Mardi Himal Nepal

Your guide meets you at the hotel at 6:30 am and goes with you to the tourist bus station. The drive to Pokhara takes six hours, depending on traffic. The road runs alongside the Trishuli River and passes green hills, river valleys, and small farming villages.

When you reach Pokhara, you transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your Leisure. You can walk along Lakeside, take a boat out on Phewa Lake, or simply relax and enjoy the cool city of Pokhara.

If you prefer a faster and smoother journey, you can get on a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara at an additional cost. The flight takes about 25 minutes, and can see the Himalayan view, hilly villages, farmland, and the river valley.

After breakfast, a 40-minute drive takes you from Pokhara to Dhampus (1,650 m / 5,413 ft). From here the foothills begin to climb toward the Annapurna range, and your trek starts on foot.

The trail rises steadily through forest and terraced hillside, following a well-worn path. You pass through Pothana, where your permits are checked, and then continue along a ridge where the views grow wider. On clear days, the sharp peak of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) appears ahead, standing apart from the surrounding ridgelines. Lunch is served along the way at one of the trailside stops.

You reach Pitam Deurali (2,130 m / 6,988 ft), where the air turns cooler and the setting feels more alpine. Beyond Deurali, the trail enters a quieter stretch of forest. Oak, maple, and rhododendron trees close in around the path, filtering the light and keeping the air cool. The only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves. The path is clear and climbs at an even pace, with a few short, steeper sections, and the valleys below fall away as you rise.

By the time you reach Forest Camp (also known as Kokar), you have gained about 950 m (3,117 ft) for the day. The camp sits in a small clearing among the trees, with a handful of simple lodges. It is a calm, enclosed spot and a gentle introduction to the more remote part of the Mardi Himal trail.

There are no settlements between Deurali and Forest Camp, so carry enough water and a few light snacks. Plastic bottled water is not allowed on the Mardi Himal route, as part of local conservation efforts. Bring a reusable bottle and refill it with boiled or filtered water bought at the lodges.

The trail climbs steadily above Forest Camp through thick rhododendron and oak woodland. The shade keeps the air cool as you gain height.

Around midday you reach Low Camp, where the first wide views of Machhapuchhre appear. From here the route follows a narrow ridge to Badal Danda, a natural viewpoint where Annapurna South and Hiunchuli come fully into view. Beyond this point, the forest gives way to alpine shrubland, and the land opens on both sides of the ridge. The final stretch to High Camp has a few steeper sections on more exposed ground.

You arrive at High Camp with a total of about 950 m (3,117 ft). The camp sits on an open slope and is one of the best viewpoints on the whole route, especially in the evening when the light settles across the peaks.

This is the highlight of the trek. You leave High Camp in the early hours of the morning (around 4:00 am) and follow the narrow ridge by headlamp. The climb to the Upper Viewpoint is steady, with sections of loose rock and short, sharp ascents that need careful footing. Beyond the viewpoint, about two hours of steep climbing takes you to Mardi Himal Base Camp.

As the first light arrives, the horizon opens. Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the pointed summit of Machhapuchhre emerge, their snow faces catching the early sun. From about 4,200 m, you watch the colours of sunrise move slowly across the range.

After enjoying the view, you return to High Camp for breakfast and then start the descent along the same ridge. The trail passes through open alpine terrain with clear views over the valleys. It drops to Badal Danda at 3,210 m, with a total ascent of about 950 m (3,117 ft) and a descent of about 1,290 m (4,232 ft). Badal Danda often sits above a layer of cloud, which makes for a quiet and memorable end to the day.

Your guide will check the weather, trail conditions, and group readiness before confirming the push to Base Camp, and the plan may change accordingly.

The day starts with a steady descent from Badal Danda. The open ridge gradually turns into a forest trail, and the path winds through rhododendron and oak woodland. The air grows warmer, and the scenery softens with each step.

Lower down, the trail opens onto terraced fields and scattered hillside homes. It can be uneven in places, especially after rain, and passes through small villages where you can see rural life every day. From Low Camp, the route turns toward Siding instead of going back via Rest Camp.

After several hours, you reach Siding, a quiet Gurung village among green hills and farmland. The total descent is about 1,460 m (4,790 ft), with very little climbing. From here, a scenic drive of two to three hours takes you back to Pokhara through winding valleys.

After reaching Pokhara, take some time to freshen up and relax before enjoying a beautiful evening around Phewa Lake. Soak in the peaceful lakeside atmosphere, admire the stunning reflections of the surrounding hills and mountains, and explore Pokhara’s vibrant lakeside area at your own pace.

After breakfast, Transfer to the Bus station and scenic drive back to Kathmandu through the river valley, mid-hill range and local settlements. The road passes terraced hills and small roadside towns, and the scenery gradually changes from mountain country to warmer, lower valleys. We will have a Farewell dinner and a small ceremony to hand over your Trip Completion Certificate.

On arrival in Kathmandu, you transfer to your hotel and spend the evening resting after the long drive. If you would like a shorter and more comfortable return, a 25-minute flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu is available at an additional cost. 

Your Mardi Himal journey ends today. After breakfast, we will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Please plan to arrive at least three hours before departure so that check-in and security go smoothly.

As you leave Nepal, you take with you the misty forests above Dhampus, the sunrise over Machhapuchhre, and the calm rhythm of life along the Mardi ridge.