The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is comparatively a short (9 Days and 8 nights) trek. It is a new trail introduced in 2012 but has quickly gained popularity among trekkers. This route leads adventurers through the breathtaking Annapurna Sanctuary Area, starting from the lowlands of Pokhara at 820 meters and ascending to the majestic Mardi Himal Base Camp at an altitude of 4,500 meters. Despite being less renowned compared to longer treks like the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp treks, Mardi Himal offers awe-inspiring views of Mardi Himal itself (5,587 meters) and other towering peaks including Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna Himal, making it a trek well worth the investment.
The journey encompasses various places along the way passing through picturesque locales such as Aastam, Kande, Australian Camp, Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp, Badal Danda, Kalimati, Pothana, Lwang, and Lumre. Notably, Mardi Himal Trek stands out as the sole trek in Nepal where trekkers can reach altitudes exceeding 4000 meters within just 9 days, showcasing its remarkable accessibility.
Furthermore, the increasing number of teahouses along the trail has significantly eased the trekking experience, catering to individuals with diverse fitness levels by offering readily available accommodations, lunch, and dinner options. Additionally, the route predominantly traverses through lush forests teeming with oaks and rhododendrons, providing opportunities to spot an array of wildlife including Musk deer, Langurs, various monkey species, Danfe (Lophophorus), and porcupines.
Outside the terminal of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, our airport agent will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the Company. Then, you will transfer to the Hotel after you arrive at TIA. If you arrive at TIA on time, you can visit the nearby Hotel area (depending on the arrival time) or you can rest after the long air flight. On this day, our staff or your trip guide will meet and greet you at the Hotel and brief you about the day ahead journey. You will stay overnight.
After enjoying an early breakfast at the hotel, you will start on a journey towards western Nepal along the Prithivi Highway. Within an hour, you will arrive at the Trishuli River, where you will encounter typical Nepali houses, terraces, farmlands, hotels, and Khaja Ghars along the way. During the trip, a riverside restaurant will be the place for your lunch.
As you continue along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway, you will traverse diverse landscapes, observing varied flora, and fauna, and experiencing different aspects of the local culture. At the end of the day, you will spend the night in Pokhara, where you have the option to leisurely explore the surrounding tourist areas.
After having breakfast in the morning, you will leave Pokhara and drive to Kande, which takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The trail from Kande steeply ascends through lush forests, passing small villages via Australian Camp and Pothana, you will reach Pitam Deurali, a small settlement with a Gurung community, situated at an elevation of 2100m. You will enjoy beautiful views, including Dhaulagiri in the far west, Annapurna South with its large glacier shoulder, and Machhapuchhre. In the evening, you will have a chance to enjoy a stunning sunset, and you will spend the night here.
After breakfast, you will trek to Low Camp (3035m) following a peaceful trail through a dense forest with oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron. About 6 hours of trekking through the jungle will reach a forest clearing called Kokar or Forest Camp. Here, you will stop for lunch. Having lunch at Forest Camp then you will continue the uphill trek to Low Camp through the forest. As you ascend, you will notice a change in vegetation, with an increasing abundance of rhododendrons, and the trees cloaked in moss, lichen, and tree ferns. There are currently few lodges at Low Camp. This part of the journey might feel like a challenging and long day and you will stay overnight here.
After breakfast, you will hike towards High Camp (3580m). Today’s trek is short which will help your bodies get acclimatized. You will pass through hills and grassy areas, moving from the tree line to alpine vegetation. After crossing Manjhi Danda near Low Camp, you will reach High Camp via Nangge Danda. You will have lunch at High Camp. This small open area has a few lodges and stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain, Annapurna Base Camp valley, Mardi Himal, and Machhapuchhre Mountain. You will acclimate at High Camp, preparing for the ascent to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Spend the night at High Camp.
You will have your breakfast early in the morning and start your trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp at an elevation of 4500m. Today will be a challenging day, walking along narrow, rocky trails, but it will be worth it for the spectacular views of this majestic mountain. Upon reach Mardi Himal Base Camp to enjoy an amazing view of the Himalayas, including Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar, (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchare (6993m), and many other mountains. Afterward, trek back to High Camp, have lunch there, and then trek down to Low Camp for an overnight stay.
After having breakfast early in the morning, you will retrace your trek back down. You will head southeast from the ridge through the dense forest towards Mardi Khola. It will take almost 2-3 hours to reach the siding village. In this village, your trek will end, and you will drive back to Pokhara, where you will have lunch.
Following the Lunch, you have the option to either explore the lakeside area or take some rest, depending on your preference. The night will be spent at the hotel.
Following breakfast, you will prepare for the drive to Kathmandu, with lunch scheduled along the journey. Kathmandu is expected to be reached in the late afternoon. An evening farewell dinner will provide, and accommodations for the night will be provided at the hotel.
You will enjoy your breakfast in the early morning and proceed with your departure from Tribhuvan International Airport according to your planned schedule.
Rise Expeditions suggests the following list of gear and equipment to have for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Headwear:
Hands:
Upper Body:
Lower Body:
Footwear:
Sleeping Stuffs:
Backpacks:
Personal Gear:
Sun Stuffs:
Toiletries:
Miscellaneous: