12 Days Mardi Himal Trek Package, Best Season, Itinerary

  • Easy
  • 4,450 M
  • 6 Days Tea House
  • 5 Days Hotel Days
  • 7 Days Trekking Days

Mardi Himal Trek is a short and adventurous trekking route. This trek is to the lowest and least visited place of the Annapurna region. In addition, the Himal lies just to the south of Mt. Machhapuchhre which is popular as Fishtail Mountain. There are very few trekkers who have visited the valley, and its ridge to the south of Mardi Himal.

Most importantly, Mardi Himal trek also offers the golden sunrise view over the famous mountain Machhapuchhre. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail Mountain is sacred to the Queen of Nepal. Even as the Mountain has never climbed. So, your trek in the Annapurna region will show you this most picturesque of all peaks from many different angles.

New Trek is the name of the long-rising ridge. Its summit is at 5,580 m, which forms the southwesterly slope of Mt. Machhapuchhre immediately below its sheer south face. Machhapuchhre towers majestically over the very good valley in Pokhara. This Mountain is popular as Fishtail Mountain. Because of its twin peaks that mirror the image of the fishtail. The Mountain is superbly beautiful and considered sacred. Consequently, no permits have yet been issued to climb this mountain.

We started the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara. Like on most trekking routes inside the Annapurna Sanctuary you have several options where to start and to finish the trek. Most people we met on the trek did the Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp trek before the Mardi Himal. It seems quite popular to combine the route with one of the other treks in the sanctuary.

Mardi Himal Trek Route From Pokhara 

You can drive or take flight to reach to Pokhara from Kathmandu. From Pokhara it takes around 45 minutes drive to Phedi. Phedi is from where you will officially begin your trek. You will slowly start climb uphill, passing by terraced fields and green forests. Similarly, you will pass by the village of Dhampus before reaching to Pothana. 

The village of Pothana lies at an altitude of 1,950 meters (6,395 feet). You will rest at Pothana for a night. The next day’s destination is Forest Camp. You will walk through luscious forest and pass by rocky wall. You can get a stunning view of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The day’s trek will end when you reach the Forest Camp situated at an elevation of 2600 meters (8530 feet)

From Forest Camp, you will head to Low Camp the next day. The Low Camp is situated at an elevation of 3,580 meters (11,745 feet). The trail takes you through a scenic route. You will pass through “cloud forest” filled with mosses, lichenc, tree ferns, and orchids. Likewise, you can witness the diverese flora and fauna. 

You will spend a night at the Low Camp to rejuvenate for next day’s trek. The next day’s destination is the High Camp at an elevation of 3,580 meters (11,745 feet). It is a short trek with short climb on a steep slope and a walk along a ridge. As you move higher, the green forest will change into alpine meadows. The following day you will climb uphill to Mardi Base Camp and return back. It is 10 kms from High Camp. You will stay at High Camp for the night before heading back to Pokhara. 

How Difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek? 

Mardi Himal Trek is a moderately challenging route of the Annapurna Region. The trail is also comparatively easy and less challenging. The trek requires 5 to 6 hours a day.  It can be quite exhausting and take physical strain on trekkers. There are many resting places along the trail to ease your journey. 

The Mardi Himal Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4,450 meters. Trekkers can face altitude sickness symptoms during the trek. So proper rest and acclimatization is important. Overall Mardi Himal Trek is among easy routes with moderately challenging trails. With proper preparation, even novice trekkers can easy complete the trek.  

Mardi Himal Or Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

Mardi Himal Trek and Ghorepani Poonhill Trek both provides the trekkers with unique experience. The Ghorepani Poonhill route is short and less challenging than Mardi Himal. The highest elevation trekkers will reach during the Ghorepani Poonhill trek is 3,210 meters.

During the Mardi Hinal Tre, the highest elevation you will reach is 4,450 meters. Likewise, the route is less crowded than the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. Both trek provides some of the best scenery and mountain views. But if you are looking for adventure and closer look at mountains like Annapurna, Mardi himal, Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal Trek is the best. 

Which Season is Best for Mardi Himal Trek? 

There are four seasons in Nepal. It consists of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Nepal also faces monsoon yearly which coincides with summer. Trekking is possible in every season with proper preparation. But for the best trekking experience, you can choose either spring and autumn. 

So what makes these two seasons the absolute best for Mardi Himal Trek? We have prepared detailed information on each season. Take a look:

Spring

The spring season starts from March to May. Similarly, it falls in the pre-monsoon season. The weather is warm and pleasant but the mornings and nights are still cold. It is still cold in the higher elevation. The sky is also clear. To enjoy the scenic beauty of Mardi Himal Trek, spring is the best. 

The trail passes through the forests of rhododendrons. During spring, the whole forest is in bloom. You get to travel through the scenic and colorful forest during your trek. Similarly, trekkers can enjoy the clear view of snow-capped mountains. You can witness the spectacular views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail), Mardi Himal, and others. 

Spring is a peak seasons for trekking in Nepal. Therefore, expect the Mardi Himal route to be crowded during spring. If you want to avoid crowds, you can plan your trek in early springtime. 

Autumn

Autumn is another best season for Mardi Himal Trek. It lies between September to November. It falls in the post-monsoon season in Nepal. The autumn has stable and favorable weather for trekking. The temperature is also pleasant. and the temperature at the higher elevation is also warm.

Autumn is the harvest season, so you can see ripe crops in terraced fields along the way. Since it is post-monsoon, the rain washes away most of the dust and pollution. Therefore, the clear sky provides the best visibility. The trail is also dry with less chance of rainfall. Thus, there are minimal risks of landslides.  

Every trekker chooses to travel in the best season. So the Mardi Himal Trek trail is busiest during autumn season. As a result, the accomodations can be fully booked during this time. It is best to book the accommodation beforehand.

Duration For Mardi Himal Trek 

The Mardi Himal Trek duration can vary depending on the trek package. There are packages available for 5 days as well as 7 days. There are even packages for a 3-day Mardi Himal Trek. The duration differs depending on the itinerary. Similarly, the starting and ending point of the trek also affects the duration. So, you can choose the shorter or longer option.

For the best and full experience, we recommend you take the 7-day package. You can trek and enjoy the route. Similarly, you will also have enough time to acclimatize as you move to higher elevations. But it ultimately boils down to your preference and the time duration you have.

You can contact us at Himalayan Leaders for any queries. We can also help customize your itinerary according to your needs. You can explore our packages for the Mardi Himal Trek.

Day to day schedule to 12 Days Mardi Himal Trek Package, Best Season, Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu

    On your arrival our representative will greet & warmly receive you and assist you to transfer to the hotel. After having some refreshment,we will meet in the office and briefly discuss the last-minute specifics of the trek.

    Overnight stay in 3*/ 4* Hotel in Kathmandu
    Included standard meals (Breakfast)

  • Day 02: Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley and Preparation for tours

    The very next morning, after breakfast we will start a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. The sightseeing program is all about introducing some highlights and UNESCO World Heritage sites. In this day, we can visit the center of pilgrimage Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites. The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath might make you feel calm and peace.

    Overnight stay in 3*/ 4* Hotel in Kathmandu
    Included standard meal (Breakfast)

  • Day 03: Drive to Pokhara(820m/ 2,690 ft)

    Driving Hours: 6/7 hours
    Driving Distance: 200km (124 miles)

    Today in the early morning, we will take a drive to Pokhara on the tourist bus. It will take approximately 7 hours to reach Pokhara. We will see the good scenery view of the countryside while driving. We will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara around 2:00 p.m. Pokhara is an enchanting Himalayan Valley of remarkable beauty. We can explore its scenic land on foot or on our own like boating in Fewa Lake overlooking the region of Annapurna Himalayan ranges. In the evening prepare for the trek overnight in Pokhara. On the way
    to Pokhara, if you are interested you can have rafting also.
    In option, we can also take flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara which of 30 minutes flight over the Himalayas.

    Overnight stay in 3*/ 4* Hotel in Pokhara
    Included standard meal (Breakfast)

  • Day 04: Drive to Phedi (1,130m) and trek to Pothana (1,950m/ 6,395 ft)

    Driving Hours: 45 minutes
    Driving Distance: 18 km (11.1 miles)
    Trek Distance: 4 hours
    Maximum Altitude: 1,950m (6,395 ft)

    Today after breakfast we drive to Phedi. From the Phedi trail start ascending through the jungle and highland rice fields and generally walk up to the valley of Dhampus and Pothana with exploring. The area is inhabited by Brahmins, Chhetris, and a few Gurungs. Crossing the dirt road a couple of times and stone staircases makes the trail more adventuring. The spectacular panoramic view of the Annapurna Himalayan range makes your trip much greater.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 05: Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp (2600m/ 8530 ft)

    Trek Distance: 9 km (5.5 miles)
    Trek Hours: 5 Hours
    Maximum Altitude: 2,600m (8530 ft.)

    After enjoying sunrise and panoramic mountains view from the Pothana, we will have our breakfast. Today we start our trek from Pothana to Forest Camp. Our trek gradually starts walking through a forest and rocky wall with exploring the view of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna Himal.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 06: Trek from Forest Camp to Low camp (3,580m/ 11,745 ft)

    Trek Distance: 5 km (3.1miles)
    Trek Hours: 3 hours
    Maximum Altitude: 3,580m/ 11,745 feet

    After having breakfast, we will begin our trek to reach our todays destination. The trail will passes through classic ‘cloud forest’ with mosses and lichen, tree ferns, and orchids hosted by the hardier trees. The entire forest will present a beautiful display of flora that makes our mind refresh and relax. The windows in the woods look out onto the thrilling panorama – close-up dramatic scenery of sacred Mt. Machhapuchhare, Mardi Himal, and Annapurna chains. A ridge from Low camp will be now grassy and sometimes under snow, takes us up to High Camp. Annapurna South seems near enough to throw a rock at and Machhapuchare itself close enough to touch.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 07: Trek from Low camp to High Camp (3,580m/ 11,745 ft)

    Trek distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
    Trek Hours: 2 hours
    Maximum Altitude: 3,580 meter (11,745 feet)

    Today after breakfast, we will head towards High Camp. It is very short trek, we only need to climb a short, steep slope to get out of the forest. Then, we walk along a ridge that is covered with grass and sometimes has snow. This ridge leads us to High Camp. Annapurna South appears so close that we could throw a rock at it, and Machhapuchare is nearby enough that we could reach out and touch it.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 08: Hike Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,450m/ 14, 600 ft) and back to High camp

    Trek distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
    Trek Hours: 7 hours
    Maximum Altitude: 4,450 meter (14,600 feet)

    Our breakfast will be earlier than usual. Then we take a packed lunch as we are hiking to Mardi Himal base camp. Basically, it is 10 km from High Camp to Base camp and back that take around 7 hours of trek. After reaching Base Camp, below us, there are expansive areas of ice and blue glaciers known as the Sanctuary Wall. Annapurna I, the tallest mountain of all, is in the distance. Surrounding us in a sweeping curve from one end of the horizon to the other, there are dozen or more magnificent snow-covered mountains, including Dhaulagiri and the Ganesh Himal. Afterward, we return back to High Camp.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 09: Trek from High Camp to Siding Village (1280m/ 4200 ft)

    Trek distance: 9 km (5.5 miles)
    Trek Hours: 5 hours
    Maximum Altitude: 1280 meter (4,200 feet)

    After breakfast, today trail descent down approximately 1600m from High camp. We walk downhill with different route then previous route. This trail will go through shade of the forest, terrace field and walk along the banks of Mardi Khola to hill side village of Siding Village.

    Overnight stay in Guest House
    Included standard meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 10: Trek and drive to Pokhara(820m/ 2,690 ft)

    Trek distance: 6 km (3.7 mile)
    Trek hours: 2 hours
    Drive distance: 30 km (18.6 mile)
    Drive hours: 5 hours

    Today we trek about 4 hrs and 2 hrs drive to pokhara. The path from Siding now follows the contour of the river valley gradually down between the pastures and through Tamang and Gurung villages.

    Overnight stay in 3*/ 4* Hotel in Pokhara
    Included standard meals (Breakfast)

  • Day11: Drive back to Kathmandu

    Drive Distance: 200km (124.2 mile)
    Drive Hours: 6 hours

    After breakfast drive to Kathmandu. In the afternoon you have free time to explore around on your own. You can have greetings exchanging among friends and buy some souvenirs.
    At the evening you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner show, taking some beautiful snaps and making up your mind for the returning journey. (Or stay longer for short tours such as drives at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc).

    Overnight stay in 3*/ 4* Hotel in Kathmandu
    Included standard meals (Breakfast)

  • Day 12: Departure

    We will arrange for your transfer to the Tribhuwan International airport three hours before your scheduled departure time. Enjoy your flight back home, and may you cherish the memories from your trip for a lifetime.

    Included standard meals (Breakfast)

What is included?

  • Arrival and transfer transport from to international and domestic airport in Kathmandu
  • Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Government licensed english speaking trekking guide and necessary porters during trekking (1 porter for 2 clients)
  • 3 meals a day during trekking (B, L, D)
  • Welcome dinner by arrival
  • Staff insurance, wages, equipment and local transport
  • Trekking permit and conservation fee
  • Government licensed guide with privet transport during sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
  • Accommodation in lodge, guesthouse and hotel
  • Transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara with tourist bus
  • Private transport to trek starting point and from ending point to hotel

What is excluded?

  • Nepal visa (50usd and 2 passport photos, available at the airport in Kathmandu)
  • International Airfare
  • Personal expenses and tips for staff
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Monument entrance fees during sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Domestic flight ticket
  • Personal insurance for helicopter rescue in case of emergency
  • Extra porter or transport incase of accident or any emergency
  • Personal Medicine

Trip Dates and Availibility

From/To Availability
From 10 Oct, 2024 To 21 Oct, 2024 Guaranteed when booking Inquire

Best Seasons Listing

Best Season
March to June
September to November

Trip Customization

Nepal Trekking

Looking for a tailor-made travel experience? At Himalayan Leaders since 1993, we have a wealth of experience in organizing customized tours to meet your unique needs and preferences.

We believe that our programs are just the beginning of what’s possible! We’re here to work with you to make your dream trip a reality. Simply send us an email with your personal desires and we’ll be glad to help you plan the perfect itinerary.

Don’t wait any longer to embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Himalayan Leaders!

Email: info@himalayanleaders.com
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