Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a new and trendy trekking route in the Annapurna region, offering tempting Himalayan landscapes. Opened in 2012, Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking is a relatively less-explored trail that goes through beautiful villages, dense forests, and steep barren hills to the base camp of Mardi Himal at 4500 meters.
This short trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp presents a perfect blend of adventure and comfort on the trail. Mardi Himal 10 days trek is the best option for travel enthusiasts who are tight on time and still looking to behold the stunning beauty of the Annapurna region. Likewise, the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is a good choice for beginners putting their feet into the trekking world, as it is short and less challenging while still serving you the real trekking adventure as you climb 4500 meters in just a few days.
You trek through lush woods and high alpine pastures to make your way to the Mardi Himal View Point, where you can enjoy stunning sunrise views reflecting a golden hue on the snow-capped Himalayan mountains of Annapurna and Machhapuchre. Now that the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek route has some basic lodges and tea shops, the walk is much easier to access. What could be better than a less traveled trail with the most astonishing views?
Be a part of the Mardi Himal Base Camp 10 Days Trek with us, Outfitter Nepal Treks & Expedition, and experience the most authentic trekking adventure in the Nepalese Himalayas. We organize both private and group departures. Suit yourself with one of our departure dates, or contact us for a customized Mardi Himal itinerary. We assure you to give the finest service in the market. Our highly-experienced guides will be at your service 24/7 during the trek to make sure everything goes perfectly.
If you'd like to book a private trip and not join the group departures, we will happily arrange that for you. In this way, you can also make changes to the itinerary, transport between kathmandu and Pokhara (roadways or flight), or your accommodation in Kathmandu. Just remember that each change you make is likely to change the trip cost.
There are a few things you will experience during the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek that are unique to this hike and will stay in your memory as a beautiful part of your Nepal visit. Let's explore these highlights in detail.
Why is Mardi Himal Base Camp a beginner-friendly trek?
If this is your first trek in the Nepalese Himalayas, no other trek can be better than the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek is of easy to moderate difficulty and lets you experience everything that a long trekking journey does. In a matter of a few days, you'll be soaring high at the Base Camp of Mardi Himal. Along the way, you'll get to witness a rural life of mountain people, vast agricultural lands, dense forests rich in diverse flora and fauna, barren meadows, and snow-clad mountain peaks standing tall against a crisp blue sky. To be able to see all these things in this short trek without much difficulty is an excellent chance for beginners to get acquainted with the Himalayas. You don't have to worry much about altitude sickness as you won't spend much time in high altitudes.
What does a brief itinerary of the 10 Days Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek look like?
The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trip starts with your arrival in Kathmandu, followed by a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. The next day, you drive or fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu. From Pokhara, drive to Dhampus-Phedi and begin trekking toward the Mardi Himal. Deurali is the first place where you stay overnight. Further, the trail passes through numerous dense forests and takes you to Low Camp, your stay for the 2nd night of the trek. You climb up from the Low Camp to the High Camp on your day 3 of trekking, passing by Badal Danda on the way.
Early morning on the next day, you reach Mardi Himal Viewpoint for an outstanding sunrise view over the mountains. The trail leads further up to Upper View Point and finally to Mardi Himal Base Camp, at 4500 meters, the highest point of the trek. You return back to High Camp to spend the night.
The next day descends to Low Camp via the same route; then, the trail separates to Siding village, where you experience the beautiful village life of the locals. The hiking trip continues to Lumre, the following day and drives you back to Pokhara. Your return to Kathmandu marks an end to this adventurous Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking.
How would I spend each day during the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek?
With the exception of the days you spend traveling by bus and sightseeing, you will hike according to the same schedule every day when you're on the trail. However, each day of your Mardi Himal Base Camp trekking vacation will provide a different experience. To start your day of trekking, the mountain lodge where you stayed the night before prepares a delicious breakfast. After having breakfast, pack your bags and spend a few hours on the ascending and descending track taking in the stunning views. We take a break for lunch at a teahouse around halfway through the hike for the day. During your lunch break, your body will have some downtime for perhaps an hour or two. After lunch, you'll hike for a few more hours to get to your final stop of the day. After you go to your lodge, relax, have dinner with other guests, and sleep to get your body some rest.
As part of the sightseeing tour, you will also explore significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, including Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. You will be accompanied by a tour guide on the day excursion who will explain the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the places you see. Additionally, you'll spend 2 days taking a tourist bus to and from Pokhara. You can go sightseeing or unwind at the lakeside in Pokhara during the evenings.
Best Features of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
- Visit 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
- Enjoy the scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Explore Pokhara, the city of lakes
- Trek through picturesque villages and dense forests
- Hike on the lesser explored trail of Mardi
- Witness the stunning view of the Himalayas up close
- Watch the golden sunrise over Mt. Machhapuchre and Mt. Annapurna
Major Attractions of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Reaching the Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 meters
The primary attraction of the trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is situated at 4,500 meters above sea level. The hike to the base camp is moderate except for the occasional tiresome steep uphill climb and the tricky trails on the slanting cliffs towards the end. Mardi Himal Base Camp offers you breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchre, and the surrounding Himalayan region without having to embark on a strenuous and lengthy trekking journey.
Witnessing the exceptional view of the Himalayan mountains
Throughout the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, you will witness breathtaking vistas of the Annapurna range, beginning on the first day of the trek. Every next village will open a new view of snow-capped mountains to you, and the mountains get closer and closer every passing day. You will witness mountains like Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna South, Mardi Himal, Ganesh Himal, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Tent Peak, Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Fang, Mt. Singhachuli, etc.
The gorgeous sunrise over Annapurna and Machhapuchre
On day 7 of your trip and the 4th day of the actual hike, you'll experience the most stunning sunrise casting golden shadows all over the Himalayas. You wake up at High Camp early in the morning and start your hike uphill for approximately 2 hours, when it's still dark, to reach Mardi Himal View Point. Right from the viewpoint, you'd see the rising sun casting its rays on the white mountains creating a breathtaking view that only lasts for a short period of time. To be able to embrace such beauty up close after walking for days on the tiring trail is an out-of-the-world experience.
Passing by lush forests abundant with wild flora and fauna
The Mardi Himal base camp trekking trail passes through numerous lush and dense forests, where you find various species of plants ranging from tropical to sub-alpine. More than 1000 plant species occupy these woodlands, among which about 50 are native to Nepal. In spring, some parts of the forests are covered with Rhododendron flowers turning green vegetation red. Likewise, these jungles are home to various species of animals and birds. You might be able to witness some unique fauna if you're fortunate enough.
The newly established and less-traveled trekking trail
Mardi Himal Base Camp only opened its doors to visitors in 2012, making it one of the newest trekking trails in the Nepalese Himalayas. As a result, the trail is yet to be explored to the fullest. You'd find fewer hikers on the route to Mardi Himal compared to other popular trekking destinations like Annapurna Base Camp. However, given its short duration and comparatively easier hike, it has become more popular among domestic hikers, which again opens up the opportunity to interact with the local youths.
