The Mardi Himal Trek is a 7-day journey through the Annapurna Himalayan region, characterized by stunning mountain views, diverse local culture, and scenic landscapes. This moderate trek has evolved from traditional camping to include basic lodges and homestays, allowing for a more comfortable experience. The itinerary includes various stages starting from Phedi, culminating in breathtaking views at upper viewpoints, and concludes with a return to Pokhara via traditional villages.

1. MARDI HIMAL TREKKING – 07 DAYS
Mardi Himal Trekking is one of the alternative and unspoiled trekking routes of Annapurna
Himalayan region. It is located east of the Modi Khola River, across the valley from Hiunchuli.
Pristine mountain views, beautiful valleys, mixed local culture and landscape hills are the
attraction of the trek. Mardi Himal Trekking moderate you an off the beaten track and take away
from busy trails. The first attempt of Mardi Himal was made in 1961 route via East Flank and it is
the only used so far. Previously Only camping or tented trekking will be possible to do in
relevant areas. The trek is one of the bitten Eco-tourism based trekking destinations of
Annapurna region in Nepal.
Now, A number of new very basic lodges and homestays have been built along Mardi Himal
ridge therefore it is now possible to do this as a lodge based trek rather than having to bring in a
camping crew. But, please note that the facility of lodges are very basic and we do recommend
Mardi Himal Trekking begins from Phedi after an hour drive from Pokhara. Along the trail, you
will be welcomed by magnificent views of the world’s famous and most beautiful mountains
including Annapurna I (8091m), Dhaulagiri, (8167m), Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III
(7555m), Annapurna south (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Fishtail (6988m). This trek is a unique
experience for the travelers with humming and friendliness activities of local people and trails
venture into the thick forest. We move ascend through traditional villages, pristine oak and
rhododendron forest to an alpine campsite.
DAY 01
Drive Phedi and trek to Pothana (1,925m)- 4 hours

2. After breakfast, we will pick from your hotel and drive to Phedi in a private vehicle and start your
trek to Pothana where you stay for the first night.
DAY 02
Trek to Forest Camp at Kokar (2,600m)- 4 hours walking.
From Pothana you walk up to a place called Pitam Deurali where you will turn off the main
Annapurna Sanctuary trek and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak,
maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Tonight we stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the
forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar.
The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room so you will probably have
meals in kitchen with the owner, so in some ways this is more like a homestay and is a good
opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.
DAY 03
Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)- 5 hours walking.
From Forest Camp to Low Camp the trail continues through the forest however as we ascend
the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron and the trees are covered with moss,
lichen and tree ferns.
At Low Camp there are two basic lodges one with a dining room with open fire. The view from
Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley.
DAY 04
Trek to High Camp (3,600m)- 4 hours walking.
An hour or so above Low Camp the trail breaks out above tree line and towards the west there
is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal
ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the
colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail.
The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, this one has
eight rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to
Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
DAY 5
Day walk to Upper viewpoint (4,200m)- 4 hours walking.
The plan for today is to wake early for sunrise view of the mountains then after an early
breakfast walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal. There is a well established trail through the
grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the
dzos (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the

3. sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a
number of herder’s huts along the way.
After three hours you should reach Upper View point at 4,200m this is where one can look into
the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at south face of
Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre
(Fishtail).
DAY 06
Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking.
On the return trek we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a
trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi
Himal back to Kokar.
Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier tourist treks
and it is likely you will stay at a home-stay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the
lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and
you will probably eat dhal baht in the evening with the family in their kitchen.
DAY 07
Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara- 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving.
From Siding you walk out to the road head at Lumre, on the way from Siding you will pass the
villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding
mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet your jeep organised by us in advance to
drive you back to Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel