Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary: A Journey into the Hidden Himalayas

Mardi Himal Trek is an adventure that will take us through the mountains and a passage into the heart of the Himalayas.

Trek Overview

Duration: 7 Days

Best Time to Visit: March-May/September-November

Trekking Difficulty: Moderate

Day 1: Arrival in Pokhara - The City of Lakes

Pokhara, a city that feels like the aperture of the world, where the mountains seem close enough that can be touched, and the air is often filled with a sense of adventure. After checking into your hotel, you can take a leisurely stroll along the shores of Phewa Lake in the evening. As the sun sets for the day, the sky blushes with hues of pink and orange, setting the perfect tone for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Drive to Kande and Trek to Forest Camp (2,550m) 4-5 hours

Our morning begins with a short, scenic drive from Pokhara to Kande, where the trail to Mardi Himal awaits to welcome us. As we start trekking, the path takes us through forests alive with the sounds of chirping birds, the rustle of leaves underfoot and rays of light passing peeping the trees. The air becomes fresher and fragrant with the scent of pine and earth. Gradually our climb leads us higher and we leave the bustling world below. By afternoon, we will reach Forest Camp, a cozy haven nestled among the trees where we will rest for the day. Our evening will be spent around a warm fire, sharing stories with fellow trekkers, the towering mountains hidden just behind the forest curtain.

Day 3: Trek from Forest Camp to Low Camp (2,970m) 3-4 hours

The trail we walk today will lead us deeper into the mystical forest, where sunlight filters through the dense canopy as we ascend. As we ascend, the trees begin to thin out revealing glimpses of snow-capped peaks. By the time we reach Low Camp, the landscape will have transformed and given way to the sweeping views of Machhapuchhre’s face dominating the open skyline. The sense of being in a secluded and untouched part of the Himalayas surrounds us and grows stronger as the evening fog rolls in and wraps the camp in a soft, ethereal blanket.

Day 4: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3,580m) 4-5 hours

Today’s trek is an adventure that takes us above the clouds. The trail is a steady climb once we leave Low Camp, leading us through the rugged terrain where the trees slow stop accompanying us and we find scrub and rocky outcrops. With every step, the panorama expands and the Annapurna range unfolds, like a white wall against the endless sky. Reaching High Camp feels like stepping onto the roof of the world which is hinted by the thin and crisp air. The peaks of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre seem close enough to reach out and touch. As we settle into the night, the sky becomes filled with sparkling stars whose brilliance is magnified by the fresh and clear, high-altitude air.

Day 5: Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) and Return to High Camp (6-7 hours)

Our day starts early and we start to walk in the cold, pre-dawn light on the trail towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. As we keep ascending, the world gradually awakens with the first rays of sunlight painting the peaks in shades of gold and pink. We continue through this challenging path where the reward at the top is waiting us- a 360-degree view of the Annapurna Sanctuary where the mighty peaks stand guard over the silent, snow-covered landscape. We catch a breath and soak in the vastness and the serenity at the Base Camp. Then we make our way back to High Camp, where we will celebrate the the day’s achievement with hot tea and the camaraderie of our fellow trekkers.

Day 6: Trek from High Camp to Siding Village (1,700m) 6-7 hours

After the thrill and adventure of reaching Base Camp, today’s trek will be a gentle descent back to embracing the warmth and comfort of the lower valleys. The trail will lead us down through the forest, where the air becomes warmer, and the colors of the rhododendrons are more vivid. The landscape changes from alpine heights to lush greenery that will accompany us again. Soon, we will find ourselves in Siding, a traditional Gurung village. The simplicity of village life will be a refreshing change for us and we will spend our evening in a homestay and enjoy a hearty meal prepared with love by our hosts.

Day 7: Trek to Lumre and Drive to Pokhara (3-4 hours)

The final day of our trek will take us through terraced fields and small settlements on the trail that winds gently down towards the road that will lead back to Pokhara and the bustling life we left on the first day. The walk is relatively leisurely and will allow us to savor the last moments of this incredible adventure in Nepal. When we reach Lumre, a vehicle awaits to take us back to the city where the comforts of civilization will welcome us after days in the wild. As we arrive in Pokhara, we will have time to relax by the lake, with the peaks of the Annapurnas now a distant, but etched as unforgettable memories.