Compare Mohare Danda Trek by Epic Adventures vs Annapurna Circuit via Kang La and Nar by World Expeditions

Day 1: Kathmandu Airport Arrival

After your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in our capital city Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by one of our team members and transferred to your hotel. After check in and some refreshments, our senior Sherpa guide will come to meet you and give you a brief orientation about Mohare Danda Trek. You can then go for a stroll down some of the lively streets to get familiar with the area, and have a bite to eat. Overnight at hotel at Kathmandu.

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara 6hrs.drive or/fly to Pokhara 30 mins. flight

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight at Pokhara

After breakfast, we leave our hotel early in the morning for a drive with scenic views along the road to Pokhara via the Prithivi national highway. The drive could take roughly 7-8 hrs to reach Pokhara. We can also take the option of travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara by plane which takes far less time, 35 minutes. We then stay overnight at our hotel in the lovely ‘City of Lakes’, Pokhara.

Day 3: Drive to Galeshwor(1170m.) and trek to Bans Kharka(1525m.) – 3 hrs walk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we have a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Galeshwor along the banks of the Kali Gandai river. After lunch, we will begin our hike to Bans Kharka. It is roughly a 3 hour ascending hike where you will also get the chance to cross the suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki Gorge, one of the world’s deepest. . Overnight  at  Bans Kharka.

Day 4: Trek to Naangi(2230m.) – 7 hrs walk

After enjoying breakfast, we will begin our trek to Nangi. It is about 6-7 hours walk from Bans Kharak where you will encounter beautiful villages, stunning views of mountainous landscapes. We will also visit an organic farm school and the Magar settlement on this day. We will again stay in community lodge accommodation with full board meals.

Day 5: Trek to Mohare Danda(3300m.) – 7 hrs walk

Today’s trail goes through beautiful forests of Oak and Rhododendrons with magnificent views of mountains such as Machapuchare (Fishtail), south Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukche and many more. In the evening, the glorious sunset from Mohare hill station will be just reward for the long trekking. Overnight stay is at a community lodge with full board meals.

Day 6: Trek to Ghorepani (2750m.) via Poon Hill( 3210m.) 5 to 6 hrs walk

Today we will again be passing through more forests of Rhododendron on our way to Ghorepani. The spectacular views of the Annapurna range are in full-view at Poon Hill, making the climb to get there well worth it. Overnight stay in Ghorepani is at a lodge with full board meals.

Day 7: Trek to Ghandruk village(1900m.) – 5 hrs walk

Overnight at Ghandruk with all meals included.

We will be crossing varying terrain which will include flatlands, forests, cultivated lands and also another suspension bridge at Khumnu Khola. At the pristine & serene village of Ghandruk you will witness breath-taking views of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhare and Hiunchuli. There are several hotels and teahouses at the village and you are certain to receive a warm welcome with customary Nepalese hospitality. If you camp in its terraced fields give you are sure to experience feelings of adventure!

Day 8: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara hotel – 4 hrs walk

Overnight at hotel includes breakfast.

Today is the last day of your trek. After breakfast, we ascend to Nayapul, about a 5 hour walk, following a trail paved by stones; we walk through some more beautiful villages. After crossing Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti. And then half an hour from Birethanti, we enter Nayapul. From here, we can easily access any means of transportation to drive to Pokhara. In the evening, you are free to wander by the lakes of Pokhara.

Day 9: Drive back to Kathmandu

Meals: Dinner

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, we head up to Damauli, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach Manakamana Temple, this is a temple where most Nepalese come to have their wishes granted before leaving home or getting married. From Naubise we climb up to Thankot, the gateway to Kathmandu and finally reach our hotel & a lovely soft warm bed. Overnight in Kathmandu hotel includes dinner.

Day 10: Departure Day

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast and our last day in Kathmandu, our vehicle and escorts will be on standby to drop you to the international airport three hours before our scheduled flight back home. We hope to see you again someday.

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

meals : Array

Day 2 Drive to Besi Sahar. Drive approx 7 hrs.

From Kathmandu we drive along to the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway. We divert off the highway at the bustling town of Dumre. We follow the Marsyangdi valley to the village of Besi Sahar 820m on a plateau high above the river. Overnight: Eco Lodge

meals : B,L,D

Day 3 Drive to Koto (2600m) approx. 5-6 hrs.

We continue our drive along a dirt track that winds high above the Marsyandi river. We pass through secluded villages that once defined the route of the famous Annapurna Circuit trek to the village of Koto. Here you will be greeted by our staff and porters and prepare for the exhilarating trekking stages ahead. That afternoon our local leader will ensure our special permits for the Nar Phu region are endorsed.

meals : B,L,D

Day 4 Commence trek to upper Koto forest camp (2750m). Walk approx. 4 hrs.

From Koto the trail diverts and follows the course of the Nar Phu river to our serene campsite – upper Koto camp – set amid pine forest at around 2750m. The rest of the day is free to take in views of Annapurna 2 (7932m) and the host of distant peaks that rise high into the Nar Phu region.

meals : B,L,D

Day 5 To Nar Phedi (3500m). Walk approx. 4-5 hrs.

We ascend the Nar Phu Khola where we enter spectacular gorge with impressive waterfalls before reaching the substantial settlement of Meta. The impressive chortens and mani walls provide a constant reminder that we are entering a Buddhist region close to the Tibetan border. Just beyond Meta we descend to our camp at Nar Phedi.

meals : B,L,D

Day 6 To Nar (4100m). Walk approx. 5 hrs.

From Meta we cross the bridge over the Nar Phu Khola and had up a side valley to the village of Nar. It’s impressive country, dotted with mani walls while yaks are grazing in the high pastures above rich barely fields that define the village. The origins of the village date back to former trading ties between Manang (in the Marsyangdi Valley) and the borders of Tibet.

meals : B,L,D

Day 7 To Kang La Base camp (4900m ). Walk approx. 2-3 hrs.

A comparatively short stage to further acclimatise. Our camp affords magnificent views of the Damodar Range to the north while to the south west we appreciate snow bound peaks that form the Annapurna Range. The scant pasture and juniper fields leave little doubt that we are camping in the vicinity of 5000 metres.

meals : B,L,D

Day 8 Cross Kang La (5320m) to Ngawal (3660m) and Braga (3450m). Walk approx. 7-8 hrs.

The Kang La is not an unduly difficult pass and you should be able to complete the ascent to the crest of the pass in 3 to 4 hours – sometimes less depending on snow conditions. An early start is imperative to gain magnificent views of the Annapurna Range to the west, views towards the Thorong La north, and back down the main trekking valley to the south. A panorama of the villages and peaks encircling the Upper Manang valley is suitable reward for reaching the crest of the Kang La. We descend over 1000m to the valley floor before ascending through settlements and trading villages including Ngawal before continuing to Braga. A long yet exhilarating stage that augurs well for the ascent to the Thorong La.

meals : B,L,D

Day 9 To Yak Kharka (4050m). Walk approx 6 hrs.

We head along the main trail to the main trading town of Manang with time for a well-deserved tea break and opportunity to explore the main bazaar before we gradually ascend the trail to the popular camp at Yak Kharka. Further views of Annapurna 3 (7555m) and the distinctive Gangapurna (7454m) enhance the stage.

meals : B,L,D

Day 10 To Thorong Phedi (base of the pass - 4500m). Walk approx 4 hrs.

Another short, impressive stage that will put us in excellent stead for crossing the Thorong La the next day. The stage entails ascending extensive scree slopes and scant pastures to reach the ramshackle tea houses that once did a roaring trade during the days of the classic Annapurna Circuit trek.

meals : B,L,D

Day 11 Cross Thorong La (5416m) and to Muktinath (3802m). Walk approx 10-12 hours.

A long arduous and undoubtedly rewarding stage as we cross the famous Thorong La. It is imperative to maintain a slow, regular pace as you adjust to the rarefied air. We plan to reach the pass by late morning before the notorious high winds set in. The final hour may tax your energy (with the false summits) before the sight of the massive prayer flagged cairn makes the last few steps to the pass that much easier. Savouring views across the entire Annapurna Range and to the north the ridge upon snowy ridge that extend to the borderlands of Tibet are a further highlight to this exhilarating stage. Its then literally all downhill. A 1600m decent to the Hindu pilgrim site at Muktinath where we camp in the vicinity. A day of Himalayan highs in every sense of the word!

meals : B,L,D

Day 12 To Jomsom (2720m). Walk approx 5 hrs.

A day to reflect and wind down as we head down to the Kali Gandaki river. The river forms the deepest gorge in the world as it forges a path between the 8000m Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Most of today’s walk follows the recently constructed road that now extends north through Mustang before we reach our lodge at Jomsom and a well-earned rest that afternoon. Overnight: Eco Lodge

meals : B,L,D

Day 13 Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and onto Kathmandu.

A spectacular early morning flight from Jomsom heads through the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge before heading across the forest and settlements of the Annapurna foothills to Pokhara and our connecting flight to Kathmandu. Please Note: should the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara be cancelled due to inclement weather we will drive to Pokhara and connect with the flight to Kathmandu the following day.

meals : B

Day 14 Free day in Kathmandu (contingency day).

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

meals : B

Day 15 Trip concludes in Kathmandu.

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those people departing by aircraft will be transferred to the airport.

meals : B