Mardi Himal Trek
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Mardi Himal Trek is an easy yet adventurous trekking trail in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trek takes you to the east of the 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 the Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges.
Duration
11 Days
Difficulty
Strenuous
Activity
Trekking/Hiking
Accommodation
Tea House & Hotel
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 the next day.
Here, you can enjoy the views of Annapurna South (7219m), Machhapuchhre (6997m), and Annapurna I (8091m). Furthermore, you descend to the Siding village and enjoy the Gurung culture and lifestyle. Next, you trek to Lumre and then drive to Pokhara. Lastly, you drive back to Kathmandu.
You will have to trek for around 5-6 hours per day on the trip. The trek entails the natural and cultural attributes of the Annapurna region.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for the trek. These seasons offer the finest weather conditions and clear views of the Himalayas. Anyone with an average physical condition can do the trek. So, you do not need any previous experience and training for the trek.
At Trinetra Holidays, we provide you transportation, accommodation, and dining services for the whole trek. We provide you with skilled guides and porters. Likewise, we have a number of other trips across Nepal.
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
Your arrival in Kathmandu will be marked by landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). A company representative of Trinetra Holidays 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 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara 6-7 hours. (B)
Today early morning will take a tourist bus to get in Pokhara and it takes about 6-7 hours from Kathmandu. We can enjoy a beautiful scenic view of terraced rice fields, eye-catching landscapes, Trishuli, and Marysngdi Rivers and spectacular panoramic view of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Most of the Annapurna range are seen.
Evening you can walk around the lakeside and boating in Phewa lake to visit the Tal Barahai Temple (Island Temple).
Day 3: 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, Annapurna I, and Himchuli in today`s journey.
Day 4: 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 homestay and is a good opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.
Day 5: 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 6: 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 the 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 7: 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 dzokpo (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 8: 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 9: 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 Lumle 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.
Day 10: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. (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 Naubise 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.
Day 11: Departure to Airport. (B)
A representative from Trinetra Holidays 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.
- Pick up from Airport and transfer to the hotel.
- Two Night 3* hotel in Kathmandu with Breakfast.
- Two Night 3* hotel in Pokhara with Breakfast.
- Lunch Dinner and Breakfast during Trekking.
- Kathmandu/Pokhara/ Kathmandu by tourist bus.
- Pokhara/Phedi/Lumre/Pokhara by taxi.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project fee (ACAP).
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit
- All necessary paper works.
- All accommodations in lodges/tea houses during the treks
- An experienced, helpful, and friendly Guide, porters (1 porter for 2 clients)
- An arrangement of Travel rescue
- Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available)
- All government taxes.
- Last night’s farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance
- Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance
- Nepal Visa fee you may obtain easily at Kathmandu airport
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu. Porter
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)