Short Mardi Himal Trek—7 Days
The Short Mardi Himal trek offers the scenic mountain view with colorful rhododendron forests into the Annapurna region. Within a few days you will deserve the best trekking trails, which can fulfill your trekking desire in the Himalayas.
Highlights
Key trip facts at a glance.
Gallery
Trip photos and moments.
Overview
The short Mardi Himal trek offers the scenic mountain view with colorful rhododendron forests into the Annapurna region. Within a few days you will deserve the best trekking trails, which can fulfill your trekking desire in the Himalayas. The Mardi Himal trekking trail winds through patchwork valleys and dense mossy forests and past waterfalls where you can stop to cool yourself. Around every corner is a tantalizing glimpse of the high mountains, whole horizons of which will be revealed to you as you reach the high points of your trek. This Mardi Himal Trekking is one of the best eco-tourism-based trekking destinations in Nepal. It offers the opportunity to escape Nepal’s tourist trails to venture into the deep forests and roam the high alpine pastures that flank the Annapurna ranges.
The short Mardi Himal Trek is a remarkable hiking trip that covers the essence of Himalayan beauty, culture, and adventure as well within a condensed timeframe. During the trek you will also explore Gurung villages, from the awe-inspiring mountain vistas to the serene tranquility of the alpine meadows. Every step of this trek is a witness to the incredible diversity and allure of the Annapurna region. For the visitor who has limited time for an adventure holiday, this trek is really suitable for them.
Trip Highlight
- Amazing memories of nature and breathtaking hiking trails at Mardi Himal base camp.
- Explore the scenic mountain view of Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Fishtail.
- Splendid elevation gains within a short duration.
- The closest view of stunning Fishtail and Annapurna Himal.
- The excellent landscapes and stunning Himalayas with local people and with their warm hospitality at the village.
- Explore the beauty of Phewa Lake in Pokhara and engage with the locals.
- Discover the beauty of the lake city, Pokhara.
- Mingle with the mesmerizing and unique rich and natural cultural blend from start to end of the trails.
How Hard is the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trekking trails is generally rated as moderate in difficulty and is quickly gaining popularity as one of the top trekking destinations in the region. As you ascend, you can experience the stunning beauty of the Himalayas through the serene shades of alpine forests without rigorous physical exertion. The trail is considered moderate since the route is not excessively steep, and we will encounter comfortable accommodations, better connectivity, typical local cuisine, and warm hospitality at every step. Although some physical training and mental preparation are essential, as the trekking trail, although it features well-defined paths, also presents some exhilarating steep inclines and rocky sections along with altitude gain. However, no need any previous trekking experience the trip.
Accommodation and Foods
We organize the best and most deluxe hotel in Kathmandu as per your requirements, and during the trekking, tea-house lodges will be your accommodation. All rooms are on a twin-shared basis. However, tea houses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking area at lower elevations, but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. We will provide breakfast only in Kathmandu, but 3 times meals every day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are provided during the Mardi Himal trek. Generally, we recommend to our guests to take typical Nepali traditional foods like Dal Bhat and curry, because they will be fresh and good for your hygiene.
Best Time to Hike Mardi Himal trip
The best time for the Mardi Himal Trek is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to December). The weather is mild and stable, with a clear sky offering excellent visibility of breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain peaks, such as Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail. The trail is filled with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and white as you pass through blooming rhododendron forests. In autumn, the weather becomes dry and stable, with crisp, clear conditions after the monsoon rains.
The reduced risk of rainfall and snowfall offers favorable weather for excellent visibility of the sky-piercing mountains and the surrounding landscapes. For the best mountain experience, aim for the spring or autumn when the weather is most favorable and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.
Is the Mardi Himal Trek family-friendly?
The Mardi Himal trek is an exciting family-friendly adventure, featuring a well-marked trail rated as moderate. The trek allows for proper acclimatization and includes cozy accommodations, ample resting stops, and pleasant dietary options along the trails. The Mardi Himal trails can promise families a memorable and enriching experience, showcasing the diverse natural beauty of hills and stunning mountains.
Along with breathtaking landscapes, families can immerse themselves in unique cultural experiences that deepen their connections to the local community and each other as well. Just a short drive from Pokhara is a hub of tourist attractions like boating on Phewa Lake, exploring fascinating rock caves and picturesque waterfalls, and wandering around vibrant local markets. For families seeking adventures, Pokhara also presents thrilling activities such as ultralight flight, paragliding, zip-lining, and boating.
Itinerary
Early morning breakfast at hotel then we transfer to Kathmandu airport for flight to Pokhara, Then one hour drive to the starting point of the trek, Kande. The trail steeply ascends through lush forests and passes by small villages. Soon, you will reach Pothana passing through Australian Camp. If the sky is clear, you can see stunning views of the Annapurna Range.
After breakfast, the route continues to Pitam Deurali. The trail further joins Annapurna Sanctuary and goes through dense forests. You will be walking on a secluded path that mostly passes by forests of oak, rhododendron, hemlock, and maple. After a delightful walk, the trail finally takes you to Forest Camp. Forest Camp is also known as Kokar.
The trail from Forest Camp to Badal Danda is short. However, it involves some steep climbing through forests of juniper and rhododendron. Along the way, we will get to see beautiful views of Annapurna South, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Mardi Himal as well.
Today we hike to High Camp with fantastic views of the snow-capped western Himalayan mountains. Today, we will be blessed with some of the most sensational views of mountains like Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Tare Kang, etc. The trail moves above the tree line and continues along the Mardi Himal ridge. We will be walking mainly on the grassy slopes and reach the High Camp. On the way, we may get to see the Lophophorus, the national bird of Nepal.
After breakfast in the morning, we begin trekking early in the morning to catch a gorgeous sunrise from the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail ascends along the ridge towards the base camp of Mardi Himal. We will be following a grassy trail, further crossing a couple of steep sections. We can see a dzokpo, a crossbreed of cow and yak, on the way, along with lophophorus. Likewise, domestic animals are also seen grazing around the area. The Mardi Himal will welcome you with a sensational landscape that will make you forget all the pain you got while climbing up here. After that we will trek back to Low Camp, following the same trail to spend the night.
We are descending back to Kokar from Low Camp; we will complete the circuit following a downhill route to Sidhing village. As there are not many good local villages along the route to Mardi Himal Base Camp, Sidhing village will overcome this absence with some intimate interactions with the locals. From here, we drive to Pokhara, where we will be spending the night. In the evening, explore the Phewa Lake and Market.
After breakfast at the hotel, we then transfer to Pokhara airport for the flight to Kathmandu. In the evening we will have a farewell party with a cultural program at a Nepalese restaurant.
Includes / Excludes
Trip Includes
- Accommodation at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast (twin sharing basis).
- Three breakfasts in Kathmandu
- All airport transfers (pickup and drop-off) and ground transportation in a private tourist vehicle.
- Standard meals are served during the trekking (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- One porter for every two trekkers (each porter carries up to 25 kg total—approximately 12–13 kg per trekker).
- One experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed trekking guide.
- Trekking Permit – Annapurna Conservation and Agency Paperwork
- Trip completion certificate
- Wages, accommodations, meals, equipment, insurance, and medical coverage for all trekking staff.
- Annapurna Conservation, Administrative & Taxes
Trip Excludes
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa (available upon arrival at the airport)
- Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu
- Wi-Fi access, mobile calls, and charging fees unless provided free by the lodge
- Personal travel insurance that includes high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
- Extra snacks, alcoholic drinks, bottled beverages, drinking water, and other personal purchases during the trek
Route Map
Know Before You Go
- Personal expenses, such as extra foods, drinks, and snacks, are not included in the package. It’s advisable to carry extra cash.
- You are traveling to Nepal for Trekking; you must need Nepal visa. It is also available at immigration office at Kathmandu airport.
- Always carry a reusable water bottle and purification tablets to ensure you have access to safe drinking water.
- Prepare for varying weather by packing clothing appropriate for the season and the regions you plan to visit.
- The rural side can’t accept credit cards, so it is recommended to have enough cash for your expenses.
- At tourist points, maintain a safe distance from wild animals and follow your guide’s instructions to avoid any risks.
- When booking international flights far in advance, be conscious, as weather conditions in Nepal can lead to delays or cancellations.
- The travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover potential emergencies, such as medical care and trip interruptions.