Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek: The Best Short Trek in Nepal

The Mardi Himal Trek is a four to five-day and 50 km long trek in central Nepal, and is located near Pokhara. Relatively new and less-trekked route in the Annapurna region it was opened to visitors only in the year 2012. Lying to the east of the iconic Annapurna Base Camp, high on the Mardi Ridge overlooking the Machapuchrae Base Camp, this trek route offers a more secluded and tranquil trekking experience to hikers.

This trail is renowned for offering awe-inspiring views of the Annapurna range, including the majestic Machapuchare peak from the Mardi view point and the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The allure of trekking on the Mardi Himal lies in its tranquil and peaceful ambiance, which sets it apart from the more crowded and popular trekking routes in the Nepal Himalaya.

Views of the Annapurna Mountains

The view of the imposing edifice of the mighty Annapurna Massif, surrounded by a range of equally imposing peaks, is what makes the Mardi Himal Trek unique. A super thrilling moment will be to sight the Annapurna Massif & it’s range from a very unique location, the Mardi Himal View Point and the Mardi Himal Base Camp.

After all, this is what makes the Mardi Himal trek in Nepal so unique and thrilling that there is always an element of surprise at every corner.

Trek Route

Mardi Himal Trek is a side trek to the great Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal, where the trek route lies high on a ridge east of the Annapurna Sanctuary. A trek route that runs almost parallel to the Annapurna Base Camp Trail between the valleys of Modi Khola and Mardi Khola. A 40-50 kilometer long trek that can be done within four to five days, depending on your ability.

How long is this trek?

The Mardi Himal Trek covers a distance of 40–50 kilometers with an average of 10 km of trekking per day, and typically lasts four to five days, depending on hikers’ capabilities. This trek is renowned as one of the finest short treks in Nepal, offering breathtaking views of the Annapurna Range and culminating Mardi Himal Base Camp at the foot of Machapucharae.

A trek to Mardi Base Camp

The culmination of the Mardi Himal Trek is the ascent towards Mardi Base Camp, which stands at an elevation of 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) above sea level. This iconic destination serves as the highlight of the trek, offering trekkers a vantage point to behold the breathtaking vistas that define the Mardi Himal trek. The trek to Mardi Base Camp is not just a physical endeavor; it is a spiritual odyssey that beckons adventurers to push their limits and embrace the profound beauty of the Nepal Himalayas.

Highlights of the Trek

One of the primary attractions of the Mardi Himal Trek is that it is gentle on your legs, and provides breathtaking close up views of some of the most iconic peaks in the Annapurna range, particularly from key vantage points, such as the Mardi View Point and Mardi Himal Base Camp (4550 m).

A short uphill hike to the view point early in the morning, followed by a trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp during sunrise, promises an unforgettable experience. The stunning landscape with the Annapurna Range as its backdrop offers some of the most captivating scenery in this part of the Nepalese Himalayas.

Getting there and away

Kande, a small town on the highway to Jomsom just 30 minutes drive from Pokhara, is the starting point, and Sidding is the ending point of this trek. From Sidding, it is a two-hour drive to Pokhara in a private vehicle. Bus service is not available from here; only private vehicles are available for hire.

Best Time to Hike to Mardi Himal

The ideal time for anthophiles to embark on the Mardi Himal Trek is from March to May, when the lush forests are adorned with vibrant rhododendron and Magnolia flowers, creating a picturesque setting with hillsides dotted with wild flower blooms.

Alternatively, the second-best season for the Mardi Himal Trek falls between September and December. During this time, clear horizons offer uninterrupted views of majestic mountains throughout the day. This period follows three months of monsoon rain, which results in a refreshing and crisp environment perfect for trekking.

Accommodation and Food

The Mardi Himal Trek is a short tea house trek located near Pokhara in central Nepal. There are lodges and tea houses at regular intervals, offering basic amenities to hikers.

Each lodge is equipped with a spacious dining area with a central hearth, and twin share rooms with common bathroom. These lodges and tea houses along the trekking trail serve traditional Nepali vegetarian dishes such as Dal, Bhat (rice), and Curry as standard options. Additionally, some lodges are also able to provide extra menu items upon request to cater to diverse preferences.

Mobile Connectivity and Power

Mobile connectivity is available on the entire Mardi Hime Trek Route and can make and receive calls. Electricity is also available in all the lodges until High Camp. Therefore, charging your mobile phones and camera batteries is not an issue.

TRIP FACTS

• Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate
• Duration: 6 Days
• Maximum Sleeping Altitude: 3700m
• Maximum Hiking Altitude: 4500m
• Best Season : January-May & October-December
• Trek Availability: Private treks only.

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Pokhara. Overnight Hotel in Pokhara (B/B only).
Day 2: Drive to Kande (1750 m/1.30 hour drive). The Mardi Himal Trek starts. Trek to Pothana (1980 m/4 km/3 hours).

• Kande to Australian Camp (2160 m/2 hour Trek)
• Australian Camp to Pothana (1980 m/30 minutes Trek)

Trek starts with an hour and a half drive to a place called Kande. A small roadside town and the trek head for the Mardi Himal Trek. The trek initially starts with a gentle uphill through a small village called Goldanda, and then an abrupt one-hour uphill trail on stone steps. A typical signature mark of the trekking trails in the Annapurna Region. Then the trail carries on gently on level ground until it reaches Australian Camp, a fairly big village with a couple of lodges and a few houses. Then the trek route gently descends for the next fifteen minutes till Pothana, a small village with a couple of lodges. Overnight Lodge.

Day 3 : Trek Pothana to Forest Camp (2560 m/5 hour). Overnight Lodge.

• Pothana to Pitham Deaurali (2125 m/1 hour)
• Pitham Deaurali to Surya danda (1900 m/2 hour)
• Surya danda to Forest Camp ( 2560 m/2 hour)

It is probably the longest and easiest day on the Mardi Himal Trek. The trek route starts gently and continues through the rich evergreen forest of the Annapurna Conservation Area until Forest Camp. Forest Camp, in the middle of the forest, is a fairly big settlement with about fifteen lodges. There are no uphills on this day, but just a simple walk through the forest. A very pleasant day of hiking.

Day 4: Trek Forest Camp to High Camp (3585 m/8.5 km/5 hrs). Overnight Lodge.

• Forest Camp to Low Camp ( 2900 m/6 Km/3 hours)
• Low Camp to High Camp (3585 m/2.5 Km/2 hours)

The fourth day of the trek from Forest Camp starts straight away with a little uphill path through the dense mixed forest, and it keeps on going all the way till Low Camp. Low Camp is a big village with about ten lodges on a hillock. Watch out for the majestic Machapucharae from Low Camp. On a clear day, this beautiful mountain is visible, looming large on the northern horizon.

From Low Camp, the tall trees start disappearing very slowly, and then, after an hour of gentle trekking through rhododendron and pine forests, the trail suddenly comes to a ridge bereft of any plantations. From here, the views of Machapucharae, Mardi Himal Ridge, along with the settlements of Middle Camp, also known as Badal Dada, and High Camp are really beautiful. From here, the trek route is a slow and gentle climb to High Camp.

Day 5: Trek High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m/9 km) and Back to High Camp (7-hour round trek).

• High Camp to Mardi View Point ( 4200 m/2 hours)
• Mardi View Point to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m/1 hour)

Day 5 is the high point of the Mardi Himal trek, with a gain of 615 m in altitude. The early morning (3:30 am) trek to View Point (4200 m) starts with an uphill trek on a very narrow trail on a rock face for an hour. The trek then climbs steadily up to Mardi View Point. The sunrise views on the Annapurna Range and in the valleys around it are really beautiful. From here, the trail to Annapurna Base Camp down in the valley running besides Modi Khola can be seen along with the Machapucharae Base Camp. Two tea shops stand at the Mardi Himal View Point.

One will have to trek a little further for an hour to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m). But the trek is gentle and quite easy. Return to High Camp for lunch. After lunch, trek back to Middle Camp (Badal Dada/1 hour). Overnight Lodge.

Day 6: Trek to Sidding (1750 m/2 hours). Drive back to Pokhara (3 hours of driving). Overnight Hotel (B/B only). End of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek.

The trek back to Sidding is the same trail as Low Camp. From here, the trail drops down on a very rough, rocky path till Sidding, where the Mardi Himal Trek ends with a three-hour drive back to Pokhara.

How much does it cost?

• Mardi Himal Trek Cost : US$620 per Person
• Indian nationals, kindly Inquire within for quotes in Indian Rupee

What is included and excluded in the cost?

Mardi Himal Trek Cost Includes

• Twin-share hotel accommodation in Pokhara includes breakfast.
• Basic accommodation at local lodges is on a twin-sharing basis.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, & dinner) are included for the duration of the trek.
• Services of an experienced English-speaking local trekking guide.
• Porters to carry luggage while on trek (1 porter for 2 persons).
• Insurance for trekking staff, guides, porters, etc.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) fees/National Park entrance fees &
• TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) registration fees.

Excludes

• Transport by Tourist Bus ( Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu).
• Departure Tax, where applicable (domestic/international flights).
• Domestic Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu airfare (if requested by clients).
• Travel/Trekking/Medical insurance.
• Rescue operations by helicopter.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Tips
• Personal expenses.
• Nepal visa fees.
• Any services in Kathmandu (hotels, transport, etc.).
• Lunches & dinners during hotel stays in Pokhara.

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NEPAL TOURIST VISA

• Nepal visa are readily available on arrival at the International Airport
  in Kathmandu and all other entry points to Nepal.
• Two passport photos will be required.
• Single entry visa: US$ 30 per visa (valid for 60 days).
• Multiple entry visa: US$ 80 per visa (valid for 150 days).
• visa is not required for Indian Nationals to Travel inside Nepal
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Note: The above-given trek itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors, such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants, etc., may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort, and general well-being.

(All relevant terms & conditions apply.)