Mardi Himal Trekking with MBC

Drive to Phedi and trek to Deurali (2200m, about 3 to 4 hours trek)

After a nicely cooked hot breakfast; we drive some 40 minutes to Phedi and commence our trek there at the elevation of 1100 meters. 1.5 Hours climb up takes to beautiful village of Dhampus. The trail is going uphill at the beginning and then easy pleasant easy walk up to Pothana from there, and it is gradual walk up to Deurali (2200m) about 2 hours where you stay in a tea house lodge for the first night. It is an easy start for the first day.

Trek to Low Camp (2,900m);7 hours walking.

From Deurali; I leave main Annapurna Sanctuary trail and take an off the beaten trail to Mardi Himal Base camp to the right side and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Some 4 hours of jungle walk will bring us at the in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar, here we take a lunch break then we still continue to up to Low Camp 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 now four lodges. You may find it long and tough day. It is fine for regular fit trekkers, if you are beginner or moderate trekker then you can split the day and total trek will be 7 days while our pre-set itinerary is 6 days. Overnight in Low Camp

Trek to High Camp (3585m) 5-6 hours trekking.

1.5 hours climb the through rhododendron forest takes us to Middle camp then to Badal Danda offers stunning view of Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal itself. 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).

Hike Mardi Himal BC (4500m); back to Middle Camp (3200m)

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 Base Camp. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the 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 Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m 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). We come back to High camp for lunch then retrace back to Middle Camp or Low Camp.

Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking.

On the way back 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 modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay 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.

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 jeep organised by Wilderness Excursion in advance to drive you back to Pokhara.

Pokhara to Kathmandu