Mardi Himal Trek
A journey shaped by the landscapes, people and experiences of Nepal.
Offered by Smart Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
NEPAL · TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Discover the journey
Mardi Himal Trek is located just east of one of the most legendary trekking destination of Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Mardi Himal trek is an unseen gem yet. The whole of the stunning Annapurna range is view able during the trek. The trek traverses thick rhododendron forests, unspoiled terrain up and takes you high as 4100m within few days walk on the ridge running down from the Machhapuchare Peak (6993m). The landscape changes quite abruptly into a rugged high mountain landscape, with amazing views of Mardi Himal, Machapuchre, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Journey at a glance
Day DAY 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara(800m) 6hr — We depart 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. We will receive you at the Bus stop and transport you to Hotel. Get refreshed and go for a leisure walk around Lakeside. Overnight Stay at Pokhara Hotel. Meal: Dinner Access: Surface transport Day DAY 2: Drive to Kande; Trek to Forest Camp at Kokar (2540m) 8hr — We have time for our breakfast before we start our drive to Kande. Kande is on the top of a hill near Pokhara offers some views of Himalayas. From here we will start our trek approaching Pothana first. The trail is enjoyable throughout the villages. We will have some views of villages in the horizon. Continuing further will take us to Pitam Deurali, our lunch stop. We will taste the first mountain meal in Deurai and continue further to Forest camp. The trail is mostly inside the green forests of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. The section includes some ups and downs and takes about 3-4 hours to reach Forest Camp, a small village with few guest houses. Forest camp is known as Kokar among local people. It is a difficult walk from Pitam Deurali to Forest camp. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Access: Surface transport & Trekhhhh Day DAY 3: Trek to High Camp(3580m) — We will have to walk inside the forest for another day but as we reach higher the vegetation changes with more rhododendron trees. This is another pleasant day for us letting us walk in the peaceful route. The trail is steep at the beginning however changes to gradual climbing after a while. We will have some random views of snowy Himalayan peaks. The view of Machhapuchhre peak is superb from Low Camp. There are very small places with only couple of lodges opened for providing basic meals and accommodation to trekkers. We will have lunch here.We have another pleasant walking here with stunning views of close Himalayas in front of us. As we climb higher the route also becomes open and spacious as there is no forest anymore. The trail continues through grasslands of high region with occasional rhododendron trees. Spotting the beautiful bird called Himalayan Monal; also known as the impeyan monal, impeyan p Day DAY 4: Excursion to Mardi Base Camp (4500m) — 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). Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Access: Trek Day DAY 5: Trek to Siding(1750m) — On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Sidingvillage 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. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Access: Surface transport Day DAY 6: Trek to Kubang & Drive to Pokhara 3hr — From Siding you walk out to the road head at Kubang, 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 Kubang you will meet jeep organized by Image Travel in advance to drive you back to Pokhara. Overnight stay at Pokhara. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Access: Trek & Surface transport Day DAY 7: Pokhara to Kathmandu — After Breakfast, we will drop you off at the Bus stop from where you will board a Tourist Bus which will take you back to Kathmandu. Meal: Breakfast Access: Surface transport
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Kathmandu to Pokhara(800m) 6hr — We depart 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. We will receive you at the Bus stop and transport you to Hotel. Get refreshed and go for a leisure walk around Lakeside. Overnight Stay at Pokhara Hotel.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 2Drive to Kande; Trek to Forest Camp at Kokar (2540m) 8hr — We have time for our breakfast before we start our drive to Kande. Kande is on the top of a hill near Pokhara offers some views of Himalayas. From here we will start our trek approaching Pothana first. The trail is enjoyable throughout the villages. We will have some views of villages in the horizon. Continuing further will take us to Pitam Deurali, our lunch stop. We will taste the first mountain meal in Deurai and continue further to Forest camp. The trail is mostly inside the green forests of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. The section includes some ups and downs and takes about 3-4 hours to reach Forest Camp, a small village with few guest houses. Forest camp is known as Kokar among local people. It is a difficult walk from Pitam Deurali to Forest camp.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 3Trek to High Camp(3580m) — We will have to walk inside the forest for another day but as we reach higher the vegetation changes with more rhododendron trees. This is another pleasant day for us letting us walk in the peaceful route. The trail is steep at the beginning however changes to gradual climbing after a while. We will have some random views of snowy Himalayan peaks. The view of Machhapuchhre peak is superb from Low Camp. There are very small places with only couple of lodges opened for providing basic meals and accommodation to trekkers. We will have lunch here.We have another pleasant walking here with stunning views of close Himalayas in front of us. As we climb higher the route also becomes open and spacious as there is no forest anymore. The trail continues through grasslands of high region with occasional rhododendron trees. Spotting the beautiful bird called Himalayan Monal; also known as the impeyan monal, impeyan p
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 4Excursion to Mardi Base Camp (4500m) — 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).
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 5Trek to Siding(1750m) — On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Sidingvillage 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.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 6Trek to Kubang & Drive to Pokhara 3hr — From Siding you walk out to the road head at Kubang, 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 Kubang you will meet jeep organized by Image Travel in advance to drive you back to Pokhara. Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 7Pokhara to Kathmandu — After Breakfast, we will drop you off at the Bus stop from where you will board a Tourist Bus which will take you back to Kathmandu.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Essential trip information
Fitness & eligibility
1
Meeting point
Kathmandu
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