Mardi Himal trek follows beaten trails of shepherds as it still provides summer grazing in high camp of this trek. Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best trek in terms of short but gain the high elevation. Rich in flora and fauna. Most of the trail dense forest of rhododendron and bamboo tree. The trek was officially opened in 2012 and is still pristine. There are limited lodges with basic facilities. This is a short relatively easy and unspoiled trek not far from Pokhara. Yet it is highly diverse with cultural insight, beautiful forest walks and alpine landscape. As the trail mostly stays along the ridge, the altitude gain becomes more gradual.
DAY 1: DRIVE TO KANDE AND TREK TO PRITAM DEURALI (2,232 m)
After breakfast, drive for about 40 mints to Kande. Then trek to ‘Australian camp’ which is about 2 hours climb. The place is scenic with the panoramic view of Annapurna range and Pokhara valley. The trail is through the rhododendron forest to the mountain pass called ‘Deurali’. Deurali is overlooking into the Modi Khola valley wedged between Annapurna South and Mardi Himal / Mt Fishtail. Over night at Pritam Deurali.
DAY 2 : TREK TO LOW CAMP (6 Hrs / 2,950 m)
The trail gradually climbs through the rhododendron forest following the ridge. Low camp has got couple of lodges in the middle of the forest. The view of Mt Fishtail and Mardi Himal appears much closer. Over night at Low Camp.
DAY 3: TREK TO HIGH CAMP (5 HRS / 3,550 m)
The trail further climbs along the Badal Danda (Cloudy Hill). From Badal Danda, we leave the tree line and arrive in shrubby alpine zone. Snowcapped peaks of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Fishtail looms in a distance above deep valley on the either side. High camp is the last settlement of this trek. Over night at High Camp.
DAY 4: EXPLORE MARDI HIMAL BASE CAMP (6 Hrs / 4,500 m)
We hike early in the morning to see the sunrise view from View point half way to Mardi Base Camp. Today is more difficult than other days with steep climb up. Trail is more vertiginous at some points with uneven and steep rocky steps. The first steep climb will take about 2 hrs to the view point from where you can see beautiful view of Mardi, Mt Fishtail, Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Annapurna. After brekfasst TREK BACK TO FOREST CAMP (4 hrs)
DAY 5: WALK DOWN TO LWANG GHALEL VILLAGE (5 Hrs / 1,500 m)
Walk down steeply through rhododendron and Maple forest to the permanent settlements closer to valley. Lwang is a Gurung village with rich culture and happy people. The village is the best place to watch Nepalese countryside lifestyle. Overnight at Lwang Ghalel village.
DAY 6: DRIVE BACK TO POKHARA
Drive back to Pokhara by Jeep.
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