Mardi Himal Trek is a popular hiking route in the Annapurna Massif, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan range. From Phewa Lake in Pokhara, the triangular skyline of Mardi Himal stands out as the southernmost peak in the Annapurna range, with its twin peaks giving it the nickname 'Machhapuchare' or 'Fishtail'. The Mardi Himal trek takes you through forests, above the tree line, and up to a high altitude camp at 4,100m over the course of eight days.
From the camp, you can trek to the knoll of Mardi Himal (5,588m) for an amazing close-up view of the Annapurna range, including all five of the world's highest mountains. The Machhapuchhre - Mardi Himal Trekking route is a hidden treasure and a newly opened destination in the Annapurna region, perfect for those looking to avoid the crowds. The major attractions of this trek include Mardi Himal base camp.
The trek starts at Dhampus Phedi, which is a half-hour drive from Pokhara. The trail is good, with a gradual incline to Dhapmus (2060m) and then slightly uphill to Pothana (1950m) and Deurali (2150m). From Deurali, there is a right turn signposted "Forest Camp," and the trail leads through the jungle to Forest Camp (2600m). From there, the trail becomes steeper as it follows the ridge to Low Camp, where the trees start to get smaller, and after an hour of trekking, the ridge opens up to spectacular views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.
Continuing along the ridge for another 4 to 5 hours will take you to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m), where you can enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan range. After that, you can return to High Camp in about 4 hours, making for a long day. There is also a viewpoint about halfway along the ridge where you can enjoy the breathtaking views. The trek concludes with a return to Siding and then crossing the Mardi Bridge to reach the Hemja village, which is very close to Pokhara.
Day- 01: Drive to trailhead Phedi – Pothana Deurali (2150m) 5 -6 Hours.
Meet Hotel at Pokhara, Our Guide give Briefing about the Trekking Trip. After breakfast ,Drive to drop-off point and set off on foot to Suikhet.Dhampus Phedi In the afternoon, we climb from Phedi steeply up to the main trail along the ridge to Dhampus. Lunch at Dhampus village , Continue Trek to Pothana. Here our first night’s tea House camp is in full view of Machhapuchare and Fewa Lake (L,D)
Day- 02: Pothana Deurali (2550m) – Forest camp 5-6 Hours.
Dawn should bring a spectacular sunrise: ‘Fishtail’ pink turning to gold, the more distant bare rock wall of Annapurna II still in shadow. Today we will start our ‘secret trail’ leaving tourists, other trekkers and even villagers behind us. We enter an enchanted forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, hemlock and daphnie, camping in a small clearing far from the beaten trails. (B,L,D)
Day- 03: Forest camp – Low camp ( 3400 m ) 4-5 Hours.
As we climb the flora has turned to classic ‘cloud forest’ with mosses and lichen, tree ferns and orchids hosted by the hardier trees. There are natural windows in the woods that look out onto thrilling panoramas – towards Hiunchuli and the knife-sharp traverse towards Annapurna South. Far below, to our left, we can see the Modi Khola Valley leading up into the Annapurna Sanctuary. We reach camp for lunch; for it is wise not to go too high too fast. Though still surrounded by forest, we have spectacular northerly views of the ever-closer ‘Fishtail’. (B,L,D)
Day- 04: Low camp – High camp ( 4100m ) 4-5 Hours.
Just a short, steep climb and we are out of the forest. A ridge, now grassy and sometimes under snow, takes us up to High Camp which we shall reach at lunch time and where a second consecutive afternoon is spent acclimatising and awestruck by the views. Annapurna South seems near enough to throw a rock at and Machhapuchare itself close enough to touch. (B,L,D)
Day- 05: Exploration day ( 5150 m, ) 4-5 Hours.
Our breakfast will be earlier than usual. Then with packed lunch we set off to reach our objective. Conditions being favourable, our party should reach up to 5,150m and only the crest of Mardi Himal itself separates us from the south face of Machhapuchare. The great ice fields and blue glaciers of the Sanctuary Wall lie below. Annapurna I, highest of all is beyond, and around us, and an arc from horizon to horizon, from Dhaulagiri to the Ganesh Himal, are a dozen or more glistening snow-bound giants. You are standing on a spot that has been your constant aim for days now. A place, a time, a view that is almost impossible to equal – and you’ve earned it. Whatever our achievement, by 1300 we need to descend, returning to the welcome steaming mug, the hot food, the shelter of High Camp. (B,L,D)
Day- 06: High camp – Siding (1760m) 6-7 Hours.
After a relaxed breakfast, tired bodies make an unhurried decent through the shade of the forest and out onto terraced fields, down 1600 m in all. This is a different route down – down to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that has been the ice and snow of the Mardi Himal. Although remote and still away from all the much-used ‘Tea-house’ trekking routes, our expedition now takes on the mood of the arm valley and the friendly villages. Here we make our way along the banks of the Mardi Khola from the hill-side village of Siding, down through the lovely fields, past the simple farms and over the interesting bridges. There is no doubting this is indeed idyllic Nepali countryside. (B,L,D)
Day- 07: Siding – Mardipul (915 m) 4-5 Hours.
So the Earth does have flat places! The path from Siding now follows the contour of the river valley gradually down between the pastures and through Tamang and Gurung villages. Further on the trail skirts an outcrop (B,L,D)
Day- 08: Mardipul – Hemja (Milanchowk) & drive back to Pokhara 2-3 Hours.
Today is the last day of trek, After Breakfast at Mardi pool, continue trek gradually up to hemja village. Catch the bus to pokhara from Milanchow. You will reach pokhara after 30 minutes of Drive. Free stay at Pokhara. (B )