Nestled in the heart of the Annapurna region, the Khumai Danda Trek is a hidden gem that offers an unforgettable journey through the pristine wilderness of Nepal. This off-the-beaten-path trek is perfect for those seeking a unique and authentic experience away from the crowds and commercialization of more popular routes.
With stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, lush forests, and traditional mountain villages, Khumai Danda Trek is an adventure that will leave you in awe of the natural beauty of Nepal. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a first-time explorer, this trek promises an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
So, pack your bags and prepare to embark on a lifetime journey in the majestic Khumai Danda Trek.
Let’s now look at the route overview for the Khumai Danda Trek.
The trip begins on the day of arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Upon landing, one of our staff will be waiting for you outside, holding a Nepal Hiking Team display board. Then, after greeting you, you’ll be escorted to the hotel.
You’ll be boarding a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara in the morning. Then, after reaching Pokhara, we’ll take a drive to Hemja and then start the hike to Hile Kharka. Then, the next day we make our way toward Khumai Danda, the main destination of the trek. After enjoying the mesmerizing views, we’ll now hike to Korchan Danda, and then make our descent to Ghachow, and then catch a ride back to Pokhara.
The answer is no. The Khumai Danda Trek is an easy trek that beginner-level hikers can also complete. There are factors that affect the level of the Khumai Danda Trek.
Firstly, the walking distance and hours. On average, you’ll be walking for only 3 days and walk for about approximately 5-6 hours daily.
Secondly, the highest elevated ground is 3700m at Korchan Danda. At this level of altitude, there is only a small chance of acquiring altitude sickness. Hence, you can be assured that you can easily complete the Khumai Danda Trek without facing any difficulty.
If you’re wondering when is the best time for Khumai Danda Trek, then we’re here to help you. The ideal time to set off for the Khumai Danda Trek is all year round. Whether it's autumn or spring, or even winter, the trek won’t disappoint you.
However, it is advisable to skip the monsoon season. In the monsoon season, there is a high chance that you’ll face heavy rainfall. This makes the paths slippery, making you fall as you walk through them.
Hence, we suggest you choose the best time for the trek and avoid the monsoon season.
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu, Airport, you’ll be greeted by one of our staff who’ll be holding a Nepal Hiking Team display board. He’ll then escort you to the hotel. Where you can rest and prepare for the hike.
We’ll hop on a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara in the morning. The flight duration will be 25 minutes.
After landing in Pokhara, you’ll take a 30-minutes car ride to Hemja. From Hemja, we’ll begin the hike by walking through green forests and rhododendron forests. After walking for 6 hours, we’ll reach Hile Kharka. Hile Kharka will be the stop for the day.
Breakfast will be served in the morning, and then we’ll start preparing to hike toward Khumai Danda. On this day, the route you’ll traverse is steeply uphill. You can take your time and slowly walk.
While walking, do remember to enjoy the stunning views of the mountain ranges, landscapes, and hills
After enjoying the sunrise, we’ll head toward Korchan Danda. After spending some time there, we return to Ghachowk and then catch a ride back to Pokhara. This marks the end of the trek.
We hop on a scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu in the morning. Then, we head back to the hotel, where you can spend the evening shopping and buying souvenirs.
On your final day in Nepal, a representative of Nepal Hiking Team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. Your pick-up time from the hotel will depend on when your flight is scheduled to depart, so be sure to note the time and be prepared to leave.
If you are looking to go on another adventure in Nepal and extend your stay, please let us know, and we will be more than happy to help you make arrangements.
Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
We had the best time in Nepal. The beautiful views and warm hospitality of the Nepali people are truly unparalleled.
Instrumental to our amazing experience were our guide, Netra, and porter, Vasu.
We were super well taken care of. Netra was quick to assess our physical abilities and was able to effectively set the pace for our hikes. He had very good knowledge of the route and terrain. Importantly, this was our first time attempting a hike at a high altitude, so he took extra care to check on us regularly.
On a personal note, proper gear, including a powerful down jacket for -20 degrees Celsius and a proper hiking backpack, is super essential.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Nepal Hiking Team and Netra/Vasu for your Nepal adventure!
We were a group of 17 people from California who had been preparing for a year for this trip. Nepal Hiking Team was referred to us by one of my friends. After talking to & interviewing several companies, NHT seemed very responsive, cost-effective & experienced. After the trip, they proved us nothing less.
Their guides are top-of-the-line, very kind, and helpful. They made sure we all were prepared for the next day, set our expectations rights, & guided us through managing altitude sickness.
We all made it to Nepal and came back happy and healthy.
We all thank NHT for making our dream come true, and looking forward to many more with them.
I highly recommend the Nepal Hiking Team for anyone planning to trek in Nepal. My spouse and I had a fantastic time on our trek and greatly credit our positive experience to the thought and care put into it by Nepal Hiking Team in coming up with a personalized plan that would enable us to succeed.
Every detail was considered to match us based on our abilities and interests. We also could not have felt more cared for minute to minute by the team that supported us from the minute we arrived in Kathmandu until our departure.
Our guide, Nim, was amazing -- so careful, thoughtful, warm, and supportive. And our porters, Sabin and Ganesh, were delightful. They were all unbelievably generous in terms of how much they worked to ensure we were comfortable and prepared. They thought of every detail along the way.
- Guided By Nim Dahal
We had to make some last-minute changes to our itinerary, deciding to spend more time in Pokhara and less in Kathmandu during our final days. Nepal Hiking Team was super flexible and happily adjusted everything for us, even on short notice.
On top of that, we wanted to book some activities like zip-lining, bungee jumping, and a helicopter tour with local providers in Pokhara. Ganga, Hari, and the team took care of all the bookings and made sure we had everything we needed.
In the end, we had an absolutely unforgettable vacation in the stunning Nepal!
Nepal is incredible on its own—but Nepal Hiking Team makes it even better!
I highly recommend booking with them, and without a doubt, I’ll be using them again for any future trips to Nepal.
Since a lot of people have been asking about the Annapurna/Dhaulagiri Panorama trek, here’s a quick breakdown of the route:
You start on the same trail as the Ghorepani/Poon Hill trek, but things take a different turn from there.
The morning after reaching Ghorepani, instead of following the usual trail toward the main Annapurna Circuit, you take a right turn about 30-45 minutes into the descent. This leads you down into the valley, passing through villages and rice fields before zig-zagging back up the ridge to Khopra Danda (3,600m) on the opposite side.
At Khopra Danda, you’ll spend the night and have the option of a full-day hike to Khayer Lake, which sits right at the base of Annapurna South. If the weather’s good and you have the time, I’d highly recommend spending an extra day here to soak in the views and explore the upper ridges.
When leaving Khopra, you take a different trail that follows the ridgeline down, passing through villages before eventually reaching Tatopani, which sits along the main Annapurna Circuit route.
From Tatopani, getting back to Pokhara is easy—just hop on a bus (though expect a transfer and maybe even a microvan ride). There are hot springs in Tatopani too, but don’t get your hopes up too high!
Nepal Hiking Team is praised for its responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, and experienced staff. Past travelers highlight the team's flexibility with last-minute itinerary changes, their care in matching trekkers to the right plan, and the high quality of their guides and porters. The company manages all logistics, from airport transfers to internal flights and permits, ensuring a well-organized experience.
Reviews consistently commend the guides and porters for being knowledgeable, caring, and attentive. For example, guide Netra was noted for quickly assessing trekking abilities and setting a comfortable pace, while guide Nim was described as careful, thoughtful, and supportive. Porters are also praised for their generosity and hard work in ensuring trekkers are comfortable and prepared.
The team is highly adaptable. If the standard Khumai Danda itinerary doesn't meet your needs, they can design a personalized travel plan. They also assist with booking additional activities like zip-lining, bungee jumping, or helicopter tours in Pokhara, making them a comprehensive partner for your entire Nepal adventure.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Nepal Hiking Team will be waiting for you outside the terminal, holding a display board with the company name. They will greet you and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle, where you can rest and prepare for your trek.
A Nepal entry visa fee is not included in the package cost. You will need to arrange this yourself, either on arrival at the airport or in advance from a Nepalese embassy or consulate. It is a personal expense you should budget for separately.
Yes, personal travel insurance is required and is listed in the cost excludes. Your policy should cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation (including helicopter rescue), trip cancellation, and loss of personal belongings. This is crucial for your safety and financial protection during the trek.
To book the Khumai Danda Trek, you need to get in touch by filling out the form on the package page. The Nepal Hiking Team will then check availability and respond promptly. The page does not specify exact deposit amounts or payment methods, so these details would be provided during your direct communication with the team.
The minimum group size for the Khumai Danda Trek is 2 people (2 Pax). If you are a solo traveler, you may need to join an existing group or pay a single supplement, which can be discussed with the team during booking.
The package includes all necessary paperwork and permits, specifically the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card. You are requested to bring 3 passport-size photographs for these permits.
The package includes a round-trip scenic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The flight duration is approximately 25 minutes each way. This is a quick and efficient way to travel between the two cities, saving you significant road travel time.
After landing in Pokhara on Day 2, you will take a 30-minute car ride to Hemja. This is where the trekking portion begins. On the final day of trekking, after descending to Ghachowk, you will catch a private vehicle for an 18 km drive back to Pokhara.
All ground transportation is provided by private vehicle. This includes your airport transfers upon arrival and departure, the drive from Pokhara airport to Hemja, and the return drive from Ghachowk to Pokhara after the trek concludes.
Yes, absolutely. This trek is categorized as "Easy to Moderate" and is specifically described as an easy trek that beginner-level hikers can complete. The trekking portion is only 3 days, with an average of 5-6 hours of walking per day.
The highest elevation on this trek is 3700 meters at Korchan Danda. At this altitude, the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is considered low, providing a level of assurance for trekkers. However, it's still important to follow your guide's advice and stay hydrated.
You will trek for three days. Day 2 covers 13 km in 6 hours, Day 3 covers 7 km in 5 hours (with steep uphill sections), and Day 4 involves a 12 km trek in 5 hours. The terrain includes green forests, rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and some steep uphill trails.
Your safety is supported by an experienced, English-speaking trekking guide and a porter (for every 2 trekkers). The guide is trained to assess your physical condition, set a proper pace, and monitor for any signs of altitude sickness. A comprehensive medical kit is also included in the package.
Reviews confirm that guides are highly attentive to trekker well-being. They are praised for being quick to assess physical abilities, setting expectations, and checking on trekkers regularly, especially those new to high-altitude hiking. They take extra care to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
While the trek is easy, having your own travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation (e.g., helicopter rescue) is crucial. The guide will have a medical kit and communication means to contact the company's office in case of any emergency to coordinate the best course of action.
The company provides a Nepal Hiking Team duffle bag, a trekking map, and a T-shirt. For the trek itself, they also supply a down jacket and a sleeping bag for you to use during the trek. This helps reduce the amount of specialized gear you need to bring.
You will need to bring your own personal trekking equipment, which is not included in the package. This includes items like sturdy hiking boots, comfortable trekking pants and shirts, a warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, a headlamp, and a water bottle. A detailed packing list can be obtained from the company.
Past travelers emphasize that proper gear, including a powerful down jacket and a proper hiking backpack, is essential for comfort and safety. Even for an easy trek, having appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions and sturdy footwear for the terrain is highly recommended.
The package includes two nights' accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu and one night's accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara. These are provided on a twin-sharing basis.
During the trek, you will stay in the "best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation." This means you'll be staying in traditional teahouses or lodges that are available along the route. These are basic but comfortable, offering a warm place to rest and eat.
The page does not specify details about mobile network coverage or Wi-Fi availability on the Khumai Danda route. It is common in remote areas for connectivity to be limited. You can expect to be more disconnected from the internet during the trekking days, allowing for a more immersive nature experience.
Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with tea or coffee are included during the trek. You will enjoy these meals at the lodges where you stay. The cost includes the opportunity to indulge in local Nepalese cuisines as you pass through villages.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, only breakfast is included at the 3-star hotels. All other meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary are not covered by the package and are your personal expense.
Tea and coffee are included with the full board meals during the trek. However, soft drinks, snacks, and drinking water (both during the trek and in cities) are listed in the cost excludes. You will need to purchase bottled water or boiled water from the lodges as an extra expense.
While the minimum group size is 2 people, you can likely book this as a private trek for your group. The itinerary states that if the standard itinerary doesn't meet your needs, they can design individualized travel plans. If you are traveling solo, you should inquire about joining an existing group or the cost for a solo trekker.
The maximum group size is not specified on the page, but the cost includes a porter for every 2 trekkers, indicating a typical small-group setup. Reviews mention groups of 2 to 17 people, showing flexibility in handling various group sizes with their experienced team.
Tipping for trekking staff and drivers is listed in the cost excludes. It is a customary way to show appreciation for their service. The amount is a personal gesture, and you can discuss standard practices with the company. Tipping should be budgeted as an additional cost separate from the package price.
This trek is highlighted as a "hidden gem" offering an off-the-beaten-path experience, away from the crowds and commercialization of more popular routes like the main Annapurna Circuit. It provides a unique and authentic journey through pristine wilderness, terraced fields, and dense rhododendron forests, with opportunities to interact with traditional Gurung and Magar villages.
The trek offers breathtaking panoramic views from two main viewpoints: Khumai Danda and Korchan Danda (at 3700m). From these vantage points, you can marvel at the stunning peaks of Mt. Machhapuchre (Fishtail), Mt. Lamjung, Mt. Annapurna, and Mt. Dhaulagiri, making for spectacular Himalayan scenery.
Yes, the trek is an excellent opportunity to admire various wildflowers, including the striking blue poppies and orchids, among other floras typical of the Annapurna region. The route passes through green and rhododendron forests, which are particularly beautiful when the rhododendrons are in bloom during the spring season.