Side by side
| Mohare Danda Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 16 |
| Highest point | 3,300 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Challenging |
| Total distance | 44 km | 210 km |
| Best months | March to May and October to December | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $380 to $650 | $900 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Galeshwor or Beni, near Pokhara | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Mohare Danda Trek if
The Mohare Danda trek is a 5 day community eco route in the Annapurna foothills reaching 3,300 m on the Mohare ridge. Developed to support rural schools and villages, it delivers spectacular panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South while avoiding the crowded trails of nearby Poon Hill.
Gentle mountain ascents through pine and rhododendron woods on village pathways. Altitudes stay comfortably low with virtually no risk of severe altitude sickness.
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
