Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: Tourist Bus & Private Vehicle
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Pokhara Hotel & Teahouse
  • Group Size: 16
  • Max Elevation: Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500)

Highlights

  • A scenic bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
  • Exploration of lakes and caves in Pokhara.
  • Trek to Low Camp, High Camp, and Mardi Himal Base Camp. 
  • Walk in the lush rhododendron forests of ACAP
  • View flora and fauna of Annapurna Region
  • Great views of Mardi Himal, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri massif. 
  • Delightful sunrise and sunset views. 

Description

Mardi Himal Base Camp lies to the east of one of Annapurna Base Camp trek. Although not as popular as the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Mardi Himal trek is becoming one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region.

Mardi Himal lies to the base of the towering Mardi Himal. You can get some of the most impressive views of various mountains like Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar, and Himchuli. 

The trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp is well-defined. The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek by Mount Mania starts after a scenic 6-7 hours bus drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you will trek to Pothana, where you will get the permit to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). 

You will trek through wonderful rhododendron forests of ACAP region on your way to Low Camp, High Camp and eventually to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Along the way, you can also see an abrupt change in the landscape.

After a delightful stay in these camps, you will retrace your trail along High Camp and Low Camp reaching Siding and eventually to Pokhara. 
In this Mardi Himal trek by Mount Mania, you will trek through wonderful forests, quaint villages, beautiful tea houses and lodges, and warm, hospitable people of the Annapurna region. 

8 Days Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

Expand AllHide All

You will leave your hotel early morning for a drive with scenic views along the road to Pokhara via Prithvi national highway. Along the highway, you can see the Marsyangdi and Trishuli River. After a drive of 6-7 hrs, you will reach Pokhara (820 meters).

Pokhara is the most popular tourist destination in Nepal. It is home to many wonderful lakes like Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa lake. You can also go for boating in these lakes. There are also some adventurous caves in Pokhara like Gupteshwor cave, Bat Cave, etc. You can also head out to these caves and explore them.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Altitude: 820m

After early morning breakfast, you will drive to Phedi and start your adventure from there. We walk on stone steps, terraced fields and through villages and forests before reaching Dhampus. You will have your lunch in Dhampus.

After the lunch break, you will resume your trek to Pothana. The trail to Pothana is a beautiful and pleasant short descent. It takes you through sandalwood forest. From Pothana, sunrise and sunset view of Fishtail mountain (Mt Machhapuchhre) is wonderful. You will also get your ACAP Permit in the checkpoint in Pothana. Today’s trek is 3 hours long.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
  • Altitude: 1990m

You will start your trek after having your breakfast. From Pothana, you will trek to Pitam Deurali. It is a wonderful hike in the red sandalwood and rhododendron forest. Along the way to Pitam Deurali, you will also come across some little open land between (buffalo pasture). After crossing the pasture, you will enter a dense forest and trek uphill for 2-3 hours.

After a gentle descent, you will reach Forest Camp. Along the way to Low Camp, you will also see some wonderful vistas of Dhaulagiri and the Manaslu range. Forest Camp is a quaint little village which has beautiful green forests that surround it. It is home to some campsites as well and lodges. On the western side of Forest Camp, you can view Ghandruk and its surrounding villages as well as Modi valley.

Your next destination from Forest Camo is Low camp. Low Camp has a flat surface with dense rhododendron forest. After a long trek of 7-8 hours from Pothana, you will reach Low Camp. Beautiful rhododendron forests surround the low camp. You can also have some delightful views of Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal from Low Camp. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
  • Altitude: 3150m

After having breakfast in Low camp, you will start your trek. You will enter beautiful rhododendron forests and then start trekking uphill till you reach the lower viewpoint (3289m). The lower viewpoint also gives you wonderful sunrise and sunset views. You will trek along a grassy slope from the lower viewpoint. You will then continue further up to High Camp.

The trail is quite steep. You might also encounter some narrow paths. You will also walk into some little rhododendron forests. The hike is also one of the amazing in clear weather. You will also walk along the off-the-beaten trail on an open ridge. The ridge offers great mountain views: of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre range. You will also see the green landscape in the south of the ridge, Modi river valley down below as well as picturesque villages like Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and Dovan.

Walking further, you will reach High Camp. The trek from Low Camp to High Camp is 4 hours long. High Camp is a natural viewpoint tower. In all directions, you can see breathtaking views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar, Himchuli and the southern slope including Pokhara valley. This place is also very suitable for yak and sheep. During the trek, you can see a couple of yak shelters and Mani Walls. You will spend your night in a lodge in High Camp.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
  • Altitude: 4100m

Today, you will trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Today’s trek is more difficult than other days as the trail is quite steep. At some parts of the trek, the trail is uneven. The steep trails are also quite rocky. After trekking for 2 hrs, you will get to the top ridge, that is also known as Mardi Himal Base Camp. The authentic Mardi Himal Base Camp, however, is further 2 hours of walk away from this ridge. You can get astonishing views of Mardi Himal, Mt Fishtail, Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Annapurna III from the ridge.

You can also get views of quaint villages like MBC (Machhapuchre Base Camp), Deurali, Dovan, Sinuwa, Chhomrong, Ghandruk, Pokhara valley from Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m). The trek down to Low Camp is 3 – 4 hours long. This day trip is quite adventurous, beautiful, joyful and definitely worth it. The total length of today’s trek is 7-8 hours long. You will spend your night in a lodge in Low Camp (3150 meters). 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
  • Altitude: 3150m

After a hearty breakfast, you will head out to Siding village (1280 meters). As you will mostly descend to Siding village, the trek is quite easy. You will trek through forest shades and terraced fields losing an altitude of 1600m. The trek descends down to the upper Mardi Khola. This river originates from the ice and snow of the Mardi Himal. The trail is also quite remote and away from tea houses initially.

After a couple of hours, the route takes you to an arm valley and friendly villages. Trekking along the banks of Mardi Khola through beautiful fields, conventional farms, and bridges. You will experience typical Nepali countryside. Eventually, after trekking for 6 hours, you will reach Siding. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
  • Altitude: 1280m

Today, you will start your easy day’s trek with a descent to from Siding Village to Lumre. The trail follows the Mardi river valley and gradually descends taking you through pastures along beautiful Tamang and Gurung Villages. You will arrive in Lumre after 5 hours of trek. A private vehicle will be waiting for you in Lumre. The private vehicle will take you to Pokhara via Milan Chowk. You will spend your night in a hotel in Pokhara. 

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Altitude: 820m

After early breakfast at a hotel in Pokhara, you will check-out from the hotel. You will then head out to the Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara to catch your tourist bus. The bus leaves at 7 AM in the morning, The bus ride will take you past small towns on the way. You will also get to see rural settlements, gushing rivers, terraces, and green rural landscapes. After 6 hours drive, you will arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. One of the Mount Mania representatives will invite you to attend a farewell dinner with a cultural show in the evening. After dinner, you will go to your hotel for your overnight stay. 

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 1320m
Customize my trip

What to Expect

Cost Includes

  • Airport Pickup and Drop
  • Teahouse Accommodation during the trek
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
  • Round Trip Tourist Bus Ticket (Kathmandu and Pokhara)
  • Hotel in Pokhara with Breakfast (Twin Sharing)
  • English Speaking Trekking Guide with Food & Accommodation, Insurance, and Transportation
  • All Trekking Permits (ACAP and TIMS Card)
  • Use of sleeping bag & Duffel bag (if you don’t have your own, To be return after trip completed)
  • Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner 
  • A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude) 
  • All Government and Local taxes

Cost Excludes

  • International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
  • Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
  • Meals in Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the trek (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Personal expenses (WiFi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
  • Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance
  • Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers

PRICES & DATES

Trip DatesAvailabilityPrice  
31 Mar, 2023 - 07 Apr, 2023AvailableUS$550

Before departure to the trip, there will be a group meeting with the trekking guide at the office. He/She will answer all the queries that you have on your mind.

Meeting Location: Mount Mania Treks & Expedition P. Ltd., Samarpan Marg, Banasthali, Kathmandu, Nepal

Note: If you find difficult to come to our meeting location, send us the hotel details via email. Our guide will come to meet up with you individually. 

Useful Information

Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty 

Mardi Himal trek is one of the many moderate treks in the Annapurna region. 

You will only trek for 6 days on this trip. You will trek for an average of 5-6 hours during this trip. The altitude gains in this trek are also quite low. The trails are well marked and easy to trek in. A
On the way to Mardi Himal Base Camp, you will encounter many uphills. 

All of these makes the Mardi Himal trek a moderate one. However, you need preparation of 2-3 months in order to complete this trek with ease. 

If you complete a hike of a day or two before coming to this trek, it will be a wonderful preparation for you. 

Best Time for Mardi Himal Trek

The most popular seasons for the Mardi Himal Trek are the seasons of spring(March, April, and May) and autumn(September, October, and November).

Autumn and Spring seasons have almost identical patterns of weather and temperature. One of the best features of the weather in these seasons is the mild sunshine. Another reason for the popularity of these seasons is low rainfall and clear views of the mountains. 

The temperature in the winters season in Mardi Himal trek gets as low as -15 degrees C. So you will have to pack well in the winter season (December, January, and February) for the Mardi Himal Base Camp.

Summer season coincides with the monsoon season. So you will have to watch out for the weather to complete the Mardi Himal trek in the summer season (June, July, and August). 

Customer Reviews

  • noimage
    Evandro
    Brazil

    Mardi Himal Trek Review

    Mr. Binod was my guide during my solo trek through Mardi Himal trek. It happened in april/18 (not 19). It was a 5 nights journey, many trails, sightseeing, small lodges, plenty of tea, dal bhat and good conversation. Binod was very friendly, responsible, and reliable during the whole time. I'm ... read more

  • noimage
    Dianne Dijkstra
    Netherlands

    Organized and arranged everything very well

    The first time I met Binod was in 2014. Together with a very good friend and my parents, he was our guide during the Poonhill trek. We had a wonderful time and he took care of everything. He organized and arranged everything very well. I also went on a rafting ... read more

Write a Review