Available Batches
Brief Description
The Mardi Himal Trek is a 5 days short trek near Pokhara in Nepal that takes you to Mardi Himal located beneath the formidable Mt. Machapuchhre, the fish tail mountain, in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trek takes you on a picturesque trail through green hills, forests of oak and rhododendrons and valleys flanked by snowcapped mountains. The trek over a high ridge with views of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Mt. Machapucchre and Manaslu stay with you all the time making it one of the many amazing highlights of this trek. We cross several beautiful lakes and waterfalls eventually reaching the Mardi Himal base camp situated at the base of Mardi Himal and Mt. Machapucchre. The base camp is at an altitude of 4500 M. This trek is the perfect for both beginners and experienced trekkers who wish to trek on this offbeat and comparatively less crowded trail in Nepal. The best time to do this trek is in the pre-monsoon months of March - May and in the post-monsoon months of September - December. Stay on this page for more information on the Mardi Himal Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Arrive at Pokhara
Reach Pokhara today and check into your accommodation. Spend the day exploring the bustling city and various cafes and bars around. Buy any last minute necessities.
Pokhara to Kande - 1 hr Drive. Kande to Deurali (2125 M) - 4 hrs
From Pokhara the drive to Kande which is the start point of our trek takes about 1 hr. We start our trek from Kande and walk through green hills, rhododendron forests and reach the mountain pass of Deurali which separates the Annapurna south range and the Mardi Himal/Mt. Machapucchre. We continue our trek across several villages while soaking in the stunning views of the snowcapped peaks in the distance. Overnight in a lodge.
Deurali (2125 M) to Low Camp (3150 M) - 7 hrs
In today's trek we will trek over grasslands with lovely views of Mt. Machapucchre, Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. Following a clearing we will reach the forest camp and continue to move ahead to low camp. You may encounter exotic wildlife en route such as Himalayan thar, spotted deer, etc along with rhododendron flowers. Overnight in a lodge.
Low Camp (3150 M) to High Camp (3700 M) - 4 hrs
Today we will trek along the Mardi Himal edge to reach the High Camp. The trek on the Mardi Himal ridge presents majestic views of Mardi Himal and Mt. Machapucchre. We cross rhododendron bushes as the tree line begins to thin out. There are chances of spotting the "Daphne", the national bird of Nepal. Overnight in lodges at High Camp.
High Camp (3700 M) to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 M) and back to High Camp - 6 to 7 hrs
Today we will start early and move towards the Mardi Himal Base Camp in the hopes of catching the beautiful sunrise over Mardi Himal and Mt. Machapucchre. The trail is steep and worth every step knowing what awaits you. You will be presented with stunning views of Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Mt. Machapucchre. Spend some time enjoying and soaking in the views. We then make a move towards the High Camp. Overnight in lodges at High Camp.
High Camp (3700 M) to Siding (1855 M) - 9 km, 6 hrs. Siding to Pokhara - 3 hrs Drive
The trail from High Camp to Siding is steep. We will reach the traditional village of Siding and then take a 3 hrs drive to Pokhara.
Depart from Pokhara
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
The Mardi Himal Trek is an easy trek. It is a high altitude trek climbing to the height of 4500 meters. Even though it is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers alike, it is recommended to be physically fit and have a good endurance to undertake this trek successfully. It is recommended to learn about campsite basics, ascending descending on mountain trails, basics of high altitude acclimatization process. Mardi Himal Trek difficulty level on Bikat's scale is 3. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
No prior experience is required, but it is recommended to be physically fit and have a good mental and physical endurance.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
One should be familiar with the following:
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent
- Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails
- Basic mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & Descending on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Mardi Himal Trek
The Mardi Himal Trek takes you to the Mardi Himal base camp situated beneath the impressive Mt. Machapucchre, the Fish Tail mountain on an offbeat path near Pokhara in Nepal through stunning hills, rhododenron forests, ridges with panoramic views and valleys flanked by snowcapped peaks while leaving you awe-struck with the views of giants such as Annapurna range, Manaslu, Machapucchre, Dhaulagiri and many more. This trek is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers.Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base for the trek is Pokhara, which is well connected from Delhi by air and land.
By Air: There are multiple daily flights from Delhi to Kathmandu.
By Rail:You can take a train from Delhi to Raxaul Junction in Bihar on the Indo - Nepal border. From Raxaul, take a 5 km bus/taxi to the border, from where Kathmandu is a 10 hour road journey. Buses and taxis are easily available at the border.
By Road: The road distance from Delhi to Kathmandu is 1,145 km. There is a Delhi Government luxury bus service from Delhi Gate for Kathmandu that takes around 36 hours. This is the most time consuming but budget-friendly option at INR 2300 for the bus journey.
From Kathmandu, you can opt to fly to Pokhara, or take one of several shared cabs that ply on the route daily.
Since the trek starts from Pokhara you can take regular buses and taxis that ply from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Pokhara is also accessible from Delhi by road or rail.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Over the last few years the mobile/ cell phone network has improved significantly in more remote areas of Nepal. The best network above Ghandruk on Mardi Himal Trek is Nepal Telecom (NTC) or NCell. It is easy to buy an NTC SIM card from Kathmandu or Pokhara. You will need to provide your passport, so don't forget to bring it along.
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Mardi Himal Trek best time:
Pre-monsoon - March to May
Post monsoon - September to December
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is a vibrant, noisy city. Packed full of history, palaces and temples, it is also within touching distance of Nepal's premier attraction: the Himalaya.
Kathmandu is home to places to visit like Durbar Square (with temples dating back to the 12th century), Boudhanath Stupa (a world heritage site), and Pashupatinath Temple (the country's most important Hindu temple, on the banks of the Bagmati river).
Another must-see attraction is the Royal Palace, the site of the infamous 2001 massacre of the Royal Family by the then Crown Prince, and now converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
You will be picked up from your hotel in Pokhara and dropped off at the same location.
Transport: What time will we reach the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Pokhara by afternoon.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
Since this is not a camping trek, tents and sleeping bags are not required. However, if it is too cold then, sleeping bags do come in handy. Rental options available in Pokhara.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
There are adequate, hygienic facilities throughout the trail and at all accommodations.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
Gaiters and microspikes will not be provided by us for trekking in snow. If required you can rent these items in Pokhara. Not Applicable for treks in Nepal though.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Meals are not included on this trek. The lodges / guest houses on this trek have ample eating options.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from Pokhara - Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack, gaiters, micro spikes, sleeping bags.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
Depending on the season, the Mardi Himal Base Camp temperature can drop to -10°C at night and be as high as 30°C during the day time.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
There may be fresh snowfall in the region depending on the weather. There will be permanent snow accumulation at higher altitudes, though not necessarily on the trail itself.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
You can offload your backpack (up to 10 kgs) on this trek. The portage fee is included in the trek cost.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by the directions of the leader. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
You can buy your trekking necessities from Pokhara. There may be some items available at shops in some villages on the trail as well. But it is recommended not to leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent/room with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
Please do carry either your passport or Voter ID card, along with a few passport size photographs.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
You will be provided shared accommodation in a hostel in Pokhara. On the trail, you will be provided twin or triple sharing accommodation in lodges / tea houses / guest houses.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Accommodation in Pokhara
- Accommodation in guesthouse/lodge on all trek days
- Permits (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Experienced guide
- Portage of 10kg personal luggage
Whats Not Included?
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
- Any meals during the trek/road journey/hotel accomodation
- Any tip to porters or guides which is a customary thing in Nepal
- Backpack Offloading of more than 10 kg
- Travel Insurance and Rescue Evacuation in case of emergency
- Gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bags (wherever necessary) are not included and thus have to rented from Pokhara by you.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
How to Choose the perfect pair of Trekking Shoes?
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
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