Mardi Himal Trek Highlights
- Kick things off with white-water fun on the Trisuli River
- Enjoy views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other peaks
- Trek through blooming rhododendron forests (in March-April)
- Enjoy a relatively easy trek that many visitors overlook
- Immerse yourself in Nepali culture with a local homestay in the hills
Trip Overview
Mardi Himal Trek was officially opened in 2012 newly opened route and hidden treasure in the Annapurna region. There are limited teahouses with basic facilities. This is a short relatively easy and unspoiled trek not far from Pokhara. Yet it is highly diverse with cultural insight, beautiful forest walks, and alpine landscapes. As the trail mostly stays along the ridge, the altitude gain becomes more gradual. This trek is the best destination to avoid the crowd. The Mardi Himal trek offers imaging views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchre, and Manaslu ranges. Mardi Himal base camp, Siding village, and Lwang are the major attractions of this trek. Situated just east of one of the most popular treks of Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Few trekkers make their way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp spectacularly situated at the base of Mardi Himal and the impressive Machapuchhre.
Mardi Himal Trek is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The trek takes you through stunning landscapes, lush forests, and picturesque villages, offering breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.The trek starts from the beautiful city of Pokhara and takes you through the off-the-beaten path to the base camp of Mardi Himal. The route passes through the traditional Gurung villages and dense forests, giving you a glimpse of the local culture and lifestyle.
The highest point of the trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp, which stands at an altitude of 4,500 meters. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and other peaks. The best time to trek the Mardi Himal trail is from March to May and September to November. The trek takes around 5-7 days, depending on your pace and itinerary.
Overall, the Mardi Himal trek is a great option for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path trek with stunning views of the Himalayas and a glimpse of the local culture and lifestyle.
Mardi Himal Trek the trail goes along small winding paths, through magical 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. 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.
SHORT ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and then transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 860 m – 06 hrs journeys
Day 03: Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali (2,232 m / 5 Hrs )
Day 04 : Trek to Forest camp (2,600 m / 5 Hrs)
Day 05: Trek to high camp (5 Hrs / 3,550 m)
Day 06: Explore Mardi Himal base camp (6 Hrs / 4,500 m)
Day 07: Trek back to forest camp (5 hrs)
Day 08: Walk to lwang than drive back to Pokhara (5 Hrs / 1,500m)
Day 09: From Pokhara drive to Kathmandu 1,345 m – 06hrs.
Day 10: International Departure for Homeward Bound.
Trip Details Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and then transfer to respective Hotels
- Distance : 7 km
- Duration : 30 Minutes drive to hotel
- Max. Altitude :1345m.
On reaching Kathmandu via respective airlines well received by company guides and staff for short drive in the hub of Kathmandu city where your hotels located. After checking into your lovely rooms getting refreshed join in at the Hotel lobby for group briefing regarding treks and other useful information to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable and pleasant.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include:
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara
- Distance : 200 Km
- Duration : 6 to 8 hours
- Max. Altitude :860 m
Annapurna Base Camp trekking begins with the overland drive to Nepal Mid West taking a comfortable coach or Tourist Bus to reach scenic Pokhara, a beautiful and leading tourist place in all Himalaya range, with warm sub-tropical temperatures and close views of Annapurna Himalaya with Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’.On reaching Pokhara transfer to respective hotels by the Phewa Lake with views of Annapurna and Machhapuchare peak, afternoon at leisure for short walks around the lakeside.Overnight at the hotel.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Day 03: Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali
- Distance : 30 km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :2,232 m
After breakfast, drive for about 40 mints to Kande on Pokhara Baglung highway. The trail climbs for about 1 ½ hrs to the ridge at 2,060 m. The clearing in the forest with lodge settlement is known as ‘Australian camp’. The place is scenic with a panoramic view of the Annapurna range and Pokhara valley. The trail further winds through the rhododendron forest to the mountain pass called ‘Deurali’. Deurali is overlooking into the Modi Khola valley wedged between Annapurna South and Mardi Himal / Mt Fishtail.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Forest camp
- Distance : 11 km
- Duration : 4 to 5 hours
- Max. Altitude :2,600 m
After spending the beautiful morning in the ridge-top village of Deurali, we head off the main Annapurna trekking trail and follow the forested ridge to Forest camp. Since this is a new trekking destination, there are no teahouses along the way and we need to carry pack lunch and sufficient water. The day’s walk in the rhododendron forest is beautiful with a gradual uphill.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Trek to high camp
- Distance : 15 km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :3,550 m
The trail gradually climbs through the rhododendron forest following the ridge. The low camp has got a couple of tea houses in the clearing of the forest. The view of Mt Fishtail and Mardi Himal appears much closer. You find yourself closer to a clear blue sky with a view of layers of Himalayan foothills and a sweeping valley towards the south. Note: You can trek 1 more hr to Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) above the tree line in the consent of a guide for a better view. From Badal Danda, we leave the tree line and arrive in the shrubby alpine zone. Snowcapped peaks of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Fishtail in a distance above the deep valley on either side. High camp is a small pasture after the climb. Here you find yourself above the clouds and closer to snowcapped peaks.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Explore Mardi Himal base camp
- Distance : Explore day
- Duration : Explore day
- Max. Altitude :4,500 m
The day trip is more difficult than other days with the steep climb and long walk. The trail becomes more vertiginous at some points with uneven and steep rocky steps. The first steep climb will take about 2 hrs to the ridge top which is marked as MBC (Mardi Himal Base Camp). However, the real base camp will take about another 2 hrs along the ridge. The view is amazing all along the ridge. While Mardi Himal and Mt Fishtail appear right above us, the view of Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Annapurna III also appear at a distance.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Trek back to forest camp
- Distance : 14 km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :2600m
Even though the scenery is stationary, season and sunlight make it different and interesting. Spend another morning watching the change that the sun’s rays bring. Walk down to forest camp after breakfast.
- Accommodation: Tea House
- Meals Include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Walk to lwang than drive back to Pokhara
- Distance : 40 km
- Duration : 5 to 6 hours
- Max. Altitude :1,500 m
The trail climbs down steeply through rhododendrons and Maple forests to the permanent settlements closer to the valley basin. Lwang is a self-sufficient Gurung village with a rich culture and happy people. The village is the best place to watch the Nepalese countryside lifestyle and enjoy organic food. The village farmers also grow organic tea on 50 hectares of land. Farmers offer homestay accommodation. The waterfall on the outskirts of the village offers one of the most exciting canyoning adventures. down to the Mardi River basin and drive back to Pokhara. It will take about 1 ½ hrs to get to Pokhara in a 4 WD. The first 1 hr is a drive on the dirt road.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 09: From Pokhara drive to Kathmandu
- Distance : 200 km
- Duration : 6 to 8 hours
- Max. Altitude :1,345 m
After a wonderful time in the high mountains and hills, take a morning driving journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after 5-6 hours of nice interesting drive, transfer to respective hotels with the afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
- Meals Include: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Day 10: International Departure for Homeward Bound.
- Distance : 7 km
- Duration : 30 Minutes drive to ariport
- Max. Altitude :
Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable time on Annapurna Base Camp Trekking with wonderful adventure and experience, as per your international flight time our staff transfers you to the airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries.
- Accommodation:
- Meals Include: Breakfast
Nepal is Great! It’s a paradise for all mountain lovers