Heritage · Mardi Himal
Descend through the Gurung village of Siding
Leave the ridge by the quieter eastern route, down steep forest to Siding, a Gurung village of stone houses and terraces in the Mardi Khola valley, and ride a jeep back to Pokhara the same afternoon or after a village night.
Most walkers return the way they came, but the descent from Low Camp to Siding is more interesting. The trail drops steeply through forest of rhododendron and oak, with the sound of the Mardi Khola growing below, then breaks out onto terraces and the first houses. It is a big descent, so poles and patience help.
Siding is a Gurung village with stone and slate houses, buffalo sheds and terraces of millet and maize, far quieter than the trekking hubs. A few homestays and lodges offer meals and beds. Families here have long grazed animals on the Mardi ridge, and some run the lodges you stayed in above.
If you stay, walk the village lanes in the evening and eat with a family. If not, have lunch and take a jeep down the valley road towards Lwang and Pokhara, about 2–3 hours depending on the road. Tell your agency in advance so transport is waiting.
Good for
Questions
Is it better to descend Mardi Himal via Siding?
It gives a different, quieter return through a Gurung village rather than retracing the forest route to Dhampus or Kande. The descent is steep and long, hard on the knees, so it suits walkers who are comfortable going down. A jeep road reaches the valley, making the return to Pokhara straightforward.
Can I stay in Siding village?
Yes. Siding has a few simple lodges and homestays offering beds and home-cooked meals, and a night here adds a village experience to the trek. Facilities are basic, with shared bathrooms. Book through your guide, as capacity is limited. Pay in cash in Nepali rupees.
How do I get back to Pokhara from Siding?
Jeeps run on the valley road from Siding towards Lwang and on to Pokhara, about 2–3 hours depending on conditions. Private jeeps should be booked in advance through your agency. Local jeeps run less predictably. In the monsoon the road can be blocked by landslides, so keep a spare day.
Also in Mardi Himal
More ways to spend the day
TrekkingDawn climb to the Mardi Himal upper viewpoint
Leave High Camp around 4–5 am and climb the grass and rock ridge by headlamp to the upper viewpoint, around …
NatureSunset above the clouds at Badal Danda
At Badal Danda, the cloud ridge at about 3,200 m, the evening often brings a sea of cloud filling the …
WildlifeLooking for the danphe on the Mardi ridge
Walk the forest edge and open slopes between Low Camp and High Camp at first light, looking for the Himalayan …