This Trek is ideal for travelers who want to spend time in pristine nature in the Annapurna region of Nepal. You hike a far less traveled route in the Annapurna region, offering a sense of wild remoteness. The beautiful views of valleys, gorges, landscapes and stunning views of Mt. Mardi (5,553m), along with Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,997m) and Mt. Putha Hiunchuli (7246 m) makes your journey a truly memorable one.
Deep dense forests and the high alpine plains along with the stunning Annapurna range offers some great opportunities for exploration. At high camp (3600m) there are tremendous views of Annapurna South and Mt. Hiunchuli (7246 m). Marvel at the huge cliffs, and hanging glaciers fed by the snowy flanks of Machhapuchhre (6,997 m) . On the way, we pass through traditional Gurung Villages full of warm and welcoming people which offers the chance to experience the lifestyle, traditions, and cultures of the Gurung. The trail is short but can be difficult and slippery at times until you reach Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,120m) and then on to Mardi Himal west (4500m). The spectacular views of Mardi Himal and the Annapurna range from up close are astounding.
<ul>
<li>Pristine nature walk through lush forest</li>
<li>Spectacular view of Mt. Fishtail</li>
<li>Wonderful panorama of the Annapurna range</li>
<li>Fantastic ridge walking</li>
<li>Cultural heritage tour in Kathmandu</li>
</ul>
<p>One of our team will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport for the transfer to your hotel. After time to settle you will be introduced to your tour guide for a tour briefing.This is a good time to ask any questions you may have.The rest of the day is free to explore this bustling city.</p>
<p>A full day sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley touring its premium destinations that have managed to find a place in the UNESCO world's heritage list. We begin with Swayambhunath climbing its stairs which are said to encompass the 13 paths to reach enlightenment. The Hindu heritage of Pashupatinath is next on our list resonating in the prayers of thousands who visit the temple each day. We head towards Kathmandu Durbar square to witness a historical journey encompassing generations of Nepalese Kings before ending our journey at Boudhanath an enormous Buddhist Stupa well known for its sunset views.The tour today mixes culture, history and spirituality together to give you an exceptional city touring experience.</p>
<p>Our whole team leaves for Pokhara today. We check out the hotel after breakfast and board our vehicle for the drive to Pokhara, 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Pokhara is a beautiful town with a large lake and a splendid mountain backdrop.The drive is a good introduction to Nepals highways it is a very scenic route along rivers through rolling hills with some great mountain views.After arriving at our hotel around mid afternoon its time to relax perhaps at one the the restaurants that surround the lake or try some boating.</p>
<p>After breakfast we set off for the drive to the trailhead, the route from Kande is a good one as fewer trekkers choose to start the trek from here. The trail is good, first slowly up, then a bit steeper to Australian Camp (2060m –we take an early lunch before trekking gently downhill to Pothana (1950m) where we arrive at the ACAP / TIMS checkpoint,After completing the formalities we continue up again to Deurali (2100m, 4-5 hours walking in all today.</p>
<p>Up early to catch sunrise, the birds are always busy here early morning After breakfast we continue our journey through the dense damp forest. As we ascend the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron trees covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns. Our trail is very quiet until we reach the clearing of the forest camp where we will overnight.Plenty of time to explore around.</p>
<p>After an hours walk today we get above tree line,towards the west there is a good view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. We continue to walk along the Mardi Himal ridge mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. We may encounter the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The view from the lodge is superb towards Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail</p>
<p>Up early for sunrise over the mountains, after an early breakfast we finally head towards our major destination. It takes around 5 hours to reach the Mardi Base Camp along the ridge. We are likely to encounter dzokpo (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant. From Base Camp there is a spectacular close view of the Annapurna Sanctuary, south face of Annapurna, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). After taking it all in we descend to the village of Sidhing our overnight stay. The trail demands around 4 hours of a fairly steep descent to finally reach this beautiful traditional village. We overnight either at a Trekkers Lodge or we can home stay at Sidhing for a true Neapli cultural experience.</p>
<p>Today we take a short hike to our jeep point for the drive back to Pokhara and transfer to our hotel.The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the laid back atmosphere Pokhara provides.</p>
<p>After Breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu reaching there by mid afternoon.The rest of the day is free You also have an option to fly back to Kathmandu at an additional cost. We often arrange a farewell evening meal at a local restaurant</p>
<p>Today its time to move on we hope you have had a great time with us and we would like to meet again in the future. If you are flying today.we will drop you at the airport as per your flight schedule or assist you with any other move.</p>
Cost Included
- Pick up & drop off on your arrival and departure
- Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Basic lodge accommodation during the trek
- A professional trekking guide and necessary number of porters [one porter in between two people]
- Trekking Entry permit and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner during trek
- Road transportation
- Emergency rescue arrangement (Makes sure your insurance will cover it)
- Insurance for guide that includes their emergency rescue
- Necessary equipment for guide & porter
- First aid kits
Cost Not Included
- International flight fare and travel insurance
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Alcohol and any drinks on the trip
- Tips for guide and porters
- All expenses of a personal nature e.g. toilet paper, medicines, and confectionery etc.
- Private transport if needed
- Any other cost raised by unforeseen circumstances
The Mardi Himal Trek is a lot quieter is full of natural beauty and ancient culture. The whole region is rich in biodiversity and has many panoramic landscapes. You trek through picturesque villages,past cascading waterfalls, lush green hills, dense forest of rhododendron, oak, and juniper. There are several species of animals and many birds along the way. birds, and stunning snow-capped mountains. It also offers an insight into the tradition of the ethnic groups of Chhetris, Brahmins, and Gurungs.
Yes whilst Mardi Himal is a less well known trek it is very easy to link this trek into other treks like Poon Hill and Anapurna Base Camp.
Mardi Himal Base camp is in 4500m above sea level but we are sleeping at High Camp, High Camp is 3900m.
We have designed the trek to minimise any risk of High altitude sickness we do not to stay overnight at an altitude more than 1000 mtrs from the altitude of the previous night. We alsao take one acclimatization day.
Yes, you have internet access at Mardi Himal trek. Furthermore, you can also find 3G mobile phone coverage on the trail. So, you can now make video calls and you can also surf the internet on Ncell and NTC mobile phones. Sim cards are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can charge the camera battery, phone at the lower places and at high camp they have solar power. But they will charge a fee for charging a battery, wifi, hot shower etc.
<h2><strong>General FAQs on Nepal:</strong></h2>
<h3>When’s the best time to visit Nepal?</h3>
The main seasons for trekking are the spring (Mar to May) and autumn (Sep to Nov) when you’ll have clear skies and superb mountain views. The winter (Dec to Feb) is also a great time to visit— these months offer a unique experience and fewer crowds but lower altitude treks are better at this time of year as its cold at night.
<h3>What’s it like during the monsoon season?</h3>
During the monsoon season <u>(</u>Jun to Aug), most of Nepal experiences heavy rain for a few hours each day. It’s humid, wet, and the trails in the lower regions (Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Langtang, etc) can be quite muddy. If you don’t mind the rain you’ll have the trails to yourself, the skies often clear up in the morning, and certain treks offer stone-paved trails that drain the rain and make for easy trekking. Also, certain regions, like Mustang and the upper reaches of Everest, lie in the rainshadow of the Himalaya and receive little rain but views however are still likely to be restricted.
<h3>What’s the difference between private and group tours?</h3>
Private tours are tailor-made itineraries built by us around your travel dates and personal interests, whereas group trips are pre-packaged and depart on specific dates. Group trips are also open for others to join, whereas private trips are just for you. You will find a list of fixed departure dates on our website.
<h3>How do I get my visa for Nepal?</h3>
For most nationalities, you can your visa on arrival in Kathmandu. It takes around 45 minutes and is the most convenient way to get your visa you will need passport size photos.. You can also apply for a visa in advance from a local Nepali consulate in your country if you’d like to have everything arranged in advance. Cost15 Days – 25 USD / 30 Days – 40 USD / 90 Days – 100 USD
<h3>How much luggage can I take on domestic flights?</h3>
For mountain flights, you’re allowed 5 kg. carry-on to the plane and 10 kg. for checked-in luggage. For non-mountain sector flights, the check-in allowance increases to 20-25 kg.
<h3>How many days should I spend in Nepal?</h3>
If you’re mainly looking to experience Nepal’s cultural and natural highlights, you can have a great experience in 5-9 days, where you can visit two regions (likely Kathmandu and Pokhara perhaps go on Safari at Chitwan). If you intend to go trekking consider at least 10 days (more is better) to have enough time to reach higher altitudes and safely acclimatize if need be.To undertake one of the longer, classic treks in Nepal or to combine multiple regions and activities into one visit, think about 14-20 days and more if possible.
<h3>Are hotels included in the tour price?</h3>
Himalaya Heart organises complete tours, meaning everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive in Nepal to the moment you leave, including all of your accommodation in a three star Hotel. If you require better accommodation please let us know and we can arrange this and adjust the tour cost accordingly. Each of our tour pages shows clearly what is and what is not included in the tour price.
<h3>Are there any extra expenses not included in my tour price?</h3>
Personal expenses (tips, soft drinks, bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, donations, and extra snacks, etc) are not included in your tour price. When checking a particular trek page on our website we have clearly stated what is and what is not included. If you’re going trekking, the only things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket are wifi and battery charging (when available), extra meals outside of what’s included, alcohol, and soft drinks and perhaps hot showers.