Mardi Himal Trek is just a week-long trek that is newly opened off the beaten route. It is situated just east of Modi Khola and is known as the hidden treasure in the Annapurna region. This trek is a wonderful introduction to the mountains of Nepal, for those who are bounded by time.
Mardi Himal is the least visited trekking trail and ideal for those who want to avoid the crowd on the trekking trail. It is one of the most striking and beautiful treks in Nepal, with uncrowned terrains providing the golden chance to explore traditional villages, incredible scenery, infinite and diversity of culture. One can have spectacular views of silvery mountains and tempting views of rivers and exotic valleys on the way to a trekking trail.
It is situated just east of the Annapurna Region and is a hidden gem. The Mardi Himal trek can be done within a week from Pokhara. You will be traveling to Pokhara from Kathmandu either by tourist bus (7-hour drive) or the plane (30-minute flight) and your trekking starts the next day when you arrive at Phedi after an hour of drive from Pokhara
The Mardi Himal trek starts from Kande, 20 20-minute drive from Phedi. Trekking trails lead you to Pothana, Forest Camp, High Camp, and Mardi Himal base camp and when you return you will be trekking down through the different villages like Siding, Lwang, and Khora muk to finish the trekking. It is a stunningly beautiful trek, taking you up through ancient rhododendron forests, to what feels like the face of the mountains themselves, as you get up close and personal with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Ganga Purna, Annapurna I and Mardi Himal
We can also see farming fields with dramatic landscapes. Culturally, it follows mixed but mostly Buddhism in the region. After that, we return all the way down to Forest camp. From the high camp, we climb up towards the knoll of Mardi Himal (5500 m), enjoying stunning views of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6997 m), the Annapurna Mountain ranges, and Lamjung Himal. The great rice fields and the blue glaciers of the Annapurna sanctuary walls lie below the trail.
You are free after the trek either you stay a few more days to enjoy the beauty of Pokhara city (the most beautiful city of Nepal) or you can head back to Kathmandu the following day. It has just been opened as a lodge trek so you have no problem with your food and lodge but you have to go with the way they live and they eat. If you are expecting a fancy lodge and food, you better choose other parts of the Annapurna trek. Mardi Himal trek can be attempted by any inexperienced trekkers too, it's a relatively easy trek.
Our journey begins with a 45 minutes drive from Pokhara to Kande which is the starting point. The trail is good, first slowly up, then a bit steeper to Australian Camp (2060m – About one hour), then after that slightly downhill to Pothana (1950m). You have to climb up the stone stairs passing through terraced cultivated fields, settlements and forests taking you to Pothana where you will have great mountain views of the Annapurna Range. Overnight at normal tea house or lodge.
On the following day, we walk on the plain way for around one hour then there is a right turn in Deurali sign posted “Forest Camp” the trail is through Pine forest. The Forest is covered with the most unique flower called Rhododendron. At first, we have to walk up undulating on the top of a ridge, there is a section just over half way where the trail drops steeply and then slowly gains height and then back onto the ridge and into Forest Camp.
Leaving forest camp, we trek towards Low camp. Initially, the trail is quite steep leaving Forest Camp but soon gets less steep as we get towards the ridge. We can see the most amazing and clear view of Mt. Fishtail here. After about four hours walk, we reach low camp where we will spend our overnight.
From Low camp, our trail passes through the jungle ways again. But the trees soon start to get smaller and after about one hours trekking broke out of the jungle and onto the open ridge with spectacular views of Machhapuchhre ahead and Annapurna South to our left. In between the journey of Low camp and High Camp there is a place called View Point where you can see various snow-capped mountains and villages like South Annapurna, Himchuli, Chhomrong Village, Ghandruk Village, Mt. Fishtail, Annapurna region, flora and fauna, beautiful village view, alpine forest, Gurung and Thakali culture, eco friendly villager as well as the least touristy trek. We will be walking around 4 hours through a series of steep, rocky climbs separated by leisurely walk through lush, green, High Mountain before reaching High Camp.
Commencing trek from High camp, we climb up about four hours to Mardi Himal Base Camp which offers spectacular views of the entire Annapurna Range. It is also possible to return to high camp in around 4 hours which make it a long day walk. There is also a viewpoint approx half way where imaging view can be seen.
Wake up early in the morning to have the most precious Sunrise view. Have your breakfast at High camp and descend towards Siding village. Siding is a simple traditional local village. Walking back straight descend to the same fine forest you can again see the beautiful red Rhododendron forest.
On the following day, we leave Siding village and continue our trek towards Lwang which is gradual up and some were flat too. On your way to Lwang you reach a place called Ghalel, where you can have your lunch. Ghalel is a small traditional village with some small restaurants and home stay. After lunch again start up walking towards Lwang. Lwang is also a traditional old village. There is tea garden and ACAP office with some home stay for you to stay overnight. At the night time at your home stay the mother group will welcome you by singing and dancing in some folk songs.
Today is the last day of our trek. Early morning walk to tea garden to see the panoramic view of green tea garden and also the view of mountains. After that come back to Lwang for breakfast and walk towards Khora muk. The trail leads us though the bank of Mardi River. After reaching Khora muk transfer to Pokhara. After you reach Pokhara you have plenty of time so you can visit many places around it. As Pokhara is second tourist area there are numerous places where you can enjoy your moment.
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