Mardi Himal Trek

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Mt. Fishtail from Mardi View Point
Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Trek
Duration11 Days
Trip GradeModerate
CountryNepal
Maximum Altitude3,540 m
Group Size1-50
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu
Travel StyleMardi Trek
Best TimeSpring & Autumn

Highlights of the Trek

  • Exploration of UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu
  • Breathtaking views of the snowcapped peaks like Annapurna South, machhapuchhre (fishtail), and Hiunchuli
  • Witnessing stunning sunset and sunrise views over the Annapurna Massif
  • Tranquil trekking experience on the mardi himal trekking trail
  • Trekking through the trails adorned with the lush rhododendron forests
  • Chance to encounter the diverse wildlife including Langur monkeys, Himalayan tahr, Musk deer, snow leopards, himalayan monal, and so on. 
  • Visiting and exploring several culturally rich Gurung villages like pothana, Deurali, and so on
  • Trekking through a mix of jungle walks and alpine landscapes
  • Exploring some natural gems in Pokhara with option of adventurous activities

Overview

Mardi Himal Trek is a captivating journey to the Mardi Himal base camp located in the Annapurna region. This journey offers the opportunity to witness the stunning landscapes, learn the new culture, meet new people, and so on. This trekking trail is one of the less crowded trails that gives you a private trekking experience. 

The mardi himal trekking itinerary starts with the exploration of the unesco world heritage sites inside Kathmandu valley. Some of the sites that you will visit are Durbar Squares in Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu; Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple); Changu Narayan Temple; Pashupatinath Temple; and many more. The journey concludes with exploration of natural gems like Phewa Lake, Mahadev Cave, Rupa Lake, Devis Fall, etc. in Pokhara. 

During the journey, you will get to see some of the fascinating views of the snowcapped peaks, including Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Fishtail Peak. The trails you walk go through the lush rhododendron forest. There may be a chance that you encounter wildlife like monkeys, kalij, tahr, leopards, deer, and so on. The animals are also part of the ecosystem so encountering them on the way is natural. 

As the trekking is all about the journeys rather than the destination, you will get to experience many more on this trip. On the trail, there are several Gurung villages. The gurungs are known for their unique culture and warm hospitality. This trek may be a good opportunity to interact with the locals and gain some cross cultural understanding. 

Major Highlights of the trek

  • Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the administrative capital of Nepal, located at an altitude of 1400 meters. There are diverse cultural heritage that reflects the ancient time of Nepal. Some of the top sites inside Kathmandu valley are Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka), and many more. 

The city is gateway to several trekking routes like the everest base camp trek, the everest three passes trek, the manaslu circuit trek, the annapurna circuit with tilicho lake trek and so on. Besides the trekking, you can also go for the short hikes like the namobuddha panauti hike, Chandragiri hill hike, Nagarkot hike, and many more. 

  • Pokhara

Pokhara is the tourism capital of Nepal, situated at an elevation of 822 meters. The city is known for the stunning natural landscapes and places. The majestic Annapurna Range surrounds it. In the Pokhara city, there are several renowned lakes like Phewa lake, Dipang Lake, Khaste Lake, Gude Lake Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, etc. 

In addition to the natural things in Pokhara, there are several other places to visit, like Devi's fall, Mahendra Cave, International Mountain Museum, Gurkha Memorial Museum, etc. Besides it, the city is also famous for the adventurous activities like paragliding, trekking, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, ultralight aircraft flights, and many more. 

  • Phedi

Phedi is the place from where you will start trekking. It is reachable from Pokhara and is accessible by jeep, taxi, or local bus. The elevation level of the phedi is approximately 1,181 meters (or 3,875 feet) above sea level, which is why the phedi is chosen as the starting point for the Mardi Himal trekking. 

  • Deurali

Deurali, also known as Pittam Deurali, is the notable village and the first rest point after the hours of the Himal mardi trek. The elevation at which Deurali sits is 2100 m. Forests that are incredibly lush and green surround the village. From the village, you can see the occasional glimpse of the prominent peaks like Machhapuchre and annapurna south. 

In Deurali, you can find several teahouses and lodges that provide basic accommodation and meals for trekkers. The surrounding landscapes feature lush green vegetation and wildlife good for birdwatching and nature photography. 

  • Forest camp

Forest camp is the beautiful place during the mardi trekking. The destination is located at an elevation of approximately 2,520 m. The area around the camp is rich in biodiversity. You can expect to see wildlife like langur monkeys and Himalayan tahr. 

There are approximately 12 teahouses that provide basic lodging and meals. Most of the trekkers who are heading towards mardi himal base camp spend a night in the forest camp. 

  • Low Camp

Mardi Himal low camp is one of the best places to stay during the Mardi trekking. It is because from the low camp, you can see the early glimpse of the stunning Machhapuchhre himal along with the mardi himal. The low camp is situated at an elevation of 2,970 meters (9,744 feet) above sea level. 

The altitude level of the low camp makes the trekkers easy to transit to the higher elevations. The surrounding area of the camp is covered with beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. Additionally, there are a number of teahouses run by the Gurung and Magar communities, making it the ideal location to stop at night.

  • Badal Danda

Badal danda is the place where you can see the best views of the cloud and reflects the frequent cloud cover. That’s why it is named Badal Danda (Cloud Hill). The hill is situated at an elevation of approximately 3300 meters. If you want to skip the low camp, the badal danda becomes the best place to spend the night. 

From the hill, you can see the stunning views of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna south peaks. If the night sky becomes clear, then it is an excellent place for stargazing with excellent views of the Milky Way and constellations. The environment of the hill is rich in biodiversity too. 

  • High Camp

Mardi Himal High camp is situated at an elevation of 3,580 meters (11,745 feet). The trek from Badal danda high camp is a 4-hour walking distance. The high camp is a popular spot for photography, from which you can take close shots of mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre. 

There are lodges and guesthouses where you can stay with meal options ranging from local Nepali cuisine to Western dishes. the area of the high camp is rich in ecosystem diversity, which makes the place perfect for activities like bird watching, wildlife photography, and many more.  

  • Upper viewpoint

Upper viewpoint is one of the fascinating view points in Annapurna region from where you can see the panoramic views of the peaks like Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. You may spot wild life like Himalayan monal and Himalayan deer. The mardi himal upper view point is located at an elevation of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet).

  • Mardi Himal base Camp

Mardi Himal base camp is the main destination of the Mardi Himal trekking. The mardi himal base camp altitude is 4,500 meters (14,763 feet). From this camp, you can see the close views of the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna I, Mardi Himal, and so on. 

Due to the mardi base camp height, the weather there is cold. Also, there may be the chance that you spot a snow leopard and other wildlife.

  • Siding Village

Siding village is the traditional settlement located at an elevation of approximately 1,750 meters (5,741 feet) above sea level in Annapurna region of Nepal. The village serves as important stop on the return journey from the mardi himal base camp. This is the final village for the mardi himal trek 5 days. However, it is the second last stop for the classic mardi himal trek. 

  • Lumre

Lumre is the final trekking destination of the Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary. The destination is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,206 meters (3,956 feet). There are several traditional Nepali villages surrounding the Lumre area where both Bhramin and Gurungs reside along with other castes. 

Why us?

3S: Safety, Success, and Satisfaction

Booking a Mardi Himal Trek package with Mystic Adventure Holidays offers superior service and benefits. Here's why:

  • Client Safety: Our trips are organized with the utmost safety in mind.
  • Best Price Guarantee: Ensuring you get the best value.
  • Free Transfers: Complimentary airport-to-hotel and return transfers in a private vehicle.
  • Expert Guides: Trained, government-licensed local guides with extensive route knowledge.
  • Support for Locals: Helping local communities earn a living through tourism.
  • Health Monitoring: Oximeters to monitor oxygen levels during high-altitude treks.
  • Medical Preparedness: Guides equipped with medical kits to handle any situations that may arise. 
  • Essential Gear: Arrangements for sleeping bags and down jackets.
  • Free Storage: Secure storage at our office for extra luggage during your tour.
  • Convenience: Duffel bags for transferring items to be carried during the journey.
  • Porter Service: A free porter to help carry your heavy bags.
Trip Gallery
Itinerary

At Mystic Adventure Holidays, our intention is always to follow the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary. However, due to the nature of travel, we may need to make slight changes because of unforeseen circumstances such as weather-related cancellations or delays of domestic flights, natural disasters like landslides, newly enacted laws, political unrest, or trekkers' health issues, including altitude sickness. While the itinerary is brief and fixed, it also includes flexible areas. Therefore, we advise travelers to allow a few extra days in Nepal.

We highly recommend that you arrive one day before the trip starts to rest and purchase any necessary clothing, gear, and equipment for the hike. You can also use this extra day for a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, acclimatizing, or rescheduling international flights in case of potential weather delays or domestic flight cancellations.

We appreciate your flexibility and look forward to providing you with an unforgettable adventure!

It is our regular day-to-day itinerary if you are looking for a customized itinerary. Don't hesitate to contact us.

Trip PlanExpand all

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Katthmandu, our company representative will greet you with graalands. then, you will be transferred to the hotel where you are staying overnight. Our company representative will assist you in checking in at the hotel. 

This day, no activities are scheduled. so you can enjoy it on your own or you can acclimtize in the hotel room and take rest. if your energy permits, you can visit places like Swoyambhu Nath Stupa, Boudhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and so on. 

Max Altitude: 1350 m Meals: Welcome dinnerAccommodation: Apsara Boutique HotelDuration: 30-45 minDistance: 6km

An extra day in Kathmandu will introduce you to the Nepali lifestyle and culture and also give you time to do final preparation for the trek. The day begins early, and you will go on a guided tour of Swayambhunath, the famous Monkey Temple. 

From here, the tour guide will take you to the holy Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhnath Stupa. Both of these temples hold significant religious values for Hindus and Buddhists. You will end the tour at Kathmandu Durbar Square, visiting the palace and courtyards.

Later in the afternoon, we will introduce you to the trek guide, who will give you a short briefing about the trek and help you with the final preparation for the trek.

Max Altitude: 1,300 m Meals: Breakfast only & Welcome DinnerAccommodation: Apsara Boutique HotelDuration: Full Day

The Kathmandu-Pokhara drive is long. You will be following a well-made road that goes along the rushing Trishuli River, offering stunning views of rolling, lush green hills and cascading waterfalls. On a clear day, you may also get to see a glimpse of snow-capped mountains from a distance.

Upon reaching Pokhara, the City of Lakes, we will help you with check-in. Enjoy the remaining day exploring the Lakeside Market.

Max Altitude: 822 m Meals: Breakfast & lunchAccommodation: HotelDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 200 km

From Pokhara, you will drive to Phedi. It is the starting point of the trek. The trail from here includes stone steps and terraced fields. You will pass by remote villages and dense forests before reaching Dhampus.

After taking a short break here for lunch, continue trekking towards Deurali, a small, beautiful village that offers fine views of Mardi Himal, Mt. Fishtail, and Annapurna South.

Max Altitude: 2,100 m Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 30 min drive & 4-5 hrs trekDistance: 24 km

The trail steeply ascends through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, hemlock, birch, and daphnia. Along the way, you may get to see wildlife like deer, monkeys, leopards, and many species of birds. After enjoying the views of snow-capped mountains, you will reach Forest Camp to spend the night.

Max Altitude: 2,520 m Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 9 km

From Forest Camp, the trail continues through dense forests to Low Camp. The vegetation and views along the route will be fantastic. You may see fellow trekkers as well in the peak season. Spend some time in the evening, connecting with locals and observing their mountain lifestyle. It is going to be a short trek day today. Therefore, you will have a lot of time to rest and enjoy the trek.

From Low Camp, you will begin trekking towards High Camp, relishing stunning views of the Annapurna range, Mt. Fishtail, and Mardi Himal. You will come out of the forests, and the trail finally opens up to clear views of the snow-capped mountains. Trekking through scrub forest and open meadows, you will follow a narrow route to the High Camp.

Max Altitude: 3,600 m Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 9 km

Today, you will wake up early in the morning and hike to the Upper Viewpoint to witness a glorious sunrise and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The trail ascends along a narrow ridgeline to the Upper Viewpoint. After spending some time there, you will retrace the trail back to High Camp and take lunch, then back down to Low Camp to spend the night.

Max Altitude: 4,500 m Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 16 km

Following a different route, you will trek towards Sidhing village. The trail ascends through lush forests and small settlement areas. You will get a closer look at the local community's lifestyle and their practices in this village.

Max Altitude: 1,700 m Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerAccommodation: TeahouseDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 18 km

Have a delicious breakfast and begin descending towards Lumre. From here, you will drive back to Pokhara. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to rest and enjoy as per your wish.  drive to Pokhara overnight Pokhara: 2-3 hours trek trekking and 2 hours driving. 

Noted:  explore Pokhara. Drive to Pumdikot to catch the gorgeous sunrise and visit tourist sites like Davis Falls, Bat Cave, Gupteshwor Cave, etc. Pokhara is the city of outdoor adventure. You can do paragliding, bungee jumping, cycling, ultra-light flight rides, and many others. If you want to do any of these adventurous activities, do let us know. We will arrange it for you (not included in the package cost). 

Max Altitude: 822 m Meals: Breakfast & lunchAccommodation: HotelDuration: 3-4 hr trek & 1.5 hr driveDistance: 54 km

After breakfast, you can choose to drive or fly to Kathmandu. Both ways offer excellent landscapes. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will drop you off at the hotel. Take your time to rest and unpack from the trip. Later, visit the local market and explore more. Window shopping is very famous. In the late evening, meet with the team members for the last time over a farewell dinner.

Max Altitude: 1400 m Meals: Breakfast & farewell dinnerAccommodation: Apsara Boutique HotelDuration: 6-7 hrsDistance: 200 km

Here concludes the journey. Today, it is time for you to return home. Our Mystic Adventure Holidays airport representative will send you off 3.5 hours before you arrive in Kathmandu, following a traffic jam that we observe, and upon your arrival, we will assist you with check-out and transport you to the airport before the time of your flight. The time has come to bid Dieu.

We dress you in traditional khada in anticipation of your safe journey and good fortune.  It's time to say farewell. We put you in traditional khada for good luck and a safe flight. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to plan your trip. I am glad to be part of your Nepal journey. I hope you have a wonderful time in Nepal. see you again, Nepal, once, but never enough. Have a safe flight back to your home. Best wishes from Mystic Adventure Holidays.

Max Altitude: 1350m Meals: Breakfast onlyDuration: 30-45 minDistance: 6km
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Cost Details
Included
  • Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle during your international arrivals and departures 
  • Welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali kitchen with a cultural dance show
  • 3X-night accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast (Apsara Boutique Hotel and kantipur village hotel)
  • 2X-night accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast (Kuti Resort and  aabas hotel ) or similar standard
  • Kathmandu city sightseeing in private vehicles with a city tour guide 
  • best available teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • Pokhara to Deurali Jeep transport
  • Sidding-to-Pokhara Jeep Transport
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek, including 3 times tea or coffee per day
  • All ground transportation, as per the itinerary 
  • An experienced, licensed, and English-speaking trek leader and assistant trek leader, if necessary 
  • Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter).
  • Staff costs include their salary, insurance, equipment, food, and accommodation
  • Mystic Adventure Holidays trekking bag/duffel bag, which you can put your things in and carry by porter (duffel bags need to be returned at the end of the trek)
  • A call for rescue if any emergency happens
  • An achievement certificate
  • Mystic Adventure Holidays  t-shirt and trekking map as souvenirs
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader).
  • All government, local taxes, and operating expenses
Excluded
  • Nepalese visa fee
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Domestic flight (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s), 10% of You Pay and driver(s)
  • Noted: In case you want to cancel or return something that happened on the mountain, you don't get refund Check the terms and conditions 
Route Map
Mardi Himal Trek
Altitude Chart
Mardi Himal Trek
Dates & Availability

For private departures, contact us anytime. We also have custom-designed Mardi Himal Trek itineraries for travelers who want to make changes to our fixed Mardi Himal Trek itinerary. 
 

Essential Info

Best time to go

The best time for mardi himal trek is during the months from March to May and September to November. These months offer the best weather conditions favorable for trekking. The day time temperature around mardi himal region ranges from 15°C to 25°C, while night time temperatures can drop below 10°C. 

It is called mardi himal trek best time because the skies are clear and there is less change of rainfall. However, Mardi Himal trekking cost is higher as the trekkers come to trek on a large scale. As alternative, you can try during winter seasons with proper gear and preparations. 

Difficulty level of the trek

The mardi himal trek is graded as moderately difficult. The highest elevation that you will reach is the height of Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is at 4500 m. The whole trekking journey spans 11 days in which you have to walk 6 days, with average walking hours ranging from 5-7 hours per day. 

The treks are suitable for beginners as the mardi himal trek altitude is not as high as compared to the Everest Base Camp trek. however, the trails can be rough and steep in some sections. So trekker’s should have a reasonable level of fitness. 

Permit required for the trek

The permits required for the trek are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card. Both permits can be acquired at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. the expenses of the permits are included in the Mardi Himal Trek cost inclusions. 

The cost of an ACAP permit is NPR 3000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1000 for SAARC nationals. Besides it, the TIMS card costs NPR 2000 for individual foreign trekkers, NPR 1000 for group foreign trekkers, and NPR 300 for SAARC nationals. The documents like a valid passport, two passport-sized photographs, travel insurance details, fee, and Mardi Trek itinerary are needed during obtaining the permit. 

Food and accommodation

The Mardi Himal hike is a teahouse hike. Even though the tea house is pretty basic, there will be no difficulty in spending the night. We will pre-book the rooms for you to make sure you will have a place to spend the night in peak seasons. 

There are many restaurants along the trail where we will have lunch and dinner. We usually have breakfast in the tea house, where we spend the night. It's not necessary but it's a different kind of culture. For meals, you can get Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Continental dishes. Of course, the options will be limited, and the taste may not be the same as in the city.

Weather and Temperature

You will experience the best weather from September to November and March until May in the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek. You can trek in monsoon and winter as well. The morning and night will be chilly near base camp, while in lower altitudes you will experience normal temperatures. The temperature in the base camp ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to -3 degrees Celsius. 

Flight, Transportation, and Luggage

If you are a foreigner, you need to have a visa to travel to Nepal. As soon as you land in Kathmandu, our representative will pick you up and take you to the hotel via private bus or taxi. You must be flexible during your itinerary as the Kathmandu to Pokhara flight gets delayed due to weather problems. We will transport you via public bus, car, or jeep during your stay until you start your trek. There is a luggage limit of 23 kg during your International flight. When you are traveling via domestic flight, the weight limit of baggage is 20 kg. 

High Altitude Sickness & Trekking Grade

The Trek to Mardi Himal takes you to an altitude of only 4,500 meters, so there is no chance of altitude sickness. Bring Diamox in case you suffer from altitude sickness. The grade of Mardi Himal trekking is moderate and anyone can complete this short trek. 

 Toilet and Shower facility

There is a comfortable room with an attached bathroom in the first few days of the trek. When you cross forest vamp or low camp, you have to share a bathroom in the tea houses. You need to pay USD 1 to USD 2 per litre for a hot shower in the teahouses and lodges.  

Telephone, Internet, and Electricity

The Internet and telephone network are available in a few places during your hike. You can use the internet facility in tea houses but you need to pay the extra charge. There will be electricity outrage if rainfall occurs. 

Trekking Equipment & Trekking Days

All the necessary gear and equipment are available at reasonable rates in Kathmandu Valley. So, avoid paying extra costs for heavy luggage on international flights. Normally, it takes 11 days to hike the Mardi Himal trek from arrival day to departure day. Once you start your trek, you need to walk throughout the day, which may last for more than 7 hours a day You will start your trek after having breakfast at teahouses and will stop for lunch on the way. We will end the day by reaching the destination and having a warm dinner with your teammates and team leaders. 

Customized itinerary and trip extensions

We customize itineraries for hikers who want to trek in their free time. We organize trips according to your schedule and can extend your trip by adding other adventures. In addition to Mardi Himal Trek, we can organize trips to Langtang, Everest, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Manaslu, Mustang trekking, Mountain Flight, water rafting,  jungle safari, City tour (Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Lumbini ), homestay Tour, Nepal Cultural Tour, Tibet tour, Bhutan tour or India tour extension as per your time limit. 

Tips to make the Mardi Himal hike journey smooth

  • Keep yourself hydrated to avoid high-altitude sickness. Drink at least 2 liters of water every day. 
  • Trek slowly and carefully. The trail can get rugged at some point.
  • Carry your favorite snacks and bars.
  • Do not buy water bottles along the trail; get a reusable bottle to drink water from. Plastic water bottles can get very expensive.
  • Buy a Nepali SIM card with data to use the internet on trial. You may not get a stable connection everywhere.
  • You may have to pay a few extra bucks to use WiFi, take a hot shower, or charge your devices at some places; therefore, carry enough cash with you. There are no ATMs on the trail. 
  • Extra batteries or a solar charger will come in handy.
  • Do not touch or eat any flowers/fruits randomly on the trail.
FAQs

March to April and October to November are the best months of the year to do Mardi Himal trekking. 

If you are trekking from Kathmandu, then you have to drive from Pokhara to Phedi, which is the starting point of the trek. From here, you ascend, passing by Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp.

Mardi Himal Trekking is a moderate trek. The trail is doable for people of all ages. There are a few rough sections, but anyone can trek on it with proper guidance.

The cost of the Mardi Himal Trek may differ as per your itinerary—generally, the trek costs between USD 490 and USD 1750. You can also do this trek on a budget, but you must cut off some services.

It takes around 5 to 7 days to trek to Mardi Himal from Pokhara, depending on your fitness level. 

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