Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Our journey to the Mardi Himal trek starts with an exotic overland drive or flight to Pokhara, one of the most popular touristic destinations. After a short drive outside Pokhara Valley, we reach Kande and our trek begins heading towards high mid-hills exploring Gurung villages and traditional old culture. The trail goes slightly up a bit steeper to Australian Camp. Then we slightly go downhill to Pothana and follow the trail to Deurali. Continuing our trek, the trekking trail through the forest of rhododendrons and pine tree lines; soon vegetation fades to alpine bushes, and we reach Forest Camp.

After the trekking trail of Forest Camp the new trail leaves for Low Camp which lies in the jungle and ends in the open ridge following the route to High Camp. From the High Camp, we move forward for about 3-4 hours to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp.

As our walk progresses on the high ridges of Mardi Himal Base camp at 4,500 meters high we will seek spectacular close-ups commanding views of the entire Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri, Mardi Himal, and Mt. Machhapuchare. Then we descend to Low Camp and follow the next route of Sidhing, Ghale, and Lwang Villages. From Lwang village we trek to Hemja and a short drive back to Pokhara. Our wonderful Mardi Himal trekking journey ends with a scenic drive or flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

Life Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd as the best Mardi Himal base camp trekking operator in Nepal provides quality services with Professional Guides & Sherpas who holding lots of experience that could make the trip easier, and valuable memories with wilderness experience in the lifetime. We can also be flexible with the itinerary and can adjust many more details according to your demand, availability, and time frame.

Are you tired of the common hiking trail along the Annapurna region? Looking for some new adventure and trekking opportunity? If so, we invite you to participate in our short Mardi Himal Base Camp trek which will take you to some unexplored landscape of the Annapurna region.

The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is a fairly new route that contains all the elements of the classic Nepal trek experience. You will pass some extraordinary settlements, and diverse terrain from lush green forests to alpine vegetation. You will also enjoy some breathtaking spectacles of massive Himalayan giants from Annapurna South, Mount Fishtail and Mount Hiunchuli.

It is the best option for those who are new to the hiking experience and wish to explore the high-climbing zone of Nepal in a relatively short period of time. This trek is perfectly suitable for those who love nature, like to walk on off-beaten tracks, and don’t want to put extra stress on themselves.

The tour begins with a drive from the flatland of Kathmandu to Kande via Pokhara. Then the hiking commences at Potana Village. From the village, you will walk on the astounding path leading to the Pitam Deurali. From here, you will cross several hamlets of Kokar Forest Camp situated in an isolated area.

We will then move forward crossing the dense forests to the Low Camp. The transformation of lush green vegetation into alpine meadows is something that will not go unnoticed. A steep ascend to High Camp offers some surreal views of the massive Annapurna Mountain range.

Then an early morning hike the next day will take us to the Mardi Himal Base Camp or the upper viewpoint of Mardi Himal. Then the returning journey will give us the opportunity to pass through some picturesque villages of Siding, Lwang, and Hemja finally leading us back to Pokhara and Kathmandu.

In short, if you are searching for inner peace and seclusion in the fascinating atmosphere of the high mountains, then the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is the right trek for you.

Best Season for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Spring and Fall are the best travel times for the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek. March, April, and May days are distinct with the spring season and milder temperatures between 17 to 20 degrees Celsius. Likewise, the days of September, October, and November are characterized by a pleasant temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

If you walk in March and May, you will be fortunate enough to walk through the paths adored by the blossoming national flower of Nepal painting the entire terrain with their red, pink, white, and purple hues. The autumn months often alter the green shade of the forest into a yellowish-orange tone. The day starts and ends with a clear sky offering the sight of the Nepalese Himalayas above lush tropical forests.

In winter (December to February), the temperature often drops to -5 degrees at night and rises to 9 to 12 degrees at day. Of course, there will be snow and ice along the trail but the days will be perfect for the best view of Annapurna, Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri. Insulating thermal jackets, warm sleeping bags, poles, and crampons can make the trek in winter possible.

However, the summer rains from June to August often make the trek challenging. the clear mountain views cannot be guaranteed due to dense clouds and fog. Plus the heavy rainfall often causes landslides blocking the access to the trail. Therefore, we do not suggest you visit Mardi Himal in this season.

Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty

The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is moderately difficult consisting of relatively low psychological and physical stress during the entire period of trek. Therefore, this trek is ideal for beginners who are seeking to gain trekking and mountaineering experience in Nepal.

On top, the route to the Annapurna region is well-marked and well-exposed to tourism. Therefore, the infrastructure to accommodate Western tourism is well-developed here. You will spend all night in family-run guesthouses or lodges where you can also learn about the traditions and life of locals. This completely eliminates the need for camping during the trek otherwise the cold temperature at night could have been unbearable.

Additionally, you will walk through a pretty straightforward path eliminating the need for steep climbing or descending. Most days, you will walk for 4 to 5 hours except on the 9th day when you have to hike for about 6 to 7 hours to reach the village of Lwang from Siding.

So prior experience of trekking is not essential but 1 to 2 weeks of preparation before joining this trek will certainly help. You can start walking for at least 3 to 4 hours with a small backpack or climb stairs or why not start running every morning? These activities will increase your endurance level and your walking capability.

Altitude Sickness

Experiencing altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness is quite rare in our Mardi Himal Base Camp trek. The highest point you will reach during the entire trek is 4200 m at the Mardi Himal Viewpoint.

We have planned our itinerary such that you will gradually gain altitude with plenty of time for your body to adjust to the changing atmosphere and climatic conditions of the high-elevated villages. In addition, we will take our pace slowly walking 4 to 5 hours a day. Only one or two days need you to walk for about 6 to 7 hours.

Therefore, the possibility of altitude sickness is scarce however new trekkers may feel headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, and nausea as they reach the height of more than 2000 m. it doesn’t mean experienced and skilled trekkers won’t feel these symptoms. We have often heard the stories of many trekkers who have undergone these symptoms even if they have trekked numerous times.

So, you should always be aware of these symptoms and inform our guide about your issues. According to the severity of the symptoms, our guide may descend you to lower heights or give you Diamox or paracetamol to reduce the symptoms.

The best remedy for treating and preventing altitude sickness is to increase your fluid intake. Drink plenty of boiled water, have garlic soup, and drink hot lemon tea, or honey lemon tea. Consume less meat or opt for a vegetarian diet as a non-veg diet often triggers acute mountain sickness.

What to expect on this Mardi trip?

The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek takes you through the hidden route of Annapurna, allowing you to explore the region by walking on less beaten paths. The terrain under the spell of Mardi Himal awaits you and quickly changes from a subtropical area to the alpine world of the high Himalayas. The spectacular views of Machappuchhre, Annapurna, and Hiunchuli will be waiting for you along the trail.

During the trek, you will constantly follow the trail along the Modi Khola that winds through the thick colorful forests of rhododendrons, orchids, mosses, tree ferns, and lichens. As you reach close to High Camp, you will walk through the grassy ridge and see the massive Dhaulagiri for the first time.

As you wake up the next day in High Camp and ascend to the Upper View Point, you will be enchanted by one of the most beautiful sunrises you have witnessed in your life. Watch the golden hues of the sun painting the stunning snow-white Himalayas of Mardi Himal, Annapurna, Hiunchuli, and Fishtail slowly enveloping the surrounding terrain in its grip.

One of the amazing features of this trek is you will not return through the same trail you have begun this journey. Instead, you will retrace your steps through the village of Siding where you can gain insight into the life of residents and Gurung culture. Then we make our way to Lwang Village where the amazing tea gardens dazzle us with their aroma.

Next, Pokhara City will hail you with the unforgettable view of the snow-capped peak of Machapuchare. You will have plenty of time to take a boat ride in Lake Phewa and visit Mahendra Cave, Devi’s Waterfall, Gupteswor Cave, International Mountain Museum, and the various lakes.

You will also have enough time to visit Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Temple two holiest shrines of Buddhism. You can also admire the temples, monuments, and palaces of Kathmandu and Patan.

Overall, from the blend of Western and traditional culture of Kathmandu and Pokhara to the unspoiled and uncontaminated culture and nature of Mardi Himal, you will gain everything through this trek.

Accommodation, Food, and Transportation

As a dedicated trek and tour agency in Nepal, we organize every trip in Nepal with a motto of making each tour of our guests unforgettable and enjoyable. We therefore alleviate all the burdens of arranging accommodation, food, and transportation enabling you to concentrate on enjoying your experience in Nepal. We promise to provide the same service in our Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek as well.

From the International Airport in Kathmandu, we will take you to our hotel where you can relax for the rest of the day. The next day, we will drive you to Pokhara in a private car but if you prefer, we can also book a flight that will take you to Pokhara in mere 30 to 40 minutes.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, we have booked a 3-star hotel for you with the attached bathroom. Complimentary breakfasts will be served to you every morning. We have excluded lunch and dinner in these cities so you can dine on your own as the options of restaurants, hotels, and cuisine are unlimited here.

As the trek begins through several lovely villages of the Annapurna region, our guide will arrange your stay for the night in the best possible lodge or guesthouse ensuring you spend a restful night. The lodges may be simple necessitating you to share rooms, toilets, and dining areas. But the service of the lodge owners will be outstanding.

During the trekking period, we will take care of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food options are based on the lodge menu but generally, for breakfast, you can have egg dishes, bread, porridge, cornflakes, and a hot cup of tea or coffee. Drinks are not included in our package so it may cost you a few rupees. For lunch and dinner, you have the option of Dal Bhat, noodles, pasta, pizza, momos, and so on.

After achieving what we have desired through this trek, we will return from Hemja to Pokhara in a private car. Then we will fly you or drive you to Kathmandu (based on your choice). our service ends on your departure day as we will drive you to the airport.