12+
Age
Nepal
Country
Year Round
Dates
12 Days
Duration
Trekking
Activities

Mardi Himal trekking in the Annapurna region is a short and beautiful trekking tour in Nepal. Want to enjoy the views of the beautiful Annapurna mountain range without the crowds? This off the beaten path trek is less busy compared to other routes in the Annapurna area.  On your way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp, you can choose to lodge at traditional tea houses or to camp, whatever you prefer!

The Mardi Himal trek offers breathtaking views of many Annapurna mountains including Mt. Fish Tail (Machhapuchhare), Annapurna South,  and other peaks of the Annapurna mountain range. A special thing about this trekking route is the change of landscape: First, you will see tropical areas, with farmland terraces and passes through the magical rhododendron forest. Later, the beautiful trail leads to the Mardi Himal base camp, with stunning glacier valley views on the way.

From the beginning to the end, one can enjoy the dramatic panoramic views of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna mountain range, including brilliant shining sceneries of both, mountains and valleys. As you gradually gain higher altitude, you reach the Mardi Himal base camp, from where a rewarding view of the whole Annapurna mountain range awaits you! Local tea houses or trekking lodges offer you warm meal and a place to rest.

Why Mardi Himal?

You want to trek off the beaten path? This short trekking route follows a rugged trail, dominated by hard rock formations. The Mardi Himal trek is promoted as a newly opened route. However, Nature Trail has been organizing this trip for many years already. Previously, no tea houses were available in this region, wherefore it was only possible to camp while trekking. This has changed throughout the years and now visitors can also chose to sleep in teahouse lodges as well. In addition, this trek is considered as one of the few remaining off the beaten path trekking routes, as very few trekkers explore this route. Mardi Himal trekking offers a classical and exotic setting with such pure and untouched villages, panoramic views on  the Himalayas, wildlife, rhododendron forests, beautiful terraces, landscapes and more.

If trekkers have more time, there is the option to extend the route while returning or on the way from/to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Other areas of the Annapurna region such as Poon Hill, Ghandruk village, Jhinu Dancha or even to Annapurna Base Camp can be added to the route.

Itinerary Outline:

01: Arrival in Kathmandu and getting to know Nature Trail (1350m)

02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour

03: Fly to Pokhara, and trek to Australian Camp or Deurali (2060m)

04: Deurali to Forest Camp (2500m) – 6-7 hrs

05: Forest Camp to Low Camp (2970m) – 4 hrs

06: Low Camp to High Camp (3550m) – 4 hrs

07: Day Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) – 6-7 hrs

08: High Camp to Sidding (1700m) – 6 hrs

09: Sidding to Lwong (1460m) – 5:30 hrs

10: Lwong to Khoramukh, back to Pokhara – 3 hrs

11: Relaxing or sightseeing in Pokhara

12: Drive Back to Kathmandu by Tourist Coach

For more details, contact us:  +9779851022394  or email us: [email protected] 

Additional information

DifficultyAll levels
1

Arrival in Kathmandu and getting to know Nature Trail (1350m)

Welcome to Nepal! A Nature Trail representative will come airport to meet you there and accompany you to your hotel. We are happy to book a nice hotel for you. After some rest and depending on the time, you will be introduced to your tour and/or trekking guide in our office. We will discuss the details of your itinerary and answer all questions you have regarding your trip to the Mardi Himal Base Camp.
2

Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour

Kathmandu valley has a lot to offer: 7 world heritage sites, colorful stupas and lively squares! According to your interests, we will find the perfect places for you to visit. Some of  Kathmandu’s highlights are the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Patan Durbar Square, and many more. Discover Nepal’s culture in the buzzing capital city.
3

Fly to Pokhara, and trek to Australian Camp or Deurali (2060m)

Good morning, let your Mardi Himal adventure begin! After breakfast we bring you to the airport to take a short flight to Pokhara (30min.). This is a scenic flight so make sure to sit on the right side of the plane, so you don’t miss the stunning view on the Annapurna mountain range. Once you land in Pokhara, our trekking crew will meet you there. Only a short drive to Kande, from where you start to walk to Bhaisikharka, also known as Australian camp. As option, you can also stay at Deurali.

Walking time: around 3 hours 

Note: As option, you may want to take a car or tourist bus to Pokhara instead of a flight. This is not only better for the environment, but also gives you the chance to see more of Nepal’s countryside on the ride along beautiful landscapes, people in villages, rivers and more. The journey takes around 7-8 hours, and is best to combine with an afternoon and overnight stay in beautiful Pokhara. You can start your trekking trip next day.

4

Deurali to Forest Camp (2500m)

This is your 4th day in Nepal and second day of your Mardi Himal trekking tour. In the morning after a typical mountain breakfast, you start trekking to the Forest Camp. Today, we will be walking through roads dotted with pine forest in the beginning, and colorful, extremely beautiful rhododendron forest afterwards. Overnight at the forest camp. You will be walking in relatively plain terrain today.

Walking time: 6-7 hours

5

Forest Camp to Low Camp (2970m)

The trek starts as usual after breakfast. Today, we have quite a short walk of around 4 hours, which is good for your body to get used to the high altitude. This is the best place to enjoy the astonishing view of Mt. Fish-tail. Today, we will reach the Low Camp, a great place to relax and enjoy the stunning sunset. It is a nice area to explore further after lunch.

Walking time: 4 hours

6

Low Camp to High Camp (3550m)

You are already 6 days in Nepal and the Mardi Himal base camp is coming closer. After watching the sunrise, your target for today is to reach the high camp, a very important day of your trekking. You will be reaching 3550m of altitude, from where you enjoy the great mountain views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, Mt. Fish-tail. On the other side, we see stunning villages like Chhomrong village, Ghandruk village and Fishtail Valley. The local tea houses invite for a rest, and don’t miss the colorful sunset and morning sunrise.

Walking time: 4 hours

7

Day Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m)

The day has come! Today you will finally reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp. After breakfast we pack our lunch and get on the trek. Today’s trail is a bit steeper and more rocky. Some of our trekkers think it is the hardest day of the tour, but it’s going to be worth it! After the lush forest, you will notice less and less trees, grassy lands and finally the rocky and glacial area.

At the end of the trek you will enjoy great views on Mardi Himal, Annapurna I and other mountains of the Annapurna region. Then, we’ll walk back to the High Camp.

Walking time: 6-7 hours

8

High Camp to Sidding (1700m)

Well done so far! Today is one of the most beautiful and important days of your Mardi Himal trekking tour. Don’t forget to enjoy the magnificent sunrise one more time. Later, we trek down hill to Sidding through the splendid rhododendron and pine forests, where we stay overnight.

Walking time: 6 hours

9

Sidding to Lwong (1460m)

In the morning after breakfast, you continue your walk to Lwong. The trail goes gradually up and also includes some flat sections, until you reach Ghalel where we stop for lunch. Ghalel is a small village with only a few houses. After lunch, we continue to Lwong, which is a beautiful village with traditional Nepali mountain houses. People here still wear traditional dresses. Here, you can also find the ACAP office. If you are lucky you will get the chance to see traditional folk dances local music, organized by the community.

Walking time: 5:30 hours

10

Lwong to Khoramukh, and back to Pokhara

Today is your last day of Mardi Himal trekking. Enjoy breakfast, and spend some time in the village, meet with locals and get to know how day to day life begins in the mountains. Learn more about their inspiring culture and connect with the Nepali way of living. Today you will walk approx. 2 hours and drive around 1:30 hours to reach Pokhara.
11

Relaxing or sightseeing in Pokhara

You may want to sleep a little more today. Use this day to take a rest and walk around the lake side, or do some shopping. If you’re still full of energy, how about a half day sightseeing tour around Pokhara? There are a lot of nice places to see, such as the World Peace Stupa, the Davis Falls, Shiva Cave, Vindhyavasini temple, or even a boat ride on the Fewa Lake.
Options are also to enjoy a spiritual and/or wellness treat. For the adventurous, Pokhara is a great place for paragliding, ultralight flights or helicopter tours.
12

Drive Back to Kathmandu by Tourist Coach

After breakfast, today we drive back to the capital city Kathmandu. You’ll have some time to explore the market of Kathmandu on your own. Nature Trail will provide you the farewell dinner in a hotel. Overnight in hotel at Kathmandu.

Mardi Himal trekking is a newly opened off the beaten path trekking route, located in the Annapurna region. Till this date it is one of the least visited, short and easy trails in this region. Starting  from Kande after a short drive from Pokhara, the trail becomes more adventurous with a steep ridge at some point. While walking on this route, trekkers can enjoy the stunning snow capped mountain ranges which include Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Machhapuchre (Fishtail) and Hiunchuli, the mesmerizing rhododendron forest, with varieties of orchids, flora and fauna, rivers, birds and local livelihood.

Noteworthy, this less touristy trail is very interesting due to the wide variety of landscape you get from not returning back to the same starting point. This means more chance to explore in less time! Mardi Himal is therefore more suitable when you’re on a tight schedule.

Prefer sunrise or sunset?

It doesn’t matter! You will love both at the end of this trip, as you’ll see spectacular sunrise and sunset views every morning and evening from the Forest Camp, Low Camp and High Camp. The best time for trekking is March and April. You will be surprised with the mesmerizing beauty of the colorful forest decorated by the blooming rhododendron, one of Nepal’s national icons. Another suitable time is October and November, then you can enjoy the excellent views of the snow capped mountain range. In case of good weather conditions, the trail is possible anytime of the year. You will be walking up to 4500m at the Mardi Himal Base Camp, where after we descent back to the High Camp where we spend a night and continue to descent from there, walking in the shades of forest and along the river flow.

There is no doubt that you will enjoy the interesting walk in the lovely farm field, bridge and steep ridge with the welcoming smiling face, mostly of Gurung and Thakali in the classical countryside.

Looking for a more natural experience?

In early days Nature Trail used to organize this trip only with camping. When Mardi Himal officially opened in 2012, simple but nice tea houses were built, so that it is not necessary to camp anymore. However, we still offer the camping experience to our adventurous customers. You may book your trek with us early advance so that we can provide our experienced trekking guide and his support in order to have most enjoyable experience in the mountain.

Package details:

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Kathmandu
JOIN GROUP 1 before departure from Kathmandu
SERVICE INCLUDES
Transportation Pokhara/Kathmandu on Normal Tourist Coach.
Domestic Tourist Bus Park Pick up and drop in Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Private Transportation Pokhara /Kande /KhoraMukh/Pokhara.
Trekking Information Management System Fee (TIMS Fee).
National park Conservation Fee
Lodge trek with all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and accommodation in teahouse lodge.
Accomodation for 2 Nights in Pokhara in three-star Hotel.
Accomodation for 3 night in Kathmandu in three-star Hotel.
Services of English speaking trekking guide and porter (one porter for two people and the maximum weight carry by one porter is total 25kg).
Full Day sightseeing in Kathmandu in the Private Car with english speaking tourist Guide.
Half day sightseeing in Pokhara in Private Car with English speaking tourist Guide.
Local Transportation for Guide and Poter for Kathmandu/ Pokhara/ Kathmandu.
Accommodation, meals, insurance, equipment and allowance of guide and porter.
Sleeping bag and down jacket if necessary.
All applicable government taxes and service charges.
SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Any accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
Any sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
Any international and domestic airfare
Your personal travel insurance and medical.
Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, and alcoholic drinks).
Expenses of personal nature such as tips for guide, porter, and driver, laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc.
Liability for expenses against sickness, flight cancellation, road blockage, accidents, and other occurrence, beyond our control.
Nepal visa fee.
Any other optional services not mentioned above as included.
The above cost is based on Minimum 2 Pax, on Sharing Basis.
Note: for Single Traveler, Single supplement charges apply.
Mardi Himal Trekking
mardi himal trekking annapurna region

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