Mardi Himal Trek- 10 Days

On your arrival in Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu, our representative will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked-in you can get a rest and make yourself comfortable. If you have spare time, you can wander around the colorful Thamel area, where you can find shops, cafes, restaurants and local markets. If you arrive early and have enough time, you can also visit nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites; such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, or Boudhanath. In the evening, there will be a short trek briefing, where you can also meet your trekking guide and fellow trekkers. Your guide will explain the Mardi Himal Trek; daily walking routine, safety tips, and other important details. After the briefing, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel; and get ready for the adventure ahead.

• Max Elevation: 1400 meters (Kathmandu)
• Travel Distance: 6 to 8 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 20 to 30 minutes
• Accommodaation: 3 Star Hotel
• Meal: Dinner

Following breakfast, you will drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, passing through beautiful hills in central Nepal for approximately 200 kilometers. It takes approximately 7 to 9 hours to reach, travelling through small towns, villages, green hills, farmland and the Trishuli River. You will have a lunch stop at a suitable place along the way. Once you are in Pokhara, you are dropped at your hotel and after check-in you can get some rest at your hotel. Once you have the energy, you can do a tour of the popular Lakeside region, walk along the shores of Phewa Lake, or head to local shops or cafes. Pokhara offers a relaxing environment surrounded by mountains, which is a good place for relaxing before Mardi Himal Trekking. Spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Pokhara; and rest properly for the Mardi Himal trek.

• Max Elevation: 822 meters (Pokhara)
• Travel Distance: 200 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 7 to 9 hours
• Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You start your day with a drive from Pokhara to Kande after having breakfast, and it takes you about an 1 hour to 1.5 hours.  Your Mardi Himal trek begins at Kande. From here, you will begin walking through beautiful forests and peaceful mountain villages. The track moves through Australian camp and Pothana then reaches Pitam Deurali. The route will involve you crossing through wooded paths, wooden steps, and open areas viewing the surrounding hills and mountains. After around 4–5 hours of walking, you will reach Pitam Deurali; where you can rest and enjoy the quiet mountain surroundings. You spend the night at a comfortable tea house or lodge in the Pitam Deurali; where you can enjoy dinner and rest for the next day's trek.

• Max Elevation: 2,100 meters (Pitam Deurali)
• Travel Distance: 8 to 10 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 4 to 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea house /Lodge
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Pitam Deurali, the trail heads straight into the oak and rhododendron forests before rising slowly to reach the Forest Camp also known as Kokar. The walking is mostly uphill, with some steeper sections along the way. During spring, the forest is known for its blooming rhododendrons, while different birds can also be seen in the area. The forest is quieter as the elevation rises and the temperature begins to fall. There are occasional open sections where you can get views of the surrounding hills. You arrive at Forest Camp after approximately 4 to 5 hours of hiking at 2520 meters. The settlement has several tea houses and lodges that provide basic accommodation and meals for trekkers. It is an important stopover on the way to the higher parts of the Mardi Himal route as well. In the evening, you can spend time relaxing at the lodge, and preparing for the next day's walk toward Low Camp.

• Max Elevation: 2,520 meters (Forest Camp)
• Travel Distance: 7 to 8 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 4 to 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea house /Lodge
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Forest Camp it moves gradually up above the timberline and into an open mountain landscape to reach High Camp. As you ascend the forest becomes less dense along the sides, and at the higher elevations, trees and shrubs are shorter and more widely spaced, and the rhododendrons are more succulent. After another few hours you arrive at the Low Camp at approximately 2970 meters. Views open from here with the views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South and surrounding hills of Annapurna on clear days. The trail then follows the ridge further to High Camp. As the trail climbs higher it starts to become steeper and rocky, so a slow pace is advisable. The vegetation also becomes more limited as the landscape changes to alpine terrain. High Camp is one of the highest overnight camps on the Mardi Himal route, achieved around 3,580 meters. The area can be cold, especially in the evening, so you can rest indoors and keep warm. If the weather is clear, the evening offers good views of the surrounding mountains. Proper layers and a warm sleeping bag are important for a comfortable overnight stay at this cool altitude.

• Max Elevation: 3,580 meters (High Camp)
• Travel Distance: 8 to 9 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 5 to 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea house /Lodge
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

An early start is recommended as you head from High Camp toward Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail follows the ridge and gradually becomes more rocky and open as you leave the vegetation behind. Some sections are steep and uneven, so it is important to walk carefully and maintain a steady pace at this altitude. The path then crosses over boulders and hard rocks to arrive at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 meters). From the upper portions of the trail you can see Mardi Himal, Fistail (Machapuchhre), Annapurna South and Hiunchuli on a clear day. After spending some time at the base camp and having lunch, you will begin the descent. The return then moves along the same route back to High Camp and then back down to Low Camp at approximately 2970 meters. After reaching Low Camp, you can relax, enjoy your dinner, and recover from the long day of walking at the tea house or lodge.

• Max Elevation: 4,500 meters (Mardi Himal Base Camp)
• Travel Distance: 10 to 12 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 7 to 8 hours
• Accommodation: Tea house /Lodge
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The trail descends from Low Camp toward Landruk, taking you back into greener and warmer surroundings. The route crosses through woodland, village and hillside paths, the scenery along the way varying significantly as you start to descend. You pass through Forest Camp and other small villages in the mountains before arriving at the lower villages. Although the elevation continues to drop, the course is not straight, it has both downhill and short uphill stretches so the walk is moderately active. Landruk is a typical Gurung village located in the Annapurna region at approximately 1565m. The village is famous for its stone architecture, sloping farmlands and the surrounding hills and mountains. It's also a popular stopping point during treks between the Mardi Himal and the Annapurna Base Camp. Once you arrive at Landruk, you will spend a night at the local tea house or lodge where you will eat a hot meal and can leisurely wander about the village or lounge after a hard day of descent.

• Max Elevation:  1,565 meters (Landruk)
• Travel Distance: 10 to 12 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 5 to 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea house /Lodge
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The morning begins with breakfast at the lodge in Landruk, followed by a drive back to Pokhara. As you slowly make your way out of the mountain region, you will wind through villages using the steps of the hills, slope farms, and green hills. Depending on the road conditions, the journey takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. After reaching Pokhara, you check-in into your 3-star hotel and relax a bit after the long trekking. You can even go to Phewa Lake, Lakeside, and other local restaurants or cafes for exploring the city, if you wish to spend some time in Pokhara. Spend your evening having a good dinner and an easy time at Pokhara.

• Max Elevation: 822 meters (Pokhara)
• Travel Distance: 55 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, you leave Pokhara and begin the drive back to Kathmandu. The route moves along the Prithvi Highway, crossing rivers, green hills, small towns and local settlements. You will have a lunch stop at a suitable place along the way before continuing toward the Kathmandu Valley. This drive typically takes about 7-9 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. After the long journey you will arrive at Kathmandu and check in at your 3-star Hotel where you would get time to rest. In the evening, you can relax at the hotel or visit Thamel for some last-minute shopping, local food, or a short walk. Dinner will be provided in the hotel so you will have a leisurely evening at the end of the day before you head out the next morning.

• Max Elevation: 1400 meters (Kathmandu)
• Travel Distance: 200 kilometers
• Travel Hours: 7 to 9 hours
• Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
• Meal: Dinner

Your Mardi Himal Trek comes to an end today. After breakfast, you can take some time to prepare your luggage and complete your final check-out from the hotel. Our representative will meet you at the hotel and drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport; where you will board your onward flight. Make sure you have your passport, flight documents, and personal belongings with you before leaving the hotel. If you have a later flight, you also might have some time to do that last-minute shopping or visit nearby spots before you travel to the airport. We hope you return home with good memories of the Mardi Himal Trek, the Annapurna region, and your time in Nepal.

• Max Elevation: 1400 meters (Kathmandu)
• Travel Distance: 6 to 8 kilometers to the airport
• Travel Hours: 20 to 30 minutes
• Meal: Breakfast