From Deurali, I take a side track to Mardi Himal Base Camp and continue along a calm path through a lush forest of oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron. I then exit the main Annapurna Sanctuary trail. After about 4 hours of jungle walking, we will arrive at Forest Camp, also known as Kokar by the locals. From here, we take a lunch break before continuing on through the forest to Low Camp. As we climb, the vegetation begins to change with more rhododendron, and the trees are covered in moss, lichen, and tree ferns. There are presently four lodges at Low Camp. The day may seem long and difficult to you.It is acceptable for physically fit regular trekkers; however, if you are a beginner or moderate trekker, you can split the day and extend your trek to 7 days instead of the 6 days we have planned. Nighttime in Low Camp

We ascend to Middle Camp in 1.5 hours via a rhododendron forest, and from there, a breathtaking view of Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal itself is available from Badal Danda. The trail emerges above tree line about an hour or so above Low Camp, and to the west there is a good view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Along the Mardi Himal ridge, the trail continues primarily on grass, passing a few lone rhododendron shrubs. On this portion of the path, keep an eye out for the vibrant Danphe pheasant.Larger than the lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, the High Camp lodge contains eight rooms and a separate dining area with a heater. The resort has a beautiful view of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South.

The idea is to get up early to catch the mountain dawn and then, after a leisurely breakfast, to hike up the ridge into Mardi Himal Base Camp. There is a well-traveled path through the grass, with only a few really difficult stretches. Watch out for Danphe pheasants and dzokpo (yak/cow crossbreds) that are grazing up here. You will pass a lot of herder’s cottages along the journey since in the summertime sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area.Base Camp, at an elevation of 4500 meters, should be reached within three hours. From here, you can see the Annapurna Sanctuary and its many peaks, including Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), as well as the south face of Annapurna. After lunch, we return to High Camp before making our way back to Middle Camp or Low Camp.

The trail from Low Camp descends to Siding village rather than continuing down Mardi Himal back to Kokar on the way back, allowing us to complete a circuit. It’s likely that you’ll stay in a homestay in Siding run by the person who manages one of the lodges at Low Camp because Siding is a traditional Nepalese community that is still somewhat removed from the busier, more popular modern tourist treks. Discovering more about rural life is a fascinating cultural experience, and you’ll probably have dhal baht with the family in their kitchen in the evening.

You walk out from Siding to the Lumre roadhead, passing through the settlements of Kalimati and Ghalel on the way. Kalimati is primarily a Brahmin settlement, with Ghalel and Siding including both Brahmin and Gurung residents. At Lumre, you will meet a jeep that has been pre-arranged by IGUIDENEPAL to transport you back to Pokhara.