Highlights

  • Trek on an off the beaten path, through rhododendron forests, several suspension bridges, stone-paved trails, and charming villages.
  • The route of the Mardi Himal Trek is full of various species of exotic animals, birds, and plants
  • Dive into the rural lifestyle as you visit wonderful villages like Phedi, Deurali, Dhampus, and Siding
  • Explore the unique and vibrant tradition and culture of Magar and Gurung people
  • Enjoy the outstanding views of mountains like Mardi Himal (5,587 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna south (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Baraha Shikhar (7,647 m), Tent Peak (5,695 m), Singhachuli (6,501 m), Machhapuchre (6,993 m)

About Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek route takes you to one of the most serene and rewarding places of the Annapurna region. As the trekking permit for foreigners only started in 2012, this route is not as popular as other trekking routes of this region. Still today, few visitors have even heard of this route. However, it is no less impressive in terms of beautiful landscapes and mountain vistas than the more popular trekking routes. It is an ideal route for those who seek solitude on the trail. 

Mardi Himal trekking journey starts from Pokhara, where you will spend a day exploring the lakeside city. Then you will be driven to Kande from where your trekking officially starts. You will cross rivers, deep and dark forests, and rocky trails encompassed by beautiful scenery at every step. You will stay in settlements with beautiful vantage points, such as Low Camp and High Camp and trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp.

Our Mardi Himal Trek package is designed in such a way that you get the best experience that one can get in this less-traveled zone. We take you on the unpopulated trail so that you can explore more of these beautiful places in a peaceful way. Throughout the journey, you can explore Magar and Gurung culture and day to day life, as well as stay at their tea houses. You will get to explore the diverse flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Your 5 days of Mardi Himal journey will be full of amazing vistas as you uncover the beauty of the Himalayas.
 

Available trip options for Mardi Himal Trek

Though this package starts from Pokhara since this trek is normally chosen by someone who has already spent a few days in Pokhara and want to start trekking from there, you can also start this trek from Kathmandu.  We have various options for transportation and accommodation, depending on your choice. To start this trip from Kathmandu, you have three transportation options:

1. Tourist Bus from Kathmandu takes about 7-8 hours to reach Pokhara and costs you from 10 to 25 USD.

2. A private car or jeep from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs around 150 USD total with a maximum of 4 people.

3. A domestic flight will take you to Pokhara from Kathmandu in about 25 minutes and costs 125 USD per person (for non-Nepalese travelers).

Note:  In case you want to start this trip from Kathmandu, accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara can also be managed upon your request. Contact us to know about the price and any other info.

Best time for Mardi Himal Trek

Though Spring and Autumn seasons are considered the best time for Mardi Himal Trek, it is possible to complete it in any season. The months of March, April and May make the trail vibrant with rhododendron flower and the climate is also favorable with pleasant temperatures. September, October, and November are equally enjoyable with low precipitation and mild temperatures. October is also a particularly special because Nepal's largest festival, Dashain, is celebrated. 

Autumn and spring are considered the best seasons for trekking because you have fewer things to worry about, but Mardi Himal Trek is totally doable in winter and summer as well. Because the trail does not reach high altitude, snow is typically not an issue, and if you are willing to brave the potential monsoon rains, the summer is great as well. However, you may have to pack extra jackets and sleeping bags for trekking in winter and mosquito repellents and waterproof jackets for monsoon trekking.

Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty 

Mardi Himal Trek is only moderately difficult and only takes you to relatively comfortable elevations. It only requires you to stay at an elevation higher than 3000 meters for two days. This means that there is a very less risk of altitude sickness. During the 5 days of trekking, you are required to walk for about 3-4 hours a day for 3 days. The longest time you have to walk in a day is about 7 hours on the second to last day. 

Even though Mardi Himal Trek is a bit easier than many other treks in Nepal, some physical training prior to the trekking can prove helpful. 
 

Food and drink during Mardi Himal Trek

Food during Mardi Himal trek is minimalistic as you will stay in tea houses run by local people and the region is rural, not accessible by easy transportation. Dal Bhat, pasta, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, cereal, eggs, fried rice, soup, etc. are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Water purification pills should be taken to fill and purify tap water in your water bottles. You can buy bottled mineral water if you want to, though it gets pricier as we go higher.

Any other snacks that these meals have to be carried by yourself as you can only find basic snacks in tea houses and shops along the trail. Also, snacks on the trail are much more expensive than in Kathamandu so it is wise to plan accordingly. 
 

Mardi Himal Trek Route and Map

The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp starts from Pokhara. You will have a short ride to Kande and trek to Forest Camp on the first day. You will then trek to Low Camp the next day and to the High Camp the other day. From High Camp, you will trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp and get back to High Camp and stay overnight. The next day, you will return back using a different route. You will stay at Siding village and continue your trek to Lumre and drive back to Pokhara.

Itinerary

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On the first day, you will take a ride to Kande from Pokhara. You will start trekking from there. After walking for almost one and a half hours from Kande, you will reach the Australian Base Camp from where you will get the first-ever glimpse of the mountain range. You will walk through the trail covered with forest and reach Pothana. After about an hour, you will reach Pitam Deurali and stay there. You can spend your time exploring the lifestyle of the local people who reside there.

Leaving Deurali, you will ascend gradually upward from the Forest Camp on the second day. Walk the trail covered with Rhododendron forests for 5-6 hours to get to Low Camp. You will have a captivating view of Mt. Fishtail and Mardi from Low Camp. You will spend your day roaming around and enjoying the serene environment between the jungle with the panorama of the Himalayas on the horizon.

You will ascend uphill along the ridge towards Mardi Himal. You will get the mesmerizing view of the Himalayas from High Camp. You will then hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp also known as Upper View Point for about an hour in a quite narrow and steep path. However, the view from the Base Camp is worth everything. You will catch the beautiful view of mountains such as Mardi Himal (5,587 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna south (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7,647 m), Tent Peak (5,695 m), Singhachuli (6,501 m), Machapuchare (6,993 m) and others. After grasping the mesmerizing view of the surroundings, you can get back to High Camp and take a rest.

You will descend to Pothana from High Camp walking along with beautiful forests surrounded by mesmerizing landscapes. After walking for almost 7 hours you will reach Pothana. The village is a beautiful place to crash yourself after walking all day. You will get closer exposure to the lifestyle of the local people.

On the last day of your Mardi Himal trek, you will walk on a beautiful trail after having your breakfast in Pothana. The trail is an easy downhill and takes about an hour. Reaching Phedi, a private vehicle will take you to Pokhara. Sublime Trails will be happy to find a perfect accommodation and plan other activities in Pokhara for you. You can also let us know about your plans for the next trip and we will help to make it possible for you.

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What's included

Included  Not Included
  • Meals: 
    4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • Accommodation: 
    Tea house accommodation along the way for 4 days
  • Transportation:   
    All land transportation with pickups and drops
  • Guides and Porters:
    One guide and assistant guide between 6 people 
    1 porter for two people (A porter can carry up to 30 kg)
  • Entry Fees and Permits:
    Annapurna Conservation Area Entrance Fee
    TIMS Card
  • Miscellaneous: 
    Down jacket, a Sleeping bag which should be refunded to the company after the trip
    Necessary paperwork with the government of Nepal and Tax department
    All the necessary insurance for the guides and porters
    First Aid service in case of minor injuries
    Salary, food, and accommodation for guides and porters
  • Any meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu
  • Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects (We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to any reason
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, cold drinks, bottled or boiled water, hot shower, etc.)
  • All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including mineral water
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Tipping for the Sublime crew

Good to know

Can I trek solo to Mardi Himal Trek?

The trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp is easy and well marked. So you can trek to the Base Camp alone as well. However, you should plan carefully before pursuing the trek without a guide. It is better not to trek solo in monsoon season as the trail will be slippery so, travel in group or guide for your own safety. In peak seasons, it is better to book the tea houses early as they will be crowded and there is a high chance you won’t get the room.

Trek to Mardi Himal with a guide is relatively easy and organized but it is possible to trek solo. It is much more valuable, though, to go with a guide, as they are more knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, local culture, and names of the peaks along the trail. 
 

Can I take a shower during Mardi Himal Trek?

Yes, you can take a shower during the Mardi Himal Trek. You can take showers in the tea houses you will be staying in during the trek. However, it is uncomfortable to shower with cold water at high altitude, and you have to pay an extra price for hot water. 
 

Does cell phone and internet work during the Mardi Himal Trek?

Yes, cell phone and internet works well during the Mardi Himal trek. The network coverage might be weak at some places but it works most of the time during the trek. For the internet, you can use mobile data provided by Nepal Telecom or Ncell. The tea houses provide you with the facility of charging the batteries. However, you have to pay an extra price for service and there might be a long queue to charge the batteries during the peak seasons. 
 

Is it safe to trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp?

Yes, it is safe to trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek is only moderately difficult. The trail is easy and well marked. There is a risk of altitude sickness to some extent but if you acclimatize properly and trek slowly and steadily, you can complete the trek easily. The trail might become slippery during the monsoon season which might be risky. Otherwise, the trek is safe throughout the year.

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FAQs

The trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp is easy and well marked. So you can trek to the Base Camp alone as well. However, you should plan carefully before pursuing the trek without a guide. It is better not to trek solo in monsoon season as the trail will be slippery so, travel in group or guide for your own safety. In peak seasons, it is better to book the tea houses early as they will be crowded and there is a high chance you won’t get the room.

Trek to Mardi Himal with a guide is relatively easy and organized but it is possible to trek solo. It is much more valuable, though, to go with a guide, as they are more knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, local culture, and names of the peaks along the trail. 
 

Yes, you can take a shower during the Mardi Himal Trek. You can take showers in the tea houses you will be staying in during the trek. However, it is uncomfortable to shower with cold water at high altitude, and you have to pay an extra price for hot water. 
 

Yes, cell phone and internet works well during the Mardi Himal trek. The network coverage might be weak at some places but it works most of the time during the trek. For the internet, you can use mobile data provided by Nepal Telecom or Ncell. The tea houses provide you with the facility of charging the batteries. However, you have to pay an extra price for service and there might be a long queue to charge the batteries during the peak seasons. 

Yes, it is safe to trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek is only moderately difficult. The trail is easy and well marked. There is a risk of altitude sickness to some extent but if you acclimatize properly and trek slowly and steadily, you can complete the trek easily. The trail might become slippery during the monsoon season which might be risky. Otherwise, the trek is safe throughout the year.

Customer Reviews

  • Best Trek to Mardi Himal

    - Julian, Australia

    Mardi Himal was slowly becoming a popular trekking destination in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. So I thought I would do both the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Mardi Himal trek whilst I was in Nepal. Sublime Trails arranged both of these treks for me.

    Mardi Himal Trek was a fascinating one. I went to Low Camp, High Camp, and Mardi Base Camp. These places offered some of the most beautiful views of the mountains like Annapurna, Machapuchare, and Gangapurna. Frankly, it is difficult to choose whether ABC trek was better or Mardi Himal trek. Let's just say both of them were equally fantastic.

    A major part of why I had a great trip was down to the arrangements of Sublime Trails. The hotel, tea houses, and lodges they provided along the trek were pleasant. The food served in these places was equally terrific. 

    The guides and porters seemed to cater to your needs frequently. They helped us interact with the people of this region. 

    All in all, it was a superb trip with a superb trekking agency like Sublime Trails. There is no other trekking company that I would recommend you to take this trip than Sublime Trails. 

  • Best time ever in Mardi himal trek

    - Khayone Afia, South Africa

    Our guide and the tour operator Sublime Trails were the most professional people I met during my hunt to find the best people to plan trekking for me in Nepal. They also noted why, when and how and told me that Mardi Himal Trek would be the perfect one for me. With three other people, we headed towards the most beautiful mountain scenery we had ever seen. It felt like I was in a dream or something. It was so unreal but real at the same time. I have no complaints or bad thing to say about these people. Only one suggestion for everyone who want to travel to these places in summer, dont forget to bring mosquito repellent. Except that, perfect.

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