Mardi Himal Trek
11 days
Moderate To Strenous
4500m
Spring (March- May) and Autumn (Sep-Oct)
Annapurna Region
6-7 hours per day
The trek Mardi himal was one of the trekking, which became popular in short period of time since it opened in 2012. A week long trekking includes the majestic view of Annapurna ranges with the opportunity to experience unique culture, topography and varied atmosphere. It is a popular tea house trekking of Annapurna region and responses and feedback received from trekkers, who had done this trekkers is just amazing. The trekking starts from Kande, which is an hour drive from Pokhara. We will go through Gurung village watching the beautiful forest full of rhododendron. The beautiful view of sunrise and sunset from the base camp of Mardi himal on Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal and other mountains cannot be described in words.
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu
We will give warm welcome after you arrive in Kathmandu and drive to your hotel where you will stay before trek starts and after it ends.
Day 02 : KTM-Pokhara
We will take early flight of 25 minutes to Pokhara with the excellent view of mountains around Kathmandu valley. If the weather is good in Pokhara, then we can enjoy the view of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna ranges ad Machhapuchhre.
Day 03 : Pokhara – Kande (on one hour drive) - Pitam Deurali (2100m)
Approximate duration: 5-6 hours trek
Distance: 10 km
We need to drive on our reserved vehicle to reach Kande from where our trekking starts. Then, we will trek on the well managed trail marked with signs and it slowly ascends, which will lead us to Australian camp (1880m). It is located in the forest with lodge settlement and from this place, we can have excellent view of Annapurna valley and beautiful Pokhara valley. Our trekking continues through the forest of rhododendron and it goes to a mountain pass- Deurali. It is located between Annapurna South and Machhapuchre. Now, we will descend to Pothana (1950m) with the fantastic view of Machhapuchhre and walk until we arrive Pitam Deurali.
Day 04 : Pitam Deurali- Kokar Forest Camp (3050m)
Approximate duration: 6 hours
Distance: 10 km
From Pitam deurali, we can lead to two destinations i.e. if we take left turn, we will be at Landruk and right turn takes us to Kokar. After expressing our thankfulness to the local people for their hospitality, we will ascend upward over a ridge and trek through the forest with the amazing view of rhododendron, hemlock, mountain oak and maple. With the breathtaking mountain view and the pleasant sound of different birds, we will arrive at Kokar forest camp for our night stay.
Day 05 : Kokar Forest Camp-Low camp (25500m)
Approximate duration: 4 hours
Distance: 5 km
After doing breakfast, we will hike for half an hour to Rest Camp. Then, we will follow the uphill trail that goes through Cloud Forest of wooded trees. Different types of lichens, ferns and orchids can be found on the trees. After moving further through the dense forest, the magnificent view of the mountain-Hiunchuli and Annapurna South can be seen. From this place, if we look at the left side, Modi Khola valley leading to the base camp of Annapurna can be seen. After four hours of trekking, we will be at Low camp to have lunch. The excellent and beautiful view of Machhappuchhre makes us refreshed.
Day 06 : Low Camp- High Camp (3900m)
Approximate duration: 4 hours
Distance: 5 km
On this day, we will ascend through the shady woods that will take us to Middle Camp from where we can have beautiful view of sunrise. Our descending and ascending over the ridge continues until we get Badal danda. Badal, which means cloud in Nepali, at this place, we will experience fluffy clouds floating just above us due to which it is called Badal Danda. Our trekking with steeps up and down toward High Camp (3900m) continues with the beautiful scene of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Then, we will be at a point from where the trail divides in two routes. The left, although shorter, but little difficult to walk in comparison to the right- which is long and easier to walk. It is our choice which trail to follow to arrive the High Camp. The mountains from this place are seen so closely. The landscape, which we see from is just awesome. If we are lucky enough, then we can have beautiful look of tops of the mountains shinning under the light of moon and stars.
Day 07 : High Camp-Mardi Himal Base Camp (West) (4500m)- High Camp (3580m)
Approximate duration: 7 hours
Distance: 8 km
We will start out trekking in the early morning after having breakfast. Today's trekking is challenging and difficult since we have to go through cold weather at higher altitude. We can see two routes leading to the top after we trek for a while. Obliviously, the shorter one of the left side is very difficult to walk because of steepness. The right one is easy to walk, but it will take long time to make a round trip. We need to decide to which route to follow and better we choose on the basis of our capacity, interest and stamina.
After few hours of strenuous climb, we will be at the flat land and then, we have to climb final ridge in order to get at the view point of Mardi Himal. From this place, Annapurna Massifs, Machapuchhre and Mardi Himal can be viewed breathlessly. If the weather goes well, we can advance to the base camp of Mardi Himal. The trail ahead is very dangerous, though it adventurous and enjoyable to walk. The mountains we see from here are very close to us with the awesome view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Ganesh Himal. Below us, we can view ice fields and blue glaciers- the outstanding scene. After spending some time, we will return to the High Camp for our night stay.
Day 08 : High Camp-Sidhing (1700m)
Approximate duration: 7 hours
Distance: 12 km
Now, we will trek back to low camp through high camp and middle camp. Our speed to descend should be gradual under the shadow of woods with the remarkable view of farmlands before we arrive at our next destination called Sidhing. There is also optional trail that takes to Sidhing, but it is very precipitous (very steep), which goes through forests with the outstanding view of waterfalls. Just one major point to note that we will not find any tea houses, hotels on the route, hence, we need to be prepared with all the necessary food items before we choose this route. Following the instruction of our guides while on this route lessens any type of risk that we may face on the trail, however, it relies on our interest and stamina to choose this route.
Day 09 : Sidhing- Lumre and then drive to Pokhara (900m)
Approximate duration: 3 hrs,
Distance: 5 km
After a long and strenuous walk, then we will walk gently through green pastures and Gurung villages until we reach our next stop called Lumre. A reserved vehicle will be ready there to take us to Pokhara for our night stay.
Day 10 : Pokhara- Kathmandu
Day 11 : Departure
Inclusion
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes
Exclusion
- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or 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
- Travel and rescue insurance(Should be covered helicopter evacuation incase of problem on the trek and medical also)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Note
We shall not be responsible for any changes and alterations in the itineraries due to avoidable circumstances i.e. landslide, road blockage, floods, snowfall, political unrest, cancellation of flights, delay arrivals, sickness or accidents and any extra cost incurring there of shall be borne by the clients themselves at the spot. It is most advisable for clients to have full INSURANCE against medical and personal accidents.