License No: 237321

Quick Facts

  • Duration:12 Days
  • Trek Style:Hiking and trekking
  • Group Size:2++
  • Location: Annapurna conservation area
  • Trek Starting Point:kade
  • Trip Grade:Moderate
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accomodation:teahouse during trek
  • Max-Altitude:4500 m
  • Transportation:Tourist bus / local vehicle
  • Trek Ending Point:Lumre
  • Departure from:Kathmandu

Mardi Himal

Fantastic Mardi Himal Trek is located east of one of the most legendary trekking destinations of Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Mardi Himal trek is a relatively new trekking route. Few trekkers make their way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp positioned at the base of Mardi Himal and the Annapurna region’s most iconic mountain Machapuchhre, meaning “Fishtail”. The trail goes along small winding paths, through enchanted rhododendron forests until you climb out of the forest at an elevation of around 3,300 m. The landscape changes quite abruptly into a rugged high mountain landscape, with amazing views of Mardi Himal, Machapuchre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

mardi himal trek
Our Mardi Himal trekking group

From High Camp (3580 m some maps incorrectly mention 3900 m) you can climb up to Mardi Himal Base Camp in about 3 – 4 hours, which offers spectacular close-up views of the entire Annapurna Range. There are some simple but cozy guesthouses and homestays along the entire route.

Few trekkers make their way to the base of spectacular Mardi Himal and the beautiful and imposing Machapuchhre, but this stunning route is quickly gaining popularity. Less challenging than the trek to nearby Annapurna Base Camp yet just as beautiful, this 12-day adventure belongs on the itinerary of anyone looking for a literal off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal.

 

Highlights:

Stunning views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range.
Blooming Rhododendron forest (March – April).
A relatively easy off the beaten trekking trail.
☛ Experience true local hospitality in authentic villages on the route.
☛ Learn about local people, their culture, and lifestyle.

 

Fixed DeparturesSeptember October December
Mardi Himal20.0302.04 | 20.0405.05

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. Our Staff member meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Morning wake-up and breakfast in the hotel.
Our guide will meet you in your hotel and brief you about the upcoming Mardi Himal trekking. He will guide you through all the formalities and necessary paper-works required for the trekking.
After that, we then do Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley of famous UNESCO world heritage sites like Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupas in the world; Swayambhunath, a famous monkey temple, and Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple complex. Apart from Sightseeing, we also get a TIMS card and permits for our trekking on this day. In the evening, we do initial preparation for the trekking.
Overnight at Hotel.
To start our Mardi Himal trekking, we wake up early in the morning, take our breakfast in the hotel and drive to Pokhara in a tourist coach. We take our lunch for the day on the way to Palpa Resort. Upon arrival at Pokhara transfer to the hotel. In the evening, we do some leisure activities around Phewa Lake and do final
preparation for the trekking.
Overnight at Hotel.
Alternative: You can also take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The duration of the flight is about 30 Minutes. One-way flight costs around 125 USD per Person. We can make a flight reservation for you. Please let us know.
Early morning wake-up and breakfast in the hotel. After that, we drive to Kande (1.5 hours) to start our trekking. Upon arrival in Kande, we rest for a while and commence our trek to Australian Camp at the elevation of 1810 m. The trail is steep until Dhampus and pleasant easy walk up to Pothana for about 15 Minutes. We trek about 3 – 4 hours total from Kande to Pothana.
Overnight at teahouse lodge.
The trail continues from Forest Camp to Low Camp through the forest. As we ascend, the vegetation starts to change and more rhododendron and the trees covered with moss, lichen, and tree ferns can be seen. At Low Camp, there are two basic lodges one with a dining room with an open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) visible up the valley.
Overnight at teahouse lodge.
An hour or so above Low Camp the trail breaks out above the tree line and towards the west, there is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colorful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, this one has eight rooms and a separate dining room with a heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
Overnight at teahouse lodge.
The plan for today is to wake early for a sunrise view of the mountains then after an early breakfast walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a number of herder’s huts along the way.
After three hours you should reach Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
We stay overnight at Low Camp in a teahouse again.
On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and you will probably eat Dal-Bhat in the evening with the family in their kitchen.
Overnight at teahouse lodge.
From Siding, we walk out to the road head at Lumre, on the way from Siding we pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghale and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. We explore the surroundings and spend some quality time there.
Overnight at teahouse lodge.
After our breakfast, we explore the surrounding for a while and do a small trek. After that, we drive back to Pokhara in a jeep. In the evening, time for leisure activities and shopping in the Lakeside area.
Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast, we end our Mardi Himal trek and drive back to Kathmandu in a tourist coach. We arrive at Kathmandu in the evening, where we have some time for leisure and shopping.
Overnight at Hotel.
Alternative: You can also take a domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The duration of the flight is about 30 Minutes. One-way flight costs around 125 USD per Person. We can make a flight reservation for you. Please let us know.
After breakfast, a staff member will pick you up from the hotel and transfers you to the airport for the final departure. We wish you a pleasant and safe flight back home and hope to see you soon again.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Airport Pick-up and drop Service
  • Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu (twin sharing basis) with breakfast
  • Guided Tour of Kathmandu valley with an experienced tour guide
  • Hotel Accommodation in Pokhara (twin sharing basis) with breakfast
  • Sightseeing charges and Entry fees
  • Accommodation during the trek (teahouse / guesthouse / homestay)
  • All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Transportation (tourist coach / local bus / private vehicle)
  • Experienced licensed English-speaking trekking guide
  • Local government Entry Permit of Rs. 2000 (started in 2018)
  • Insurance of the Guide and Porter
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
  • TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) Trekking Permit Card
  • Medical kits carried by the guide
  • All necessary paper works, office service charge and all Government Taxes

 

Optional Add-Ons:
  • Porter (cost: 20 USD per day, carries 15 – 20 kg load. Porter’s accommodation, transport and meal is paid by the company)
  • Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map (in case you don‘t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • Travel and rescue insurance (Essential: Should include emergency evacuation coverage while trekking up to 5500+ m)
  • International airfare and Visa costs (you can get a Visa upon arrival at the Airport)
  • Domestic Flight
  • Personal interest items or gears
  • Tips to guide / driver / porter
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Beverage and Drink Items / Other Extra facilities like hot shower during trek
  • Any other expenses which are not mentioned in “What’s Included” section
Mardi Himal trekking elevation map 2021
Mardi Himal trekking elevation map
55 km.
From High Camp (3580 m some maps incorrectly mention 3900 m) you can climb up to Mardi Himal Base Camp in about 3 – 4 hours, which offers spectacular close-up views of the entire Annapurna Range. There are some simple but cozy guesthouses and homestays along with the entire route
total distance cover 5 days Mardi Himal is 55 km. must walk for nearly 6 to 7 hours per day
Mardi Himal Trek difficulty is moderate. This is a newer trek compared to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek but is absolutely stunning. It will surprise you with some of the best views you can have on any trek. People from all age group can do this trek well
map-of-mardi-himal
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