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Mardi Himal Trek Overview
Quick Facts of Mardi Himal Trek
Maximum altitude: 4,450 m
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 5 days
Trekking distance: 41 km
Trail type: Point to point trail
Rail head: Jainagar, Gorakhpur or New Jalpaiguri, India
Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport ( International) and Pokhara Airport ( Domestic) in Nepal
Snow Season: December to February
Service from: Pokhara city
Base camp: Phedi
Best season: Autumn: September, October, and November
Region: Annapurna region of Nepal
Who can participate:You need to have a relatively moderate level of fitness to participate in this trek. It is one of the shorter treks and does not go through many difficult parts. So beginner level trekkers can also participate in it.
Mardi Himal Trek Detailed Itinerary
Pokhara drive to Phedi and Trek to Pothana
Altitude: 1,130 m and 1,950 m
Distance: 18.7 km and 6.3 km approximately
Duration: 1 hours’ drive approximately and 5 hours walk
- Start early and after a sumptuous breakfast set out on your short drive to Phedi which will take around 45 minutes to cover
- Once at Phedi, you will prepare to start your Mardi Himal trek
- Head towards Pothana along scenic mountain trails and enjoy some of the most breathtaking Himalayan views from the viewpoint located right above the base camp
- Go through the Dhampus village and after about 4 or 5 hours of trekking, stop for the night at Pothana
Pothana Trek to Forest Camp via Deurali
Altitude: 2,600 m and 2,100 m
Distance: 8 km approximately
Duration: 5 hours walk
Start your day with an early and delectable breakfast at Pothana.
Head to the Pothana viewpoint and enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from here.
Take a short hike of about 15 to 20 minutes to catch a glimpse of the sunrise.
Stop for the day at the forest camp that is set up amid verdant surroundings
Forest Camp Trek to High Camp via Low Camp
Altitude: 3,580 m and 2,990 m
Distance: 8.5 km approximately
Duration: 5-6 hours walk
On the third day of your Mardi Himal trek, you start off soon after breakfast at around 7:30 – 8 AM. You can start your day even earlier to enjoy views of the sunrise from the mountains.
Go along the trail and trek upwards to the Low camp. The trail takes you through lush forested lands from where you can also see the Fishtail mountain.
Stop for a delicious lunch followed by a gentle hike up to Badal Danda from where the views of the mountains including Annapurna south, Heuchuli, and Fishtail are simply breathtaking.
You will reach High Camp from Badal Danda in about an hour. Stop for the night at High Camp.
Morning Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and Trek back to Badal Danda
Altitude: 4,500 m and 3250m
Duration: 6 hours walk
Give yourself an early start and walk up to the Mardi Himal viewpoint to catch a beautiful sunrise view against the mountains.
Once you enjoy views from the Upper Viewpoint, start off for the journey back to High Camp where you can stop for breakfast.
After breakfast, start your trek back to Badal Danda where you can spend a quiet evening watching yaks and sheep grazing as well as a beautiful sunset. Retire for the night at Badal Danda
Badal Danda Trek to Siding and Drive to Pokhara
Altitude: 1,750 m and 827 m
Distance: 6 km trek and about 40 km drive
Duration: 3 hours walk and 1 hour drive approximately
Witness the last sunrise in the Himalayas on your final day of the Mardi Himal trek by waking up early and taking the 10-minute climb from your lodge.
Come back for breakfast and continue your trek down to the Siding Village via Low Camp which will take you around 2 to 3 hours.
Descent all the way to Siding where you will stop for lunch.
The return ride from Siding to Pokhara will await you here. This brings you to the end of the Mardi Himal trek route
What To Pack For Your Mardi Himal Trek?
Documents
Entry permit
Copy of passport, visa and other government ids
Trekking insurance
Medical certificate
Money in small denominations
Backpack : 35 to 45 litres is sufficient
Daypack: you will need a daypack for guided tours
Rucksack with a rain cover
Clothes
Inner socks / short hiking socks
Long hiking socks
Sun cap / scarf / buff
Thermal base layer
Quick dry collared and long sleeved T-shirts
Lightweight trekking pants
2 quick dry T-shirts
Thermal base layer
Down coat / fleece jacket
Raincoat / Poncho
Thin gloves
Long sleeves T-shirt and pajamas
Plastic bag for laundry
Good quality hiking boots with proper grips at the base
Other essentials
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
2 – 3 water bottles
Crampons
Flip flops
Head lamp
Trekking pole
Wet wipes
Cutlery: steel tiffin box, plate, spoon, glass
Quick dry towel
Bug repellant
Hand sanitizer
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toilet paper rolls
Lip balm
Electronics
Camera and charger
Travel adapter
Phone and charger
Power bank
Medicines
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Electrolytes
Basic First-Aid such as Band-Aids, Neosporin, gauze, etc.
Water purification tablets
Antibiotics
Vitamins
Pain killers
Cold medicine
Prescription drugs
Diamox to avoid altitude sickness
Light snack
Protein bar
Chocolate bar
Know Before You Go To Mardi Himal Trek
You have to first reach Pokhara in Nepal in order to go on your Mardi Himal trek. From here, you will be driven to your base camp at Phedi. There are several ways to reach Pokhara:
By Air: You can take an international flight to first reach the Tribhuvan International Airport which is the only International airport located in Kathmandu, Nepal. From here, you can take a connecting flight to Pokhara, which has a small landing field. Several local airlines cover this route of 201 kms in a little over 5 hours. These include airlines such as Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Simrik Air.
By Train: The nearest railway stations to Pokhara are Jaynagar, New Jalpaiguri and Gorakhpur. From here you have to cross the borders by bus either at Panitanki or Sunauli and then head to Pokhara.
By Road: This is one of the most convenient way of traveling to Pokhara. You can start from cities like Gorakpur or Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and then cross the Sunauli border. After that, you can catch a bus or book a private car to reach Pokhara. It will take you about 8 hours to complete the journey
Although the Mardi Himal trek route has been classified as an easy – moderate one, it is important that you go well prepared for the expedition. Follow the best travel tips to further enhance your Himalayan expedition and make it a memorable one.
Carry your own prescribed medication and first aid kits as the local medicines may not suit you well.
Check on the weather forecast before embarking on your Mardi Himal trek.
It is best to drink boiled water that you can avail from the local lodges as opposed to mineral water bottles. You can also use water purifying tablets.
Do not carry plastic bottles as they are difficult to dispose in the mountains and become an environmental hazard.
Carry a daypack to put in all your valuables and keep your backpack as light as possibleBook your Mardi Himal trek during the autumn season for the best climate and views
FAQs For Mardi Himal Trek
What is the best time to do Mardi himal trek?
The best time of the year to embark on the Mardi Himal trek is during the autumn season that is during the months of September, October, and November. This is also the post-monsoon period in this region and thus gives you some of the best views of the surrounding Annapurna region during this time. The weather is quite pleasant and not too cold making it ideal for trekking.
How long does it take to reach Mardi himal?
The Mardi Himal trek takes about 5 days to complete starting from Pokhara in Nepal. It is a short trek located below the Machapuchhre Mountain, or the fish tail mountain, in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
How difficult is the Mardi himal trek?
The Mardi Himal trek has been classified as a moderate one as it does not involve overly critical stretches that may require an expert’s guidance and maneuver. It can thus be undertaken by beginner level trekkers who have little or no experience in trekking.
How long is the Mardi himal trek from Kasol?
The distance between Mardi Himal and Kasol is about 750 km and can be easily covered by air or road. The easiest way would be to take a flight to Kathmandu and cover the remaining distance by bus.
What is the highest altitude of Mardi himal trek?
The highest altitude of Mardi Himal trek is 4,450 meters above sea level. You can reach this point around the middle of your trek when you reach the Upper View Point area.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir