Mountain Trek / Annapurna Region / Nepal Mardi Himal Express TrekNext tentative Date: Available as a Private Trek on a date of your preference.
The Mardi Himal Express Trek is a short yet exhilarating journey designed for fast travelers, covering long distances with stunning views of Annapurna’s peaks and endless hills. |
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.
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Trekking in the Annapurna Region is matchless in spring (March to May). The weather is warm during the day and cold at night. The average daytime temperature is 12°C to 20°C (54°F to 68°F) and it can drop to freezing temperatures during night. The forests are green, and rhododendrons bloom, making the trail vibrant. It is a busy time of the year and the trails will be full of trekkers. It’s important to prebook the lodges.
This region receives a lot of rainfall in general, so monsoons will be extremely wet and humid, with temperatures ranging from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The downside of the monsoon is hovering clouds affecting visibility and slippery trails with leeches all along. The roads leading up to the trails can be affected by rockfall and landslides. While early June and late September are still advisable for trekking, July and August are out of the option. Not many people trek during the peak monsoon, so hotels aren’t fully operational.
It is the most popular time of the year to trek with clear skies, mild temperatures, and relatively stable weather conditions. The monsoon rains will have subsided, and visibility of the mountain ranges is excellent. There’s a perfect mix of greenery and colors in the hills and forests. Sunrise and sunsets are breathtaking. The temperatures range between 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) and drop lower with increasing elevation. As the region is very accessible, trails and lodges are extremely busy this time around.
Winter is a great time to trek in the lower Annapurnas. As we don’t reach significant elevation, the mountains look sparkling white on non-gloomy days. The temperatures go between 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) during daytime and can go lower at night. It is cold, but still very doable with the right preparation. Some parts of the trails can get slippery due to frost and patchy snow. The trails are not very busy and lodges are operational.
Group Size | Price per person* |
2 pax | USD 900 |
3 pax | USD 830 |
4 - 7 people | USD 775 |
8 and above | USD 725 |
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Valid until Dec 31st, 2024
Prices for expats is less by USD 75
Day 1 |
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kaande - Lovely View Point |
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Day 2 |
Lovely View Point to Low Camp |
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Day 3 |
Low Camp - High Camp |
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Day 4 |
High Camp - Siding - Pokhara |
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Day 5 |
Pokhara - Kathmandu |
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Day 1 |
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kaande - Lovely View Point |
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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 Lovely View Point (Dudh Pokhari) 6 hrs |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 2 |
Lovely View Point to Low Camp |
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Trek from Lovely View Point to Low Camp 7 to 8 hrs |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 3 |
Low Camp - High Camp |
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Trek from Low Camp to High Camp, and hike up to the Mardi Himal View Point 7 to 8 hrs |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Day 4 |
High Camp - Siding - Pokhara |
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Trek from High Camp to Siding 7 to 8 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. The trek ends in Sidhing, a typical Gurung village boasting interesting architecture and lifestyle. |
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Drive from Siding to Pokhara 3 to 3.5 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. |
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort and Spa
Day 5 |
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 |
X Close Accommodation 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 Accommodation 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 |
Temple Tree Resort and Spa |
X Close Accommodation Popup
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Lakeside, Pokhara
• | Free Wi-Fi | • | Room Service | • | Air Conditioning | • | Balcony | • | TV | • | Mini Bar | • | Private Bathroom | • | Hot Shower | • | Free Toiletries | • | Towels | • | Slippers | • | Power Socket | • | Electric Kettle | • | Daily Housekeeping |
• | Restaurant and Bar | • | Child-friendly | • | Garden | • | Swimming Pool | • | Plunge Pool | • | Massage | • | Spa | • | Laundry | • | Fire Extinguisher | • | POS Machine | • | Outdoor Seating | • | Mountain Views |
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* |
2 pax | USD 900 |
3 pax | USD 830 |
4 - 7 people | USD 775 |
8 and above | USD 725 |
Valid until Dec 31st, 2024
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.
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!
Experience the quintessential Nepali countryside - green terraced fields, deep valleys, high snowcapped Himalayas, lush forests, grazing cattle, ancient temples, great food and cheeky smiles - all the while trudging on mighty fine trails!
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