Kathmandu, Pokhara, Kande, PitamDeurali, Mardi Himal Base Camp, Siding village, Lumre

Day - 1 : Arrive in Kathamndu and transfer hotel.

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Day - 2 : Drive to Pokhara (200km), 7-8 hours

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Day - 3 : Drive to Kande and trek to PitamDeurali (2125m)

After hot breakfast we drive half an hour to Kande and commence our trek to Forest Camp at the elevation of 1810m. The trail is steep until Dhampus and pleasant easy walk up to Pothana, where you stay in a teahouse lodge for the first night.

Day - 4 : Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)- 5 hours trekking.

The trail continues from Forest Camp to Low Camp through the forest however as we ascend the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron and the trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns. At Low Camp there are two basic lodges one with a dining room with open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley.

Day - 5 : Trek to High Camp (3,700m)- 4 hours trekking.

An hour or so above Low Camp the trail breaks out above tree line and towards the west there is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourfulDanphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, this one has eight rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

Day - 6 : Excursion to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m)- back to Low Camp.

The plan for today is to wake early for sunrise view of the mountains then after an early breakfast walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a number of herder’s huts along the way. After three hours you should reach Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). We stay overnight at Low Camp again.

Day - 7 : Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking.

On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and you will probably eat dhal baht in the evening with the family in their kitchen.

Day - 8 : Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara- 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving.

From Siding you walk out to the road head at Lumre, on the way from Siding you will pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet jeep organised by Wilderness Excursion in advance to drive you back to Pokhara.

Day - 9 : Drive back to kathmandu (200km), 7-8 hours

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Day - 10 : Final Departure

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