About the Muldai Trek


Muldai (Muldhai) trek is a 2-3 day trek in the Annapurna Mountain range. Muldai is pronounced (mull-dai) with alternative spellings mixing it up to add "dhai" meaning older brother. The trek is a community trek which is located inside the Annapurna Conservation Park.

The Muldai trek is relatively unknown yet the views are practically the same as Poon Hill but with none of the crowds. It's a shorter trek than Poon Hill which may tick many peoples boxes. However, it is less commercial so expect accommodation near the view point to be classic tea house style. 

The trek to Muldai is similar to Poon Hill albeit faster to reach yet higher in altitude at 3, 637m. Unfit trekkers will struggle much mile Poon Hill albeit without the comfort of private bathroom lodges or a wide ranging menu. Then again, that's precisely what makes the Muldai trek such a wonderful secret.

 

Annapurna Mountains from Muldai Viewpoint

Annapurna South from Muldai Viewpoint

Muldai peak is quite close to the traditional trail heads of Nayapul and Birethanti. You trek to Ghandruk and then the next day to Dobato. The best views from Muldai are often at sunrise and involve a 1.5 hour trek up in the near dark. The views are worth it and you'll have the added benefit of no tour groups or crowds disrupting your morning.

On this page we'll take the fastest most practical route to Muldai Peak. There are several ways to return back and we'll cover them too. Muldai is most popularity a part of the Khopra Danda trek.

Trek Overview

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Days: 4

Max Altitude: 3,637m

Distance: 33.1km (20.5 mi)

Accommodation: Community Lodge / Teahouse

Distance shown is the main Muldai trek which ends at Dobato. Returning the same way will double the trek distance to 66.2km. Or, you can continue on to Khopra Danda - Mohare Danda, Mardi Himal or even Annapurna Base Camp if you go back a little to Tadapani. Final distance will depend on side treks, how far you drive at the start/end, extra days taken etc.


Honesty counts! Every travel guide on this site has always been 100% independent, unbiased & honest. Rest assured there are no sales pitches for treks here & no hidden sales links. I have included plenty of options & resources for you to find the best trekking guides who know this area well. I do not accept sponsorships, free treks or tours. I do not own a trekking company or business in Nepal. I pay my own way & in turn write authentic guidebooks to Nepal. Rest assured, this is a genuine travel & trekking guide that you can trust.
Trekking guides are now mandatory in Nepal: In March 2023 Nepal Tourism Board announced that all trekkers (solo, couples, groups, etc.) must have a licensed trekking guide from a registered trekking company if they want to trek in Nepal. Freelance trekking guides are also no longer permitted and only guides registered to trekking companies are allowed. The ruling is controversial in many aspects. There are likely to be changes to this ruling over the coming months and indeed years. However, the reality is that you now legally need a trekking guide to do this trek. However, few checkpoints are open. Find a registered guide in my Trekking in Nepal Guidebook or use my Find a Nepal Trekking Guide Service.

Where is the Muldai trek?


Muldai Peak is located north of Ghandruk in the north central area of Nepal bordering the districts of Myagdi District and Kaski District. Muldai Peak itself is located near the mountain village of Dobato, which has no more than a few tea houses. It takes about 2 days to reach Dobato.

There are several ways to reach Muldai Peak or Dobato. The route on this page will show you all the trails leading to the peak. Emphasis is placed on the shortest route that encompasses Muldai as its own trek. However this route also links to the Khopra Danda trek. Trails to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp are also possible.

 

Map of Nepal showing the location of the Muldai Trek Pokhara Kathmandu

 

Muldai Peak is similar to Poon Hill in many ways visually. The exact same mountain range is visible with a full 360 degree view point. The difference is the location of Muldai point which is off the beaten path a little. Muldai peak is also about 300 meters higher than Poon Hill which actually gives it a better view point!

Trekkers making their way up to Dobato
Trekkers making their way up to Dobato

Dobato is the nearest village and it's no more than 2-3 tea houses. This makes Muldai Peak a far better viewpoint than Poon Hill for those looking to avoid the crowds and commercial tour groups.

The Muldai trek is also shorter than Poon Hill with only one stop at Ghandruk which has good lodging. So for a short traditional feeling trek with 360 panoramic views Muldai Peak is the best kept secret in the Annapurna's.

For those wanting a longer trek or a warm up to longer trek or who also want to see Poon Hill you can easily add Muldai onto a Khopra ridge trek. 

 


Map of the Muldai Trek


This map shows you the Muldai Trek Route.


Please note this map should not be used as a practical trekking map. The trek ends in Dobato/Nayapul on the map. If returning to Pokhara via the Khopra Danda trek then  please see the Khopra Danda Trekking Map or the itineraries below. Otherwise you can find Muldai and Khopra Danda Maps in my own trekking in Nepal guidebook.

 


Facts about the Muldai Trek


The Muldai trek is quite new. The larger more commercial Poon Hill as always overshadowed it. Similarly Khopra Danda also over shadowed it as Poon Hill alternative which it's not. As such Muldai Peak has remained incredibly pristine!

Highest point of the Muldai Trek

At 3,637 m (11,932.41 feet) Muldai Peak is the highest part of the trek.

View from the top of Muldai Peak

View from the top of Muldai Peak

Highest sleeping point on the Muldai Trek

The highest sleeping point is at Dobato 3,426 m (11,240.16).

Total distance of the Mohare Ridge Trek

The full distance trekked to reach Muldai Peak is 33.1 km. A round journey back is 66.2km.  The final distance will depend on side treks and or your ending route.

How long have people been trekking the Muldai route?

Trekkers at the start of the Muldai trek in Nayapul
Trekkers at the start of the Muldai trek in Nayapul

Muldai Peak has been accessible to trekkers since the early 2000s. However development of the region was overshadowed by the larger town of Ghorepani and Poon Hill.

 In 2010 the community lodge program opened up in the are giving communities the opportunity to host trekkers instead of large commercial lodges. 

Muldai Peak was then superseded by the Nearby Khopra trek with people preferring to visiting Poon Hill (with similar) views on the way. However with the boom in commercial tourism and tour groups many people have been seeking out less crowded places and so Muldai fits this type of trekker very well.

Is there any wildlife to seen on the Muldai trek?

Wildlife along this route can be both hidden and rare. Due to the lack of people in the are there's a greater chance at spotting some rare wildlife. However a lot of this wildlife may well be hidden in the forested areas. Wildlife in the area can include the lynx, Himalayan musk deer, weasels, marten and Himalayan mouse hares. Domesticated animals like buffalo are frequently found.

What mountains can you see on the Muldai trek?

From Muldai Peak you will get full views of Annapurna I 8,138 meters (26, 700 ft), Annapurna South 7,218 meters (23, 684 ft). You'll also get views of  the world's seventh highest mountain Dhaulagiri 8,167 meters (26,794 feet).

As you may note these are the same mountains you can see from Poon Hill. There is practically no difference albeit there will be no crowds on Muldai peak!

 


Highlights of the Mohare Danda Trek


Highlights of the Muldai Trek include:
 
Trekkers on top of Muldai point at sunrise
Trekkers on top of Muldai point at sunrise
  • Stunning 360 degree views of Annapurna Mountains
  • Local teahouse & lodges
  • Farmhouse trail
  • One of the fastest treks to see mountains
  • Far less tourists & no  commercial treks
  • Can be extended through several routes

 


How to arrange a trek to Muldai


Arranging a regular Muldai trek

The Muldai Trek is virtually unknown to larger commercial or international trekking companies. It will also be relatively unknown in Kathmandu and you might have a trekking company having to ask someone else where it is exactly.

 Many trekking companies will not be too keen on the trek either as their guides may not know the prices in the area and quite honestly the trekking companies don't make much profit from such a short trek so they'll be less keen.

Muldai is also a far more traditional trek than most so as such should be treat as one. In such cases hiring a guide for a couple of days is probably the simplest and best option!

Package treks & tours for the Muldai trek bought online

Package treks & tours to Muldai peak only will be hard to come by. Most include other treks as companies try to stretch out the profit.

Package tours usually include food, accommodation, permits and a guide. Costs can be from USD $450+

Pro's of a package tour to Muldai include that everything is arranged ahead of time for you.

Con's include that the vast majority of online Muldai trek will add extra days to places you may not b interested in, fixed itineraries and inexperienced guides.

Package treks bought in Nepal for the Muldai trek

You'd be hard pressed to find a sign board in Kathmandu offering a short Muldai trek and the can be true for Pokhara.

Frozen tree in front of a mountain on the Muldai trek
Frozen tree in front of a mountain on the Muldai trek

The only way to get a package trek for the Muldai trek is to ask in person. The best place to do this in Pokhara and not Kathmandu.

When purchasing a package trek keep firm on your number of days. Keep in mind that if the trekking agency boosts up the price it's best to walk away.

Use the information on this page to work out the actual costs!

Keep in mind that a trekking company in does rightfully need to make a profit. There is however no need to overcharge for a trek like this.

Pro's of a local package trek tour to Muldai is that you'll be able to sit down and work out exactly what and where you want to go.

Con's include trekking agents trying to add in Poon Hill for an extra night or two and boost up the price. If you are visiting Muldai there really is no need to add in Poon Hill as it's the same view!

If you'd like to take the hard work out of finding a guide or package trek for the Muldai trek before you arrive then do try my Find a Trekking Guide Service.

Hiring a local Muldai Guide yourself

As mentioned earlier this is probably the best option for a short trek to Muldai. Local guides in Pokhara should know the area well. You can hire one in Pokhara itself. You'll need to pay for all the local transport, permits, accommodation and meals yourself too.

Guides should also have visited Muldai Peak before. If you are uncertain then ask them if they've been to Khopra Danda along this route. Nearly all guides will say they know the are well. It will be your choice to believe them or not.

The one thing you must make sure is that your guide is registered and insured. Many street guides are not despite the various badges and IDs they flash around. Hire from an agency.

If you are looking for a local registered trekking guide for the Muldai Trek I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal.

In my guidebook to Nepal there are several well vetted trekking agencies you can choose from that hire out local guides.

You can also save some time by using my Find a Guide Trekking Service to get a local guide.

Trekking Muldai Trek without a guide

The Muldai trek is not that difficult and the trail has been marked out by the local community. The area from Nayapul to Ghandruk is well known and has many people along it. The area from Ghandruk to Dobato is marked out but has far fewer people. The trek up to Muldai peak itself is in the dark along a dense forest area.

Blue and white lines are used along the Muldai trail. There are sign boards at large junctions along the trail. Compared to a trek like Mohare Danda this trek would be a little bit harder to navigate due to the predawn trek up to Muldai peak.

The area from Muldai peak to Ghorepani (Poon Hill) is not so well marked out.

As with most treks if you have not trekked in Nepal before I advise taking a guide. At the cost of hiring a guide for 2-3 days you'll learn a lot about trekking in Nepal if you want to do other treks solo.

If you are looking for a guide for the Muldai trek I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal.

You may also use my Find a Guide Trekking Service.


Best time of year to go trekking  to Muldai Peak


The Muldai trek's weather is practically the same as Poon Hill and Khopra. Clouds cover the mountains in the mid morning and early afternoon. At this altitude monsoon season mountain views would be hard to come across.

The good news is that due to being 300 meters higher there's a slightly better chance at seeing better mountain views on Muldai than Poon Hill. But I do emphasis "slight". During peak season Muldai's views are spectacular. Muldai is best for people looking to get off the tourist trail. As such, it makes a great alternative to the Poon Hill trek which has far more hotels, guesthouses, and cafes.

 

Muldai/Dobato Weather by month

  Avg. Temperature
(°C)
Avg. Temperature
(°F)
Precipitation / Rainfall
(mm)
January 2.2 36.0 30
February 3.5 38.3 27
March 7.5 45.5 39
April 10.8 51.4 33
May 13 55.4 34
June 14.8 58.6 61
July 14.2 57.6 143
August 14.1 57.4 135
September 13 55.4 74
October 10.3 50.5 35
November 5.6 42.1 6
December 3.3 37.9 10

Do note that Mohare does not have a weather station. The above weather chart is from Poon Hill which geographically is right beside Mohare.

 

Temperature Chart for Muldai/Dobato

Muldai annual temperature index graph

Cloud and Rain Chart for Muldai/Dobato

Muldai annual cloud and rain index graph

Mohare Danda is a  low-mid altitude trek so cloud coverage is an important factor when planning your trek. Mohare's cloudiest months are July and August. However September and even October can also have heavy cloud coverage.

As above spending the night in Mohare lodge is your best change at seeing mountains both at dawn and late afternoon so long as the weather in general is clear.

Months with the best weather to trek Muldai

Mid October - November/(early)December: Nepal's peak and best time to go trekking to Muldai peak.

February-March-April: this is the end of the dry season in Nepal and the second best time of year to go trekking to Muldai peak. This time of year also has the added advantage of the surrounding countryside in full bloom.

December to January/February: the skies are clear but it can get very cold. It's rare for Muldai peak to close asides from being cold it is still a good time of year to go.

May - June: The hot pre-monsoon season means things get uncomfortable and humid. The valley and hills around Muldai are starting to bloom with flowers but most will be covered by the forest. Don't go expecting to see mountains unless you plan to stay in Dobato for a while.

June - Mid September: this is Nepal's Monsoon season and the least popular time to go trekking to Muldai Peak. The risk of leeches and heavy rain will increase. The Mountain views are nearly always obstructed.

For more details please see my guide on the best time of year to go trekking in Nepal.


What permits do I need to go on the Khopra Danda Trek?


Despite being such a short trek you do need permits for the Muldai trek as it is within the Annapurna National Park. There are only two permits needed.

You need two permits for the Muldai Trek

  1. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
  2. Trekker Information Management System (TIMS Card)

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)

The Muldai Trek is within  the Annapurna Conservation Area so you will need an Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit. ACAP permits can be obtained at either the Kathmandu or Pokhara tourism offices. As the Muldai trek is closer to Pokhara then the Pokhara office would be a faster and easier place to get all your permits.

An ACAP Permit
An ACAP Permit
Steps to getting an ACAP permit:

 

    1. Fill out the ACAP form
    2. Hand over the completed form, your passport and 2 passport photos ( do note the office taking photos for free at the moment)
    3. Pay the 3,000 rupees (only payable in Nepali Rupees)
    4. Get your ACAP permit


Trekker Information Management System Card (TIMS)

The last bit of documentation or permit you need is a Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS). The card is meant to help protect trekkers through registration checkpoints along a trek including along the Muldai Trek. There is however only one checkpoint on the trek at Birethanti. The TiMS card fees are also used towards guide and porter insurance.

Right next to the ACAP permit office is the TIMS card office.

A TIMS Card
A TIMS Card

* Do note that the TIMS Card is now a flat 2,000 rupees and a trekking company is the only one that can apply for it.

Where are permits checked?

Birethanti just after Nayapul is where the ACAP and TIMS checkpoints are. The next is at Ghorepani. There are no permit discounts just because the trek is only 2-3 days.


What equipment do I need to go on the Muldai Trek?

No specialized equipment is needed for the Muldai trek.

Trekking t-shirts in Nepal
Trekking t-shirts in Nepal

The trek itself is short and relatively easy. Taking as little as possible will help in carrying a lot and eliminate the need for a porter.

  • A pair of trekking boots or trekking shoes suitable for off-road walking
  • A wind cheater style jacket
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Trekking pants
  • Shorts
  • Socks
  • Rubber sandals
  • Trekking poles
  • Water bottles
  • Water purification system
  • Map
  • Sun hat/warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunblock

The teahouses in Ghandruk all have blankets. Likewise in Dobato however they may become scarce if there are several trekkers there. Carrying a sleeping bag if the weather is cold would not be a bad idea.

The steps up and down from Muldai Peak can be made easier with trekking poles.

Please note the above is a very basic list. For a full comprehensive list please see my article on trekking equipment you need for Nepal


How difficult is the Muldai Trek?


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The Muldai trek is one of the easiest treks listed on this site. It's on par with the Panchase trek and is slightly easier than the Mohare Danda trek. Compared to Poon Hill, Muldai is also slightly easier though slightly more uncomfortable as there's no private bathroom at Dobato.

Many trekkers note the hardest part of the Muldai trek is the predawn hike up to Muldai peak. There are plenty of stone steps which can be slippery in the dawn dew.

Muldai 4 day trek difficulty chart

The first day of the Muldai trek is not too difficult. If you leave early it's a village trek to Ghandruk for the night.

Day Two is the ascent up past Tadapani to Dobato. It's a long day.

Day Three is the hardest with a pre dawn trek up to Muldai peak then back down to Ghandruk..

Day Four is a more leisurely trek down from Ghandruk.

 

There's really no need to extend this trek to make it easier. The only option is to stop at Tadapani for the night instead of lunch. So the trek would be 5 days or 6 days if you also stop on the way back. This might suit trekkers with children.

 

Sunrise from Dobato

Sunrise from Dobato

Trekking poles will help with the trek up and down to Muldai peak. The rest of the trek is along forest paths and shorter sections of stone steps.

All in all, if you have heard of Poon Hill, but would like a trek without the commercial aspect then Muldai will be the best choice.


How fit do I need to be for the Muldai Trek?


Fitness for the Muldai trek is relative to your own fitness levels. The trek is noted as being easy to moderate. I've not some across people struggling on this trek aside for first time trekkers or non-trekkers at dawn who found the last section of Muldai Point steep.

As always I would advise anyone going trekking to see a doctor before they go for a check-up and to talk about dealing with altitude sickness.

Certainly if you are sedentary before the trek you will struggle even if it is only a 4 day trek.

Most of the day is broken up into  2-3 hours in the morning and another 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

As a precaution do read about altitude sickness in Nepal.


What's the food like on the Muldai  trek?


Meals are simple traditional trekking mainstays. Ghandruk, Tadapani and Ghorepani will have larger more diverse menus. Dobato has a good trekking menu just don't go expecting chicken sizzlers.

All in all I found the food on this trek to be good and certainly better than the Langtang or Everest Regions.

Chicken and naan on the Muldai trek

Chicken and naan on the Muldai trek

 

 

Typical Muldai Menu

Item Price
Porridge with milk 300-350 Rupees
Fried eggs (2) 300-350 Rupees
Cheese Omelet 400-450 Rupees
Vegetable Momo 300-350 Rupees
Dal Bhat (Meat) 700-900 Rupees
Dal Bhat (Veg) 400-600 Rupees
Pasta with tomato and cheese 450-550 Rupees
Fried Noodles (Veg) 350-450 Rupees
Fried Potatoes with Cheese 500-600 Rupees
Pasta with sauce 400-500 Rupees
Tea/Coffee 50/100 Rupees
1 liter beer 600+ Rupees
Soft Drinks (Coke, Sprite etc.) 120-150 Rupees
1 liter filtered water 80 Rupees
1 liter boiled water (for self-filtering) 50 Rupees
1 liter bottled water (not available)* 100-150 rupees

Please note that bottled water is not available on the Muldai Trek. The installed water filters for local water around the Muldai region are not maintained well. It's well advised you use your own water filtration system. Filtered water costs between 50-100 rupees, but it is not boiled.

Beer, soda, coffee (powder), tea and hot lemon are also widely available throughout the region.

Apple pancake from Nepal

Apple pancake from Nepal

Chocolates, sweets, biscuits and candy bars are not that widely available above Tadapani. Those that do have stock will be charging higher rates than you might expect for them.

The Muldai trek has a similar golden rule on treks in that you must eat in the restaurant of the tea house or community lodge you are staying at when trekking. If you don't then your room rate is likely to increase rapidly.


What's accommodation like on the Muldai Trek?


Accommodation on the Muldai Trek is generally quite good with lodges providing clean, neat rooms.

Lodge accommodation at Dobato
Lodge accommodation at Dobato - accommodation area is behind the main common room to the right and the kitchen to the left

Accommodation in Ghandruk is varied with teahouses and lodges with private and shared bathrooms. In Dobato your only choice will be shared bathrooms.

If you extend your trek by staying in Tadapani then once again you'll get a wide range of teahouse style trekking lodges.

Read more and see what trekking accommodation is like in Nepal.


How much does the Muldai trek cost?


The Muldai trek is short with very few commercial lodges to contend with which helps in budgeting it.

Working out your trekking budget

Package tours to Muldai Peak do exist but are usually overpriced and include other treks.

Mountain views from Ghandruk to Dobato
Mountain views from Ghandruk to Dobato

Online package tours for 5-6 days can cost USD $550+pp. This does not include water or a porter. You will get a guide, meals and accommodation.

Online package tours will often have Poon Hill or Khopra Danda included.

In country package tours Package treks to Muldai Peak are best sought out in Pokhara. Do read the itinerary carefully and watch out for those extras being added on. As the trek is short trekking companies will have less interest in them.  Costs can be from $250-450 depending on the itinerary.

Remember to look at itineraries and see if everything is included that you want or more to the point things added that you don't want. If you need to reduce costs try to eliminate things like a porter or a jeep to the trailhead.

My Find A Guide Service can help you out here but do try to get in contact before arriving in Nepal.

Guide only services for the Muldai trek can cost from $27 to $50 per day. The more you pay the more "experienced" your trekking guide should be. The Muldai trek is a short trek so you could also opt for a porter-guide to reduce your costs.

For short treks finding a legitimate, qualified and licensed trekking guide adds the difficulty of avoiding street guides. These types of guides may not be qualified or licensed and therefore not insured to take you trekking. In the event of an accident you will be liable for their medical expenses.

Porter fees are about USD $20 per day.

If you are looking for a guide for the Muldai Trek then I recommend you read my article on how to find a trekking guide in Nepal. Alternatively use my Find a Trekking Guide Service.

Average 4 day trek cost for the Muldai Trek

Item Cost USD $
Permits (ACAP, TIMS) 40
Guide x 4 days 108
Accommodation x 4 (shared) 16
Meals 3x$5 60
Water 4 liters a day (filtered & boiled) 16
Transport (public-RTN) 12
Total 252

Like many short treks it's worth pointing out that a 4 day package trek to Muldai peak with all your accommodation, meals, a guide, permits and private transport is pretty close to the above if you get a good deal. This will depend on your bargaining ability, time of year and the guides availability.

Extras: Don't forget to include a tip for your guide 10%. Any soft drinks, sweets, hot drinks etc. you may want to purchase along the way.

  • The cost of an average lodge with shared bathroom is 400 rupees.
  • Bottled water is not available in most  places. The cost of one liter of locally filtered water is 50-80 rupees (not boiled) but when boiled ends up costing more than bottled water. It's highly important to filter the water on this trek.
  • The cost of a plate of Dal Bhat starts at around 450 rupees and climbs to 600+ rupees or more with met.

Travel insurance should be included and do make sure you are covered for trekking! Here is my recommendation for travel insurance when in Nepal.

How to reduce your budget on the Muldai trek

The Muldai trek is a short trek and the price above reflects that. To reduce this treks price would be to go without a guide.

If you do opt to visit Poon Hill / Ghorepani then you'll need to increase your budget respectively.


Muldai trek itinerary


The Muldai trek is not well known for reasons given above so trekking itineraries largely include other treks like Poon Hill or Khopra. On this page we are dealing with the Muldai trek as it's own trek which rivals Poon Hill. If I was pressed for trekking time I'd rather to Muldai with Khopra Danda than Muldai and Poon Hill which are the same views.

This is also something to keep in mind if returning from Muldai via Ghorepani. Again, personally I would prefer to come back the same way on this trek if avoiding crowds was my goal. By visiting Poon Hill you are adding a day as you'll need a morning for sunrise and then seeing the same mountains.

I would add on Poon Hill if I was doing Muldai and Khopra as you'll have another mountain set in the middle. Similarly you could do the entire Khopra Danda loop with Muldai - Khopra - Poon Hill - Mohare.

Prayer flags and mountains on Muldai peak

Prayer flags and mountains on Muldai peak

 

4 Day Muldai Trek itinerary

Day Route Distance (km) Highest Altitude
1 Pokhara to Nayapul (car) - Nayapul to Ghandruk 2 hours + 3 hours avg 1,940 m
2 Ghandruk to Dobato 5-6 hours avg 3,426 m
3 Dobato - Muldai Peak - Ghandruk * 5-6 hours avg 3,637 m
4 Ghandruk to Naya Pul - Pokhara (car) 3 hours + 2 hours avg 1,400 m
* This is the morning that you hike up to Muldai Peak.


5-6 Day Muldai Trek itinerary

Day Route Distance (km) Highest Altitude
1 Pokhara to Nayapul (car) - Nayapul to Ghandruk 2 hours + 3 hours avg 1,526 m
2 Ghandruk to Tadapani 2 hours avg 2,260 m
3 Tadapani to Dobato 2 hours avg 3,313 m
4 Dobato - Muldai Peak - Tadapani * 3-4 hours avg 2,260m
5 Tadapani to Ghandruk ** 2 hours avg 1,526 m
6 Ghandruk to Pokhara 3 hours + 2 hours avg 1,400 m

* This is the morning that you hike up to Muldai Peak.

** You can easily shorten the 6 day trek into 5 days by going straight from Tadapani through Ghandruk to Pokhara as it's down hill and over not so difficult terrain.

The above 5-6 day trek is for those who may wish to take a more leisurely trek along the Muldai trek.

What's the best Muldai Itinerary?

The 4 day Muldai itinerary can easily be accomplished by most fit trekkers. The toughest day is the 3rd day when you are up early for Muldai peak.

Detailed Muldai Trek Itinerary

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The following is a detailed day by day 4 day itinerary from day one to day four on the Muldai Trek.

Day one - Pokhara to Nayapul to Ghandruk

Getting an early start makes the most out of this short trek, it will also ensure you arrive in Ghandruk with plenty of time for a mountain sunset.

The road from Pokhara to Nayapul can be bumpy in places but everything from buses to taxis and jeeps makes it there. From the roadside you walk down to the river crossing a suspension bridge into the village of Birethanti  where the first ACAP and TIMs card checkpoints are. If you've not had breakfast, this is a good place to eat.

Forest river close to Ghandruk
Forest river close to Ghandruk

You'll trek up through Chimrung and across Syalui Bazar which slowly turns from large trail to forest walk. Kimche is the village where many people stop for lunch.

This is Annapurna mountain farmland and you'll be passing through plenty of traditional farming areas. Stone paths pave the way as oxen and buffalo follow along side. It's up a series of stone steps to Ghandruk where you should aim for a nice lodge for the night. Privates are available and the food here is good. Tomorrow night it's shared bathrooms. Enjoy the Annapurna mountains over sunset and again at dawn.


Day two - Ghandruk to Dobato

Sunrise at Ghandruk is fabled. Though you'll wonder about the mobile telephone mast at the edge of town which often blocks the view.

Annapurna South from Dobato teahouse window
Annapurna South from Dobato teahouse window

You are not entering true trekking territory. It's on this route trekkers follow for the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Annapurna Circuit, Khopra Danda and indeed Muldai Peak. Tadapani awaits for lunch.

The forest and afternoon clouds often block the views as you trek on upwards. But if you are lucky in the peak season the mountains will be on show. As the forest thickens the Annapurna Mountains Range is often glimpsed through tree branches. The steps here are long and plentiful but the trees offer shade.

You'll enter into Dobato wondering if there is more to this little area. A small tea house with a long lodge sit perched on a forest embankment. Opposite is the huge valley and behind that impressive mountains look down. Nearby is a full day side trek to hidden lake is you want to send an extra night. The lodges eating area has great views if the weather is cold. Which is it normally is when you'll be up before dawn the next day. 

Day three - Muldai Peak to Ghandruk

A predawn trek in the dark means head torches are needed to navigate the steeps steps up to the top. The forest here is thick and the steps can be wet with dew so take care.

Lone trekker on Muldai Peak
Lone trekker on Muldai Peak

Once the steps end it's not over. Muldai peak is large mound of a hill which still needs to be climbed. It's here many not used to trekking will find difficult. There's no rush if dawn is good the sunrise is slow and will wait for you at the top.

There are several open mounds at the top used as view points. Some even have pleasant seats to enough the view from. If you brought some snacks enjoy them.

Those going to Ghorepani can follow a rough trail from here. Meanwhile for Muldai trekkers the trek down is a little easier after the rewards at the top. A full breakfast at Dobato helps with motivations.

The trek to Ghandruk is easier than the trek from the lodge town. Hopefully the Annapurna Mountain range will be on show all the way to your hot shower.

Day four - Ghandruk to Pokhara

Waking up to a sunrise at Ghandruk is good way to bid the mountains goodbye. After a hearty breakfast you'll trek down the village steps as farmers bid you good morning and good luck.

Mountain views near Tadapani
Mountain views near Tadapani

 

Once again it seems as if this part of the trek going down is easier than your remember going up. It's morning and the farming will be in full swing to keep you occupied down the stone pavements into forests and finally across the wider trails.

 A lunch at Birethanti is a welcome reward before you make your way out to Nayapul and a bus or car ride back to Pokhara.


More information on Trekking in Nepal


For alternative treks do read my list of treks in Nepal which is continually being added to based on popularity or request.

If you are looking for a trekking guide I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal or you can use the Find a Guide Service.

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