Mardi Himal Trek

• Drive Route: Kathmandu → Pokhara
• Drive Route: Kathmandu → Mugling → Dumre → Pokhara
• Beginning Point: Kathmandu (1400 m/ 4593 ft.)
• Ending Point: Pokhara (822 m/ 2696 ft.)
• Lunch: En route
• Kathmandu to Pokhara Distance: 201 km (125 mi)
• Total Descent: 578 meters / 1896.3 ft.
• Overnight: Pokhara

There are two options for travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The first option is to take a 25-minute flight and the second is to travel by bus, which normally takes 8-9 hours.

Depending on your interest, you can take a flight or drive to Pokhara on a luxury tourist bus, normal tourist bus, private car, Jeep, or the local bus from Kathmandu. The price varies on the mode of transport you choose.

If you take a morning flight to Pokhara, you can drive to Phedi and begin your trek the same day and have a pleasing overnight at one of the best teahouses in a beautiful village called Pothana.

However, the trekkers travelling by bus will have overnight at a hotel in Pokhara and begin the trip the next day after having breakfast at the hotel.

Or, if you travel to Pokhara by bus you will reach Pokhara around 3 pm. Then, you will have some time to explore Pokhara and do things like boating, ice skating, sightseeing, and many more.

• Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation : Hotel
• Walking / Driving : 7 hours driving

• Drive Route: Pokhara → Milan Chowk → Suikhet → Phedi
• Trek Route: Phedi → Dhampus → Pothana
• Beginning Point: Pokhara (822 m/ 2696 ft.)
• Trek Beginning Point: Phedi (1130 m/ 3707 ft.)
• Trek Ending Point: Pothana (1950 m/ 6397 ft.)
• Lunch: Dhampus (1650 m/ 5413 ft.)
• Pokhara to Phedi Distance: 18.7 km (11.6 miles)
• Phedi to Pothana Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 miles)
• Total Ascent: 1128 meters (3700 ft.)
• Overnight: Pothana

The second day of your trip begins with an amazing breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara.

A private car or a jeep receives you from the hotel. Then, with about half an hour’s drive, covering around 17-18 km, you will reach Phedi and start your Mardi Himal Trekking.

Upon arriving at Phedi, you have to be ready for a 5-hour hike to reach Pothana. The trek route from Phedi to Dhampus is an almost steep uphill route through rhododendron and pines woodland up to Dhampus. It is approximately 2 2-hour steep uphill route, which takes around 5-6 hours to cover.

You will be having the first lunch on the trekking journey at Dhampus. Here, you can enjoy your meal along with the views of the wonderful Annapurna massif, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu.

After that, the route to Pothana is easy and slightly straight. You will cover an additional 5 km to Pothana and spend the night there.

About Dhampus

Dhampus is a small local village on the Mardi Himal route. From here, you can see pleasing views of mountains such as the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna range, and Mardi Himal range.

The village is situated at an elevation of 1650 meters with about 5-6 basic teahouses. The teahouses offer a warm and comfortable bed with delicious food. The teahouses also offer Wi-Fi, hot showers, drinking water, etc., but they might charge you an additional fee for it.

About Pothana

Pothana is another beautiful local village on the Mardi trek, situated at an elevation of 1950 meters. It also serves as a checkpoint for the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Several mountain views from here are the main alluring features of Pothana. You can see Fishtail (Machhapuchhre), Annapurna range, Annapurna South, and Lamjung Himal from here.

Teahouses in Pothana

There are around 5 basic teahouses in Pothana. They serve food from the food menu, including Thakali Khana Set (special Dal Bhat with different curries and pickles).

The rooms are clean and warm, with single, double, and triple beds. However, they do not have an attached bathroom. For additional services like Wi-Fi ($1-$2), hot shower ($4-$5), and hot water ($1-$2), you need to pay additional charge.

• Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation : Tea House
• Walking / Driving : 30 min driving and 4-5 hours walking

• Trek Route: Pothana → Pitam Deurali → Forest Camp
• Beginning Point: Pothana (1950 m/ 6397 ft.)
• Ending Point: Forest Camp (2600 m/ 8530 ft.)
• Lunch: Packed lunch or some snacks between Pitam Deurali and Forest Camp
• Pothana to Forest Camp Distance: 14.5 km (9 miles)
• Total Ascent: 650 meters (2133 ft.)
• Overnight: Forest Camp

Today, you will enjoy the wonderful breakfast and start the trek for Forest Camp.

The Mardi trekking route for the 3rd day passes through the rhododendron forest and the scenic views of snow-capped mountains.

After just an hour’s hike, you will reach Pitam Deurali, where we will stop for a cup of coffee and then continue to Forest Camp. With an additional 5-6 hours walk, we will reach our destination for today.

There are no good teahouses for lunch in between. So, you can carry a packed lunch or have some snacks at Pitam Deurali.

About Pitam Deurali

Pitam Deurali is a famous viewpoint in the Mardi trekking route, situated at 2100 meters (6880 ft). From here, you can see one of the best views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

There are about 2-3 basic teahouses in Pitam Deurali, and just 1 teahouse until Forest Camp. The teahouse serves a few food items and a basic accommodation.

About Forest Camp

Forest Camp is a village in the Mardi Himal district, situated at an altitude of 2600 meters (8530 ft). This camp is surrounded by a green jungle, which gives you a sense of wilderness. You can drink domestic buffalo milk here if you would like to.

Additionally, you can see animals like langur monkeys, jackals, and different bird species like Kalij, doves, woodpeckers, and many more around Forest Camp.

Teahouses in Forest Camp

There are about 8-10 simple teahouses in Forest Camp, including the newly opened Hotel Jungle Embassy. You can order dinner and breakfast from the menu. The teahouses provide a clean bed and a blanket in single or twin rooms.

A teahouse in the Forest Camp

A teahouse in the Forest Camp

You can get other additional services like a hot shower, hot water, Wi-Fi, and a heated dining hall for an additional charge, with attached bathrooms in the teahouses.

• Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation : Tea House
• Walking / Driving : 8 hours

• Trek Route: Forest Camp → Rest Camp → Low Camp → High Camp
• Beginning Point: Forest Camp (2600 m/ 8530 ft.)
• Ending Point: High Camp (3600 m/ 11811 ft.)
• Lunch: Low Camp (2970 m/ 9744 ft.)
• Forest Camp to High Camp Distance: 8.5 km (5.3 miles)
• Total Ascent: 1000 meters (3281 ft.)
• Overnight: High Camp
• Mardi Himal Trek Cost
• Yaks Grazing on the Mardi Himal Base Camp area.

The fourth day’s trek begins after breaking nearly 12 hours of fasting with the scrumptious food at about 7 o’clock in the morning.

Today, the trail is comparatively shorter and passes through cloud forests with mosses, lichen, ferns, etc.

The first station that you will encounter is the Rest Camp, which is just 1 to 1.5 km away from Forest Camp. You can stop here for some tea or coffee. Then, we need to hike on a slight uphill route for an additional 5-7 km (2-3 hours) before reaching Low Camp for lunch.

You can order lunch from the menu. Once you have your lunch, we will have to hike on a steep uphill to High Camp via Badal Danda. The view of the Annapurna range, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and Hiunchuli is awesome from Badal Danda.

The trail after Badal Danda is significantly different than the lower trail. As you walk to the higher elevation, you won’t find the dense forest anymore. Instead, the trail is open and spacious, with very few rhododendron trees and probably a snowy path.

It is a 3-4 hours route, around 8-9 km. You will spend the night at High Camp. You can have your dinner around 8 pm and go to sleep around 10 pm or whenever you feel like it.

About Low Camp

Low Camp (2970 m/9744 ft) is popular for its mesmerizing view of Mount Fishtail, popularly known as Mount Machhapuchhre. The people here are very hospitable, and the familial love and respect of the teahouse staff make you forget you are away from home.

There are about 12-15 teahouses in the middle of a lush rhododendron forest. The services they provide here are just like any other teahouses on the Mardi Himal trail.

About High Camp

Situated at an elevation of 3600 meters (11,811 ft), High Camp is a beautiful local village on the Mardi Trek map. The panoramic view of various mountain ranges is the major attraction of High Camp.

You can see mountains like Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Fishtail, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Gandharwa Chuli, and Mardi Himal from here.

A view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli

A view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli

You can see various plants, animals, and birds, including Daphne (Lophophorus, National bird of Nepal). The unique species of other birds chirping from the twigs of rhododendron trees makes you dance, giving the impression that they are singing for you.

Teahouses in High Camp

There are about 10-15 basic teahouses in High Camp. The food and accommodation here is good enough. You can find all sorts of food items from the food menu. Also, the rooms are single or double bed and a blanket each.

• Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation : Tea House
• Walking / Driving : 5 to 6 hours

• Hike Route: High Camp → Mardi Himal Viewpoint → Mardi Himal Base Camp → High Camp
• Trek Route: High Camp → Badal Danda (3210 m) → Low Camp → Siding
• Beginning Point: High Camp (3600 m/ 11811 ft.)
• Ending Point: Siding (1700 m/ 5577 ft.)
• Lunch: Low Camp (2970 m/ 9744 ft.)
• Distance: 9.3 km (5.1 miles)
• Maximum Elevation: 4500 meters (Base Camp)
• Total Ascent: 900 meters/ 2953 ft. – High Camp to Base Camp
• Total Descent: 2800 meters/ 9186 ft. – Base Camp to Siding

Overnight: Siding

The 5th day of the Mardi Trek itinerary is the most exciting as well as challenging day.

Today, you need to hike up a steep hill to the Mardi Himal Base Camp at an altitude of 4500 meters (14,764 ft). Then again, we descend slippery downhill for another 3 hours to reach the High Camp and have breakfast.

On this day, you will have to wake up early in the morning to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp for the sunrise view. You can also enjoy the sunrise view with a cup of special back tea served by “Chiya Kaka” in his tea shop from Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4200 m/13,780 ft).

Chiya Kaka - A popular person selling tea at the viewpoint of Mardi Himal

Chiya Kaka – A popular person selling tea at the viewpoint of Mardi Himal

If you are lucky enough to have a favourable climate, you can reach an altitude of 5000 meters, from where you can behold the amazing ice fields and blue glaciers of the Annapurna Sanctuary all below.

The picturesque views from the viewpoints of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South, Mardi Himal, Hiunchuli, Baraha Shikhar, Fishtail, and many more fascinating peaks will be lifelong memories.

Mardi Himal Trek

Himalayas view from the Mardi Himal Base Camp route

The trail from High Camp to the Base Camp is so astonishing that it passes through a majestic pasture where you find herds of yak and flocks of sheep grazing that are brought up to feed, especially during summer.

Besides the pleasing movements of colourful birds, Daphne flying over the grass and perching on the rhododendron twig is no less than paradise.

Furthermore, if you spend a few minutes hearing the stories of the shepherds, you might remember the popular early seventeenth-century lyrics of Christopher Marlowe’s songs “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” and “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Shepherd:

Come live with me and be my love

And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills, and fields

Woods or steepy mountains yields

Nymph’s Reply:

If all the world and love were young,

And truth in every shepherd’s tongue,

These pretty pleasures might be move

To live with thee and be thy love.

After all these storytelling and energetic breakfasts in High Camp, we will descend back to reach Siding and stay overnight there. The trek from High Camp to Siding via Badal Danda and Low Camp takes about 6-7 hours, covering almost 14 km (8.6 miles).

View of Mardi and Machhapuchhre from High Camp

View of Mardi and Machhapuchhre from High Camp

About Siding

Siding is a small traditional village on the Mardi Himal short trek. The village is situated at an elevation of 1700 meters (5577 ft). It is the final spot of our trekking expedition. From the next day, you will be travelling by vehicle to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu.

Unlike other popular trekking destinations, such as Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, etc., in the Annapurna region, Siding Village still offers an authentic rural cultural taste. It is known for its peaceful environment and hospitable people.

Teahouses in Siding

Siding village has 5-7 simple teahouses offering basic accommodation and food. They serve traditional Nepali foods like Dal Bhat and other foods from the menu. You can get attached rooms with hot showers, although there might be additional costs for hot showers.

• Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation : Tea House
• Walking / Driving : 8 to 9 hours

• Drive Route: Siding → Pokhara
• Beginning Point: Siding (1700 m/ 5577 ft.)
• Ending Point: Pokhara (822 m/ 2696 ft.)
• Lunch: On route
• Pokhara to Kathmandu Distance: 201 km (125 miles)
• Total Descent: 878 meters (2881 ft)
• Overnight: Pokhara

You will be having a fulfilling breakfast in the teahouse, probably in Hotel Trekkers Home Paradise. From here, you will take a private shared jeep to Pokhara. With just a 2-hour ride (almost 57 km), you can reach Pokhara.

In Pokhara, you can enjoy a delicious lunch and explore the city if you want, or just stay in your hotel and rest for the day.

• Meal : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel
• Walking / Driving : 2.5 hours driving

• Drive Route: Pokhara → Kathmandu
• Beginning Point: Pokhara
• Ending Point: Kathmandu
• Pokhara to Kathmandu Distance: 201 km (125 miles)
• Total Ascent: 578 meters (1896 ft)
• Overnight: Kathmandu

This is the day to say farewell to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu.

As we have already mentioned on Day 1, there are two options to travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu: by plane or by car. You can choose either of the options at your convenience.

If you choose the roadway, we recommend the comfortable tourist luxury bus in which you can enjoy the travel with nice views of mountains, Trishuli River, and terraced farmland along the way.

Boudhanath-Kathmandu-Nepal

Boudhanath Kathmandu Nepal

Moreover, if you fly on a plane to Kathmandu, you will have time to explore some of the best places to visit in Kathmandu.

NOTE: You must pay an additional charge if you want to fly to Kathmandu from Pokhara.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

Walking / Driving: 7 hours driving