Discover an exotic hidden gem in the Annapurna region known only to a few trekkers.
Reach Mardi, one of the three prominent peaks near Pokhara - the other two being Fishtail and Hiun Chuli.
Trek in beautiful and lesser-known routes even you are right inside the middle of Annapurna region.
Trek through enchanted and magical forests of rhododendron, bamboo and oak.
Reach vantage points for extraordinary views of several peaks in the Annapurna Massif and even sections of Dhaulagiri Massif.
The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp is beautiful and majestic. The timberland camps and forested trails will bring a magical feeling during the trek. As you reach to higher altitudes, you will come to two vantage points - both of which will offer extravagant views of the surroundings. These unforgettable memories and trekking experiences will enrich you and inspire you for years.
Our trail through the wilderness is marked by ascents and descents, some of which are challenging, but the brief rests that you take will provide some pleasure along the way. The forested path will later give way to icy terrain when you reach the base camp. Enjoy reaching the base of a real peak in the Annapurna Region - and bask in the beauty of the environment.
Route Map
Itinerary
Day 1
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Traveling to Pokhara by bus is an exciting trip. We will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the bus stand. The seven-hour drive to Pokhara is a scenic journey through winding hilly roads. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the lake in Pokhara.
Day 2
Drive from Pokhara to Phedi and Trek to Pothana
We will begin with a 45-minute drive from Pokhara to arrive at Phedi. Phedi is the actual start of our trek. First we will trek through villages and beautiful landscapes, and climb up stairs enjoying the scenery up until Dhampus. Here we will take a break and continue towards Pothana. We will sleep at this beautiful village tonight
Day 3
Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp
Immediately after breakfast, we will begin the beautiful trek through a dense forest to arrive at Deurali. This hour-long trek is refreshing with its cool shades; and from Deurali you will have beautiful views of Pokhara valley below. The views of lakes below with the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Mountain Ranges above are splendid! After a break here at Deurali, we will continue through the jungle and then ascend along to reach Forest Camp at 2,600 meters. Enjoy the view from here and stay overnight.
Day 4
Trek from Forest Camp to Low Camp
Starting after breakfast, we will do a gentle ascent along a dense rhododendron forest. Today it’s mostly forested route with cool shades and plenty of rest along the way. We have chances of encountering some wildlife, otherwise will pass through several other trekkers. At Low Camp, we will stay overnight with amazing views of Fishtail and Mardi peaks.
Day 5
Trek from Low Camp to High Camp
We will begin after a leisurely breakfast among the forest clearings. Surrounded by forests on all sides, expect the trek today to come out to a vantage point. Begin with a gentle ascent through rhododendron forests and ascend along a grassy slope. The views are wonderful ahead, but don’t forget to watch your step. The green valleys of Modi and the villages of Ghandruk and Sinuwa (and even Chhomrong) can be seen far down below - with sections of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks above. This High Camp is where we will stay overnight with majestic views and wonderful vibes.
Day 6
Trek from High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp
Start with a leisurely breakfast and pack your lunch. As we head towards Mardi Base Camp, we walk up through grassy slopes at first. Next, we will come to a vantage point through a narrow slippery ridge. From this viewpoint, we will have views of Annapurna, Fishtail, and Mardi peaks. Enjoy the environment and camp for the night at a level ground.
Day 7
Trek from Mardi Himal to Sidhing
The trek today is an easy one. We will mostly descend with breaks and stops for photography. Start with a leisurely breakfast and trek down to High Camp, and further to Low Camp. Take a break at Low Camp have lunch, and descend through the beautiful forested trail and terraced farmlands until we arrive at the village of Sidhing. Stay overnight in this beautiful village.
Day 8
Trek from Sidhing to Lwang
After breakfast, we will trek through sparse woods and terraced paddies. The scenic trek today is around six hours with breaks in between. The beautiful village of Lwang is mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. Stroll around the village and stay here tonight probably at a homestay.
Day 9
Trek from Lwang to Pokhara
As we come to the last day of trek in this program, we will begin the trek down to Dhampus. After breakfast in Lwang, we will descend through paddies, villages, and more scattered villages. The trek to Dhampus takes around 4 hours, from where we will drive back to Pokhara. Relax in the evening in a sauna and stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 10
Travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu
At the end of this program, you can hire a private car or van, or take the bus to Kathmandu. It’s a seven-hour drive to the capital. Reaching Kathmandu, you will spend the night in a hotel.
What's Included?
For accommodation in Kathmandu, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel and the room will be on twin sharing basis which includes breakfast. The package for Kathmandu’s hotel is for 2 nights.
Similarly, for accommodation in Pokhara, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel where the room will be on twin sharing basis, 2 nights.
Permit to Conservation Area / national park
Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) card.
We further make arrangements of the best teahouses or lodge as far as possible in twin sharing basis throughout the trek journey.
Regarding the guide, we provide you with a professional very helpful and friendly trekking guide who can speak fluently in English
The other assistant will also be provided if you are going in a group of two or more where the package will include their food, dally payment, transportation, and accommodation, along with covering up their insurance.
and accommodation, along with covering up their insurance. A down jacket, duffle bag and a sleeping bag will also be provided during the trek.
For transportation, we have roadways where we arrange tourist bus for solo travellers and private vehicle for group.
A T-shirt, trekking map and a certificate of achievement after completion of the trek will also be providedovided
The package also includes all the official and governmental charges.
We also provide you with first aid kit.
What's not Included?
Visa arrangements and charges to Nepal (Obtain airport 15 days $25 – 30 days $ 40 -90 days $ 100 )
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and seasonal fruit will be provided during the trekking. ( About 250- 300 $ entire trekking )
All kinds of soft and hard drinks.
National and International plane fares.
Luggage charges (especially if they go excessive)
Travel insurance ( 30 $)
For extra accommodation in Kathmandu (if it exceeds more days than mentioned in the itinerary) whatever the cause might be early arrival, late departure or early return from the trek.
Along with accommodation, the same condition applies for food as well. You need to pay on your own for Breakfast, lunch and dinner for extra days even if it will be after returning back from the trek earlier than the mentioned date.
Personal expenses like phone recharge, laundry, hot shower, bottled water, extra porters, extra snacks, etc.Tips for guides and porters are also excluded as it is not a compulsion but it is expected that you tip them.
Trek Info
Here are some of the Trekking accessories that you require for the easy and convenient journey-
In general you will need four sleeping bags (we could provide you one for the trek), a duffel or a trekking bag of 70-80 liters (we can provide one), down jacket (this too we can provide one if needed for the trek) and a normal travel bag of 25-30 liters.
For clothing, you will require the following-
Upper body- For this-shirts, waterproof jacket, fleece jacket or pullover, water proof jacketare needed. Wind proof jacket are optional but preferred. For T-shirts, baggy cotton T-shirts are the best especially for warm days in lower altitudes. Moreover, we recommend synthetic T-shirts as they quickly absorb the moisture. Then, for the waterproof jacket, we recommend you to have nylon which is light.
Lower body- For this, you need hiking shorts, trekking pants, soft shell and hard shell pants, cotton pants or jeans. For hiking shorts, buy the fabric which dries quickly. For trekking pants, go for the ones which have zipper in the middle of the knees so that you can take off the bottom part when necessary. Forsoft shell pants, buy a synthetic fiber. Then, for hard shell, buy a waterproof one. Full zipper from top to bottom is preferred for both soft and hard shell pants. For extra wearable, have a pair of jeans or cotton pants.
Inner wears- Regarding inner wears, you need lightweight underwear which is preferably made up of synthetic. For women, own synthetic sports bras. You could also have swimsuit if you would like to.
Footwear- For this, you need a trekking boot, gaiters and sandals. For Trekking boots, get a hard sole lug-cleated boots for good performance for every kind of landscape. We then recommend you to have a pair as it helps keep your feet dry quickly and keeping dust, rocks and snow out of your shoes. We also suggest you to have a pair of sandals as it helps while you are in the lodge. Then, for socks, you require 4 pairs of synthetic and 3 pairs of woolen socks.
Hand wears- The hand essentials are gloves, mittens and hand warmers. For warm weather, buy synthetic or thin woolen gloves. For cold weather, buy a woolen or fleece gloves. While for mittens, Gore-Tex mittens are the best. Regarding hand warmers, it’s completely your choice whether you want to have or not.
Face protection- For protecting the face against the snowfalls, heavy wind, direct sun, etc. we recommend you to have a cap or a hat, a synthetic woolen hat, a lightweightedbalaclava, glacier glasses having 100% UV protected lens with side shields and hard-sided storage, headlamp, ear muffs, neck warmer, etc. Ear muffs and neck warmers are not necessary but are up to your choice.
First Aid Kit- Though the trekking guides will be carrying a first aid kit box, we suggest you to have one as well. So, for this, you will need to have basic emergency equipment. You can discuss with us regarding what all to take along with you.
Personal care- The personal care products that you will require while trekking are tooth brush, tooth paste (biodegradable is preferred), towel, soap, hand wash, sanitizers, wet wipes, deodorants, crèmes, etc. along with your other needs.
Miscellaneous but important- These include valid passport, passport size photos, airline ticket (and its copy), luggage locks, thick garbage bags, water bottle, small bag for travel documents, passport, wallet/purse, etc., pocket knife, sunscreen lotion (SPF 40 recommended) and lip balm of at least SPF 20.
Extras- The extras include trekking poles, snacks, books, games, chargers, binoculars, batteries, camera, guide book, extra glasses (if you wear), notebook/pen, sleeping bag liner, hydration bladder with drinking tube, pee bottle for men and pee funnel for women, thermos, etc.
Note- Tight fitting clothes especially made out of fabrics like lycra, especially to women can be offensive to the local villagers. So, make sure that you pack something to wear on top of them if you want to pack them.
The ideal time to trek in Nepal whether it is either in Autumn- from September to November or in Spring- from March to May. These two seasons are considered to be the best time due to good weather and moderate temperate suitable for trekking.
In regard to the difficulty of trekking in Nepal, it depends upon the mountain range. Not all the trekking routes are that difficult to climb but there are places where you can find trekking most challenging as well.
In order to be fit for trekking, you need to start walking more and possibly go for hiking or even short distance trekking before you trek for long distance like this. You can go for hiking in your own place nearby before coming to Nepal as well.
The documents that you will require for trekking in Nepal will be your passport which should be valid at least till next 6 months, a copy of your insurance, 2 or more passport sized photographs, flight tickets of course along with emergency contact number in case of any emergency.
Yes, travel insurance is necessary and while getting the insurance, make sure that the company covers the altitude that you are trekking at. And the other thing, it is even better if you get the insurance from your own country.
For altitude sickness, as it is quite common problems in higher altitude, we provide you with some of the guideline regarding what you can do at your own level if it is not much. But if the sickness continues to get worse then you should immediately get down to lower region. In case of emergency, our guides will take care of it as they are well trained with using first aid and have basic knowledge of physical injuries or some other problems. But if the injury, altitude sickness or any other problem arises then the rescue team will be contacted. For this reason, you insurance helps a lot.
Yes, you need to have a trekking guide if you are a new trekker as you may not know about so many things like mountaineering or altitude sickness or even about the topography, weather, etc. And most importantly you will be able to know about the place that you are travelling; the exact location and can also have a company. But if you have travelled and especially trekked a lot of places in Nepal trekked earlier as well for many times and think you don’t need a guide then you may proceed. But for this also, make sure that you have the permission from the local and government authorities as trekking guide is mostly compulsory in many parts of the Himalayan region.
This however is not a compulsion in many of the trekking routes but it is better if you take a porter along with you as you can enjoy your travelling experience without having to carry a lot of loads- your backpack. And the other reason the local people will get a work to earn for their daily requirements and as the people in High Himalayas don’t have riches and live a simple normal life, it will perhaps be a great help.
The permits that you need for the trek will be done by our company and need not worry about it. But however, for your information, you will need to have a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card- this is a basic permit for trekking in Nepal along with the necessary permits of where exactly you are trekking if needed. You can also have FIT (Free Individual Trekker) if you are a solo trekker. But this is not valid for the restricted areas where you cannot go forward for solo trekking. The other necessities will be Valid passport with at least six month remaining before it expire, a valid Nepal visa, e-copy of passport sized photo. The other necessities will be done by the company itself.
Yes, you can solo trek or travel in Nepal. However, for trekking in higher altitudes where the regions are known as Restricted Areas, there you are not allowed to go alone as you will have to buy at least two permits. But the interesting thing is that in most of the areas you also need to carry a guide along with you. So, if you can manage to trek with your guide paying for his permit and being with him throughout the trek, then you possibly might be able to trek in that way. Otherwise, you can get along with someone who also wants to trek solo and go together instead.
The foods are usually served in the teahouses which will be plain but good and hygienic as they cook the vegetables nicely. They even soak iodine in water before cooking the vegetables so that you can get good and healthy food. Whereas if you are camping then you can get local foods that you can cook it. Since in higher altitudes, you won’t find refrigerators and frequent power cut; you will have to be vegetarian during the trek even if you are not. Then, regarding water facilities, bottled water is available up to the most of the Base Camp itself which will cost around US$1-4. But however, you should not drink water from the tap or streams.
For souvenirs, you can get good hand knitted woolen goods, hats, cashmere shawls, pashminas, Buddhist memorabilia, carved masks, puppets, wood carvings, jewelry, etc. as these are the things which are frequently bought by the tourists. You can get the souvenirs mostly at Thamel area when you are in Kathmandu. So, for all of the extra expenses including souvenirs, food and drinks other than what the Hotel/ Teahouse provides you, or perhaps some clothing or equipment for yourself then we recommend you to have around US$200-350 along with you. Besides that, you can withdraw money from ATMs while in Kathmandu as well.
Yes, you can buy trekking equipment in Kathmandu and it may even cost a little less amount but the quality of the product can’t be guaranteed. So, for this reason, we recommend you to bring the very necessary equipment like the trekking shoes along with you. But for other additional needs, you can buy it in Kathmandu itself.
You need to carry warm as well as cool clothing as there might be hotter in some of the places along the way or even in Kathmandu during summer season. Then, you have to have a sleeping bag as you might need it at times if the teahouses are unavailable or so in some places. The other things we recommend are small portion of snacks like chocolate bars, water proof wearable, cap, lotion, sunglasses, hand sanitizers, water bottle, first aid kit, etc. along with your daily necessities.
We don’t think you will need Ice axe or Crampons during trekking even in the Himalayas as the trails are marked nicely until and unless you go to trekking in the winter. Then, you will need them as there will be much more snowfall and will also be easy for you while trekking. In other season, instead of Crampons, we recommend you to have Micro spikes as they are not heavy and you can carry it easily. Plus, Micro spikes are comparatively less expensive as well. And regarding the Ice axe, we will provide you with one if it is really necessary though it’s not that necessary, as we will know more about the size and shape along with light weighted one.