Trip Duration
14 Days
Trip Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
2 - 15
Max. Altitude
4,500m. /14,764 ft.
Accommodation
Hotel/ Lodge /Tea House
Best Seasons
Mar-May/Sept-Nov
Activity per day
Trekking
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
The protected area of the Annapurna region is the most visited trekking region of Nepal, and naturally, the different trekking destinations within the region receive high visitors throughout the year. One such trekking experience is the standard Mardi Himal Trek that takes you to the base camp of Mardi Himal peak. The climax of this trek sits at 4500 meters above sea level, making it a great viewpoint for trekkers to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire valley along with its peaks.
This Mardi Himal Trek itinerary was officially opened for trekkers in 2012, making it one of the most recent trekking destinations, even though it has been well over a decade since it was inaugurated. Despite the popularity, you are not that likely to run into crowds of trekkers and visitors since the villages and establishments there can only handle a limited number of trekkers at a time. Your trekking experience there will not be overstimulated by huge groups and crowds.
The trail that leads up to the Mardi Himal Base Camp is very scenic as well. There will not be any shortage of picturesque scenes throughout the trekking days. The difficulty level of this trek has been graded as moderate, but in reality, it is more on the “easy” side of the grade. Yes, there are some steep passages and rugged trails, but for the most part, you will be trekking very manageable tracks with ease.
But before you get on the trails of the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, we will take you on a cultural sightseeing tour around the city of Kathmandu. You will visit a bunch of culturally significant and religious sites within the city. This will be a great way to start the Mardi Himal Trek and also to get to know the culture of Nepal better.
In addition to that, after you have completed the standard Mardi Himal Trek, we will take you on a sightseeing tour around the city of Pokhara. That is, in fact, the best way to end any trekking experience in the Annapurna region. Now, let’s go over all the other aspects of this wonderful Mardi Himal Trek. This comprehensive and detailed article should give you a basic idea of the experience you will get on this trek.
Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek
- Expansive and immersive mountain views of Mt. Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, Mardi Himal, and other peaks.
- Trek alongside forests of rhododendron with bright red blooming flowers (during early springtime).
- Enjoy a rewarding yet relatively easy trek that many trekkers overlook.
- Immerse yourself in traditional countryside culture in the remote hills of Nepal.
- Reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp for a scene that will last in your memories for years.
Itinerary of Mardi Himal Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
For your 1st day of the Adventure Tansen’s Mardi Himal Trek, you will be arriving at the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu city. There are many things to do and places to visit in Kathmandu, but we will keep our exploration aside for tomorrow and just take a deep rest today. If you arrive during the early hours of the day, you can go around the neighborhood on your own. Late-night arrivals should just rest and call it a night after we drop you off at your hotel for the night.
But before that, you need to get your tourist visa approval from the immigration desk at the Tribhuvan International Airport. After your flight lands at the airport, you will have to go through the immigration process. For this, you must have a valid passport, proof of stay, two passport-sized photos, proof of return tickets, which must be presented along with your visa application form and bank receipt of your visa fees. You can get the application and receipt at the immigration section
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Cultural Visit in Kathmandu (1340 m)
On the second day of the Mardi Himal Trek, we will finally see some action. We will be visiting a number of cultural sites throughout the day, starting with a hearty breakfast at last night’s accommodation. During your time in cities, we will only be providing you with a morning breakfast; the rest of your daily meals are not covered by the Mardi Himal Trek cost. After breakfast, we will leave the hotel and get on a private ride along with an English-speaking tour guide.
Throughout the day, we will take you to visit sites like Kumari Ghar (House of the living Goddess), Taleju Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and more. A handful of the cultural sites within Kathmandu are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Mahabouddha Temple, Hanuman Dhoka, Pashupatinath Temple, the Durbar Square of Bhaktapur, and more.
Some of the sites we will visit throughout the day require entry fees, which will be covered by your Mardi Himal Trek cost. In addition to that, you will be traveling in a private vehicle, with a personal driver and tour guide, all of which is a part of the Mardi Himal Trek. You are free to choose your own itinerary for the day, our standard day tour sites are great sites to visit, but we understand that people have their own preferences. However, the sites you want to visit might not be open at times because of renovation work in progress or other situations.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Fly or by road journey to Pokhara and transfers to the hotel (827 m)
After a whole day of exploring Kathmandu city, our next destination is the beautiful tourist capital of Nepal, Pokhara. This city is considered the most beautiful city in Pokhara, and you will see why once you get there. As per your preference, we will arrange either a flight or a road trip to Pokhara. The standard option Adventure Tansen provides is a road trip, while a flight will add to your Mardi Himal Trek cost.
A road ride will take you along the Prithvi Highway that connects the two cities. We will first leave the Kathmandu Valley via Naubise and join the highway following the Trishuli River for the majority of the ride. We will pass by Mugling, Khaireni, Kurintar, and more to arrive at Pokhara. Our lunch will be done at one of the eateries along the highway. While highway restaurants are notable for being bland and awful, we will be sure to take you somewhere good.
After we reach Pokhara, we will get you checked in at the hotel we reserved for you. If you have some time left to roam around the neighborhood, you are free to do so. The nightlife in Pokhara is also a great experience, but do not get too carried away, as we will be beginning our trek tomorrow.
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara )
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 04: Drive to Kande (approx. 1 hour) and Trek to Pittam Deurali (2100 m)
The 4th day of the Mardi Himal Trek is the beginning of the trekking days. We will start the day with a lovely scene of the Fewa Lake, while our breakfast will be served with a view. Shortly after, we will get on the ride to Kande, heading east to the city center and taking a sharp north turn along the Pokhara-Baglung Highway from there. We will soon reach Bagar, from where the Pushpalal Highway starts.
Following the highway, we will get to the Hemja area, where extensive farming lands, rivers, hills, and Buddhist monasteries can be seen. Passing Hemja, we will take a left turn from Ghatte Khola and head south following the Pokhara Baglung Highway once again. Following a series of winding roads, we will soon reach Kande town.
We will get off the ride, allocate our luggage, and get ready for trekking. From Kande, we will begin our trek with a steep stone step section that leads to the Australian Base Camp (2060 m). Continuing the trek, we will arrive at Pothana, a popular village of the region, mostly visited by city dwellers of Pokhara.
Moving on, we will soon reach Pittam Deurali, reaching a final altitude of 2100 meters above sea level. The village is surrounded by a lush oak, pine, and rhododendron forest. We will have covered about 5.5 km from Kande to Pittam Deurali, which takes about 3 hours to complete.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2100m./6,890ft. (Pittam Deurali )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 05: Trek from Pittam Deurali to Forest Camp (2600 m)
Today is yet another great trekking day on the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary. Our day begins with a diversion from the standard Annapurna trek route; we will enter a remote route that was used by shepherds in the past. The starting section of the trek is a gently ascending dirt path through a forest of rhododendron. With occasional ascents and descents, we will get to see great views of the surroundings throughout the trek.
There are many clearings along the route that serve as a viewpoint and a scenic resting spot. Remember to keep yourself fully hydrated all along the route, it is important to drink enough water as it will help you avoid altitude sickness. There are many opportunities to capture photos and moments that will last a lifetime.
The trek starts at 2100 meters above sea level and takes us to 2600 meters of altitude at Forest Camp. This trek is almost 8.5 km long, which calls for 4 hours of trekking through the highlands of Annapurna. The elevation gain for the day is 500 meters, and the trail is easy going with some steep sections that require a little extra push. We will spend a restful night in Forest Camp, regaining energy for the trek the next day.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2600m./8,530ft. ( Forest Camp)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 06: Trek from Forest Camp to Badal Danda (3010 m)
The trail begins with a gradual climb up alongside a rhododendron forest. It is a narrow dirt path that is easy to follow. As we go deeper into the forest, the sounds of the birds and nature fill the air with an ambiance that keeps us going forward. Late-afternoon winds are usually strong in the hilly region, which makes the tree leaves rustle, but it also brings in clouds. To avoid cloudy scenes of the surroundings, we will always begin our trek early in the morning.
Soon enough, the surrounding transitions to a cloud forest. You will see the entire jungle covered in moss, orchids on every tree, and ferns dominating the land. It’s a great scene with occasional clearings that offers a view of the Annapurna South and Hiunchuli peaks. Down below, you will see the Modi Khola Valley and the Modi River that originates from the Annapurna glacier.
We will reach Badal Danda after about 3.5 hours of trekking and will be rewarded with views of the entire Annapurna Himalayan Range peaks, including Fishtail, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, and more. By the end of the day, we will have reached an elevation of 3210 meters at Badal Danda from 2600 meters high Forest Camp. This trek is 6 km long and gains us an elevation of 610 meters. We will transition to alpine vegetation as we move up the valley today.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3010m./9,875ft. (Badal Danda)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 07: Trek from Badal Danda to High Camp (3580 m)
Once again, we will start the day off with a slight ascent, leaving the tree line, the vegetation is now barren, with some pasture lands and meadows. As we head higher towards the Mardi Himal Base Camp, we will get to enjoy a 360-degree view of peaks including Annapurna South, Fishtail, and Hiunchuli. The ridgeline offers great scenes on both sides; the northern scene is full of peaks, while the southern scene is made of a green valley and hills.
Today’s path is a bit steeper compared to the previous trekking days on the Mardi Himal Trek. Some steep rocky sections along the way require careful footing as you do not want to slip on such a rugged trail. We will be following a ridgeline for the most part today, and this ridge is narrow in some sections; other than that, the trekking experience is pretty plain and simple.
We will soon reach high camp, reaching a total elevation of 3580 meters above sea level, starting from 3210 meters. We will gain a total height of 370 meters throughout the day after covering 5 km and trekking for 2 to 3 hours. Day 7 is the shortest trekking day of the entire Mardi Himal Trek.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3580m./11,745ft. ( High Camp)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 08: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m) and return trek to Middle Camp (3250 m)
The 8th day of the Mardi Himal Trek is the ultimate day of the trek. Today, our day begins very early in the morning, around 4 AM. We do this to make sure that you get to see a beautiful sunrise from the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek begins with a sharp ascent to the high camp through narrow ridges and rocky trails. The trail is well-established, but it can be tricky because of the loose rocks and icy patches.
After about 2 hours of trekking, we will reach our first viewpoint of the day, from where we will enjoy a panoramic view of Annapurna South, Fishtail, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, and more. We will take a short break there before continuing the ascent. An additional 1 to 2 hours of climbing will lead us to the Mardi Himal Base Camp.
The scene from the base camp is very appealing, it’s the reward for all the climbing we did to get there. This trek gains us 920 meters of elevation and takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. After spending some relaxing quality time at the base camp, we will get back to High Camp for a deserved lunch and slowly descend to Middle Camp. It is now time to whip out your trekking poles if you have not already. The descent to Middle Camp will take about 3 hours.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 4500m./14,764ft. (Mardi Himal Base Camp)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 09: Trek from Middle Camp to Kalimati (1780 m)
Today, we will descend more from Middle Camp to Kalimati, losing about 1470 metres of elevation in the process. This trail is about 10 km long and takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete. We will descend steeply through multiple forests and alongside terraced farmlands. The trekking experience is not difficult, but it can be heavy on your knees since it is all downhill.
Today’s descent begins with a forested trail of oak and rhododendron. The trail can be narrow and slippery at times as we leave the barren alpine vegetation behind and get to see more green. We will stop at a small settlement for lunch, where you can observe the locals going about their day. After lunch, we will continue the trek and get to Kalimati.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 1780m./5,840ft. (Kalimati )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 10: Trek from Kalimati to Lwang village (1523 m)
Day 10 of the Mardi Himal Trek takes us to Lwang village, sitting at 1523 meters above sea level. This village is very popular among city dwellers for being a serene escape from the busy city life. The total distance we will cover today spans only 5.2 km that requires 2 to 3 hours of trekking.
The trek starts with a gradual descent following a forest of oak and rhododendron. We will further pass by a couple of Gurung villages with farmlands and beautiful clay houses. Following the trail downhill, we will reach Lwang village in a short time, ending the last day of trekking as per the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary. You will definitely like the picturesque, charming village of Lwang.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 1523m./4,997ft. ( Lwang village)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 11: Drive to Pokhara and transfer to the hotel
The next day, we will get back to Pokhara on a jeep. Buses are not an option in most of the remote countryside villages of Nepal. Most of the time, a small jeep is the only option since gravel roads are not big enough for buses. From Lwang, we will drive for about 2 hours to get to Pokhara, covering a total distance of 30 km. Day 11 of the Mardi Himal Trek is full of a road ride. The initial portion of the ride goes over rugged terrain, while the road condition slowly turns better as we lose elevation.
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Exploration day at Pokhara
After a relaxing night, today is the day of exploring Pokhara. We will follow a practical and efficient itinerary, starting with an early morning visit to Sarangkot. The sunrise view from the top of the viewing tower is very impressive. We will then follow it up with a visit to Bindabasini Temple. After that, the ride takes us back to Lakeside for a visit to the Barahi Temple in the middle of the lake. We will take a boat there, which is an exciting experience on its own.
Our next destination would be the World Peace Stupa sitting on the plains of a hill. This stupa is very serene and calm, paired with beautiful views of the Fewa Lake and the entire Pokhara city. From there, we will climb a little higher to get to Pumdikot Shiva Statue, one of the tallest Shiva statues in the nation. Likewise, we will visit a couple more destinations before calling it a day.
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu
Our Mardi Himal Trek is coming to an end. Today, we will fly to Kathmandu from Pokhara via a 25-minute flight. We will have one last breakfast in Pokhara before moving towards the airport.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14: Depart Kathmandu
Departing from Kathmandu is the last day of the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary. We will have a short farewell ceremony before dropping you off at the airport according to your flight time.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
- Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
- Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
- All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
- Staff salary, transport and insurance.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit.
- TIMS (Trekkers Information Management) fee.
- Necessery government taxes.
- Company ground handling charges.
What is not included?
- International flights to Nepal.
- Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
- Nepal entry Visa fees.
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
- Any additional activities not in the itinerary.
Route Map & Altitude Chart
Trip Information
How does our trip start?
The trip starts with your arrival in Kathmandu. Our representative will receive you at the airport and escort you to your hotel room. On your arrival day, we will hold a brief meeting with the trek guides and porters to introduce you to the crew you will be trekking with. The trek guides will discuss the details of the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary and the Mardi Himal Trek cost to make sure that you know what you are in for.
The trek starts on the 4th day, after we get to Kande from Pokhara. Adventure Tansen’s porters will carry your heavy belongings for the entirety of the Mardi Himal Trek. All you have to do is follow the trek guide and enjoy the beauty of the highlands.
Difficulty
The Mardi Himal Trek is a very moderate trekking experience. Most of its trail is easy, while there are a couple of difficult ascents. Another difficult aspect of this trek is the considerable altitude we reach. It is important that you maintain a healthy hydration level to keep away from altitude sickness. The oxygen in the atmosphere starts to decrease a little, which makes us tire faster. Since there is less oxygen in the air, we naturally start to take more breaths, which exhausts us. We rate this trek a solid 6 out of 10.
Best seasons
Autumn and spring are the best seasons for the Mardi Himal Trek. During the autumn season, the trails are dry, the skies are blue, and the weather is free of clouds for most of the days. Meanwhile, the spring season also possesses similar qualities but it is more humid and wet in comparison and a whole lot greener. The early springtime is also the time when Rhododendron flowers are in full bloom.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness usually starts at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level. At this level, the people who are really sensitive to altitude changes might have a bit of a headache or slight dizziness. When you get to over 5000 meters of altitude, that is when you really start to feel the effects of altitude sickness. However, our maximum altitude on the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary will be 4500 meters at Mardi Himal Base Camp. So, it’s safe to assume we are not at risk of extreme altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Accommodation throughout the trek will be in tea houses, lodges, and local inns. The only other option is homestays, which are not as good for trekkers since they offer even fewer services than the remote tea houses. When it comes to food, you will find things like sandwiches, pasta, noodles, pancakes, pizza, etc, at most of the tea houses we will stay in. While your drink options are limited to hot chocolate, instant coffee, different type of tea and locally made alcohol.
Transportation
Depending on the size of the group, we will either go on a jeep/car or a tourist bus for intercity travel. A jeep or car will take you to your destination faster, but a tourist bus is the most comfortable option of all the other vehicles. Your transportation to the starting point of the trek is always in a jeep. All road rides as per the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is a part of the trek package, and your flight to Kathmandu at the end of the trek will be the only flight that is covered by the Mardi Himal Trek cost.
Permit
An Annapurna Conservation Area Entry permit should suffice for the Mardi Himal Trek. This permit can be obtained in Pokhara or at a checkpost during the trek.
Trip preparation and fitness
To prepare for this trek, you must at least commit to 5 weeks of physical training prior to the start of the trek. During these 5 weeks, you should do cardio exercises and focus on building your stamina; that is it, you do not have to do anything else to prepare well. Your fitness level should be slightly above average, and be able to walk long distances without any issue.
Cost & Budget
This Mardi Himal Trek is going to cost you USD _______ per head. At this price range, we will cover most of your trekking expenses, such as daily accommodation, daily meals during the trekking days (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), permit fees, local taxes, daily wages of guides and porters, transportation expenses, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Charging your gadgets should not be an issue throughout the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, but unfortunately, the same thing can not be said for the internet connectivity. Once we get over 3000 meters, the internet speed drops dramatically, and you are not in range of mobile data connectivity either. So, you are basically off the internet for a couple of days, which is a good thing since you came here to connect with nature and enjoy the scenery.
Your Extra expenses
Things like additional or upgraded accommodation, additional food, any kind of beverages, international flight expenses, emergency medical services, visa fees, personal medical and travel insurance, and more are considered to be your extra expenses that are not a part of the Mardi Himal Trek cost.
Things to Remember Before Trekking the Mardi Himal Trek
- While porters make your trekking experience very easy, they are not mandatory as per the law. However, guides are mandatory by law if you are a foreigner wanting to trek in the Annapurna region.
- Make sure that your physical preparation is on par; if you are not well prepared, you might have issues during the trekking days, which makes the entire experience bad.
- The weather in the highlands can be very unpredictable, so make sure that you have weatherproof clothes packed.
- Maintain a good level of hydration throughout the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, since it saves you from altitude sickness issues.
- Respect the local culture and customs, do not show too much skin, and do not photograph just whoever you want; always ask permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Mardi Himal Trek is a perfect experience for beginners since it is easy for the majority of the trek and has some difficult sections to give you a taste of the intermediate level.
Yes, the tap water at the villages is sourced directly from a natural spring which is safe to drink but we recommend trekkers to bring water purification tablets, because we do not want to take any chances.
Each person must have no more than 13 kg of luggage. Any extra weight will be accounted separately.
