Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal falls in the Annapurna Region of Nepal and the trek leads you the tranquil & peaceful zone where you can encounter other explorers and trekkers and get friendly natives on the way. Although it is newly opened route in the Annapurna region, there are 4 overnight stops with lodging & fooding. You don't have to worry for the homestays and lodges since they have been set up along the Mardi Himal elevation in greater numbers. Mardi Himal Trek is lodge based trek hence there is no need of setting camp any more. 

The major highlights of Mardi Himal trek includes panoramic mountain sights,  pastoral villages, wildlife, and a wide range of landscapes from eye-catching forest to high-altitudes. From Mardi Himal you can enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and MT. Hiunchuli.  It's a really spectacular trip on the Mardi Himal Trek – no one would vacillate to this trek in Nepal. For the time-conscious travellers, 5 days will be enough to roam; you can trek there and return back to Kathmandu within the very limited time period. It is an easy trek so even the inexperienced and novice trekkers can trek easily.

The Mt. Mardi is approximately 5200 m high which is not farther than 15 miles from Pokhara Valley. It is the also known as the Southerly Mountain of the Annapurna range. Its base camp is situated at an altitude of 4100. The splendid mountain views, lush green terraced fields and multicultural hospitality of the locals make you feel pleased.  The Mardi Himal Trek starts from the scenic landscape of Pokhara and on the way you can enjoy the yak fighting, crossing suspension bridge and breathtaking sight of Fishtail with Mardi Himal. The trail offers other magnificent views since it is the virgin trekking trail in Nepal.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)

Flying to Kathmandu is thrilling with the views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost delighted, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time.I will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. I will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara (800m)

After hot breakfast drive 200km to Pokhara and it takes about 6-7 hours from Kathmandu by tourist bus. It is an exciting and romantic drive that we can enjoy beautiful scenic view of terraced rice field, eye catching landscape, Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers and spectacular panoramic view of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal and most of Annapurna Himalayan Range are seen. The tourist coach stops for breakfast at 09:00 am and at around 12:00 for lunch on the way to Pokhara.

Day 3: Drive to Phedi and trek to Pothana (1925m, about 4 hours trek)

After hot breakfast we drive half an hour to Phedi and commence our trek to Pothana at the elevation of 1810m. The trail is steep until Dhampus and pleasant easy walk up to Pothana, where you stay in a teahouse lodge for the first night.

Day 4: Trek to Forest Camp at Kokar (2,600m)- 4 hours

From Pothana you walk up to a place called Pitam Deurali where you will turn off the main Annapurna Sanctuary trek and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Tonight we stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar. The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room so you will probably have meals in kitchen with the owner, so in some ways this is more like a homestay and is a good opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.

Day 5: Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)- 5 hours

The trail continues from Forest Camp to Low Camp through the forest however as we ascend the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron and the trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns. At Low Camp there are two basic lodges one with a dining room with open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley.

Day 6: Trek to High Camp (3,700m)- 4 hours

An hour or so above Low Camp the trail breaks out above tree line and towards the west there is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, this one has eight rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

Day 7: Excursion to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m)- 4 hours

The plan for today is to wake early for sunrise view of the mountains then after an early breakfast walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a number of herder’s huts along the way. After three hours you should reach Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

Day 8: Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours

On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and you will probably eat dhal baht in the evening with the family in their kitchen.

Day 9: Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara- 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving

From Siding you walk out to the road head at Lumre, on the way from Siding you will pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet jeep organised by Wilderness Excursion in advance to drive you back to Pokhara.

Day 10: Drive back to Kathmandu

We ride the tourist bus to Kathmandu and have lunch on the way. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, do some shopping souvenirs for dear ones back home and enjoy last hours in Nepal. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Sightseeing and afternoon shopping in Thamel.

City sightseeing tour to world heritage sites; Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath(known as a monkey temple among westerners).The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centers of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. Stay overnight in hotel.

Day 12: Fly back to home

Departure to home country. Wilderness Excursion representative will drop you at international airport and see you off for final departure to home.