This trek is moderately easy short trek located in the Annapurna region. It is a beginner friendly trek that requires moderate level of fitness. Though less popular than its counterparts such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it offers similar picturesque views of the Annapurna range, Mt. Machhapuchhreand the rolling valleys below.
5 days
4500m (at Mardi Himal Base Camp)
Moderate
September – November / March – May
Pokhara
Pokhara
Local bus or Private four wheel jeep
ACAP permit, TIMS card
30-40 mins from Pokhara to Kande and 3-4 hours from Sidding to Pokhara
Expect yourself to be mesmerized by the majestic beauty of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchre along with a lesser-known side of the Annapurna range if you are planning to take this adventurous trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. It is one of the lesser-known treks of the Annapurna region but is rapidly gaining popularity due to its moderately challenging trail and the breathtaking views that it offers.
Mardi Himal trek is a short trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp located in the Annapurna region at an elevation of 4500 m. It is located just east of the more popular Annapurna Base Camp trek and offers a similar picturesque view of the snow-capped mountain range, green hills, and peaceful forests. The trek starts from Pokhara and gradually takes you through the beautiful dense forests, charming local villages, and opens up to glorious mountains.
This 5-days itinerary for the Mardi Himal trek, developed by Shalom Treks, ensures you enjoy the best of what this adventure has to offer.
Our trip starts from the beautiful valley of Pokhara. After having breakfast, we take a short drive to Kande from where our trek begins. We take a gradual uphill hike from Kandeappreciating the peaceful route through small villages and terraced hills.
Enjoying the serenity and beautiful landscape we will soon reach Australian Base Camp which offers an amazing view of the valley. After a short break and light lunch, we will continue our trek to Deurali through Pothana. The chirping sounds of the birds add to the enjoyment of the trip through the forest.
After we reach Deurali, we will check into one of the best guesthouses in the area for the night. We will enjoy the local hospitality and delicious local food and rest our bodies for the adventurous trek ahead.
After savoring a hearty breakfast, we will start our trek to Low Camp. Today we will be trekking through mostly forest areas savoring the beauty of the lush growth of mountain oak, hemlock, rhododendron, etc. If the weather permits, we will be able to steal occasional glimpses of stunning mountains through the woods.
We will have our lunch at Forest Camp where we will rest for a while and refuel our bodies. After a tasty and fulfilling lunch, we will continue our journey towards Low Camp with renewed spirit. The trail through the forest provides you a sense of peace and satisfaction. We will soon reach Low Camp where we will be spending our night. We will enjoy a delicious dinner and rest for the night.
Today we hike to High Camp. The trail will take us through forest areas to BadalDanda which will enable you to soak in the uninterrupted view of enchanting surrounding mountains and sweeping valleys. The trail from BadalDanda to High Camp mainly consists of tall grasses, mosses, tree ferns, and only some small trees in between which provides us better opportunities to appreciate the picturesque view.
After a long hike to High Camp, we will check into our tea house. You will be able to savor delectable regional cuisine and hot drinks, mingle with the locals, and enjoy the night. If the sky is clear enough, you may have the rare opportunity to capture the astonishing night view of the snowy peaks.
Today our journey takes us to the mountains. This is our longest trek day. We will be getting up at around 3-4 A.M. and ascending steep treks towards our destination. We will carefully maneuver the treacherous terrain to Mardi Himal Base Camp and will soon be gifted priceless views of the astounding Annapurna Range, MachhapuchreHimal, and Mardi Himal. We will have a panoramic sweep from Dhaulagiri to Ganesh Himal. You will have time to appreciate the wonders of nature soaking in their glory and majesty.
Soon we will descend back to High Camp where we will enjoy our breakfast and hot beverages, rest our feet, and then retrace our steps back to Low Camp, our stop for tonight.
After a hardy breakfast, we will pack our belongings and descend the final stretch of the trek to Sidding. We will bid our adieu to the mighty snow peaks cherishing the memories and experiences the journey has bestowed on you that will last you a lifetime.
From Sidding, we will drive back to Pokhara enjoying the scenic view of the surrounding hills, terraced fields, and charming villages from our windows as they pass by. You won’t be able to stop yourself from stealing glances at the distant mountains in the rearview mirror,reminiscing the adventure you had.
Soon we will reach the hustle and bustle of Pokhara. We will drop you off at your hotel where you can rest your weary body, take a long hot shower, and indulge in the comforts offered by the hotel.
At night, you can traverse the vibrant nightlife of the city and enjoy a scrumptious meal in one of the numerous restaurants by the lakeside with an amazing night view of the PhewaTaal.
