Seniors, Families, Kids-friendly Trek, Pokhara

Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 10:12 am

Beautiful trek with shortest way to reach to 4200m (the Mardi Himal Base Camp) from Pokhara. It’s an alternative trek of Ghorepani –Punhill –Ghandruk, a beautiful six days trek in the Annapurna Himalayan region with superb view of southern face of Mardi Himal (5587m), gigantic Annapurna South as well as Machhapuchhre (Mount Fish Tail). Summit of the peak itself is also possible if you allow extra two days with little bit of climbing techniques as well as basic climbing equipment. One of the few authentic homestay and camping trekking experience remaining in Nepal. Basic food, primitive lodge and tea houses makes the trek wilderness adventure and less crowd which is possible to trek without tented camping.

Mardi Himal Trek Program Highlights Include

Few of the best available short and easy treks starts and ends at Pokhara
Mardi Himal High Camp; One of the few best sunset and sunrise over the Mardi Himal (5587m), Machhapuchhre (Fishtail -6997m), Annapurna South (7219m) and Hiunchuli (6441m)
An authentic treks with local villages (Siding and Lumle), pristine rural farmlands and rice terraces of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
A perfect alternation for the crowded Ghorepani -Punhill -Ghandruk trek for those who likes to avoid crowd
Shortest way to reach to 4200m at the Mardi Himal High Camp

Mardi Himal Trek Program Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Dhampus, 2 Hrs. Trek to Pitam Deurali (2100m), 4-5 Hrs

Day 2: Trek to Forest Camp (2540m), 5-6 Hrs

Day 3: Trek to Low Camp (3035m), 4-5 Hrs

Day 4: Trek to High Camp (3535m), 4-5 Hrs

Day 5: Trek to Upper View Point (Mardi Himal Base Camp -4200m), trek back to Badal Danda (3000m), 8-9 Hrs

Day 6: Trek to Sidhing Village (1850m), 5-6 Hrs. Drive to Pokhara, 3-4 Hrs

Mardi Himal Trek Price (Per Person): US$575 Per Person

(Private jeep transport before the trek and after the trek, meals and accommodation in trek, trek guide, trekking permissions)

Mardi Himal Trek Price Includes

All necessary trekking paper works such as trekking permit (TIMS), national park entry permit & conservation permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Trekking Permit (TIMS) fee
Annapurna region experienced government licensed and trained local English speaking guide
Local people operated room in lodges
All hot meals on trek as per itinerary
Treated drinking water to fill in your bottle
Camp/dine fire/warm up charge where available
Guide staff/porter foods, insurance, salary, equipment, transportation & local taxes
All road transport by public/private vehicle as per itinerary
Kathmandu to trek starting point by private transportation
Pokhara –Kathmandu by standard tourist bus
Applicable government taxes
Hotel Domestic airport/bus park-hotel transfers service
Travel and rescue arrangement support
Trip crew medical supplies (first aid kit)

Mardi Himal Trek Price Excludes

Porter (We arrange porter in additional cost of US$126)
Your all kinds of insurance (including travel, medical and accidental)
Nepal Visa fee
Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
Bar bills and laundry
Sightseeing in Kathmandu as well as other optional trips
Tips for staff (We recommend US$60-US$80 total for trek guide and US$35-US$50 total for trek porter)

NOTE: On adventure trek on this type, weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary, it is however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary your guide will decide what is the best alternative consulting with you, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.

Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 10:12 am

Mardi Himal Trek is a beautiful trek with shortest way to reach to 4200m (the Mardi Himal Base Camp) from Pokhara. It’s an alternative trek of Ghorepani –Punhill –Ghandruk, a beautiful six days trek in the Annapurna Himalayan region with superb view of southern face of Mardi Himal (5587m), gigantic Annapurna South as well as Machhapuchhre (Mount Fish Tail). Summit of the peak itself is also possible if you allow extra two days with little bit of climbing techniques as well as basic climbing equipment. While you are inquiring about this trip, please mention in your email whether you would like to make a summit or just comfortable trek till Base Camp.

Mardi Himal Base Camp is located to the east of the Annapurna Base Camp under the spectacular Machhapuchhre. One of the few authentic homestay and camping trekking experience remaining in Nepal. Basic food, primitive lodge and tea houses makes the trek wilderness adventure and less crowd which is possible to trek without tented camping. Out itinerary is well designed and shortest version available not to spend a lot of times in the forests to see jungles instead of mountains.

Drive to Dhampus, 2 Hrs. Trek to Pitam Deurali (2100m), 4-5 Hrs

Please take your breakfast and our staff will meet at your hotel at 8:00 hrs. Our Trekking guide along-with the private transport will come to the hotel to pick you up and our journey into the Himalaya begins with one hour scenic drive to Kande through terraced hillsides and several ridges following the dirt and windy Beni –Baglung ‘highway’, the trekking starting point of the Annapurna. Leaving the road and our bus behind, the trail to the Pitam Deurali enters to the forest and passing by rural villages of Pothana. Pitam Deurali is situated on the top of the ridge wit good view of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Overnight at the trekking lodge.

Trek to Forest Camp (2540m) 5-6 Hrs

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise view over the Himalaya, Mardi River far below, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli to the north, and Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the southeast. From here, the trail enters to the forest almost for the whole day. The forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron for almost five hours. Forest Camp is a small village with few guest houses and known as Kokar among local people. The last segment of the trail is difficult due to its steep up. Overnight at the teahouse.

Trek to Low Camp (3035m) 5-6 Hrs

The trail enters to the forest almost for the whole day until we reach close to the Low Camp. The forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron for almost five hours. Forest Camp is a small village with few guest houses and known as Kokar among local people. The last segment of the trail before reaching to Forest Camp is difficult due to its steep up. Forest Camp is our probable lunch spot. The higher we reach the vegetation changes with more rhododendron trees in smaller size. The trail is steep and the beginning however changes to gradual climbing after awhile. Low Camp is probably best place to observe views of Machhapuchhre. It is not a permanent village, a very small place with only couple of lodges opened for providing basic food and lodging to trekkers. Overnight at the teahouse.

Trek to High Camp (3535m) 4-5 Hrs

After breakfast, we do our short ascend to High Camp. As we trek higher, the route becomes more open and spacious but less oxygen in the air due to the lack of forest. High Camp has panoramic view of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. High Camp has better lodges than that of Low Camp. Overnight at teahouse.

Trek to Upper View Point / Mardi Himal Base Camp (4200m), Trek back to Badal Danda, 8-9 Hrs

Upper View Point is 2-3 hours away from the High Camp which is why it’s always better to wake up early in the morning and start the trek for the sunrise view from the way to Upper View Point. The trail goes along a ridge most of the way that makes you feel like you could just keep climbing just a few hours longer and summit Mardi Himal, however just a few meters beyond Mardi Himal Base Camp, it gets significantly more technical. After spending 30-45 minutes up in the View Point and appreciate the panorama of the Annapurnas, we come down to the High Camp for overnight stay at the teahouse.

Trek to Sidhing Village (1850m), 5-6 Hrs. Drive to Pokhara, 3-4 Hrs.

The Siding trek down is very reminiscent of a busy village trek. We pass by many villages and rice terraces. It is many ways one of the more beautiful days of the trek to see such pristine rural farming areas. We start our day with surreal landscape and splendid rice terraces view as well gigantic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Peak. The dramatic view of rice terraces and farmlands along the way, breathtaking culture villages, alpine forest and the Himalayan peaks from the distance are best antidote of this madness. Arrive the small village of Lumle from where we take transport to drive to Pokhara via the Tibetan settlement of Hemja.