Mardi Himal Trek: The Mardi Himal trek is a challenging and beautiful 4-day route in the Annapurna region that offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain range. It's a lesser-known route compared to the famous Everest Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit trek. The total distance of the Mardi Himal trek is 40 km/25 mi. One needs 4-5 days to complete the route. If you combine it with one of the other routes (Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp, etc.) you’ll need 3-5 days extra.
Mardi Himal is a moderate high-altitude trek that doesn’t require any mountaineering skills or a lot of experience. It’s a good route to do as an acclimatization trek. It’s quite easy to get quickly to lower altitudes if you start feeling unwell. Mardi Himal is one of the shortest treks in the Annapurna region. The Mardi Himal Trek is a short, newly opened route, moderate type, and hidden treasure in the Annapurna region. The Mardi Himal trek offers an imaging view of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchre, and Manaslu ranges. Australian Camp, Pothana, Mardi Himal base camp, Siding village, and Lwang are the major attraction of this trek.
This trek is preferable for all-grade trekkers.
Trip Outline
Day 1: Drive to Pokhara (6-7 hours ride.) (Alt.820m/2,690ft).
Day 02: Drive to kande (45minutes) and trek to Pothana (Alt.1890m/6,199ft).
Day 03: Trek to Forest camp. (Alt.2500m/8,200ft). 5 hours walk
Day 04: Trek to High camp. (Alt.3620m/11,873ft).6-7 hours walk.
Day 05: Trek to Base camp. (Alt.4500m) and back to Badal dada.
Day 06: Trek to Lwang Gharel village. (Alt.1280m/4,198ft).6-7 hours walk downhill.
Day 07: Back to Pokhara.
Detail itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Pokhara
6-7 Hrs Drive L Hotel
Our trek starts with a mesmerizing drive to Pokhara. It is a 6 to 7 hours ride from Kathmandu.
Day 02: Drive to kande (45minutes) and trek to Pothana (Alt.1890m/6,199ft)
4 Hrs B/L/D Tea House
On our second day, we drive to kande and start our trek to Pothana. On your trip to Pothana, you will encounter this view during sunset. This trek is an easy-grade trek and takes you to some beautiful settlements of the Gurkhas. The trek leads to the rhododendron forest. It offers an excellent view of Mount Fishtail, Annapurna, Lamjung Himal, Dhaulagiri, and many more.
Day 03: Trek to Forest camp. (Alt.2500m/8,200ft)
5 Hrs B/L/D Tea House
On our third day of trekking we trek to a forest camp. Forest Camp is a large village that formed over 30 years ago. Around 2010, it became a popular stop along the Mardi Himal trek and teahouses began to pop up left and right. Now the town has twelve teahouses (and counting) making it a comfortable place to stop on the trail. Since this village developed around tourism, there isn’t much to see or do outside of trekking and enjoying the views.
Day 04: Trek to High camp. (Alt.3620m/11,873ft)
7 Hrs B/L/D Tea House
We trek uphill alongside a ridge towards Mardi Himal and Macchhapuchhre. The tree lines start getting thinner and the area mostly consists of shrubs with isolated rhododendron bushes along the trail. If lucky, we might even come across the Daphne pheasant (national bird of Nepal) on our way to high camp. We ascend up to the high camp, which the final destination of the day. From here the mountain views are stunning.
Day 05: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. (Alt.4500m) and back to Badal dada
8 Hrs B/L/D Tea House
This trek is a wonderful introduction to the mountains of Nepal, or for those with limited time, as it’s the perfect length – just over a week long. It is a stunningly beautiful trek, taking you up through ancient rhododendron forests, to what feels like the face of the mountains themselves, as you get up close and personal with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Annapurna I and Mardi Himal. From High Camp (3,580m) you can climb in about 3-4 hours to Mardi Himal Base Camp, which offers spectacular close up views of the entire Annapurna Range. There is also an amazing viewpoint approx 2 hours from High Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Lwang Gharel village. (Alt.1280m/4,198ft)
8 Hrs B/L/D Home Stay
We take a different route in the high camp that takes us to Sidhing instead of going back down to Mardi Himal. The different route lets us experience something different and makes our trek exciting. Lwang Gharel offers a quiet stay for trekkers as it is tucked away from the busier trails.
Day 07: Back to Pokhara
4 Hrs B/L Hotel
What's included?
- All Transport
- Trekker’s Information Management System(TIMS) card
- All governmental procedure fees, permits and local taxes.
- All meals and accommodation throughout the trek.
- An experienced English speaking trekking guide possessing valid license issued by the government of Nepal.
- Highly experienced trekking staffs.
- Travel and rescue arrangements.
What's not included?
- Visa fees/ international airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Travel / medical insurance and emergency evacuation cost.
- Hot and cold shower, battery recharge during Everest base camp trek.
- Personal expenses phone calls, bar bills, extra porters, beverages etc.
- Personal Everest base camp trekking equipments/gears.
- Tips for guides, porters and drivers.
- All others expenses not mentioned in “Trip Cost Includes” section.
Elevation Chart & Map
