After the open hillside of Australian Camp and the tea shops of Pothana, the trail to Forest Camp turns into the trees and stays there for most of the day. This is a mature mid-hill forest dominated by Rhododendron arboreum, Nepal's national flower, which can grow into trees 15 m tall. Mixed in are oaks, maples and magnolias draped with moss and ferns. The path is a mix of earth and roots, gently but steadily climbing about 550 m over 5–6 hours from Kande.
Wildlife is easier to hear than see. Grey langur monkeys move through the canopy, and if you walk quietly in the early morning you may spot kalij pheasants or a Himalayan monal in the clearings. Birders should listen for laughingthrushes and sunbirds near the flowering rhododendrons in spring. Leeches appear in the monsoon months, which is one reason we do not run this trek from June to August. Binoculars add little weight and help a great deal here.
Forest Camp, also called Kokar, is a small clearing with a few lodges. It feels remote after the busy road head at Kande, and on clear evenings you can see the light fading on Machhapuchhre through gaps in the trees. In March and April the blooms are at their best between roughly 2,500 m and 3,200 m, which puts this section and the climb to Low Camp in the heart of the flowering zone.
Good for
- Families
- Photographers
- First-timers
- Seniors
Questions travellers ask
When do rhododendrons bloom on the Mardi Himal trek?
Usually from mid-March to late April, moving uphill as the season warms. The lower forest near Pothana flowers first, and by April the blooms reach Low Camp and Badal Danda at around 3,000–3,200 m. Exact timing varies with each year's winter, so a late cold spell can delay them by two or three weeks.
Are there leeches on the way to Forest Camp?
Only in the wet months. From June to September the damp forest between Pothana and Low Camp has many leeches, which is one reason we do not sell this trek in the monsoon. In October to May they are rare. If you do walk in the rains, wear long socks over your trousers and carry salt or anti-leech spray.
Is the Forest Camp section suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is the gentlest full day of the trek, climbing about 550 m over 5–6 hours on a shaded path without exposure. Beginners with reasonable fitness manage it comfortably if they keep a steady pace. The harder days come later, especially the climb from High Camp to the viewpoint, so use this day to find your rhythm.
