Nepal, a land of magnificent natural beauty, is a trekkers’ heaven. There are undiscovered treasures just waiting to be discovered, despite the fact that popular paths like the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp draw thousands of travelers each year. The Mardi Himal Trek is one such treasure.
In April 2022 I decided to go on a Mardi Himal Trek along with my mom. This being the First trek of my life, I had a mixed feeling of excitement and worry. At the same time, I was ready to explore the unexplored part of Nepal.
Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek
Phedi to Forest Camp
Our Journey started with a bus ride to Pokhara. Though Kande is the starting point of Mardi Himal trek, we decided to take a longer route i.e. we decided to take the dhampus road and hiked from Phedi. Despite being spring season, I got a leech on my feet which is quite strange and full of adventure. The hike began with a challenging ascent through thick rhododendron bushes. The fresh air and scenic beauty provided a pleasant break from the bustle of the city. We took breaks in between and had a wonderful walk.
We finally arrived at Forest Camp, our first overnight stop, after almost 6 hours of hiking. I would like to mention that everyone has their own pace so do not rush while hiking take your own pace and do the planning while doing any trek. As soon as we reached the forest camp it started to rain and the same teahouse had couple of other trekkers from India. We had a quite interesting chat on life and travel plans in general. The joy of travelling lies in meeting new people from different parts of the world where you get to chat on different perspectives of life.
Forest Camp to High Camp
We could see the spectacular views of the Annapurna and Machapuchhare mountains. I came across colorful prayer flags, charming teahouses, and pleasant locals along the trail. As I approached High Camp the breathtaking view of the mountain and hills left me speechless. This was the highlight of the Mardi Himal Trek, and I couldn’t get enough of the breathtaking scenery. The tea house where we stayed was fully packed so in the evening we had fun singing and cracking jokes by the fire.
High Camp to View Point
Since my mom had altitude sickness, she decided to stay back and I hiked to the viewpoint along with other fellow trekkers. Around 4:30 a.m. we ascended to the steep stairs which were a bit slippery because of snow. Sometimes, it was difficult because it seemed like a never-ending ascend but as we got to the viewpoint the journey was rewarding. We clicked pictures and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the Mardi Himal, Hiuchuli up close and enjoying the peace.
High Camp to Siding to Pokhara
Descending through siding was challenging as the locals called it a shortcut route to reach Pokhara. It was quite a hard and steep one. As many people take the same route to return we had taken the same siding route and we took a jeep from the bottom of the siding to Pokhara. Looking back at the journey you feel blessed to have completed the journey and find bliss in every moment that has either been captured in your camera or in your mind.
Conclusion
It is often said that it is not just about the destination but it is about the journey. Reflecting back on our overall experience of Mardi Himal Trek, we feel blessed to be born in this beautiful country and feel proud to have accomplished the trek. So, I have ticked off the Mardi Himal trek from my bucket list and recommend the travelers to explore Mardi Himal.
Also read: Annapurna Base Camp | Solo Adventure