Mohare Danda trek

Overview:

Also known as the Rhododendron trek in Nepal, the Mohare Danda trek is a newly opened short trek south of the Annapurna Mountains. This short trek offers a different experience than the classical Poon Hill trek. Furthermore, as a newly opened trek in Nepal, the trails are less crowded and the views are breathtaking! The Mohare Danda trek combines homestay and community lodge accommodations, allowing trekkers for a more cultural experience. With the highest part of the trek being at the top of Mohare Danda Hill (3,313m/10,869ft), you can just imagine those views. Book today the Mohara Danda trek of 9 days with Narba Treks, and discover a whole new route south of the Annapurna Himalayas!

Welcome to Nepal:

Similar to all treks organized with Narba Treks, to start your Mohare Danda trek you’ll have to reach Kathmandu first. Our team will be awaiting upon you at the airport’s arrival section. After a short meet & greet it’s time to head for your booked hotel in Kathmandu. Once there after check in, we’ll go over tomorrow’s plan and leave you for your first night in Nepal. Most Hotels are located in or near Thamel. This touristic district is filled with hotels, shops, restaurants and trekking gear shops that offer renting options as well. We do recommend to take a stroll through the streets of Thamel or perhaps enjoy a rickshaw ride (a 2 seat carriage pulled with a bicycle) for a more authentic experience!

The next day while we prepare your permits for the Mohare Danda trek, you’ll be going on a guided sightseeing tour of cultural Kathmandu and visit not one, but four important landmark sites. For this sightseeing day in Kathmandu, you’ll be visiting Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, an old palace and temple courtyard connected with small cobbling alleys and filled with spice, and dried foods markets. After this you’ll be heading to the important Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, a huge white Stupa visited every day by pilgrims from around the world! In the Afternoon we’ll send you with our guide to the refreshing Swayambunath Temple or Stupa located just on the outskirts of Kathmandu’s inner city, with a great view as well as the occasional monkey. Last up for this sightseeing tour in Kathmandu you’ll be able to visit the Hindu’s most important temple in Kathmandu, the Pashupatinath Temple. According to legend the trident of the Hindu God Shiva is supposed to be at this locations. Everyday devotees come here to get palm reading and good fortune from the local Guru’s that reside here.

In the evening back at the hotel, our Narba Treks’ trekking guide will be visiting you for a detailed plan of the Mohare Danda trek itinerary as well as going over safety rules during the trek. The next day we leave Kathmandu behind and make way for Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside city. Taking place mostly along the Trishuli River, the drive to Pokhara while long is quite scenic. Lunch will be taken on the way at one of the highway restaurants and comes in the style of a buffet. Getting closer to Pokhara the first thing you’ll notice is the mighty Mt Machhapuchhare in the distance. This fishtail shaped mountain is considered holy and while not allowed to be climbed does give a feeling of reaching the Himalayas. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful cities in Nepal, and considered a gateway for all treks south of the Annapurna. By being located on the shores of Phewa Lake you can enjoy one of the lakeside restaurants or a late afternoon boating trip on the lake. The next day we officially start the Mohare Danda trek with a short drive to Beni, the starting point of the trek to Mohare Danda.

The trek to Mohare Danda:

The first part of the Mohare Danda trek is quite easygoing as the trail leads through farmlands into the jungle. With slowly ascending and descending there a no strenuous parts during this day. Our destination? Bas Kharka village at 1,525m/5,003ft. Once at the village we’ll meet with our hosting family as during this trek we’ll be overnighting on a homestay bases. This means spending the night in a traditional Nepali house. We’ll be having dinner together with our hosting family and create new relations as well as learn about the local culture. The next morning after breakfast we say our farewells and make way for our first full day of trekking in Nepal. We need to reach at Nagi village at an altitude of 2,230m/10,869ft. Today is mostly uphill through the jungle. Depending on the season you choose to do the Mohare Danda trek you’ll be able to enjoy the full red bloom of the countless Rhododendron trees along the way. We stop at Danda Kateri village for some incredible views of the Kaligandaki Valley! The trail now leads more up and down until reaching our destination at Nagi village.

Similar as Bas Kharka we’ll be depending on a hosting family for homestay in this village. Nagi is a special village, where locals make medicines of the local plants as well as paper. After settling in with our hosting family we’ll hold a village tour and check out the papermaking workshops. The next morning we prepare to trek to Mohare Danda. We say our farewells to the village and our hosting family and continue on with our trek. The trail leads steeply uphill now as we approach Mohare Danda, and after a good day of trekking we reach the village below Mohare Danda Hill. We’ll be staying at a comfortable community lodge for our stay here, and after checking in we make an evening hike up the hill (3,313m/10,869ft) for a spectacular sunset over the Himalayas. The views from Mohare Danda are just breathtaking. Mt Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Mt Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Mt Machhapuchhare and the Manaslu Himal all come in sight, making the Mohare Danda Hill a better viewpoint than the classical Poon Hill!

After a scenic time at Mohare Danda Hill we head back down and enjoy dinner and our overnight stay at the community lodge. Narba Treks does give the option for a wake-up call the next morning to catch a sunrise view as well. This depends on you, and we request to inform your guide the day before if you want to see the sun rising from Mohare Danda Hill. Having reached the highlight of the Mohare Danda trek it’s time to head back down. Our next destination is the village of Tikot at 2,250m/7,382ft. We follow the ridge until the trail leads downhill to Danda Karka village. During this part we can enjoy some of the last best views of the Mohare Danda trek. The trek leads further down to Tikot village, where we’ll meet with our hosting family. After settling in to our homestay accommodation we spend some time with our hosting family as well as taking a short village tour. On the last day of trekking we head further downhill to Tipling village (1,550m/5,085ft). From here we drive back to Pokhara and check in to the hotel. Congrats you have officially completed the Mohare Danda trek in Nepal!

While not included in the itinerary of the Mohare Danda trek, Narba Treks can arrange a longer stay in Pokhara for you. With activities such as sightseeing, paragliding, rafting and even bungee jumping, Pokhara has a lot to offer to further your experience of Nepal. To book any of these activities do let us know and we’ll make all the arrangements to make it happen! If not, we drive back to Kathmandu the next day. In the evening Narba Treks invites you to a dinner celebrating the success of your Mohare Danda trek in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with a lively culture show! Trek on one of Nepal’s newest short treks with the 9 days Mohare Danda trek and see some of the best views of the Himalayas in just 5 days of trekking!

Short itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (827m/2,700ft)

Day 04: Drive to Beni + trek to Bas Kharka (1,525m/5,003ft)

Day 05: Trek to Nagi (2,230m/7,316ft)

Day 06: Trek to Mohare Danda (3,313m/10,869ft)

Day 07: Trek to Tikot (2,250m/7,382ft)

Day 08: Trek to Tipling (1,550/5,085ft) + drive back to Pokhara

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu

Detailed itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

• Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in the Kathmandu
• Our representative will pick-up you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel
• Hotel check-in and take a few minutes rest
• Stroll around the Thamel Bazaar
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

• Hotel breakfast
• Meet up with your trekking guide for your trip preparation
• Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu:
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • Swayambunath Monkey Temple
  • Boudhanath Buddhist Temple
  • Pashupatinath Hindu Temple
• Head back to your hotel
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (827m/2,700ft)

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Transfer to Pokhora
• Enjoy a scenic lunch along the way
• Arriva at Pokhora and hotel check in
• Rest of the day is free to explore around Pokhara and Phewa Lake
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Pokhara

Day 04: Drive to Beni + trek to Bas Kharka (1,525m/5,003ft)

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive to Beni
• Visit the Shiva Temple on the way at Galeshwor
• Arrive at Beni and final gear check
• Start the trek
• Follow the trail through various farmland leading in to the jungle
• Continue on until reaching Bas Kharka village
• Explore the village and meet your homestay hosting family
• Dinner and overnight stay on homestay bases with a local family

Day 05: Trek to Nagi (2,230m/7,316ft)

• Homestay breakfast and departure
• Start the trek taking the trail uphill through the jungle
• Pass by Danda Kateri village
• Enjoy the views of the Kaligandaki Valley
• Continue on up and down towards Nagi village
• Explore the village papermaking workshops and meet your homestay hosting family
• Dinner and overnight stay on homestay bases with a local family

Day 06: Trek to Mohare Danda (3,313m/10,869ft)

• Homestay breakfast and departure
• Take the trail steeply uphill through forests
• Continue on upwards to the foot of Mohare Danda Hill
• Check in to the Community lodge
• Sunset hike up to Mohare Danda Hill
• Enjoy a stunning sun setting over the Himalayas
• Hike back down to the community lodge
• Dinner and overnight stay at the community lodge

Day 07: Trek to Tikot (2,250m/7,382ft)

• Optional wake-up call to hike up Mohare Danda for a sunrise view
• Morning breakfast and departure
• Start the trek by following the ridge
• Enjoy some of the last best views
• Make your way downhill to Danda Karka village
• Descend further down to Tikot village
• Explore the village and meet your homestay hosting family
• Dinner and overnight stay on homestay bases with a local family

Day 08: Trek to Tipling (1,550/5,085ft) + drive back to Pokhara

• Homestay breakfast and departure
• Trek downhill with the Kali Gandaki River underneath
• Continue on the trail to Tipling
• After a short brake drive back to Pokhara
• Hotel check in
• Explore Pokhara’s riverside for some enticing restaurant options
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Pokhara

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive back to Kathmandu
• As you reach to Kathmandu, transfer to and hotel check-in
• Evening farewell dinner to celebrate your successful Mohare Danda trek
• Stay overnight in your hotel at Kathmandu
• End of the trip

Trip highlights:

• Guided sightseeing of Kathmandu’s most known landmarks
• Enjoy a scenic trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back
• Visit and stay overnight with local families on homestay basis
• See breathtaking views of the Annapurna Himalayas
• Trek on one of Nepal’s newest short trails
• Enjoy a scenic sunset/sunrise view from Mohare Danda

Package Inclusion

• Three times meal (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while trekking).
• Guide/porters salaries, Their’s insurance, food, and accommodation.
• 2nights hotel at Kathmandu and 2nights hotel at Pokhara with a B/B plan and basic lodge while trekking.
• Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Permit
• Ground transport (pick up and drop airport).

Package Exclusion

• International flight and visas charge.
• Food while in Kathmandu/Pokhara.
• Kathmandu-Pokhara Domestic flight.
• Personal members insurance (we suggested, you should do insurance in your country) .
• Rescue operation or emergency evacuation.
• Private vehicle.
• Soft/hard drinks like mineral water, cold drink, alcohol boiled water, etc.
• Tips for staff.

Is the Mohare Danda trek dangerous?

No, as a short trek in Nepal and with a max elevation of 3,313m/10,869ft the Mohare Danda trek is not dangerous at all. The trail has only one steep part from Nagi to Mohare Danda, and for the rest goes gradually up and down through forests and farmlands. With only 5 days of trekking the Mohare Danda trek is considered family friendly as well as senior friendly.

Do I need permits for the Mohare Danda trek?

Yes, you’ll need a permit for the Mohara Danda trek. You’ll need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) as well as a TIMS Card (Team Information Management Systems Card). Narba Treks includes all required permits within every trekking package and will take care of everything prior to your trek.

How is the homestay experience during the Mohare Danda trek?

The homestay experience during the Mohare Danda trek is an incredible unique chance to see how local families live in the hills of Nepal. Friendly, kind and very open is how our guests describe their feelings towards hosting families. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon to create lasting bonds and stay in contact with the hosting families after the Mohare Danda trek.

Is it possible to combine any other treks with the Mohare Danda trek?

Yes, as a short trek located near other trekking trails you can perfectly combine the Mohare Danda trek with other treks in Nepal. These can be the Poon Hill trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek, or the Mardi Himal trek. All of these require the same permit and the only thing you’ll need to add is extra trekking days. Are you interested to combine another trek with the Mohare Danda trek? Then let us know during your booking, and we’ll send you a revised itinerary with cost.

Do I need to provide any tips during homestay overnights?

While tips are more reserved for guides, porters and drivers, it’s not uncommon for families to provide some type of gratuities to hosting families. This of course is not obligatory and nobody will look wrong at you should you not participate. We have however had guests that bring gifts from Kathmandu to hosting families.