12-Day Mardi Himal Trek with Kathmandu Sightseeing and Base Camp

• Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city.

Meals: No

3* Accommodation

• After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel for a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, known as "The City of Glory". We will visit Durbar (Palace) Square, the epicentre of religious and cultural life, filled with old temples, historical significance, and glorious Newari architecture. Some of the sights include Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap, and Kumari Ghar, home to the Living Goddess.
• Afterwards, we will visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley.
• We will then proceed to Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard, while tourists can view the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River.
• Later, we visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist stupa said to be one of the largest in the world. This massive structure stands tall with four pairs of eyes, each facing the four cardinal directions, watching over the righteous behaviour of humanity and human prosperity.

Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner

3* Accommodation

• Our trip starts with a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, during which we will enjoy magnificent and sensational views of snow-clad mountains.
• We then begin our trek along the busy trail to Hyenja, passing the new water irrigation project. Shortly after passing the original Tibetan Refugee Camp, the trail divides.
• Take the right-hand branch, which leads north across paddy fields and then follows the west bank of the Seti Khola. The trail drops down to the river just after the confluence of the Seti and Mardi Khola.
• Cross the small bridge that leads to the village of Mardi Pul.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Basic Guest House

• The trail follows the east bank of the Mardi upstream before turning right up the hill to the Gurung village of Riban (1676 m). From here, the route becomes much steeper as it climbs uphill from the village, and shortly afterwards the trail divides. Taking the right-hand trail past some cowsheds, the path becomes even steeper.
• We will climb through the bamboo forest towards a massive slab of grey rock. The path bears around to the left on the rhododendron-covered ridge. Despite the steepness of the route, the ridgeline path offers ever-increasing views of the surrounding country.
• The path passes through a small clearing, Lalghar Kharka, and continues along a faint track to a high point on the ridge, which is Odane Hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3* Accommodation

• Being careful of the false trails, we will continue along the ridgeline, rewarded for the previous day's hard work with cool mountain air and a stunning panorama, with Machhapuchhre (6997 m) straight ahead. To the west is Annapurna I (8091 m), towering above Annapurna South (7219 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m), the western bastion guarding the entrance to the Annapurna Sanctuary. To the east are views of the granite mass of Annapurna II (7937 m), Annapurna IV (7525 m), and Lamjung Himal (6986 m), like the bulk of a sleeping elephant. Further east, beyond the Marshyangdi, are the triple giants of Manaslu (8156 m), Peak 29 (7835 m), and Himalchuli (7879 m).
• Eventually, a short, sharp climb leaves the main forest behind and leads us to a fine camping area amid alpine grassland at Kumai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Basic Guest House

• Today is a short yet relatively steep trek. Leaving Kumai, we will continue climbing steeply along the ridgeline to the grazing pastures called Khorchon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Basic Guest House

• The trail now leads steeply across a ridgeline to a hidden plateau beneath the south face of Mardi Himal and the southwest ridge of Machhapuchhre.
• Trek along the trail to reach Base Camp at around 4100 m.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3* Accommodation

• Leaving the base camp, we will descend through the high grazing country called Khorchon and follow the same trails back to Kumai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3* Accommodation

• Today, we will descend for nearly eight hours to reach Ghachok. Descending steeply, we will reach Odane Hill, and just before the high point, a small track goes to the left down the east flank of the ridge, dropping steeply to grazing country and a good lunch spot at Hile.
• Later, the trail descends even more steeply to the prosperous farming village of Ghachok in the valley of the Seti River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Basic Guest House

• Today is the last day of our trek as we continue along the direct route, crossing the Seti River to the east bank and following the main trail south.
• Descending along the east bank of the Seti, we will finally reach Pokhara in about five hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3* Accommodation

• Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. This is a leisure day that can be used for buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family.
• In the evening, you will be invited to join the farewell dinner, review great photos, and share experiences from the trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

3* Accommodation

• If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as a game drive at national parks, rafting, mountain biking, or tours to Tibet, India, or Bhutan.

Meals: Breakfast