Khumai Danda is a trekking destination that most of you have never heard of. It lies to the north of Pokhara, in the Machhapuchhre Village Development Committee of the Kaski district, Nepal. In fact, Khumai Danda is one of the shortest hiking destinations in Nepal. It lies in the lap of Mt. Machhapuchhre at an altitude of 3245 meters above sea level.
Moreover, it is also included in the Machhapuchhre Model Trek, which is a recently opened trekking trail in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Undoubtedly, Khumai Danda (Hill) is the most underrated trekking destination in Pokhara, Nepal. You will have a magnificent view of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Korchan, Mt. Machhapuchhre, and Mt. Lamjung from the summit.
The hiking trail passes through many villages, and dense rhododendron forests, and finally reaches the picturesque meadows of Khumai Dada, where we can find many sheep farms in the area. In addition, flocks of sheep can be seen grazing on the green slopes of Khumai hill, which is worth seeing.
Khumai Danda route campaign
The members of GMT (Great Machhapuchhre Trail) from the Machhapuchhre Village Development Committee are working on its development, and promoting tourism. Last year, a small campaign was held by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and GMT members for its route improvement.
A hundred youths from nearby villages participated in the campaign. In fact, the hiking trail was badly affected by the rain and snow. Therefore, the new trail has made it easier for tourists nowadays.
Khumai Danda Route
Khumai Dada is a 2-day trek from Ghachok village. The first destination will be Hile Kharka, where you will find a small campsite, for the night’s stay. The campsite was set up by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAN), which has been promoting tourism in Nepal since 1979. The campsite has now been restored by GMT members, and additional spots have been added.
It takes approximately 6 hours to reach Hile Kharka from the village. Hile Kharka is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Then, finally, you will reach the summit within 5 hours from the campsite.
By the way, in Khumai Dada, there is only one guest home, which was founded by GMT members. Therefore, you must bring your own camping gears, which is highly recommended.
You can take any means of transport to reach Ghachok village, which is about 20 kilometers away from the city. You can get a local bus from Harichowk, which directly takes you to Ghachok village in approximately 1 hour.
Khumai Danda Trek Cost Overview
- Basic Trekking Cost:
- The overall cost for the Khumai Danda trek typically ranges from NPR 7,000 to NPR 15,000 (approximately USD 53 to USD 113) depending on various factors such as group size, accommodation preferences, and additional services.
- Detailed Breakdown:
- Total Cost for 3 Days: Approximately USD 280 per person, which includes transportation, meals, and accommodation during the trek.
- Transportation Costs:
- Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu: about NPR 3,500 (one way).
- Permit Costs:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
- Accommodation and Meals:
- Accommodation options vary from basic lodges to more comfortable hotels depending on the trekker’s budget.
- Meals are typically included during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), but may not cover all meals in Kathmandu.
- Additional Expenses:
- It is advisable to carry extra cash for personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, or souvenirs along the way.
Ghachok village
There are lots of homestays in Ghachok village. It is a typical Gurung village rich, in culture and tradition. Therefore, spending a day in Ghachok will be a good experience too. Besides, there is a beautiful waterfall nearby the village, which is worth seeing.
Similarly, you can have a breathtaking view of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the surrounding villages, such as Khadarjung, Bhurjung Khola, Paiyu, Chyanglung, Chaura, Tallokot, and Kaseri. In fact, most of the youths involved in the Khumai Route campaign belong to Ghachok village. Therefore, it is not that hard to find a guide in Ghachok village, if needed.
Conclusion
Eventually, it will be a great experience to visit the otherworldly, Khumai Dada. The breathtaking view of the Himalayan herbs fields, and the cloud floating just beneath the highlands will allure you.
Definitely, Khumai Dada is the most underrated trekking destination in Nepal. Therefore, if you are thinking of a trek on your next vacation, then Khumai will be the best option on your bucket list.
Kumai Danda (Hill) Route
- Pokhara Airport ____________ Harichowk (30 min ride)
- Harichowk ________________ Ghachok Village (1 hr ride)
- Ghachok _________________ Hile Kharka (6 hr hike)
- Hile Kharka ________________ Khumai Danda (5 hr hike)
Hikking trails near Pokhara
Nepal is a beautiful country full of enchanting landscapes. The northern side of Nepal is surrounded by an astonishing mountain range. Pokhara, the second-largest city, is the focal point for several trekking destinations.
Similarly, every year, numerous tourists from all over the world, visit Nepal for trekking. Some of them go to the eastern side trek, whereas, some go to the far west. And, similarly, some enter Pokhara, which is the western side of Nepal.
In fact, there are lots of trekking destinations near Pokhara. Some popular trekking trails near Pokhara are:
- Annapurna Base Camp
- Machhapuchhre Base Camp
- Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
- Mardi Himal
- Pipar
- Ghorepani Poon Hill
- Kori Trek
- Kapuche Lake
- Tara Hill Top
Co-authored by:
Dhiraj Gurung
Founder at FactsCircle