This is about my Mardi Himal trekking journey, where I’ll be sharing my overall experience right from day one.
I started my journey to Mardi Himal at early from Kade. I started to walk from Kade from 7:44 AM, with the fresh morning air cool, and with full energy. After it we moved quickly to Australian Base Camp by 8:43 AM and By 9:30 AM, we reached Pothana, the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Check Point, and continued to walk towards pritam Deurali. After a long day of walking, I finally arrived at Forest Camp at 6:30 PM. I was so tired but satisfied as well as excited for the Next day. The peaceful forest environment and cold mountain air made it feel like a completely different world compared to Pokhara, and we stayed there overnight.
On the second day, the trek continued from Forest Camp through Badal Danda (Cloud Ridge) towards the High Camp, located at around 3,900 meters (12,795 feet). The climb became steeper and more challenging, but the views was great and improving on every steps, which make every step worth it. By the time of evening, we reached High Camp and stayed overnight, where the surrounding Himalayan scenery. Where I feel too good and peaceful.
On the The third day we started very early at 3:40 AM, as our goal was to reach the View Point at around 4,200 meters (13,779 feet) before sunrise. By 6:30 AM, we were standing at the View Point, witnessing the Annapurna range glowing in the morning light. From there, many trekkers turned back to High Camp, but I decided to continue towards the Mardi Base Camp. The main challenge was my Shoes, which was not suitable for icy trail. I asked with the local’s if can I move with my shoes or not, they said I can easily walk, So, I decided to move forward.
The trail beyond the View Point was icy and dangerous. I have to followed every footprints, because my shoes was not that much Good and comfortable to create footprints by myself. I slipped once on the ice, and after that i realize the risk of my decision. However, since turning back was also difficult, I continued carefully step by step. Eventually, at around 10:00 AM, I reached Mardi Himal Base Camp at approximately 4,500 meters (14,763 feet). The feeling of standing there surrounded by the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre was unforgettable.
The return journey was equally memorable and too Good. On the way back, an Austrian trekker kindly lent me crampons, which made walking on ice much safer. The descent turned into a joyful experience, including ice cricket and even friendly races with fellow trekkers. We returned to the hotel where we are staying overnight (High Camp) around 1:30 PM, had some lunch, and took a rest for a while. We made a decision to reach Pokhara on a same day, and we started to go to Sidhing through Badal Danda and Low Camp, we caught a jeep at Sidhing and reached Pokhara by 9:30 PM.
From my experience, I strongly recommend proper trekking shoes for anyone attempting Mardi Himal beyond the View Point, as icy conditions can be dangerous. Adding an extra rest day after the trek is also important due to physical exhaustion. During peak season (September to November), advance hotel booking is highly recommended due to high tourist flow, while outside peak season, rooms are generally easier to find.
Overall, the trail offers a mix of forest paths, stone stairs, and rocky icy ridges near the top. The View Point provides a wide panoramic view of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Annapurna range, while the Base Camp brings you extremely close to these towering Himalayan giants.
For first-time trekkers, Mardi Himal is not the highest or most famous trek in Nepal, but it is one of the most rewarding challenging, beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable all at once.