Is it necessary to bring a sleeping bag for this trekking?

Yeah, we recommend you bring a sleeping bag. As this is a slightly less walked path, the teahouses are even less developed than along other paths. It is therefore recommended to bring a sleeping bag. You can rent a sleeping bag for about 200 to 300 NPR per day in Pokhara.

I'm afraid of heights, and I don't want to walk along precipices. Is this trekking fine for me?

You walk most of the time on a path in the forest. Afterwards you walk above the tree line on sometimes narrow paths, but not on narrow paths along a ledge.

Mardi Himal trek

The Mardi Himal trek is located east of Annapurna Base Camp. This trekking is a beautiful and less crowded alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp trekking. The Mardi Himal Base Camp is located at the foot of the beautiful Mardi Himal and the impressive Machapuchhre.

The path takes you along narrow paths through ancient rhododendron forests. Once you get to an altitude of 3300 meters, you climb out of the woods to an altitude of about 3300 meters. Meanwhile, the landscape changes abruptly during the Mardi Himal trek and is less forested. Along the way you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Mardi Himal, the Machapuchhre, the Annapurna South and the Hiunchuli.

You will spend the night in High Camp twice. From here you will make a fascinating day hike to a panoramic viewpoint. From this point you have an impressive view on the Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Gandharva chuli, Annapurna III, Ganggapurna, Annapurna I, South Annapurna, Hiuchuli,….

Finally you walk back along an alternative path along the nice villages of Siding and Lwang. These villages will give you a taste of the daily life in the mountains. Moreover, you will also spend the night here with private persons.

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Highlights

Itinerary

What's included?

Frequently asked questions

Overview

Great alternative to the more walked Annapurna Base Camp trekking
Walking through ancient rhododendron forests
Breathtaking panoramic views of the Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna III, Ganggapurna, Annapurna I, South Annapurna, Hiuchuli,…

…

Meeting with the locals in Siding and Lwang, where you stay overnight in a homestay

Day 1 :

Adventurous drive to Pokhara - approx. 7 hours

Namaste and welcome to Nepal.

Today a private car will take you to Pokhara, the town situated on the shores of the beautiful Phewa Lake. Along the way you'll have lunch at a picturesque spot next to the river (this lunch is not included)!

After arrival you will have time to explore this cozy place. Take a nice walk along the banks of the lake. When darkness falls you can also attend an Aarti ceremony with fire.

You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Pokhara.

Day 2 :

Drive to Phedi (approx. 1.5 hours) / Hiking tour from Phedi via Dhampus (1650m) to Pothana (1890m) - approx. 4 hours

Today you go into the mountains! A private car will first take you to the starting point of the trekking in Phedi.

From here you will hike up into the mountains on a landscaped path in a wooded area. After about 2 hours you will reach Dhampus, where you will have lunch with a beautiful view of the mountains.

Afterwards you will hike up through a rhododendron and oak forest until you reach Pothana. You have a beautiful view on the Machhapuchhre.

Overnight stay in a teahouse in Pothana.

Day 3 :

Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp (2600m) - ca. 4 hours

From Pothana a stone path leads you through the forest. After lunch you walk further to Australian Camp. Australian Camp is located on a ridge and has a magnificent view of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal. If you are lucky, you can also spot some birds of prey.

You walk on to Forest Camp. It is a beautiful walk where you pass several villages. You descend and ascend and walk through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests.

Overnight stay in a teahouse in Forest Camp.

Day 4 :

Trek from Forest Camp to Low Camp (2990m) - ca. 4 to 5 hours

The path continues from Forest Camp to Low Camp through the forest. As we ascend more, the vegetation changes to more rhodendendron. The forests are green: the trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns.

The view from Low Camp is great. You have a view on the Machhapuchhre mountain and in the valley.

Overnight stay in a teahouse in Low Camp.

Day 5 :

Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3590m) - ca. 3 to 4 hours

Today you will walk through several forests and see spectacular panoramas towards Hiunchuli Peak and Annapurna South.

On the other side of the mountain you have a special view on the Machhapuchare and the Annapurna mountain range.

Overnight stay in a teahouse in High Camp.

Day 6 :

Day walk to the Upper View Point (4450m) - ca. 5 hours

Today you walk to the Upper View Point!

When the weather is clear, the view here is simply phenomenal! You will see the following mountains: Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Himchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Fang) (7647m), Tent peak (5695m), Singachuli (6501m), Gangapurna (7454m), Gandarvachuli (6248m), Small peak of Annapurna III (7555m), the Machhapuchre (6993m) and the Mardi Himal (5553m), Machhapuchre Base Camp, and the villages of Deurali, Doban, Sinuwa, Chhomrong and Ghandruk. You can also see the Pokhara valley from here!

To Mardi Himal Base Camp it's only half an hour from here, so be sure to take this too!

Afterwards you return to High Camp.

Overnight stay in a teahouse in High Camp.

Day 7 :

Trek from High Camp to Siding (1850m) - 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast with a beautiful view of the mountains, you walk down towards Low Camp. From Low Camp you take a different route, the path will take you to Siding instead of straight down.

Siding is a traditional Nepali village that is a long way from the tourist trails. Staying here is a wonderful cultural experience. It also gives you a chance to learn more about the lifestyle in the village.

Overnight stay in a homestay/teahouse in Siding.

Day 8 :

Trek from Siding to Lwang (1460m) - ca. 5 to 6 hours

You go further down and leave the simple village of Siding in the direction of Lwang. You walk up slowly alternating with some flat sections. You walk through several small farming villages: Kalimati, Keshbang and Ghalel. You will end today in Lwang.

Lwang is a traditional Gurung village with a tea garden and an overnight stay with private persons. In the evening you will be treated by the locals with folklore dance and singing. No better way to spend the last evening in the mountains with your guide and porter!

Overnight stay in a homestay in Lwang.

Day 9 :

Trekking from Lwang to LwangPhedi - approx. 1.5 hours / Drive to Pokhara - approx. 2 hours / Leisure time in Pokhara

After a pleasant evening, today you hike to the end of your hike, in LwangPhedi.

There you will be met by a private car that will take you back to Pokhara.

In Pokhara you have free time. Go for a lovely massage in the social enterprise Seeing Hands and enjoy a nice meal in one of the nice restaurants. If you still want some adventure, take a boat up to the island with the temple on the lake.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel in Pokhara.

Day 10 :

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu - ca. 6 to 7 hours

The end of your journey has come. After an early breakfast the driver will pick you up at the reception of your hotel and drive you back to Kathmandu in a private car.

We follow the Prithvi highway (the only road between Pokhara and Kathmandu). On the way you will stop at least twice, of which you will have the opportunity to have lunch at one stop.

After arrival in Kathmandu you can explore the area on your own. If you want to enjoy the peace and quiet, pay a visit to the Garden of Dreams, a green oasis in the middle of Kathmandu.