Mardi Himal Trek - 9 days, Itinerary, cost, Package, route

Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek – 9 days
Mardi Himal trek is a short and easy trek near Pokhara
Explore the alternate angle of Annapurna massif.
Reach the confluence point of Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal.
Walking along the lush green forest of Nepali mid-hills and spotting many rare animals and plants.
Explore the most serene and tranquil route of Annapurna Sanctuary.
Spend our days and nights at well-equipped local teahouses and small hotels.
Wide angle and close view of many mountains like Himchuli, Tukuche, Mardi, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre.
Spending time with the local Ghale and Gurung people and knowing their heritage culture in detail

Mardi Himal Trek – 9 days Photo Gallery

Annapurna south View from Mardi Himal Trek

Tea House at Lower camp of Mardi Himal Trek

Overview of Mardi Himal Trek – 9 days

Mardi Himal Trek should be your top choice if you are profiling for a quiet and disturbance-free trekking experience. Prior to around 2015, the route was very uncommon and lacked many basic amenities for trekkers.

This made high-quality trekking a challenging affair because of the lack of basic amenities. However, things have changed lately. Hotels and basic trekking facilities have become easier to find.

The 9-day Mardi trek has been designed to meet the needs of trekkers of all age groups. Mardi Himal Trek route offers an alternate viewing angle of the mountains inside Annapurna sanctuary and beyond. The route is full of thundering waterfalls and rivers.

Animals like Jharal, mountain bear, and boar are common in the forests of the region. The area is also home to exotic medicinal plants like yarsagumba, setak chini, paanchaule, etc. It is the best route for trekking than the challenging route of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

We will commence our trek from a place called Phedi. We will reach Phedi in a vehicle before the actual trek starts. The road from Phedi is along stone-paved stairs which travel through dense forests of Rhododendron, Pine, Fir, etc.

The Mardi Himal View Point provides a 360-degree view of many famous Himalayan peaks in the central region of Nepal, including Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 2 Himchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi.

We will return from an alternate route while going back to Pokhara. The route leads to the picturesque Siding village. Siding is an archetypical village of the local Gurung people. We will continue to Pokhara by driving from Siding village.

What is the Mode of transportation to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu?

Tourist Bus: There are many tourist buses that depart every day from Kathmandu to Pokhara by 7:00 AM morning from Sorakhutte Khusibu Marga Kathmandu. It takes around 6 – 7 hours. From Pokhara Leave at 7:30 am to Kathmandu. It cost US$10 per person. The Deluxe Tourist bus costs US$30 per person.

Private Car: US$110/ Jeep US$140/ Van US$190: You can Hire a Car/ Jeep / Van in your group size. If you hire a private vehicle, it will be more flexible.

Flight: Every day, there are many flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu. It would be comfortable and short travel if you take a flight to Pokhara. It takes 25 minutes from Kathmandu and cost US$100 per person one way.

Mardi Himal Trek – Should I worry about any other things?

Mardi Himal Trek is an easy trek near Pokhara. Mardi Himal Base Camp is at an altitude of 4,500 m. This makes it a full 470 meters higher than the Annapurna Base Camp. While the Mardi mountain itself is much less in altitude compared to the Annapurna mountain – 5,587 m versus 8,091 m, the base camp of Mardi is much higher.

This makes the trek to Mardi Base Camp a slightly challenging affair. Moreover, we will be crossing the distance in fewer days, thus making everyday walking a little arduous. It is therefore advisable to have some prior trekking experience before embarking on this trek.

Altitude sickness should not be a worry if you follow all the trekking protocols and best practices along the way. Our travel guides will keep you informed about the dos and don’ts along the way. We request you to take a break from smoking during the trek if you have a habit of smoking cigarettes.

Itinerary of Mardi Himal Trek – 9 days

Day	Mode	Route Itinerary	Elev.(m)	Duration	Overnight	Included
1	Flight	Arrive Kathmandu - Hotel	1300	------	Hotel	D
2	Drive	kathmandu - Pokhara	822	6/7 hrs	Hotel	B
3	Drive/trek	Pokhara- Dhampus - Pothana	1920	4/5 hrs	Lodge	B L D
4	Trek	Pothana - Deurali - Forest Camp	2520	5/6 hrs	Lodge	B L D
5	Trek	Trek - Low camp - High Camp	3600	6/7 hrs	Lodge	B L D
6	Hike/tour	Hike - Upper View Point - back	4200	3/4 hrs	Lodge	B L D
7	Trek/drive	Trek - Sidding - Drive pokhara	822	6/7 hrs	Hotel	B L
8	Drive	Kathmandu - Pokhara	1300	6/7 hrs	Hotel	B
9	Flight	Kathmandu - Own Country	-----	-----	------	B

Note: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Detail Itinerary - Day to Day Route Description

Day 01: Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.

Our agency representatives will receive you at TIA, the only international airport in Nepal, and transfer you to your hotel. You will take a good rest to ease off your fatigue and prepare you for the journey that starts tomorrow.

Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (822 m/ 2,696 ft). Duration: 6 - 7 hours.

Today we will drive towards Pokhara – the gateway town of Annapurna sanctuary. The road from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes us southwest along the Mahabharata hill range.

The road that leads to Pokhara first travels along the Trishuli river. We will bid goodbye to the Trishuli river from a place called Muglin. From here, the road leads sharply westward along the banks of the Marsyangdi River.

We will get stunning mountain views from all along the road in the northward direction. We will reach Pokhara after a seven-year drive. Pokhara is a heaven on earth and is made more beautiful by its five major lakes.

Day 03: Drive to Phedi (1,130 m/ 3,707 ft) and trek to Pothana (1920 m/ 6,299 ft). 30 m drive and 3 - 4 hours walk

We will start the day with an hour of drive from Pokhara to Phedi. The road from Pokhara to Phedi takes about an hour and leads northward from the main city center of Pokhara.

We will leave the motorable road behind Phedi. We will enter inside a beautiful forest canopy right after we enter the trekking circuit. The forest is full of chirping birds and rare animals.

The most common birds in the region are Magpie, Cuckoo, Shripe, Barbet, and Spiny Babbler among others. Animals like deer, Himalayan goat, porcupine, langoor, and boar are common occurrences at this altitude.

We will reach a place called Pothana after about 3-4 hours of trekking. We will stop here for dinner and the night’s rest.

Day 04: Pothana to Forest Camp (2,520 m/ 8,267 ft). 4 - 5 hours

We will start our trek from Poyhana following breakfast. We will see stunning views of Mount Annapurna and Dhaulagiri along the way. This alternate angle of the Dhaulagiri mountain is very unique and different from the one viewed from other places.

The forest gets much denser as we move forward. We will notice pine trees getting more common as we move up the altitude. The climate also gets much cooler as we gain height.

Finally, after 5 – 6 hours of walk arrive at Lodge overnight. The rest of the time free to visit around.

Day 05: Forest Camp to Low Camp (2,985 m/ 9,793 ft). and trek to High camp ( 3600 M), 6 - 7 Hours walk

The first part of the trek today is difficult and steep. Once we walk for a short while, we will reach the top of a small hill. The hilltop provides a clear and wide view of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna mountains.

The second part of the trek is relatively easier. There are no major settlements except for a few teahouses. Most of the road is dominated by lush green forests on either side of the trail.

We will reach a place called low camp which is 2985 m we take lunch and breakfast and after we make to Hight Camp for the day. We will spend our night at High Camp at a tea house.

Day 06: High Camp to Upper View Point ( 4,200m/13,779ft) and Back High Camp , 4-5 hour

Today is the most difficult and most enthralling part of the trek. Our destination is the Mardi Mountain Upper viewpoint. We will have to gain an altitude of about 600 meters in a single day today. Moreover, we will also have to get back to high camp for the night’s rest.

The path is fairly steep and narrow. We will walk slowly but consistently. The Annapurna Valley starts to get visible on the horizon. We will see a breathtaking and complete view of mount Machhapuchhre as we reach the top of the viewpoint and see continue Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Annapurna 2 from the top and as well beautiful 360 degrees View.

We will stop at the top for rest and photos and, enjoy the spectacle and click some photographs. After enjoying the scenery fully, we will slowly descend down towards the High Camp for an overnight stay.

Day 08: High camp to Sidhing Village trek (1,529 m/ 5,016 ft). and drive to Pokhara, 4 - 5 walk and 2- 3 hours drive

We will say goodbye to the Mardi region and head downwards. We will trace the same path that we took earlier on our way up for the first part of the trek. Once we reach low camp, we will leave the original path behind and head southeast.

The path goes downhill and meets the Mardi river. This route is even more tranquil compared to the earlier route. The thundering river is our companion for the most part of the trek.

We will reach Sidhing village at the end of the trek. Sidhing is a relatively large village compared to other settlements in the region. It is home to the indigenous Gurung people. We take a lunch break here and after drive to Pokhara.

Day 08: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 6 - 7 Hours

Today, after breakfast drive back to Kathmandu. it takes about 6 – 7 hours. You will see the same view while you go to Pokhara from Kathmandu. It is the same road. overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Departure from Kathmandu or extend your trip

We will bid farewell to you today. Our agency will organize a short farewell program before dropping you off at the airport. You will board a flight back to your country from here and bid goodbye to Nepal.

or if you want to extend your stay in Nepal you may proceed.

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Includes/Excludes

What's included

Airport pickup and drop in private vehicle.
Hotel in Kathmandu with Breakfast
Hotel in Pokhara with breakfast
Kathmandu – Pokhara-Kathmandu on tourist bus.
Pokhara – Phedi and Sidding to Pokhara with private transport
Necessary papers and trekking permits ( ACAP permit and TIMS permit )
3 meals ( Breakfast, Lunch and dinner ) during trekking.
Seasonal fruits after night meal.
Accommodations in teahouse during trek.
Well trained English speaking guide ( with all his expenses and insurance).
For groups over 6 people – assistant guide ( with all his expenses and insurance)
Sleeping bag and Down jacket use if you need and return to office after trek
Free Ambition Himalaya T- Shirts
Free Mardi Himal trekking map
First aid kit with guide
Government taxes, paper works, and company service charges for the trek.
A complimentary traditional Nepali dinner on arrival.
Certificate of achievement can be prepared with the signature of company director and your local guide (only if requested).

What is excluded

Overseas airfare and visa fees ($30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days and $ 125 for 90 days ).
Travel, emergency rescue charge and insurance.
Food other than mentioned above, telephone bills, tea coffee.
Laundry charges and shower fees.
Wi-fi and battery charging bill during the trek.
Cost of porter if you need it ( we can arrange as your interest)
Lunch & dinner costs during Kathmandu stay.
Extra costs caused by natural disaster, flight delay, early arrival etc.
Extra incentives such as tips and gifts for the guides and porters.
Any benefits not mentioned in ‘cost includes’ section unless indicated on booking.
Lunch in Pokhara and Kathmandu.

Private Group Discounts Available

Number of People	Price Per Person
1 Pax	US$ 650
2 Pax	US$ 500
3-5 Pax	US$ 480
6-9 Pax	US$ 450
10-15 Pax	US$ 430
Over 16 Pax	US$ 400

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Trip Information

Trip Difficulty of Mardi Himal Trek 9 days

Elevation
The Mardi Himal Trek’s most significant challenge might be elevation. The height from Pothana steadily rises in 1000m increments until it reaches the peak altitude of 4200m. As a result, the risk of altitude sickness is there while at a high altitude. To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, one must take adequate breaks while trekking, eat nutritious foods, and drink energy-boosting refreshments. The risk of altitude sickness begins to linger at elevations exceeding 2000 meters, which is the typical scenario when undertaking the Mardi Himal Trek. Altitude sickness symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

Distance and Duration
The Mardi Himal Trek has a moderate to easy degree of difficulty. The trek will be simple, but it will take around 5 hours to complete 10 to 12 kilometers each day. Similarly, the trek’s entire distance, about 60 kilometers, will not be an issue if you put in a reasonable effort. Aside from that, the only difficult ascent will be from the High Camp to the Upper point. The terrain will be simple to ascend. Furthermore, this trial will not require you to pass that significant test to progress from one destination to another. Similarly, the terrain will be demanding in specific ways, but most trekking trails will be flat and stone-paved, making it easy to navigate.

Training and Workouts
Even though the difficulty level is relatively low, one must prepare in a certain way to rise over 4000m. Workouts will be essential, including breathing techniques and regular gym workouts, helpful to make this trek smooth. Regular physical activity will also be necessary to prepare your body for the trek and make it flexible before the expedition’s three-week period. Before going trekking, one can attempt mountain biking, jogging, swimming, and rock climbing. Altitude sickness simulation will be a significant additional area of practice. During the simulation, you can enter the space chamber with low oxygen and train yourself to climb over 4000m with oxygen deprivation.

Best time for the trek
Spring Season [March – May]
The heating rate will be temperate during the day, making trekking feasible. The Kaski region’s farmland shines brightly, surrounding the valleys. The region may occasionally see light rain, but the views will still be clear, and the atmosphere will be ideal for trekking. The temperature fluctuates from around 20 ° C. to -8 ° C.

Autumn Season [September – November]
During this season, enchanting greenery blankets the whole region. Foliage persists from the Forest Camp to the Mardi Himal base camp. Everywhere throughout the landscape, rhododendron blossoms make the region appear idyllic. The western wind may sometimes cause heavy rain, yet it provides clear vistas. Furthermore, the temperature at night might drop to -5 ° C despite being 22 ℃ during the day. Also, when trekking Mardi Himal during this season, one can witness dazzling festivals and ceremonies.

Summer Season [June – August]
During this season, clouds engulf the whole region. The moisture wind blowing in from the Bay of Bengal from the east impacts the highlands of the Annapurna Region, causing heavy downpours around the trail that leads up to the Mardi Himal. The adventurous trek is nevertheless enjoyable during this time of year. Sometimes it’s essential to be aware while you traverse steep inclines and waterways. This season also offers a great trekking experience along with the monsoon landscape. During the day, the temperature remains around 25 ° C, but it drops to -2 ° C at night.

Winter Season [December – February]
From low camp to high camp, the trek will be unbelievably freezing. The cold breeze rushes down from the north into the Mardi Valley, causing heavy frost and snow into the High Camp. Similarly, the foggy atmosphere along the trail may obscure the landscape, but one may still enjoy the trek during the winter season. The snowy landscape will be an enticing witness at an altitude of more than 3000m. The temperature will be approximately 10 ° C during the day and -12 ° C at night.

Why with us?
The top trek and tour organization in Asia, “Ambition Himalaya,” offers you to encounter the total thrill in the lap of Nepal’s Himalayas. Despite never receiving a single complaint, we have been offering our clients fantastic trekking expeditions for decades. Our innate professionalism and authenticity set us apart from other trekking organizations and elevate us to the top tier. Furthermore, the safety and security of our visitors are our first concern when it comes to serving the needs of our visitors. Then, after gathering all the necessary information, we take a look at what they want. Based on their preferences, the trekkers’ choices are taken into account while customizing the expedition. The itinerary will be distinctive, with more than 100 adventures to select from. Trekking options stretch from the western Annapurna Himalaya range to the Everest Himalaya to the east.

Furthermore, our guides and porters are capable of overseeing everything. Our guides can guide you through all challenges and surrounding areas with the correct knowledge of the specific site. Furthermore, as a government-approved trekking organization, there will be no dishonesty in the registration process or during the trek. Everything will be authentic, giving you complete faith in our offerings. More than this, we coordinate every segment of your itinerary, encompassing excursion prototypes, gear assembling, and many more. Furthermore, we have been progressively introducing more adventurous pursuits to our expeditions, including motorcycling, Jeep safaris, elephant rides, paragliding, Bungee Jumping, and cable car soaring. With all of these elements in place, there is a low possibility of any tourists being unsatisfied with “Ambition Himalaya treks and Tours” during their tour to Nepal and trek to the highlands.

Accommodation and meals
The accommodations will be fantastic the entire time you are on the Mardi Himal Trek. In Kathmandu, a three-star hotel offers exceptional service, a single bedroom, internet access, and a hot shower. As soon as you start the trek ascending to Mardi Himal, you’ll find teahouses where you can stay. Furthermore, you occasionally have to share a room at these teahouses, and the services will be essential. Although there may be a massive number of visitors at the hotels and lodges during the trekking season, you can still use all the facilities while taking in the breathtaking environment. The accommodations will also be the same and provide similar services in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Most of the teahouses along the way will incorporate some characteristics of the traditional Nepali architectural style. The exquisite wooden cottage-style teahouses will offer good services, the internet, and charging options.

More than that, the local staff of these teahouses will be gracious and perform an outstanding deed for you. These teahouses’ locations will shock you with a spectacular view of the Himalayan and Alpine regions. More than that, the lunch will be fantastic. There will be three meals included in the package each day. In addition, the fantastic breakfast includes a cup of tea and bread. Cereals, boiled eggs, fruits, and other breakfast-related items will all be available for selection. Furthermore, the teahouses around the Mardi Region will provide various lunch options, including Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Italian, Mexican, continental, and other delectable foods. The snacks include incredible regional delicacies like Momos, Chowmien, Pakoda, Biryani, and many more. On top of that, the lunch and dinner will be identical with the range of dishes option to choose from.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an essential component of the Mardi Himal Trek. Trekking throughout the Central area might have a variety of consequences. Therefore, one should be ready to overcome the challenges. In the case of an emergency, travel insurance offers protection for your finances. Travel insurance securely protects a significant chunk of your cash in case of an unforeseen circumstance. Natural disasters, including avalanches, floods, landslides, and earthquakes, may pose an issue. As a result, a rescue crew and additional support may be necessary. In this situation, travel insurance is ideal for protecting your monetary contingency backup.

Furthermore, it’s simple to obtain travel insurance in Nepal. Travel insurance is commonly accessible in Pokhara and Kathmandu. You can make one if you have the necessary documents, such as a passport and a photo. It will be beneficial if you provide the itinerary’s specifics and the helicopter rescue at a high altitude. Moreover, Depending on the season of the year and the number of days you will spend trekking, travel insurance prices start at USD 150. Without a doubt, travel insurance serves as a safeguard for your safety when trekking. It also helps you feel confident, considering that you will acquire competent rescue in an emergency.

A typical day on the trek
The enthralling trek begins with the taste of a cup of tea in the gorgeous alpine environment. The trek will begin at approximately 7:45 am, facing the sun. Following the gradual incline, the footsteps will feel the rugged stone route that leads to the spectacular destination, passing through pine trees, Rhododendron woodland, and picturesque Hamlets. During the trek, there will be streams and a suspension bridge to traverse. The daunting trek comes to a halt for lunch in the middle of the day. The trek will continue after lunch as you savor it and enjoy the scenery and nature. The trial again leads us tight into the wild verdant clouds, where one can sense the dampness and feel a new atmosphere.

The trek will continue to traverse the Himalayas ridge and steep rocky trials. Uphill and downhill terrain will continue until you reach the mesmerizing destination. Finally, at about 5 pm, one may rest in a tranquil Alpine hamlet and enjoy the pleasant evening. In addition, there will be some exploration of the surrounding area and conversation with inhabitants to discover more about that specific location. Moreover, we’ll have a quick snack and then wait for dinner. Dinner will be ready for us around 7 and 8 pm, and we will savor it calmly. Following that, there will be some indoor activities, such as chess and cards, in which the guides and porters will both engage them. Before getting an incredible night’s sleep, one can also read novels and watch movies.

Good to know, before you travel

Want to learn more about this journey in-depth? Essential Trip Information includes a thorough itinerary, information for visa processing, Accommodations, Food , Acclimatization’s and pretty much anything else you could possibly need to know about this tour. Read more inside.

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