Mardi Himal Trek

Name: Mardi Himal Trek
Brand: Trek Guiders
SKU: PKG-10017
Price: 1300.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Trip Overview

Mardi Himal area used to be accessed by very few trekkers with full camping crew and equipment to enjoy the scenic vistas of Mt. Mardi (5587m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6993m), and other Himalayan range. Originally, this area and the route were used by the shepherds to graze their livestock and still, this area provides a great spot for summer grazing.

This trip slowly started gaining popularity after the trek was officially opened in 2012 A.D. The tea houses in these areas are pretty basic and quite limited in number. So, not the best one for those who are seeking for top luxury trips. But in comparison to the previous days, the tea houses here are slowly becoming well organized making the trek an easy trip.

Highlights

Experience of the closer views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, and many other peaks.
Walk the untouched and unspoiled off-the-beaten trail.
Enjoy the stunning vistas of landscapes, mountains, floras, and faunas.
A chance to witness the culture and lifestyle of local people with overnight stays at homestay like lodges.

Itinerary

Welcome to Kathmandu. You will be received by one of our office representatives at the TIA exit section and escort you to your hotel afterward.

Depending on your arrival time, you will have the chance to stroll around the places nearby your hotel on your own.

Hotel

Today you will have a free day in Kathmandu while your specialist will take time to arrange permits for your trek. You will have time to explore around the Kathmandu valley on your own or enjoy the cultural tour with an experienced tour guide arranged by Trek Guiders.

In the evening, you will be met by your specialist in your hotel lobby. S/he will introduce you to your guide for the trek and brief you shortly about your trek, things to do/ not to do, and any optional activities you may enjoy during the trip. You can ask any queries or share feelings with your specialist during the briefing.

Hotel

Breakfast

Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel and ask your hotel manager to safe-keep your luggage in the hotel store if you are planning to return to the same hotel again after the trek. Then starting off with a drive to Pokhara with your trekking crew, you will reach your destination in approximately 6 - 7 hours.

Upon reaching Pokhara, check in to your hotel and have some rest. The evening is free to stroll around the Lakeside market or the bank of Phewa Lake.

Hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast in your hotel, you will be picked up by your guide in the hotel lobby and in a pre-arranged private vehicle start the trip with a drive to Phedi, from where the trek begins. Praising the fantastic views of the mountains, ascend along the ridge to Dhampus. Take some time to capture the magnificent views of Fishtail and Annapurna after you have your lunch here. Continue some further walk to reach Pothana, where you will be staying overnight.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, start walking to a place called Deurali (2230m) which is a small village located on a ridge with great views of Annapurna South, Mardi, and Machhapuchhre.

Continuing the trail through a dense forest of Oak, Maple, Hemlock, and Rhododendron, you will reach Forest Camp (Kokar Village). The lodges at Kokar are quite basic. Or we can say it's a homestay type lodge as there is no dining room. Serving the visitors helps these locals to earn some money. So, being thankful for their help and services, you will most likely get to enjoy the dinner in the kitchen with the owner, learning their experience and lifestyles.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As you continue walking from Forest Camp, you will see the forest getting richer with Rhododendrons and trees getting covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns.

Upon reaching Low camp, you will see the views of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre getting much closer. There used to be very few basic lodges at Low Camp. But now, with the increasing number of tourists visiting this attraction, the number of lodges has increased dramatically. if you wish, you can still walk further up to Badal Danda for a better view. Please note, there is comparatively few lodges at Badal Danda.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climbing further along the ridge towards Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre, you will leave the treeline of Badal Danda and arrive in the shrubby alpine area. Don't forget to look out for the Danphe Bird (Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal) on this section of the trail, as you may be lucky to have a sight of one.

The lodges at High Camp are comparatively larger with a separate dining room. At High camp, you will find yourself above the clouds and the view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre are just superb.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early morning breakfast, start your day trip to Mardi Himal Basecamp walking through the grass and with ascend and descend in the narrow and sometimes steep trail.

The Mardi Himal Base Camp will be reached in around 2 hours of walking but walking further to Upper Viewpoint (4600m) will give you the spectacular views of Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna south (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchhre (6993m) and others.

Around early afternoon time, start the trek back to the High Camp for the overnight stay.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Taking a slightly different route today, you will take another trail that goes to Sidhing from the Low Camp instead of retracing the same path back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village, still untouched from modern tourist treks and it is likely you will stay at a homestay in Sidhing owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a wonderful cultural experience finding out more about village life and you will probably eat dhal bhat in the evening with the family in their kitchen.

Tea House

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will walk around 3 hours to Lumre that connects with the road. On the way, you will get to pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is a Brahmin village and Ghalel is a village with Brahmin and Gurung people living as a community.

From Lumre, you will be driving for around 2 hours in a private jeep back to Pokhara. Check in at your hotel and leave your luggage. Rest of the time is free to relax or take a walk around Pokhara city.

Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

After your breakfast, you will be picked up by a private vehicle for your drive to Pokhara domestic airport. You will be flying back to Kathmandu on a pre-scheduled flight along with your guide.

Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be directly escorted to your hotel in Kathmandu. The evening is free for some last-minute shopping or relaxation.

Hotel

Breakfast

Based on your international flight schedule, one of our office representatives will pick you up from your hotel in a private vehicle. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free departure, you are required to reach the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. Kindly complete your hotel check-out formalities and be ready with your luggage at least 3.5 hours before departure. Our representative will then escort you and safely drop you at the departure terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey back home. Trip concludes !!

Breakfast

Commencing this trip

The trip starts from Pokhara which can be accessed by either surface transfer or via domestic flight depending on travelers' time, budget, and interest. Drive from Pokhara to Phedi, which will be the trek starting point of the trip, will take you approximately 1 hour of the day. Starting off from Phedi, you will start walking uphills enjoying the landscape views. You will get gradual ascent to the top getting acclimatized with the altitude. Please follow the suggestions of your guide to avoid AMS and walk as per the scheduled plan.

The trip is relatively easy unlike Ghorepani Trek but the day you hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp would be a bit tricky and strenuous while walking the narrow path and steep route. But the reward gained upon reaching the destination is unbeatable.

While returning, taking a slightly different route via Sidhing Village will give you a monotonous free trip.

Best time to do this trip

In order to make the most out of your trip, best to plan your visit in top season trek period. The best season considered for trekking is Autumn time (October till mid-December) and secondly during Spring (March till mid-June). This two-season provides the best landscape and Himalayas views with clear weather and blooming flowers.

Walking during summer will be a bit upsetting due to continuous rainfall, leeches on the route and muddy slippery trail. Some trekkers love to trek during winter time too but it all depends on their capacity to bear with cold and their luck with the weather.

What is included?

3 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, including breakfast, on a twin-sharing basis.
2 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara, including breakfast, on a twin-sharing basis.
6 nights accommodation in standard tea house during the trek on a full board twin sharing basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/ coffee)
2 International Airport transfers in a private vehicle.
Kathmandu to Pokhara surface transfer in a private vehicle.
Pokhara to Kathmandu return flight fare with domestic airport transfers in a private vehicle.
Guide's domestic flight fare.
ACAP and TIMS permit required for the trek.
Pokhara - Phedi and Lumre - Pokhara transfers in a private vehicle.
English-speaking local expert guide and porter on the trek.
Equipment allowances, salary, and insurance for trekking staff.
Kitbags/ duffle bag for the trek.
First aid kit with basic supplies for staff.
All government taxes.

What is not included?

Single room supplement charges for city hotels.
Lunches and Dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Lunches during the Kathmandu to Pokhara surface transfer.
Additional airport transfers besides those mentioned in the 'included' section.
Soft Drinks, Cigarettes, and soft/hard beverages like Coke, Beer, etc.
Any sort of guided/ unguided city tours and transfers for the same.
Entrance fees for heritage sites, monasteries, and museums (if any).
Hot shower and hot drinking water during the trek.
Nepal entry visa fee.
International airfares.
Your personal trekking gear and equipment, like the sleeping bag, trekking poles, down jackets, etc.
Personal nature expenses related to the phone, wifi, gadget charging, laundry, gratuity/ Tips, snack expenses, extra meals, etc.
Your insurance and emergency rescue evacuation, if any.
Any items not mentioned in the "Service included section."

Important points to be noted:

Single rooms will not be available in the tea houses during the trek due to the limited number of lodges on the trail.

Depending on time availability or budget, travelers can opt for either tourist bus transport or domestic flight transfer for the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu route with a revised trip price that does not affect the actual trek departure date.