You have two options for reaching Pokhara. If you opt for the flight, the journey will be a quick half-hour trip from Kathmandu, and you can choose your preferred departure time. You can also decide whether you want to include a guide for the flight or go solo. We'll handle all the arrangements to make your flight to Pokhara hassle-free. The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, on clear days, takes about 25 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to witness the majestic Himalayan range in a series of breathtaking vistas to the north. The flight also offers glimpses of notable rivers such as the Trishuli, Marsyangdi, and Madi. Moreover, as you descend into Pokhara, you'll be treated to a captivating view of the Begnas Lake at the entrance to Pokhara, making the experience even more enchanting.

Alternatively, if you decide to take the car/jeep, our guide will pick you up from your hotel. Together, you'll embark on an 8-hour road trip to Pokhara through the Prithivi Highway. During the drive, there will be stops for meals, breakfast, and restroom breaks. This overland adventure will offer you the opportunity to take in a wide range of sights, including the scenic Trishuli River, the Marsyangdi River, lush forests, terraced fields, charming villages, and quaint towns, providing you with a glimpse into the hillside way of life in Nepal. 

Should you opt for a flight to Pokhara, you'll have ample time during the day to explore the Pokhara Valley. You can enjoy activities like boating on Phewa Lake and taking leisurely walks in the Lakeside area. On the other hand, if you decide to travel by car or jeep, you'll have the evening to wander around Lakeside, witness the Sandhya Aarati ceremony, and even shop for any trekking essentials you might need for your upcoming trek, which commences the following day. Your overnight stay will be in the Lakeside area.

Following a satisfying breakfast in the morning, you will commence your journey towards our planned destination for the day. You have a choice between taking a jeep ride from Pokhara to Ulleri, or for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the surroundings, adjust to the trek, and connect with nature, we will opt for a hike from Hile to Ulleri instead. The journey to Hile will involve approximately 2-3 hours of driving, and from there, you'll trek uphill for approximately 3-4 hours to reach Ulleri. As you leave the more urban areas behind and approach Ulleri, you'll enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. During this uphill trek, you may encounter local residents, as well as donkeys, mules, and horses. The final climb to Ulleri provides a satisfying experience and serves as a much needed warm up warm-up.

Ulleri is a big Magar at an altitude of 2070 meters that offers your first glimpses of Annapurna South. Within the village, you'll discover a church and several lodges. Your accommodation for the night will be in one of these lodges in Ulleri. Following that, you can unwind by a log burner fire at the dining table while relishing some authentic Nepali cuisine and enjoy singing and dancing with your peers and other trekkers.

As the sun ascends in the sky, it unveils breathtaking vistas of the expansive Himchuli and Annapurna South (7,219 m). Following a delightful breakfast, your journey towards Ghorepani commences. Along the way, you'll catch distant glimpses of Mt. Machhapuchhre. Your trek will lead you through enchanting oak and rhododendron forests, with babbling streams meandering through the hills. A brief stop at Nange Thanti is scheduled for some well-deserved rest and lunch.

After a satisfying meal, you'll continue your ascent through the forested terrain, making your way to Ghorepani. From this point onward, you'll be able to spot Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), which ranks as the 7th highest mountain in the world. Ghorepani village, a Magar community, is home to numerous lodges, homestays, and welcoming locals

This marks one of the most significant day of the Poonhill-Mardi Himal Trek. Starting from Ghorepani, the trail leads to an uphill climb towards Poon Hill. The journey involves navigating stone steps, which can certainly be challenging due to the steep ascent. Nevertheless, the effort invested is truly worthwhile. As you reach the end of the stone steps, you ascend further onto the grassy expanse of Poon Hill, crowned by a prominent tower.

Poon Hill treats you to awe-inspiring panoramic vistas, showcasing some of the world's highest and most renowned mountain peaks from the Annapurna Range. Among these majestic peaks are Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Nilgiri. Here, you have the privilege of witnessing the initial rays of the sun casting a mesmerizing array of colors upon the snow-capped summits. The spectacle of these mountains bathed in golden light is a truly captivating sight and a dream come true for visitors and photographers alike.

After savoring this panoramic view and capturing memories through photography, you'll descend back to Ghorepani for some well-deserved rest and lunch. Following a rejuvenating break, your journey continues with a hike to Deurali, involving both uphill and downhill stretches. Along the way, you'll traverse enchanting rhododendron forests, encounter picturesque waterfalls, and eventually arrive at the charming destination of Tadapani.

Starting the trek from Tadapani for a new destination of Mardi Himal, the trail meanders through dense rhododendron woodlands, oak, and maple trees. Here, the well-trodden path is abandoned in favor of a less-frequented route, leading to a verdant and tranquil environment. Throughout the journey, the Annapurna Mountains dominate the skyline. Eventually, Ghandruk, a significant village, is reached for lunch. Continuing the descent, one arrives at the Modi River, crossing it via a bridge. Following this, a gradual uphill hike for approximately an hour leads to the charming village of Landruk, where an overnight stay at a guesthouse is planned. The morning offers a unique experience, relishing a local breakfast while witnessing a glorious sunrise and mountain views.

On this day of the Poonhill-Mardi Himal trek, you embark on a serene journey from Landruk towards Forest Camp. Your trail meanders through lush forests adorned with vibrant red rhododendrons, a common and cherished sight in the Nepalese hills, rightfully designated as Nepal's national flower. The path remains tranquil as you immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rhododendron forest, with no mountain vistas in sight. Eventually, you reach a clearing known locally as Kokar, where the forest camp awaits, offering you a peaceful haven for rest and exploration. Your ascent continues steadily through hamlets adorned with pine and juniper, gradually revealing more prominent views of majestic mountain peaks along the way. After a fulfilling day of hiking and nature immersion, you'll reach the Forest Camp, nestled at an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) on a ridge. Here, you'll have the opportunity to check into one of the cozy tea houses, where you can savor basic accommodation and delicious local food. As the day winds down, you can unwind and relish the magnificent mountain views that surround you, setting the stage for an unforgettable night in the Himalayas.

As the sun rises over the dense evergreen forests surrounding us, we embark on an exhilarating day of trekking after having hearty local breakfast. Our journey today takes us from the enchanting Forest Camp to the awe-inspiring High Camp. The forested path initially welcomes us with the vibrant hues of Rhododendron and Oak forests, painting a picturesque scene amidst the greenery. We follow the trail, occasionally pausing to savor the natural beauty and maybe even catch glimpses of Himalayan wildlife like Himalayan Thar, Mask deer, spotted Deer, Barking Deer, or even the elusive Snow leopard if we're fortunate.

As we continue our ascent, the landscape transforms gradually. Moss, lichen, and ferns adorn the trees, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. We will have a short rest and our lunch for the day at Low Camp. After roughly an hour of trekking from Low Camp, we break through the treeline, revealing our first unobstructed views of the majestic Annapurna South and Himchuli. The trail then leads us along a ridge, drawing us closer to the magnificent Mardi Himal.

Passing through Badal danda, we step into the alpine zone, where vast grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see. The snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range appear tantalizingly close, offering breathtaking vistas that seem almost surreal. Our day's journey culminates at High Camp, nestled at an impressive altitude of 3,900 meters. Here, we find a small but incredibly beautiful pastureland surrounded by the soaring peaks. As we settle in for the night, we'll notice the effects of the high altitude on our breathing, a reminder of the remarkable heights we've reached on this remarkable trek. High Camp promises a night filled with dreams of the majestic Himalayan landscapes that await us on the morrow.

Our adventure on the Poonhill-Mardi Himal Short Trek continues with an early in the morning, setting out from the High Camp. Today's highlight is reaching the awe-inspiring Mardi Himal Base Camp. You have the option to either pack breakfast for the journey or enjoy it upon returning to the High Camp. As we trek along the ridge, the trail treats us to magnificent vistas. Just before reaching the base camp, we encounter the Mardi Himal viewpoint at 4200m, which offers breathtaking views rivaling, if not surpassing, those at the base camp itself. From here, the panoramic spectacle includes Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhre, Himchuli and so on. The final leg of the journey to the base camp takes approximately 2 hours. Though the trek becomes more challenging with narrow, rocky trails and thinner air at higher altitudes, all the hardships are forgotten once you arrive at the Mardi Himal Base Camp, located at an impressive altitude of 4500m. The views from the Mardi Himal Base Camp are absolutely breathtaking. On a clear day, you'll be treated to a 360-degree panoramic view of the Annapurna Himalayas, which includes prominent peaks such as Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Hiunchuli (6,812 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), Tare Kang (7,349 m), Khangsar (7,090 m), Annapurna III (7,206 m), and the distinct profile of Mount Fishtail (Machhapuchre) (6,956 m). Furthermore, you can also spot the distant Dhaulagiri Range on the horizon when gazing out from this remarkable vantage point.

The pristine surroundings and stunning mountain views make this experience truly unforgettable. Take some pictures for your memoir as you’ll never find a place like this anywhere else on earth. After relishing the magnificent vistas, we retrace our steps back to the High Camp, where breakfast awaits. Following breakfast, we follow the same path as yesterday, passing by Yaks and enjoying the beautiful environment. We reach Badal Danda and have lunch, giving us some time to rest and explore this picturesque location. We'll spend the night in Badal Danda, reflecting on the extraordinary experiences of the day.

As the first rays of dawn break over the horizon, you'll awaken to an enchanting spectacle at Badal Danda. The sun's gentle touch on the horizon paints the skies with a shimmering golden hue as it reflects off the billowing clouds below. This breathtaking sunrise will be your backdrop as you savor a hearty breakfast, preparing for the day ahead, which will ultimately lead you back to the vibrant city of Pokhara.

Leaving the mesmerizing views of Badal Danda behind, your path takes a new course towards Sidhing. The trail guides you through lush, dense forests nestled at the very base of the imposing Mt. Machhapuchhre. The descent becomes increasingly steep and challenging, with a path that can prove quite slippery. Yet, the surrounding natural beauty makes every step worth the effort.

After approximately five hours of exhilarating hiking, you'll finally arrive in Sidhing, where the next phase of your journey awaits. Here, you'll board a comfortable jeep that will transport you back to Pokhara, offering a more relaxed and scenic return journey. As the day draws to a close, you'll find your night's lodging awaiting you at the tranquil Lakeside area in Pokhara, ensuring a restful and comfortable end to an unforgettable day on the Poonhill-Mardi Himal Trek.

After enjoying breakfast in the morning, you'll commence your journey back to Kathmandu. Your return trip offers the same two options as your journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will be transported to your hotel for an overnight stay.

With the remaining time, you can explore the exquisite Kathmandu Durbar Square or other culturally significant sites within the city, which boasts a wealth of heritage. Your night will be spent in Kathmandu.

As our delightful Poonhill-Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal concludes, we'll arrange for your transfer to the airport, ensuring you arrive approximately 3 hours prior to your flight. It has been our privilege to be a part of your enriching cultural and natural journey, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you again in the future.