Arrive in Kathmandu and we transfer you to Kathmandu Guest House (KGH). The day is kept light so you can rest, hydrate, and recover from travel. If you arrive early, you can take a gentle walk nearby and pick up any last-minute essentials like sunscreen or a buff. In the evening, we keep things calm so you start the journey feeling fresh and well-rested.

This is your second Kathmandu day, so it can be used for Optional World Heritage Sightseeing while still leaving time for trek preparation. You will have a trip briefing, final gear checks, and time to organize layers for warm foothill days and colder ridge mornings. If you choose sightseeing, we keep it relaxed and efficient so you still have downtime. A calm evening and good sleep help a lot before the Pokhara flight tomorrow.

Fly to Pokhara and settle into Nepal’s most relaxed trekking gateway. The lakeside atmosphere is ideal for slowing down and preparing calmly for the trek start. Depending on arrival time, you can enjoy a short walk by Phewa Lake or simply rest and enjoy good food. This is also a good moment to double-check your daypack setup and keep hydration strong.

After a short drive to Phedi, you begin trekking into the Annapurna foothills and climb toward Dhampus. The trail gives you a close feel for rural life with terraced fields and hillside paths, and the pace is intentionally gentle for a comfortable first day. Dhampus is a traditional Gurung village perched above the valley and is widely referenced at 1,650m.

You usually arrive with enough time to settle in, enjoy the village atmosphere, and rest properly before heading into the forest route tomorrow.

Today you leave the more open village corridor and enter the Mardi Himal trail’s forest section. The atmosphere becomes quieter and more remote, with dense woodland and a steady climb that gradually changes the climate and vegetation. Forest Camp is widely described around the 2,520-2,550m range, though exact lodge locations can vary slightly.

After arrival, the evening is best kept calm - warm food, early rest, and steady hydration as you move into higher terrain.

You continue climbing and the trail begins to shift from deep forest into more open ridge terrain. This is often where you start getting bigger horizon moments as the ridge line develops and the scenery feels more alpine. Badal Danda is commonly referenced around 3,210m (some itineraries list around 3,250m), so your listed altitude of 3,250m fits the common range.

It’s a great place to slow down in the afternoon, enjoy the changing light, and rest well before High Camp.

The climb to High Camp takes you higher along the ridge where the environment becomes colder and more exposed. Views typically feel wider here, and the trek starts to feel like a true high-mountain route rather than a forest hike. High Camp is widely referenced around 3,550-3,580m in many Mardi Himal guides, though different lodge clusters can sit slightly above or below that.

After arriving, it’s best to keep the evening quiet, stay warm, and rest early because tomorrow is your big day hike.

This is the signature high-point day of the trek. You hike up from High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is commonly referenced at 4,500m, then return to High Camp for the night.

The landscape feels fully alpine, and the day is about steady pacing, big scenery, and enjoying the viewpoint experience rather than rushing. Returning to High Camp is a smart design choice because it keeps your sleeping altitude lower than the day’s maximum. After dinner, a warm, early night helps you recover before the long descent.

You begin a long descent off the ridge, and the trail gradually re-enters greener terrain with warmer air and richer oxygen. This day often feels physically easier on breathing, but downhill walking can still be demanding on the legs, so a steady rhythm helps. Many Mardi routes descend toward the Siding-side valley settlements before reaching road access, and your overnight at Bhuijung fits this “rural valley reset” stage.

The evening is usually restful because sleep quality improves quickly after dropping from High Camp.

Today continues the descent through village paths and farmland as you approach the road pickup point at Lumre. The landscape feels more lived-in again, with terraced fields and a warmer, lower-valley atmosphere. Lumre is commonly used as an exit point on Mardi itineraries, and from here you drive back to Pokhara for a comfortable evening.

Once you’re back in Pokhara, a hot shower and relaxed dinner by the lake feel like the perfect reward after the ridge days.

A full free day in Pokhara to relax and enjoy the destination properly. You can keep it simple with lakeside cafés, a slow recovery day, or optional light activities depending on your mood. This day also works as a practical buffer in case flight schedules shift. The goal is to finish the trek feeling refreshed, not rushed, before heading back to Kathmandu.

Fly back to Kathmandu and we transfer you to Kathmandu Guest House (KGH). After the trek, city comfort feels easy and convenient, and you can enjoy a final celebratory meal or do last-minute shopping. We keep the day relaxed so you can pack calmly and rest well. This day is also a helpful buffer in case domestic flight timings change.

We transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for your onward flight home.