Mardi Himal Trekking: 9 days (Nepal)

The Mardi Himal Trekking route is a great route for the trekking lovers. It’s a relatively new trek in the Annapurna region, located to the east of the Annapurna Base camp just under the spectacular Machhapuchhre. The Mardi Himal trek provides amazing views of this giant mountain range of Annapuran Himalayas and surroundings. Only few people get to discover this amazing route. And you could be one of them!

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)

We will pick up you from the airport and we will take you to your hotel

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara (800m)

We will drive to Pokhara on a tourist bus. This will take us 6 to 7 hours. We’ll stay in the night at Pokhara Hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Phedi and trek to Pothana (1925m, about 4 hours trek)

After having breakfast, we will drive half an hour to Phedi by car and start our our trek on our way to Pothana. The route to Dhampus is a bit steep, and then we will have a pleasant easy walk up to Pothana Overnight in a tea house.

Day 4: Pothana to Forest Camp at Kokar (2,600m) - 4 hours trekking

We walk up to Pitam Deurali, where you will continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron trees. Staying overnight in tea house.

Day 5: Forest camp to Low Camp (3,150m) - 5 hours trekking

Our route continues from Forest Camp to Low Camp through the forest. As we go uphill, the vegetation starts to change, getting more rhododendrons and the trees get covered in moss. The view from Low Camp is amazing, with Machhapuchhre views up in the valley. Overnight in tea house

Day 6: Low camp to High Camp (3,700m) - 4 hours trekking

Right above Low Camp, the route stops in a tree line and, towards the west, we will find a great view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli mountain. Overnight in tea house.



Day 7: Day trip to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High camp (4,500m) - 4 hours trekking

We will wake up early to enjoy the sunrise in the mountains. After an early breakfast, we will walk up the ridge towards the Mardi Himal Base Camp. You’ll get to know the dzokpo (yak and cow crossbreds) grazing up here. After three hours we will reach the Base Camp at an elevation of 4500m. Here is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary and the panoramic view turns spectacular, looking at the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary, as well as Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. Back to the camp. Overnight in tea house.

Day 8: High camp to Siding village (1,750m) - 6 hours trekking

On our trek back, we will take a different route to complete a circuit. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and a wonderful cultural area. Overnight in tea house.

Day 9: Siding village to Lumre and drive to Pokhara - 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving

From Siding, we will walk out to the road heading Lumle. On the way from Siding, you will cross the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village. Transfer to the hotel.

You have to be at least 8 years old.

You have to be at least 1.2m and less than 2.11m.

You have to be at least 30kgs.

Clothing: 2 quick drying long base layer shirts, 2 trekking shirts short sleeve, 2 Thermal underwear – base layer, 2 liner socks, 3 pair woolen blend trekking socks, 2 pair trekking pants with zip off bottoms, 2 fleece sweaters – one lightweight, one heavier, sandals.

 

Outer layers: 1 wind/rain proof overlayered jacket and pants, 1 down jacket. (-20 D.C), 1 down vest, 1 warm winter hat, 1 lightweight thermal layer hat, 1 peak hat, 1 pair of gloves, 1 pair trekking boots, 1 head lamp with extra batteries, 1 sleeping bag heavy (-20 D.C), 1 watch with alarm, sunglasses (UV protection), 1 camera with extra batteries, 2-3 portable chargers.

 

First Aid: Diamox – for altitude, advil, aleve, vicks vapor rub, sunscreen, chapstick, anti nauseant – you tend to feel just a bit nauseous at high altitude, immodium – diarrhea is common at high altitude, band aids, blister band aids or moleskin, eye drops, nasal moisturizer – altitude causes nasal cavities to be very dry, nasal moisturizer can be very helpful, q-tips, tweezers, tiger balm.

 

Toiletries: Foot powder (for Deb’s stinky feet), toilet paper, shampoo, soap, microfiber towel, Gold Bond – this just feels good all the time.