Mardi Himal Trek

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal, a friendly representative from Manaslu Trek will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. This marks the beginning of your Mardi Himal Trek adventure, offering a smooth and comfortable start to your journey in the Himalayan region.

In the evening, we host a special welcome dinner featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine, accompanied by a refreshing reception drink. This welcome evening also provides an opportunity to meet your fellow trekkers, discuss the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, and receive essential tips for trekking in the Himalayas, including acclimatization, packing, and safety advice. Starting your journey in Kathmandu allows you to ease into the adventure while enjoying the city’s vibrant culture and setting the stage for your unforgettable Himalayan trekking experience.

Transfer: 30-45 min | Accommodation: Hotel | Meal: Welcome Dinner

Today, explore the rich culture, history, and heritage of Kathmandu Valley on this full-day city tour before your Mardi Himal Trek. The tour takes you to some of Kathmandu's most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a perfect introduction to Nepalese art, architecture, and traditions with our professional English-speaking City Tour Guide:

• SWOYAMBHUNATH , also known as the Monkey Temple, is one of Kathmandu Valley’s most iconic Buddhist stupas. Perched on a hilltop, it offers panoramic views of Kathmandu city and features ancient shrines, prayer wheels, and intricate carvings. The site is a spiritual and cultural landmark, attracting both pilgrims and tourists.
• KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic heart of Kathmandu City. Known for its ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and intricate wood carvings, it reflects Nepalese art, culture, and architecture. A visit to this iconic square offers a glimpse into the royal history of Nepal.
• BOUDHANATH STUPA is one of the largest and most important Buddhist stupas in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its massive white dome, colorful prayer flags, and iconic Buddha eyes, it serves as a major center for Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting Boudhanath provides an immersive cultural and spiritual experience.
• PASHUPATINATH is one of Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Famous for its intricate pagoda-style architecture, cremation ghats, and spiritual rituals, it offers visitors a deep cultural and religious experience.

Our knowledgeable guide will tell you interesting things about the religious, historical, and architectural importance of each landmark. Kathmandu is a unique city with a rich culture and a spiritual atmosphere that will make your city tour an interesting and memorable way to learn about Nepalese heritage.

Sightseeing: 7-8 Hours | Accommodation: Hotel | Meal: Breakfast

After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, you begin a scenic drive along the winding Prithvi Highway toward Pokhara, following the Trishuli River past terraced hills, villages, and lush forests. The first 110 km takes you from Kathmandu to Mugling, descending from Thankot to Naubise and continuing along the river to this busy junction, a common stop for Dal Bhat. From Mugling, you travel 90 km through the Marshyangdi Valley via Damauli, where the Madi and Seti rivers meet, with possible views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range on clear days. Finally, a 27 km uphill drive from Pokhara along the Baglung Highway offers sweeping views of the city and Phewa Lake, ending at Kande, the starting point for the Mardi Himal Trek.

After hours in a vehicle, the short but refreshing trek begins at Kande with a steady 1 to 1.5-hour climb of about 300 meters along steep stone steps. The trail passes through peaceful forests and small farmland areas before reaching Australian Base Camp (Thulo Kharka), where you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna II and IV. Unlike longer treks, the views here come quickly and are truly impressive, making it well worth staying overnight to enjoy a beautiful Himalayan sunrise.

Transfer: 227 km 7-9 hours | Altitude Gain: 330 m | Altitude Loss: 30 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After enjoying the sunrise at Australian Base Camp, you'll begin your journey with a gentle 30-minute descent to Pothana, a picturesque village featuring stone-paved trails and a mandatory check-post for permits. From Pothana, the trail steadily climbs through lush oak and rhododendron forests, leading you to Deurali (2,100 m), which is a perfect spot for a tea break while you take in the views of Pokhara Valley and Mt. Dhaulagiri. Beyond Deurali, you will leave the main Annapurna Sanctuary trail and enter the more secluded Mardi Himal path. The terrain features a mix of undulating ridges and dense forest segments, passing through the quiet grazing clearings of Dhod Kharka and the small settlement of Baisal Bari. This segment is characterized by moss-covered trees, the sounds of cicadas, and a true sense of wilderness. Finally, you will arrive at Forest Camp (2,500 m), locally known as Kokar. Here, the teahouses are snugly nestled within the trees, providing a peaceful and cool environment to rest for the night.

Trekking: 5-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 620 m | Altitude Loss: 240 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day starts with a steep climb from Forest Camp through thick rhododendron and oak forests, taking about an hour to reach Rest Camp, where you get your first close view of Machhapuchhre. The trail then continues uphill through quiet forest areas like Kamkiku and Rescue Camp, with cooler air and a more remote feel, before reaching Low Camp after around 3 hours. Here, the trees begin to thin, the views open up, and it’s a good place for lunch with the mountain feeling very close. From Low Camp, the path becomes more exciting as you walk along an open ridge with amazing views on all sides, passing areas like Besal Bari, until you reach Badal Danda (3,250 m). This spot, often above the clouds, is a great place to stay because it offers beautiful sunset and sunrise views over the Annapurna range and helps your body adjust to the higher altitude before continuing higher.

Trekking: 5-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 810 m | Altitude Loss: 0 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Badal Danda, the trail climbs steadily as you leave the last trees behind and walk through open alpine terrain with grass and rocky paths, with deep valleys on both sides. After passing Low High Camp, where the wind gets stronger and the air thinner, you continue uphill on stone steps toward High Camp (3,580 m), often stopping to catch your breath due to the altitude. Along the way, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) looks very close and impressive. At High Camp, you’ll find a small group of lodges with amazing 360-degree views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other peaks and even Pokhara’s lights far below at night. It’s a great place to rest, enjoy the scenery, and prepare for the early morning hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp.

Trekking: 2-3 hours | Distance: 3 km | Altitude Gain: 270 m | Altitude Loss: 10 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day begins very early, around 3:30–4:00 AM, with a challenging ascent from High Camp along a narrow ridge in the dark toward Mardi Himal Base Camp, passing the Upper Viewpoint (around 4,200m), where sunrise gradually reveals stunning views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. For those continuing higher, a steeper rocky trail leads to the Base Camp (about 4,500m), marked by prayer flags and surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan panoramas. From this high point, you may also experience the wider Annapurna Sanctuary region, with ice fields and glaciers lying far below and a spectacular 360-degree view of peaks such as Mardi Himal (5,587m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7,647m), Tent Peak (5,695m), Singhachuli (6,501m), and Machhapuchhre (6,993m), among others. After enjoying this unforgettable sunrise experience, you descend back to High Camp for a late breakfast, then continue down the ridge toward Badal Danda and into the forest, where the landscape gradually shifts from alpine terrain to lush greenery. By late afternoon, you arrive at Low Camp, where the warmer air, dense forest surroundings, and peaceful atmosphere offer a comfortable place to rest after a long and rewarding day.

Trekking: 7-9 hours | Altitude Gain: 1,530 m | Altitude Loss: 550 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, the descent from Low Camp to Sidding is a long and steep journey that marks the end of the wilderness section of the Mardi Himal trek. In a few hours, you drop from cool cloud forests into the warmer Mardi Khola Valley, passing through dense rhododendron and oak forests filled with roots, stone steps, and sometimes slippery paths. Along the way, the quiet forest is filled with the sounds of birds, waterfalls, and the distant river, while occasional clearings show terraced farmland where locals grow crops like millet and corn. As you go lower, you pass small settlements like Kalimati, where traditional village life becomes more visible. Finally, you arrive at Sidding (around 1,700m), a lively Brahmin and Gurung village with stone houses, farms, and a warm atmosphere, where many trekkers stay in homestays and enjoy local meals.

Trekking: 5-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 0 m | Altitude Loss: 1,130 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Sidding, the walk starts gently through terraced fields of millet and rice, passing peaceful villages like Kalimati and Ghalel, where you can experience the mix of Brahmin and Gurung cultures. Ghalel is a good place for lunch and is also known for canyoning nearby. From here, the trail continues along the hillside with beautiful views of the Mardi Khola river far below, small homes, and local schools along the way. As you get closer to Lwang, the landscape opens up to the famous Lwang Tea Garden with neatly lined tea fields. Lwang is well known for its friendly homestays, where visitors are welcomed with organic local tea, traditional Gurung music and dance, and homemade meals. A short walk in the evening through the tea gardens offers stunning sunset views of green hills with Machhapuchhre in the background, making this part of the trek a perfect blend of nature, culture, and village life.

Trekking: 5-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 540 m | Altitude Loss: 950 m | Accommodation: Lodge I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Lwang, enjoy the views of the famous organic tea gardens and take a short walk through the tea fields if you haven’t already, as it’s a great spot for photos. Then begin the trek toward Khora Mukh, descending stone steps through small Gurung and Brahmin villages where you can see local daily life, farming, and traditional homes. The trail continues through terraced fields and forest patches, with beautiful views of the Mardi Khola valley and distant peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, along with your final glimpses of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). On reaching Khora Mukh Bazar, a small riverside settlement where the trail meets the road, you can stop for lunch at a local teahouse. Afterward, a short 1- to 1.5-hour drive takes you back to Pokhara via the Hemja highway, ending in the vibrant Lakeside area, where you can relax by Phewa Lake and enjoy the mountain scenery as a perfect conclusion to your Mardi Himal Trek.

Trekking: 1-2 hours | Altitude Loss: 350 m | Transfer: 25 km, 2-3 hours | Accommodation: Hotel I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Start your day early around 4:30 a.m. with a short drive to Sarangkot to enjoy a stunning sunrise over the Himalayas, offering panoramic views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara Valley. After sunrise, continue your sightseeing with a visit to the International Mountain Museum, where you can learn about Himalayan mountaineering, culture, and nature. Next, head to Bindhyabasini Temple, a peaceful and historic Hindu temple with beautiful architecture and spiritual atmosphere. Then visit the Seti Gorge viewpoint to see the deep white-water river cutting through the city, followed by Devi’s Fall, a powerful and unique waterfall. Nearby, explore Gupteshwor Cave, an underground cave with interesting rock formations and a sacred shrine inside. Finally, end your day at the World Peace Pagoda, where you can enjoy calm surroundings and wide views of Pokhara, Phewa Lake, and the mountains—perfect for a peaceful conclusion to your trip.

Accommodation: Hotel I Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, we leave the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu along the scenic Prithvi Highway, which follows the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers through green hills, terraced fields, and small villages. Starting around 7:00 AM helps avoid traffic, and the first part of the journey offers peaceful countryside views. At Mugling, the main highway junction, the road continues alongside the Trishuli River, famous for rafting and suspension bridges. A lunch stop at Malekhu is a good chance to try fresh river fish. As the drive continues, you may catch views of the Ganesh Himal and Langtang ranges on clear days before reaching Nagdhunga Pass, where the Kathmandu Valley suddenly opens up below. From there, it’s a short drive through busy city roads to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to relax, rest, or explore local markets for souvenirs, marking a smooth transition from mountain scenery back to city life.

Accommodation: Hotel I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a free day in Kathmandu, giving you the chance to explore the city at your own pace. You can go shopping for souvenirs in lively streets and local markets, try traditional Nepali food, or simply walk around and enjoy the busy atmosphere. If you want to see more of the city’s culture and history, you can visit nearby UNESCO sites like Bhaktapur or Patan, known for their ancient temples, palaces, and rich Newari heritage. For something more active, you can also choose short hikes, cycling, or adventure activities around the valley, or simply relax at a spa or café. However you spend the day, it’s a great opportunity to experience the culture, food, and energy of Kathmandu before your journey ends.

Accommodation: Hotel I Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we will transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our departure. After breakfast at the hotel, we will pack our belongings and head to the airport, making sure to arrive early enough to complete all check-in and security procedures. Before leaving Nepal, take a final moment to reflect on the incredible journey, the stunning Himalayan landscapes, and the warm hospitality of the Nepali people. This marks the end of your trip, and we hope you carry home wonderful memories of your time in Nepal.

Meal: Breakfast