Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is an excellent option for those seeking a unique, less crowded holiday in the Annapurna region.
Mardi Himal Base Camp trekking takes you to the base camp of Mardi Himal, east of the famous Annapurna base camp trail. With stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains, this trip offers a peaceful and tranquil journey. The trail is relatively new and less famous. It opened in 2012, making it an excellent choice for those exploring off-the-beaten-path trails.
Embark on an adventurous trek in the Annapurna region, following a less crowded and gorgeous walking trail that leads to the base of Mardi Himal. Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is pleasant in the Himalayas, exhibiting marvellous mountain views and pristine nature.
Mardi Himal base camp trek is 12 days long and combines your arrival and departure from Kathmandu. The walking period is seven days long. The Himal base camp hike is an excellent alternative if you are looking for alternative trekking holidays in the Annapurna region. The trail winds through dense forests of rhododendrons and bamboo. You walk along steep side valleys and occasional remote settlement areas.
As the Mardi Himal Base Camp hiking trail passes through lush forests, you may see a range of wildlife and birds. Likewise, the trail is exceptionally rich in flora and has diverse vegetation. As you increase altitude, you can notice an abrupt change in vegetation and views.
At 3,300 meters, you leave the forested route and walk on open meadows and rocky terrain. The shepherds used the Mardi Himal Base Camp trail before it was opened for trekking. And the occasional trekkers have to use tents and prepare the meals themselves.
Tea houses are built along the trail, and the number of trekkers has also increased in the last few years, making the Mardi Himal Base Camp tour reasonably known among experienced backpackers.
There are many things that attraction trekkers to hike Mardi Himal base camp and find some of the attractions as below.
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek offers some of the most breathtaking views of the western Himalayan mountains, such as Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m), and Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m). These majestic peaks are sure to inspire and excite any adventure seeker.
The trail offers breathtaking scenery at every turn. At the starting phase of the trek, you get to enjoy verdant hills and terraced field views with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop.
As the trek progresses, the mountains become more prominent, and you'll find yourself close to the giants.
The locals along the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trail are not just friendly and welcoming; they also offer a unique cultural experience. During the Mardi Himal base camp ascent, there is no central settlement area, but while returning, you get to immerse yourself in the authentic village lifestyle and culture of the natives as the trail descends to Sidding Village (1,885 m) and also passes by Lumre.
However, while returning, you get to experience the authentic village lifestyle and culture of the natives because the trail descends to Sidding Village (1,885 m) and also passes by Lumre.
Mardi Himal base camp trek is also a perfect family trip and a great alternative to Ghorepani trekking.
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek route begins following the foothills of the Annapurna region. The trail goes through numerous camps before reaching the Mardi Himal base camp. The trail is abundant in natural wonders like mountains, hills, forests, streams and waterfalls.
Walking from the lush lowland to the alpine mountains in just a few days gives you a distinct experience. You'll walk through dense, damp forests up to Low Camp (3,210 m).
The trail consists of short bushes from Low Camp to High Camp (3,580 m). Beyond it (up to 4,500 m) are barren and rocky cliffs, with a strong afternoon wind.
One of the things that make Mardi Himal base camp trekking the best trekking package in Nepal is the less crowded trail. Unlike the famous trekking trails in the Himalayas, the Mardi Himal Base Camp offers peaceful walking and undisturbed views.
You can enjoy an off-the-beaten trek without going far away on a long journey like the Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek. The best part is that beginners can also trek to Mardi base camp.
You can meet our airport team at the international airport terminal gate. They will welcome you and take you to the hotel. After the check-in, you are free to rest for the remaining day.
We will take you to multiple historical sites in the morning today for sightseeing. You visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and the largest stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa. The tour also takes you to Swayambhunath, the famous Monkey Temple. We end our tour at Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the royal residences in Kathmandu Valley.
We prepare for the Mardi trek in the latter half of the day. We will introduce you to the trek guide and spend the rest of the day doing final packing and last-minute shopping
You drive to Pokhara early in the morning today. Leaving Kathmandu Valley, we'll follow a well-made route along hillsides and soon drive along the Trishuli River. The views of green hills, terraced fields, and waterfalls, along with a glimpse of snow-capped mountains on the way, make the drive fantastic.
You will spend the evening around Phewa Lake, enjoying the gorgeous sunset. You can also go boating on the lake.
After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Phedi. It's a short drive. The trek begins from here. We trek through small villages inhabited by people from different communities, such as Magar, Brahmin, and Gurung. Along the way, we enjoy lovely views of the Annapurna Peaks.
Further, the trail continues through rhododendron forests to Pothana and ascends to Deurali. This village offers striking views of Annapurna South.
We walk through lush oak, birch, rhododendron, maple, and hemlock forests. As most of the trail goes through forests, we may see wildlife and birds. We advise you to be careful while walking because the path is rugged.
Leaving Forest Camp, we begin trekking through forests to Low Camp. As the trail ascends, we can see a change in vegetation. There are many rhododendron trees covered with moss along the way. Upon reaching Low Camp, we can see stunning views of Mt. Fishtail.
From Low Camp, the trail goes above the tree line and ascends west toward High Camp. On the way, we can see stunning views of Annapurna South and Mt. Hiunchuli. Soon, we'll begin walking along the Mardi Himal ridge. There are mainly grassy areas with some rhododendron bushes. We may come across Danphe, Nepal's national bird.
Upon reaching High Camp, we get to see breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
We wake up early and hike to the Upper Viewpoint, the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Walking along a ridge, we steeply ascend to the Upper Viewpoint. While trekking, we may encounter Dzokpos grazing. Dzokpo is the crossbreed of cow and yak.
Upon reaching the Upper Viewpoint, we witness panoramic views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail, Nilgiri, etc. Later, we'll descend to High Camp to spend the night.
We trek from High Camp and retrace the path to Low Camp. From here onwards, we follow a different route to Siding Village. This part of the trail offers more interaction with locals and presents their lifestyle.
After breakfast, we leave Sidhing village and walk towards Lumre. On the way, we pass small villages like Kalimati and Ghalel. From Lure, we drive to Pokhara. The evening is free. Explore the Lakeside Market.
We'll drive back to Kathmandu following the same route. We have yet to plan anything for the remaining day. So, you can explore on your own and go shopping. In the late evening, we'll see you over farewell dinner.
The trip has ended. After we say goodbye, our airport team will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope to travel with you again to Nepal.
We suggest you to hire a porter to carry your bag pack while on trek, trekking with a light day pack is much easier and you enjoy your trekking holidays to the fullest. A trekking porter carries about 20-22 Kg (about 10-11 Kg from each of you), and we suggest to hire a porter in between of two trekkers.
You can skip the long drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by upgrading 30-minute flight at US $120.00
You can skip the long drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by upgrading 30-minute flight at US $120.00
Mardi Himal Base Camp is a moderate trek. Although it is known as an off-the-beaten-track trek, beginner trekkers can still do it.
Mardi Himal Base Camp hike is the only trek in the Himalayas that offers offbeat trekking quickly and is open for all kinds of trekkers. Most of the trail passes through rugged forested paths.
The trail has many ascents and descents. Above the tree line, you walk on rocky, steep paths. Mardi Himal base camp trek ascends to 4,500 meters in 4 to 5 days, which carries risks of altitude sickness.
Our Mardi Himal Base Camp Itinerary gives ample time to rest as you walk and climb under 500 meters daily, allowing trekkers to avoid altitude sickness.
Likewise, our expert crew will monitor your health. Last but not least, the limited facilities and remoteness of the region test your endurance and ability to adjust.
To prepare for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek in Nepal, you can go on regular hiking and walking. However, using a similar, well-trodden trail for hiking will be much more beneficial.
Remember, 5 to 7 hours of walking is needed every day. Likewise, you can exercise in the gym and work to build your stamina and strength. You do not have to do anything advanced to prepare for this trek. Keep yourself moving and healthy.
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek can be observed underneath the watchful eyes of Machhapuchhre, the Fish Tail Mountain, one of the giants discovered in the Annapurna Himalayas.
You will discover many stone homes, old-fashioned teahouses, and rock cairns on Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a relatively less-trodden trek. It offers a unique experience compared to the more popular treks in the region. Some of the differences include:
The best trekking seasons for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek are September to November and March to May. During these months, the weather is generally clear, and the surrounding mountains offer the best views.
September to December is the post-monsoon season, and the clear skies make it the best time for trekking. The temperature is mild, and the landscape is lush and green. March to May is the pre-monsoon season, and the weather is warm and sunny. The temperature is comfortable, and the views of the mountains are clear. This season is also popular with trekkers as the flowers in the region are in full bloom, adding to the beauty of the trek.
It's worth noting that the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is possible throughout the year. Still, the conditions can be challenging during the monsoon season (July to August) due to heavy rains and poor visibility. During the winter (December to February), the temperature is cold, and some of the trails may be covered in snow, making it more challenging.
The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp can be considered moderate, depending on your physical fitness level and previous trekking experience.
The trek involves a lot of uphill and downhill walking, and the high altitude makes it physically demanding. The trail reaches an altitude of 4500 meters, and the trek requires good physical fitness and preparation.
Generally, trekking in Nepal, including the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, involves some inherent risks, and it's essential to be prepared and aware of the potential risks. However, with proper planning and preparation, the Mardi Himal base camp trekking can be safe for most trekkers.
A Few Things to Keep In Mind to Ensure a Safe And Enjoyable Trek
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking can be considered safe with proper planning and preparation.
