Mardi Himal Trek

After eating a hygienic breakfast at your hotel, short drive to Astam Danda. The trek starts through traditional stone villages with gentle climbing up. The hike provides an exceptional view of the landscapes and Annapurna mountain range. The different tribal Brahman, Chhetri, Gurung, and Magar are the main habitats. The route contains a gentle climb up through the village and thick rhododendron forest to Pritam Deurali. At lunch break whitling around Dhampus village and culture excursion.

The subdivision trail takes into the dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron. We often spot the red panda in bamboo shrubs and also see the woodpecker making a hole in the trees. Around 3/4 hours rambling thru the lush and green forest brings us to lunch places. The path contains mild climbing up then remaining trail strenuous climb to the lower camp.

From the morning follow nonstop steady uphill into the lovely forest to Badal Danda which lateral means cloudy ridge. We left the treeline behind and walked in an open ridge and walking in the alpine zone. This ope trail offers a magnificent view of cultivated landscapes and mountain ranges. We also pass seasonal animal graze of the sheep and buffalo. We also see the Annapurna base camp trek route below on the gorge and the famous Ghandruk village. Mardi Himal high camp, itself viewpoint, watching burning sunset over the Annapurna I and south.

Awaited day on the Mardi Himal trek, we do side trek to Mardi Himal viewpoint also called Upper viewpoint. We eat early breakfast then set off with water and energy bar to the viewpoint. It is around 5/6 hours day trek including a steep climb up on a narrow grit path and steeply descends. As we are on the trans-Himalayas range, the route passes dwarf rhododendron and mountain herbs shrubs. Also possible to ramble on snow from December to April. Aside trek to Mardi Himal base camp provides best Mountain View of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli, and Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and the diverse landscapes. After reaching the Mardi Himal Viewpoint returned to High Camp.

The trek retraces from High Camp to Lower Camp via Badal Danda. The route from High camp to Siding village is descending through shrubby, dense forest and the cluster stone villages. From lower camp follow branch downhill trail, a path strolling on steep down. Explore organic tea garden near Siding village above Mardi River. Siding village is a traditional Gurung village and surrounded by a tea and coffee farm on foot of mount Fishtail.

It is around a 3-4 hours trek to Ghalel village where can catch the private jeep to go Pokhara. The trail to Ghalel village is pretty easy through villages and tea gardens. Upon arrival Ghalel village then jump on the jeep. About 3 hours’ drive on the dusty and blacktop road bring us to Pokhara.