Mardi Base Camp with Poon Hill and Ghandruk Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal. Upon touch down at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and immigration formalities and luggage collection, one of the company representatives will meet and greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel booked for you in Kathmandu, in a private car/jeep/minivan/bus-depending on group size. After completing the check-in procedure at the hotel and taking a short rest, a brief meeting will be held there to provide an overview of the trip. Following the briefing, you’ll be introduced to your guide, who will also check your trekking equipment. Feel free to relax or explore on your own after the meeting. A great way to spend the evening is by exploring the nearby market-picking up any last-minute gear or discovering a local eatery for your next meal. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu. 

If your flight is delayed or scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon, evening, or night, the meeting will be rescheduled for the following morning, prior to your departure for Pokhara.

Day 03: Drive to Ulleri (1,960m/6430ft),(4h) and trek to Ghorepani (2860m/9,383ft),(7km),(4h)

Start your day with a filling breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara before heading off to Ulleri, the trailhead, to start your trek. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel in Pokhara, and you’ll set off together for Ulleri by private jeep. The drive initially follows the Pokhara-Baglung Highway up to Nayapul, where the route to Ulleri branches north. A short drive from Nayapul brings you to Birethanti, where you’ll briefly stop at the ACAP office to complete entry formalities. The drive now continues through Lamdawali, Sudame, Hile and Tikhedhunga to Ulleri. This section features predominantly off-road conditions, providing a truly adventurous driving experience. However, the entire journey from Pokhara to Ulleri is incredibly scenic, with breathtaking views of majestic mountains shimmering under the blue sky, verdant hills, terraced fields, and glimpses of rural life- which you’ll come to understand more deeply in the days ahead. Approximately 4 hours after leaving Pokhara, you will reach Ulleri, a charming Magar (ethnic group in Nepal) village nestled amidst stunning views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. 

If you are hungry, you will have your lunch in Ulleri, before starting the trek. However, if you are not hungry, you will continue to Banthanti for lunch. Following a brief trek preparation in Ulleri, you will begin your hike to Ghorepani, situated approximately 7 kilometers northwest of Ulleri. It’s a gentle hike mostly through the forest of Rhododendron and Oak. Navigating your way through the forest, past Banthanti and Nagge Thanti, you will reach Ghorepani in roughly 4 hours from Ulleri. Ghorepani, a scenic and peaceful mountain village surrounded by the mesmerizing view of Annapurna South, Hiun Chuli, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri serves as a very popular stop for a number of treks in this area and offers a glimpse into the traditional mountain life. Often referred to as the gateway to Poon Hill (the best vantage point in the entire Annapurna region to view the panorama of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range), this village offers a range of lodges and guest houses that cater to trekkers with food, accommodation and other essential services. Once in Ghorepani, you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05: Trek to Ghandruk(1940m/6364ft),(5.5km), (3h)

Tadapani to Ghanduk is only about 5.5 kilometers walk. Therefore, you will only start this day after a relaxed mid-morning breakfast, enjoyed well past the early rush. This is also the shortest day of this trek as you will only hike down to Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a charming Gurung (ethnic group in Nepal) village offering a glimpse into local culture, with traditional houses, warm hospitality and panoramic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. The purpose of today’s descent to Ghandruk only is to enjoy the unique cultural essence the village adds to your journey. Leaving Tadapani, a three-hour descent through oak and rhododendron forests-accompanied by the sounds of chirping birds and singing insects-leads you to Ghandruk.

Upon arriving in Ghandruk, you’ll check into the lodge and take some time to rest and enjoy lunch. Later, you will explore the village and visit the Gurung Museum for a deeper insight into the traditions and lifestyles of the Gurung community. In the evening, enjoy cultural shows organized and performed by community women. Overnight in a lodge in Ghandruk. 

Alternatively, you may choose to continue to hike to Landruk if you’d rather not overnight in Ghandruk. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 07: Trek to Badal Danda (3250m/10,662ft),(4.5km),(5h)

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge in Forest Camp before setting off on the day’s trek. From the Forest Camp, the trail climbs steeply on stone steps through dense forest. Though the ascent is tiring, the cool shade and peaceful surroundings help ease the effort. After about 45 minutes of steady climbing, you’ll reach Rest Camp, where you are rewarded with a stunning view of the majestic Machhapuchhre. 

After a short break at Rest Camp, the trail continues with a gradual ascent through a serene and beautiful forest. The peaceful atmosphere, accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds and the hum of insects, makes the walk truly enjoyable. Around two hours after leaving Forest Camp, you’ll arrive at Low Camp. Low Camp is also the junction where the trail descending to Siding meets the one ascending to Mardi Base Camp. After lunch at the Low Camp, continuing along the Mardi Base Camp trail, you’ll ascend steeply on a stone-step path,entering the forest again. From this point onwards, the majestic peak of Machhapuchhre begins to dominate the landscape. Slowly as you approach Badal Danda, the trees grow sparse. Soon you will be greeted with a grand panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre, which marks the arrival of Badal Danda. Approximately five hours after leaving the forest camp, you will reach Badal Danda. Once at Badal Danda, you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. 

Should you wish to extend the day’s trek, High Camp is approximately two hours farther from Badal Danda. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 09: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m/14,763ft), (4.5km),(2-3h) and back to High Camp (3550m/11,646ft),(4.5km), (2-3h)

For those wishing to catch the sunrise, an early start is recommended—well before dawn—to reach the viewpoint just above High Camp. If sunrise isn’t a priority, you can begin the day after an early breakfast, around 7:00 or 7:30 AM.

Your trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp begins with a climb up to the ridgeline, followed by a steady hike along it. This stretch is considered the highlight of the entire Mardi Himal trek. As the ridge narrows, the panoramic views become even more breathtaking—the towering peaks of Annapurna South, Tent Peak, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal feel almost within reach. Below, massive glaciers cascade down the mountainsides, adding to the dramatic scenery.

While the views are mesmerizing, it's important to tread carefully along the exposed ridgeline. The 4.5-kilometer hike from High Camp to Base Camp typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Once at the base camp, take time to soak in the awe-inspiring landscape and capture it with your camera. After enjoying this rewarding moment, you’ll retrace your steps back to High Camp for the night.

Overnight stay in a lodge at High Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Drive to Kathmandu

Your journey to Kathmandu begins after breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara. A private vehicle (car/jeep/minivan/bus-as per your group size) will be arranged to transfer you from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It’s a 200-kilometer journey on the Prithvi Highway, which if not affected by the road construction and highway traffic can be completed in just 7 hours. It’s a very scenic journey, where you will one more time feed your eyes to the mesmerizing views of the rural landscape in Nepal. You will also be allowed to stop for lunch and short restroom breaks, where needed. Once in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel and assisted with hotel check in formalities. After freshening up and a short rest, in the evening, a compay representative wil meet you for farewell dinner to celebrate your success. After dinner, you will be dropped back to the hotel for overnight stay. 

If you prefer to fly to Kathmandu instead of traveling by road, flights can be arranged at an additional cost. 

Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner