Overview And Highlights
Our Mardi Himal Trek is designed for nature lovers who wish to experience the beauty of the Annapurna region in central Nepal, but away from the crowds.
This Mardi Himal trek explores the slopes of the Mardi Himal (5 553m) that rises in front of the iconic and sacred Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail, 6 997m).
Begin the trek with a short drive from Pokhara to Dhampus Phedi and trek shortly further to Deurali through Pothana to stay for the night. Head to the pleasant forest camp at Kokar the next day.
Mardi Himal Base Camp trail climbs past fast flowing streams through forests of dense bamboo, rhododendron and oak to ridge crests where small and hospitable farming communities work their terraced lands. These village people have not felt the impact of mass tourism and thus offer you the opportunity to experience their warmth, hospitality and customs; largely unchanged for generations.
Gradually ascend the Low and High camps over the next couple of days and reach the West Camp on the third day. The Mardi Himal West Camp at 4500m is the highest point of the trek. The scenery expands as the trail rises, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan giants from Dhaulagiri in the west, across the huge Annapurna group and Machhapuchhare to Manaslu in the east. Few locations can offer so close an encounter with the giants in such peaceful surroundings.
The gentle descent over the next few days leads you back to Pokhara. The Mardi Himal Trek then comes to an end with a short scenic flight or a classic bus drive back to the capital, depending on your preference.
While Nepal’s best trekking months are in April-May and September-October, we offer this Mardi Himal trek throughout the year. Our circular route has been chosen to help you acclimatize fully before reaching the alpine regions above 3500m; which makes this trek possible for anyone who is fairly fit and adventurous. For all kinds of trekkers this trekking route is best to be closer to the mountain base camp with superb views of Himalayan range without any obstacles.
Mardi Himal Trek Permits:
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card
NRS. 1000 ($10) for organized trekkers
NRS. 2000 ($20) for independent trekkers
Days
12 days
Distance
120 km
Difficulty
Medium
Highest Point
4500 mt
Best Season For The Trek
The best times of the year to perform the Mardi Himal Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons.
During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous. Winter trekking might not be suitable for everyone due to the harshly cold temperatures. However, the trek does provide some amazing views and extra snow and enjoyment to anyone capable of performing it in winter.
Trek Difficulty
This 12 Days Mardi Himal Trek is a moderate difficulty tea house trek that takes you up to altitudes of 4500m (Mardi Himal West Camp). You will be trekking over steep hills and semi mountainous terrain for most of the trek. While previous trekking experience is not a necessity, it will certainly make the trek easier. We recommended this trek for people with at least decent physical fitness and stamina. Altitude sickness is generally not an issue on this trek, however a rest day/acclimatization day before the main ascent might be a good idea.
Day To Day Itinerary
Day 1
1300 mtArrival: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1 300m/4 260ft)
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you
outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to
your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your
guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: welcome dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 2
1300 mtA Day in the City: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites:
Swayambhunath, known as the monkey temple; the city’s historical Durbar
Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the
Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath
and the world’s largest stupa, Bouddhanath,
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry
tickets and lunch are not included.) Overnight at hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: Breakfast and welcome dinner
Accomodation Hotel
Day 3
880 mtKathmandu – Pokhara (880m/2 900ft)
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Raimarg which offers
fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery and
along major rivers such as the Trisuli Nadi, which rises in Tibet north east of
Kathmandu. The route passes through the lower Gorkha region (beneath
Manaslu).
Transfer to your hotel. An afternoon City Tour includes: Devi’s waterfall and
Shiva’s Cave. Enjoy an evening cruise on tranquil Lake Phewa before dinner.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Transfer: bus
Food: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 4
2100 mtPokhara -Dhampus Phedi - Pothana -Pitam Deorali (2100m/6 890ft),
From your hotel the road winds up the Baglung Highway through farmland and
forest to the bus terminus at Dhampus Phedi (1 130m). A broad trail leads up to
Phedi and on to the large agricultural village of Dhampus (1 700m). Continue to
Pothana (1 890m) for lunch before the climb to the bustling, Brahmin, hill-top
village of Pitam Deorali.
From here Annapurna South and Hiunchuli dominate a panorama from
Dhaulagiri I (8 167m, highest peak in western Nepal) across the Annapurnas to
Manaslu (8 156m) on the right flank. It also offers scintillating views over the
Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south. Overnight in Pitam Deorali.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Transfer: 1hr drive
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 5
2550 mtPitam Deorali – Kokar, Forest Camp (2 550m/8 500ft)
Rhododendron trees thrive at altitudes from 2 000 to 4 800m (diminishing to
shrubs as altitude rises; flowering in April-May.) Today and tomorrow’s trails
pass through dense stands of mixed oak and rhododendron along the spine of
the eastern ridge of the Modi Khola that drains the Annapurna Sanctuary and
the Mardi Khola that drains the Mardi Himal. Bird and small animal life is
abundant – but seldom seen. The trail can be rough and steep in places. Enjoy a
picnic lunch en-route. The forest camp at Kokar is simple and rustic; the
teahouse welcome will be warm. Overnight at Forest Camp.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 6
2970 mtForest Camp – Low Camp (2 970m/9 750ft)
As the altitude increases, the forest changes to “cloud forest” with lower trees
and an increase in lichens, mosses, tree ferns and orchids. Look out for Nepal’s
national bird; the (male) Danphe pheasant et al. Lunch will be taken along the
route. There are three lodges at Low Camp. Overnight at Low camp.
Trek: 4-5 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 7
3900 mtLow Camp – High Camp (3 900m/12 800ft)
This morning’s scenery will soon change from forest to open grassy slopes.
Unobstructed views will include Hiunchuli to the west and the upper reaches of
the Annapurna Sanctuary trail as it heads towards the glacier. Machhapuchhare
rises dramatically ahead, above Mardi Himal. The walk is not long, but the steep
1 000m rise in altitude should be tackled slowly to avoid altitude problems.
Lunch will be taken along the route. There are now two large lodges at High
camp. At altitudes from 3 500 to over 5 000m, the domesticated yak (female nak)
can endure harsh conditions. It is kept as a pack animal and for its milk, soft
dense under-fur, hides – and dung for fuel. The dzo is a yak-cow crossbreed that
can live below 3 500m to approximately the upper limits of water buffalo and
cattle. Yaks eat a third of cow’s requirements and the meat is low in fat.
Overnight at High Camp.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 8
3900 mtHigh Camp – Mardi Himal west Base Camp (4 500m/14 750ft) - High Camp,
After an early breakfast head, slowly, up the last 600m rise to the base camp.
Mardi Himal (5 553m/18 220ft) is the southernmost peak of the Annapurna
range; first climbed in 1961. (Mardi and Machhapuchhare are linked by a col
(used to ascend Mardi). Machhapuchhare is sacred and has not been summated.
The best views on the trek are from a spot approximately two hours ahead. The
upward trail then narrows (along a knife edge for a short while) before
broadening and climbing to BC. Enjoy a picnic lunch at west BC or the view
point.
Full views from Annapurna south to Manaslu are possible in clear weather. This
includes views into the sacred Annapurna Sanctuary, the ABC and
Machhapuchhare BC hotels and the dramatic sweep of peaks that form the
vertical 4 000m wall (Annapurna I - 8 091m) above the Annapurna South glacier.
Return to High Camp for the night.
Trek: 4-5 hrs
Food:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 9
1750 mtHigh Camp – Sidhing village (1 750m/5 800ft)
Today’s trek is long but mainly downhill. Re-enter the cloud forest before Low
Camp, and lunch. Follow the trail, then the left fork into the Mardi Khola Valley.
Drop down through forest and later terraced rice paddies to the quiet Gurung-
Brahmin village of Sidhing, set well above the river. Overnight at Sidhing.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 10
880 mtSidhing – Lumre (1 150m) – Pokhara (880m/2 900ft)
The walk to Lumre, well above the Mardi Khola, is gentle, passing through
several, terraced, agricultural villages fed by mountain streams. Rice, grain and
vegetables are the main crops.
From Lumre we take the bus to Milanchok and on to Pokhara and your hotel.
Pokhara’s Mountain Museum is well worth a visit. Overnight in Pokhara.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Transfer: 1 1/2 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 11
1300 mtPokhara - Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft)
After an early breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Raimarg; or
take the 25 minute flight from the local airport a few minutes’ drive from your
hotel. Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Rest of day free.
Transfer: 6-7 hrs drive or 25 min flight
Food: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 12
1300 mtFinal departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next
destination.
If you have time, consider adding a trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary or a more
leisurely trek to Poon Hill. The Mardi Himal trek can also be done can in a
shorter time if you are really fit.
Food: Breakfast
What Do You Need?
Fotogallery
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