Mardi Himal Trip highlights:
✔ A short trek to the incredible Himalayas.
✔ Easy trails accompanied by the alluring sights of mountains.
✔ Less crowded and remote trail.
✔ Enjoy the closest sights of Annapurna, Manaslu, and Macchapuchre.
✔ Explore the culture of the regions.
✔ Stay in local tea houses and experience the warm hospitality.
✔ Trek through the rich landscape of the Annapurna region
The hidden gem of Nepal, the Mardi Himal trek is one of the popular treks of the Annapurna region that offers the majestic sights of Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri range, Annapurna range, and Manaslu. Located at the bosom of the Annapurna region, the Mardi Himal trek allows you to enjoy the alluring sights of the Himalayas in the shortest time. Yes, you heard it right; the Mardi trek is only a 4 nights and 5 days program that will cover the basics of every trek to the Annapurna region. That means if you are willing to do the ABC trek but due to the time limitation cannot do so, you can opt for the Mardi Himal trek and enjoy the serene beauty of the region.
5 Days Mardi Trek Itinerary:
The Mardi Himal Trek 4 nights and 5 days itinerary starts and ends in Pokhara. The trek starting from the city of Lakes i.e. Pokhara will traverse through the diverse landscape of the region as you start your trekking journey from Dhampus. Dhampus is another popular destination of the region that offers beautiful sights of the Himalayas adorned by the cultural diversity of the region. From Dhampus, you will head on a journey to the high camp traversing through picturesque Gurung village, rhododendron forests, waterfalls, rivers, terraced fields, and much more exciting things on the way.
The highest point of the trek is 4500m and is the viewpoint/base camp of the trek. From the viewpoint, the trekkers can enjoy the remarkable sights of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchre, and Manaslu. Together with this, you will also enjoy the pristine sights of the Annapurna region adorned by the blossoming rhododendron flowers.
Best Time for Mardi Trek:
Although the Mardi Himal trek can be done throughout the year, the two-season Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to December) is considered to be the best time for the trek. The sole reason behind this is, during these two seasons you will be able to enjoy the best sights of the Himalayas as the weather is crystal clear. Along with this, the trail is adorned by the blooming wildflower making your trek as dreamy as it could possibly be for you.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost:
✔ Cost for International tourists is around $399 - $700.
✔ Cost Domestic tourists is around NRs. 10,000 - NRs. 15,000.
✔ Permits Cost: Trekking to Mardi requires two permits, the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (ACAP) which will cost you 20 USD, and the Trekkers Information management system (TIMS) which costs you 10 USD. You can get a TIMS permit from Kathmandu.
Related Trek Routes in Annapurna Region:
✔ Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking
Contact us for an Trek inquiry:
If you are planning for a trek in Nepal that will come under your budget, then the Mardi Himal Trek is the best for you. We also offer customized packages for our guests. So feel free to contact us anytime.
Day 01: Drive to Kande (1,770 m) and trek to Deurali (2,125m). (L/D)
✔ Driving duration: 1 hour
✔ Walking duration: 3-4 hours
On the first day of the trip, you will drive to Kande from Pokhara after having breakfast at around 7 am. The Pokhara to Kande ride takes around 40 minutes and, runs through the Pokhara-Baglung highway. As soon as arrive at Kande, you will start your trekking journey to Deurali. The first spot you will arrive at during the Kande-Deurali trail is the Australian camp. The journey from Kande to the Australian camp takes around 1-2 hours and offers beautiful sights of the surrounding hills and Himalayas. The Australian camp is also a famous spot to enjoy the majestic sights of the
Annapurna ranges. You can enjoy your lunch and then continue your journey to Deurali passing through another ethnic village settlement of Pothana. Upon your arrival in Pitam Deurali, the awe-inspiring sights of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, and Macchapuchre will welcome you at its best.
Day 02: Trek to Low Camp (3,150 m). (B/L/D)
✔ Walking duration: 5-6 hours
On the second day of the journey to Mardi Himal, you will head north from Deurali, entering the deeply forested area covered with rhododendron flowers and other wild floras. As soon as you enter the forest area, the temperature drops, offering a refreshing scent of nature. After 5-6 hours of trekking through the wilderness of the region, you will finally arrive at Low camp.
Since you will be staying overnight in the low camp, don’t forget to soak yourself in the serenity as you enjoy the captivating sights of Macchapuchre up close.
Day 03: Trek to High Camp (3,700 m). (B/L/D)
✔ Walking duration: 3-4 hours
On the third day of the journey, you will ascend through the rhododendron, oak forest for about 1-2 hours until you arrive at Middle Camp. Continuing your journey, you will leave behind Badal Danda and walk along the Mardi Himal ridge for another 2-3 hours. Enjoying the views and walking continuously for hours, you will arrive at High camp. The high camp offers the perfect sights of the snow-capped pinnacles including Himchuli (6,441m), Annapurna (7,219m), and Macchapuchre (6,993m).
Day 04: Trek to Mardi Base Camp (4,500 m) and trek down to Siding (1,800 m). (B/L/D)
✔ Walking duration: 8-9 hours
The much-awaited day of the 5-day trek is finally here. Today you will scream beauty from the top of your lungs as you hike to Mardi base camp, the final destination of the trip. Early in the morning, you will start the trek ascending through the rocky trail for about 5 hours until you arrive at the base camp.
Rest assured, the views from the Mardi Base camp are as heavenly as they could be. You can enjoy the close-up view of Mardi together with Annapurna, Macchapuchre, and Himchuli.
After clicking dozens of the pictures in the camp and spending quality time, you can head down the hill to Siding. The downhill journey is easy and follows the same trail up to the low camp. From low camp, you will take a different route to Siding. The beautiful village of Siding is a great place to explore the rich and diverse culture and lifestyle of the people living in the region.
Day 05: Trek to Lumre from Siding (1,800 m) and drive back to Pokhara (1,400 m) by local sharing bus. (B/L)
✔ Walking duration: 3 hours
✔ Driving duration: 2 hours
Today is the final day of the trek, so make sure that you catch some final glimpse of the Himalayas before heading down to Lumre from where you will be catching a local/private jeep to Pokhara or sharing vehicle or whatever available at that moment.
Cost includes
- Your daily meal main course (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) for your 4 nights/5 days trip and accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary; teahouses run by Nepalese families with outside toilet.
- Transportation trekking start point Kande by private transport and trek end point Lumre to Pokhara by local sharing bus.
- One experience English speaking trekking guide and 1 porter for 2 tourist. If you are a solo traveller porter is not included. It is available in additional cost USD 200.
- Annapurna Conservation Permit. Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS)
- Insurance for guide our service charge.
Cost excludes
- Airport pick up and departure transfer.
- Kathmandu and Pokhara accommodation.
- Personal equipment for Trekking. (sleeping Bag, down jacket, sun glass, sunscreen, trekking shoes, trekking stick, gloves, some pair t-shit and socks)
- Personal insurance for travel to Nepal.
- Your breakfast, lunch and dinner in Pokhara and Pokhara accommodation.
- Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu transportation.
- Tipping (Tips) for guide & porter according to your interest.
- All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. (Note: It will be suitable for you if you get your water yourself, you can either buy the bottled water on the way easily or fill the tap water in your water bottle and use the water purifying tablet)
- Sweet things like chocolate and desert. (Tea, Coffee, Mineral Water, hot water, soup, hot chocolate and deserts) Hot shower and laundry during the trekking.
- Internet call and Laundry service. Wi-Fi, internet, phone calls, battery charging. International air fare.
- Local Government tax Nepali rupees 500.
Some Useful Tips for your 5 Days Mardi Himal Trek:
✔ Start your trek early in the morning to skip the scorching sun. Starting early will also help you to book your room as you will reach the overnight spot earlier than other trekkers.
✔ You will be walking for 5-6 hours daily. So make sure to carry the energy supplements and protein bars.
✔ Along with the bars, remember to hydrate yourself. Since you will be sweating a lot, your body gets dehydrated more easily than usual. Dehydration at such a high altitude can result in dizziness and altitude sickness. So take breaks and hydrate yourself quite often
✔ The Mardi Himal trek does not require much physical fitness. But, doing cardio exercise a month ahead of the trek will build your stamina and fitness.
✔ Clothing is another important thing you need to consider while trekking. Wearing comfortable and quality gear will allow you to walk freely.
✔ Remember to carry Nepali currency with you as you will not find any atm in the upper region.
✔ Check the weather before you start your journey for the day.
✔ Pack your essential medication and check the above-mentioned checklist to avoid missing out on any important thing.
Equipment for Mardi Himal Trek:
✔ Clothing
▪ Insulating down jackets
▪ Trekking boots
▪ Trekking pants and jackets
▪ Thermals underwear
▪ Trekking shirts (Short-sleeved/ Long-sleeved)
▪ Trekking Gloves
▪ Woolen cap
▪ Raincoats
✔ First Aid
▪ Band-aids
▪ Oral rehydration salts
▪ Anti-nausea Medicines
▪ Diamox tablets
▪ Mosquito repellents
✔ Toiletries
▪ Toilet Paper
▪ Shampoo
▪ Moisturizer
▪ Sunscreen
▪ Disposable wipes
▪ Soap
▪ Hand sanitizer
✔ Accessories
▪ Sleeping bag
▪ Solar Chargers
▪ Cameras
▪ Sunglasses
▪ Water Bottle
▪ Hot water Thermos
✔ Important Documents
▪ Passport
▪ Travel Permits
▪ ID
✔ Snacks to Pack
▪ Protein bars, Granola bars
▪ Instant noodles/Foods
▪ Nuts, Butter packs
▪ Any favorite snacks
Travellers Reviews
Best trekking destination in Nepal if you are looking for a short and medium trek. My Mardi Himal Trek was adventures and I felt so close to Himalayas and nature. I would like to thank my trekking tea....
Yule Yaspe
I booked for the Mardi Trek and it was amazing. They briefed the itinerary and it was on schedule. I love how this trip was a blend of culture, nature and people. everything was excellent no complaint....
Ramiro Barraza
Mardi Himal प्रकृति को सुन्दर ठाउँ मध्ये एक हो। कबि जी लाई हार्दिक धन्यबाद जोसले मलाई यो प्याकेज मलाई दिनु भयो। छोटो र मिठो ठाउँ र आती रमणीय।
Suman Regmi
FAQ
▪ The teahouses and lodges of Mardi Himal Trek provide basic services. They offer common rooms and toilets in sharing-basis. Hot showers, WiFi, boiled water, and charging facilities are available in the teahouses but will cost you extra money.
▪ You can face altitude sickness above 3,000m from the sea level. You’re always at risk of suffering from altitude sickness since the maximum elevation of this trek is 4,500m at Mardi Himal Base Camp. Therefore, it is essential to stay hydrated and take safety precautions while trekking.
▪ Yes, we recommend you to have travel insurance before trekking to Mardi Himal. It is better to get insurance that covers medical charges, helicopter evacuation, theft, and so forth.
▪ Water from the local sources is not safe to drink so you should not drink water directly from the tap. You can buy bottled water throughout the trail. However, bottled water is slightly expensive so we highly suggest you carry tablets, water purifiers, or SteriPen purifiers.
▪ Tipping is not compulsory at all. However, if you are satisfied with the service provided by them, you can tip them as an appreciation for the work they have done for you.
After covid has settled a bit, Nepal was my first place to visit for my refreshment holiday. Thanks to my friend Jonathon Thomas who recommended me Trekking Guide Team and Kabiraj for my Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal. March 2nd, 2022, I solo trekked to ABC with off-course with a very friendly experienced guide - Mr. Ram Sharan Timsina.
▪ Teahouses in the upper region mainly offer vegetarian meals so it won't be a problem at all.
▪ If you have the necessary documents and have enough knowledge about the trail, you can go on a solo trek. Nevertheless, if you are trekking in Nepal for the first time we recommend you to have a guide then go on for a solo trek.
▪ Mardi Himal trek offers an average trekking experience meaning, it does not require much physical fitness in comparison to EBC and ABC trek. So any individual with normal fitness can join for the trek and summit the base camp elevating at an altitude of 4250m.
▪ You do not have to carry your meal during the trek since the basic three meals a day are included in the package. The meal offered in the teahouse is just enough to fuel your body. However, you can pack protein bars, and other snacks if you like to munch during the trek.
▪ Yes, you will need trekking permits for the Mardi Himal trek. The two permits are namely the ACAP and TIMS. The Trekking guide Team Adventure includes the necessary permits in the package.