Mardi Himal Trek

Your journey starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara on the Prithvi Highway, which covers about 200 km. After leaving the Kathmandu Valley through Thankot and Nagdhunga Pass, the road enters the Dhading District before reaching the banks of the Trishuli River.

The drive passes roadside towns such as Galchi, Malekhu, Kurintar, and Mugling. A lunch stop is normally made near Kurintar or Mugling, where you can spot the famous Manakamana Cable Car crossing above the Trishuli River.

After crossing the bridge at Mugling, the route follows the Marshyangdi River through Dumre and Damauli before entering the Pokhara Valley. Dumre is the main junction for Bandipur and the Annapurna Circuit. On clear days, you can see Manaslu (8,163 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Lamjung Himal (6,983 m), and the Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). Upon arrival in Pokhara, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax or explore Phewa Lake before preparing for the trek that starts the next day.

Note: Travelers may use the recently opened Nagdhunga Tunnel after it completes its preliminary phase in 3–4 months. The tunnel connects Kathmandu directly with Dhading and is expected to shorten the journey by approximately 30–40 minutes.

After breakfast, you will leave Pokhara and drive to Dhampus. The journey follows the Baglung Highway, then turns onto a mountain road toward the Gurung village of Dhampus. As the vehicle gains elevation, beautiful Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake, and the Seti River appear below. You can also see Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and Annapurna II (7,937 m) to your right. After arriving in Dhampus, you start your trekking journey.

The trail follows stone steps, terraced farmland, slate-roofed Gurung houses, and schools before reaching Pothana (1,990 m). Pothana is a popular resting point where many trekkers stop for lunch. It is also home to an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) checkpoint where your trekking permits are checked.

From Pothana, you’ll hike for another 1 to 1.5 hours to arrive at Pritam Deurali (2,100 m). This small settlement is the point where the Mardi Himal route separates from the main Annapurna Base Camp trail. This peaceful destination offers a restful end to your first day on the trek.

Today, you will leave Pritam Deurali and follow the Mardi Himal Trail. Just outside the village, the route reaches an important junction where the main trail continues toward Landruk and Annapurna Base Camp. You will take the quieter path that climbs east toward Forest Camp. The stone steps soon give way to a natural forest trail with tree roots and soft ground underfoot. This area is peaceful because very few trekkers use the trail compared to the Annapurna Base Camp route.

The trail follows several short climbs before reaching Forest Camp, which is also known as Kokar (2,550 m). This small settlement consists of a wooden teahouse surrounded by forest and has no permanent village community. If the weather remains clear, you can capture Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Hiunchuli (6,441 m) views before checking into your teahouse for the night.

Today is one of the most satisfying days of the Mardi Himal Trek route as you gain more than 1,000 m in elevation and leave the forest behind for the open mountain hillsides.

You will climb to Low Camp through the forests of oak, rhododendron, and maple. As you approach Low Camp, the forest starts to thin, and the first clear views of Machhapuchhre (6,993 m) appear directly ahead. The trail then continues to Badal Danda (3,300 m), which is famous for its sea of clouds that covers the valleys below.

From Badal Danda, you will continue toward High Camp. The trail traverses alpine grassland surrounded by the  Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Annapurna range. High Camp consists of a group of teahouses built on the ridgeline, where you will spend the night before the early morning hike to Mardi Himal Viewpoint.

Today is the most challenging day of the Mardi trek. You will wake up at about 3:30 AM and leave High Camp around 4:00 AM with a headlamp. After about 2 to 2.5 hours, you will reach Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200 m) just before sunrise. The early morning sun lights up Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and the Annapurna range, making it one of the most special moments of the entire trek.

From this viewpoint, you will continue toward Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) on a much narrower trail. At Base Camp, you will stand directly below the south face of Machhapuchhre. After spending time at Base Camp, you will retrace the same route back to High Camp, where a warm meal and a short rest await before continuing the descent.

In the afternoon, you will leave High Camp and fall back through Badal Danda before returning to Low Camp. Although the trail is downhill, the long descent puts a lot of pressure on the knees and leg muscles, so do use trekking poles if you have them. Once you reach Low Camp, you can relax at your teahouse and enjoy a fresh evening meal after completing the difficult stage of the Mardi Himal Trek.

On day 6 of your Mardi Himal trek, you will leave Low Camp and follow a separate trail that descends southeast toward Siding Village instead of returning to the main Mardi Himal ridge.

The trail drops through the forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron before reaching lower subtropical vegetation. After about 3 to 4 hours of walking, you will arrive at Siding Village. This traditional Gurung farming village is surrounded by rice terraces, millet fields, and small streams.

From Siding, you will board a local jeep for the drive back to Pokhara. The first part of the journey follows a mountain road beside the Mardi Khola. Near Hemja, the road joins the paved highway for the final drive into the city. As you approach Pokhara, the scenery changes from mountain villages to the colorful streets around Phewa Lake. The rest of the day is free to relax, celebrate the successful completion of the trek, or explore the lakeside area.