All about this trek

The Mardi Himal Trek takes you to the east of Annapurna Base Camp, virtually under the spectacular mountain Machhapuchhre. Also known as Mount Fishtail. As you trek along the ridge, you can look down at Annapurna Base Camp! It is almost too good to be true. But, you will see it is real with you own eyes.

How many days is this trek to Mardi Himal?

Trekking to Mardi Himal will take you about 7 days. However, we can customize this itinerary for you. You can make this trek longer or even stitch it together with a different trek. For instance, the viewpoint of Poon Hill or even Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)!

Is Mardi Himal worth it?

Yes! Definitely. Mardii Himal is a great trekking destination in the Annapurna region. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and local culture. This trek provides a breathtaking panorama of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchre, and Manaslu mountain ranges.

What does this trek look like, in a nutshell?

The trek goes through quiet stone built villages past wonderful rhododendron forests blooming in many different colors. The forest path continues until about 3,300 m when the trail takes on a rugged mountain setting with spectacular views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. During the Mardi Himal Trek, you will eat and sleep in basic mountain lodges, runned by locals.

Can I customize the Mardi Himal Trek?

Yes! Actually, we encourage you to do so. You can make this trek unique and truly YOURS! Obviously, you don’t need to figure it all out by yourself. We are here for you. Do you want to speed up and make it extra challenging? Or, take it easy and slow? Just contact us. We will draft a tailored itinerary for you. Do you like it? Then we’ll make it happen.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

– Govinda & Lilly

The highlights

Travel itinerary

day 1 | Arrival & pre-trip meeting in Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,600 ft)

Welcome to Nepal! Your international flight lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. We’ll pick you up and bring you to your hotel.

At the hotel, you’ll meet your guide and have your pre-trip meeting. Got questions? Feel free to ask! You can also check your gear and trekking equipment together.

airport transfer – hotel

Early morning, you catch a tourist bus to Pokhara. The ride will take about 8 to 9 hours.

Option: To save time, you can opt for a 30-minute flight to Pokhara instead. This would give you the opportunity to explore the peaceful city by the lake. Contact us for more details.

breakfast – bus – buspark transfer – hotel

From Pokhara, you drive to Phedi in about a half an hour. This is is the starting point of our trek! Today, you trek to Pothana (1,890 m). The trail is steep until Dhampus and then it is a pleasant easy walk up to Pothana, where you will be staying in a mountain lodge for the first night.

breakfast – private vehicle – lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

From Pothana, you walk up to a place called Pitam Deurali. Here you’ll turn off the main Annapurna Sanctuary trekking route and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron.

Tonight, you stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp, also known by the locals as Kokar. The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room. So, you will probably have your meals in the kitchen with the owner. In some ways, this is more like a homestay. It is a great opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

From Forest Camp, the trail to Low Camp takes us through the forest. However, as you ascend, the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron. The trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns.

At Low Camp, there are just 2 basic lodges. If the weather is clear, the view from Low Camp is superb, with Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

An hour or so above Low Camp, the trail breaks out above the tree line. And towards the west you can have a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge, mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail.

The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp, as this one has 8 rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The plan for today is to wake up early, to see sun rise over the mountains. After that, you’ll have early breakfast and walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp.

There is a well-established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections, however, overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpo (yak/cow crossbreds) grazing up here, as well as Danphe pheasant. In the summer, sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so you will pass a number of herder’s huts along the way. After about 3 hours, you’ll reach Base Camp (4,250 m).

From Mardi Himal Base Camp, you can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the panorama view is spectacular. You can see the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well, such as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

On the way down, you take a different route. From Low Camp, you follow a trail that goes down to Siding village instead of going back down to Kokar.

Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks. It is a wonderful cultural experience, finding out more about village life. In the evening, you will probably eat dal bhat with the family in their kitchen.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

From Siding, you will pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet our driver who drives you back to Pokhara.

breakfast & lunch – private vehicle – hotel

Today, it’s time to hop on the bus back to Kathmandu.

Option: To save time, you can opt for a scenic 30-minute mountain flight to Kathmandu, instead of taking the bus. This would give you the opportunity to explore the city. Contact us for more details.

breakfast – buspark transfer – bus – hotel

If it’s the final day of your holiday in Nepal. Your international flight departs from Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu.

Goodbye friends! We hope that you will cherish these memories we’ve made together forever.

breakfast – airport transfer

Included

Licensed mountain guide
All required trekking permits
Airport transfer
Bus (Kathmandu <> Pokhara)
Private vehicle (Pokhara > Phedi)
Private vehicle (Lumre > Pokhara)
Hotel in Kathmandu (w/ breakfast) – 2 nights
Hotel in Pokhara (w/ breakfast) – 2 nights
Mountain lodge during your trek - 6 nights
All meals during your trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner including one hot drink)
Salary, accommodations, meals, gear and insurance for your trekking staff
Secured booking amount through VZR Garant
VAT and tourist service charges

Not Included

Alcohol, hot and cold drinks
Travel health insurance (that covers rescue & evacuation above 4,000 m)
All other expenses that are not mentioned below 'what's included'

Tell me more about this region

this trek on the map

Travellers reviews

Don’t just take our word for it.

Mardi Himal Trek

715 euro

Destination: Annapurna

Duration: 11 days

Altitude: 4.000m >

Difficulty: 3/5

Mardi Himal Trek

715 euro

Destination: Annapurna

Duration: 11 days

Altitude: 4.000m >

Difficulty: 3/5

Why travel with BMP?

Great adventures

Together, we set a goal and we'll do everything we can to make it happen!

100% customized

Govinda & Lilly tailor these sample trips to your preferences and budget.

Return safely

With memories that last a lifetime!

Travel safely

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