Mardi Himal Trek - short and easy trek in Annapurna

Mardi Himal trek was accessed only by limited trekking groups with tents and catering teams for a long time. The trek follows beaten trails of shepherds as it still provides summer grazing. The trek was officially opened in 2012 and is still pristine. There are limited teahouses with basic facilities. This is a short, relatively easy and unspoiled trek not far from Pokhara. Yet it is highly diverse with cultural insight, beautiful forest walks and alpine landscape. As the trail mostly stays along the ridge, the altitude gain becomes more gradual.

Our itinerary for Mardi Himal base camp trek follows the western ridge of Mt Fishtail and climbs gradually to the Mardi Himal base camp at 4,500 m. On return, we will take different routes climbing down to the Mardi River basin and enjoy the homestay at the Gurung village of Lwang.

Highlights of Mardi Trek

Short trek that can be customized for as less as 4 days from Pokhara.

Relatively easy trek with gradual uphill and short camps.

Vibrant trek with walks through rhododendron forests to the alpine landscape.

Brilliant view of peaks of Annapurna throughout the trek.

Challenge of climbing to 4,500 m at Mardi Himal base camp within a week.

: 7 days from Pokhara
Attractions: relatively easy, short and unspoiled trek in Annapurna
: March - May | October - December

: Moderate to difficult - The walking distances are short and easy but you will gain altitude. Only day hike from High camp to Mardi Himal base camp makes it difficult with narrow path, steep climb, long day and altitude of 4,500 m

Mardi Himal Trek Review

My brother and I went on the Mardi Himal trek through I Tour Nepal. Rabi organised the trek and was attentive and professional by email prior to arrival. He also ensured that all transfers were smooth and that we were kept well informed throughout.
During our trip, our guide was Dil and porter was Prabin. They were both fantastic company: knowledgeable, fun, friendly, helpful, and just genuinely marvellous people. Dil has decades of experience and was very responsive to our needs throughout the trip (both from minute to minute and day to day). He was a great guide and really adapted the trip marvellously when the weather was not great. Prabin was constantly positive, interested, and interesting and he and Dil worked very well together. We could not have wished for better and hope to do further tours with them in Nepal in the future.
Mardi Himal was sublime: the walking was manageable and challenging enough (and not too much!) with exceptional views and delightful countryside. The accommodation was always excellent and Dil/Prabin very thoughtful about food orders and making sure my brother and I were well fed and watered! We diverted our trip to Jinhu hot springs due to bad weather at high camp, which were wonderful - we can recommend a dip in the cold river followed by a dip in the hot springs. Gets the circulation going!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to I Tour Nepal, to Rabi, to Dil, to Prabin for their professionalism and good nature. We had one of the best holidays we have ever experienced with you all.
Tom and Alex - Feb 2019

Note: Could be customized for 4 - 5 days only.

US 490 Includes | Excludes

INCLUDES :

Private transportation to and back from trekking trail head.
Necessary Trekking Permits.
Trekking with licensed and experienced guide and porter.
Teahouse / lodge accommodation with 3 meals a day.

EXCLUDES :

Delay and cancellation because of naturl phenomenon.
Any type of insurances. Rescue and evacuation will be done on your account.
Bottled drinks and beverages.
Tea breaks, snacks or anything purchased directly beside the three meals included.

Mardi Himal Trek inquiry

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

DAY 1: DRIVE TO KANDE | TREK TO DEURALI (2,232 m)

After breakfast, drive for about 40 minutes to Kande on Pokhara Baglung highway. The trail climbs for about 1 ½ hrs to the ridge at 2,060 m. The clearing in the forest with lodge settlement is known as ‘Australian camp’. The place is scenic with the panoramic view of Annapurna range and Pokhara valley. The trail further winds through the rhododendron forest to the mountain pass called ‘Deurali’. Deurali is overlooking the Modi Khola valley wedged between Annapurna South and Mardi Himal / Mt Fishtail.

DAY 2: TREK TO FOREST CAMP (5 hrs / 2,600 m)

After spending a beautiful morning in the ridge top village of Deurali, we head off the main Annapurna trekking trail and follow the forested ridge to Forest camp. Since this is a new trekking destination, there are no teahouses along the way and we need to carry a packed lunch and sufficient water. The day’s walk in the rhododendron forest is beautiful with gradual uphill.

DAY 3: TREK TO LOW CAMP (3 hrs / 2,950 m)

The trail gradually climbs through the rhododendron forest following the ridge. Low camp has got a couple of tea houses in the clearing of the forest. The view of Mt Fishtail and Mardi Himal appears much closer. You find yourself closer to the clear blue sky with a view of layers of Himalayan foothills and sweeping valleys towards the south.
Note: You can trek 1 more hr to Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) above the tree line in consent of guide for better view.

DAY 4: TREK TO HIGH CAMP (3 Hrs / 3,500 m)

The trail further climbs along the ridge towards Mardi Himal and Mt Fishtail. From Badal Danda, we leave the tree line and arrive in shrubby alpine zone. Snowcapped peaks of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Fishtail looms in a distance above deep valley on the either side. High camp is a small pasture with 3 lodges. Here you find yourself above the clouds and closer to snowcapped peaks.

DAY 5:EXPLORE MARDI HIMAL BASE CAMP (7 Hrs / 4,500 m)

The day trip is more difficult than other days with steep climb and longer walk. Trail becomes more vertiginous at some points with uneven and steep rocky steps. The first steep climb will take about 2 hrs to the ridge top which is marked as MBC (Mardi Himal Base Camp). However the real base camp will take about another 2 hrs along the ridge. The view is amazing all along the ridge. While Mardi Himal and Mt Fishtail appear right above us, view of Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Annapurna III also appears at a distance.

DAY 6: TREK BACK TO FOREST CAMP (4 hrs)

Even though the scenery is stationary, the seasons and sunlight makes it different and interesting. Spend another morning watching the change that the sunrays bring. Walk down to the forest camp after breakfast.

DAY 7: DOWN TO LWANG GHALEL VILLAGE (4 Hrs / 1,500 m) | Drive to Pokhara

The trail climbs down steeply through rhododendron and Maple forest to the permanent settlements closer to the valley basin. Lwang is a self-sufficient Gurung village with rich culture and happy people. The village is the best place to watch Nepalese countryside lifestyle and enjoy the organic food. The village farmers also grow organic tea in 50 hectares of land. Farmers offer homestay accommodation. The waterfall in the outskirts of the village offers one of the most exciting canyoning adventures.
The drive from Lwang Ghalel will take about 1 ½ hrs to get to Pokhara in a off road Vehicle.

Trek Inquiry

Sunset view from Badal danda in Mardi Himal trek

Is Mardi Himal the easiest trek in Annapurna ?

Mardi Himal Trek is the easiest trek in the Annapurna. But it involves walking in the rugged, beaten trails and climbing to a 3,800 m high camp to 4,500 m at Mardi Himal base camp. The only feature that makes Mardi trek easier is that it climbs gradually following the ridge unlike in other treks where the trail climbs down to the river and back up again on the other side.

How to do Mardi Himal trek in 4 - 5 day ?

Mardi Himal Trek could be done in as less as 4 days from Pokhara and back. With the use of off-road vehicles, we can avoid walking in the foothills and just do the higher reaches of the trek. However the short version of the trek is only for fit and experienced trekkers or for those doing immediately after another trek for acclimatization reasons.

Customize Mardi Himal Trek with Ghorepani and Annapurna Base camp

Mardi Himal trek is the closest trekking route from Pokhara. Starting or ending a trek in Annapurna with the Mardi Himal route avoids a long tedious drive and also increases your opportunity of magnificent Himalayan views.

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