Mardi himal trek
Annapurna

Mardi himal trek

10 days Moderate

Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek is a spectacular short Himalayan adventure near Pokhara, offering peaceful trails, traditional villages, lush forests, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Known as one of Nepal’s rewarding off-the-beaten-path treks, the route takes trekkers through beautiful Gurung and Magar villages, dense rhododendron and oak forests, and scenic alpine ridges before reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp at around 4,500 meters. The trail provides exceptional views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Dhaulagiri range. With comfortable teahouses, welcoming local communities, and relatively quiet mountain trails, the Mardi Himal Trek is an excellent choice for beginners, photographers, nature lovers, and travelers seeking an authentic Himalayan experience close to Pokhara.

Day-by-day itinerary

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 After breakfast at the Hotel we begin our drive towards Nepal’s lake city, Pokhara. The drive will take about 6-7 hours where we follow meandering road over the valley. We then drive along the Trishuli River followed by another river, MArshyangdi River after we cross the half way. Crossing many local settlements we reach Pokhara normally in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure after you have checked in. Overnight stay at Hotel Peninsula or Similar.

This is the first day of our Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek. We will begin our day with a drive to Hyangja, from where we set on a trail towards Dhampus where we will be spending our first night in the mountain. Trekking on a gentle path we climb the ridge above the Yangri Khola valley and trek through fields and houses of local people which offers great trekking experiences. The glimpse of Annapurna Himalayan Range is just breathtaking from Dhampus. 30 Minute drive then 04-05 hrs Trek. (Tea House).

Early in the morning the rising sun brings an extraordinary views of Snowcapped mountains. We can witness sunrise over Annapurna I, Machhapuchre (Fish Tail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and many more peaks. We then leave towards Forest Camp on comparatively less trekked trek leaving the crowd behind. The trail is one of the lately discovered trekking trail in the Nepal’s Himalayas which is still able to escape the crowd of trekkers. We trek through captivated forest od Rhododendron, maple, mountain oak and daphnia. We will have overnight stay in forest camp. 04-05 hrs Trek. (Tea House).

fter your breakfast we will continue our trek towards the Low Camp. The flora will change the more we climb higher and the rhododendron forests will now be less as mosses and lichen will take over the nature on today’s trail. The view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli is just imposing. We will reach Low Camp in the afternoon where we will be spending the night. Though still surrounded by forest, we have spectacular northerly views of the ever-closer ‘Fishtail’. 04-05 hrs Trek. Tea House.

The first part of the day is a short, steep climb which takes us out of the forest followed by a grassy (sometimes snowy) trail that leads us to High Camp where we will reach for our lunch.This is also acclimatizing day as we will be at altitude of 4,100 m above sea level. Great views of the Himalayas are always with us throughout the day. 04-05 hrs Trek. Tea House.

Today is the highlight of the trek. We will wake early to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas which turn snow into gold with the first rays of the sun. After breakfast we will hike up to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail is mostly covered with grass where some of the parts are steep. We will pass numbers of herder’s herd on our way to Base Camp as during summer sheep and goats are brought up to graze from lower villages. After 2- 3 hours we will be at base Camp from where we will have panoramic view of Annapurna Himalaya range including the south face of mighty Annapurna. Return back to high Camp after spending sometime at the Mardi Base Camp. 07-08 hrs Trek. Tea House.

(If weather conditions require it, we shall descend through High Camp to trek on down to a re-established Low Camp to spend the night there.)

Today we will retrace our footsteps and head towards Siding descending 2,750m in altitude. We take a different route to return back. The trail today is mostly downhill leaving the grassy highland behind and entering into the dense forests once again. We make our way along the banks of the Mardi Khola from the hill-side village of Siding, down through the lovely fields, past the simple farms and over the interesting bridges. (06-07 hrs Trek. Tea House).

fter your breakfast with magnificient view of Machhapuchre/ Fishtail (6,993m) we head in the direction of Luwang village where we will be staying at a Home Stay with a local family experiencing their lifestyle. The trail today is a wide motor able road at the beginning followed by a trek inside the dense forests and terraced fields. In the evening we hike up to Luwang Tea Garden and return back to Luwang village for overnight stay. Overnight stay at home stay. (05-06 hrs Trek).

After breakfast at Luwang we start our trekking to Khormukh from where we take a drive to Pokhara. (Trek 02-03 Hrs and drive 02-03 hrs).

Today early morning we take cab to tourist bus stop to Kathmandu.  

What’s included

Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Domestic flights/transport as required
  • Tea house accommodation throughout the trek
  • All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Licensed English-speaking guide and porters
  • Required permits for the Annapurna region
  • First-aid kit and satellite communication device

Not included

  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Travel insurance (mandatory, incl. helicopter evacuation)
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages
  • Tips for guides and porters

Packing list

Insulated down jacket
Waterproof hiking boots (broken in)
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag (season-appropriate rating)
Headlamp with spare batteries
Water purification tablets
Sun hat and sunglasses (UV protection)
Basic first-aid and blister kit

Safety & permits

  • ACAP Permit: Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is required.
  • TIMS Card: Required for trekking in the Annapurna region.
  • Licensed Guide: Trek with a licensed and experienced guide.
  • Altitude Safety: Ascend gradually and watch for symptoms of altitude sickness.
  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is recommended.
  • Weather: Follow your guide’s advice and be prepared for changing mountain weather.
  • Emergency Support: Inform your guide immediately if you feel unwell or face any difficulty.

Route

Altitude sickness can occur when your body struggles to adjust to high elevations and lower oxygen levels. During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, or difficulty sleeping. Stay hydrated, ascend gradually, and inform your guide immediately if you feel unwell. Planning your Annapurna Base Camp adventure with an experienced local trekking company can make your journey more organized and enjoyable. If you are looking for a trusted trekking company in Nepal, our team at Mountain Mate Trek is available to help you plan and experience your Himalayan adventure at www.mountainmatetrek.com

Mardi himal trek — route map

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