Mardi Himal Trek (29th October-4th November 2023)

from $ 1,310.00

The Mardi Himal trek is a relatively new route located in the Annapurna region. It  was “officially” opened in 2012 and is now fast attracting a large number of trekkers. A richly diverse trek it takes one through beautiful Rhododendron  forests to rocky mountain terrain and several base camps which may have snow depending on the time of year.

Mardi Himal (5587 m) is located to the east of the Annapurna Base Camp virtually under the spectacular Machhapuchhre (Fishtail 6993 m). Annapurna South (7219 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m) mountains. The trek goes through stone built villages and wonderful rhododendron forests that come to bloom in many different colors in the spring. The forest trail continues to 3,300 m and then becomes a rugged mountain setting with spectacular views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South . At Low Camp (2990 m), the best views of Machhapuchhre is seen. The High Camp (3580m) offers spectacular views overlooking the Annapurna Base camp. Further from ridge line of View point,  one can reach the Mardi Himal Base camp where there are mesmerizing views overlooking all of the Annapurna range.

The Mardi Himal trek, though short and at a relaxed pace, provides spectacular mountain views and great trekking experience. However, there are chances of suffering from altitude sickness if one ascends too fast. The best time to trek in this region is March, April, May and from October and November.

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • Activity Level Challenging
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    • Group Size Small Group
      Min 2 Pax
    All about the Mardi Himal Trek (29th October-4th November 2023).

    Outlined Itinerary

    Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
    EVE : Trek Briefing & Welcome Dinner
    Overnight at Hotel

    Day 02:  Transfer to airport and fly / Kathmandu to Pokhara (25 minutes). Upon arrival, met by vehicles and drive for 1 hour to Khande to commence the trek. Here meet rest of the trek team and porters and while the luggage is being sorted, take a lunch break. After lunch,  start trek to Australian Camp which is reached in about 2 ½ hours.  (25 minutes flight / 1 hour drive / 2 ½ hrs Trek).
    Overnight at lodge.

    Day 03 :  Trek to Forest camp at Kokar with packed lunch.  (6/7 hrs Trek).
    Overnight at lodge.

    Day 04: Trek to Badal Danda (3250 m) via  Low Camp (5-6 hours trek)
    Overnight at Lodge

    Day 05: Trek to High Camp (2/3 hours Trek)
    Overnight at Lodge

    Day 06:  Early morning Excursion to Mardi Himal View Point (2- 2 ½ hrs trek) OR continue trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (OPTIONAL) + 2 ½ – 3 hours trek
    Later return to High Camp for a late lunch
    After some rest descend to Middle Camp at 3200 m. (2 hours)
    Dinner and Overnight at Lodge at Middle Camp (6/7 hours Trek)

    Day 07 : Trek to Sidhing
    A long mornings descent to Sidhing ( 6 hours). Upon arrival, stop for lunch and then board waiting jeeps and then drive to Pokhara. (4/5 hours Trek + 2 ½ Hours drive)
    Upon arrival, Check into the Hotel.
    Overnight at the Hotel in Pokkhara.

    Day 08: Transfer to airport and board the 30 minute afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hotel. Rest of the day is FREE to browse around Kathmandu.
    Overnight at the Hotel.

    Day 09: Day free until Final Departure

     

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • All Transfer from Airport / Hotel / Airport in a private deluxe a/c vehicle accompanied by the representative / guide from Sacred Summits (P) Ltd.
    • Welcome Dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant with transfers.
    • 02 Night accommodation at the Hotel Manaslu (3 Star) OR Similar on Bed & Breakfast Basis inclusive of all the government taxes. (Currently 24.3%)
    • Airfare for sector Kathmandu / Pokhara / Kathmandu of USD 252.00 (subject to change)
    • Annapurna Area Conservation Fee US$ 30.00 plus taxes per person. (Subject to change without prior notice)
    • Trekker Information Management System Card (TIMS) Card of US$ 10.00 plus taxes per person. (Subject to change without prior notice)
    • 05 Nights / 06 Days Mardi Himal Trek as per the given itinerary with accommodation in standard lodges with common baths with dinner and breakfast prepared by the Cook from the Guest House / Lodge with a choice from the menu. Note : Lunch will at local tea houses on enroute stopovers or with packed lunch (when restaurants / Lodges not available)
    • Support of a Trek Team consisting of a Trek leader, ably supported 1 Porters to carry the luggage (! Porter will be shared between 2 person and Sherpa Sherpa Support staff will be provided as per group size)
    • 01 Night stay at Hotel White Pearl in Pokhara (2 star) on MAP basis (with Dinner and breakfast) and on twin sharing basis inclusive of all the government taxes. (Currently 24.3%) – post trek
    • Transportation from Sidhing to Pokhara post trek in local Jeeps
    • All expenses for the transport of trek support staff Kathmandu / Khande – Trek start point and from Sidhing Village to Pokhara  / Kathmandu -Post trek
    • A comprehensive medical kit
    • Contribution to porter insurance
    • All the applicable monument and entrance fees
    • Government taxes and tolls and entrance fees where applicable.
    Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • International Airfares.
    • Nepal Visa fees (If applicable).
    • Personal equipment such as hiking boots, sleeping bags etc.
    • Meals (Lunch and Dinner) while the guest stay at hotels in Kathmandu (except for welcome)
    • Cost involving any material or items related to voluntary services during the whole trek period.
    • Items of a personal nature such as bar bills telephone calls, laundry, extra mileage and any extra costs incurred due to natural calamities, flight delays etc.
    • Personal medication
    • Insurance for or against accidents, loss of life, theft etc.
    • Personal insurance, evacuation and medical expenses.
    • Costs incurred due to cancellation of flights, altitude sickness or unforeseen circumstances (riots, natural calamities etc.) and situations beyond the control of Sacred Summits (P) Ltd.
    • Tips for the trek staff
    • Any item not mentioned in the above ‘cost includes’.
    1. 29th Oct 2023, DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1360 M)

      Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meet the representative from Sacred Summits (P) Ltd and transfer to the hotel (30 minutes’ drive).

       

      18:00 HRS : Proceed for a welcome dinner at typical Nepali Restaurant (Bhojan Griha.)

       

      Bhojan Griha is located in Dilli Bazar very close to Durbar Marg (The Kings Way) is an authentic Nepali Restaurant. It is an old Nepali Building which is more than 100 years old; it is historical & artistic building of a former royal priest.  It has been  restored and converted into a multi-storied restaurant tastefully decorated in local decor. Traditional Nepali hospitality greets you on arrival and guarantees a unique and memorable evening including a one hour Nepali folk dance program. This is the first Nepali restaurant of its kind in Nepal. (Note : it is a sit down – floor seating dinner and so comfortable attire is recommended. Also, one needs to take off shoes so something easy to take off / put on is recommended).

       

      Overnight at the Hotel.

    2. 30th Oct 2023, DAY 02 FLY KATHMANDU / POKHARA

      After breakfast, TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR THE 30 MINUTE FLIGHT TO Pokhara. Upon arrival, met by trek guide and vehicle and drive 1 hour to Khande, the trek start point and also stop for a lunch.

      Upon arrival, met by the Trek Team and porters. A brief introduction to the team and after sorting out the gears and porter loads, set out on the 3 – 4 hour trek to Australian Camp.

      The trek begins on flat and plain trail for about 15 to 20 minutes passing through mixed forest before it gradually starts to make a steep ascent that takes about an hour.  Continue on a gentle walk and then climb up on a rocky trail with many stones stairs with views of Kande Village and highway until reaching the Australian Camp one can enjoy the great views of the western Himalayas.

    3. 31st Oct 2023, DAY 3 TREK TO FOREST CAMP (2550 M)

      After breakfast, we make a short descent and then climb to Pothana, an array of Tea houses / Lodges at 1890m.  Then set out immediately by ascending to Pitam Deurali in 1 ½ hours through lush forested trail. From here, leave the main Annapurna trail and in spring, this area is dotted with rhododendrons and the common ones are the Red variety known as “Lali Gurans“, and is the national flower of Nepal. The walk through the forests is very quiet and peaceful and in spring one can see a variety of lowers in bloom. Climb steeply through a densely forest trail and arrive at a wide open clearing with a cluster of houses / tea houses that makes up the Forest Camp or also locally known as Kokar.  Later, after being comfortably settled into our lodgings, we can take rest and explore the area.

      Dinner & Overnight in Lodges at Forest Camp (Kokar)   Trek Duration: 6 – 7 hours

    4. 1st Nov 2023, DAY 04 TREK TO BADAL DANDA (3250 M)

      After breakfast today we continue towards “Low camp” once again through dense forests and larger concentration of Rhododendron trees, admiring Nepal’s rich biodiversity. Later the tree line changes from dense forest into larger slightly shorter well-spaced out trees, shrubs, mosses/ lichen and other types of vegetation before we reach the “Low Camp”. From here, the fantastic view of Mt. Machapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail) up the valley is mesmerizing.

      However we continue on further a little further and climb to Badal Danda at 3250 M, where only a lone tea house is located.  Badal Danda “Hill in the cloud” lies over the tree line and is an excellent place to spend the night to watch both sunsets and sunrise over the mighty Annapurna South, Mardi Himal and Machhapucchhare (Fish Tail).       Trek Duration: 5 – 6 hours

       

      Dinner and Overnight at Badal Danda

    5. 2nd Nov 2023, DAY 05 TREK TO HIGH CAMP (3900M)

      Trek along the ridge above the tree line and the area consists of mainly shrubs with isolated rhododendron bushes along the trail. It is dominated by views of Annapurna South, Mardi Himal and Machhapucchhare (Fish Tail) to the north and a deep valley to the east as well as of the Annapurna Base Camp far down below to the west.

      If lucky, we might even come across “Daphne pheasant” – The national bird of Nepal. We ascend further and can see the winding trail leading up to the high camp, which the final destination of the day. As one ascends higher there are  loose rocks along rocky terrain so one needs to step carefully.

      The High Camp is an open pasture with 3 lodges. Upon arrival, we make our own campsite and are allocated the tents.

      The rest of the day is FREE to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.

      Dinner and Overnight at High Camp                    Trek Duration: 3 – 4 hours

    6. 3rd Nov 2023, DAY 06 EXCURSION TO MARDI HIMAL BASE CAMP + TREK TO MIDDLE CAMP

      After an early breakfast, set out on our trek to the upper viewpoint. The impressive mountainous view from High Camp gets slowly replaced by the rocky tundra along the ridge ahead. Since this is a very new trekking route, the paths are not well defined so is advisable to keep together or in sight of your guide or trekking partner. Ascend and descend, and sometimes on a narrow trail. It’s fun but the sun’s heat becomes quite dehydrating so everyone needs to “sip, Sip Sip” to keep hydrated. Our trail passes through pastures and we hike along another narrow ridge before reaching the Upper Viewpoint.

      The view of the Himalayan vista from here of Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna south (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchhre (6993m) and others is mesmerizing (weather permitting).

      After the visit, descend to the High Camp for a late lunch.

      After lunch and a brief rest, retrace the trek route to Badal Danda and then on  to Middle Camp located amidst a clump of Rhododendron forests.

      The rest of the afternoon is FREE to walk around or relax amidst serene surroundings.                                                         Trek Duration: 7-8 Hours

       Dinner & Overnight at Middle Camp

    7. 4th Nov 2023, DAY 07 TREK TO SIDHING (1700 M)

      After breakfast, set out on a longish days hike by immediately heading to Low Camp (3050 M) and then once again enter through the Rhododendron forests and descend all the way to Sidhing Village. The days trail is mostly downhill until our arrival at Sidhing, a small village that has a few decent tea houses / lodges and  scattered houses along the hillside.  (Note : Guest houses and lodges are not available on this section of the trail and so a packed lunch will be provided.)

      Upon arrival, enjoy a cup oi tea and while the vehicles are being arranged. Later, we load our  bags in local jeeps and then drive  2 hour on the new built  graveled road all the way to Henja. Here we meet up with the main Baglung highway and continue on to Pokhara which is reached in about 45 minutes.   On arrival at Pokhara, check into the Hotel.

      Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

    8. 5th Nov 2023, DAY 08 AM : FREE IN POKHRA + FLIGHT POKHARA / KATHMANDU

      Pokhara is a vacationer’s paradise with its crystal clear lakes great mountain views. It is also very popular now for Paragliding and for the longest Zip line.

      NOTE : THE MORNING IS FREE TO JUST WAL;K ALONG THE LAKE SIDE OR PARTICIPATE IN PARAGLIDING OR ZIP LINE)

      13:00 Hrs : Transfer  and we have enough time to have an early lunch and then transferred to the airport for the 30 minute flight to Kathmandu.

      Upon arrival meet and transfer to the Hotel. The rest of the evening is FREE

      Overnight at the Hotel.

    9. 6th Nov 2023, DAY 09 FINAL DEPARTURE

      Free for last minute packing and shopping until departure to Airport for final Departure