Mountain Trek / Annapurna Region / Nepal Mardi Himal TrekNext tentative Date: Available as a Private Trek on a date of your preference.
Walk along Fishtail's ridge with stunning views of the Annapurna mountains right in front of you, and layers upon layers of hills behind you. |
Walking up on the western flanks of Machhapuchare (Fishtail), through thick jungles and villages. | |
Imposing views of Annapurna South, Hiuchuli and the iconic Fishtail mountain - within a relatively short distance from Pokhara. | |
Gorgeous sunrise and sunset over the mountains. | |
Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back. | |
Relaxing time in the lakeside city of Pokhara, with view of the mountains adorning the horizon. | |
Sheep and yaks that graze on the wide pastures of Mardi, with mountains above. | |
360-degree view from Baadal Daanda, right as you pop out from the treeline. | |
The sight of countless rolling hills you see on the south-side. |
Anyone with basic to moderate hiking experience can embark on the Mardi Himal Trek. The highest elevation you will reach is 4,200m (13,780ft) in just a few days, so be prepared for some steep and challenging climbs through narrow forest trails and ridges. However, the risk of altitude sickness is low because the trek itinerary is designed to allow for gradual acclimatization, and we maintain a comfortable hiking pace throughout.
Accommodation during the trek is provided in basic mountain lodges. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide and porters who will carry your luggage during the journey.
The weather in the Himalayas varies greatly based on altitude and season. The higher you ascend, the colder and more unpredictable the conditions become.
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Group Size | Price per person* |
4 - 7 people | USD 785 |
8 and above | USD 700 |
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Valid until Dec 31st, 2023
Prices for expats is less by USD 75
Fishtail mountain
Trekkers at Mardi High Camp
Right at the valley bottom is the long valley of Lumre
At Mardi High camp, you get a birds eye view of the layers of hills stretching across the horizon
Night skies over Annapurna South and Hiuchuli seen from Mardi High Camp
Khora Mukh, the valley bottom, is a stark contrast to the rocky landscape of Badal Daanda, where this photo was taken from
Trekkers admiring the grand scale and beauty of Fishtail Mountain
Gurung lady in Pitam Deurali
A trekker at Mardi High Camp
Trekkers at Mardi High Camp
Plenty of photo ops with Annapurna South
Trekkers at Mardi High Camp
Fishtail at sunset
Mardi High Camp is at around 3800m, and can be reached after a considerable climb. Well worth the effort.
Predawn colors of Annapurna skies
Just shy of 7000m, Fishtail mountain is a towering and distance cousin of the Swiss Matterhorn
Sea of clouds at the bottom of the valley
A sheep in the golden hour at Mardi High Camp
Sunset seen from Badal Daanda
Mardi High Camp is at around 3800m, and can be reached after a considerable climb. Well worth the effort.
Badal Daanda is where the treeline ends and trails on barren terrain sports a fine view of mountains on either side
Fishtail becomes an imposing mountain as you reach higher elevations
Annapurna South and Hiuchuli
Narrow valleys, high elevation and proximity to snowcapped mountains can lead to localized and unpredictable weather
Warm and hazy morning in Mardi
Along the trails to Mardi High Camp
Sheep along with yaks are common on the trek
Fishtail at sunset
Day 1 |
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kaande - Pothana |
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Day 2 |
Pothana - Forest Camp |
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Day 3 |
Forest Camp - Badal Daanda |
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Day 4 |
Badal Daanda - High Camp |
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Day 5 |
High Camp - Low Camp - Siding |
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Day 6 |
Siding - Pokhara |
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Day 7 |
Pokhara - Kathmandu |
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Day 1 |
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kaande - Pothana |
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Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara 30 mins In the morning, we take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to the gorgeous Pokhara city that sits by Phewa Lake and is dwarfed by the Annapurna range. |
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Drive from Pokhara to Kaande 1.5 hrs We stop at Lakeside for a nice breakfast by the lake and head westwards on Pokhara-Baglung highway to Kaande. The drive is very very scenic and will offer you mountain views on clear days. |
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Trek from Kaande to Pothana, via Thulokharka 3 to 4 hrs Setting off from Kaande, our journey continues through lush forests and picturesque villages nestled in the Annapurna foothills. The trails are thoughtfully paved and ascend until we reach Australian Camp – a charming settlement featuring lovely lodges and sweeping mountain vistas. Following a lunch or tea break, we descend to Pothana, our overnight stop. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 2 |
Pothana - Forest Camp |
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Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp 5 to 6 hrs Starting today, we venture into the thick rhododendrons and birch forests. The trails gradually ascend throughout, with occasional steep sections. You will get mountain views from certain sections. Situated within the forested stretch, Forest Camp is a relatively new establishment catering to trekkers on the Mardi Himal route. This will be our camp for the night. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 3 |
Forest Camp - Badal Daanda |
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Trek from Forest Camp to Badal Daanda 4 to 5 hrs The initial part of the trail mimics the previous day's journey – an uphill path through forested trails. En route, we pass by Low Camp and Middle Camp. Further along, we encounter enchanting forests adorned with lichen and moss, catching glimpses of Annapurna South as we ascend. Badal Daanda, our overnight stop, offers one of the most unbeatable viewpoints, boasting spectacular views of Fishtail. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 4 |
Badal Daanda - High Camp |
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Trek from Badal Daanda to High Camp 4 to 5 hrs We start our morning with a captivating golden sunrise peeking above a blanket of clouds, right before our eyes. Following breakfast, a short uphill climb leads us to a ridge, leaving the forest behind. The grassy ridge, framed by towering mountains, creates an iconic backdrop for the quintessential Mardi Himal Trek photo. Today's trek is relatively short. Lunch awaits at High Camp. Annapurna South and Machhapuchre will be unbelievably close. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 5 |
High Camp - Low Camp - Siding |
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Trek from High Camp to Siding 8 to 9 hrs Post breakfast, we begin our descent from High Camp. Passing through lush forests and villages, the steep downhill walk can be strenuous on the knees. Using trekking poles is highly recommended. Our overnight stay is in Sidhing, a typical Gurung village boasting interesting architecture and lifestyle. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 6 |
Siding - Pokhara |
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Drive from Siding to Pokhara 3.5 to 4 hrs We board our reserved jeep and head towards Pokhara. The initial half-hour entails navigating narrow, rugged mountain roads, with the remainder providing a wider, smoother drive. |
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Explore Lakeside and drive to Raniban Retreat Spend some time by the lake or opt for one of the many activities the gorgeous lake town has to offer. Drive to hike to Raniban Retreat. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Raniban Retreat
Day 7 |
Pokhara - Kathmandu |
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Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu 30 mins A short but scenic flight back to Kathmandu watching the mountains you saw up close during the trek. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Mountain Lodge |
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Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with a menu. The rooms in mountain lodges generally have two or three twin beds with a mattress and blanket. If you are used to sleeping warm, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and liner. Other amenities could be a table, hanger, and dustbin but do not expect to have charging ports and attached toilets in the rooms. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.
• | Shared Toilet |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
Mountain Lodge |
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Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with a menu. The rooms in mountain lodges generally have two or three twin beds with a mattress and blanket. If you are used to sleeping warm, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and liner. Other amenities could be a table, hanger, and dustbin but do not expect to have charging ports and attached toilets in the rooms. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.
• | Shared Toilet |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
Mountain Lodge |
X Close Popup
X Close Popup
Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with a menu. The rooms in mountain lodges generally have two or three twin beds with a mattress and blanket. If you are used to sleeping warm, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and liner. Other amenities could be a table, hanger, and dustbin but do not expect to have charging ports and attached toilets in the rooms. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.
• | Shared Toilet |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
Mountain Lodge |
X Close Popup
X Close Popup
Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with a menu. The rooms in mountain lodges generally have two or three twin beds with a mattress and blanket. If you are used to sleeping warm, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and liner. Other amenities could be a table, hanger, and dustbin but do not expect to have charging ports and attached toilets in the rooms. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.
• | Shared Toilet |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
Mountain Lodge |
X Close Popup
X Close Popup
Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with a menu. The rooms in mountain lodges generally have two or three twin beds with a mattress and blanket. If you are used to sleeping warm, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and liner. Other amenities could be a table, hanger, and dustbin but do not expect to have charging ports and attached toilets in the rooms. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.
• | Shared Toilet |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
Raniban Retreat |
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World Peace Pagoda, South Side of Phewa, Pokhara
• | Free Wi-Fi | • | Room Service | • | Balcony | • | Private Bathroom | • | Hot Shower | • | Shared Toilet | • | Free Toiletries | • | Towels | • | Slippers | • | Power Socket | • | Hot Water Thermos | • | Hot Water Bag | • | Daily Housekeeping |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Child-friendly | • | Pet-friendly | • | Terrace | • | Garden | • | Plunge Pool | • | Massage | • | Laundry | • | Fire Extinguisher | • | POS Machine | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views | • | Lake Views |
Mardi Himal Trek |
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Annapurna Region / Nepal
For those short on time or looking to add an exhilarating experience of flying over the majestic Himalayas, you have the option to charter a private helicopter on the way down. Inquire for prices and options!
Group Size | Price per person* |
4 - 7 people | USD 785 |
8 and above | USD 700 |
Valid until Dec 31st, 2023
Prices for expats (with a valid work ID and work/student visa) and their dependents is less by USD 75 per person. Prices differ contingent on the rates charged by airlines and hotels.
For people trekking solo or as a duo, kindly inquire for prices. As fixed costs are shared among limited people, prices are slightly higher.
Important
Accommodation
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Transportation
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Food
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Crew
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Permits
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Misc
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We take altitude sickness very seriously and all our itineraries are designed to go on a slow pace, covering short distances as we go higher. With the increase in every thousand meters, we stay an extra night at the same stop or place with a similar elevation to acclimatize our bodies to the altitude.
During the trek, we will also take precautions by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol consumption, and going for acclimatization hikes as needed. Our guide will check your vitals with oximeter every evening during the trek so we know how your body is reacting to the changing elevation. If you see any symptoms of AMS or have a headache, please contact our guide immediately. In most cases, mild headaches can be tackled with food, hydration and rest. We don’t recommend diamox (pills for altitude sickness) but you can take it as precaution starting a day or two before the trek if you are coming from sea level.
Our guide will have a well-equipped first-aid kit at all times. Please go through our equipment and medical checklist for better preparedness as the common problems like foot blisters and knee pain can be tackled with proper packing. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly let us know when booking.
Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons.
Buying and renting gears – Kathmandu has a lot of gear shops. If you happen to miss anything, you can buy them at Thamel before your trek. Items like a sleeping bag can be rented in Kathmandu for about USD 1 a day.
What not to carry – Drones and satellite phones without permission, as they can be confiscated by National Park officials at the entry checkpoints.
• | Hiking Boots with a good grip |
• | Rain gear (for you and your bag) |
• | Comfortable hiking pants |
• | Quick dry, breathable T-shirts |
• | Windproof Jacket |
• | Sleepwear |
• | Trekking Socks (thick) |
• | Underwear |
• | Neck buff/ gaiter |
• | Sun hat/cap |
• | Downjacket |
• | Thermals (top and bottom) |
• | Fleece jacket |
• | Sleeping bag |
• | Sleeping bag liner |
• | Gloves |
• | Woolen hat/beanie |
• | Day bag |
• | Duffel bag (for porter) |
• | Quick dry towel |
• | Extra pair of shoes (preferably, slip-ons) |
• | Water bottle or camel bladder (1.5 litres). |
• | LifeStraw filter or purification tablets |
• | Flask (for hot water) |
• | Walking Poles |
• | Sunglasses (Polarized, with good UV protection) |
• | Locks for your backpack/luggage |
• | Waist belt |
• | A pair of binoculars |
• | Trail snacks and energy bars |
• | Head lamp (with extra batteries) |
• | Camera with charger and extra batteries |
• | Phone with charger |
• | Power bank |
• | Travel adapter (type C, D and M) |
• | Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) |
• | Sanitizer |
• | Wet wipes |
• | Toiletries (incl toilet papers, soap, etc) |
• | Personal first aid kit |
• | Rehydration salts/tablets |
• | Throat lozenges |
• | Prescription Medications |
• | Lipbalm (SPF 30 or above) |
• | Passport with visa |
• | A copy of Work ID (for expats) |
• | A copy of Insurance papers |
• | Permits (carried by guide) |
• | Flight tickets (carried by guide) |
• | Money |
• | Credit Card |
A duffel bag is your pack that goes inside the porter’s bag. You can also go for a backpack as long as it is soft-shelled and easy to squeeze in. Each duffel bag can be no more than 75 liters & 10-12 kg per person or 150 liters & 20-25 kg for two people. Everything that you will not need during the walking hours of the day will go in a duffel bag. Do not put your valuables in it, as well as any items like cameras/laptops with a risk of getting crushed.
A day bag is your backpack that you will carry during the trek. Anything that you will need during the day, like rain gear, a warm layer, a water bottle, sunscreen, basic toiletries, your phone, and camera, money, important documents, a pair of gloves, a hat, and a few snacks, goes in this bag. A 35-50 liters bag & 5-6 kgs is your ideal daypack. It is advised to buy a good quality bag with adjustable waist straps, as good load distribution makes all the difference while trekking.
Leave no Trace: Please don’t litter, and also dispose any trash properly (you can hand them to your guide). Plucking flowers and vandalizing trails is off limits. We’ll leave the beautiful trails as we found them.
A Few Rules: Any form of physical violence or verbal abuse, harassment, solicitation of prostitution, or possession or use of illegal drugs or illicit materials is strictly prohibited.
Alcohol and Drugs Policy: Heavy alcohol consumption dehydrates your body and doesn’t pair well with trekking for obvious safety reasons. We recommend you limit your alcohol intake to a minimal amount during day time. Let’s wait till the evening to raise a glass or two.
No Handouts of any kind: Giving money or handouts of any kind to beggars and children is strictly prohibited, as it only promotes begging culture.
Photography and Drones: It’s advisable to ask permission of the locals before taking their photos, although by experience we can tell that they love being photographed. Strict drone policies are enforced throughout Nepal – so please don’t fly drones on the trip.
Travelling in a Group: What makes group travel fun is the diversity. This also means that there will be people of all different ages, physical fitness, and walking pace. Please be mindful and respect the time allocated by your lead guide to avoid any inconvenience to the group.
Please print and fill up the Booking Form. It’s pretty simple and short, please let us know if we can help you with it.
We’ll send terms and conditions, along with payment details. To confirm your spot, please pay 50% of the trip cost in advance.
Note: Full payment to be made at least 7 days before trip departure.
A few days before the trip, the lead guide will host a small briefing to discuss logistics and safety matters, and also answer any questions you have.
Do some light training and set your gears. Then off to the mountains we go!
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