Mardi Base Camp Trek

Duration: 8 Days
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Style: Lodge to Lodge Trek
  • Transportation: Private Vehicle / Aeroplane
  • Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge to lodge
  • Group Size: minimum 1 pax
  • Max Altitude: 4,500m/14,762ft

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a newly open trekking trail that will take you to one of the most famous trekking destinations of Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp. This trek is comparatively less challenging than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek yet presents the same beautiful landscape. Till date, very few trekkers have only made their way to the Mardi Himal Base Camp located at the base of Mardi Himal and the most iconic mountain of Annapurna Region, Machhapuchhre. The trail includes lovely rhododendron forests, winding paths, and small settlements. You will get to witness panoramic views of mountains like Mardi Himal, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna Range, Mt. Hiunchuli, and many others.

 

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Trip Map

Day to Day Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

We will head to the airport and fly to Pokhara. The flight will be scenic and we will get to see stunning views of hills, rivers, and snow-capped mountains. After reaching Pokhara, we will drive to Kande. From Kande, we will ascend through the beautiful hamlet of Australian Camp (2,100 m). Further, we will climb all the way up to Pothana and then to Deurali where we will stop for the night. 

    We will trek following a forested ridge to reach the Forest Camp. On the way, we will not find any tea house so we will prepare our lunch beforehand and also carry sufficient drinking water. The trail is short and relatively easier than other days. Trekking through a beautiful forest of rhododendron, we will reach Forest Camo where we will stay overnight.

      From here onwards, we will leave main the Annapurna Sanctuary trail and trek on off the beaten trail to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp. We will go through dense and damp forests of maple, oak, hemlock, and rhododendron. We will take a small lunch break and further, ascend to the Low Camp. As we move further, the vegetation begins to change with more rhododendron and other trees covered with moss, ferns & lichen. 

        We will ascend through beautiful rhododendron forests and reach Badal Danda. From Badal Danda, we will get to witness stunning views of Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhre. Further, the trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge. On the way, we can see beautiful Danphe pheasant (national bird of Nepal) and isolated bushes of rhododendrons. We will reach High Camp from where we will get to see captivating views of the Himalayan mountains and stay overnight in a lodge. 

          Today is going to be the most exciting day as we will hike up to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. We will wake up early in the morning and ascend to the base camp. The trail to the Mardi Himal Base Camp is not so challenging and includes a few steep sections. On the way, we will get to see dzo (crossbreed of yak and cow) and Danphe pheasant.

          Upon arrival, we will get to witness a glorious sunrise with the Himalayan mountains. We can see all the mountains of the Annapurna Range (8,091 m) as well as panoramic views of Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). After spending some time at the base camp, we will trek back to the High Camp for the night stay. 

            We will trek back on a different route to complete a circuit. From Low Camp, there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather going back to Kokar. Sidhing is a typical Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks. We can have a memorable cultural experience in this village. We can get to see the lifestyle of people residing here and also try their years of old recipes.

              After having breakfast, we will trek through small villages like Kalimati and Ghalel where people from different communities stay. Upon reaching Lumre, we will drive back to Pokhara. In the evening, we will explore the Lakeside market and do boating on the tranquil Fewa Lake on the shadow of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). Overnight in the hotel.

                After having breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu. The drive will be scenic and present you beautiful views of terraced fields, rivers, small settlements, waterfalls, and lush green hills. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will head to the hotel and rest for the day. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner.

                  Cost Details

                  • Airport pickup/drop by a private vehicle
                  • Standard accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara including breakfast as per itinerary
                  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
                  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek as per teahouse menu
                  • All ground transportation on a private vehicle as per the itinerary
                  • Welcome and farewell dinners
                  • Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits
                  • An experienced, English-speaking government-licensed guide and assistant guide
                  • Porter service
                  • Staff expenses including their salary, insurance, equipment, food, and accommodation
                  • Down jacket and sleeping bag provided by Royal Himalayan Safari Tours (to be returned after trip completion)
                  • Free trekking bag/duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map to take back with yourself
                  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
                  • Medical kit
                  • All government and local taxes
                  • Other official expenses
                  • Nepalese visa fee
                  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
                  • Excess baggage charges
                  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara
                  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain due to any reason than the scheduled itinerary
                  • Travel and rescue insurance
                  • Personal trekking gears
                  • Personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, hot & cold drinks, phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
                  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s), and driver(s)
                  • Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the Price Include part

                  Useful Info

                  Tradition & Culture in Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

                  Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek will present you blend of different ethnic communities who have their own culture, tradition, dialect, and lifestyle. You will go through small villages, which are resided by Gurungs, Thakalis, Manangba, and many others. Monasteries, mani walls, prayer flags, chortens, temples can be seen everywhere. People living here are kind and big-hearted. They love to share their stories and interact with tourists so don't feel shy.

                  Accommodations

                  We will be staying in 2 or 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. During the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, we will stay in the lodge or tea house. The tea house is basically a combination of hotel and lodge. The room will be small with little furniture, bed & blanket. All the accommodations are on a twin-sharing basis.

                  On a special request, single rooms can be arranged in the cities. However, single rooms might not be available all the time due to the limited service on higher elevations. Please understand that the services in the teahouse will be very basic and also all the teahouse does not come with attached washrooms.

                  Meals & Drinking Water

                  In Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, we will enjoy authentic Nepalese food with few other cuisines like Tibetan, Indian. Meals will be served as per the menu of the teahouse or lodge. Beside that you can find bars, bread, cookies, butter tea, extra on the trail but, remember as the elevation get higher, the cost also gets high. In Kathmandu, you will only get breakfast. There will also be welcome and farewell dinner for you.

                  Drinking water can be easily found everywhere. You can get hot water from the teahouse and fill in your bottle every time it gets empty. So, do carry a reusable water bottle with yourself. We request you to not buy mineral water bottle on the way as it will help in preserving the region. Moreover, you can also carry water purifier tablets or SteriPen with yourself to purify the water.

                  Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek  Difficulty & Physical Fitness

                  As a matter of difficulty level, the trail is moderate. Anyone with good physical fitness can go on this trek. Previous trekking or hiking experience are not required but, if you have one then that will be beneficial.

                  Other than that, if you have any kind of health related issues then do consult with your doctors before booking the trip. In case of any medical history, we highly recommend you to inform us so that any future event can be tackled without having any issue.

                  Best Season to go on Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

                  Autumn (mid-September to November) and Spring (March to May) are the best seasons to go on Mardi Himal Trek. The weather will be warm and clear with spectacular views. May to June is a hot pre-monsoon season and climate can get pretty hot, however, the whole region begins to bloom with colorful flowers, which make this time also good for Mardi Himal Trekking.

                  Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek Permit

                  Some part of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek goes through the Annapurna Conservation Area which, requires the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit. Besides that, you also required to get TIMS card (TIMS cards is not needed if you have immigration permit).

                  Following is the list of permits for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek:

                  ACAP permit fee for foreigners: 2,000 NPR (Around USD 20)

                  ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR (Around USD 2)

                  TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. USD 10)

                  TIMS entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 600 NPR (Around USD 6)

                  *If you are traveling with a trekking agency they will arrange these permits for you.

                  * These prices exclude 13% VAT (Value Added Tax) compliance.

                  Why go with Royal Himalayan Safari Tours on Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek?
                  Royal Himalayan Safari Tours offer one of the most extensive Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek in the market. We take our clients as a family member, and for us, this is not only a business but, also a way to connect and know people from different part of the world. Our specially designed Mardi Himal Trek itinerary give you all of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking experience. We assure you that, with us, you will complete this trek without having any issues, and get back to your home with lifelong memories.