Mardi Himal Trek

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Trip Facts

Duration 12 Days
Trip Difficulty moderate
Max. Altitude 3410m
Start and End Kathmandu - Kathmandu
Best Time All seasons
Accommodation Teahouse

Mardi Himal Trekking is a great way to enjoy your Himalayan walks within serene and off the beaten tracks away from main trekking trails, a different from other popular Annapurna areas on this trek where you encounter less number of trekkers within its beautiful surroundings.

Mardi Himal is an amazing place and scenic destination around Annapurna Himalaya, where early explorers and pioneers christened the area as ‘The Other Sanctuary’ where the first one was located within Annapurna base camp.

An adventure that takes you around the hidden region on high ridges facing marvelous views of the mountain range of Annapurna Himalaya with Manaslu as well Dhaulagiri peak includes towering majestic Machhapuchare Himal the famous ‘Fish Tail’.

Trek to Mardi Himal takes you at the very bottom of Mardi Himal above 4,490 m / 14,817 ft high, whereas Mardi a small mountain at 5,587 m which is a broken south ridge flank of Machhapuchare Himal offer a glorious panorama of the mountain range.

Mardi Himal treks start from famous touristic city Pokhara with a short drive to reach high scenic hills of Dhampus and its large Gurung village adorned with Buddhism religion and culture, from Dhampus enjoy the panorama of the mountain range.

From here on the high trail then leaving the main villages and away from popular trekking trails heading into complete and pure wilderness within dense beautiful woods covered by tall rhododendron and pine trees.

As the walk progresses on steep up soon leaving the tree lines on entering into a wide-open valley beyond the ridgeline at Mardi Himal base camp where amazing views of mountains surround you leaving you breathless.

After a great scenic moment return journey downhill on the same trail for some time and back into the deep forest as long descend takes you to low warm farm villages for the short exciting drive back to Pokhara by its serene Phewa lake on ending our wonderful Mardi Himal Trekking.

Best Season for Mardi Himal Trek

March to May and September to November months of the year, March to May when most days are clear for views of mountains and pleasant walks with longer sunlight hours due to spring season when wildflowers especially rhododendron and magnolia in bloom.

The next best months are October to December although cold in the morning and nighttime with freezing temperatures around higher hills, but with the fine clear day but sunlight hours due to autumn/fall and pre-winter season.

What's included

All Arrival and Departure transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Full day sightseeing tours in Kathmandu as the itinerary
3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
Twin sharing accommodation on best Lodge available on treks on full board with breakfast-lunch and dinner.
Luxury tourist bus transportation from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu.
Jeep drive from Pokhara to Phedi and Siding to Pokhara
Trekking Information Management System fees
Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit Fees.
Group briefing and orientation program on do’s and don't of the trip.
International air tickets re-confirmation.
Basic First Aid and Medical Kits.
Applicable government taxes.
Experienced and well English speaking guide.

What's not included

Entrance Fees for sightseeing places
International Airfare and Nepal Entry Visa.
Personal Travel and Medical Insurance.
Expenses of Personal Nature-Gratitude-Airport Tax
Meals(Lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Personal Trekking gear and equipment, down or duvet jackets, sleeping bags. (Sleeping bags and down jackets and climbing equipment can hire in Kathmandu at a reasonable cost).
Emergency Evacuation by any means of Transportations and personal medical kit.
Porter as on ratio of 2:1 (one porter for two guests)
Early return from the trips or breaking up the journey due to personal/medical reason clients has to bear extra expenses in Kathmandu or on route with related expenses as there will be no refund from the company in such situation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be escorted to hotel in Thamel by All Nepal Excursion staff and guides
On checking your rooms, getting refreshed join with other trekkers for briefing provided by our guide or leader.
Evening enjoys group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant with a live cultural program to entertain you with dinner.
Altitude: 1350 m
Meals: Dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparation.

After breakfast, we commence our visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites beginning within the Kathmandu District. These sites include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Bauddhanath. In the evening our guide will come for the briefing about the entire trek.
Altitude: 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara 822 m and transfer to hotel - 7-8 hrs journey.

Morning at the earliest depart from the hotel by 7 a.m. and then on the road with an exciting drive to Nepal Mid West reaching Pokhara, a renowned touristic and beautiful place of Nepal and whole Himalaya areas.
On reaching scenic Pokhara transfer to your hotel near its serene Phewa Lake, Pokhara is blessed with natural beauty located on the laps of Annapurna mountain range with towering peaks of Machhapuchare the famous ‘Fish Tail’ that touches the surface of Phewa and Begnas Lakes.
Pokhara is a major starting and ending point of many trekking and other adventure around Annapurna Himalaya and beyond, where some can take the options flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara of 30 minutes scenic flight.
Altitude: 822 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 04: Drive to Phedi (trek point) with 3 hrs walk to Dhampus 1,540m.

From Pokhara's first day trek begins taking a short drive to reach the starting point of walks, as the ride lead past Pokhara valley facing views of Annapurna peaks.
On reaching Phedi means the bottom of a hill, start to walk with climb past farm villages and terraces with views of peaks, and then with steep up to reach our overnight stop at Dhampus village, populated by Gurung the hill people of Annapurna and Lamjung Himal.
At Dhampus the last village on route Mardi Himal with time here to explore the local Gurung culture in the backdrop of grand views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri with Machhapuchare Himal.
Altitude: 1540 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 05: Trek to Kokar Forest camp 2,520 m via Pitam Deurali 2,100m-06 hrs.

The morning starts with a short climb with some gradual walks to reach Potana a small village on top of the high ridge, from here into the dense forest of rhododendron and pines to reach Deurali with fantastic views of a high snow-capped mountain range and of the valley.
Having lunch break, afternoon walks with climb and then on the gradual trail for few hours to reach at Kokar a small settlement in the midst of forest for an overnight stop.
Altitude: 2100 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 06: Trek to Forest camp or Low Camp 2,970 m - 05 hrs.

From the forested area, walk leads higher with a climb to reach a nice green pasture field for an overnight stop at a place called Forest of Low Camp on route to Mardi base camp, form here enjoy views of surrounding landscapes and mountains at close range.
Altitude: 2970 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 07: Trek to High camp 3, 700 m - 05 hrs.

After enjoying the morning vista of beautiful landscapes and snow-peaks in perfect tranquility, then head towards the higher area to High Camp as the air gets thinner and cooler with a steep climb to reach High Camp where tree lines fade to short rhododendron and juniper bushes.
Here at High Camp with some small lodges for overnight accommodation with superb views of Annapurna Himalaya.
Altitude: 3700 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 08: At High Camp for hike to Mardi Himal base camp at 4,490 m.

At High Camp for an extra night to explore beyond High Camp taking a day hike to Mardi Himal base camp and to reach the highest point of the trek at 4,490 m, where the route leads with a steep climb on a ridgeline to reach the hidden pleasure at base of Mardi Himal.
Close to towering Mt. Machhapuchare; the area is known as 'Other Sanctuary' named by early pioneer Jimmy Roberts when he first explored this area in the early 1970s. After enjoying the views of the superb mountain panorama returned back on the same route to our overnight stop.
Altitude: 4490 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 09: Trek to Low Camp on the same route for 05 hrs.

Morning enjoying at the highest overnight spot at High Camp as walk leads to easy downhill and back into dense tree lines at Low Camp for last overnight on high hills of Annapurna Himalaya.
After a fabulous time on the high ridges of Mardi Himal with beautiful views and back into the forest of rhododendron and pines trees, retracing the journey back on the same trail at Low Camp.
Altitude: 2970 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 10: Trek to Siding village 1,750m-05 hrs. and drive to Pokhara

Morning walk with long descend into the forest of rhododendron and pines trees, as walk heads downhill to Sidang village. After reaching Siding we will take a jeep to Pokhara. A 2 hour jeep ride will bring you to lake city Pokhara. Overnight at Pokhara.
Altitude: 1750 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Tea House/Lodge
Day 11: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

The morning after breakfast in the hotel depart for Kathmandu of more than five hours of interesting and exciting drives following the main highway through nice farm villages and towns with views of the snow-capped mountain range.
As the drive continues then on winding up to reach the top spot on the outskirt of Kathmandu valley and the city, a short drive from the top reaches you to your hotel, with afternoon free for individual activities and shopping.
(Flying options from Pokhara to Kathmandu of 30 minutes scenic flight)
Altitude: 1400 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 12: International departure to respective countries homeward bound.

Last day in the land of the world's highest mountains and exciting cultures, as per your time for international flight depart from the hotel, where All Nepal Treks staff and guide transfers you to the airport, with grand experience and beautiful memories of Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trekking.
Altitude: 1350m
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation: N/A