Mardi Himal Trek – 7 Days

We start our journey with a 6/7-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara, tracing the Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers amidst towering hills. Along the way, we pass through quaint towns, fertile agricultural lands, and dense forests. Weather permitting, glimpses of Manaslu Peak and Ganesh Himal may grace our bus journey.

Pokhara, a haven for tourists, boasts breathtaking natural and cultural wonders, including lakes, caves, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and stunning views of the Annapurna range. Upon arrival in Pokhara and checking into our hotel, you can venture out to explore this city of lakes.

After enjoying a delightful breakfast at our Pokhara hotel, we embark on a brief 1-hour drive to Phedi, the starting point of our hike. As we disembark and stretch our legs, our journey begins. Along the trail, we traverse villages, terraced fields, and stone steps.

At 1650 meters, Dhampus stands out as a prominent Gurung village adorned with traditional houses and stunning mountain vistas. Here, we pause for lunch, soaking in the breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. Post-lunch, our trek resumes towards Pothana village, then onward to Deurali, where we settle in for the night.

After enjoying breakfast at our lodge, we set off on our hike. The trail winds through a verdant forest, speckled with rhododendron trees, until we arrive at Forest Camp at 2600 meters. Here, we pause for lunch, taking a moment to relax and loosen up our muscles before resuming our trek.

Continuing onward from Forest Camp, a few hours of hiking brings us to Low Camp at 3000 meters. Along the way, the awe-inspiring vistas of Mt. Machapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail) reward our efforts, offering ample opportunities to capture the scenery in photographs. As night falls, we settle into a cozy teahouse in Low Camp, where the sight of Mt. Machhapuchhre looms even more majestically overhead.

We wake up to the golden dawn, as sunlight spills over Mt. Machhapuchhre. After a delightful breakfast bathed in warm sunshine, we embark on the third day of our hike. With close-up views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli, we ascend the challenging stone-carved steps to Badal Danda, perched at 3210 meters. Translated as "cloudy hill" in English, the name aptly describes this spot, often shrouded in clouds during afternoons and evenings.

From Badal Danda, the trail to High Camp (3580 m) steepens, leading primarily through expansive grasslands. This leg of the trek becomes exhilarating, offering breathtaking Himalayan vistas above and deep gorges below. Despite its brevity, today's hike is demanding, involving a 600-meter ascent over just 3–4 hours.

Upon reaching High Camp, we enjoy a satisfying lunch, settle into our teahouse rooms, and have the option to explore the surroundings or mingle with fellow hikers at the lodge. Evenings can be chilly, making dinner in a communal dining hall by a crackling fire a cozy necessity. After dinner, we retire early to prepare for an early-morning start on the next day's hike.

Today, our eagerly anticipated journey to the majestic Annapurna range begins, culminating at the breathtaking Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m).

We set off early, embarking on a 2-hour trek to the Mardi Himal View Point. Prepare to be captivated by the stunning sunrise casting its glow on nearby snow-capped peaks like Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchhre (6993m), and more.

After taking in the Himalayan sunrise, we continue along a ridge to the Upper Viewpoint and onward to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Here, the mountains seem incredibly close, offering breathtaking views of the ravine below that mirror the grandeur of the peaks. The trek from High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp takes around 4-5 hours, with the return journey lasting approximately 3-4 hours.

Following a satisfying meal, we pack up at High Camp and descend to Badal Danda, where we settle in for the rest of the day and night.

Today marks the descent day of your Mardi Himal journey, having conquered its challenges. Following breakfast, we leave Badal Danda, retracing our steps for about 2 hours until we reach Low Camp, pausing briefly before descending via a different route through lush forests and alongside gentle streams. After a pleasant 3-hour hike, we arrive at Sidhing, where we enjoy a leisurely lunch while awaiting our jeep.

The journey from Sidhing to Pokhara takes a couple of hours by jeep, offering a chance to relax and reflect on the trek's accomplishments. Pokhara welcomes us with its serene lakeside setting—a perfect spot to unwind, savor a lakeside meal, and toast to the successful completion of our adventure in the mountains.

After breakfast, we board a tourist bus at 8 am, embarking on a 6 to 8-hour journey to Kathmandu. And just like that, the 7-day trek to Mardi Himal concludes. We hope you enjoyed your time with us amidst the mountains.