Mardi Himal Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Your adventure begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our friendly Landscape Adventure representative will be waiting to warmly welcome you and escort you to your comfortable hotel in the heart of the city. After settling in, take some time to relax or explore the vibrant streets of Thamel — Kathmandu’s bustling tourist hub filled with shops, cafes, and lively markets.

In the evening, you’ll meet your experienced trekking guide for an important briefing covering all aspects of your upcoming journey: daily itinerary, packing tips, cultural insights, and safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trek.

Highlights:

• Warm airport welcome and hotel transfer

• Explore lively Thamel area

• Evening trek briefing

Overnight: Comfortable Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara

Duration: 6–7 hours drive(200km)

Start your day with a scenic 6–7 hour drive along Nepal’s iconic Prithvi Highway. The route meanders alongside the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers, passing through quaint villages, terraced rice paddies, and verdant hills. On clear days, catch glimpses of snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the distance, building excitement for the trek ahead.

Pokhara, known as Nepal’s tourism capital, welcomes you with its peaceful lakeside ambiance, colorful markets, and spectacular mountain vistas including the iconic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna ranges. Spend the evening strolling along Phewa Lake, soaking in the serene atmosphere.

Highlights:

• Scenic drive along Prithvi Highway

• Views of Himalayan peaks and rivers

• Lakeside ambiance at Phewa Lake

Overnight: Comfortable Hotel in Pokhara

Day 3: Drive to Kande & Trek to Deurali (2125m)

Duration: 2hrs drive & 4–5 hrs hike

our trek begins from Kande, a small roadside settlement about 1.5 hours' drive from Pokhara. After checking your gear and warming up, you start your gradual ascent on a well-defined stone-paved trail that weaves through terraced fields, scattered village homes, and thick pine forests.

Within the first hour, you’ll reach Australian Camp (2,050m)—a scenic hilltop viewpoint offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli peaks. It's a great place for a short tea break or lunch with a view.

From Australian Camp, the trail continues through forests and gentle ridges, leading you toward Pothana, a quaint Gurung village surrounded by lush greenery. After registering your permit at the ACAP check-post here, you’ll continue the short but steady climb to Deurali, your resting point for the night.

Highlights:

• Panoramic Himalayan views from Australian Camp

• Mixed trails: stone steps, shaded forests, and open ridgelines

• Encounters with local Gurung communities and simple village life

• Rich biodiversity: rhododendron, oak, and pine trees

• Peaceful and less crowded trail

Overnight: Guesthouse in Deurali

Day 4: Trek to Forest Camp (2,600m)

Duration: 5–6 hours hike

The trek from Deurali to Forest Camp is a peaceful and immersive walk through dense rhododendron and oak forest, offering a complete shift from the open ridgelines to a quiet, shaded trail deep in nature. As you leave Deurali behind, the path winds gently up and down through a lush, mossy forest alive with birdsong, wild orchids, and the occasional rustle of wildlife. There are no villages or shops along the way, which adds to the untouched feel of this section. The air is cool and earthy, especially in spring when rhododendrons bloom in vibrant colors. After about 5 to 6 hours of steady walking, you reach Forest Camp (2,600m), a small, serene stopover with a handful of teahouses tucked under the trees. Though mountain views are hidden here, the quiet atmosphere and the warmth of the teahouses provide the perfect place to relax and reconnect with the rhythm of the trail.

Highlights:

• Rhododendron and oak forest

• Rich biodiversity and tranquility

Overnight: Teahouse in Forest Camp

Day 5: Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)

Duration: 3–4 hours hike

The trek from Forest Camp (2,600m) to Low Camp (2,970m) is a relatively short but scenic walk that takes about 3 to 4 hours, gradually gaining altitude as you ascend through lush, moss-covered rhododendron and oak forests. The trail is peaceful and less traveled, allowing you to truly connect with nature as birds chirp overhead and the occasional mountain breeze whispers through the trees. As you climb higher, the vegetation begins to thin and the landscape slowly opens up, offering the first glimpses of Machapuchare’s sharp, snow-clad summit peeking through the treetops. By the time you reach Low Camp, you're above the thick forest line, with wider views and a cooler, crisper mountain atmosphere. A handful of welcoming teahouses await, offering simple accommodation and warm food, making it a perfect place to rest and prepare for the climb to High Camp the next day.

Highlights:

• Changing forest landscape

• Distant views of Mardi Himal and Machapuchare

Overnight: Teahouse in Forest Low Camp

Day 6: Trek to High Camp (3,580m)

Duration: 3–4 hours hike

The trek from Low Camp (2,970m) to High Camp (3,580m) is a stunning journey that takes around 3 to 4 hours, gradually ascending along a narrow ridgeline with increasingly dramatic views. As you leave the last traces of forest behind, the trail opens up to sweeping panoramas of the Annapurna Range, with Machapuchare (Fishtail) dominating the skyline in all its sharp, sacred glory. The climb is steady but not too steep, and the ridge trail offers a thrilling sense of exposure, with valleys dropping away on either side. The air grows thinner and cooler, and the alpine vegetation turns to low shrubs and grasses, adding to the feeling that you’re truly entering the high Himalayas. Upon reaching High Camp, you’re rewarded with jaw-dropping views and a peaceful mountain setting. A few simple teahouses perched on the ridge provide cozy shelter, hot meals, and the perfect spot to watch the sunset paint the peaks in gold and pink hues—setting the stage for your early morning hike to Mardi Himal Viewpoint.

Highlights:

• Annapurna South and Hiunchuli from above

• Stay in a remote ridge lodge

Overnight: Teahouse in Forest High Camp

Day 7: Hike to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m) & Return to Low Camp

Duration: 6–7 hours hike

The early morning hike from High Camp (3,580m) to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m) is the most exhilarating and rewarding part of the trek, offering some of the best panoramic mountain views in the Annapurna region. You’ll start before sunrise, with headlamps lighting the narrow, rocky trail as you ascend steadily along a ridgeline that feels both exposed and awe-inspiring. As daylight breaks, the snowcapped giants—Machapuchare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and even parts of Annapurna I—emerge in breathtaking clarity, glowing with golden hues. The final stretch to the viewpoint is steeper and more rugged but absolutely worth the effort. Standing at 4,200 meters, you're face-to-face with towering Himalayan peaks, feeling dwarfed yet deeply connected to the mountains. After soaking in the views and capturing some unforgettable photos, you'll descend back to High Camp for a well-earned breakfast. Later in the morning, you’ll continue your downhill journey back to Low Camp, retracing your steps through the open alpine terrain. The return trek takes about 5 to 6 hours in total, and by the time you reach Low Camp, you'll be back below the tree line, ready to rest in the cozy comfort of the teahouse, your heart still full from the morning’s mountain magic.

Highlights:

• Best views of Machapuchare and Annapurna

• Epic sunrise experience

Overnight: Teahouse in Low Camp

Day 8: Trek to Sidhing Village (1,700m)

Duration: 4–5 hours hike

The trek from Low Camp down to Siding Village offers a refreshing change of scenery as you leave the high alpine environment behind and descend through lush forests and traditional Gurung farmland. This descent usually takes around 3 to 4 hours and gently winds through terraced fields, local villages, and shaded trails dotted with rhododendrons and oaks. Siding is a charming, authentic Gurung village known for its warm hospitality and beautiful stone houses with wooden carvings, giving you a glimpse into traditional rural life in the Annapurna region. Here, the pace slows, and you can enjoy peaceful village life, interact with locals, and savor home-cooked meals before your onward drive to Pokhara. The walk to Siding is a pleasant way to connect with the cultural heart of the region after days spent among the mountains.

Highlights:

• Off-the-beaten-path village life

• Tranquil forest and valley descent

Overnight: Teahouse in Sidhing

Day 9: Drive to Pokhara

Duration: 3–4 hours drive

Jeep ride back to Pokhara. Relax by the lake and relive your incredible Mardi Himal trek adventure.

Highlights:

• Scenic return drive

• Leisure time at Lakeside Pokhara

Overnight: Comfortable Hotel in Pokhara

Day 10: Drive back to Kathmandu

Drive Duration: 6–7 hours

Retrace your route via Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. This picturesque drive offers another chance to take in the changing landscapes of rural Nepal, from terraced fields to forested hills.

Back in Kathmandu, enjoy a free evening to shop, dine, or simply rest at your hotel.

Highlights:

• Scenic countryside drive

• Free evening for shopping or sightseeing

Overnight: Comfortable Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 11: Departure Day

Our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, assisting with check-in for your onward flight. As you bid farewell to Nepal, take with you memories of a lifetime and the spirit of the Himalayas.

At the end of your journey, you'll receive a personalized certificate of achievement from Landscape Adventure along with a thoughtful gift as a token of love—a heartfelt reminder of your incredible Himalayan experience.