Mohare Danda Trek 5 Days

Weather and Best Season

The Mohare Danda trek can be undertaken in any season, but the best time to walk and enjoy the mountain view is in the spring or autumn. Weather changes with height, so mornings and evenings can be much colder around higher ridges.

The main spring season is March to May, while autumn is September to November.

Mohare Danda Trek Difficulty

Mohare Danda Trek is considered a moderate trek. Involves no technical climbing, but several sections have uphill and downhill walking. The trek from Nangi to Mohare Danda is challenging due to the high altitude.

Acceptable fitness is beneficial due to the climbing and descending throughout the route. The brief five-day schedule also does not allow for enough time off between days of walking.

Trek Duration and Daily Walking Hours

The standard program offered for this Mohare Danda Trek itinerary is 5 days from Pokhara, with an extension to Ghorepani, Poon Hill and Ulleri.

Driving time is additional on Days 1 and 5. This may vary from the actual number of hours walked, depending on walking speed, rest stops, weather and trail conditions. Distances cannot be compared from route sources as there are some variations in distances depending on starting and stopping points.

Maximum Altitude and Altitude Sickness

This path is the highest overnight trek in the area, with a summit point of Mohare Danda (3313 m / 10869 ft). The next morning, the trail heads to Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,531ft) and then heads back down to Ulleri.

Higher than 2500 m / 8202 ft, it is possible to suffer from altitude sickness, though the reactions vary from person to person. Walking at a moderate pace is the single most important thing to do; drink sufficient water and inform your guide of any symptoms.

• Headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue and trouble sleeping are some of the common symptoms.
• Do not ignore symptoms that become stronger or continue.
• Don’t drink alcohol when acclimatizing.
• The primary treatment is to descend in case of severe altitude symptoms.
• Your guide may be able to help keep track of your condition to make plans for assistance if needed.

The trek is not at the high altitudes of some of the longer treks along the Himalayas.

Accommodation During the Trek

The main accommodation for the route is through community lodges and teahouses. Banskharka, Nangi and Mohare Danda are known for community-based accommodation, whereas Ghorepani offers a variety of established trekking lodges.

Rooms are basic and usually have two or more beds. Be aware that facilities are not uniform across villages and will not be of the same standard as a city hotel.

An important aspect of the route is community lodging, with residents participating in the provision of the accommodation and services. The peak of the spring and autumn trekking season is a time when rooms may be limited and advance booking is helpful.

For the Mohare Danda Trek package, the required accommodation can be arranged with Nature Explore Treks following the planned trek and according to the group size.

Food and Drinking Water

There are community lodges and teahouses situated en route to the meals. Depending on the lodge, some lodges will have dal bhat, noodles, rice dishes, pasta, potatoes, soup, eggs, vegetables and simple Tibetan-style dishes.

Typically, porridge, eggs, bread, pancakes, or tea are served at breakfast. You can have lunch or dinner at the lodge, which you stop at during the day.

Water is essential for the hike. Water may be available as bottled water in some villages, but this is not always the case. Water may also be brought by the trekkers and suitable purification tablets, filters, or other approved methods of purification may be used.

Tea and coffee are generally available in all settlements, particularly the larger ones and lodges.

Transportation and Starting Point

The tour begins in Pokhara and rests by road to Galeshwor. The drive generally heads through the Beni area and then leads to the trailhead close to the Kali Gandaki River.

This road trip takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and the placement of seats. The trek starts from Galeshwor with progress towards Banskharka.

The last day is spent travelling from Ghorepani down to Poon Hill and then to Ulleri. It is then taken by road to head back to Pokhara. The road can be affected by the conditions and thus the travel time may vary, especially during the monsoon season.

Private transport for the required duration can be facilitated for the planned Mohare Danda Trek itinerary as part of the Nature Explore Treks.

Trekking Permits and Entry Fees

This trek is in the Annapurna trekking area where the necessary documentation for the conservation area needs to be arranged before or during the trek as per the current conservation rules. The Annapurna Conservation Area is a protected area registered under Nepal’s conservation system.

The existing provisions of the Nepal Tourism Board also mandate that specified Annapurna routes, such as Poon Hill ABC and the Khopra route, have a guide and agency-issued TIMS. Please note that the documentation for the route to Ghorepani and Poon Hill is included with the Mohare route and may need to be confirmed for the itinerary being run.

Nature Explore Treks will ensure permits and trekking documentation are arranged prior to the trek. Everyone should bring passport information and photos as requested by a trekker.

Guide and Porter Services

A guide helps with navigation, daily walking arrangements, accommodation coordination and communication with local lodge staff. This will be helpful in areas of the forest where trail junctions may be confusing.

The main trekking gear is carried by porters and you wear a lighter daypack. Your personal daypack can hold water, snacks, rain protection, warm layers, your camera and the rest of your daypacking needs.

Nature Explore Treks can offer the services of licensed guides and porters as required and suitable for the group size and needs. Personal belongings and valuables should be kept in a trekker’s own daypack and not in the checked trekking luggage.

Guides can also assist in keeping track of weather, trail conditions and any indication of problems that may be related to the altitude as they make their way up to Mohare Danda.

Mobile Network and Internet

The coverage of mobile phones is not uniform throughout the Mohare Danda Trek. Signals are usually good around larger villages and settlements; however, forest areas and the higher ridges may have reduced or intermittent coverage.

Mobile communication may be available in Nangi and other villages along the way, but may be unreliable due to weather or the network provider. Don’t expect constant service on the entire journey.

Larger settlements, like Ghorepani, are more likely to be connected to the Internet than community lodges. In the areas where there is Wi-Fi, the speed of the network may not be as fast as the one typically found in Pokhara.

It’s a good idea to let family members or friends know that you may not be able to communicate with them at certain points on the journey. It may be helpful to purchase a local SIM card or use a compatible roaming plan.

Electricity and Charging Facilities

There are electricity facilities in numerous villages on the way and supply and charging facilities are different at the lodges. Community lodges may not offer as many charging points as others and that may be especially true during the busy season.

A power bank is very helpful as it may not always be possible to charge the phone when it is convenient. Even if you have electric power in your lodge, a headlamp that comes with extra batteries is advisable.

Ensure critical electronic equipment is kept dry and away from the rain. In rainy conditions, phones and cameras must be kept in waterproof bags.

Depending on the accommodation, there is sometimes a charge in addition to the lodge fee. If you are taking multiple devices with you, you should bring an appropriate charging cable with a compact power bank to make the journey smoother.

Packing List and Clothing

For the Mohare Danda Trek, packing is important to consider the changing temperature, rain protection and comfortable walking. Slightly cooler around the higher ridge but milder lower down in elevation.

Clothing and equipment required are:

• Comfortable trekking boots with good grip
• Lightweight trekking trousers
• Thermal base layers for colder nights
• Fleece or warm mid-layer
• Insulated jacket
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Several pairs of trekking socks
• A hydration system or water bottles
• Headlamp
• Personal first aid kit
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Trekking poles if preferred
• Power bank
• Small daypack
• Waterproof bags for valuables and other important items

Pack for the season. Winter requires warmer layers, while the monsoon season requires stronger rain protection.

Health and Physical Preparation

The Mohare Danda Trek is a trek that involves going uphill and downhill for several hours in a row. Technical climbing skills are not required, but it is helpful to be prepared in advance for the walk.

Walking, hiking, stair climbing and other aerobic exercises are helpful to prepare. Run a few of the longer walks prior to the trek to get used to the steady pace of many hours of walking.

Make sure to concentrate on leg strength, as there are multiple sections of uphill/downhill terrain along the trail. A light daypack for training can also be beneficial.

• Gradually increase walking distance.
• Play on a slanted surface or uphill.
• Get your trekking boots on before trekking.
• Drink adequate water during training.
• Get plenty of rest before going on the hike.
• Let your guide know of any medical issues you have.

It is helpful to be well-prepared for the hike up from Nangi to Mohare Danda.

Travel Insurance

Trekking in Nepal strongly recommends that people use travel insurance. The policy should include trekking at the highest point of the intended trip and should be in effect for the duration of the trip.

Read the policy thoroughly before buying it. Some policies have specific altitude limits or exclusions for trekking, so the wording should clearly cover your planned activity.

Insurance should ideally include emergency medical treatment and evacuation where appropriate. Have a copy of your policy information and emergency contact details both online and printed.

If you make a claim, your insurance company will ask for a report from a hospital, physician, or trekking company. Keep the insurer’s information on hand at all times.

Travel insurance isn’t a substitute for normal trekking precautions and it’s important to keep doing what your guide tells you to do concerning weather conditions, trail conditions and altitude.

Safety During the Trek

A cautious pace, proper gear and awareness of the evolving mountain conditions are crucial for ensuring safety on the trail. The path is not technical but can be difficult in areas of steepness, slippery surfaces and varying weather conditions.

• Walk at a steady pace rather than trying to move too quickly.
• Remain in your guide’s or trekking group’s company.
• If necessary, use trekking poles on steep or slippery terrain.
• Bring a rain jacket even if the morning is sunny.
• Keep valuables secure.
• Drink water regularly.
• Report headaches, dizziness, nausea, or abnormal fatigue.
• Obey local instructions in case of changes in weather or trail conditions.
• Don’t walk by yourself at night.

Nature Explore Treks can provide guide support throughout the route. Your guide is also able to arrange with the local lodge staff in case of the need to modify any of the activities.

Money and ATMs

There are limited banking and ATM facilities once you leave Pokhara. This is why it is important to carry a sufficient amount of Nepalese currency prior to the walking part of the trek.

The best way to access cash and arrange for other financial requirements prior to departure is from Pokhara. Smaller villages along the route should not be considered as locations to use an ATM.

Money may be needed for drinks, snacks, charging, hot showers, etc., that may or may not be provided in the trekking package.

Secure and waterproof place to store money. It also makes sense to divide your money between your daypack and main pack so that you don’t have all your money in one place.

Trekking Route and Trail Conditions

It includes a path through the village, through the woods, stone steps and ridge sections. The conditions on the trail vary greatly from season to season.

The distances indicated will vary depending on the itinerary due to the use of different trail starting and ending points by operators.

Local Culture and Community Lodges

The path goes through villages, where the local people are in close contact with agriculture and they have a close relationship with tourism and traditional village life. Nangi is particularly associated with community development initiatives and the Nepal Wireless Networking Project.

The route is an important component of community lodges. Local people provide accommodation and meals, directly supporting trekking tourism.

Trekkers are asked to respect local customs and to ask before taking people’s photos, homes, or religious sites. Simple clothes should be worn when you are passing through villages.

The Mohare Danda trek package can therefore offer more direct contact with rural communities, as compared to packages which are mostly based on the larger commercial trekking settlements. Community lodges are also a chance to get a taste of a more relaxed type of mountain living.

Bathroom and Shower Facilities

Community lodges to teahouses have different bathroom facilities. The lodges usually share bathrooms, although some may offer rooms with private bathroom facilities if any are available.

Hot showers are more likely to be available in bigger settlements like Ghorepani. In smaller villages, the facilities can be simpler and they might have a bucket shower or another form of lodge for providing hot water.

Don’t look for hotel-style bathroom facilities for the entire trek. It is useful to carry your own toiletries, a quick-drying towel, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

During colder nights, shower facilities may be limited or less convenient. A small personal hygiene kit in your daypack will make it easier to deal with these conditions.

Emergency and Medical Services

The medical facilities are scarce in smaller villages that are passed along the way. Therefore, essential individual medications and a simple first aid kit should be taken along by trekkers.

• Immediately tell your guide if you are not feeling well.
• If symptoms get worse with altitude, seek help.
• Have contact and insurance numbers on hand.
• Bring critical medication in your personal daypack.
• If weather conditions change, follow the advice of the guide.
• If serious symptoms of altitude occur, descend.
• Coordinated evacuation in emergencies can be provided as necessary.

Major hospital facilities are not available at Mohare Danda and in the event of serious medical cases, descent to a larger settlement and onward transport may be necessary. Nature Explore Treks will be able to arrange for emergency help when needed with local contacts and guides.

Mohare Danda Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Both trails run in the Annapurna area, but offer a different trekking experience.

The Annapurna Conservation Area includes both shorter and longer trekking routes, while official TIMS provisions specifically list Poon Hill ABC among routes requiring a guide and TIMS.

Mohare Danda Trek vs Other Treks in the Annapurna Region

The Annapurna region contains routes with very different elevations, durations and trail environments. This route is compared with the following walks:

The key difference is that, in addition to the relatively short route, the stay will take place in the community and the maximum altitude will be kept below that of many of the higher Annapurna routes. The official Nepal Tourism Board lists Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill ABC, Khopra and Mardi Himal among the region’s trekking routes subject to its current guide and TIMS provisions.