The Mardi Himal trek sits in a corner of Nepal that is packed with other adventure. Within an hour of Pokhara you can drop into a canyon at Lwang, launch a tandem paraglider off Sarangkot, ride the foothill trails, or chase sunrise from a string of viewpoints. Here is what is on offer, with real altitudes and indicative prices.
Lwang Ghalel, about 22 kilometres and an hour from Pokhara, is home to the first canyoning operation set up near the city, started in 2014 at the Kudi waterfall. The Lwang and Lumre canyons mix rappelling, waterfall jumping, and swimming through clear pools, with Machhapuchhre looking down on the site. Rappel heights vary by skill level, running from roughly 45 to 75 metres.
Sarangkot, the ridge on the northwestern edge of the Pokhara valley, is one of the world's great tandem paragliding launches. You lift off at 1,592 metres, ride the morning thermals over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna wall ahead, and land in a field beside the lake at around 742 metres. A standard tandem flight runs about 25 to 30 minutes; longer cross-country flights are available. Tandem flights are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
Indicative price for a standard 25 to 30 minute tandem, often with transport and GoPro media included. Longer flights cost more, and prices move with season and operator.
The ridges around Pokhara and the lower Mardi trail hold beginner- friendly mountain-biking routes, following the foothills rather than the high trekking trail. Two of the easiest to reach:
A beginner-friendly mountain-biking route near Pokhara, along the ridge with valley views.
A beginner route in the Annapurna foothills, on the lower Mardi and Dhampus trail.
From the Pokhara ridge up to the base-camp area, the Mardi route strings together some of the finest sunrise and sunset viewpoints in the Annapurna region. Altitudes climb as you go.
The Annapurna Conservation Area records 523 bird species, so the trail doubles as serious bird-watching country. The headline species is the Himalayan Monal, the Danphe, which is Nepal's national bird and is seen in the rhododendron and forest zones. Look up in the high open zones for the soaring Himalayan Griffon, and watch the forest edges for pheasants. For the full picture of what lives along the route, see our flora and fauna page.
At Lwang Ghalel, about 22 km from Pokhara, roughly an hour's drive. It was the first canyoning operation near Pokhara, set up in 2014 at the Kudi waterfall, and also runs the Lumre canyons nearby. Rappels run from roughly 45 to 75 m depending on your skill level, with waterfall jumping, swimming, and views of Machhapuchhre. A direct trip is around USD 70, a whole day around USD 80, and an overnight with a homestay around USD 110.
A standard tandem flight from the Sarangkot ridge lasts about 25 to 30 minutes and costs around USD 70 to 100, often including transport and GoPro photos or video. Longer cross-country flights cost more. Sarangkot launches at 1,592 metres and you land beside Phewa Lake.
Autumn, October to November, is the peak with the best visibility, and December to February also flies well. The best daily window is roughly 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. when the thermals build. The monsoon (around July to September) sees frequent cancellations. Tandem paragliding is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
Sarangkot (1,592 m) is the classic Pokhara sunrise point. On the trek itself, High Camp (around 3,540 to 3,580 m) is the premier sunrise and sunset viewpoint, with Low Camp (around 2,990 m) and Badal Danda (around 3,210 m) also excellent. The Mardi Himal Viewpoint at around 4,250 m gives the closest peak views.
Yes. Two beginner-friendly routes in the foothills are Sarangkot to Naudanda and Australian Camp to Dhampus, both with Annapurna views. They follow the lower ridges rather than the high trekking trail.
Easily. Most travellers base in Pokhara before or after the trek, which puts canyoning at Lwang, paragliding from Sarangkot, and the foothill biking routes all within an hour. If you would rather skip the walk and still reach the high mountains, see our helicopter tour.
Want to skip the walk and still reach the high mountains? Take the Mardi Himal helicopter tour. And to base your adventure days, read the Pokhara travel guide.
We run small-group trips from Pokhara every Saturday from September to May. We also run private trips any day. A $50 deposit holds your place. Pay the rest on arrival in cash or by card.
