Side by side
| Mohare Danda Trek | Upper Mustang Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 12 |
| Highest point | 3,300 m | 4,010 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Total distance | 44 km | 155 km |
| Best months | March to May and October to December | March to October |
| Typical cost | $380 to $650 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Starts from | Galeshwor or Beni, near Pokhara | Jomsom (2,720 m) via flight from Pokhara or drive from Pokhara |
| 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 Upper Mustang Trek if
The Upper Mustang trek is a 10 to 14 day restricted-area trek through the former Kingdom of Lo, a culturally Tibetan enclave north of the Annapurna range. The arid, wind-sculpted landscape of red and white cliffs contains ancient cave monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang. Because it lies in the rain shadow north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, it is one of the few Nepal treks accessible during the monsoon season.
The altitude is not extreme by Himalayan standards. The terrain is mostly good trail with some exposed rocky sections. The challenge is the remoteness, wind, and the bureaucratic requirements.
