and Poon Hill. Or perhaps, if you’re at Kokhe Danda, from there too!

In case you’re doing this trek in Spring, don’t forget that the route will be lined with blooming rhododendrons. So, stop for pictures (but don’t pluck the flowers).

Here’s what happened to us: we were trying to reach Banthanti on time, but due to rain, we had to be extra careful on the downhill and only reached at 4 PM.

There were just the two of us. When we reached the hotel, we found out that the group from our earlier day jeep had waited a long time for some trekkers to arrive.

Imagine if we had taken their contact number the previous day! Or even the hotel’s! We could have reached Pokhara the same day. But instead, we had to move ahead.

The goal was to reach Nayapul, but here’s what happens when you walk too much in a single day:

With that ankle sprain, we only made it to Tikhedhunga, where we spent the night.

Well, you could do one of the following:

• Stay in Banthanti and seek help to find local jeeps tomorrow. (We were told to wait for other trekkers, which could cost a lot of time, and were not informed about any local jeeps.)
• Hike up to Tikhedhunga (there are plenty of stays here), then head to Nayapul tomorrow and take a bus. (This was our original plan.)
• If you have a good pace, you could reach Nayapul by late evening, stay there for the night, and catch a local bus to Pokhara the next day.

Day 3: Drive to Pokhara

Depending on the suggestions provided above, choose the option that works best for you to reach Pokhara on the third day. 

You can either head back to Kathmandu the same day or take some time to relax and enjoy activities like kayaking.

In our story: Thanks to the lodge, we were able to hop onto a local jeep early in the morning to reach Pokhara. On the way, we even caught a glimpse of the Tikhedhunga Waterfall.

The Old & Lengthy Mohare Hill Trek Itinerary

This is the route that most of you have probably come across in itineraries shared by trekking agencies. The route is especially tailored for international guests to let you explore nearby settlements and soak in more of nature at a slower pace.

But if you ask me honestly, I wouldn’t personally recommend this route. 

In the same amount of time, you could be exploring other stunning regions of Nepal that offer even more value and diversity. So, think about it! And if you get any thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments.

Still, if you’re set on doing this lengthier 5-day Mohare Hill trek, here’s a quick summary for you:

• Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Galeshwor, then hike to Bas Kharka
• Day 2: Trek from Bas Kharka to Nangi Village
• Day 3: Nangi Village to Mohare Hill
• Day 4: Mohare Hill to Banthanti via Poon Hill (or take the Kokhe Danda route)
• Day 5: Drive from Banthanti to Pokhara (or hike to Nayapul and stretch it into 6 days)

Another reason I’m not a fan of this route? You can even complete the Annapurna Base Camp trek in these five days nowadays. So, why not make it count?

Best Time & Season to Visit Mohare Hill

Spring and autumn are often hailed as the best seasons to visit Mohare Danda or any other trekking destination in Nepal. And rightly so, they usually offer perfect weather, clear skies, and the best chances to witness breathtaking mountain views.

But let me tell you this: there’s no such thing as the best season. What really matters is the best window of perfect weather.

We did this trek in April, which is supposed to be prime time. But nature had other plans—the weather remained bad both the days. 

In fact, on our final day, it rained heavily. And just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I found a leech crawling on my hand. Lovely, isn’t it?

Truth is, the weather in Nepal has become wildly unpredictable in recent years, likely due to the effects of global warming and climate change. That’s why I strongly suggest doing your homework before heading out. 

Check the local weather forecasts, or even better, feel free to text us or follow TNT’s official social media channels for real-time updates. We’re always happy to help!

Despite the setback, I still believe Spring is one of the best times to go to Mohare Hill, especially if you love rhododendrons blooming along the trail. The views, when the skies are clear, are unforgettable!

But if you’re not too fond of rhododendrons, Autumn through Early Winter might suit you better. It’s even more magical if you time your visit after a fresh snowfall in the Annapurna region!

Mohare Danda Trek Cost Details

We were able to complete this 3-day Mohare Danda trek for under NPR 5,000. My dear Nepali brothers and sisters, feel free to peek into our cost breakdown below to get an idea of how you can plan your own budget-friendly adventure:

However, for readers outside Nepal, the cost increases significantly due to the addition of permits (ACAP and TIMS Card). Additionally, hotels tend to charge a bit extra, so be prepared for that.

Despite this, the Mohare Hill trek remains both short and budget-friendly. You can opt to collaborate with a travel agency for a smoother experience, or simply let us help you choose the right one for you.

Final Words

After reading this article, which route do you think you’ll take?

If you have any other routes in mind or any questions about the ones mentioned, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.

Happy travelling to Myagdi!

About The Author

Bhishu

Bhishu Acharya is the founder of Travel Nepal Today. A CSIT graduate with over 6 years of experience in content writing and blogging, Bhishu has worked in the tech, trending news, and travel domains. At TNT, his goal is to provide readers with comprehensive information on every travel destination in Nepal. Bhishu is on a mission to travel to all 77 districts of Nepal, sharing his journey and insights through this website. He aims to help travelers make informed decisions and explore Nepal’s beauty in a more meaningful way. He’s active on social media creating informative and entertaining travel videos under the username ‘safarnamawithvis’.

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