Mardi Himal Trek 2022

Mardi Himal Trek – A Six Days Guide to Short Trek in Nepal

The view of the Imposing edifice of the mighty Annapurna Masiff surrounded by the Range of equally imposing peaks is what makes  Mardi Himal Trek unique. A super thrilling moment it will be to sight the Annapurna Masiff & 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  Mardi Himal trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area  very unique and so thrilling that there is always an element of surprise at every corner.  Absolutely an amazing encounter.

Mardi himal Trek is a side trek to the great Annapurna Base Camp Trek where the trek route lies high on a ridge east of the Annapurna Sanctuary, between the valleys of Modi Khola and Mardi Khola. A 41Km trek that can be done within four to five days, depending on your ability. A trek route that ultimately leads to the foot of the Mardi Himal Base Camp at the foot of Mardi Himal and Machapucharae or Fish Tail.

Mardi Himal Trek is a newly opened short and easy trekking Package in Nepal that offers beautiful Himalayan scenery especially from High Camp, Mardi Himal View Point and the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Mardi Himal – 5587m tall is separated from the majestic Machapucharae by a 5200m col, and the first to reach the summit of Mardi Himal was Basil Goodfellow in 1961.

Early morning trek up to the view point for sunrise and you get to see the most beautiful Himalayan scenery with the ever imposing Machapuchare and the Annapurna Range in the Background. Mardi Himal Trek is a side trek to the great Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and the trek route runs almost parallel but on a high on the Ridge east of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Himalayan scenery from high on the Mardi Himal Ridge, especially from Mardi Himal Base Camp and the View point above High Camp is incredible.

Highlights of the Trek

The entire Pokhra Valley down below and the Villages of Ghandruk and Choomrong which leads to the Machapuchare Base Camp can be seen. Mardi Himal Trek absolutely suits someone who is looking to do a first trek in his life. An easy trek that is gaining popularity lately. For an average trekker this trek to Mardi Himal and back to Pokhara can be completed within a period of six days. where the trek head is not far from the main town of Pokhara, and is one of the best short Treks in Nepal.

Mardi Himal Trek is a lesser known easy, gentle and a short trekking trail assending to a maximum altitude of 4500m at Mardi Himal Base Camp. From high on the ridge, the Trekking trail provides panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre or the Fish Tail and ofcourse the surrounding hills and valleys below, along with the sweeping views of the Himalayan villages of Ghandruk, Chomrong and as well of Pokhara down below.

Kind of Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is a tea house trek with accommodation in lodges run by local families. Lunches are available in tea houses along the trekking trail.

Getting there and away

Kande, a small town two hours drive from Pokhara is the Mardi Himal Trek Head, and Sidding the ending point of this trek. From Sidding it is a two hours drive to Pokhara on a private vehicle. Bus service is not available from here only Private vehicles can are available on hire.

Best Time to Hike to Mardi Himal

Trekking season in Nepal starts from September and lasts till May. But after having said that, the best time for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek for an Anthopile is between March and May when the forest are decorated with Rhododendron and Magnolia flowers, and the hill sides dotted with wild flower blooms.

For an Orophile Mardi Himal Trek is best done from September to December when the horizon is clear and the mountains visible the entire day. Because the just concluded three months of monsoon rain creates the environment around crisp and clear.

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 Availibility: Private Treks only.

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive at Pokhara. Overnight Hotel in Pokhara (B/B only).
Day 2 : Drive to Kande (1750m/1.30Hrs drive). Mardi Himal Trek Starts.Trek to Pothana(1980m/4Km/3Hrs).

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

Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp starts with an hour and a half drive to a place called Kande. A small road side 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 Australian Camp. Australian Camp is a fairly big village with a couple of lodges and few house holds. Annapurna Conservation Area Project check point is located here. Then the Mardi Himal Trek route gently descends for the next fifteen minutes till Pothana. Overnight Lodge.

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

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

Probably the longest and the 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 in the middle of the forest. There are no uphills on this day of the Mardi Himal Trek. Just a simple walk through the forest a very pleasant day of Hiking to Mardi Himal Base Camp.

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

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

Forest Camp is made up of about three lodges in the middle of the forest and no scenery can be seen from here. The 4^th.Day of the Mardi Himal Trek starts straight way with a little uphill path in the jungle and it keeps on going all the way till Low Camp. Low Camp is a fairly big village with about ten lodges on hillock with Machapucharae or Fishtail high on the Northern Ridge Looking down on Mardi Himal. Machapucharae looks very near from Low Camp.

From Low Camp the tall trees starts disappearing very slowly and then after an hours gentle trek through rhododendron and pine forest the trail suddenly comes to a ridge bereft of any plantation. From here the views of Machapucharae, entire Mardi Himal Ridge and of Middle Camp also known as Badal Dada and High Camp is really beautiful. The entire Mardi Himal Ridge is visible from this point. Then a slow and gradual uphill trek leads into High Camp.

Day 5 : Trek High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m/9Km) and Back to High Camp ( 7Hrs Round Trek).

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

Day 5 is the high point of the Mardi Himal trek, with a gain in 615m in altitude the early morning (3:30am) trek to View Point (4200m) starts with an uphill trek on a very narrow trail on a rock face for an hour. Than the Trek climbs steadily up to Mardi View Point. The Sunrise views on Annapurna Range and on the valleys around is really beautiful. From here the trail to Annapurna Base Camp down in the valley running besides the Modi Khola can be seen along with the Machapucharae Base Camp. A lone tea shop stands at the view Mardi Himal Point Trek. An hour of gentle trek from here leads into Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m/1.30Hrs). Return to High Camp for lunch. After lunch Trek Back to Middle Camp  ( Badal Dada / 1Hr). Overnight Lodge.

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

The trek back to Sidding is the same trail till 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 hours drive back to Pokhara.

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• MARDI HIMAL TREK COST : US$620 per Person
• Indian Nationals kindly enquire within for quotes in Indian Rupee

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MARDI HIMAL TREK COST – INCLUDES

• Twin Share Hotel Accommodation in Pokhara including Breakfast.
• Basic accommodation at local lodges on twin sharing basis.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) included for the duration of the trek.
• Services of 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 in 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 is readily available on arrival at the International Airport
  in Kathmandu and all other entry points to Nepal.
• 2 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 Mardi Himal 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).