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Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Outlandish close up views of Fishtail Peak - Spectacular Ridge Walking - Short Teahouse Trek - Majestic Annapurna panorama

All Meals on Trek Included

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Duration

10 Days
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Grade

Moderate
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Max Altitude

4500m
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Walking Days

7 Days
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Accommodation

3 Nts Hotels - 6 Nts Trekking Lodges
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Trip Overview

A spectacular short trek to a fantastic viewpoint.

Although this trek is relatively brief in duration, the stupendous views it affords still involve some stiff days of trekking mixed with shorter walking days. Ascent and descent are a natural feature of this trek, and in some instances, they are both steep and relatively sustained. Although we have graded this trip as moderate, it is definitely on the more challenging side of moderate due to the altitudes achieved and is better suited to those with an above-average level of fitness. The rewards for the strong and experienced trekker are some of the most incredible views to be found anywhere in the Nepal Himalayas on a trek of such short duration. From the principle objective of Mardi Himal Base Camp, the towering, almost vertical, iconic Fishtail Peak looms right over you, seemingly “close enough to touch”. Even nearer is the impressive Mardi Himal Peak, and there’s more, with Annapurna 1 to the west and Annapurna 4 to the east to behold in all their magnificence. Add to this the pleasure of beginning the trek at low elevation, passing up through forests and small villages before emerging into a more open, sub-alpine landscape where there’s no discernible permanent habitation, and to enjoy some fine open ridge walking with mountain views to accompany you as you go. It’s only in recent years that this trek has featured a couple of enterprising, but simple trekkers lodges along the way. Yet some aspects of this trek still retain a sense of wildness. Don’t forget that our trekking holidays are tailor-made, and although the rate of altitude gains is reasonable, you may wish to consider adding acclimatisation days, rest days, and even contingency days. The itinerary is merely a suggested itinerary and is not entirely 'set in stone'. Sleeping bags (4 season) will be required for nights spent in trekking lodges. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.

This trek can be readily combined with many of our other Annapurna Treks create a longer-distance trekking experience.

A spectacular short trek to a fantastic viewpoint.

  • Although this trek is relatively brief in duration, the stupendous views it affords still involve some stiff days of trekking mixed with shorter walking days. Ascent and descent are a natural feature of this trek, and in some instances, they are both steep and relatively sustained. Although we have graded this trip as moderate, it is definitely on the more challenging side of moderate due to the altitudes achieved and is better suited to those with an above-average level of fitness. The rewards for the strong and experienced trekker are some of the most incredible views to be found anywhere in the Nepal Himalayas on a trek of such short duration. From the principle objective of Mardi Himal Base Camp, the towering, almost vertical, iconic Fishtail Peak looms right over you, seemingly “close enough to touch”. Even nearer is the impressive Mardi Himal Peak, and there’s more, with Annapurna 1 to the west and Annapurna 4 to the east to behold in all their magnificence. Add to this the pleasure of beginning the trek at low elevation, passing up through forests and small villages before emerging into a more open, sub-alpine landscape where there’s no discernible permanent habitation, and to enjoy some fine open ridge walking with mountain views to accompany you as you go. It’s only in recent years that this trek has featured a couple of enterprising, but simple trekkers lodges along the way. Yet some aspects of this trek still retain a sense of wildness. Don’t forget that our trekking holidays are tailor-made, and although the rate of altitude gains is reasonable, you may wish to consider adding acclimatisation days, rest days, and even contingency days. The itinerary is merely a suggested itinerary and is not entirely 'set in stone'. Sleeping bags (4 season) will be required for nights spent in trekking lodges. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.

    This trek can be readily combined with many of our other Annapurna Treks create a longer-distance trekking experience.

Example Itinerary

    • Day 1
      Arrive Kathmandu
    • Day 2
      Fly to Pokhara & trek to Pitam Deurali
    • Day 3
      Trek to Kokar Forest Camp
    • Day 4
      Trek to Low Camp
    • Day 5
      Trek to High Camp
    • Day 6
      Return trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp
    • Day 7
      Descend to Sidhing
    • Day 8
      A short walk then transfer to Pokhara
    • Day 9
      Fly to Kathmandu
    • Day 10
      Depart Nepal

  • DAY
    1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    
Included Meals: None

    DAY 1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    
Included Meals: None

    DAY
    2

    Fly to Pokhara & trek to Pitam Deurali

    Ready to trek, the day begins with a private transfer to the airport for the 25-minute flight to Nepal's premier resort, Pokhara. One option is to add an additional night in Pokhara if you don't want to hit the ground running. If not, then upon arriving at Pokhara, a private vehicle transfer will whisk you to the trail head at Naudanda Phedi. The trail begins with a steep climb up to Dhampus along a trail that many will follow to reach Annapurna Base Camp. You’ll follow this trail to your overnight halt at Pitam Deurali (2100m), from where there are views across to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. From Dhampus, the trail undulates along a broad ridge to Pothana, followed by a gradual climb up a minor pass to gradually descend and contour the densely forested hillside. Walking time is approximately 4 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Pitam Deurali
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Find out more about Trekking Lodges 

    DAY 2

    Fly to Pokhara & trek to Pitam Deurali

    Ready to trek, the day begins with a private transfer to the airport for the 25-minute flight to Nepal's premier resort, Pokhara. One option is to add an additional night in Pokhara if you don't want to hit the ground running. If not, then upon arriving at Pokhara, a private vehicle transfer will whisk you to the trail head at Naudanda Phedi. The trail begins with a steep climb up to Dhampus along a trail that many will follow to reach Annapurna Base Camp. You’ll follow this trail to your overnight halt at Pitam Deurali (2100m), from where there are views across to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. From Dhampus, the trail undulates along a broad ridge to Pothana, followed by a gradual climb up a minor pass to gradually descend and contour the densely forested hillside. Walking time is approximately 4 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Pitam Deurali
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Find out more about Trekking Lodges 

    DAY
    3

    Trek to Kokar Forest Camp

    Leaving the main Annapurna trails, you’re leaving a lot of other trekkers too as you climb up steeply through forests to Suiredanda hilltop. Effectively, you’ve also left behind permanent settlements. From here, you begin to turn towards Mardi Himal and follow the Gorujure Danda ridgeline all the way to what is now known as “Kokar Forest Camp”. Here at 2550 m, there are good views across the Modi Khola Valley, and you should be able to see the village of Ghandruk. Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Kokar Forest Camp
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 3

    Trek to Kokar Forest Camp

    Leaving the main Annapurna trails, you’re leaving a lot of other trekkers too as you climb up steeply through forests to Suiredanda hilltop. Effectively, you’ve also left behind permanent settlements. From here, you begin to turn towards Mardi Himal and follow the Gorujure Danda ridgeline all the way to what is now known as “Kokar Forest Camp”. Here at 2550 m, there are good views across the Modi Khola Valley, and you should be able to see the village of Ghandruk. Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Kokar Forest Camp
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    4

    Trek to Low Camp

    The lack of permanent settlements means that after leaving Pitam Deurali, it’s the locations of the handful of trekking lodges that determine the trekking day, as unlike the main Annapurna trails, alternative options are virtually non-existent. So, today is actually quite a short walking day as you follow the Manjh Danda ridge, ascending gradually to reach a grassy knoll area that is now known as “Low Camp” (3050m). It may have been a short day, but at least at Low Camp you’ve got some impressive views of Annapurna and Fishtail to look forward to and the opportunity to rest up and get used to the altitude. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Low Camp
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 4

    Trek to Low Camp

    The lack of permanent settlements means that after leaving Pitam Deurali, it’s the locations of the handful of trekking lodges that determine the trekking day, as unlike the main Annapurna trails, alternative options are virtually non-existent. So, today is actually quite a short walking day as you follow the Manjh Danda ridge, ascending gradually to reach a grassy knoll area that is now known as “Low Camp” (3050m). It may have been a short day, but at least at Low Camp you’ve got some impressive views of Annapurna and Fishtail to look forward to and the opportunity to rest up and get used to the altitude. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Low Camp
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    5

    Trek to High Camp

    It’s certainly worth waking up early to step out of your lodge, enjoy a Himalayan sunrise, and appreciate the enormity of your surroundings. Again, it’s a rather short walk today, but as you’re going up to 3900 m, the effects of altitude may start to become noticeable, so taking things easy and adopting a slower than usual pace should help with the acclimatisation process. It’s mostly an ascent today up and along a forested ridge line before emerging from the tree line onto grassy hilltops and to High Camp (3900m), where once again there are wonderful, expansive panoramic views. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - High Camp
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 5

    Trek to High Camp

    It’s certainly worth waking up early to step out of your lodge, enjoy a Himalayan sunrise, and appreciate the enormity of your surroundings. Again, it’s a rather short walk today, but as you’re going up to 3900 m, the effects of altitude may start to become noticeable, so taking things easy and adopting a slower than usual pace should help with the acclimatisation process. It’s mostly an ascent today up and along a forested ridge line before emerging from the tree line onto grassy hilltops and to High Camp (3900m), where once again there are wonderful, expansive panoramic views. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - High Camp
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    6

    Return trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp

    The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High Camp is linear. You leave High Camp and head directly towards Mardi Himal Base Camp as you climb up the Kali Danda Ridge that leads from Mardi Himal Peak itself. As you progress, ever gaining height, the towering peaks slowly but surely become closer and closer. After around 4 hours of huffing and puffing on this stiff hike up to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500m, here you are! Immediately above you is Mardi Himal (5553 m), and above that is 6997m Fishtail Peak. If the altitude and exertion don’t take your breath away, the close-up views of these steep mountain peaks will. Far below you is the Upper Modi Khola Valley and the route to Annapurna Base Camp, and from this high vantage point, Annapurna, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli look more impressive than ever. Depending on progress and other conditions, it may be possible to go even closer and traverse close to a mountain glacier. The return to High Camp is the same way you came up, and heading downhill is usually faster. Walking time is approximately 6-7 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - High Camp

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 6

    Return trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp

    The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High Camp is linear. You leave High Camp and head directly towards Mardi Himal Base Camp as you climb up the Kali Danda Ridge that leads from Mardi Himal Peak itself. As you progress, ever gaining height, the towering peaks slowly but surely become closer and closer. After around 4 hours of huffing and puffing on this stiff hike up to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500m, here you are! Immediately above you is Mardi Himal (5553 m), and above that is 6997m Fishtail Peak. If the altitude and exertion don’t take your breath away, the close-up views of these steep mountain peaks will. Far below you is the Upper Modi Khola Valley and the route to Annapurna Base Camp, and from this high vantage point, Annapurna, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli look more impressive than ever. Depending on progress and other conditions, it may be possible to go even closer and traverse close to a mountain glacier. The return to High Camp is the same way you came up, and heading downhill is usually faster. Walking time is approximately 6-7 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - High Camp

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    7

    Descend to Sidhing

    Today you return to “civilisation,”, or rather, the first village proper you’ll have encountered for a few days. From High Camp, you first head back down to “Low Camp”. From here, it’s a steep descent through the forested hillside slopes into the Mardi Khola River Valley. The village of Sidhing (1850m) with its well-tended terraced fields really only sees tourists who follow this lesser-trod route, so it remains somewhat more authentic and traditional than those on the busy main Annapurna trails. Walking time: approx. 6 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Sidhing

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 7

    Descend to Sidhing

    Today you return to “civilisation,”, or rather, the first village proper you’ll have encountered for a few days. From High Camp, you first head back down to “Low Camp”. From here, it’s a steep descent through the forested hillside slopes into the Mardi Khola River Valley. The village of Sidhing (1850m) with its well-tended terraced fields really only sees tourists who follow this lesser-trod route, so it remains somewhat more authentic and traditional than those on the busy main Annapurna trails. Walking time: approx. 6 hours.

    Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Sidhing

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    8

    A short walk then transfer to Pokhara

    By far the easiest day of the trek as you follow the course of the river gradually descending through very pleasant farmlands, passing homesteads and other small settlements like Kalimati, Keshbang, and Ghalel along the way. Reaching the village of Lumre, a private transfer in a 4WD vehicle will take you back to Pokhara, although until you reach the main road, the jeep track is rather rough and bumpy. If you get a very early start this morning, though, you may well be back in Pokhara by mid-afternoon. Walking time is approx. 3 hours; transfer time is approx. 3hrs.

    Accommodation: Hotel Karuna - Pokhara 
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 8

    A short walk then transfer to Pokhara

    By far the easiest day of the trek as you follow the course of the river gradually descending through very pleasant farmlands, passing homesteads and other small settlements like Kalimati, Keshbang, and Ghalel along the way. Reaching the village of Lumre, a private transfer in a 4WD vehicle will take you back to Pokhara, although until you reach the main road, the jeep track is rather rough and bumpy. If you get a very early start this morning, though, you may well be back in Pokhara by mid-afternoon. Walking time is approx. 3 hours; transfer time is approx. 3hrs.

    Accommodation: Hotel Karuna - Pokhara 
    
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY
    9

    Fly to Kathmandu

    A private transfer to Pokhara Airport, for the short flight back to Kathmandu. You'll be met upon arrival and receive a private vehicle transfer to the KGH Hotel in downtown Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingencies for this trek, whether it be for any delays/cancellations that can and do occur for internal flights, or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 9

    Fly to Kathmandu

    A private transfer to Pokhara Airport, for the short flight back to Kathmandu. You'll be met upon arrival and receive a private vehicle transfer to the KGH Hotel in downtown Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingencies for this trek, whether it be for any delays/cancellations that can and do occur for internal flights, or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast

    DAY
    10

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course there's no reason to depart today, your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made

    DAY 10

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course there's no reason to depart today, your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made

    IMPORTANT

    This is an EXAMPLE ITINERARY and can be customised for you accordingly.

    Please consider whether you want your customisable, private trip itinerary to also include CONTINGENCY.

    See our ABOUT CONTINGENCY Information

    Please CONTACT US to discuss CONTINGENCY and ADDITIONAL ACCLIMATISATION, as well as other CUSTOMISATION POSSIBILITES for your PRIVATE CUSTOM TREK

Price Guide

Price based on a private party of 4 persons, twin share rooms, low season.
  • $ US 1025

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR PRICE GUIDES

What's included

The price shown is for guideline purposes only. The price is inclusive of all accommodation described in the detailed itinerary, all airport and land transfers, internal flights in the itinerary (all meals on trek), porterage on trek, permits, National Park fees, and a Snow Cat Travel Trekking Guide. All guides are english-speaking, professionals and fully licenced

Don't Forget

We can customise
all our trips.

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About Customising Departure Information
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Don't Forget

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all our trips to Nepal.

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