Mardi Himal Trek – 7 Days Off the Beaten Path

Your Mardi Himal adventure begins with your arrival in Pokhara, Nepal's beautiful lakeside city. You can fly directly from Kathmandu (a 25-minute flight) or take a tourist bus (a 6-7 hour journey) through Nepal's scenic countryside. After checking into your hotel, you'll have free time to explore Pokhara's lakeside area, with its stunning views of the Annapurna range reflected in Phewa Lake. In the evening, we'll have a welcome dinner and briefing about the trek with our experienced guide.

After breakfast, we'll take a short drive to Kande (1,770m), the starting point of our trek. From here, we begin our ascent through villages and terraced farmlands to Australian Camp, which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range. After lunch, we continue trekking through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests to reach Forest Camp (also known as Kokar), where we'll spend our first night in a tea house. The tranquil forest setting provides a peaceful introduction to the Himalayan wilderness.

Today's trek continues through enchanting rhododendron forests, which bloom with brilliant red and pink flowers during spring (March-April). As we gain altitude, the dense forest gradually thins out, offering glimpses of the magnificent mountains ahead. The trail climbs steadily to Low Camp, where we'll be rewarded with our first clear views of Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain) and the Annapurna range. The sunset views from Low Camp are particularly spectacular, with the golden light illuminating the snow-capped peaks.

After breakfast with mountain views, we continue our trek above the tree line into the alpine region. The landscape transforms dramatically today, with the dense forests giving way to rugged terrain with dwarf rhododendron bushes and open ridges. The trail follows the ridge with magnificent views of Machapuchare getting closer with each step. High Camp offers breathtaking panoramas of the entire Annapurna range, including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and of course, the iconic Machapuchare standing majestically before you. We'll arrive at High Camp with time to rest and soak in the incredible mountain scenery.

Today is the highlight of our trek! We'll start early in the morning (around 4:00 AM) to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp for sunrise. The pre-dawn trek along the narrow ridge offers a surreal experience as the first light begins to illuminate the mountain peaks. Upon reaching the viewpoint, you'll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular mountain panoramas in Nepal. Machapuchare appears so close you could almost touch it, while the entire Annapurna range stretches before you in its full glory. After spending time taking photos and soaking in the views, we'll return to High Camp for breakfast and rest in the afternoon, or begin our descent to Middle Camp depending on the group's preference.

After breakfast with a final view of the mountains from High Camp, we begin our descent, taking a different route down through Sidhing village. This alternative return path creates a loop, allowing us to experience new landscapes and villages. The trail descends steeply through rhododendron forests and terraced farmlands, offering beautiful views of the Modi Khola valley below. Sidhing is a traditional Gurung village rarely visited by trekkers, providing an authentic glimpse into rural Nepali life. The tea houses here are more basic but very welcoming, and you'll enjoy home-cooked meals prepared with locally grown ingredients.

On our final day of trekking, we'll descend from Sidhing to the road head at Lumre, passing through several small villages and terraced fields along the way. From Lumre, we'll take a jeep back to Pokhara (approximately 2-hour drive), completing our trek. Upon returning to Pokhara, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day free to relax, perhaps enjoying a massage to soothe tired muscles or shopping for souvenirs. In the evening, we'll celebrate our successful trek with a farewell dinner featuring traditional Nepali cuisine and cultural performances.