Mohare Danda Trek

Permits and Entry Requirements

The Mohare Danda Trek passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, which means two permits are required before you set foot on the trail. Both can be arranged through your trekking operator in Kathmandu or directly at the Nepal Tourism Board office.

Note: SAARC nationals pay reduced permit fees. Permit prices are subject to change by the Nepal government. Please confirm current rates when booking.

Best Time to Trek

Spring: March to May (Recommended)

This is peak rhododendron season. The forests between Banskharka and Mohare Danda transform into a riot of colour as hundreds of varieties of rhododendron bloom simultaneously. Temperatures at the ridge are cool but manageable, skies are generally clear in the mornings, and the mountain views are at their most vivid. The trails see moderate foot traffic, though nowhere near the crowds of the Poon Hill route.

Autumn: September to November (Recommended)

Post-monsoon autumn brings crystal-clear skies, fresh-washed air, and the sharpest mountain views of the year. The forests are still intensely green from the rains, creating a vivid contrast with the snow-capped peaks above. October in particular is considered the single best month for trekking anywhere in Nepal, and the Mohare Danda trail is no exception. Trails are dry and firm underfoot.

Winter: December to February (For the Experienced)

Cold, quiet, and starkly beautiful. Snow covers the upper sections of the trail from December onward, and temperatures at Mohare Danda can drop well below zero at night. With the right gear and a willingness to embrace genuine cold, winter trekking here is a profoundly solitary and rewarding experience. The mountains can be absolutely crystal-clear on cold winter days.

Monsoon: June to August (Not Recommended)

Heavy rainfall makes the trails slippery and prone to landslides, leeches are present on the lower sections of the trail, and cloud cover typically obscures the mountain views that are the main draw of the trek. The trek can still be completed, but most operators advise against it.

Difficulty Level and Physical Preparation

The Mohare Danda Trek is rated Easy to Moderate. It is genuinely accessible to first-time trekkers, reasonably fit travellers in their 50s and 60s, and older children who are comfortable walking for several hours at a stretch. The highest point at 3,300 metres is well below the threshold at which altitude sickness typically becomes a serious concern, though proper hydration and a sensible pace remain important.

The steepest sections are between Nangi and Mohare Danda, where the trail gains roughly 1,000 metres of elevation in a single day. This is manageable with a steady pace and short breaks. The descents from Mohare Danda toward Ghorepani can be hard on the knees, so trekking poles are genuinely useful here.

Recommended preparation in the four to six weeks before the trek would include regular walking on hilly terrain, some cardiovascular exercise (cycling, swimming, or running), and a few back-to-back walking days to condition your feet and ankles. You do not need to be an athlete, but arriving with some base fitness will make the experience far more enjoyable.

Recommended Gear and Packing List

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking base layers (top and bottom) — at least two sets
• Insulating mid-layer — a fleece jacket works well
• Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket
• Warm down jacket for Mohare Danda ridge and evenings
• Trekking trousers — one lightweight pair and one warmer pair
• Thermal underlayer for cold nights
• Warm hat, sun hat, and neck gaiter or balaclava for the ridge
• Waterproof trekking gloves
• Wool or thermal hiking socks — minimum three to four pairs

Footwear

• Sturdy waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, broken in before the trip
• Camp sandals or lightweight shoes for lodge evenings
• Gaiters are useful in wet conditions or snow

Equipment

• Comfortable 40–50 litre daypack
• Sleeping bag rated to at least minus 5 degrees Celsius (lodges provide blankets, but a bag adds warmth)
• Trekking poles — strongly recommended for descents
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
• Water bottles or a hydration bladder — minimum 2 litres capacity
• Water purification tablets or a filter as backup
• Personal first aid kit including blister care, painkillers, and altitude medication
• Power bank for charging devices between villages

Accommodation and Food

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Mohare Danda Trek is where you sleep. This is not a route lined with the polished tea houses of the Annapurna Circuit. The lodges here are community-owned and operated, which means your bed might be a little simpler, but the welcome will be warmer than anywhere else in Nepal.

Most rooms offer twin beds with blankets provided. Shared bathroom facilities are the norm, with squat toilets in the simpler lodges. Hot showers are available in some lodges for a small additional fee. At the higher elevations, particularly at Mohare Danda itself, facilities are more basic, which is part of the point of this trail.

The food served at community lodges is built around the Nepali kitchen. Expect lots of dal bhat, Nepal’s national dish of lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and pickles, which provides exactly the kind of sustained energy you need for a day on the trail. You will also find noodle soups, potato dishes, omelettes, Tibetan bread, porridge, and simple pasta or rice dishes. Meat dishes can be ordered, but are less reliable at altitude. Vegetarian trekkers will eat very well on this trail.

Drinking water is available at all lodges — either mineral water for purchase or boiled water, which is safer and cheaper. Carrying water purification tablets is wise regardless.