Tour Overview

Trip Code
DE-0034
Starting Point
Kathmandu
End Point
Kathmandu
Max Altitude
4,500m / 14,764ft
Duration
12 Days
Country
Nepal
Trip Grade
Moderate
Activities
Trekking
Best Season
Spring and Autumn

The Mardi Himal trek is one of the popular trekking routes in Nepal, known for a scenic short trek to the lap of the Himalayas. This trekking route is comparatively shorter than other trekking routes in the Annapurna region. The Mardi Himal trek passes through lush rhododendron forests, terraced farmlands, traditional villages, and a forest route to the foot of Mardi Himal Peak (5,587m/18,330ft) and Mt Machhapuchhare (6,993m/22,943ft).

Trekking in Mardi Himal offers unique experiences, giving you the chance to explore untouched nature along with the opportunity to learn the unique culture and tradition of the indigenous people in the region. This trek route is one of the finest and beginner-friendly treks, as trekking routes are short. You can trek with families and explore rich biodiversity, unforgettable mountain vistas, serene trails, and sunrises above the clouds. Also, the availability of cozy and comfortable accommodation, basic amenities, and warm hospitality by the locals makes this trail further accessible and memorable.

The Mardi Himal trek takes 12 days to complete, including travel days and rest days with 6 days of trekking, starting from your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to departure. Meanwhile, the actual trekking journey is just 6 days, where you pass through peaceful and serene mountain trails. This 12-day adventure by Destiny Excursion offers an immersive exploration of the nature and culture of the Himalayan nation.

Join Destiny Excursion for the Mardi Himal Trek with a carefully crafted itinerary that blends beauty, culture, and Himalayan adventure. Let us take you to the heart of the Himalayas and create wonderful lifetime memories and experiences of your journey.

Detail

The Mardi Himal Trek offers beautiful panoramas of enormous mountain ranges such as Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Mardi Himal. The trek starts from Kande while ascending towards Pitam Deurali to Mardi Himal base camp (4,500m/14,764ft) and ends at Kalamati (2,360m/7,743ft).

This trek comes under the moderate category in terms of difficulty, with easy trekking for 3-6 hours a day. The trails are well-established and go through lush rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and traditional villages in the region. Moreover, the availability of basic infrastructures and amenities in the teahouses, warm hospitality, and comfortable accommodation make the trek easy and ideal for beginner trekkers. You can get a peaceful and serene trekking journey while also spotting wildlife such as deer, langurs, and a variety of bird species.

The trek is also complemented with cultural explorations of Kathmandu and Pokhara, including visits to world heritage sites, ancient monuments, historic sites, and natural wonders. You can also enjoy the scenic two-way domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Destiny Excursion’s Mardi Himal trek includes a trekking permit, a licensed English-speaking guide, and a certificate for trek completion. From airport pickup to your departure, Destiny excursion ensures unforgettable memories through a well-planned 12-day itinerary.

This 12-day trek begins and ends in Kathmandu. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the ideal seasons to do the trek, as you can experience stable weather with a beautiful view of blooming rhododendrons and snow-capped mountains.

Tour Highlights

  • Sightseeing in the cultural and religious heritages of Kathmandu Valley.
  • Boating in Phewa Lake in Pokhara
  • Scenic two-way flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • Vantage point to witness a panoramic view of the Himalayas
  • Light and comparatively easy trek to the South-east Annapurna Mountain
  • Magnificent view of Mt. Machhapuchhare (Fishtail)
  • Accommodation at a traditional tea house
  • Trek through an untouched Himalayan landscape and local Gurung cultural villages
  • Encounter wildlife such as langur, deer, and birds.
  • Explore wild flowers and rhododendron blossoms throughout the route.

Points of Attraction

Scenic and Natural Attractions

  • Scenic Flight: Get beautiful mountain views, deep river valleys, and lush green mountains from the Kathmandu-Pokhara flight.
  • Australian Camp and Badal Danda: Experience panoramic Himalayan vistas and Nepal’s unique hilly landscape from these locations.
  • Lush Rhododendron Forests: Witness beautiful forests with rhododendron blossoms in white, red, and pink during spring.
  • Flora and Fauna: Encounter wildlife including deer, langurs, and bird species; explore wild flowers, ferns, and orchids.

Cultural and Heritage Attractions

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley: Discover World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur.
  • Gurung Culture: Learn about indigenous Gurung culture while staying in Deurali and Kalimati villages.
  • Cultural Welcome Dinner: Enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine, cultural performances, and hospitality upon arrival.

Adventure and Trekking Highlights

  • Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m): Get uninterrupted views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna range.
  • Iconic Trekking Points: Trek through Kande, Australian Camp, Pothana, Forest Camp, Badal Danda, and High Camp.
  • Boating at Phewa Lake: Enjoy boating where Machhapuchhare and Annapurna reflections shimmer on the water.
  • Safe and Guided Trekking Experience: Trek with licensed, experienced English-speaking guides for comfort and information.

Stay and Experience

  • Tea House Accommodation: Experience comfortable stays and warm hospitality in remote village tea houses.
  • Comfortable Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara: Enjoy quality time in facilitated city accommodations.
  • Free Day in Kathmandu: Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Thamel, shop for souvenirs, and taste traditional foods.

Itinerary

Elevation: 1,400m

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our team will welcome and transfer you to the hotel. After checking in, unpack and relax. If you are interested, explore the nearby areas and experience the lively and bustling Kathmandu city. Walk in the famous tourist area of Kathmandu, such as Thamel and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Enjoy welcome dinner at the hotel in the evening, where you can enjoy traditional Nepali cuisine.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Welcome Dinner

Elevation: 1,400m

On the second day, your trek guide will visit the hotel and provide briefings about your trek. Following the briefing, prepare for the guided tour of the Kathmandu valley, where you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. You will be visiting historic and cultural sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square, as well as sacred religious sites including Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath temple, and the Boudhanath stupa. After the guided tour, check into the hotel and relax.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 820m

Wake up early in the morning and have a hearty breakfast at the hotel. You will be boarding an early morning scenic 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can get a view of the Himalaya ranges and green mountains if the weather is clear. When you arrive in Pokhara, our team welcomes you and takes you to your hotel. Enjoy the stunning view of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Lamjung Himal while boating at Phewa Lake. Also, you can explore caves, Davis Falls, and reach the World Peace Pagoda. Explore the vibrant nightlife of the city in the evening and return to the hotel for a traditional Nepalese dinner.

Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 2,140m

This is the first day of our trek. Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast. Driving from Pokhara to Kande takes around 1.5 hours. Once we reach Kande, the trek starts with a steep ascent for an hour to reach Australian Camp. From the Australian camp, you can get a beautiful view of Annapurna, Himchuli, Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), and a view of Pokhara city. Following the break, the journey continues with a 20-minute descent passing the Pothana village. While the trail passes through rhododendron forests, you can spot wild animals such as deer, langurs, and different bird species. After a gradual walk of 1.5 hours, we reach our overnight destination, Pitam Deurali.

Overnight: Tea house in Pitam Deurali

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 2,700m

After an early morning breakfast at the guest house in Pitam Deurali, prepare for the trek toward the rest camp. The walk from Pitam Deurali to the rest camp takes approximately 5-6 hours through a lush rhododendron forest. You may spot various species of birds and wild animals while also enjoying the beautiful landscapes along the way. Following 3-4 hours of walking from Pitam Deurali, we stop for a lunch break at Dhod Kharka. After lunch and a rest, the journey continues with 30-40 minutes of steep climbing to reach the rest camp. On the way to the rest camp, you can get a stunning view of Machhapuchhare.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3,550m

Wake up early in the morning to witness the stunning sunrise view from the rest camp. Have a warm breakfast at the teahouse and head towards high camp. From the rest camp to the high camp, the trail will be mostly uphill and can be challenging. Following 2 hours of steep uphill climbing through rhododendron forests, we reach the low camp where we pause for tea and a rest break. We resume the steep ascent until we reach Badal Danda and stop for lunch. Badal Danda also offers a stunning view of majestic mountains, including Annapurna, Himchuli, Machhapuchhare, and Mardi Himal. Our journey continues for 1.5 hours towards high camp. Once you reach high camp, enjoy the beautiful sunset view, join for dinner, and end the day with proper rest.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3,050m

On this day, we reach the highest point of the Mardi Himal Trek as we climb to the Mardi Himal base camp (4,500m). Wake up at 4 AM and get ready for a steep climb to the Mardi Himal viewpoint. It takes 2-2.5 hours to walk from high camp to Mardi Himal viewpoint. Witness the sunrise illuminating the mountain tops with golden hues. Following a 2-hour additional walk following the ridge and narrow trails from Mardi viewpoint, we finally reach the Mardi Himal base camp. Enjoy the magnificent view from the base camp and collect memories by capturing pictures. After the break at Mardi Himal base camp, we head back towards high camp (around 3 hours). We have lunch and rest for a while before continuing our journey towards the low camp (around 2.5 hours).

Overnight: Tea house in Low Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 2,360m

Following an early breakfast, we descend towards Kalimati on the same path back to the forest camp. From the forest camp, we take a left turn and pass through a downhill rhododendron forest to reach Kalimati. Once you reach Kalimati, you can get a wide range of facilities, including clinics and other basic amenities. Check into the tea house, unpack, and take a rest for a while. Explore the Kalimati village and enjoy the spectacular view of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail), green valleys, and green hills. In the evening, enjoy dinner as it is your last night in the hills.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 820m

Wake up in the morning and join for breakfast at the teahouse. After breakfast, we depart from Kalimati village towards Pokhara via private jeep. Within 2-3 hours of driving, you reach Pokhara city, where you check into the hotel. Once you check into the hotel, relax, enjoy, and go exploring the city. Pokhara offers numerous sites of attraction, including popular restaurants, clubs, and cafes. If you are interested, you can take a stroll around the lakeside, where you can feel a calm and relaxing vibe with a view of beautiful Phewa Lake.

Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 1,400m

After breakfast in Pokhara, we head to the airport for the scenic 25-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, our team transfers you to the hotel. You can use the rest of the day to relax, do some last-minute shopping in Thamel, or explore any remaining attractions in the city before your departure tomorrow.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 1,400m

This day is your free day in Kathmandu. Join our team to explore the famous cultural and historical area in the Kathmandu valley. Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and explore the iconic Nyatapola Temple, Dattatraya Square, and Pottery Square. Enjoy the authentic tastes of Ju: Ju dhau (King Curd) and shop for handicrafts and souvenirs in the tourist market. On the way back to Kathmandu, you can also explore the Pashupatinath temple, a sacred Hindu temple with historical and religious importance.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 1,400m

On this day, your Mardi Himal Trek with Destiny Excursion officially concludes. According to your flight schedule, our team will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport. Destiny Excursion wishes you a safe and happy journey and hopes you take memories collected during your trek in the Himalayan landscape of Nepal.

Overnight:

Meals: Breakfast

Trek Route

What's included

  • Welcome dinner upon arrival.
  • Standard hotel accommodation in cities on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Tea house or lodge accommodation during the trek.
  • All meals specified in your itinerary, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on the trek.
  • All domestic flights listed in the itinerary for both clients and guides.
  • Private transportation for all transfers and travel mentioned in the itinerary.
  • An experienced trekking guide and porters, including their transport, flights, accommodation, meals, insurance, and necessary equipment.
  • All required trekking permits and national park or area entry fees.
  • A first aid kit suitable for the group and trekking route (please inform us in advance if you require specific medications).
  • Single Room Supplement – If there is an odd number of travelers, the cost for a single room will be included and evenly shared among the group in the per-person price.

What's excluded

  • International flights to/from Nepal, visa fees, airport taxes, and excess baggage charges.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and rescue/evacuation (mandatory minimum coverage).
  • Services or activities not mentioned in the itinerary, such as additional nights, optional tours, or sightseeing extensions.
  • Personal trekking gear or equipment (we’re happy to advise on what to bring, buy, or rent).
  • Personal expenses, including bottled water, soft drinks, bar bills, laundry, phone calls, postage, entrance fees, photography fees, donations, and snacks.
  • Any extra charges from tea houses or lodges for hot showers, single rooms, attached bathrooms, or battery charging.
  • Tips for guides, porters, drivers, or restaurant/hotel staff.
  • Unforeseen costs arising from flight delays, road closures, natural disasters, strikes, or currency fluctuations.

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mardi Himal trek is one of the moderately difficult trekking routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is one of the shortest trekking routes that leads you to the lap of the Himalayas. Trekking on this route does not require prior expertise or trekking experience. However, the steep ascent and descent, high altitude, climatic conditions, and the fitness level of trekkers may make the trail difficult.

Yes, beginners can do the Mardi Himal trek as this route is comparatively easier and shorter than other trekking routes of the region. In this trek, you can experience fewer crowds in comparison to other treks, such as ABC or EBC. The availability of well-marked trails, comfortable teahouse accommodations, and basic amenities further makes the trek comfortable for beginners.

Mardi Himal Trek is one of the safest trekking routes in Nepal. But, as it is a Himalayan trek, it carries some risk, including altitude sickness, weather hazards, and risk due to the personal fitness of the trekker, and difficulties of the terrain. However, with the proper gear, equipment, physical fitness, and adherence to the guidelines, you can complete the Mardi Himal trek safely.

Yes, a permit is mandatory for trekking in the Mardi Himal base camp or the Mardi Himal trek. Trekkers require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) to trek in the Mardi Himal base camp. These cards and permits are checked at the entrance of the trekking route.

The best season for the Mardi Himal trek is during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). Autumn is an ideal time to trek due to clear skies, stable weather, and a clear view of mountain ranges. Throughout the Autumn, you can experience mild temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night. Spring can be best as it offers greenery, blooming rhododendron, alpine flora, and pleasant weather.

Yes, there are chances of altitude sickness in the Mardi Himal Trek as its highest point is located at an altitude of 4,500m. There are chances of suffering from altitude sickness at elevations of 2,500m and increasing with further gain.

You don't require a dedicated acclimatization day in the Mardi Himal Trek. This trek also allows for acclimatization with gradual altitude gain, which helps the body adjust to the variation of altitude.

If you are planning for the Mardi Himal trek, then one of the best tour operators you can choose is Destiny Excursion. Destiny Excursion offers personalized services and well-crafted itineraries to ensure your comfort, safety, and a memorable experience during the journey. Every itinerary is designed to suit the needs of both beginners and experienced trekkers while including proper rest and stopovers. Destiny Excursion also provides 24/7 support, professional guides, porters, and basic services to fulfill your needs during the trek.

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Starting From:

US$1562

No. of peoplePrice per person
1 Pax$ 2448
2-3 Pax$ 1562
4-5 Pax$ 1418
6-7 Pax$ 1406
8-9 Pax$ 1337
10 Pax$ 1289

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