Mardi Himal Trek is situated in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas and is a freshly opened trekking path. For a short hike in the Annapurna Region, this is one of the best. This isn’t yet as popular as others in Nepal it tends not to be as crowded. A perfect walk to enjoy the serenity.
This 7-day course starts from Pokhara so it is perfect for those in the Pokhara region looking to do a short trail. If you are starting and ending from Kathmandu, you need to add 2 days to the itinerary because it takes around 7 hours for the bus to and from Pokhara. This easy and amazing trail is all set to welcome you with amazing views and an entertaining time in Nepal.
Why Mardi Himal in 2023?
The cost depends upon the services you take and the itinerary you choose. For the above 7 days trial, it costs you about $550. This is the best price for the trip. The $550 includes your three-time food, accommodation, trekking permits, guide, and porter fees, and other necessary government documents with a trip completion certificate.
Service Cost Includes
Excludes
It is located in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. Hence, you must have Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP) along with Tourist Information Management System(TIMS) card to go up to the High Camp of Mardi Himal. Each of the permits costs you around $20 (i.e. $40 in total).
You may be checked for permits anywhere in the trek. If you want to make permits on your own(without a guide), you need your passport and fill small form to get these permits. You can get a permit either in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Mardi Himal is one of the easiest treks in the Annapurna Area. As we will be trolling through the forest, there won’t be any problem with altitude sickness(AMS). However, you have to walk up and downs. So you should have a good level of physical fitness. We recommend you do some physical exercises and warm-ups one week prior to the trek. So that you can walk easily.
Food
You can have typical Nepali Food(Dal, Bhat, Curry, Pickle) or some Italian dish. Generally, you can have om-lets, grains, bread, potatoes, and some fruits. Please don’t expect to get any 5-star dishes during the trip.
Accommodation
Mardi is in a rural area. Please do not expect any VIP stay. Hence, you should be comfortable accommodating in a small tea house/ guest house. There will be two single bedrooms in a room. You will get a shared room. And, there won’t be an attached bathroom. You have to share common bathrooms during each stay.
Autumn(Sept – November) is Mardi Himal Trek Best Time. April – May is another incredible time for the trail. From May-June, the valley starts to bloom. In June – September, there is the risk of bloodsuckers, and storms augment gigantically. Along these lines, the least individuals travel in this time. In October, along with beautiful mountain views, and greenery, you can also have perspective on the national festivals of Nepal – Dashain, and Tihar. Trekking in December is an ideal time for those who hate walking in a group. You will see only a few groups at this time. Likewise, the guest houses are vacant. Mardi offers the coldest nights and sunny mornings in December. So, if you are planning to do Mardi Himal Trek Autumn will be the ideal period.
Mardi Himal Trekking is one of the shortest routes that can be done in 7 days. We have made this itinerary by taking advice from our itinerary experts including the must-visit places en route. Be sure, it is only recommended the route, you can change it as per your comfort.
Trekking Itinerary to Mardi starts after an early breakfast, from Pokhara you will catch a bus to Phedi. The trek could also be started from Nayapul. After about 40 minutes bus ride, you will start the 5 hours trek towards the destination for the day, Pothana. Walking through the dense jungle will take you to the beautiful village of Dhampus.
From Dhampus, a steep climb will first take us to the Australian Camp, passing Deurali. Further, on you walk up to Pothana situated on the Annapurna Circuit trail. The evening can be spent exploring Pothana.
5 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in Guesthouse
Today’s destination in this course is Forest Camp. From Pothana, the stone-paved trail leads uphill until reaching Deurali. From Deurali, you leave the trail and catch an off-the-beaten trail that heads east.
The trail passes through the dense forest and you will witness various flora and fauna along with some sightings of wild animals. Occasionally, the trail presents us with the glimpses of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif. You finally reach the Forest Camp where you will spend the night in a tented camp.
7 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in Tents
Leaving forest camp, you start walking towards High Camp climbing to an altitude of 3900m walking across beautiful ridges. From Forest Camp, the path leads towards lesser forest trails and more uphill with breathtaking landscapes.
From Forest Camp, you start walking towards the steep trails. There is almost no settlement in this region except some people who herd their animals. You first reach the low camp, and then we pass the Nangge Danda to reach the high camp. If the day is not cloudy, you see the glimpses of Machhapuchhre, the Annapurna Range, the valley of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Base Camp.
6 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in Tents
Waking up early in the morning, you will see the sunrise amidst the clouds. After breakfast, you walk on a narrow rocky trail on the edge of the hilltops to reach the base camp of Mardi Himal.
Leaving High Camp, you ascend for about 4 hours crossing one hill to another. The view is simply gorgeous as you witness all the mountains up close. After enjoying the views from the base camp, you walk back to the High Camp. You the drop-down to High Camp from Base Camp and stay the night before descending to Siding tomorrow.
6 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in Tents
From High Camp, you will walk amidst the forest, waterfalls and some hills before reaching the village of Siding. The Mardi Himal trek crosses the Nangge Danda and steep descent brings you back to Low Camp. From the Low Camp, you leave the trail used earlier and head towards the Mardi Khola River through the dense forest. The walk continues till Siding.
7 Hours Trekking
All Meals Included
Overnight in Guesthouse
After breakfast, you will hike down following the river until Lumiere from where you’ll catch a bus for a ride back to Pokhara. And its end of Beautiful Hiking. A private vehicle can also be hired from here. (not included in the package) The drive will be for an hour and will cross beautiful flat terrains with vegetation, little bridges, and waterfalls. Upon reaching Pokhara you check in to your Hotel.
3 Hours Trekking / 1 Hour Drive
All Meals Included
After a number of days of the tiring Mardi Himal Trek, you can spend the day relaxing in the city of Pokhara. The surrounding and territory itself will calm us and relax our stressed muscles. Pokhara is a beautiful place that offers a number of attractions to both tourist and the local people. Today you spend your time exploring various attractions of Pokhara.
Breakfast Included
The path is winding but quite easy and the view from bottom camp is outstanding. The path takes you a short distance to Mount Machchapuchhre. It offers everything you would expect: native culture, majestic forests, craggy rockscapes, and broad views of the Nepali landscape.
Mardi offers an attention-grabbing view of mountains such as Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Annapurna Fang, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. During this trip, you are able to get to the highest possible point (4,100m / 13,451 ft) in such a short time.
The trail to Mardi Base Camp starts from Phedi, about 15 kilometres from Pokhara. From Phedi, the route starts to ascend for about 30 minutes to Dhampus. If you are short on time, it can be adjusted to start and finish at Siding. This would mean missing out on Dhampus, Pitam Deurali, and Forest Camp – arguably the best parts of the Mardi Route.
It was wonderful time at Mardi with Ammonite. The itinerary was for 7 days and we trekked easily. We were provided proper food and best accommodation available. Guide(Bishal) was really smart. He told us in detailed about every places. The sunshine view from the high point was really worthy. Had really great time. Thanks to team!