Mohare Danda Trek: Nepal’s Best Eco-Trek for Budget Travelers

If you want a 5–6 day Annapurna trek that genuinely benefits local communities rather than Kathmandu-based trekking companies, the Mohare Danda Trek is the answer. Marketed as Nepal's first 'eco-trek', Mohare Danda (3,300 m) is reached via a community-owned trail where every guesthouse is operated by a local Magar or Pun family, and all proceeds stay in the village. It is, in my honest opinion, the best short community-tourism trek in Nepal.

This is the honest guide: where to start, what it costs, how to plan the itinerary, and why Mohare Danda might be the most ethically sound trek you can do in the Annapurnas.

What Is Mohare Danda?

Mohare Danda is a 3,300 m ridge-top in the Annapurna region, sitting between Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp. The trek was launched in 2012 by the local community in partnership with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and a Nepali NGO called the Community Trekking Network. The goal was to create a community-owned alternative to Poon Hill that would spread tourism revenue into villages that the main trail had bypassed.

The result is a beautifully maintained trail with three community lodges (Mohare Danda, Nangi and Dhaka), each operated by the local village. The lodges are simple but immaculately clean, with solar lighting, composting toilets, and food sourced from village farms. A portion of every guest's fee goes directly to the local school and health post.

Mohare Danda Trek Itinerary (6 Days from Pokhara)

Day	From → To	Walk Hrs	Altitude (m)
1	Pokhara → Galeshwor (jeep) → Banskharka	4	1,520
2	Banskharka → Nangi community lodge	5	2,330
3	Nangi → Mohare Danda community lodge	4	3,300
4	Mohare Danda sunrise → Danda Kharka → Tikot	6	2,500
5	Tikot → Swanta	5	2,200
6	Swanta → Ghorepani (optional Poon Hill) → Ulleri → Nayapul → Pokhara	6 + jeep	820

The day-4 sunrise from Mohare Danda is one of the great Annapurna sunrises — you see Dhaulagiri, the entire Annapurna massif, Manaslu and even Machhapuchhre from a single viewpoint, with maybe 5 other people. Compare that to Poon Hill, where 200+ people queue for the same view.

Mohare Danda Permits and Cost

Item	Cost (USD)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)	$30
TIMS Card	$10
Community lodge (room + 3 meals, fixed)	$30/night
Local guide (per day)	$25–$30
Pokhara–Galeshwor jeep	$15
Nayapul–Pokhara taxi	$15
Total 6-day trek (mid-range)	$350–$450

Best Time to Trek Mohare Danda

October–November and March–April are prime. October–November gives the clearest skies for the sunrise view. March–April brings rhododendrons (the trail between Nangi and Mohare Danda is one of the best rhododendron walks in Nepal). Avoid monsoon (June–September) — the trail is steep and leech-ridden. December–February is possible but cold at Mohare Danda.

How Hard Is Mohare Danda?

Moderate. Walking days are 4–6 hours on well-maintained trails. The maximum altitude is 3,300 m at Mohare Danda — comfortable for most trekkers with no acclimatization issues. The trail has a fair amount of up-and-down, but trekking poles help. Mohare Danda is a good choice for first-time trekkers and families with older children.

Community Lodges on the Mohare Danda Trek

The community lodges are the highlight of this trek. Each one is owned and operated by a local family, with a fixed menu and pricing:

• Banskharka Community Lodge (1,520 m) — first night stop; simple, clean, with solar lighting and excellent dal bhat.
• Nangi Community Lodge (2,330 m) — 8 rooms, hot shower (solar), WiFi (NTC). The village also has a high school funded entirely by trekking revenue — visit if you have time.
• Mohare Danda Community Lodge (3,300 m) — the highest lodge, basic dorm rooms, no heating, but the sunrise view from your doorstep is unbeatable. Solar lighting only.
• Tikot Village Homestay (2,500 m) — traditional Magar village homestay experience; stay with a family, eat home-cooked Magar food.

The community lodges should be booked in advance through a Pokhara agency, especially in peak season. Capacity is limited (8–12 beds per lodge) and walk-ins are often turned away.

Mohare Danda vs Poon Hill — Which Is Better?

Factor	Mohare Danda	Poon Hill
Days	6	4
Max altitude	3,300 m	3,210 m
Cost	$350–$450	$150–$220
Crowds at sunrise	5–15 people	200+ people
Sunrise view	Better (Dhaulagiri + Annapurna + Manaslu)	Excellent but crowded
Community impact	100% local	Mixed
Tea house comfort	Basic but clean	Variable
Best for	Ethical trekking, quiet trails	First-timers, families

If you have only 4 days: Poon Hill. If you have 6 days and want a quieter, more ethical trek: Mohare Danda. For more on Annapurna treks, see our Poon Hill guide and our Annapurna Circuit vs ABC guide.

Why Responsible Trekking Matters

Nepal's trekking industry is a double-edged sword. Tourism brings in $500+ million per year, but most of that revenue leaves the mountains — going to Kathmandu-based agencies, foreign-owned booking platforms, and international flight companies. The Mohare Danda model is one of the few in Nepal where 100% of trekking revenue stays in the village. By choosing Mohare Danda, you are not just trekking — you are funding a school, a health post, and a viable economic alternative to youth migration to Kathmandu or abroad.

For more on this, see our how tourism is changing Nepal's villages guide and our Leave No Trace trekking guide.

Mohare Danda is the trek I recommend to anyone who wants a short, beautiful Annapurna trek without the crowds and with a clear conscience. Go now, while the community model is still working — and tell others about it.