Day 01. Ghandruk — Low camp 2970m — 9/10 hrs.

After having breakfast and group photo with my Khopra trekking group, I started Mardi trek alone from Ghandruk. I descended until Sudame and had a pancake with hot lemon at our regular place. Then I crossed Modi River and ascended uphill. It was too hot due to sunny day. Annapurna south & Himchuli were shinning at left hand side. I took another break at Landruk. I bought a coke and some biscuits there for next days. Lodge owner offered me mix fried rice free of cost as trekking guide.

After enjoying lunch with Wi-Fi, I continued my hike again. It was quite steep way through stone staircase. After 1hr from Landruk, I got to Tukuche where a tea house is located. There were really superb views from Tukuche. After another 1.3hrs climbing up, I could get to Forest camp where I was looking to meet my hiking mates. They arrived about 1 hour later from the Australian camp. We had a light lunch and moved on from there.

Trail was gradual uphill through mossy forest. We met some shepherds with their hundreds of sheep. After 2.30 hrs. from forest camp, we reached to Low camp for overnight stay. Teahouses were comparatively better there than at Forest camp.

Day 02. Low camp — High camp 3550m — 3hrs.

It was pretty easy and short trek that day. After breakfast we left Low camp at around 8 am. We climbed up through Rhododendron Forest by passing few buffalo sheds as well. When we reached closer to Badal dada, jungle part almost over and opened up scenery all around. Badal dada is one of the best viewpoints for panoramic views during this trek.

Although it was only an hour’s walk from Lo Camp, we took a tea break there. Then we headed to High camp. Trail was gradual up through the hills. We got great views along the way. There were building many teahouses on the way. It took just 1 hr. us to reach high camp. We had enough time to go to Mardi base camp and come back to high camp. But we decided to visit Mardi base camp only the next day to see the sunrise from the viewpoint. So, we spent our time around high camp.

Day 03. High camp – Mardi base camp – high camp — Kalimati 1900m — 12hrs.

We set off to viewpoint at 4 am with head lamp. It was uphill way mostly through stone staircases. Weather got clear for a while during sunrise at around 5 am. But we couldn’t reach the viewpoint at that time. When we reached to top, only fishtail range was open a little bit. Surprisingly, there were many small huts for teashop at viewpoint. One of those was opened that day. We ordered coffee and waited for clear weather.

Gradually clouds moved away from fishtail range and appeared amazing views including Mardi Himal. Then Annapurna south and Himchuli also looked very closer for a while in another side. ABC trail was also clearly visible downwards from Viewpoint.

Then we headed to Mardi base camp through open hills. if it was clear weather, definitely great views would be visible all around. Varieties of seasonal flowers were blooming along the way.

It took us 2 hrs. to get to Mardi base camp from Viewpoint. There was a hut for teashop even at Mardi base camp which was closed that day. Some horses and mules were grazing nearby base camp. Weather didn’t get clear when we were there. We missed the majestic view of Fishtail including Annapurna one.

We retraced back from base camp. We were already hungry, but the teashop was closed even at the viewpoint. So, we went to Nak shed on the way and drank Nak milk and cheese. Then we came down to high camp and had our lunch. Although it was going to rain, we descended back the same way to Forest camp. Then we turned left and descended again. It was quite original trail of villagers inside the forest. There were many cow sheds on the way. Finally, we reached to Kalimati village near the jungle. Kalimati village is located at hillside. From there, we enjoyed a beautiful view of farmland and other villages below.

Day 04. Kalimati — Lumre — Pokhara 900m — 4hrs

After breakfast, we descended through bamboo forest and then passed traditional village Ghalel. When we got down from Ghalel, a beautiful hydro-waterfall was visible in the background of Lumre. We ended our hike at Lumre and rode bus for Pokhara.