Mardi Himal Trek: 10 days Itinerary, Difficulty & Complete Guide

After breakfast, drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Raimarg which offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery and along major rivers such as the Trisuli Nadi, which rises in Tibet north east of Kathmandu. The route passes through the lower Gorkha region (beneath Manaslu).

Transfer to your hotel. An afternoon City Tour includes: Devi’s waterfall and Shiva’s Cave. Enjoy an evening cruise on tranquil Lake Phewa before dinner. Overnight in Pokhara. 

From your hotel the road winds up the Baglung Highway through farmland and forest to the bus terminus at Dhampus Phedi (1 130m). A broad trail leads up to Phedi and on to the large agricultural village of Dhampus (1 700m). Continue to Pothana (1 890m) for lunch before the climb to the bustling, Brahmin, hill-top village of Pitam Deurali.

From here Annapurna South and Hiunchuli dominate a panorama from Dhaulagiri I (8 167m, highest peak in western Nepal) across the Annapurnas to Manaslu (8 156m) on the right flank. It also offers scintillating views over the Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south. Overnight in Pitam Deurali.

Rhododendron trees thrive at altitudes from 2 000 to 4 800m (diminishing to shrubs as altitude rises; flowering in April-May.) Today and tomorrow’s trails pass through dense stands of mixed oak and rhododendron along the spine of the eastern ridge of the Modi Khola that drains the Annapurna Sanctuary and the Mardi Khola that drains the Mardi Himal. Bird and small animal life is abundant – but seldom seen. The trail can be rough and steep in places. Enjoy a picnic lunch en-route. The forest camp at Kokar is simple and rustic; the teahouse welcome will be warm. Overnight at Forest Camp.

>As the altitude increases, the forest changes to “cloud forest” with lower trees and an increase in lichens, mosses, tree ferns and orchids. Look out for Nepal’s national bird; the (male) Danphe pheasant et al. Lunch will be taken along the route.

This morning’s scenery will soon change from forest to open grassy slopes. Unobstructed views include Hiunchuli to the west and the upper reaches of the Annapurna Sanctuary trail as it heads towards the glacier. Machhapuchhare rises dramatically ahead, above Mardi Himal. The walk is not long, but the steep 1 000m rise in altitude should be tackled slowly to avoid altitude problems. Lunch will be taken along the route. There are now two large lodges at High camp. At altitudes from 3 500 to over 5 000m, the domesticated yak (female nak) can endure harsh conditions. It is kept as a pack animal and for its milk, soft dense under-fur, hides – and dung for fuel. The dzo is a yak-cow crossbreed that can live below 3 500m to approximately the upper limits of water buffalo and cattle. Yaks eat a third of cow’s requirements and the meat is low in fat. Overnight at High Camp. 

After an early breakfast head, slowly, up the last 600m rise to the base camp. Mardi Himal (5,553m/18 220ft) is the southernmost peak of the Annapurna range; first climbed in 1961. (Mardi and Machhapuchhare are linked by a col (used to ascend Mardi). Machhapuchhare is sacred and has not been summated.

The best views on the trek are from a spot approximately two hours ahead. The upward trail then narrows (along a knife edge for a short while) before broadening and climbing to BC.  Enjoy a picnic lunch at west BC or the view point.

Full views from Annapurna south to Manaslu are possible in clear weather. This includes views into the sacred Annapurna Sanctuary, the ABC and Machhapuchhare BC hotels and the dramatic sweep of peaks that form the vertical 4,000m wall (Annapurna I - 8 091m) above the Annapurna South glacier. Return to Low Camp for the night.

Today’s trek is long but mainly downhill. Re-enter the cloud forest before Low Camp, and lunch. Follow the trail, then the left fork into the Mardi Khola Valley. Drop down through forest and later terraced rice paddies to the quiet Gurung-Brahmin village of Sidhing, set well above the river. Overnight at Sidhing. 

The walk to Lumre, well above the Mardi Khola, is gentle, passing through several, terraced, agricultural villages fed by mountain streams. Rice, grain and vegetables are the main crops.

From Lumre we take the bus to Milanchok and on to Pokhara and your hotel. Pokhara’s Mountain Museum is well worth a visit. Overnight in Pokhara.

After an early breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Raimarg; or take the 25 minute flight from the local airport a few minutes’ drive from your hotel. Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Rest of day free.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.

If you have time, consider adding a trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary or a more leisurely trek to Poon Hill. The Mardi Himal trek can also be done can in a shorter time if you are really fit.