Day-by-Day Itinerary
The Mardi Himal trek 3-day itinerary is described below.
- Day 1: Pokhara to Phedi → Trek to Forest Camp
This is the first day of the trek itinerary. It starts early from Pokhara with a short drive to Dhampus. Then you have to trek past Pothana and Deurali from the Dhampus. The trail follows the lush forest filled with rhododendrons.
You will then continue your journey to the forest camp and spend the night in the forest camp. The total distance that you will cover is around 12-14 km and takes 4-6 hours to reach there depending upon the person’s strength and capacity.
- Day 2: Forest Camp → High Camp
The second day of the trek is also an ascending journey. The trail follows the rhododendron forest and crosses the scenic Badal Danda.Then you have to go to the high camp. There, you can witness the breathtaking views of the snowcapped peaks like Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and the Annapurnas.
Then, you will rest at the high camp.
- Day 3: High Camp → Mardi Himal Base Camp → Siding → Return to Pokhara
On the third day, you will hike to the Mardi Himal base camp early in the morning to witness the sunrise. After some time, you will descend to the sidhing via Badal Danda. The descending journey is easy and quick, too.
From Siding, you will drive back to Pokhara, and the trip ends.
Trekking Essentials
Permits are required for this Mardi Himal trek of 3 days.
For the three days, you will need permits like the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card. These permits can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The ACAP permit costs around NPR 3,000, and the TIMs card costs around NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals. For more info, contact us.
Gear checklist for a short trek.
Below are some of the gear checklists for the Mardi Himal 3-day trek.
- Clothes including thermal base layers (top and bottom), trekking shirts, hiking pants, fleece jacket or pullover, down jacket, windproof/waterproof jacket, gloves, warm hat and sun hat/cap, underwear, and buff or neck gaiter.
- Footwear like sturdy trekking boots, hiking socks, and camp shoes/sandals.
- Equipment like a backpack, sleeping bag, trekking poles, water bottle, water purification tablets/filter, and headlamp.
- Personal items like sunscreen, medications, insect repellent, wet wipes, sanitizer, travel tissues, toilet paper, a trekking towel, a toothbrush, toothpaste, travel soap/shampoo, and sunglasses.
- Miscellaneous items like cash (Nepali rupees), trek permits, passport & necessary travel documents, power bank, offline Mardi Himal 3-day trek route map, and snacks & energy bars.
Fitness and preparation tips for busy travelers
If you are busy and planning the Mardi Himal 3-day trek, then you should know about the fitness, mental preparations, and a quick prep plan. It will make our body ready for trekking.
- Focus on cardio and endurance and practice activities like jogging, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming 3–4 times a week.
- Also try the popular exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and push-ups 2–3 times weekly.
- Practice walking with your loaded backpack and walking poles.
- Be ready for some discomfort and challenge, and prepare yourself mentally.
Quick prep plan:
- Week 1: Jog/walk 2–3 km daily; add squats/lunges/push-ups (bodyweight).
- Week 2: Jog/walk 4–5 km and do hikes with elevation. Increase reps/sets of strength exercises.
- Week 3+: Maintain distance, add stair climbs/hill walks with a backpack, and work on flexibility.
Accommodation & Meals
This trek is going to be the classic teahouse trek. Most of the accommodations available along the trail are teahouses and lodges. These accommodation options are simpler and offer the basic rooms with twin beds and thick blankets.
The amenities may vary from teahouse to teahouse. The lodges may offer better amenities than the teahouses. Also, there is limited charging and wifi with unreliable speeds.
The teahouses and lodges provide the freshly cooked Nepali and international dishes and beverages, including dal bhat, fried noodles, pasta, soups, eggs, tea, coffee, ginger lemon honey, and so on.
All the meal and accommodation prices are included in the trek packages. The expenses related to the wifi, hot shower, device charging, and other expenses are not covered in the package's cost.If you want more, you can inquire with your tour operator for possible arrangements.
Best Time to Go
The ideal time to trek to Mardi Himal base camp with three-day itineraries is during the spring and autumn. During these days, the planning of the itinerary is easier, the weather conditions are stable, and the skies are clear for the best views.
These seasons are also best because there is less rainfall, like in the monsoon, and also not too cold, like in the winter season. Because of these positive circumstances, the chance of the itinerary disruptions is very low. It is good for the short itinerary.
Tips for Maximizing a 3-Day Trek
- Choose the appropriate gear and test it before going for the trek.
- Prepare your body with regular cardio and strength exercises.
- Set realistic mileage and rest stops for each day to avoid overexertion.
- Inform someone of your route and expected return time.
- Drink water frequently and carry a method for purifying water from streams if needed.
- Leave early each day to maximize daylight hours for trekking and breaks.
- Take time to appreciate scenic spots, snap photos, and rest at beautiful locations.
- Interact with the locals during the dining time or rest time to learn about their culture and way of living.
