Mardi Himal Trek

The Trip

Situated just east of one of the most popular treks of Nepal, Poonhill and the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Mardi Himal trek is a hidden beauty. As it is hardly known, just a few trekkers made their way before to the Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is spectacularly situated at the base of Mardi Himal and the impressive Machapuchhre. So here is your chance to be one of the pioneers in this recently opened area for trekkings in Nepal.

The trail goes eventually to the high base camp, but starts ease off along small paths through magical rhododendron forests, until you climb out of the forest around 3,300 meters. The landscape then changes quite abruptly into a rough high mountain landscape, with amazing views of Mardi Himal, Machapuchre, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

From High Camp (3.900 meters), we trek in one day to Mardi Himal Basecamp at 4.500 meters, which offers spectacular close up views of the entire Annapurna Range. The return trip is partly different since we will descend to the Mardi Khola river and by that way to Lwang.

We offer simple guesthouses and homestays along the entire route, which make this trip unique since it does not cover any of the beaten tracks. So be one of the first to join us on this new adventure. The trekking is partly strenuous, so you need some basis condition for walking at least 5/6 hours a day. Climbing experience is not needed.

After the trek we have a few relaxing days in the jungle of Chitwan National Park!

Day by Day Program

The new alternative to the classic Annapurna trail, combined with Chitwan National Park!

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu , o/n in a hotel + D.
Arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport in Nepal. You will be transported to your hotel in Thamel where in the evening we invite you to our traditional Nepali welcome dinner.

Day 2: Sightseeing Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel +B
Early rise for a breakfast in the hotel after which it’s time to visit Pashupatinath, the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Boudanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa of the world. It really impresses all foreign tourists. In the afternoon we visit Durbar Square with its impressive monuments.

Day 3: Flight to Pokhara, 25 mins, o/n in a hotel +B
This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km). On the route we will see more of the amazing countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. In the afternoon, we reach Pokhara, the second largest city. The city is famous for its magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna. It is the starting point for all the adventurous trekkings.

Day 4: Drive Pokhara-Kande and trek to forest camp (Kokar), (2.600m, 6/7 hrs.), o/n in lodge +B+L+D.
After a very early breakfast we drive to Kande and start our long trek (!) to the Forest Camp in Kokar. Our trek starts easy on plain way before we have to pass from the Pine Forest road which contains steep hills. We arrive halfway at Bhichok Deurali which offers panoramic views after we which we take a right turn.  The forest we cross next is covered with the most unique flower called Rododendron. We will have a nice packed lunch because now on our way there are almost no any accommodations to Forest camp at Kokar.

Day 5: From forest camp (2500 m) to Mardi Himal low camp (3.050 m, 2/3 hrs.), o/n in lodge +B+L+D.
Today we trek from Forest Camp at Kokar to Low camp. At Low camp (3.050m), we have amazing and clear views of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6.997m). Beautiful flora and fauna will accompany us, next enchanting village views, walking through alpine forests. We meet the authentic Gurung and Thakali culture.

Day 6: From Mardi Himal low Camp (2.990 m) to Mardi Himal High Camp at Kew (3.900 m, 3/4hrs), o/n in lodge +B+L+D.
After breakfast we start our trekking from Low camp to High Camp at Kew (3.900m) where you can see various snow-capped mountains likke South Annpurna, Himchuli and Machhapuchhre or also known as Fishtail. After we will walk upwards along the Nangge Danda to High Camp at an altitude of 3.900 meter where you will be staying overnight.

Day 7: From Mardi Himal high Camp (3.900 m) to Mardi Himal west base camp (4.500 m, 7 hrs.) and back to high camp, o/n in lodge +B+L+D.
The day starts with breakfast at High camp and we take our packed lunch to go for our highlight of the trip and also our highest altitude: Mardi Base Camp’s (4.500m). It will take us whole day to go there and back.  It is a series of steep, rocky climbs separated by more comfortable walks through lush, green fields, alongside the high Himalaya’s. Enjoy your lunch with a magnificient view of Mardi Himal, Annapurna-I, South Annapurna, Himchuli, Ten Peak, Gangapurna and Gandarbhachuli and the impressive Mt. Machhapuchhare at our side. After lunch we descend to high camp and stay overnight there.

Day 8: High Camp (3.900 m) to Sidhing (1.885 m, 5 hrs.), o/n in lodge +B+L+D.
After breakfast we decend from our high camp to towards Sidding in just  5 hrs of walk. It is a different route we came from, taking us to the cross the mardi khola river. Again we cross the breathtaking beauty of unspoiled nature and forests and the beautiful red rhododendrons. In the afternoon we reach Sidding, a traditional local village where we will stay for overnight.

Day 9: From Sidhing (1.885 m) to Lwang/Banskot (1.460 m, 4-5 hrs.), drive to Pokhara, o/n in hotel+B.
Our last trekking day we walk from Lwang (1.460 m) through small traditional villages like Hyangjakot (1.545 m) and down to the road at Banskot (1.100 m), where we drive back to Pokhara.

Day 1o: Drive to Chitwan and rafting, o/n in hotel, +B/L/D
After breakfast our drive takes us to Chitwan National Park in the subtropical inner Tarai lowlands. You will sleep in the middle of nature in a hotel. But first we will do a (safe) 3 hours Trisuli River Rafting Tour included camping lunch at the river bank. The rivers followed from a famous pilgrimage place Gosaikunda which lies high in the Himalaya. No prior experienced needed to participate in this adventure. After the raft we will continue our drive to Chitwan. 

Day 11: Chitwan NP, o/n in hotel, +B/L/D 
Today we will spend all our day in this unique place in the midst of jungle activities like a jungle drive, safari on an elephant back, elephant bathing and a jungle walk. Dinner in the evening and cultural introduction to the Tharu, which is the largest and oldest ethnic group of the Terai region, living in villages near dense jungles in regions that were isolated over the millennia, allowing them to develop a unique culture.

Day 12: Chitwan NP and return to Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel, +B+L
After breakfast you will go for bird watching and village exploration. After lunch the guide will drop you at the gate of the park where your driver will take you back to the border of the park for our drive back to Kathmandu. Check in International Guest House.

Day 13: Free shopping day in Thamel, o/n in hotel, +B
After breakfast it is time to take some souvenirs back home. We explore Thamel, the tourist place of Kathmandu. It has been the center of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over four decades starting from the hippie movement when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. Even though Thamel has been referred to as the “ghetto” by some, most low-budget travellers consider it a tourist heaven. Thamel is distinguished by its narrow streets crowded with various shops and vendors.

Day 14: Transport to the international airport, +B

Tip: read what Tripadvisor has to tell about this fabulous pioneer trekking.

Gallery

Route Map