Trek the stunning Mohare Donda route on this 10-day adventure into the wilderness of the central Nepalese mountain ranges. The Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions combine some of Nepal's most famous mountains, charming cities, and the best panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Discover the mountain culture of the Himalayas, the hospitable locals, and the breathtaking views of the world's longest mountain range while supporting local communities along the way. Explore the history, art, culture, and diverse spirituality of Nepal on this shorter, yet off-the-beaten path trek.
Highlights
Visit Kathmandu, the temple city and capital of the Kingdom of Nepal
Trek the Annapurna ranges of central Nepal
Enjoy backcountry glamping and local village visits
Hike the Mohare Danda route through picturesque villages
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Take a drive to Swayambhunath, one of the most respected Buddhist Stupas in the World. Set majestically high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley, popularly known as the monkey temple, after the tribe of monkeys that inhabits the hills. With the symbolic all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, 17th Century frescoes help you understand why Kathmandu is a meeting point of ancient religions and cultures.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your journey to Pokhara. This picturesque lakeside town is Nepal's second most important tourist destination after Kathmandu. Visit the Gurkha museum, which explains the Bindabasini temple and famous warrior history; the important Hindu temple of Pokhara; and Devi Falls.
Day 3: Galeshwor | Banskharka
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, your journey takes you through tiny towns and villages along a lovely scenic drive that follows the Kali Gandaki River. You will travel for around 4 hours to get to Galeshwor, where you will eat lunch. Your trek begins after lunch. You start by crossing the suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. The Kali Gandaki is known as the world’s deepest gorge, with Dhaulagiri towering to the west of the valley at 8,167 meters and Annapurna I to the east. You start ascending into the hills after crossing the bridge on a well-kept trail and steps. Your trek leader and support team will maintain a comfortable and steady pace for you.
You can observe and absorb the sounds and scenery and fully immerse yourself throughout this trek. You will be heartily welcomed and greeted by the villagers as Bans Kharka is off the main tourist trail. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure until dinner. The villagers will prepare and serve freshly made food, a perfect way to rebuild your strength for the following day. You will experience local living firsthand by sleeping in a homestay with spotless, cozy rooms, warm blankets on the beds, and solar-powered lights.
You will begin today’s hike after a hot breakfast. As you travel further along the Mohare community trail, you will pass through charming towns and perhaps catch a glimpse of the mighty peaks in the distance. On the journey, you will see a lot of locals hauling hefty loads of farm animals, firewood, and feed. You will be staying in another small village called Nagi, where the villagers welcome you with open arms and lead you to the community hall.
In the afternoon, you have the chance to visit an organic farm school and a Magar settlement. The Magar people are famed for their bravery as infantrymen. They helped to extend modern Nepal’s borders to where they lie today. Then the rulers rewarded them with land for arable produce and livestock for their efforts. The village men and women can be seen in the fields tending to their crops or animals.
You will experience your first stay in a community eco-lodge. It is similar to a traditional tea house. The village set up the lodge, and the income generated supports the people of Nagi. You can watch the sunset over the valley and enjoy your dinner with the locals.
The mountains will start to show themselves in the morning when you awaken. The hike today is a fantastic, challenging hike to the highest elevation of the journey. You will start to ascend as soon as you leave the village. You will trek through beautiful oak and rhododendron (Nepal’s national flower) forests to Mohare Danda. The forest opens up toward the top as you now walk in meadows. With a sense of accomplishment, you may look down and see how far you have come.
Genuinely breathtaking panoramic views will welcome you. When you get to the overnight stop, a range of the Himalayan giants that tower above you, like Mount Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, Barahi Shikhar, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, and Dhaulagiri. The big climb and early sunrise start at dawn give you an excuse to turn in early tonight.
It is worth the effort to get up early. If the conditions are favorable, the sunrise's colors are breathtaking. After breakfast, you start walking in the direction of Banthanti. For more expansive vistas of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and beyond, you begin by ascending Poonhill.
Hike down to Ghorepani, a well-liked trekking location. Before you descend to Deurali, you will begin to ascend through a dense rhododendron and oak woodland to a tiny mountaintop (pass in Nepali). The final overnight stop is in Banthanti, which requires another hour of a steep descent through a lovely woodland with a meandering stream.
Start the morning on a flattish trail in the Rhododendron forest for twenty minutes. After that, you have a steep descent of twenty minutes to a small stream and a forty-five-minute climb to Tadapani village.
The trail will lead you from Tadapani through level terrain, woodlands, cultivated farmland, and steps close to Ghandruk. After traveling for around 6 hours, stop for lunch at one of the teahouses along the route. Ghandruk is a lively, prosperous city. It is well known for having a sizable local population of people who have served in the Gurkha military.
You can explore the village in the afternoon, perhaps visiting the small temple or the cultural museum.
You are about to end the trekking part of this Mohare Danda Trekking adventure. On the last day of the mountain trekking trail, trek to the road and take a jeep ride through the Kaligandaki River valley towards Pokhara. You will eventually reach Pokhara and check in to your hotel, where you can rest.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your journey to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, check in to your hotel, where you can rest.
In the afternoon, you are free to explore Kathmandu. You can visit Boudhanath Stupa, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or Pashupatinath (UNESCO World Heritage Site), situated on the River Bagmati banks around 8 km from the city, which is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. The Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu.
Day 10: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport on time for your trip back home.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $500 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
Cheryl Brenton
5 days ago
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
1 week ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
1 week ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.