Himalayan Yoga and Hiking Retreat in the Annapurna Foothills

The Mardi Himal trek is often called a hidden gem of the Annapurna region, and for good reason. It offers a taste of the Himalayas that's both physically rewarding and deeply scenic, without the marathon distances of the Annapurna Circuit or the crowds of the base camp routes. The seven-day loop starts and ends in Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside adventure hub, and climbs gradually from forested valleys to above the cloud line.

Your days follow a comfortable rhythm. After breakfast, you set out with your guide, a local who knows the route, the villages, and the wildlife. The trail passes through hemlock and rhododendron woodland, past waterfalls and mountain streams, and eventually opens up to high alpine terrain with sweeping views. You'll stay each night in simple mountain lodges — some are clustered in tiny settlements like Deurali or High Camp, where the main event is the sky full of stars and the silence.

Yoga and meditation are woven into the schedule rather than tacked on. Sessions are guided by Jay, a physical trainer and trekking guide trained at Nepal's Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management. His style is practical, energetic, and down-to-earth, focusing on stretching and breathing that help you recover after a day's walk and prepare for the next. Evenings get darker earlier in the mountains, so after dinner there's often a guided meditation or pranayama session before bed.

What sets this trip apart is the balance between effort and ease. Trekking days range from roughly three to six hours, with rest stops built in. The longest and toughest day is the summit push to Mardi Himal Base Camp, where the trail gets steep and rocky, but your guide paces the group and the reward is a 360-degree view of the Annapurnas. After the descent, you finish with a final walk down to Sidhing village, a traditional settlement that feels a world away from the tourist trails, before driving back to Pokhara for a hot shower, a real bed, and an optional massage.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation (private room in Pokhara, lodges on trek) - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathing) classes - Group excursions and activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team - Transportation during the retreat - Luggage storage - Wifi connection at the center

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary