- Quick Questions? Email Us info@hitthehimalaya.com
- Talk to an Expert WhatsApp - 519-619-9402
Best Season: May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
The Mardi Himal trek is an easy yet beautiful trek in Annapurna Region. Starting from 1-hour jeep ride from Pokhara, the trail begins from a place called Pothana. This trek is relatively shorter than other trails.
However, the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek offers you breathtaking views of many mountain ranges. Annapurna Range, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, and Mount Machhapuchhre are the mountains you can get a glimpse of. You will see beautiful small villages and irrigation fields along the way. You might encounter some wildlife in the area as well. Reaching Mardi Himal base camp gives you a feeling of being right in the lap of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre Mountain. You will pass through beautiful rhododendron, pine and juniper forest and spectacular landscape before you reach base camp. This trek is a complete package for trekkers who have limited time to explore Nepalese nature’s beauty.
Major Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek.
Our trek starts with a 6-7 hour ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara early in the morning. We will be on a hillside road for our whole journey. We will enjoy the beautiful view of villages and winding roads along the way. We will stop for lunch on our way to Pokhara. On our first day, we will stay on the lakeside and enjoy the beautiful lake city of Pokhara with amazing mountain views.
Early morning, we will take a jeep from Pokhara to Phedi. The jeep ride is only 1 hour but it’s very scenic. After reaching Phedi, we will start hiking up to Pothana through the beautiful rhododendron and pine forest. Our lunch stop for that day will be Dhampus. Dhampus is a beautiful Gurung community village from where you can see the spectacular view of the Lamjung, Manaslu and Annapurna mountain ranges. After finishing our lunch, we will continue climbing up to Pothana enjoying the beautiful landscape. At the entry point to Pothana, we will collect our ACAP\TIMS card from the checkpoint. We will enjoy our stay at Pothana on that day.
We will start our day early with a nice breakfast. Today we are hiking uphill and gaining some elevation. Hiking through a very deep forest along with the beautiful mountain view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and fishtail mountain, we will ascend towards Forest Camp. If you are lucky enough, you might encounter some wildlife as well. There is a high chance of seeing a beautiful bird called Lophophorus on this trek. Lophophorus is a national bird of Nepal and it has 9 different colours on its body. Forest camp is the last stop for that day where we will camp for the night.
After a heavy breakfast, we will start our hike uphill again. The journey today could be a bit tougher because you are climbing a higher altitude. After a few hours of climbing, the forest clears up and you will be rewarded with an astonishing view of Machhapuchhre mountain, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. The journey gets a bit easier in the middle. However, you will be ascending uphill until you finally reach high camp. You will be amazed to see the mountain so close to you upon your arrival at the high camp. Overnight at High camp.
Today, we wake up early in the morning for a beautiful sunrise over the Annapurna range. While enjoying a beautiful sunrise, we will eat our breakfast as well. After breakfast, we will start our hike to Mardi Base Camp. We will only take essentials on our way to base camp. The trail gets narrow and steep. Today you are reaching the maximum point of this trek which is Mardi Himal Base Camp (5300) Metres. A hard climb up to base camp is very rewarding as you will be surrounded by spectacular mountains and amazing landscapes. After spending quality time at the base camp, we will descend to the High camp and stay there overnight.
After breakfast, we will start descending from high camp to low camp. We will stop at the low camp for lunch from where we will take a path to Mardi Khola. Through a thick forest, we will continue climbing down slowly. After a relaxing hike for a few hours, we will reach the beautiful village of Siding. Siding is well known for its hospitality. We will enjoy a pleasing stay in the village for the day.
After enjoying a big hearty breakfast, we will descend to Lumre village. We will enjoy a beautiful and easy trail along with gorgeous villages and agricultural land. Upon reaching Lumbre, we will take an hour jeep ride to Pokhara. Overnight at Pokhara.
Today is the last day of our great adventure together. We will enjoy a bit of the beauty of Pokhara city and drive back to Kathmandu. We will drop you off at your destination in Kathmandu with a goodbye. You can explore the historic city of Kathmandu and enjoy your pleasant stay in Nepal until you return.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
TIMS Trekkers Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Gears needed:
Shoe: Pair of exceptionally good hiking boots and sandals
Clothes: Thermals, down jacket, wind and rainproof jackets, trekking pants, sports t-shirt, fleece, warm gloves, towels, winter hat, Inner garments, shorts, and a few pairs of good socks.
Accessories: Good trekking bag backpack, sunglasses, water bottle, water purifier, sunscreen, lip balm, Swiss pocket knife.
Equipment: Sleeping bags upto - 20 degrees celsius, duffel bag, hiking poles
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines (eg. diamox), bug spray.
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp is physically less demanding than other treks in Nepal, and it requires a minimum level of physical fitness. Exercises such as hiking, and cycling training will help prepare the body for the rigors of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.
