Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Kande and Trek to Deurali (2,100 m)
Your Mardi Himal trek begins with a short and beautiful drive from Pokhara to Kande, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The road passes through green hills, small villages, and farmland. When you reach Kande (1,770 m), you start your hike. The first part of the trail climbs uphill through a forest and stone steps. After about 1 hour, you reach Australian Camp, a peaceful place with open views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountains.
From Australian Camp, the trail goes slightly downhill to Pothana, where your permits will be checked at the check post. After a short rest, you continue walking through beautiful rhododendron forests. This part of the walk is peaceful, with birds singing and fresh mountain air all around. The trail slowly climbs until you reach Deurali, which sits on a ridge with great views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Deurali is a small village with a few tea houses where you can eat and sleep. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset and the quiet nature. The walking time for today is about 4 to 5 hours. It’s a perfect start to the trek — not too long, and full of natural beauty.
Day 2: Trek from Deurali to Forest Camp (2,520 m)
After breakfast, you leave Deurali and walk into the deep forest. Today’s walk is very peaceful. The trail goes through thick forest full of rhododendron, oak, and maple trees. It feels like walking in a green tunnel. There are no big villages on this trail — just you, the forest, and the sounds of birds. The walk is not very steep but goes gently up and down along the hills.
As you walk, you may see colorful birds and sometimes wild animals like langur monkeys or deer. The air is cool and fresh. During spring (March to May), the rhododendrons bloom with red, pink, and white flowers, making the forest look magical. You may walk slowly and take breaks to enjoy the natural surroundings.
After around 4 to 5 hours of walking, you arrive at Forest Camp (also called Kokar). It’s a quiet place in the forest with a few simple tea houses. The rooms are basic but comfortable. At night, it gets colder, so warm clothes are helpful. You’ll eat dinner like dal bhat (rice with lentils), noodles, or soup, and rest well for the next day’s journey. The peaceful sounds of the forest will help you sleep deeply.
Day 3: Trek from Forest Camp to Badal Danda (3,210 m)
You begin your day with breakfast at Forest Camp, then start walking towards Badal Danda. The trail continues through the forest, but as you go higher, the trees become smaller, and the views start to open. After walking for about two hours, you reach Low Camp, where you can take a rest and enjoy tea while watching Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain peek through the clouds.
From Low Camp to Badal Danda, the trail becomes even more beautiful. You now walk along a ridge, and the forest becomes thinner. On clear days, the clouds float below you — which is why this place is called “Badal Danda,” meaning “Hill of Clouds.” The view of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli becomes bigger and clearer.
The trail is not too hard, and the mountain views make you forget the tiredness. You may see yaks or local shepherds along the way. After 4 to 5 hours of walking in total, you reach Badal Danda. There are a few lodges here with cozy rooms and great views. The sunset from Badal Danda is wonderful. After dinner, you can enjoy the stars and rest well, excited for the next big day.
Day 4: Trek from Badal Danda to High Camp (3,580 m)
Today you trek to High Camp, which is the last stop before the viewpoint. After breakfast, you start walking along a narrow trail that follows a ridge. The trees are now very few, and the trail opens up completely to the mountains. You walk with amazing views all around — Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) in front, Annapurna South to your left, and distant peaks like Dhaulagiri on the horizon.
The trail is steady but not very steep. You may need to walk slowly, as the air is thinner at higher altitude. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach High Camp. Along the way, you may see Himalayan birds and, if you are lucky, a Himalayan monal (Nepal’s national bird). The silence and beauty of this trail will stay in your memory forever.
High Camp is a small settlement with just a few tea houses built on grassy slopes. It’s cold, so you’ll need warm clothes. After lunch, you can either relax or hike a bit higher to help your body adjust to the altitude. The sunset views are amazing here too. After dinner, you’ll go to bed early, as the next morning starts very early for the sunrise hike.
Day 5: Hike to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200 m), Trek to Siding (1,750 m), and Drive to Pokhara
Today is the highlight of your trek. You wake up very early, around 4:00 AM, and begin hiking to the Mardi Himal Viewpoint. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, and wear warm clothes because it’s cold and dark. The trail is steep and rocky in places, so you need to walk slowly and carefully.
After about 2 to 2.5 hours of hiking, you reach the viewpoint at around 4,200 meters. When the sun rises, the entire sky turns golden, and the snowy peaks light up — it’s an unforgettable moment. You’ll see the huge Machhapuchhre mountain very close, along with Annapurna I, South, Hiunchuli, and more. You’ll feel proud to have reached this beautiful place.
After enjoying the views and taking pictures, you walk back down to High Camp for breakfast. Then you begin the long descent through forests and small villages to Siding village. This part of the trail is quieter and different — you pass green forests, traditional houses, and farmlands. It takes about 6–7 hours to reach Siding.
At Siding, a jeep will be waiting. You then drive for 2.5 to 3 hours back to Pokhara. Once you reach Pokhara, you can enjoy a hot shower, delicious food, and relax by Phewa Lake. Your short but beautiful Mardi Himal trek comes to a happy end!
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