The trek to the bass of Mardi Himal is a fine ridge walk with classic views including Machhapuchare, HiunChuli and Annapurna South, Annapurn IV and Annapurna II. From the high point we could also see Annapurna 1 and into the sanctuary. The trail to Mardi Base used to be herders trail earlier but now it is one of the short and popular trekking trail amongst local and foreign tourist. Mardi Himal is a 5587m peak at the base of Machhapuchare. The walk is tough and also rapid ascent to altitude but very rewarding with close up views and high pastures landscape.

Day 01      Drive Pokharato Khare and trek to Pothana (1,925m) and on to to Forest Camp at Kokar (2,600m) - 6 hours trekking.After breakfast, we drive to the road head at Khare about 1 hour and start your trek to Pothanaabout 2 hour. Take lunch at Pothana and head to a place called PitamDeurali where you will turn off the main Annapurna Sanctuary trek and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Tonight we stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar. The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room so you will probably have meals in kitchen with the owner, so in some ways this is more like a homestay and is a good opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 02. Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)- 5 hours walking.

From Forest Camp to Low Camp the trail continues 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 two basic lodges one with a dining room with open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 03. Trek to High Camp (3,600m) - 4 hours walking.

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 colourfulDanphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 04.     Day walk to Upper viewpoint (4,200m) - 4 hours walking.

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. There is a well established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however, overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzos (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 Upper View point at 4,200m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular

looking at the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 05. Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking.

On the return trek 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 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. Overnight at teahouse lodge (B,L,D).

Day 06. 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 your vehicle and drive you back to Pokhara.