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Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek Facts

Package: Mardi Himal Trek
Duration 4 to 10 Days
Price USD 850 per person
Transportation Flight/Private vehicle or tourist bus
Group Size 2+
Difficulty Easy
Max Elevation 4200m, Mardi Base Camp 
Accommodation Hotels/Mountain Lodges and Camp
Meal Local Nepali Food, Indian, Italian, Tibetian, and common continental meal
Trip Start / Ends Kathmandu / Pokhara / Kathmandu / Pokhara
Contact Detail (Viber/Whatsapp) +9779843724104
Trip Note: Price offered is full inclusive and it is quoted in USD. Trip will only starts when you will arrive to Kathmandu International Airport. The given itinerary is just a standard itinerary and could be customized on request.
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Table of Content.

Trip Overview

Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively new Annapurna trek - shorter and slightly challenging with amazingly close vistas of the famous peaks in the Annapurna range.

The Mardi Himal trekking offers a taste of wilderness and a feeling of solidarity with nature. The trail begins from Phedi with a mild uphill and weaves through paddy fields, beautiful rhododendron forests, and communal villages. The well-marked trail climbs along stone-paved paths and intersects gorgeous villages inhabited by the Gurung, Tamang, and Magar communities, indigenous to the mid-hills of Nepal. As you eventually make your way alongside ridges and get closer to the Mardi base camp, greenery becomes rare. Still, the vivid Machhapuchchhre (Fishtail) and Mardi peak along the horizon invigorate the trekkers’ spirits. From the viewpoint above the High Camp, you can witness Himchuli (6,441m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m), Machhapuchchhre (6,997m), and Mardi (5,553m). Rare animal and bird sightings 

A significant section of the trail lies inside the biologically diverse Annapurna Conservation Area. Unique bird and animal species are known to frequent the forests and the high mountains of the Mardi trekking route. Although several media to short trails directed to the Annapurna Base camp exist and are frequently walked, the Mardi Himal trek with its distinct charm, seclusion, and more comfortable trail appeal to trekkers of varying degrees of experience and skill.

Trek to Mardi Himal Base is an outstanding alternative route to the classic Ghorepani Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp Trek in the Annapurna region. The recent favorite trek to Mardi Himal is a great short hike near Pokhara, offering one of the best views of the Annapurna Himalaya.

Mardi Himal is an extended, increasing crest on the southwest angle of Macchapuchare Mountain. Machhapuchare Mountain has a height of 6993m. It makes a fishtail with its twin peak. So, the Nepali name is Machhapuchare, which means “Fishtail.” The ridge of Mardi Himal leads to a High camp, which is at an altitude of 3,620m. We spend the second afternoon acclimatizing and seeing the views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchare Himal, Himchuli, and many more beautiful peaks. You will get a glance at other famous mountains like Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

En route to Mardi Himal, the site is populated by Gurung, Magar, Chhetri people. You will notice that they have a mix of culture and tradition and get to know about their lifestyle and other things. In the early days, you will trek into the lovely forest, and after your trek to low camp, you will get a good view of Machhapuchhre (fishtail), Annapurna south, and Himalchuli Mountain. We will continue our few days to get a great view of the whole Annapurna range and Mardi Himal.

Mardi Himal Trek is a popular destination for international as well as a domestic tourist as Mardi is an easier trekking route in the Annapurna region. Mardi Himal trek is a short but high altitude trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, where we stay in teahouses. Try local food, appreciate the hills, mountain landscape, and marvel at the panoramic views of the massive Himalayan mountains including Annapurna, Machhapuchre, Hiunchuli, and Mardi Himal. 

Mardi Himal Trek Highlights

  • Rewarding mountain views within a short trek
  • The astounding Mardi viewpoint that places you right in front of Himchuli (6,441m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m), Machhapuchchhre or Fishtail (6,997m), and Mardi (5,553m). Mt. Machhapuchchhre seems beautifully within reach from here.
  •  An equally good panorama from the Mardi Himal base camp
  • Cultural exploration at villages like Dhampus and Deurali that are beautifully placed in front of pleasant panoramic views
  • The most famous tourist place of Nepal - Pokhara is the entry point of this trek.
  • Trek through the less crowded and newly opened trekking can offer the experience of the off beaten path of Nepal. 
  • Experiencing the closest view of Mt. Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. 
  • Trek through the traditional village, lush green forest, and majestic natural beauty.
  • Experience the stunning view of snow-capped mountains like Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Himchuli, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre, Mardi itself, and numerous beautiful mountains. 
  • Breathtaking view of Sunset over Fishtail from Mardi Camp

MARDI HIMAL TREK FACTS

1. Connected with Annapurna Circuit Trek and Poon Hill Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is a perfect blend of the two most famous trekking trails of Nepal; Annapurna circuit trek and Poon Hill Trek. The trail goes through many sections where one can connect with the Poon Hill Trek. You can always extend your trek to these destinations. This trek is also well connected with the longer route of Poon Hill.

2. Natural & Cultural Diversity

Mardi Himal Trek is full of natural phenomena and ancient culture. The whole region is rich in biodiversity and panoramic landscapes. You will see picturesque villages, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, green hills, dense forest of rhododendron, oak, and juniper, several species of animals and birds, and stunning snow-capped mountains. Along with these, you will get to see the blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. Trekking in this region will offer you to experience the lifestyle, culture, and tradition of the ethnic groups like Chhetris, Brahmins, and Gurungs.

3. Off the Beaten Trail

Mardi Himal Trek is one of the less exposed regions of Nepal in comparison with the other areas. The trail is less crowded, and very few trekkers have gone through this isolated trail to the high and mysterious valley of Mardi. Even though the path is off-beaten, it is not challenging as a few other treks. The trail will be rocky and full of ascents and descents.

4. Closest view of Annapurna Himalayas

Trekking in this region will offer you to witness the closet views of gorgeous Annapurna Ranges and other surrounding Himalayas. You can go on a separate expedition to these Annapurna Ranges and Himalayas as well. Throughout the trail, you will see spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and hills. However, the main highlight of this trek is the breath-taking views of massifs like Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,010 m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), and Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m).

5. Two Routes

Most people don’t know that there are two routes to reach the High Camp. The first one is for those who have enough time on their hands and want to trek safely. You will drive to Phedi and trek to the Australian Base Camp. Further, the trail will continue towards High Camp by going through Deurali, Forest, and Low Camp. Or, you can reach Forest by going through Pothana Nayapul, Ghandruk, Landruk, and continue towards Low Camp and reach High Camp.

The second route is short yet more adventurous and thrilling. The trail is dangerous, and you need to have the technical climbing knowledge to go on this route. The majority of the trail includes a steep climb on the rocky path. You will trek to Sidhing and continue towards High Camp.

Mardi Himal Trek Cost

1 People (per pax) 2-3 People (per pax) 4+ People (per pax)
$940 $900 $850

Mardi Himal Trek for Nepali

We have designed a Mardi Himal trek (5night/6day) for Nepali adventure lovers.

5 night 6 days Itinerary for Nepali:

Day 1: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kande - Australian Camp 

  • 07:00 am: Pick up 1
  • 2:00 pm: lunch in Mulling or Damauli.
  • 16:00 pm: arrive in Kande tea break and Walk 40-minute walk up to Australian Camp and overnight in hotel

Day 2: Australian camp to Forest camp

  • 07:00 wake up
  • 08:00 Breakfast by Pothana
  • 12:00 Lunch Deurali Overnight Forest Camp

Day 3: Forest camp to high camp

  • 07:00 am: wake up
  • 07:30 am: breakfast
  • 12:00 pm Lunch in Low Camp and Overnight in High Camp

Day 4: High camp to Mardi Himal base camp to back to high camp

  • 04:00 am: wake up Bring packing Breakfast set hiking to VIEW POINT and MARDI BASE CAMP(4500M).
  • Return back to High Camp.

Day 5: High camp to Sidding

  • 06:00 am Return Down to via SIDDING. If you like to stay in you can stay in sidding else you can return back to Pokhara.

Day 6: Pokhara Sightseeing and Back to Kathmandu.

4 night 5 days Itinerary for Nepali:

Day 1

  • 07:00 am Pick up 12:00 pm lunch in Mugling or Damauli.
  • 16:00 SIDDING

Day 2

  • 07:00 wake up
  • 08:00 Breakfast
  • 12:00 Lunch in Low Camp Overnight High Camp

Day 3

  • 04:30 am wake up Bring packing Breakfast set Hiking to MARDI BASE CAMP (4500M) Back to Low Camp.

Day 4

  • 06:00 am wake up
  • 07:00 am Breafast
  • 12:00 am Lunch in Forest Camp Overnight Deurali

Day 5

  • 06:00 am wake up
  • 07:00 am Breakfast
  • 12:00 pm Lunch in Pokhara after Lunch Boating in FEWA TAAL. Drive Back to KATHMANDU.
  • 06:00 am Return Down to via SIDDING If you like more stay to sidding or want can back to Pokhara.

Day 6: Pokhara Sightseeing and Back to Kathmandu.

Trip Includes:

  • All ground transportation
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day
  • Accommodation of 2-3 sharing basic each day
  • Photography
  • Trip guide

Trip Excludes:

  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Mardi Himal trek price for Nepali

Package Type Price (Per Person)
Premium package NRS 15000
Economy package NRS 13000

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

A representative from Hiking Annapurna receives you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel. You may sit back and relax. Later, in the evening, we meet you at the hotel to brief you on the plans for the trek. A welcome dinner serving Nepali cuisine is hosted for you along with cultural programs. You are dropped off at your hotel for the night’s rest.

Included: Airport pick-up, Welcome Dinner, Accommodation with breakfast

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 200km 827m / 2713ft [6-7 hrs]

PokharaWe board a tourist bus to Pokhara in the morning for a drive along the Prithvi Highway to Pokhara. The Trishuli River along the highway, roadside markets, farms, and bridges make the road trip enjoyable. We check in to our hotel in Pokhara. In the evening, we take a pleasant stroll around the lakeside area and explore nearby places of interest. Overnight in Pokhara.

Included: Tourist bus to Pokhara, Accommodation in a tourist standard hotel with breakfast

Day 03: Drive to Phedi (1130m / 3707ft ), Trek to Pothana (1990m / 6529ft ) [3-4 hrs]

Pothana Trekking

We get ready for a short road trip after breakfast. The drive is along the Pokhara-Balgung Highway for an hour to Phedi, the Mardi Himal trek start point. We start climbing the stone-paved trail weaving through terraced fields, small villages, and forests to reach Dhampus. The trail that follows makes for a pleasant walk through beautiful rhododendron forests and settlements. Macchapuchchhre makes a pleasant appearance as we approach Pothana. A neatly lined traditional styled lodges with impressive gardens and Fishtail in the northern skyline makes Pothana a beautiful place to stop for the night.

Included: Lodge accommodation with a full board of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Day 04: Trek to Forest Camp (2550m / 8366ft) [5-6 hrs]

Forest Camp Trekking

We continue along the trail, adorned with colorful rhododendron flowers. A few hours later, we reach Pitam Deurali, where we are treated to a wonderful vista of South Annapurna, Himchuli and Machhapuchchhre. A pleasant feeling of tranquility can be sensed as the trek continues deeper into the forests with a few clearings along the trail. More rhododendrons and the possibility of rare bird sightings excite us. Forest camp (locally, Kokar) is a clearing amidst the forest and welcomes us with a small lawn. We can see the Mardi trail winding high up ahead. Overnight at Kokar.

Included: Lodge accommodation with a full board of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Day 05: Trek to High Camp (3600m / 11811ft) [5-6 hrs]

We resume after breakfast with a winding climb through dense forests of oak and scattered rhododendrons. The forested trail ahead heighten the possibilities of rare wildlife sightings. We cross a small stream just before Low Camp. From here, the trail takes a steep ascent, and we significantly start to gain altitude. The forests around get a little sparser with slim-trunked trees highlighting the gradual change in vegetation. The ascent gets more significant before Batase Danda after which, greenery is reduced to only grasses and shrubs. We now walk along the ridge making brief ascents on stone steps, the mountains appearing unbelievably close. Finally, Machhapuchchhre dramatically appears above the High Camp, where we spend the night.

Included: Lodge accommodation with a full board of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Day 06: Trek to Mardi Base Camp (4500m / 14764ft) [2-3 hrs], return to High Camp [2-3 hrs]

We start very early in the morning to enjoy favorable weather and purity. We start with an ascent along the narrow ridge. The hike along the slopes also has a few descents. The trail is generally covered in snow. On reaching the top, the magnificence of the mountains is captivating. A vista of mountains: Himchuli (6,441m), Annapurna I (8091m), Singhachuli (Fluted peak) (6501m) Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m), Machhapuchchhre or Fishtail (6,997m) and Mardi (5,553m) open up in front of us. Behind us, the valleys look stunning and give us an idea of how much we have climbed in the last few days. We descend down to High Camp, have lunch, and rest through the afternoon. Overnight at High Camp.

Included: Lodge accommodation with a full board of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Day 07: Trek to Sidhing (1850m / 6070ft) [6-7 hrs)

After breakfast, we start our return trek along the descending trail from High Camp. The trail descends alongside sparse forests and pastures to reach Sika Kharka and continues through more forests, farmlands and small villages to reach Sidhing, our stop for the night. Sidhing is a quiet place to spend the night and enjoy an amazing morning view of Machhapuchchhre.

Included: Lodge accommodation with a full board of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Day 08: Trek to Lumre [2-3 hrs] Drive to Pokhara [up to 1 hour], Fly to Kathmandu [up to 30 minutes]

We wake up to a delightful view of Mt. Machhapuchchhre. We resume our trek and crisscross the graveled road arriving at Lumre. We are picked up from here and driven to Pokhara. We have lunch and head to the Pokhara domestic airport to board a flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, we are received by a staff member who escorts us to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kathmandu.

Included: Breakfast, Accommodation in Kathmandu

Day 09: Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

After a gratifying trek in the natural heritage of the Annapurnas, we have set organized a wonderful trip to the cultural heritage of the historic Kathmandu Valley. A city sightseeing tour of the four UNESCO world heritage sites: Pashupatinath, Baudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath starts in the morning. Our city tour guide picks you up from the hotel after breakfast.
In the evening, a farewell dinner is hosted by Hiking Annapurna for the team to celebrate the success of the trek. The dinner is a great time to share our wonderful trek experiences before we part way last night in Kathmandu.

Included: Breakfast, Accommodation in Kathmandu

Day 10: Final departure

Your final day in Kathmandu. You may take your time relaxing at the hotel or enjoy a day out shopping, trying out local cuisines, or exploring other exciting places in the city. Drop-Off service to the airport for your return flight is arranged. We wish you a pleasant trip and hope to see you again.

Included: Breakfast, Airport drop-off

Mardi Himal Trekking Alternative Itinerary 2022

5 Days Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

  • Day 1 Drive to Dhampus and trek to Low Camp
  • Day 2 Trek to High Camp
  • Day 3 Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp to High Camp
  • Day 4 Trek to Forest Camp
  • Day 5 Trek down to Phedi and drive to Pokhara

4 Days Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary via Shiding from Pokhara

  • Day 1 Drive to Dhampus and trek to Low Camp
  • Day 2 Trek to High Camp
  • Day 3 Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp to Shiding
  • Day 4 Drive to Pokhara via Milan Chowk

Trip Includes/Exclude

Mardi Himal Trekking Videos

Mardi Himal Trekking FAQ

How to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp?

Generally, drive or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and start trekking from there. There are few different routes to trek in Mardi Himal. One is the most chosen route which starts from Kande and finishes in Siding. Another is the connecting route, which starts from Ghandruk and ends in Siding as well. This is the route for those who came from ABC or Poonhill trek. There is another shortest route as well, starts from Landruk and ends at Siding. If you have less time for the trekking, you can choose this option. Also, the longest one starts from either Ghandruk or Kyumi and ends at Kande. 

How are drinking water and toilet facilities?

In the mountain usually, the bathroom was made outside the teahouse or sometimes attached to the house but in one corner. In Mardi Himal Trek, the toilets are sharing basis and you’ve to use a bucket to carry water and your own toilet paper while trekking. 

Drinking water tab is available almost everywhere in this trekking trail but all are not safe to drink directly. So, carry your own bottle and water purifier along with you. Also, the teahouse and lodges sell the bottled water which you can directly use without a purifier. But we do not recommend this one, because it will make the trail trash and using plastic things in high mountains is against the conservation of nature. 

Quick Enquiry / Booking - Call / Whatsapp +977 - 9843724104

Price Starting From
USD 850pp

We do small group or private trip as your request.

For quick information contact us at WhatsApp/Viber +977-9843724104

This trip can get redesigned and redeveloped as per your taste, for more information please e-mail us at [email protected]

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