For most people who trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp, Siding is the place where the adventure ends. After a long, steep descent from the ridge through moss-draped forest and terraced fields, the trail suddenly opens onto a village of farmhouses, a few tea houses and a dusty road. A jeep is waiting, lunch is on the table, and within a few hours you will be back by the lake in Pokhara. Yet Siding deserves more than a passing glance. It is a traditional hill village with its own rhythm, a useful base for trekkers who prefer a quieter start or finish, and for many visitors, their first real look at rural life below the Annapurnas.
This guide covers where Siding is, how it fits into the trek, what facilities you will find, how transport works, and how to make the most of your time there. For the descent that leads to the village, see Low Camp to Siding and Badal Danda to Siding.
Siding at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kaski District, northeast of Pokhara, at the eastern foot of the Mardi Himal ridge |
| Approximate altitude | Around 1,750 m |
| Role on the trek | Usual end point of the descent; occasional start point |
| Walking time from Low Camp | 4–5 hours down; 6–7 hours up |
| Drive to Pokhara | 2–3 hours by jeep on a rough road |
| Facilities | A few simple lodges and tea houses, basic shops, mobile signal |
Published altitudes for Siding vary, partly because the village is spread across a hillside and partly because different sources measure from different points. Treat the figure as approximate; what matters on the trail is that it sits well over a kilometer below Low Camp.
Where Siding Fits in the Trek
The classic Mardi Himal Trek is a loop. You start at Kande or Phedi on the road between Pokhara and Baglung, climb through Australian Camp and Pitam Deurali to Forest Camp, then follow the ridge up to Low Camp, High Camp and Base Camp. On the way down, instead of retracing your steps, most itineraries leave the ridge at Low Camp and descend east through the forest to Siding. This gives you a new trail, different scenery and a village you would not otherwise see. See the map and route guide.
Which day you reach Siding depends on your itinerary. On the 5-day trek from Pokhara, you descend from Low Camp on the final day. On the 9-day and 7-day treks, you start that last day at Badal Danda, an hour higher. On the 3-day Short Mardi Himal Trek, Siding is reached at the end of a very long summit day, and it is also the start point on some versions of the short trek, which drive to the village and climb directly to Low Camp.
Arriving in the Village
The descent into Siding is one of the most pleasant parts of the final day. After hours in the forest, the trail emerges onto open slopes of terraced fields, where maize, millet, rice and vegetables are grown depending on the season. You pass farmhouses with stone walls and slate or tin roofs, stacks of firewood and fodder, water buffalo tethered in the yard, goats and chickens wandering the paths. Village children may greet you with a shy "namaste," and older villagers often look up from their work to wave. After the thin air and bare slopes of the ridge, the warmth, the green and the smell of wood smoke feel like a homecoming.
People and Village Life
Siding is a farming community, and its daily life revolves around the fields, livestock and the seasons. Like many villages in the hills around Mardi Himal, it is home to Gurung families alongside other communities, and many households have relatives working in Pokhara, Kathmandu or abroad, sending money home that has helped build the concrete houses now appearing among the older stone ones. The arrival of the road has changed village life, bringing easier access to markets, schools and health care, as well as trekkers and the income they bring.
If you have time, walk a little way through the village rather than heading straight for the jeep. You may see women carrying loads of fodder in bamboo baskets, men ploughing terraces with oxen, or families drying grain on mats outside their homes. Be respectful: ask before taking photographs of people, do not walk through fields or courtyards without permission, and dress modestly. See Gurung culture on the Mardi Himal Trek and farming and village life below Mardi Himal.
Lodges and Accommodation
Siding has a handful of simple lodges and homestay-style guesthouses. Rooms are basic, usually with twin beds, blankets and shared bathrooms, and hot water may come from solar heaters or a gas geyser. Because the village is much lower than the ridge, nights are mild compared with High Camp, and the rooms feel comfortable. Most trekkers do not stay overnight, since the jeep can reach Pokhara in a few hours, but spending a night here is a relaxed alternative, especially if you arrive late, are tired after a long descent, or want to experience village life at a slower pace. See homestays near Mardi Himal and the tea house guide.
Food in Siding
Lunch in Siding is a highlight of the final day for many trekkers. The tea houses cook simple, hearty meals, often with vegetables from their own gardens. Dal bhat, the Nepali staple of lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry and pickle, is the most common and best-value choice, with free refills. Noodle soups, fried rice, fried noodles and momos are usually available too, along with tea, coffee, soft drinks and, in some places, beer. Food prices are lower than on the upper ridge, because supplies arrive by road rather than on porters' backs. See dal bhat on Mardi Himal and lunch stops on Mardi Himal.
What a Night in Siding Is Like
Trekkers who choose to stay the night in Siding usually describe it as one of the most relaxing evenings of the trip. After the long descent, you can take a warm shower, wash a few clothes and sit outside as the afternoon light turns golden over the terraces. Evenings are quiet: the sounds are of livestock being brought in, children playing, and the crackle of the kitchen fire. Dinner is usually a freshly cooked dal bhat with vegetables from the garden, and your hosts may invite you to sit by the fire and chat. With far more oxygen in the air than on the ridge, most people sleep deeply. The next morning, you can take a short walk through the fields before breakfast and drive back to Pokhara at a relaxed pace, arriving by late morning. If your itinerary allows, it is a lovely way to ease the transition from the mountains back to the city, and it spreads your spending into a village that sees fewer overnight guests than the lodges on the ridge.
Getting from Siding to Pokhara
A rural road connects Siding with Pokhara. It winds down the valley through villages and terraced hillsides to Lumre, where it joins a better road that runs into the city. The upper part is unpaved, bumpy and dusty in the dry season, and it can be muddy or partly blocked after heavy rain, particularly during the monsoon. The journey usually takes two to three hours. Your guide arranges a jeep in advance, and on our itineraries this is included in the trek. Local shared jeeps and buses also run on this road, but schedules are irregular. See the Siding to Pokhara jeep and jeep road safety.
Starting the Trek from Siding
Although most itineraries use Siding as the end point, it can also be used to start the trek, in reverse. The main advantage is speed: by driving to Siding and climbing directly to Low Camp, you reach the upper ridge in one day, which is why some short itineraries use this approach. The main disadvantage is the climb itself, a steep ascent of around 1,200 meters through forest, taking six to seven hours and gaining height fast, which is harder on the body and less friendly to acclimatization. We generally recommend starting from Kande for a more gradual ascent, unless your time is very limited. See trekking Mardi Himal in reverse and choosing your trailhead.
Views from Siding
From the village, the high peaks are mostly hidden behind the ridge and forest, but on clear mornings the summit of Machapuchare can be seen above the trees, and the ridge you descended rises steeply to the west. The views across the valley to the terraced hillsides opposite are beautiful, especially in the golden light of late afternoon or when the rice terraces are green in summer or golden in autumn. Photographers will find plenty to capture in the village scenes, fields and farm life. See photographing Machapuchare.
Nearby Villages and Detours
Siding is part of a network of villages on the eastern slopes of the Mardi Himal ridge. The best known is Lwang, famous for its tea gardens, which can be visited on a variation of the descent or as a short side trip, and the nearby village of Ghalel, known for its community homestays. Walking between these villages gives a deeper sense of rural life in the area and supports local families. If you have an extra day, ask us about adding a village night to your trek. See Mardi Himal via Lwang village and villages around Mardi Himal.
Money, Signal and Practicalities
- Cash: There are no ATMs in Siding. Carry enough Nepali rupees for lunch, drinks and any tips.
- Mobile signal: Coverage is usually available, and some lodges offer Wi-Fi, though it can be slow.
- Shops: Small shops sell basics like water, snacks, biscuits and soft drinks.
- Toilets: Available at tea houses, usually squat style; carry your own toilet paper.
- Charging: Lodges may let you charge devices, sometimes for a small fee.
- Health care: Only very basic facilities; serious issues are handled in Pokhara.
See how much cash to carry and Wi-Fi, signal and charging on the trek.
Siding in Different Seasons
Spring (March–May) is warm, with blooming rhododendrons in the forest above and fields being prepared for planting. Monsoon (June–August) brings lush, green terraces planted with rice, but also rain, mud and leeches on the trail, and the road can be affected by landslides. Autumn (September–November) is harvest time, with golden rice terraces and festivals, and the clearest weather of the year. Winter (December–February) is dry and cool, with crisp mornings and pleasant afternoons; the village is much warmer than the ridge. See the monthly weather guide.
Responsible Travel in Siding
Tourism brings valuable income to Siding, but it also brings pressures. Buy meals and drinks in the village rather than relying only on snacks from Pokhara, as this puts money directly into local households. Carry out your rubbish, especially plastic, because the village has limited waste facilities. Refill water bottles with treated water rather than buying new plastic bottles. Avoid giving sweets or money to children, which encourages begging; if you want to help, support community projects through a trusted organization. See responsible trekking on Mardi Himal and giving responsibly on the trail.
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive with enough energy to enjoy the village; the descent is long, so pace yourself.
- Take a short walk through the village before or after lunch.
- Ask before photographing people, homes and religious sites.
- Check that all bags are loaded before the jeep leaves.
- Take motion sickness medication before the drive if you need it.
- Keep a light layer handy; the jeep can be dusty and the evening cool.
End Your Trek in Siding with Us
Siding is the final stop on most of our Mardi Himal itineraries, where the trail meets the road and the mountains give way to village life. To walk the full loop from Kande to Base Camp and down to Siding, see the 5-day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara, the 9-day trek from Kathmandu or the 3-day Short Mardi Himal Trek, and contact us to plan your trip.