Mardi Himal Trek: The Short Mardi Himal Trek is a captivating 8-day journey that offers an extraordinary Himalayan adventure within a compact timeframe. Beginning in Kathmandu and traveling to Pokhara, the trek takes you through lush forests, charming villages, and awe-inspiring mountain scenery. From the initial drive to Kande, you trek through verdant landscapes to Forest Camp, then progress to Low Camp and High Camp, each offering stunning views of the Annapurna and Mardi Himal ranges. A highlight is reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp, where you can savor breathtaking panoramic vistas. The trek concludes with a descent to Siding Village and a return to Pokhara, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a rich trekking experience with a shorter commitment.
Best time to visit?
The best season for trekking in Annapurna Region is during autumn and spring.
The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions.
During the autumn season, the months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region, as the weather is clear bringing great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures, the nights are clear and is a perfect opportunity for stargazing.
The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a change in the region, varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you’ll witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green high lands.
Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers.
In the winter season, Annapurna Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel for this reason.
Accommodation:
Tourist-friendly hotels, lodges, and local accommodations are available on trekking trails and, providing with basic accommodation to luxury and grandeur ones. Luxury hotels and teahouse are situated along the trail that suits your budgets providing comfortable beds with a pillow, electric blankets, hot and cold shower, free WIFI, and many more.
Teahouse along Annapurna region provides you with hot shower, western attached bathrooms and the rooms mostly include twin sharing beds as well as a single bed, with hygienic and clean atmosphere, good mattresses, a pillow, and blankets. Campsites are also available along the trail providing a special opportunity for campers to sleep under the stars.
Equipment List:
One small personal-sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as moleskin, bands, anti-infection ointments, muscle relief ointments
- Daypack above 40 liters. (Must be waterproof)
- Down jacket (rental available)
- Warm sleeping bag (rental available)
- Sun head, gulf cap, sunglasses
- Headlamp, torchlight, power bank, and extra batteries l Ear muffs, sun Lotions/sun cream, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer.
- Pair of liner gloves thin wool and synthetic.
- Cotton t-shirts, Synthetic t-shirts.
- Long-sleeve polyester or synthetic lightweight for sunny days.
- Soft-shell jacket water & wind resist.
- Swimming costume.
- Inner clothes as your requirement.
- Liner socks, woolen socks.
- Proper trekking boots with good ankle support.
- Imodium or Pepto Bismo capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Diamox for altitude sickness. The guide will help you to take it.
Important Note:
Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Female Guide Holiday. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full cooperation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Female Guide Holiday. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.
Itinerary
Kathmandu is surrounded by undulating green hills in a deep valley. The city is a combination of old and new, with historic areas going back to medieval times as well as new urban architecture. Our representative will greet you at the airport terminal once you arrive, make your way to the hotel, and check-in. Meal: Welcome Dinner Accommodation: Hotel in a sharing basis
You're on your way to Pokhara on the first flight. During the flight, you'll be treated with spectacular vistas of the Himalayas. As you get closer to Pokhara, you'll be able to see the renowned Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak), the Annapurna Massif, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Meals: No
Accommodation: 3 star hotel in a sharing basis
Early in the morning after a light breakfast, head to Kade which is around a couple of hours drive from Pokhara, Kade your trek official begins, hike up to Australian Camp (2060m) from here the uphill hike takes around 2-3 hours offering you with views of
Annapurna range high above and Pokhara valley down below, follow the trail till Deurali and from Deurali, you leave the crowded trails of the Annapurna Sanctuary and head towards Forest Camp, the trail from here passes through the lush, rich deep wilderness of tree, ferns and dense undergrowth of sub-alpine wildflowers. As you reach Forest Camp head towards your accommodation.
Today you'll be heading towards High Camp, the trail today is covered with a beautiful forest of subtropical jungles, wet hill forest, bamboo, rhododendron, mixtures of conferring, oaks, orchids, and moss-draped trees, on a backdrop with the mighty Himalayan peaks following you. Where the unique wildlife of the region can pop up anytime, Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, spotted Deer, Barking Dear, Snow leopard are some of the wildlife found here.
Once the ascend begins, the landscape starts to transform into rugged terrain, after an hour of the trek from Low Camp, the trail reaches out above the tree line, it's raw and wild where the jungle meets the mountain, you'll catch your first, clear sightings of the magnificent mountain peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli, from here the trail continues along the ridgeline towards Mardi Himal, and you'll enter into the alpine zone, follow the trail till you reach High Camp. High Camp is a beautiful and small pasture land with backdrops of beautiful snowcapped peaks. Head towards your accommodation and rest once you reach High camp.
Wake up early and head towards Mardi Himal Base Camp following the exhilarating ridgeline route with spectacular views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Annapurna, as the ridge narrows, the landscapes become increasingly surreal with steep, rocky, and uneven landscapes and Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre appear to be extremely adjacent together. As you reach the base camp you'll see the magnificent and gorgeous Mardi Himal and Mt. Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli. and other high giants Annapurna I, II, and Gangapurna right in front of you, bask in the views of the Himalayan giants, and later on retrace your steps back to High camp and from there back to Badal Danda. Don’t forget to go stargazing in the evening.
After breakfast retraces your steps till low camp from here you'll be taking a different route, to the settlement of Siding which takes around 3 – 4 hours. After you reach Siding take a brief rest and then head towards Pokhara which is around 3 hours of drive, once you reach Pokhara you can stroll around the city or head to any tourist attractions.
After breakfast you will have a flight to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu proceed towards your accommodation. If you are not too tired explore the streets of Thamel. In the evening join in for a farewell dinner program to mark the end of your successful trek.
After breakfast, a representative from Female Guide Kathmandu representative will drop you at the airport. Bid your farewell to Nepal and the newly made friends. Note: All of the above-mentioned trekking hours and distances are estimations and should only be used as a general guideline.
