Welcome to the majestic mountains and pristine forests of the Annapurna Conservation Area. The Mardi Himal Trek allows you to immerse yourself in the wilderness of the Annapurna region explore its remote highlands and experience the authentic culture of Magar and Gurung ethnic communities. Perfect for those seeking to reconnect with nature, this journey offers the chance to witness magnificent sunrises and breathtaking views of the Annapurna range, including the stunning Machhapuchhre peak.
A hidden gem in the Annapurna region of Nepal, Mardi Himal Trek offers a unique and tranquil trekking experience. Journeying through serene forests and charming villages- sneaky mountains and the trees are friends on this trail. Recently, the trail has been getting quite an attention for its stunning vistas and crowd-free trail.
Starting from Kathmandu, the official trail begins in Phedi, a few hours’ drive from vibrant Pokhara. The trail from Phedi winds through lush rhododendron forests, which are especially vibrant during the spring season when the flowers are in full bloom. As you ascend, you pass through picturesque villages like Australian Camp and Forest Camp, where you can experience the warm hospitality of the local Gurung and Magar communities.
The trail continues to Deurali and then to the rest camp. Trekkers will notice the thinning of villages as they approach the rest camp. We notice the change in the landscape while approaching the high camp from the rest camp.
From High Camp, you navigate the narrow and steep trails along the ridge to reach the upper viewpoint. you embark on the final push to the upper viewpoint. It is a challenging section, yet the awe-inspiring panorama of the Annapurna Range, including the majestic peaks of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli is simply rewarding.
Besides the majestic Himalayan scenery, another major highlight of the Mardi Himal Trek is the sunrise over these towering giants. As the sun's rays fall on the peaks, they glow in shades of gold and orange, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
After enjoying the glorious sights, we follow the same trail to return and take the route to Sidding village at the end of the trek. Passing through the tranquil village of Siding, we take a vehicle to drive back to Pokhara. Reminiscing about the memories of the trek, we explore the bustling market of Pokhara at night before driving to Kathmandu the next day.
Creating a deep connection with nature, we conclude our beautiful journey of Mardi Himal Trek. Beautifully fused with natural and cultural beauty, it is a perfect journey for anyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in the northwestern Himalayas of Nepal.
The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance if any at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. The representative will inform you shortly about the plans ahead.
Today, you'll start your journey to the Mardi Himal Trek by flying to Pokhara, a beautiful city in the central region of Nepal. From Pokhara, you'll start a 30-40 minute drive to Phedi, which is the starting point of the trek. The first day of trekking is relatively short and takes 3-4 hours. After reaching Deurali, you can enjoy sparkling views of mountains like Annapurna Himal, Dhaulagiri Himal, Macchapucchre Himal, and other mountains in the range.
On this day, the trek is a 4-5 hour journey from Deurali to a Rest camp with an elevation of 600 meters. Along the way, you will pass through dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and rocky ridges while enjoying the views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges. The rest camp offers comfortable accommodations and is a great place to socialize with other locals and get a good night's rest before continuing the journey to the summit of Mardi Himal.
Moving ahead of the rest camp, we pass the tree line zone and come above it. As there are no trees and we are already at a higher elevation region, we will be blessed with superb views of Annapurna South and Mt. Hiunchuli to the west. The trail goes along the ridge of Mardi Himal with grasses and bushes on the way. In this part of our journey, we may get lively views of the colorful Lophophorus–Danphe (the national bird of Nepal). We follow the trail until we reach High Camp. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in High Camp for the night enjoying some spectacular views of Mt. Hiunchuli and Mt. Macchapucchhre. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today is the most beautiful day of our journey. We wake up early in the morning to catch sunrise views over the snow-clad mountains. We walk along the steep sections however they are not so challenging. On the way, we can see dzopkos grazing on the pastures and colorful Danphe adding vibrancy to the environment. After around three hours of climbing up, we reach the upper viewpoint. The viewpoint offers some lavishing views of Annapurna Sanctuary. One can enjoy the spectacles of the beautiful Annapurna massif with other mountains on the range from the viewpoint. After spending some time at the top, you'll retrace your steps back to the Low Camp, Tonight, we stay at the Low Camp. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
After enjoying the views of the mountains from the upper viewpoint, we embark on our return back journey to Kathmandu. Today we take a different route that goes all the way from the low camp to Siding village. Instead of returning to Kokar, we take a route to Siding Village. Siding is a beautiful and traditional Nepalese village in the backdrop of the beautiful Himalayas. The environment of that village is pristine and peaceful. As you are away from the busier route, you will feel refreshed. Upon your arrival in Siding, we will find a vehicle waiting for us. We jump into the vehicle, and it will escort us to Pokhara. Tonight, we will stay at a hotel in Pokhara. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
Concluding our trip, we drive back via the same route along the Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Tonight, we are staying at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
Flights/Transportations
Accommodations
Meals
Required Permits
Guide & Porter
Essential Equipment
KTM City Tour
Complimentary
