Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek

Another trek in the fabulous Annapurna region, but this one takes you away from the overcrowded routes. The Mardi Himal trek is just as enjoyable, with the added benefit of walking in a far more peaceful environment through rhododendron forests and rich green terraced hillsides.

The secret trails of Annapurna

Moving away from the popular trails, this trek takes us to environments quite different from what we usually expect on a trek. The panorama of the Annapurna range one sees from the viewpoint (4,100m) near the Mardi Himal Base Camp is simply magical! We start our 9-day trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp from Kande. When we reach Landruk, we leave the main trail. We walk through dense forests of rhododendrons and follow a ridge which leads us to the foot of the Annapurnas. A gradual climb from the High Camp leads us to the viewpoint on the way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,450m). During the last part of the trek, we explore the middle Nepalese mountains and walk from village to village admiring the green terraced hillsides. For closer encounters with local people, we spend the night at a homestay; a heart-warming experience! Throughout the trek, we can enjoy breathtaking views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna range.

HIGHLIGHTS
- The view of Annapurna from the Mardi Himal Base Camp.
- Off-trail hikes through terraced hillsides and rhododendron forests.
- An approach to the high mountains in just 13 days.
- Overnight homestay in Luwang, an authentic Gurung village

We can customize the trip as per your requirement.
Price according to the size of the group.
We can help you to fit in your budget.

Please contact us for further information
info@basecamptrek.com

Gallery

Itinerary

Level of Trek: Moderate
Best Period: March - April & October - November
Duration: 13 Days
Number of walking days: 8
Highest Altitude: 4100 Meters
Accomodation: Hotel in Kathmandu & Lodge during trek

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...

Day

1ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in
- Accommodation: Hotel

2KATHMANDU - KANDE - AUSTRALIAN CAMP

From Kathmandu, we drive 7 hours by car to reach Kande. After arriving there, we hike up a steep trail that takes us all the way to the Australian Camp.
- Duration of drive: 7 hr
- Duration of hike: 2 hr
- Ascent: + 200 m.
- Accommodation: Lodge

3AUSTRALIAN CAMP - LANDRUK (1 500M)

This is an easy day of walking enjoying views of Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri (8,176 m) that dominates the landscape around here.
After hiking for 5 hours, we reach the beautiful Gurung village of Landruk.
- Ascent: + 100 m.
- Descent: - 500 m.
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

4LANDRUK - FOREST CAMP (2600 M) – LOW CAMP (2900 M)

In the morning, we start our trek by climbing through rhododendron forests. If luck is on our side, we may get to see wildlife such as deer and many species of birds. After 2 ½ hours of walking, we reach the Forest Camp where we have lunch.
What follows is a major climb through a rhododendron forest that takes us to Low Camp.
- Duration of hike 4-5 hr
- Altitude difference: + 1,200 meters
- Accommodation: Lodge

5LOW CAMP (2 900M) – HIGH CAMP (3 900M)

We continue the climb from Low Camp to High Camp as the high forest gradually gives way to grassland.
- Duration of hike – 4 hr
- Altitude difference: + 1000 meters
- Accommodation: Lodge

6HIGH CAMP – VIEW POINT (4300 M) / MARDI HIMAL BASE CAMP (4500 M) – BADAL DANDA (3250 M)

After breakfast, we start to climb up and after 2 ½ hr, we reach the viewpoint of Mardi Himal (4,300 m). We could keep going for another hour to the base camp of Mardi Himal (possible in autumn but often impossible in spring). We get amazing views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal, and Machhapuchare. We then head back to the lodge for some yoga. There’s time to take in the panorama of the Himalayan peaks and in the afternoon we make a short relatively steep descent for about 1 ½ hours to reach Badal Danda (3,250 m).
If it is not possible to go up to Base Camp, we will descend directly to Forest Camp.
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Altitude difference: + 400 m / - 1,050 m or + 600m / - 1,250m
- Overnight stay at Rest Camp Lodge (3,250m)

7REST CAMP - FOREST CAMP – LWANG (1460 M)

We make a long descent through the forest to arrive in the beautiful Gurung village of Lwang which specializes in tea culture. We spend the night at a homestay, an initiative of the village committee.
From Lwang we get a beautiful view of the valley below and the surrounding villages. Towards the north is seen the Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare and Annapurna III.
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Altitude difference: - 1,800 m
- Accommodation: Homestay

8LWANG – RIBAN - GHACHOK (1250 M)

After breakfast, we continue our trek by descending gradually to New Bridge. We then make a steep ascent to reach the small village of Riban where we stop for lunch at a villager’s home. After lunch, we continue on to Ghachok.
- Ascent: + 400 m.
- Descent: - 600 m.
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Lodge

9GHACHOK – POKHARA

A short hike takes us to a suspension bridge where a vehicle awaits our arrival. A 30- minute drive takes us down to Pokhara. Free time in the afternoon.
- Ascent: - 100 m.
- Duration of hike: 1hr
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal : on your own

10POKHARA

Free day in Pokhara: Optional activities: boating or kayaking on Lake Phewa, a ride up to the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), rent bicycles or simply stroll along Lake Phewa.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day
- Meals: on your own

11DRIVE POKHARA – KATHMANDU

We leave Pokhara and head back to Kathmandu by road. Check-in at the hotel and free time for the rest of the day.
- Duration of drive: 6-7 hr
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals: on your own

12FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN KATHMANDU

Guided tours in the Kathmandu valley: visit the old city of Bhaktapur and Boudha stupa, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
- Accommodation: Holy Himalaya Hotel on BB Plan
- Meals: on your own

13DEPARTURE

Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight.
End of our services.

What's included

- All transfers by private vehicle according to itinerary
- 3 nights at Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu on a B&B basis
- 2 nights at Lake View Resort Deluxe Room or similar in Pokhara on a B&B basis
- 1 night in a half-board cottage in Annapurna Mon Village
- Full board in lodge during the trek
- English speaking guide for trekking
- A day of guided tours in Kathmandu with private vehicle
- The trekking team: assistants and porters for the whole trek
- Carrying luggage up to 13 kg/person during the trek
- Trekking license ACAP & TIMS
- Staff insurance

What's not included

- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except breakfast)
- Entrance tickets of sites during visits
- Visa for Nepal to get at the airport (30$ + photos)
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses, and equipment, drinks, hot showers, recharging batteries during the trek, etc.