12 days Mardi Himal Trekking
Mardi Himal trekking within few years of introduction in trekking market of Nepal is getting high attention from trekkers. Consequently, the numbers of trekkers in Mardi Himal trekking is growing rapidly. It is amazing, in such a short span of introduction, the trekking is attracting numerous trekkers. Especially from other parts of the Annapurna trekking region.
Mardi Himal trekking can be a perfect choice for trekkers. Including, for those who want to skip busy and crowded trekking path of Annapurna trekking region. Moreover, the trekking is short and beautiful. Since the trekking is gaining popularity only in recent years, trekker can enjoy undisturbed raw culture of Gurung community.
As usual, the trekking starts at a tropical region with beautiful forest and terraced crop fields. Trekker treks through the temperate landscape and gradually ends at sub-alpine trekking region. Nice beautiful countryside villages, farms, forest, waterfalls, and stream makes trekking beautiful and mesmerizing. The best part is trekker makes a day hike to alpine region and return back to sub-alpine climatic zone to spend the night. As a result, no requirement of spending trekking night at snowline/high-altitude in Mardi Himal trekking. Probably, the most attractive part for amateur and beginner trekkers.
Apart from Mardi Himal itself, the trekking is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a close-up view of Fishtail, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Himchuli . The numerous ridges and view tops provide the unrestricted views of the landscape of Annapurna. Sunrise at early dawn makes the mountains appear cluster of orange gemstones. Plus, hiking to Mardi Himal Base Camp itself is an adventurous way to explore the deep Himalayan region.
Interestingly, trekker can continue to other popular trekking regions of Annapurna after completion of Mardi Himal trekking. For example, trekker has the option to add Ghorepani Ghandruk, Annapurna Base camp, Khayer lake trek itineraries.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 International Arrival in Kathmandu(1300m)
Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Permit preparation day, briefing by official executive, handing assignment to guide
Day 3 Drive/ Flight to Pokhara(850m)
Day 4 Drive to Phedi and Trek to Deurali (2100m)
Day 5 Trek from Deurali to Forest Camp (2550m)
Day 6 Trek from Forest Camp to Low Camp (2980m)
Day 7 Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3540m)
Day 8 Exploration to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) and return to High Camp (3540m)
Day 9 Trek from High Camp to Sidhing village (1700m)
Day 10 Trek from Sidhing village to Lumle and drive to Pokhara (850m)
Day 11 Drive/ Flight to Kathmandu (1300m)
Day 12 International Departure
Note: This is a standard itinerary proposed for general trekkers which can be modified until then, that do not violate our business ethics and norms. We will always seek verification from our field experts before approving your itinerary.
Detailed Day to Day Itinerary
We will drive you straight to your hotel in private vehicle as soon as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu. We will give you short briefing on our final agreed program. And if you are the first time traveler in Nepal we will give information about restaurant, ATM, money exchanges and other useful information until we meet for next day.
There are various major cultural historical and religious places around Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur for sightseeing. Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar square are our top lists. Most of them are listed on UNESCO world heritage sites. Later in the evening we will arrange dinner with your trekking guide so you can know each other and talk about your trekking itineraries.
If you want to drive to Pokhara it is always better to start in the morning after your breakfast, it will be little tiring day due to 6-7 hour drive. Driving from Kathmandu offers you to enjoy interesting zigzag road of hilly part of Nepal along with diversified culture, landscape and people all the way to Pokhara. The flight is short from Kathmandu to Pokhara but you can have leisure time to spend around lake-side of Pokhara, which is always a happening place for the visitors.
After breakfast in Pokhara drive to Phedi and start the trek. Climbing on stone stairs through terraced rice field, villages and forest can be hard for first time trekker for first day in tropical region. Once reaching Dhampus the trekking becomes more beautiful and easier as well. Trekker can see beautiful Fishtail and Annapurna from Dhampus. Walking through the rhododendron forest to reach Pothana is mesmerizing. Deurali is small settlement at the ridge from where trekker can enjoy the beautiful sight of Annapurna, Fishtail and Mardi Himal if the weather doesn’t remain foggy.
The trekking path steeply descends for the first section of trekking from Deurali. Then trekking gradually climbs to reach the Forest camp. The trekking path is quite in between the dense forest dominated by rhododendron. Trekker can occasionally catch glimpse of mountain ranges through the dense forest. Forest camp is beautiful settlement with dense forest at the background. Trekker can explore the surroundings to kill the time
The trekking day is short from Forest camp to Lower Camp. The general purpose to spend the night at Lower Camp is to enjoy the magnificent view and acclimatize. Even though acclimatization is not really necessary. Again, from Forest camp trekking stretches through the dense forest primarily temperate forest. However, landscape gradually changes and so does the vegetation. Trekker can enjoy occasional view of Annapurna south. Low camp is great spot to enjoy the magnificent view of Fishtail along with sunrise and sunset.
The landscape sharply changes from Lower Camp and so does the vegetation. After walking about an hour from low camp, the trees gradually disappear literally giving the sense of trekking in sub-alpine region. Climbing on the open ridges one can see unrestricted view of Fishtail and Annapurna south. Upon arrival on High Camp, trekker can explore the beautiful ridges for spectacular landscape. This helps for acclimatization as well in the changing environment, air, temperature and humidity.
The day starts early in the morning. Climbing steep up the climatic zone changes from sub-alpine to alpine through narrow path. More barren, isolated and rocky. The altitude makes the climbing hard and time consuming yet the beautiful landscape motivates to continue. Enjoy and capture the moment at view point surrounded by Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Fishtail, Himchuli and continue to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The day will end upon arriving at High camp.
From High camp the trekking retraces the same trekking path till Low camp. The trekking landscape changes sharply from sub-alpine to lower temperate while trekking back. The vegetation becomes thicker and much greener along with beautiful terraced rice fields. Enjoy the authentic and raw countryside landscape and culture of people while trekking to Sidhing. You can enjoy your last trekking dinner with your guide and porter as tribute to their hard work for making your trekking successful.
From Sidhing village we descend down enjoying the hilly region of Nepal. Couple of hours descend and we are at Lumle. Famous for agriculture research and development. From Lumle drive to Pokhara in private vehicle. After refreshment, enjoy a walk around lakeside and dine in fine restaurant in the evening.
From Pokhara either you take a short flight or take a road transportation to Kathmandu in accordance to the agreement we made before the start of trek.
Our office representative will be in your hotel 3 hour prior your flight time to drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport.
what's included?
- All Airport Transfers.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara with Bed and Breakfast.
- Tea House Accommodation during Trekking.
- 3 Meals in Trekking Breakfast Lunch & Dinner.
- Air and Road transportation as per the agreement made.
- All the necessary trekking staffs and porters for the trekking including 1 English speaking guide.
- All the paper works and documents required for the trekking including all the permits.
- Sleeping Bag.
- Salary, wages, food, accommodation and transportation of all the Nepalese staffs during trekking.
- Insurance of all the Nepalese staffs during trekking.
- First Aid Kit Bag(specially for Nepali staffs).
- All local taxes and fares.
What's not included?
- International Flight Fare.
- Visa fees.
- Travel Insurance (mandatory) of all the clients that needs to cover medical and Helicopter evacuation.
- Expenses of Personal nature (Laundry bill/Telephone bill/Equipment Charging Bill/Bar bill etc).
- Expenses incurred due to the unexpected situation (Strike/Natural calamities).
- Tip to trekking staffs.
- All Expenses not mentioned on Cost Includes section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Mardi Himal Trekking
1. What is Mardi Himal trekking?
Mardi Himal trekking receives the name after the Mardi peak (5587m) that lies on west-north of Nepal. It is also known as Mardi Himal Base Camp trekking, from where expedition to Mardi Peak is carried out.
2. How can I go to Mardi Himal trekking?
Drive or take short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Start trekking next day after driving to Phedi.
3. What is the landscape features of Mardi Himal trekking in general?
The trekking starts from tropical region with dense forest, terraced crop fields. Gradually end on one of the most beautiful landscape of Base Camp of Mardi Himal.
4. Why is Mardi Himal Trekking is so popular?
The easy and short access is the main reason. Furthermore, beautiful landscape, forest, terraced farm, mixed Nepali culture and tradition makes this trekking busy. Unlike other itineraries of Annapurna trekking region, this trekking region is relatively less crowded.
5. What kind of weather and temperature can I expect during Mardi Himal trekking?
The weather and temperature is highly unpredictable on mountain.But generally, during March April May (spring) and September October November (autumn) you can expect clear and warm day , while evening will be cloudy and cold. The temperature is freezing during morning and evening in upper trekking region while lower region has tolerable cold.
6. What equipment do I need to trek to Mardi Himal trekking?
Good pair of trekking boots, thermal wear, fleece jacket, Down jacket, light weight wind cheater, trekking pants and shorts, long sleeve and short sleeves T-shirts, rug sack or duffel bag, personal day bag, gloves, enough pair of socks, sunglasses, headlight, woolen beanie caps, water bottle, personal toiletries, gadgets and books depending on numbers of days.
7. I am amateur trekker in Nepal, is this trekking suitable for me?
Yes, amateur trekker can trek to Mardi Himal with our guidelines without any difficulties. No requirement of spending nights at snowline and alpine region makes this trekking attractive to beginners as well.
8. How flexible is Mardi Himal trekking itinerary?
Amateur trekkers are strictly suggested to follow our trekking itinerary to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Trekker can add itinerary to Annapurna Base camp, Ghorepani Ghandruk and Khayer lake trek upon completion of Mardi Himal trekking.
9. What if I finish Mardi Himal trekking before schedule date?
We strongly advise you to follow the agreed final itinerary since we do not refund the trekking money. But somehow if you finish earlier we will always try our best to adjust the reservation of your accommodation and flight.But we cannot guarantee during peak season.
10. What permits and documents do I need to trek to Mardi Himal?
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card is required to trek on this region.
11. What kind of food and Room can I expect during Mardi Himal trekking?
Generally, the food is fresh, tasty and can choose wide range of dishes from menu cooked by moderately professional cooks. You will get comfortable and clean common twin bedroom throughout trekking. However, the trekking recently got attention so trekker might not get as much as luxury and options like other trekking regions of Annapurna.
12. What about drinking water during trekking?
Plastic water bottle are available in tea houses. In spite of that we highly recommend you to avoid plastic bottles and use boil water instead. As well you can buy high grade water purification tablets on your home country or in Nepal.
13. What can I expect from Nepali staff?
Guide speaks good English. So there will be no any problem for communication. While porter might or might not speak English but you can always ask your guide to know more about the porter if you are interested. Nepalese trekking guides are friendly and responsible with good sense of humor so you can open up for any conversation you like.
14. Do I need to buy Medical and evacuation Insurance?
Yes, this is mandatory. You can purchase the insurance policy on your home country or we can assist you to buy the policy in Nepal.
15. Do I need special vaccination or Medical assessment before starting Mardi Himal trekking?
Generally, any kind of vaccination is not required. But,if you have long term health problem and under regular surveillance of your doctor it is recommended to consult your doctor. Though we provide basic medicines to our Nepalese staff but for you we advise to bring the general medicine from your own country.
16. Is there risk of Acute Mountain sickness (AMS)?
Certainly, there is always risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) if you choose random trekking itineraries. Furthermore, if you do not follow the standard itinerary but we always provide you the best and safe itineraries to avoid this deadly situation.
17. What should I do if I get Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
We are always concerned with your safety. We suggest talking with your guide ASAP and descend to safe altitude. And if the situation doesn’t get any better we evacuate you immediately with helicopter. Hence, take you for further medical examination in designated hospitals or clinics.
18. What is the price of Mardi Himal Trekking?
We have provided you various options on our website homepage to know approximate price regarding the trekking in Nepal; however there is always room to reach final agreement through private emails if there is any. We assure you there will be no any extra cost once we reach the final agreement.
You are always welcome to send us private messages for the information that you could not find in this section regarding Mardi Himal Trekking. We will always provide the accurate information within 12 hours upon receiving your messages.
CANCELLATION
Free cancellation up to 60 days prior departure, after which the deposit becomes non-refundable.