Your journey to Mardi Himal begins at Kathmandu. After a day spent on a guided tour of world heritage sites, you will fly to Pokhara and drive to the trail-head at Kande.Withing a few days into the trek, you will find yourselves at 4,000m high among the Himalayas.
Initally, you will follow the frequented trail to Annapurna Base Camp till Deurali. Thereafter, the trail diverts off and you will take the eastern trail to Forest Camp (Kokar). Gradually hiking past two other camps, you will arrive at the Upper View Point (4,200 m). Many consider the Upper View Point the final stop on the Mardi Himal Trek. But for adventureous souls, the actual Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) is a long day's hike to-and-fro from the Upper View Point. The trail is difficult; you need to be sure-footed hiking, at times, through pathless terrain.
Throughout the trail on the Mardi Himal trek, the summit chain of the Annapurna massif: Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the beautiful Mount Fishtail (Machhapuchare) stand in a trellis. In early Spring the trail seems almost as on fire as you hike through flaming-red rhododendron forestis. But there is more; on the descend back to Pokhara, you will spend two nights at home-stays in the typical Gurung villages of Landruk and Gandruk.
You will finally arrive at Pokhara, the lake city, on the 9th day of your Mardi Himal Trek. Once, at Pokhara you will have time to enjoy the idyllic & beautiful surroundings. After two nights in Pokhara, you will fly back to Kathmandu for your flight back home or continue on the next leg of your journey.
If you are interested in the Mardi Himal trek, we recommend the spring season (March-May). In spring, rhododendrons will be on full bloom, plus the weather generally stays stable. If you can't make it in Spring, the next best time for the trek is in the autumng season (Sep-Nov). You don't need prior trekking experience for the Mardi Himal Trek, but it is important that you are fit as at times, the trail can be quite demanding, especially above 4,000m.
At Himalayan Kingdom, we are thankful to introduce you to our country and way of life. Our staff are fluent in English, certified, and professionals who know the mountain like the bike of their hands.
Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure and go on a welcome dinner with the Himalaya Kingdom family. In the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner with Keep Walking Nepal family.
Look out for the HIMALAYA KINGDOM board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.
Today’s trek heads off into the wilderness, leaving tourists, other trekkers, and even villagers behind. The trail climbs and meanders through the rhododendron forest to the small human settlement of Pitam Deurali (2,100m). The Modi Khola valley is dominated by ‘Pritam Deurali’ wedged between Mardi Himal/Macchapuchre and Annapurna South.
From Deurali onward the trail passes through an enchanted forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, and hemlock. The trail climbs up then undulates on the top of a ridge and then drops steeply and slowly ascends back onto the ridge till you arrive at the open grassland at Forest Camp.
If the weather is clear there will be stunning mountain views while trekking.
Today’s trek heads off into the wilderness, leaving tourists, other trekkers, and even villagers behind. The trail climbs and meanders through the rhododendron forest to the small human settlement of Pitam Deurali (2,100m). The Modi Khola valley is dominated by ‘Pritam Deurali’ wedged between Mardi Himal/Macchapuchre and Annapurna South.
From Deurali onward the trail passes through an enchanted forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, and hemlock. The trail climbs up then undulates on the top of a ridge and then drops steeply and slowly ascends back onto the ridge till you arrive at the open grassland at Forest Camp.
If the weather is clear there will be stunning mountain views while trekking.
You will truly understand the remoteness of the Mardi Himal Trek on the way to Low Camp as you leave the terraced fields and villages that cling to the hillsides in the distance.
The day initiates with a steep hike of the trail that gradually transforms itself into a dense rhododendron forest. Throughout you will recognize glimpses of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal getting closer.
An hour into the hike will bring you to Badal Danda, a.k.a. cloud hill, (3,250m). Badal Danda lies atop of the tree line and offers a pellucid view of snow-capped mountains and overview of villages down south.
After another 3 hours along the wooded trail, with the Modi Khola to your left, you will arrive at Low Camp which is just a clearing in the forest with a couple of tea-houses. You will have the rest of the day to soak in beautiful views of Machhapuchre.
Today, you will gradually ascend above the tree line to alpine vegetation through the occasionally grassy landscape that leads towards the Mardi Himal. The trail is characterized by a repetition of steep ascents, subsequent flat sections, and further ascents.
The high camp is a small pasture with a few lodges where you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Annapurna range, the valley of the Annapurna Base Camp and Mount Machhapuchhre. From high camp Annapurna South feels just a stone’s throw away and Machhapuchhre seems even closer.
This is the hardest day! You will have an early start for an amazing sunrise and stunning mountain views.
The first stretch of the hike is a steep uphill for about 2 hours which many refer to as Mardi Himal Base Camp but the actual base camp is a further 2 hours steep climb away along the ridge. The view point offers a gorgeous panorama of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal peaks.
Depending upon conditions, you can either return back to high camp or either continue along to the actual MBC where an even up-close view of the Annapurna Massif, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre peak awaits you.
You will then head back for lunch at high camp and spend the rest of the day at leisure. The sunset is as alluring as the previous day as the sun sets over the mountains from the comfort of your warm tea house.
After a hefty breakfast you will retrace your steps back to forest camp.
After a relaxed breakfast, you will hike gently through the shade of the forest and out onto terraced fields, descending 5249 ft. (1600 m.) You will follow a different route down, to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that was once the ice and snow of the Mardi Himal. Although remote and still off the beaten ‘tea-house’ trekking routes, your route now follows the arm valley and past friendly villages into Kalimati.
From Kalimati you will trek gently like to Siding. The path from Siding gradually follows the contour of the river valley, down between the pastures and through Tamang and Gurung villages. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Lwang village, your stop for the night. Here, there are organic tea gardens.
Enjoy an overnight in your unique and authentic homestay.
We recommend you get up early in the morning for one last awe-inspiring sunrise over the mountains. After breakfast, you will hike to Milan Chowk, Hemja, then drive to Pokhara. The hike is serenading with mountain views all along to keep you company.
You will have the afternoon at leisure in Pokhara.
After breakfast, we you will have the best part of the afternoon at leisure where you can enjoy the sights and sounds.
Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to Pokhara airport for a short flight to Kathmandu. You will have the rest of the day at leisure in Kathmandu.
You can either lounge about your hotel or visit one of the many attractions in Kathmandu (souvenir shopping is recommended :).
Additionally we also recommend an Everest View Mountain Flight for first time visitors to Nepal. No programs are included in the regular Mardi Himal trek program but can be arranged at an additional cost.
In the evening there will be a farewell dinner by Keep Walking Nepal to celebrate your trek and visit to Nepal.
