Pokhara, Pothana, Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp, Mardi Upper Viewpoint, Siding, Lumre

Mardi Himal Trek – Annapurna Region

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights Destinations: Pokhara, Pothana, Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp, Mardi Upper Viewpoint, Siding, Lumre

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Tour Overview

Tour Highlights & Keypoints

Trek one of Nepal’s newest and most scenic ridge trails with extraordinary close-up views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna Massif.

Experience a dramatic ascent from lush rhododendron forests to high-altitude grasslands overlooking the entire Annapurna Sanctuary.

Authentic cultural immersion with homestay-style hospitality in Forest Camp and Siding village.

Sunrise from High Camp with panoramic views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre.

A gentle circuit trekking route, avoiding backtracking and offering diverse landscapes.

Ideal short trek for travellers seeking pristine trails and spectacular Himalayan scenery without crowds.

Day-Wise Itinerary Schedule

Day 01 – Pokhara to Khare and Trek to Pothana (1,925m) and Forest Camp (2,600m)

After breakfast, drive for about an hour to the trailhead at Khare. Begin your trek with a gentle ascent towards Pothana, reaching this scenic village in about two hours for lunch. From here, continue to Pitam Deurali, where you leave the main Annapurna Sanctuary Trail and follow a quiet forest trail through oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron.
Your overnight stay is at Forest Camp (Kokar) in basic but warm teahouses. Meals are usually shared in the kitchen with the host family, offering a homely cultural experience.
Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L, D).

The trail continues through dense forest with rich vegetation, where moss, tree ferns, and lichen drape the trees. As you climb, the rhododendron becomes more dominant.
At Low Camp, the views open up dramatically, with Machhapuchhre rising sharply above the valley. Teahouses here are simple but welcoming, with a cosy dining space heated by a fire.
Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L, D).

Climb above the tree line within the first hour and enjoy breathtaking ridge-top views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail follows the open grassy spine of the Mardi ridge, occasionally dotted with rhododendron bushes. Keep an eye out for the colourful Danphe pheasant, Nepal’s national bird.
Reach High Camp, a superb vantage point facing Machhapuchhre and the entire Annapurna range.
Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L, D).

Day 04- Day Hike to Upper Viewpoint (4,200m)

Wake early for sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, head towards Mardi Himal along a well-established trail through high pastures. Although some sections are steeper, the walk is manageable and immensely rewarding.
Encounter dzos (yak–cow hybrids), herders’ summer shelters, and vast open landscapes. After around three hours, you reach Upper Viewpoint, offering a spectacular panorama into the Annapurna Sanctuary, with extraordinary views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
Return to High Camp.
Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L, D).

Descend to Low Camp, where you branch off onto a quieter trail leading down to Siding village. This route completes a full circuit and avoids retracing the upward path.
Siding offers a traditional village atmosphere far from mainstream trekking routes. You will likely stay in a homestay owned by families who also run lodges up the trail—an authentic immersion into rural Nepali life. Enjoy a home-cooked dal bhat in the family kitchen.
Overnight at teahouse lodge (B, L, D).

Walk through the villages of Kalimati (predominantly Brahmin) and Ghalel (mixed Gurung and Brahmin communities) before reaching Lumre.
Your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Pokhara, completing this beautiful Himalayan journey.
Return drive takes around two hours.
End of services.