Mardi Himal Trek - 7 Days

Arrive in Pokhara, Nepal's stunning lakeside city nestled beneath the Annapurna range. If flying from Kathmandu, enjoy spectacular mountain views during the 25-minute flight. If traveling by tourist bus (6-7 hours), experience beautiful scenery along the Trishuli and Seti rivers. Our team will meet you and transfer to your lakeside hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing by Phewa Lake or exploring the vibrant tourist area. In the evening, attend a comprehensive trek briefing where we'll discuss the Mardi Himal route in detail, review the itinerary, explain altitude acclimatization strategies, and answer all your questions. This is also when you can rent any equipment needed - sleeping bags, down jackets, trekking poles. We'll check your packing list to ensure you have everything needed for higher altitudes. The Mardi Himal trek is newer and less developed than classic routes, so proper preparation is important. Rest well tonight as tomorrow you begin your adventure into one of Nepal's hidden trekking gems.

After an early breakfast, drive 45 minutes from Pokhara to Kande (1,770m), a small village north of the city. The drive offers beautiful views of terraced hillsides and traditional Gurung villages. Begin your trek with a gradual climb through the village to the Australian Camp viewpoint, where you'll enjoy your first panoramic mountain views including Machapuchare, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. From here, the trail descends slightly before beginning a steady ascent through beautiful mixed forests. Walk through lush rhododendron, oak, and pine forests on a peaceful trail with far fewer trekkers than the main Annapurna routes. The forest is particularly magical in spring when rhododendrons bloom in brilliant reds, pinks, and whites. Pass through Pothana village (1,890m) where you can stop for tea and enjoy mountain views. Continue climbing through increasingly dense forest, watching for birds and occasionally spotting langur monkeys in the canopy. The trail becomes steeper as you gain altitude, winding through pristine wilderness. Finally reach Forest Camp (2,520m), a small settlement with just 2-3 basic teahouses nestled deep in the forest. The accommodation is rustic but the setting is beautiful and peaceful. Enjoy dinner by the fire as the forest grows dark around you.

Wake to the sounds of the forest - birds singing and wind rustling through the trees. Today's trek continues climbing through beautiful forest that gradually transitions from dense rhododendron and oak to higher altitude bamboo and juniper. The trail is well-maintained but steeper than yesterday, zigzagging up the mountainside. As you gain altitude, catch glimpses of mountains through gaps in the forest canopy. The forest becomes more mystical at higher elevations, with moss-covered trees and gnarled branches creating an enchanted atmosphere. Pass through Kokar (2,560m), a very small settlement with limited facilities. The route becomes even quieter - you may see only a handful of other trekkers all day. Continue climbing steadily, taking breaks to catch your breath as the altitude increases. The vegetation becomes sparser and the forest more open as you approach Low Camp. Suddenly emerge from the treeline to be greeted by spectacular views! Low Camp (3,050m) sits in a clearing on a high ridge with stunning panoramas of Machapuchare, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli towering directly above. The change from forest to mountain views is dramatic and exciting. There are 3-4 teahouses at Low Camp offering basic accommodation. The setting is magnificent - you're now high on the ridge with mountains surrounding you. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing, taking photos, and simply enjoying the incredible location. Watch the sunset paint the peaks in golden light.

Today is a shorter but spectacular day of trekking along the high ridge. The trail climbs gradually above Low Camp, following the ridgeline with increasingly dramatic views. You're now completely above the treeline in alpine terrain with low shrubs, grasses, and occasional stunted rhododendrons. The landscape is open and exposed, offering constant 360-degree mountain panoramas. The trail winds along the ridge crest with steep drops on both sides - spectacular but not dangerous as the path is wide and well-defined. Machapuchare dominates the skyline ahead, its distinctive double-peaked summit (the "fishtail") growing larger and more imposing with each step. To the right, see the massive south face of Annapurna South. Behind you, enjoy views back down the valley toward Pokhara and beyond to the Manaslu range. The walking is easier today with less climbing, allowing you to enjoy the scenery. Pass through Badal Danda (3,210m), sometimes called "Cloud Ridge" because clouds often swirl around the ridge. The landscape becomes increasingly barren and dramatic as you approach High Camp. Finally reach High Camp (3,580m), perched spectacularly on a narrow ridge with mind-blowing views. There are 2-3 very basic teahouses here - facilities are minimal but the location is extraordinary. You're now extremely close to the giant peaks. Machapuchare looks almost close enough to touch, its sacred summit towering just 3,400 meters above you. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and taking photos. The sunset from High Camp is absolutely spectacular - watch as alpenglow illuminates the peaks. Rest well tonight as tomorrow you make the final push to Base Camp.

Wake at 4:30 AM for an early start to Base Camp. Dress in all your warm layers - it's cold at this hour and altitude. Begin climbing in the pre-dawn darkness with headlamps, following a steep rocky trail up the ridge. The climb is challenging - steep, rocky, and at high altitude where every step requires effort. Take it very slowly and steadily. As dawn breaks, watch the surrounding peaks illuminate in spectacular alpenglow - the light show is magical. Continue climbing for 2-3 hours, gaining 920 meters of altitude. The trail becomes increasingly rocky and barren, passing through a lunar-like landscape of boulders and scree. Finally reach Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) - a rocky amphitheater surrounded by towering peaks. The views are absolutely breathtaking and well worth every difficult step. You're standing directly beneath the south face of Mardi Himal (5,587m) with its hanging glaciers and ice cliffs. To your left, Machapuchare rises majestically, its sacred summit still unclimbed. Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the entire Annapurna Sanctuary fill the horizon. The scale is overwhelming - these giants loom directly above, their faces rising thousands of meters. The setting is pristine wilderness with no permanent structures, just prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Spend 30-45 minutes at Base Camp taking photos, enjoying hot tea from thermoses, and simply absorbing this incredible achievement. The altitude is noticeable here - you'll breathe heavily even while standing still. When ready, begin the long descent back to High Camp for breakfast. After resting and eating, continue descending all the way to Low Camp (3,050m) where you'll spend the night. The descent is tough on knees but goes much faster than the ascent. Descending 1,450 meters in one day aids acclimatization. Celebrate your successful summit at Low Camp!

Today you leave the high mountains behind and descend through changing landscapes back to lower elevations. The trail descends steeply from Low Camp, initially retracing your route through the forest. However, instead of continuing to Forest Camp, take a different trail that branches west. Descend through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests on a pleasant trail with some steep sections. The forest is lush and green at these elevations, a stark contrast to the barren alpine zone above. Pass through small clearings with occasional mountain views through the trees. The trail winds down the mountainside, sometimes quite steeply. Use trekking poles to reduce impact on your knees. As you lose altitude, the air becomes noticeably thicker and warmer - breathing becomes easier and your energy increases. Finally emerge from the forest near Siding Village (1,750m), a traditional Gurung settlement on the lower slopes. This authentic village sees fewer tourists than villages on main trekking routes. Walk through the village seeing traditional stone houses, terraced fields, and locals going about their daily lives. Water buffalo graze in fields, children play, and women work at outdoor looms - a glimpse of rural mountain life largely unchanged for generations. Check into one of the basic but clean guesthouses in Siding. Enjoy a hot shower (first in several days!), charge your devices, and relax. Celebrate the successful completion of your Mardi Himal adventure with your guide and porter over a festive dinner. Reflect on the amazing journey from lakeside Pokhara to the base of a Himalayan giant and back.

After breakfast, take a short morning walk (1-2 hours) descending through terraced fields and villages to the roadhead at Lwang (1,270m) or similar. The walk is easy and pleasant, offering final views of rural life and terraced agriculture. Local jeeps or private vehicles will be waiting at the roadhead. Drive back to Pokhara (1.5-2 hours) on mountain roads that wind through hills and valleys. The drive offers beautiful scenery and a chance to relax after days of trekking. Arrive in Pokhara around midday and check into your lakeside hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Pokhara's many attractions and amenities. Options include: taking a well-deserved rest and hot shower, getting a massage at one of many spas, shopping for souvenirs in the lakeside area, enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant, visiting the International Mountain Museum to learn more about Himalayan peaks you've seen, taking a boat ride on Phewa Lake, or simply relaxing at a lakeside cafe reflecting on your adventure. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a celebratory dinner at one of Pokhara's excellent restaurants. You've completed one of Nepal's most spectacular and off-the-beaten-path treks - congratulations!

After breakfast, depending on your schedule, you have several options. If flying back to Kathmandu, transfer to Pokhara airport for your scenic 25-minute flight. If traveling by tourist bus, transfer to the bus station for the 6-7 hour journey back to Kathmandu. If you have extra time in Pokhara, there are many activities to enjoy: paragliding over the Pokhara valley with mountain views (highly recommended!), visiting Sarangkot for sunrise views, exploring the World Peace Pagoda, visiting Devi's Falls and Gupteshwor Cave, mountain biking around Phewa Lake, or simply relaxing by the lake. Your Mardi Himal trek concludes, but the memories of standing beneath Machapuchare's sacred peak and experiencing this pristine wilderness will stay with you forever. Safe travels and thank you for choosing this off-the-beaten-path adventure!