Mardi Himal Trek

Trip Overview

Mardi Himal (5587 meters) is the name given to the feature of the long rising ridge and its summit that from the southwesterly lower slope of Mount Machhapuchhare (Mt. Fishtail). This peak is situated in the Annapurna region of Nepal. 

This trek offers the opportunity to escape Nepal’s tourist trails to venture in to the deep forests and roam the high alpine pastures that flank the Annapurna ranges. Explore the traditional villages; get magnificent panoramic views of diverse landscape, amazing bio-diversity of culture are highlights of this trek.
From Pokhara we drive to Phedi and start our trek spending the first night at Dhampus (1700 m). Here you will get an opportunity to explore the native Gurung village and experience their Culture, tradition and their lifestyles. From Dhampus we trek through the forest of birch, rhododendron, and oak to reach Forest Camp (2550m) our second nights camp site. The next day we climb through the forest to reach Low Camp (3150m). En-route we get glimpses of Mt.Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. As we climb further through the forest up to High Camp (4100m) Annapurna South seems near enough to throw a rock at and Machhapuchare itself close enough to touch! The next day we will do a day trip which will take us just above 4500 meters in altitude to get panoramic views of the Himalayas including Annapurna I, Mt. Dhaulagiri Ganesh Himal and dozens of other peaks. After taking pictures we return back to camp and head further down to Forest camp. The next day hike downhill to Merabari for our final nights lodge. We start the descend the next day by hiking to Siding Village where we will board the vehicle and drive to Pokhara city. 

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival: TIA, Kathmandu
Overnight: Hotel
Arrival in Kathmandu, met by a Khempalung Adventure representative and hotel transfer. Relax the rest of the day. 

Day 2

Am: Sightseeing (optional) PM: Trek Briefing/Last minute essentials purchase
Overnight: Hotel
In the morning, travel through time as you explore the various UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu. Visit the temples and palaces of the Durbar Square with beautiful architecture, Swayambhu Stupa (Monkey Temple) and watch the Kathmandu Valley atop a hill.  In the evening a short brief about the trek and allow time to purchase last minute essentials. 

Day 3

Fly To Pokhara
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisurely breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive to domestic airport.  Catch the 25 minutes flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival met by the waiting vehicle and drive to Hotel. Check in. Rest of the day is free to rest, relax and enjoy the lake side city on your own. 

Day 4

From Pokhara Drive To Phedi & Trek To Dampus (1700 Meters)
Drive Duration: 45 Minutes.     Trek duration: 3 – 3 ½ hrs. Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge
After breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive from Pokhara to Phedi which takes around 45 minutes.  Here meet the rest of the team and commence trek to Dhampus (1700 m). The trek starts immediately with a steep climb on a cobbled stone steps and through mixed forests and scattered settlement. As you gain the elevation the trail becomes gradual passing through the villages and terraced rice and paddy fields and takes an hour to arrive at the Top View Lodge which marks the end of the steep path and arrival at Dhampus Plateau. From here the incline is much easier as the trail continues to climb steadily in more forested area and after about an hour we arrive at the entrance to Dhampus Village with a maze of houses and alleyways of stone walls. There are magnificent views of the mountains from west to east of the Annapurna South (7219m), Hiun Chuli (6441m), Mardi Himal (5587 m) and Machapucchre (6993m) to the north. On arrival at Dampus we check in to one of the lodge to spend the first night of the trek. As your lunch get prepared one can take shower or free to relax and enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.  Evening at leisure or free to explore the village

Day 5

To Forest Camp (2550 Meters)
Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge        Trek Duration: 6 ½ – 7 Hour
Weather permitting we will be able to see the spectacular over the Fishtail mountain which upon the rays of the sun hitting it turns to pink in the beginning and then then golden and on the backdrop at a distance will be the bare rock wall of Annapurna II still in shadow.  After breakfast we start the days hike. Today we will start our ‘secret trail’ leaving tourists, other trekkers and even villagers behind. Most of the hike will be steep uphill climb for most through thick jungle with beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.  We enter an enchanted forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, and hemlock, camping in a small clearing far from the beaten trails. 

Day 6

To Low Camp (3150 Meters)
Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge       Trek Duration: 4 ½ – 5 Hours 
After breakfast we continue to climb and we see the change in flora and fauna which turns  to classic ‘cloud forest’ with mosses and lichen, tree ferns and orchids hosted by the hardier trees.  There are natural windows in the woods that look out onto thrilling panoramas – towards Hiunchuli and the knife-sharp traverse towards Annapurna South.  Far below, to our left, we can see the Modi Khola Valley leading up into the Annapurna Sanctuary.   We reach camp for lunch for it is wise not to go too high too fast.  Though still surrounded by forest, we have spectacular northerly views of the ever-closer ‘Fishtail’. 

Day 7

To High Camp (4100 Meters)
Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge       Trek Duration: 4 ½  Hours 
After breakfast it’s just a short, steep climb and we are out of the forest.  A ridge, now grassy and sometimes under snow, takes us up to High Camp which we shall reach at lunch time and where a second consecutive afternoon is spent acclimatizing and awestruck by the views.  Annapurna South seems near enough to throw a rock at and Machhapuchare itself close enough to touch.

Day 8

Exploration To Lower High Camp And Down To Badal Dada
Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge      Trek Duration: 6 ½ – 7 ½ Hours 
An early wakeup call today we shall walk to Mardi Himal viewpoint (4,200 m) to witness the sunrise and mountains. (Headlight is neded) . Reach the destination and enjoy the morning view at the Upper viewpoint and then hike back to High Camp. After breakfast at High Camp, we will trek back to the Badal Danda where we can spend the evening watching Yaks, sheep’s gazing around. 

Day 9

To Siding Village (1759 Meters) & Drive To Pokhara
Overnight at hotel.      Trek Duration:  3-4 –  Hours.      Drive Duration:  2 ½ Hrs
After a relaxed breakfast, tired bodies make an unhurried decent through the shade of the forest and out onto terraced fields, down 2500 meters approximately in all (steep descend).  This is a different route down to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that has been the ice and snow of the Mardi Himal.  Although remote and still away from all the much-used ‘Tea-house’ trekking routes, our trek now takes on the mood of the arm valley and the friendly villages.  Here we make our way along the banks of the Mardi Khola from the hill-side village of Siding, down through the lovely fields, past the simple farms and over the interesting bridges.  Board the waiting vehicle and drive to Pokhara

Day 10

Am: Free Pm: Fly Back To kathmandu
Overnight at Hotel.
After leisurely breakfast rest and enjoy Pokhara. In the afternoon board the vehicle and drive to airport and catch the 25 minutes’ flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival met and transferred to the hotel. 

Day 11

Departure
Last minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu for onward journey. Watch the Himalayas pass by as you relive the memories spent only days ago in the heart of the mountains. Relish on the achievement of a lifetime experience.

Trip Facts

Best Period: Mar, to May – Oct, to early Dec.

Time duration: 10 nights / 11 days

Trek Period: 05 Nights / 06 Days

In Kathmandu: 03 Nights

In Pokhara : 02 nights

Trek Type: Moderate +

Highest Altitude: 5000 + meters

Warning: Altitude Sickness.

Trek Start: Phedi

End Point: Siding Village

Accommodations: Hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara / Lodges on trek

Features

National Park: Annapurna National Park (7629 sq. kms)

Mountains: Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, etc.

Rivers: Kali Ghandaki, Trishuli, Narayani

Tribes: Thakalis (Gurung)

Forest: Of Rhododendron and Pine. 

LandscapeVarying from temperate valleys to snow clad mountains.

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