Mardi Himal Trek 7 Days

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek 5, 6, 7 Days Itinerary
7 Days Mardi Himal Trek
What to see & doSpecific information about Mardi Himal Trek 7 Days
  • Duration7 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Max Altitude 4500m
  • Starts at Kathmandu
  • Ends at Kathmandu
  • Trip Style Lodge to Lodge Trek
  • Group Size 10
  • Transportation Tourist Bus
  • Best Season March, April, May and Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec

Mardi Himal Trek is a short trek in the Annapurna region, offering stunningly up-close mountain views, deep valleys, and alluring Himalayan sunrise. Ideal for beginners and time-bound trekkers, the Mardi trek presents an ultimate blend of adventure and comfort. During the 7 days of the trek, you hike through beautiful villages, cultivated lands, thick forests, and steep, desolate hills to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp at the height of 4500 meters. This newly established and unexplored trekking route was only opened for trekking in 2012. Isolate trail with the most amazing vistas? Sounds perfect to us!

Looking for a brief trek when you're in Nepal? Look no further!

The Mardi Himal Trek - 7 Days is a week-long getaway to the Himalayas which involves only 5 days of trekking on a moderately difficult trail facilitated by numerous tea houses along the way. Despite being a short trek, it does not deprive you of the actual thrill of a real high-altitude trek by taking you as high as 4500 meters above sea level. The trek serves the best value for your time, money, and effort with its mesmerizing panorama of the snow-clad mountains.

The trailhead is easily accessible from Kathmandu by road and is only a couple of hour's drive from Pokhara. Its accessibility also adds up to its rising popularity. Where else do you get to escape the chaos of a city and transport yourself to the Himalayas' lap in just a matter of a few days? It is an adventure that refreshes your mind with a wonderful sight of the snow-topped white mountains against the clear blue sky without taking a toll on your physicality. Plus, to be able to breathe the fresh air of the mountains is a blessing in itself.

Although the final destination is Mardi Himal Base Camp, the best mountain view you can get during the entire trek is from Mardi Himal View Point, located at an elevation of 4200 meters. Reaching the base camp just takes you closer to Mardi Himal. So, if you want to spend more time with the extensive mountain view, you can save yourself from climbing to the base camp, which is about 2 hours taxing uphill trek at a high altitude.

The Annapurna region, where the Mardi Himal is situated, is an infamous trekking region in Nepal, in fact, in the entire world, housing the world's 8th highest mountain peak, Annapurna I, at 8091 meters. You already know so much about it. So, without wasting any time, let's explore the main highlights of the Mardi Himal hike before moving on to the itinerary.

Best Features of the Mardi Himal Trek

  • A short yet incredible trek taking you to the elevation of 4500 meters 
  • Scenic bus ride on a comfortable luxury coach from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back
  • Enjoy the beautiful city of lakes, Pokhara, before and after the trek
  • Hike through tiny human settlements, deep forests, and rocky, barren hills
  • Explore the less-traveled trekking trail of the Annapurna region
  • Watch the gorgeous Himalayan sunrise from Mardi Himal Viewpoint
  • Stand at the Mardi Himal Base Camp with wonderful up-close mountain views

Less-traveled trekking trail in the Annapurna Region

Mardi Himal Base Camp is one of the newest hiking routes in the Nepalese Himalayas, which only started welcoming tourists in 2012, with establishments of teahouses and mountain lodges at several stops. Although the trail is not off-the-beaten like before, it has not yet been thoroughly explored. Compared to other well-known trekking locations like Annapurna Base Camp, the path to Mardi Himal sees fewer hikers, making it a dream location for solitude lovers. However, it has grown in popularity among domestic hikers due to its short length and relative ease, which again presents a chance to engage with the local youth.

Hike through rich vegetation abundant with flora and fauna

During the Mardi Himal hike, you traverse along some lush, dense forests where you can find a variety of plants, ranging from tropical to sub-alpine vegetation. These woodlands are home to over 1000 plant varieties, of which about 50 are indigenous to Nepal. Rhododendron flowers blanket some areas of the woods in spring, turning the green forest red. These forests are also home to a variety of animals and birds. If you're lucky, you might get to see some unusual wildlife.

Up-close panoramic view of the high mountain peaks

Starting on the first day of the journey and continuing throughout, you will experience breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. You will see a slightly different side of snow-capped mountains from each new town, and the mountains will get closer with each passing day. The crystal clear view of Mt. Machhapuchre in front and Annapurna South on the left after you reach Badal Danda is a heavenly experience. You will also see other mountains like Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Fang, Mt. Singhachuli, Tent Peak, Mt. Manaslu, Mardi Himal, Ganesh Himal, etc.

Experience the glorious Himalayan sunrise

You'll witness the most breathtaking sunrise, throwing golden shadows across the Himalayas. On day 5 of your journey, you wake up at High Camp early in the morning and begin your hike towards Mardi Himal Base Camp while it's still dark. Halfway on the hike lies Mardi Himal View Point, with a sensational up-close panoramic view of the Annapurna South, Mardi Himal, and Mt. Machhapuchre. Imagine the rising sun casting its rays on them! It produces an incredibly beautiful but fleeting scene. After trudging for days on the exhausting trail, it is an extraordinary experience to be able to take in such grandeur up close.

Stand in Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 meters

Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m) is the main highlight of the Mardi Himal Trekking. Except for a few tiresome, steep uphill sections and the challenging trails on the slanting cliffs near the finish, the hike to the base camp is relatively easy. You can experience the mesmerizing views of the Annapurna South, Machhapuchre, Mardi Himal, Hiunchuli, and the surrounding Himalayan region from Mardi Himal Base Camp without having to engage in a taxing and extensive trekking trip.

ItineraryTrip day to day detail itinerary

The detailed itinerary below provides a visual representation of the Mardi trekking journey. Here's how your trip advances from Kathmandu to Pokhara and the mountains. The day-to-day itinerary helps you understand the path better and plan accordingly.

We begin the trip with a 6/7 hours bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara, following the Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers between enormous hills. On the way, we pass by small towns, agricultural lands, and plenty of small forests. If the weather permits, you can also see Manaslu Peak and Ganesh Himal during the bus journey.

Pokhara is a tourism haven with tremendous natural and cultural landmarks, including lakes, caves, Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as lovely mountain vistas of the Annapurna range. After reaching Pokhara and settling into the hotel, you can go out and explore the city of lakes.

  • Max. Altitude: 820m/2,690ft
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara, we take a short 1-hour drive to Phedi, where the hike starts. We get out of the vehicle, stretch our legs, and begin to walk. Along the route, we will pass by villages, terraced fields, and stone steps.

Dhampus is a notable Gurung village on the path at 1650 meters, with traditional houses and beautiful mountain views. It is where we have lunch while taking in the beautiful view of the Annapurna range. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Pothana village and then to Deurali, where we will stay the night.

Alternative route: Drive from Pokhara to Kande and Trek to Deurali via Australian Camp

We can also drive from Pokhara to Kande rather than Phedi, and in place of Dhampus, we can hike for an hour uphill to the Australian Camp (2060 m). After a delicious lunch at a teahouse at the Australian Camp and a breathtaking mountain view, we continue to walk towards Pothana and finally to Pitam Deurali, where we have dinner and spend our first night in a mountain lodge.

  • Max. Altitude: 1650m/5,413ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Elevation Gain: 830m/27,22ft
  • Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

We begin our hike after breakfast at the lodge we stayed in. The path goes through the shades of a lush forest dotted with rhododendron trees until we reach Forest Camp at 2600 m. We have our lunch at Forest Camp and take some time to relax and stretch our muscles before continuing to hike again.

After a couple of hours of hiking from Forest Camp, we reach Low Camp at 3000 meters. The breathtaking views of Mt. Machapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail) along the route will compensate for your weariness from the walk. Take some time to admire the scenery and snap some photos. With an even greater view of Mt. Machhapuchre, you'll spend the night at a lovely teahouse in Low Camp.

  • Max. Altitude: 3150m/10,335ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Elevation Gain: 1500m/4920ft
  • Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

We wake up to the golden dawn with sun rays casting over Mt. Machhapuchhre. After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast in the warm sunshine, we set out for the third day of the hike. Taking in close-up views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli, we ascend the arduous stone-carved steps to Badal Danda, located at 3210 meters. The English translation of Badal Danda is "cloudy hill." Its name justifies the location, as clouds always blanket the hilltop in the afternoons and evenings.

The route from Badal Danda to High Camp (3580 m) is steeper and primarily through grasslands. At this point, the trek becomes thrilling and exciting due to the views of the Himalayas above and the deep gorge below. Although today's hike is brief, it's challenging because we climb 600 meters in only 3–4 hours.

After reaching High Camp, we eat lunch, settle into our rooms at the teahouse and explore the area. Or you can just hang out with fellow hikers at the lodge. Evenings can be chilly, so eating dinner at a common dining hall in front of a fire is a great way to stay warm. We go to bed early after dinner in preparation for the following day's early-morning hike.

  • Max. Altitude: 3700m/12,140ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Elevation Gain: 550m/1,804ft
  • Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Finally, the time has come to approach the mountains up close and take in the breathtaking vistas of the Annapurna range. We reach our destination Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m), today. 

We get up early and start the 2 hours trek to Mardi Himal View Point. Your jaw will drop as you see an incredible sunrise illuminate the nearby snow-capped mountain peaks, such as Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchhre (6993m), and many more.

After witnessing the Himalayan sunrise, we trek over a ridge to Upper Viewpoint and then to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The mountains appear so close to you from the base camp. The view of the ravine below is as captivating as the mountain scenery from MHBC. It takes about 4-5 hours to hike from High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp, and the return trek takes about 3-4 hours.

After a satisfying meal, we leave High Camp with all our belongings and hike down to Badal Danda, where we stay for the remainder of the day and night.

  • Max. Altitude: 4500m/14,765ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Elevation Gain: 800m/2,625ft
  • Elevation Loss: 3250m/10,660ft
  • Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

It is the day of descent. You've now completed all the difficult parts of the Mardi Himal journey, and today, you can enjoy a leisurely downhill hike to Sidhing Village and a jeep ride to Pokhara.

After breakfast, we depart Badal Danda and take the same route back for 2 hours until we reach Low Camp. We take a short break at Low Camp and then continue to Sidhing via a different downward way through a lush forest with a few small water streams that make the hike more enjoyable. After 3 hours of descent from Low Camp, we reach Sidhing, where we have lunch and wait for our jeep to arrive.

We take a couple of hours of jeep ride from Shidhing to reach Pokhara, which is a lovely place to celebrate the successful completion of the trek. Relaxing at a lakeside restaurant with a grand lake view and a few drinks is a good way to unwind after a long week in the mountains.

  • Max. Altitude: 820m/2,690ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Elevation Loss: 2430m/5783ft
  • Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

After breakfast, we get on a tourist bus at 8 am in the morning and travel for 6 to 8 hours to get to Kathmandu. And just like that, the 7 Days Trek to Mardi Himal comes to an end. We hope you had a fantastic time with us in the mountains.

Please remember Outfitter Nepal for your future visits to Nepal. We hope to see you soon. Have a safe trip back home.

  • Max. Altitude: 1350m/4,429ft
  • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
  • Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

The detailed itinerary below provides a visual representation of the Mardi trekking journey. Here's how your trip advances from Kathmandu to Pokhara and the mountains. The day-to-day itinerary helps you understand the path better and plan accordingly.

Customize Trip
Trip MapDay to day route map and altitude graph
Mardi Himal Trek 7 Days map
Cost DetailsGood to know before trip booking
What's Included
  • 2 nights hotel stay in Pokhara, including breakfast
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) on the trek
  • Accommodations in mountain lodges or teahouses on the trek
  • A guide & porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers and a porter carries 20 kg from the 2)
  • Paper works, National Park entry permits, & TIMS permit
  • Ground transportation (Kathmandu – Pokhara - Kathmandu by tourist bus, Pokhara - Phedi by local bus/jeep, and Shidhing to Pokhara in a local jeep)
  • Arrangement of emergency helicopter service, which will be paid for by your travel insurance company
  • Sleeping bag, down jackets, and duffel bag – if Necessary (return after the trek)
What's not Included
  • Visa fee for Nepal (easily issuable upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport - Kathmandu)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu
  • Meals (lunch & dinner in Pokhara)
  • Your personal expenses, drinking water, hot and cold drinks & bar bills
  • Laundry, telephone, hot shower & internet charge
  • Tips for the guide and porters
  • Anything not mentioned in the included section
Dates & PricesBook your trip with confidence
Select a departure month
Starts:MONDAYAPR 29, 2024
Ends:SUNDAYMAY 05, 2024
PRICE (Per Person)US$550
AvailabilityAvailable
Useful InformationGood to know before you travel

Maximum Elevation

The highest point of the Mardi Himal Trip is the base camp of Mardi Himal, which is located at an elevation of 4500 meters. At 5587 meters above sea level, the Mardi Himal is the highest spot in the area.

Trek Difficulty

The Mardi Himal is a moderately difficult trek. The path mostly travels through a forest on slanty hills. Although the path is relatively easy, there are a few steep sections. Altitude sickness is extremely rare but possible. You must be physically fit because you must hike for about 5-7 hours daily. The Mardi Himal is a fantastic option for first-time trekkers.

However, keep in mind that there is always a danger when hiking in the Himalayas. Since the weather in the Himalayas is erratic, you may experience extreme weather conditions like heavy snowfall, rainfall, storms, etc. We must mentally prepare for any unforeseen circumstance.

Transportation

A tourist bus would take you from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu. The journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara is enjoyable, offering breathtaking views of clear rivers, verdant hills, and snow-capped mountains. You can anticipate a smooth journey because the roads are less frightening than in remote locations. However, due to landslides during the monsoon, you might run into some difficulties along the route.

Local buses are used for the trip from Pokhara to Phedi/Kande, and a local jeep makes the trip from Shidhing to Pokhara.

Note: For an additional fee, we can organize a private jeep if you're not comfortable riding in local transports like buses.

Accommodation

Mardi Himal is a teahouse hike, like most trekking locations in Nepal. The tea houses along the path provide basic amenities and small, clean rooms for overnight stays. You will receive a cozy bed with a mattress, blanket, pillow, bed sheet, and a few necessary furniture items for the room. There are public restrooms in the teahouses or mountain lodges with running water. For hygienic purposes, it is always advisable to bring your own toiletries.

Meals and Drinking Water

The meals will be provided according to what's available in the tea houses. The menu usually includes most Nepalese and international dishes, but due to the remote location, not all of them may be accessible at all times. Breakfast consists of white bread toast or Tibetan bread, a potato curry, an omelet, and tea or coffee. The meal for lunch and dinner is essentially a traditional Nepali Daal Bhat, packed with nutrients to help you regain the energy you lost during the trek. You can anticipate additional meals like momo, noodles, rice, curries, soup, tea, and coffee.

Due to increasing plastic waste on the trail, we're against purchasing bottled water along the route. Instead, you can bring a bottle and fill it up at the tea houses and add some purifying tablets if you're worried about the safety of the water. Or you can purchase a water bottle with internal filtration and fill it up wherever water is available while walking. You can as well order hot water at the tea houses.

Network Availability

A few teahouses on the Mardi Himal hiking path provide free WiFi, though it's mostly unreliable. We suggest bringing an NCell or NTC 4G SIM if you want to use the internet or make phone calls while hiking. Particularly, the NTC network offers excellent coverage in Nepal's outlying areas. While on the Mardi Himal hike, you can easily communicate with your friends or family back home using the data services of these phone networks.

Guides and potters

Our package cost includes both guides and potters, 1 guide for a group, and 1 potter for every 2 trekkers. Not only will you need a guide to help you navigate the way, but you may also need one to assist you when unforeseen situations arise. The Himalayas can be pretty challenging in terms of weather. Outfitter Nepal offers you a knowledgeable, licensed guide who is well-versed in the trail and skilled to help you in case of weather or medical crises.

Although a trekking guide is compulsory, it is entirely up to you whether you choose to hire a potter or not. You are free to carry your own luggage during the 5 days of mountain hiking if you are physically capable of doing so.

Permits Required

You need two permits to take part in the Mardi Himal Trek. One is the TIMS Card, and the other is the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit. We will make both permit arrangements for you before you leave for the trek.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (ACAP): US$ 30
  • Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS): US$ 10

Packing List

You don't need to put too much weight into your backpack because the Mardi Himal is a short hike. Before you start the journey, double-check that you have all the necessities. Depending on your preference, you can bring your hiking equipment from home or purchase it in Kathmandu.

Here's a rough idea of what you'd need during the trek.

  • Trekking Boots
  • Sandals/Crocs
  • Few pairs of undergarments
  • High-quality down jacket and pants (for winter)
  • Thermal wears
  • T-shirts and trousers
  • Fleece jacket
  • Backpack or day-pack (depending on whether you hire a potter)
  • Trekking poles
  • A pair of gloves
  • Woolen hat
  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottles and water-purifying tablets
  • Energy bars or snacks
  • Face/body wipes
  • Small/medium drying towel
  • Toiletries
FAQsMardi Himal Trek 7 Days frequently asked questions
  • You'll find the Mardi Himal hiking path in the Annapurna region, east of Annapurna Base Camp and beneath stunning Machhapuchhre. The Mardi Himal hike takes you to the mountain's base camp. You'll get the best views of Mt. Machhapuchre (Mt. Fishtail) and Annapurna South along the route.

  • The scenery from the trail mainly consists of Mt. Machhapuchre/Fishtail (6993m), Annapurna South (7219m), Mardi Himal (5587m), and Hiunchuli (6441m). If the weather is clear and you're lucky, you may as well see other mountains like Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), and many more.

  • There isn't a better trek than the Mardi Himal trail if you've never done high-altitude trekking before. No previous trekking experience is necessary because the trails are well-paved for your convenience. However, the path can occasionally be difficult, so it's best to be physically and emotionally healthy before starting the hike. You can engage in some straightforward cardio exercises, such as running, jogging, swimming, etc., to prepare for the trek.

  • Mardi Trekking is best done in the spring (from March to May) and fall (from September to November). Particularly at this time of year, the sky is clear, and the weather is generally steady in the Nepalese Himalayas. A pleasant trip is made possible by the warm, sunny days of Spring and Autumn, which have little to no snow and rain.

  • Due to the brief duration of the Mardi Himal Trip, you won't be spending a lot of time at a high altitude, protecting you from the severe effects of Altitude Sickness. Additionally, the highest height you'd be traveling to, 4500 meters, is not too high to cause severe AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). However, getting enough sleep, consuming a healthy diet, and frequently hydrating your body with water are the best ways to care for your body. Alcohol dehydrates your body, so stay away from it while hiking up.

  • You can charge your phone and camera batteries for free at the mountain lodge where you stay the night or in the tea places along the hike for a small fee. Here, solar energy is used as a source of electricity. There might not be enough electricity for everyone when it's cloudy, so be mindful of how much power you use. Keeping the batteries close to your body is the best way to save the battery as it drains quickly in cold weather.

  • Even though it's a brief hike, we strongly advise purchasing travel insurance from a reputable provider for your own security. In the Himalayas, you can never predict when the weather will turn bad or when your health will be at risk. Therefore, regardless of the trek's length, all Outfitter Nepal trips must be covered by travel insurance that includes coverage for the use of an air ambulance, lost property, legal obligations, helicopter rescues or emergency evacuations, and medical problems in the case of unfavorable circumstances.

  • Yes, you can surely buy trekking gear in Nepal. The streets of Thamel, Kathmandu are full of such trekking equipment stores, where you can get a good deal due to the competitive market. It's so much cheaper than in your home country; you might be surprised.

  • Yes, although the package covers basic accommodation and meals, you need some cash for your personal expenses. Make sure to carry some Nepalese rupees during the trek. As ATMs aren't available on the trail, you must carry cash from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

  • Yes, this Mardi Himal trip is completely customizable if you book a private trip. Making changes in the group departure treks is not possible, though. We can make changes to the itinerary, accommodation choices, and other similar things. The package cost is subject to change according to the alterations made.

  • We have more than 15 years of experience in the trekking business and have built a solid name for going above and beyond to offer the best services for trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas. We promise the most competitive package price on the market in addition to a safe and dependable trekking experience. By hiring experienced English-speaking Nepalese guides, we contribute to regional economies.

Client ReviewsTravelers talk about Outfitter Nepal
  • C
    C K TanSingapore, Singapore,March 19, 2024
    rating star

    I met superhumans in Nepal

    I met superhumans in Nepal. Not one but two and all in one shiny morning. It was 8.30 am local time when I reached the viewing point of Mardi Himal, 4200m above sea level. I missed the opportunity to see the sunrise from the viewing point by two hours. Nevertheless. the spectacular vista at the viewing point still made the four hours of non-stop ascending the best reward of the trip. To regain energy I decided to enter a little shack about the average person's height to grab a cup of tea or coffee. My jaw dropped when I looked at the face of the barista, the same person who cooked my dinner last night! I was told that he started ascending to the viewing point as early as 4 am, half an hour earlier than us and had boiling water ready to make coffee or tea before sunrise at 6.30 am. He is in his mid-60s and stands 1.8m tall with Kenny Rogers' style of hair n beard. He was smiling and rolling on the snow covering the ground posting various hilarious positions for the porter to take photos in front of the shack. I felt weird watching it as others told me he had experienced HAS halfway on the journey. No, he is not the superhuman I want to talk about. I turned around and searched for the second superhuman in the vast whiteness. Within minutes, I found Mr Hom Khadka, our chief guide of the trip and the guardian angel of Kenny Rogers in the final and most strenuous part of this hike. enny Rogers' wife had quit halfway and left the care of K R who had shown signs of HAS but still insisted on finishing the last leg of the hike entirely at the hand of Mr Hom. I was convinced by Mr Hom's experience and leadership when he single-handedly guided and motivated Mr K R to reach the highest point of this hike. Against all odds, go for outfitter Nepal.

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