My First Trek to Khumai Danda: An Unforgettable Journey

I started my day early, had tea and breakfast hopping on my scooter at 6 AM, excited and ready for my first trek to Khumai Danda. As I rode away from the busy streets of Pokhara, the morning felt peaceful. The cool breeze hit my face, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the quiet ride toward Hemja. The roads were empty, and the sunrise bathed everything in a soft golden light, making the journey even more beautiful

Getting there: Take a jeep or bus from Harichowk, Pokhara, to Saripakha or Tuse, Ghachok. From there, Khumai Danda is an eight-hour walk.

After reaching Milanchowk Hemja, turn right and ask the locals for directions. There were two routes after reaching Tuse (1255m ), the easier left path Ghamtara , which didn’t have straight stairs, and the steeper right path (Saripakha) full of stairs that some people might find challenging. however after a while, both paths merge into the same route., I chose the left one, and then waited for my friends at Ghumtara. We had breakfast there and parked our scooters, ready to start the trek. By then, the road was bustling with people — November is a popular month for trekking.

After about an hour of walking, we reached Hile, which is 2,160 meters above. The views were incredible, and we couldn’t resist taking loads of photos. A quick tip: there’s often a shortage of water and electricity in this area, and there’s no cell service. So, make sure to fill your water bottle when you can! There’s a small lake where you can get some water, but be prepared.

We reached our resting point around 5 or 6 PM and stayed near Khumai Hotel. Each of us paid Rs 1300 for the stay package, which included dinner, snacks, tea, hot water, breakfast and accommodation but it depends upon the Hotel. It’s cheaper maybe we stayed near Khumai not exactly in the Khumai. The next morning, we woke up at 4 AM to get ready, and by 6 AM, we reached Khumai Danda just in time to watch the sunrise which was raise around 7 am . The view was absolutely stunning.

If you want an even better view of the Himalayas, you can continue on to Khorchan. It’s about a two-hour hike, but totally worth it. After spending the morning soaking in the views, we started our return journey. Got back to Hemja by 5 PM Note: After returning choose Saripakha where you will get jeep to come Hemja. Wrapping up a perfect trekking experience.

Tips for Trek Beginners:

1. Pack light , bring essentials like water, snacks, Power bank and a first-aid kit.
2. Stay hydrated and pace yourself.
3. Break in your shoes before the trek to avoid blisters.
4. Check the weather and be prepared for sudden changes bring Raincoats.
5. Take your time to acclimatize if trekking at higher altitudes.
6. Respect nature and local communities, leaving no trace behind.

Destination: Khumai Danda

Getting there: Take a jeep or bus from Harichowk or you can ride on Scooter or bike from Pokhara, to Saripakha or Tuse, Ghachok. From there, Khumai Danda is an eight-hour /9 hour walk.

Budget: Around Min 3000 to 5000 depends upon packages.