Mardi Himal Trek
Description
Mardi Himal Trek is an easy yet adventurous trekking trail in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trek takes you to the east of Annapurna range and Mt. Machhapuchhre (6997m). This trek is fairly popular because it takes a short time and you can experience the Gurung culture as well. Likewise, the trek offers amazing views of the mountains in Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges.
The trip starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The next day, you drive to Phedi and then start your trek to Pothana. Further, you trek to forest camp at Kokar via Deurali. You can relish the views of the Machhapuchhre (6997m) and Mardi Himal (5553m) on the trek. Then, you head to Low camp and trek further north towards the High Camp. Finally, you trek to the Mardi Himal Base Camp on the next day. Here, you can enjoy the views of Annapurna South (7219m), Machhapuchhre (6997m), and Annapurna I (8091m). Furthermore, you descend to Siding village and enjoy the Gurung culture and lifestyle.
Itinerary
-
Mardi Himal TrekDay 11 :
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu Airport.
Your arrival in Kathmandu will be marked by landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). A company representative of Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours will receive you and transfer you to your hotel. Evening you can meet the participants and the trek members. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus 6-7 hours. (B)
Today early morning will take a tourist bus to get to Pokhara and it takes about 6-7 hours from Kathmandu. We can enjoy a beautiful scenic view of terraced rice fields, eye-catching landscapes, Trisuli, and Marysngdi Rivers and spectacular panoramic views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Most of the Annapurna range are seen.
Evening you can walk around the lakeside and boating in Fewa lake to visit the Tal Barahai Temple (Island Temple)
Day 03: Drive from Pokhara to Phedi and trek to Pothana (1925m) 4-5 hours. (B/L/D)
We start the walking for 4-5 hours after driving for 30 min to astounding Pothana (1925m) Gurung village is our today`s destination. We are able to see the panoramic view of Machhapuchhe, Annapurna south, and Himchuli in today`s journey. Overnight stay at Tea House.
Day 04: Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp at Kokar (2600m) 4-5 hours. (B/L/D)
From Pothana you walk up to a place called Pitam Deurali where you will turn off the main Annapurna Sanctuary trek and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron. Tonight we stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp or also known by the locals as Kokar.
The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room so you will probably have meals in a kitchen with the owner, so in some ways, this is more like a home-stay and is a good opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.
Day 05: Trek from Forest Camp at Kokar to Low Camp (3150m) 5-6 hours. (B/L/D)
The trail continues from Forest Camp 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 two basic lodges one with a dining room with an open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) visible up the valley.
Day 06: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3700m) 4-5 hours. (B/L/D)
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 Himchuali. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colorful 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 a heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Himchuali, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
Day 07: Excursion to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) (B/L/D)
The plan for today is to wake early for a 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 Dokpo (yak/ cow crossbred) 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 4500 m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panorama view is spectacular looking at the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Himchuali and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
Day 08: Trek from MHBC to Siding village (1750m) 5-6 hours. (B/L/D)
On the way back we take a different route to complete 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.
Day 09: Trek from Siding village to Lumre and drive to Pokhara 3-4 hours. (B/L)
From Siding, you walk out to the road head at Lumre for 3-4 hours, 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. From Lumre we catch the taxi to Pokhara which is around an hour's drive.
Pokhara is the tourist’s paradise full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, Buddhist and Hindu temples along with the magnificent views of mountains. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 10: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus. (B/D)
On the way, you will be head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin, and Kurintar, where Nepal’s first cable car joins the Manakamana Temple. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city of Kathmandu.
Evening you can do shopping in Thamel for your friends & family. Evening we will celebrate the farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 11: Departure to Airport. (B)
A representative from Himalayan Adventure Treks and Tours will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
What's Included
Dinner
Breakfast
Lunch
Pick up from Airport and Transfer to the hotel by private car.
Two night’s 3* Hotel in Kathmandu and pokhara on BB plan.
Lunch,Dinner & Breakfast during trekking.
An experienced, helpful and friendly Guide, porter (1 porter for 2 clients)
Trekking permit.Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.
All necessary paper works.
All accommodations in lodges/tea houses during the treks.
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.
Arrangement of Travel rescue.
Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available)
All government taxes.
Last Night farewell dinner at authentic Nepalese restaurant with cultural performance
What's Excluded
Nepal Visa fee you may obtain easily in Kathmandu airport.
International air fare to and from Kathmandu.
Travel and rescue insurance.
Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
What do I need to bring?
Equipment List for Mardi Himal Trek:
Mardi Himal Trek is moderate trekking but however our long-year experience of operating Trekking to Nepal, We learn many things and would like to give some information to pack your equipment list for your Trekking and we hope, this information will be helpful you so success your trip.
Luggage/Duffle bag:
You will require a duffel bag or a backpack for trekking (65- 75 L) max and all our trekking stuff are kept in this duffle bag and this will be carried by our porters. However, Himalayan Adventure also provides the duffle back if needed.
A day backpack:
You will need a day backpack and you will be carrying it every day by yourself and we recommend you it has to be at least 25L and you can carry important documents like Passport, credit card along with a need to carry a water bottle, snacks bar and clothing layers (hat, gloves, fleece, sunblock, poles, etc…).
Trekking/Hiking boots:
Mardi Himal Trek is moderate trekking and It is very important to have good trekking boots and it should be waterproof (in case of snow, or rain) Make sure it should be fit on your feet and comfortable during walking. Also, recommend you bring the Crompton during the winter season in Nepal.
Sport Sandals:
You need to have a pair of sports shoes or sandals to use while you are in camp or tea houses after the trek.
Sneakers:
Mardi Himal Trek is a bit difficult trekking so sneakers are not suitable for this trek so you can leave your sneakers in Kathmandu hotel until you get back.
Sleeping Bag:
You need to have a lightweight sleeping bag that works for the minus 10 degrees for the summer season but during the winter we recommend minus 15 degrees for the trekking. Himalayan Adventure can provide it if you need one but has to be returned after the trek.
Fleece jacket:
You need to have good quality fleece jacket at least 1 synthetic jacket or pullovers are a great alternative to fleece because they are lighter and more compressible and gives you enough warmth during the trekking.
Down jacket:
Down jacket is compulsory and recommends you to bring the warm enough so can keep you warm during the Trek.
Socks:
You need to have at least 5 pairs of thick socks during the spring & autumn but winter and monsoon need at list 7 pairs of socks for this trekking.
Lightweight/ warm insulated pants:
You need to have at least 2 pairs of lightweight trekking pants like Lightweight expedition thermal bottoms, Nylon hiking shorts, Softshell and hardshell trekking pants, Water/windproof trousers, and Casual pants so we can use as the weather.
Short-sleeved shirts:
You need to have 2 ice-breaker merino wool to keep you warm from the cold or synthetic shirts and if you are not allergic to wool products, merino wool is the ideal for Mardi Himal Trek. Himalayan Adventure also provides the 1 company T-shirt as a souvenir.
Long-sleeved shirts:
You need to have at least three shirts.
Underwear:
You need to have few pairs of underwear and this can be as much as you need as there are no washing facilities every day on Mardi Himal Trek so, we highly recommend you to have enough pair of underwear.
Waterproof jacket:
You need at least one waterproof jacket for the rain/snow and wind for the Mardi Himal Trek and waterproof pants may be on option.
Head and face gear:
Sun Hat or cap during the day time, Woolen Hat for morning & Evening and Polarized sunglasses are compulsory.
Hand gear:
You need warm gloves.
Traveling supplies:
Adapter Plug for Charging the Camera and Mobile, Camera belt, Passport belt ( nice to have), Swiss army knife (option), Flashlight, Headlamp, Water bottle, Extra camera battery, Hand sanitizer, Alarm clock, Hiking poles (optional ) and Binoculars (optional).
Toiletries:
Razor, razor blades, shaving cream, aftershave toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, sunscreen, toilet paper, small towel, and period pads (for women).
Medication:
First Aid Medical Kit box (can be purchased in Thamel Kathmandu), Altitude Medicines (Diamox), Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, Anti-diarrheic, Powerful antibiotics, and Nasal Spray or Drops.
Know before you go
- Passport required
- Minimum age of passengers is: 8
Please Note
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Not stroller accessible
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Not suitable for pets
- No public transportation nearby
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time
Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.
Meeting Point
Thamel Marg, 44600 Kathmandu, NP
Language
English
0: id: 91763 cutoffHours: 24 charge: 100 chargeType: percentage percentage: 100 1: id: 91762 cutoffHours: 24000 charge: 0 chargeType: percentage percentage: 0
Cancellation Policy
-
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.