Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal is located just east of one of the most legendary trekking destination of Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Mardi Himal Trek is an unseen gem yet. Few trekkers make their way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp outstandingly positioned at the base of Mardi Himal and the Annapurna region’s most iconic mount Machapuchhre literally meaning “Fishtail”. The trail goes along small winding paths, through enchanted rhododendron forests until you climb out of the forest at an elevation around 3,300 meters. The landscape changes quite abruptly into a rugged high mountain landscape, with amazing views of Mardi Himal, Machapuchre, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

From High Camp (3700m; some maps incorrectly mention 3900 m) you can climb up to Mardi Himal Base Camp in about 3-4 hours, which offers spectacular close up views of the entire Annapurna Range. There are simple guesthouses and homestays along the entire route. If you plan to do this trek in the winter months please check with  Kathmandu based registered adventure trekking company operated by enthusiastic trekking pioneers.

• DAY 01

  Arrival in kathmandu and drive to hotel.O/H kathmandu

• DAY 02

  Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali (2200m, about 4 hours trek)

  After a nicely cooked hot breakfast; we drive an hour to Kande and commence our trek at Kande the elevation of 1770 meters. 1.5 Hours climb up takes to beautiful hamlet of Australian Camp at the altitude of 2100m. The trail to Australain camp from Kande is up hill and pleasant easy walk up to Pothana from there, and it is gradual walk up to Deurali (2200m) about 2 hours where you stay in a tea house lodge for the first night. It is an easy start for the first day.

• DAY 03

  Trek to Low Camp (2,900m);7 hours walking

  From Deurali; I leave main Annapurna Sanctuary trail and take an off the beaten trail to Mardi Himal Base camp to the right side and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Some 4 hours of jungle walk will bring us at the in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar, here we take a lunch break then we still continue to up to Low Camp through the forest however as we ascend the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron and the trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns. At Low Camp there are now four lodges. You may find it long and tough day. It is fine for regular fit trekkers, if you are beginner or moderate trekker then you can split the day and total trek will be 7 days while our pre-set itinerary is 6 days. Overnight in Low Camp

• DAY 04

  to High Camp (3,150m) 5-6 hours trekking.

  1.5 hours climb the through rhododendron forest takes us to Middle camp then to Badal Danda offers stunning view of Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal itself. An hour or so above Low Camp the trail breaks out above tree line and towards the west there is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, this one has eight rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

• DAY 05

  to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m); 5-6 hours Trekking.

  The plan for today is to wake early for sunrise view of the mountains then after an early breakfast walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections however overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer the sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a number of herder’s huts along the way. After three hours you should reach Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

• DAY 06

  Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking.

  On the way back we take a different route so completing a circuit, from Low Camp there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and you will probably eat dhal baht in the evening with the family in their kitchen.

• DAY 07

  Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara- 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving.

  From Siding you walk out to the road head at Lumre, on the way from Siding you will pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet jeep organised by Wilderness Excursion in advance to drive you back to Pokhara.

• DAY 08

  After breakfast drive to Kathmandu.

• DAY 09

  After Breakfast drive to airport.