The best thing about trekking is that it connects with nature, challenges your ability to adapt, and enjoy the adventure when you reach the top. Nepal is known as a trekker’s paradise; there are many famous treks, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But this time, we decided to explore a comparatively unknown trek, Mardi Himal Trek. This trek is a good option for travellers who have a short time but are looking for a trekking experience in Nepal. For both novice and experienced trekkers, the Mardi Himal trek is an excellent option.
Mardi Himal Trek At a Glance
- Starting Point: Kande/ Landruk.
- Ending Points: Siding/ Kande.
- Trek Duration: 5-6 Days.
- Distance Covered: 42-52 km.
- Highest Altitude: 4500 meters (Mardi Himal Base Camp).
- Difficulty Level: Moderate.
- Best Time to Trek: Autumn and Spring.
Mardi Himal Trek Update
On March 9th, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board suddenly changed the trekking regulations. According to them, from April 1st, 2023, all foreign trekkers are required to obtain the services of a licensed trekking guide and to obtain a TIMS card through authorized trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal. So, if you are a foreigner, you are not allowed to do the Mardi Himal Trek solo.
The Beginning: Arriving to Pokhara
The adventure begins in Pokhara, an amazing lakeside city called the gateway to the Annapurna region. It’s a short, scenic flight or a 7-8 hour drive from Kathmandu. We took the local bus from Kathmandu, and it took us 8 hours to reach Pokhara; after arriving, we checked into a hotel near Lakeshore. After having a well-deserved lunch, we went out to stroll along the street to feel the vibe of the bustling city. It is a vibrant city, a busy street with all trekkers, tourists and locals. After roaming for a few hours, we had dinner and returned to our hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s trek.
Day 1: From Pokhara to Kande and Trek to Deurali
We woke up early in the morning. After having breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and hopped into a taxi for Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara. From there, we got on a bus to Kande. It took us around one hour and cost Rs 150. There is also a taxi available from Pokhara to Kande, which will cost you Rs-2000 and take 30 to 45 minutes.
Kande is one of the starting points for Mardi Himal Trek. It is a one-and-a-half-hour walk from Kande to Australian Camp. The initial climb was steep, but the well-paved stone steps made it manageable. Although you can see Australia Camp from Kande, and it doesn’t look that far, it’s steep; we were pretty unfit when we did this hike. Still, we only struggled a little as we have much experience hiking with heavy bags. If you are in medium fitness, you can do this track. The trail is well-signposted, and it’s almost impossible to get off it as long as you pay attention to the hundreds of signs along it.
We stopped at Australia camp for some lunch. We both ordered vegetable noodles, which cost us Rs- 400 each. There is a lovely big open garden with many chairs and tables where you can enjoy your lunch, so we sat and enjoyed our noodles in the sun. Australia Camp is also a guest house, so if you get a late start on day one, you can spend the night here.
After our delicious lunch, we picked up our bags and headed back on the trail. The trail is primarily flat from Australia Camp, so it’s a nice change of pace from the beginning of the day. There are numerous guest houses and tea houses on the way, where you can eat and sleep. After one and a half hours of walking through a thick rainforest with lots of mussy trees, we reached our destination Deurali.
We checked into a tea house named Hotel Super Top View. The view from the tea house is fantastic, and they have a lovely garden with an open area. Most of the evening, we spent our time in the dining area, with a fireplace, making it more comfortable than our room. We had Dal bhat for our dinner and went to bed pretty early as we needed to get up early in the morning.
Day 2: From Deurali to Low Camp
We woke up early in the morning, and the weather was evident when we first glimpsed the Annapurna Mountain range. For breakfast, we ordered pancakes, which cost Rs 400 each. We also ordered black coffee for Rs 150 each. After having breakfast, we packed our backpacks and hit the trail at 9 am. The second day of the trekking was a gradual ascent through dense forests. This part of the forest felt like an enchanted forest, with the mosses hanging from the trees and the vines hanging from the branches. After two and half hours of hiking, just before reaching Forest Camp, the forest opened up to some more views of the valley below us, and we got a few more views of the Rice Terraces in the Foothills below the ridge.
We kept walking on the trail, and shortly after we reached Forest Camp at an elevation of 2500 meters and decided to have lunch here. After passing some tea houses, we selected the last one at the top of the Greenland Camp Hotel. From this tea house, there was a great view over Forest Camp. We ordered vegetable noodles for Rs 480 each at Forest Camp and ginger tea for Rs 100 each. After lunch, we were again on our trail; at this art, the trek goes directly into a very steep uphill hike over hundreds of stone steps.
From Forest Camp to Low Camp is one of the more difficult parts of the Mardi Himal Trek, and it took us 3 hours to complete. After reaching Low Camp, we randomly chose a tea house for our night stay for Rs 800. After unpacking our bags, we left our stuff in the room and went to the Tea House dining room, where we shared a pot of ginger tea for Rs 380. We sat and relaxed in the dining room for a couple of hours, and it had a fireplace, just like all other tea houses. For dinner, we had Dal bhat again for Rs 600. After dinner, we didn’t wait long to go to bed.
Day 3: From Low Camp to High Camp
On a clear sunny morning, we woke up and first saw the Machhapuchhre or the Fish Tail, one of this trail’s iconic mountains. For breakfast, we had black coffee for Rs 130 each and ordered banana pancakes for RS 385. These pancakes are always big and are a good choice for a track like this. After breakfast, we packed our backpacks and headed for our trail towards High Camp. The trek continues uphill with steep stone steps through the forest, much like the trail from Forest Camp to Low Camp. But the view of the Annapurna Range from this trek was breathtaking. However, as we reached the top of our first steep climb and reached Badal Danda at 3300 meters from Badal Danda, you could see Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal. We took a few moments to enjoy this insane view before it completely disappeared into the clouds.
From Badal Danda, there was a slight descent, and then it steadily climbed uphill. Walking another hour after Badal Danda, the trail leaves the treeline behind. Until the High Camp, we kept going along the ridges covered with grasses and bushes. After reaching High Camp, we selected a tea house randomly, and the room cost us Rs-1000. We didn’t take any break past Badal Danda, so we reached High Camp quite early in the afternoon. So we ordered momos for lunch and stayed in the dining room as it was very windy outside with thick clouds. The weather got terrible, with dense clouds all around and no visibility. We stayed in the dining room by the fireplace. We ordered rice and vegetables, and after having dinner, we went to bed.
Day 4: Hike to Mardi Himal View Point and Trek to Forest Camp
We woke up early, around 4 am, and got ready for our trek to the Mardi Himal viewpoint for the best sunrise view. It was dark and chilling outside, and we started our trek with the light of a headlamp. The ascent was steep, challenging, and scary. It took more than 2 hours to reach the Mardi Himal viewpoint.
The weather was evident this morning, with a clear blue sky and all the snow-capped peaks visible all around us. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli, all giant mountains, were just in front of us. From this viewpoint, the view is just stunning. A vast part of Pokhara is visible, including Sarangkot and Phewa Lake. There is a small tea shop; we had a coffee over there for Rs 250. After spending a few unforgettable hours at the viewpoint, we returned to High Camp, carrying memories that would last a lifetime.
After returning to our tea house, we had breakfast, rested a little, packed our backpacks, and started descending towards Kande. We started trekking down the trails slowly but, after some time, got our pace. We tried to walk fast to avoid bad weather, especially in the afternoon. After trekking for some time, we both became tired and decided to hike back at least to the Forest Camp and on the next day, we covered the rest. The views on this section of the track were just unbelievably picturesque. A few hours later, we passed through Low Camp, entered the moss-covered forest, and passed the tea house we had stayed at two nights ago.
When we reached Forest Camp, we were starving. We stopped at the same place we stopped on the way up the hill, and we ordered some vegetable noodles and a pot of ginger tea. By then, clouds were surrounding us, so the temperature was dropping, and we were feeling the cold. We sat outside and enjoyed our lunch overlooking the Forest Camp. Soon, it started to rain, and we decided to stay for the night there and start for Kande the next morning.
Day 5: From Forest Camp to Kande and Pokhara
We woke up on the morning of day five and headed straight towards the dining room for breakfast. We ordered the Tibetan bread for Rs 300 each and a cup of black coffee for RS 120. After breakfast, we packed our backpacks for the last time on this trail and started our trekking. The surroundings had been cloudy since morning, so the trail through the forest was foggy and creepy, almost like a forest in a fairy tale. After several hours of trekking, we came across Deurali, where we stayed during our day one trek.
From Deurali, it took us one hour to reach Australian Camp, and we had lunch there just like the first day. We were very excited to get to Pokhara, so we finished our lunch quickly and descended to Kande. We were fortunate enough to get a taxi to Pokhara, which cost us Rs 2000. After reaching Pokhara, we checked into our previous hotel and had a long, well-deserved hot shower.
Valuable Tips for Mardi Himal Trek
Choose the Right Season: Trek during spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) for clear skies, mild temperatures, and breathtaking views. Avoid monsoons and winter for safety and comfort.
Pack Light but Smart: Carry essentials like a warm jacket, rain gear, trekking poles, and good-quality hiking boots. Layered clothing is ideal for varying temperatures. Pack a basic first-aid kit, water purification tablets, snacks, sunscreen, and a headlamp.
Acclimatize Properly: Though Mardi Himal is a moderate-altitude trek, ascending gradually helps prevent altitude sickness. Stay hydrated and rest as needed.
Stay in Tea Houses: The trail has well-established tea houses offering basic accommodation and meals. Carry some cash, as ATMs are unavailable in remote areas.
Train Before You Trek: Moderate fitness is essential. Before your trip, build stamina through cardio and leg-strengthening exercises.
Hire a Guide or Porter: Hiring a guide is mandatory as per Nepal Tourism Board, it also ensures a safer and more enriching experience. A porter lightens your load, enhancing enjoyment.
Carry Trekking Permits: Obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card in advance through a Govt. authorised Tour Operator.
Respect Local Culture: Learn basic Nepali greetings and customs. Be mindful of local traditions and wildlife conservation practices.
Stay Connected: Bring a power bank, as charging facilities are limited. Buy a local SIM card for communication, but signal strength may vary.
Be Eco-Conscious: Avoid single-use plastics and dispose of waste responsibly to preserve the pristine environment.
FAQs
- What is the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek is a short and less crowded trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It offers stunning views of the Annapurna Range, including Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, and Hiunchuli.
- How long does the trek take?
The trek typically takes 5–7 days, depending on your pace and itinerary.
- Where does the trek start?
The trek starts from Kande or Phedi, which are accessible from Pokhara (a 1–2 hour drive).
- How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?
It’s considered a moderate trek. While it doesn’t require technical climbing, the trails are steep and, in some sections, involve long walking hours.
- What permits are required?
You’ll need:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card
- How much does the trek cost?
- Permits: Around USD 30–40 total.
- Daily Expenses: Approximately USD 20–30 per day for food, accommodation, and drinks.
- Hiring a guide/porter will add USD 25–30 per day.
- What kind of accommodation is available?
Teahouses and lodges are available along the trail. These provide basic rooms with shared bathrooms. At higher altitudes, facilities may be more rustic.
- What kind of food is available?
Teahouses offer Nepali and basic Western food, including dal bhat, noodles, pasta, and momos.
- Is drinking water available?
You can refill water bottles at tea houses or natural water sources but always use purification tablets or filters.
- What is the best time for Mardi Himal trek?
- Spring (March-May): Clear skies, blooming rhododendrons, and pleasant weather.
- Autumn (September–November): Crisp air, clear mountain views, and stable weather.
- Can I trek in winter or monsoon?
- Winter (December–February): Cold but clear views. Trails may have snow.
- Monsoon (June–August): Risk of landslides and leeches; clouds often block views.
- Is altitude sickness a concern?
Yes, as you ascend to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), you may experience Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Acclimatize properly, ascend gradually and stay hydrated.
- Is travel insurance necessary?
Ensure your insurance covers trekking up to 5,000 meters and includes helicopter evacuation.
- Are guides or porters necessary?
Yes, according to the Nepal Tourism Board from 1st April, 2023 foreign Nations must have a licensed guide with them, solo trekking is no more allowed. So you must hire a guide also for added safety and local knowledge. For carrying heavy loads you can hire a porter.
- Is the trek family-friendly?
Yes, with proper planning, the trek is suitable for families, including children, as it is manageable.
- What should I pack for the trek?
Essentials include:
- Warm layers, lightweight trekking boots, a rain jacket, and a sleeping bag.
- Sunscreen, water purification tablets, a headlamp, and basic first-aid supplies.
- Are there ATMs on the trail?
No, there are no ATMs. Carry enough cash from Pokhara for your trek.
Conclusion
If you are in Pokhara and do not have much time but desire to have a trekking experience in Nepal, then Mardi Himal is the perfect trek for you. It’s short, less crowded, and more affordable than any other popular trek in Nepal. But thrill, adventure, and views will mesmerize you every moment of the trek. So, if you want to experience the Mardi Himal Trek, grab your backpack, get all the passes, hire a guide, and go for it.
