5-day easy trek to the highest point of Parbat district, with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri views and family-run homestays
Kokhe Danda (3,310 m) is the highest point of Parbat district, and the Kokhe Danda Trek is a 5-day, easy trek from Pokhara that reaches it through Magar villages, rhododendron and oak forest and family-run homestays. The ridge sits next to Mohare Danda, which lies across the boundary in Myagdi district, and close to Poon Hill, but it sees far fewer trekkers, with views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and, on clear days, Manaslu and Langtang.
The Kokhe Danda Trek is a relatively new trail, opened by us at Discover Parbat. We built it to show trekkers the Parbat we know: quiet forest trails, hilltop villages and families who still live much as their grandparents did. What sets it apart from better-known routes is not only the scenery but the chance to step into local culture and daily life rather than simply passing through it.
Your first night is at Haljure, in a truly authentic homestay. This is a traditional village home, not a lodge built for tourists. Dinner is cooked by your host in a traditional Nepali kitchen, often over a wood fire, and you are welcome to sit beside the hearth while dal bhat, seasonal vegetables and fresh rotis are prepared. After the meal, a campfire is lit outside and, with almost no light pollution, the night sky fills with stars.
At Lespar, you can join a momo-making session with your hosts, learning to fold Nepal's favourite dumplings by hand before eating them together. Spend free time exploring the village on foot, walking between terraced fields and stone-and-mud houses, and chatting with locals about farming, festivals and life in the hills. These small, unplanned moments are often what trekkers remember most.
Because the trail is still new, it sees very few tourists. On most departures you will have the trail and the homestays practically to yourselves, with no queues at viewpoints, no crowded dining halls and no competition for the best seat at sunrise. It is a rare kind of solitude in the Annapurna foothills, only a short drive from Pokhara.
Our guides are local to the region and were part of the team that built this trail. They know every path, village and family along the route, and they bring deep knowledge of the area's history, plants, wildlife and Magar traditions. Walking with them feels less like a guided tour and more like being shown around by friends from home.
The reward at the top is a sweeping Himalayan panorama. From Kokhe Danda, the view stretches from Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range across to Manaslu and, on clear days, as far as the Langtang range. Sunrise paints the snow peaks gold while the valleys below are still in shadow, and sunsets from the ridge are just as unforgettable. You may also see the ridge written as Kokhe Dada, Khoke Dada, Khokhe Dada or Khoke Danda; all of these names refer to the same place.
Want to know how this trail came to be? Read the full story of the trek, from the first idea to the people who built it, on Kokhe Danda Trek: A Journey of Vision, Silence & Soul.
Watch: Kokhe Danda Trek – Nepal's hidden Himalayan ridge in Parbat
You want a genuine off-the-beaten-path experience away from tourist crowds
You're a first-time trekker or someone looking for something quieter and more personal
You love authentic village life, home-cooked food, and local culture
You have 5 days and want panoramic Himalayan views without a demanding climb
You're looking for high-altitude acclimatisation above 4,000m
You prefer well-equipped teahouses with hot showers and Wi-Fi every night
Best time: October and November give the clearest views, and March to May brings rhododendron blooms. See our month-by-month guide to the best time for Kokhe Danda.
Cost: the trek costs $350 to $410 per person depending on group size. It includes private transport, meals, accommodation, guide and porter. See the cost table.
Getting there: we drive from Pokhara to Banau via Kushma in about 2.5 hours, then walk to Haljure. The trek ends at Mallaj, with a taxi back to Pokhara via Kushma.
Kokhe Danda or Poon Hill? Read why Kokhe Danda is a better alternative to Poon Hill. Short on time? Try the Short Kokhe Danda Trek, or extend your trip with the Multiple Viewpoints Trek.
Morning drive from Pokhara to Kushma, a one and a half hour drive (57KM). Exploration of Kushma, city of adventure. If you would be interested, you can also do Bungee or Zipline. We have lunch at Kushma and then drive one hour further to Banau, 2100m. From Banau, we start our hike and after 1–1.5hrs of hike, we reach our Homestay at Haljure.
We wake up early in the morning for sunrise view. During clear weather, we can see from Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Mansiri, Ganesh to Langtang range peaks.
We have local breakfast and after that we start our hike to Lespar. At Lespar, we will have a Momo making session with the host at Homestay. We walk for around an hour to explore the village, interact with locals and you can also try the Magar Cultural Dress as well. After lunch, we hike to Sarga Camp and Homestay.
Even though we do not see snowcapped peaks from Sarga, this is still a charming place inside the forest. After breakfast, we set off to Kokhe Danda. The first half till lunch is a bit steep where we gain around 700m in elevation, which takes around 3–3.5 hrs. We pass through beautiful Rhododendron and Oak forests. After lunch at Dhima, it's more comfortable as we hike through a gradual uphill section except for the 10 and 5 minute uphill before reaching Mohare and Kokhe Danda.
We wake up early in the morning for sunrise and mountain views. On clear weather, we can see close views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Range mountains.
After breakfast, we start our hike towards Phalame Danda. Initially, we hike down to Nangi village, where we stop for lunch. After that, we hike gradually up for the next half and then mostly flat before we reach our Community Homestay at Phalame Danda.
On the last day, we still see both Dhaulagiri and a few peaks of the Annapurna range. Initially, we hike down to Banskharka village where we stop for a tea break. After that we hike down to Mallaj where we end our trek and take a taxi back to Pokhara via Kushma.
No prior trekking experience is needed. Kokhe Danda is rated Easy and is suitable for first-time trekkers. The longest day (Day 3) involves around 6–7 hours of walking with some elevation gain, so a basic level of fitness helps — but you don't need to be an athlete. If you can walk comfortably for a few hours, you'll be fine.
We arrange private transport from Pokhara to Banau (approx. 2.5 hours including the stop in Kushma). The drive is scenic — you pass through the Kali Gandaki gorge area and arrive in the hills of Parbat. No public buses or connections to worry about; it's all handled by us.
The homestays are simple, clean, and genuinely family-run — this is one of the things that makes Kokhe Danda special. You'll typically have a private or semi-private room with basic bedding. Bathrooms are usually shared and facilities are basic. Think warm hospitality over luxury. Meals are home-cooked by the host family, which is honestly one of the highlights of the trip.
You'll eat what the local families eat — mostly dal bhat (lentils and rice), fresh vegetables, local honey, eggs, and seasonal produce. On Day 2, there's a hands-on momo making session with your host family. It's wholesome, filling, and genuinely delicious. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, let us know in advance and we'll make sure the hosts are prepared.
Mobile signal (NCell or NTC) is available in most villages along the route, though it can be patchy on the higher ridgelines. Wi-Fi is not reliably available at the homestays — this is a remote trail and part of its charm. We'd recommend downloading offline maps and letting family know you may be out of contact for stretches. A local SIM card from Pokhara is a good idea if you need connectivity.
The two peak windows are March–May (spring) and October–November (autumn). Spring brings rhododendrons in full bloom along the forest trails, while autumn delivers the clearest mountain views after the monsoon clears the air. December is quieter than most people expect — fewer trekkers and crisp visibility make it a genuinely underrated option. June–September is the monsoon season; trails are lush with waterfalls and wildflowers but wetter underfoot.
No! As Kokhe Danda Route we do doesnt lie in ACA region, you dont need any permit for this. However, depending on the route you choose, you may need a ACAP permit if you exit via Nayapul
Absolutely — solo trekkers are very welcome and actually quite common on this route. You'll have a private guide for the full trek, and the solo experience on these quiet trails is genuinely special. You can also join one of our fixed group departures if you'd prefer company. Either way, the pricing is transparent and listed above.
Yes, and families love it. We have trekked Kokhe Danda with children as young as five. For families we recommend the 5-day version: walking days are shorter, you often have the trail and homestays to yourselves, and jeep roads reach Haljure, Lespar and Phalame Danda if little legs get tired. Read our full guide to trekking in Nepal with kids.
For a 5-day easy trek, you don't need to overpack. Essentials include: sturdy walking shoes or light trekking boots, layers for cool evenings at altitude (3,300m nights can be cold), a rain jacket, a good daypack, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a headlamp. A sleeping bag liner is useful for homestay nights. We'll send you a full packing list after booking.
If you need to return early for any reason, there is no refund on the remaining trek cost. However, we will arrange comfortable accommodation for you in Pokhara for the number of nights that remain on your itinerary — at no extra charge. Please also see our full Cancellation Policy for details.
Yes. Kokhe Danda, at about 3,310 m, is the highest point of Parbat district. It sits next to Mohare Danda, which lies in Myagdi district, and gives wide views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, and on clear days Manaslu and Langtang.
The price is $350 to $410 per person depending on group size: $410 for one person, $380 for two, $360 for three to four and $350 for five or more. It includes private transport, meals, accommodation, guide and porter, and the TIMS and ACAP permits.
Choose Poon Hill for a short, well-established route. Choose Kokhe Danda for fewer crowds, family-run homestays and wider views. Read our full comparison.
We did the 5-day Kokhe Danda Trek with Sameer and absolutely loved it. We enjoyed the mixture of culture, beautiful walks, and amazing views. Sameer took great care of us and shared his rich knowledge about the religion, culture, and geography of the region. Absolutely recommended!
I absolutely loved my experience with Sameer at Discover Parbat. The 5-day Kokhe Danda trail felt beginner-friendly but also suitable for experienced trekkers interested in an off-the-beaten-path destination with focus on cultural immersion along the way. We drove through diverse landscapes, made pit stops at terraced farms, learned how to make momo with local families at the village, and spent the night at comfortable tea houses and homestays where the hosts shared nourishing home-cooked meals using locally sourced organic ingredients and we got to gather around a campfire and rest.
I also genuinely liked getting to know Sameer - he is such a thoughtful and kind person. He was attentive to our needs, especially on days I felt a little unwell. He is knowledgeable about seasonal wild birds and flowers and I enjoyed hearing his stories and learning about the region's rich cultural heritage. Would highly recommend!
Trekked with us? We would love to hear about your Kokhe Danda experience.
Best time to trek Kokhe Danda: month by month
Why Kokhe Danda is a better alternative to Poon Hill
Why choose Discover Parbat for Kokhe Danda
Kokhe Danda vs Mardi Himal: which short trek suits you?
Parbat district travel guide
What to pack: layering and gear guide
Have more time? The 8-day Khopra Danda Trek ends on Kokhe Danda
The story of how the Kokhe Danda trail was found