Mardi Himal - "The Other Sanctuary"

Day by Day Route Descriptions:

1. Kathmandu - Pokhara:

By bus or plane.

2. Pokhara - Mardi Pul:

By bus or taxi to the trailhead at the Yamdi Khola.

Proceed through rice paddies and terraces.
Encamp on banks of the Mardi Khola across from village of Mardi Pul.

3. Mardi Pul - Ghachok - Chyanglung:

Continue through rice fields northwards up the Seti Khola Valley to the Gurung village of Ghachok.
Continue up valley, cross Seti Khola and ascend ridge to reach village of Chyanglung.

4. Chyanglung - above Chyanglung:

Climb steep hillside above village to crest of ridge.
View of Macchapuchre.
Continue up through Kharka and camp in clearing.

5. Climb Chyanglung Hill - return to Ghachok:

Continue upwards to emerge above the jungle and continue to reach top of ridge.
Viewpoint for Macchapucchre and Annapurnas IV and II.
Return down valley to Ghachok.

6. Ghachok - Hille Kharka on Odane Hill:

Steep ascent through jungle.
Camp in large clearing.
Views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurnas IV and II.

7. Hille - kharka on ridgetop: ( 1/2 day )

Continue steep climb through jungle to reach crest of ridge.
Camp at muddy water-hole ( non-drinkable ).

Note:- must go down for drinking water - next campsite with water too far.
View of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

8. Kharka - Kumai:

Gradual ascent along forested ridge with final steep climb to kharka on hilltop at
Kumai. Encamp near Birch forest below ridge.

9. Kumai - Khorchon:

Long, ascent over rough, grassy slopes to kharkas on ridgetop at Korchon.
Fine viewpoint:- Macchapucchre, Annapurnas IV and II, Lamjung Himal to the east.

Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Annapurna I to the west.

10. Mardi Himal Base Camp - "The Other Sanctuary":

Follow crest of ridge passing between rocky pinnacles.
Climb then traverse along hillside beneath Mardi Himal.
Branch off to the right and climb up into broad amphitheatre directly beneath Macchapucchre.

11. Khorchon - Kumai - Odane Hill - Riban - Mardi Khola:

Return down ridge and continue along to Odane Hill.
Descend through village of Riban and camp on grassy flats alongside the Mardi Khola.
Views up valley to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

12. Mardi Khola - Mardi Pul - Pokhara:

Return downstream to meet the Seti Khola and continue alongside its banks to Pokhara.

13. Pokhara - Kathmandu:

Return by bus or plane to Kathmandu.