The “Mardi Himal Trek” is named after Mardi Himal, a 5,587-meter peak located in the Annapurna region. Despite being a relatively new trekking destination, it has gained popularity among trekkers in a short period of time. It is one of Nepal’s shortest treks, achievable in just five days. Remarkably, the trek takes you to an elevation above 4,000 meters in just four days. A combination of diverse flora and fauna, varied topography, and breathtaking mountain views makes this trek one of the most sought-after trekking destinations.
Mardi Himal Trek begins with a short drive from Pokhara, a renowned tourist city. It traverses dense rhododendron and oak forests, following a ridgecrest with terrain dropping steeply on both sides.
WELCOME TO NEPAL, the land of the Himalayas!
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will receive a warm welcome from the company representatives of Osprey Adventure, who will assist you with your luggage and guide you to the hotel. After checking into the hotel, the company representative will provide you with a comprehensive briefing about your upcoming trip, including inclusions and exclusions, safety precautions, cultural norms, and other important information that will be useful during your stay in Nepal.
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Your city tour guide will arrive promptly at the hotel with a private vehicle and driver. After breakfast, you will process to visit the following religious and historical sites, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979 AD.
Swayambhunath is situated atop an elevated hill station in the heart of Kathmandu city, standing 77 meters above the city’s level, providing panoramic views of the entire Kathmandu valley. It is also famously known as “Monkey Temple” among tourists due to the abundance of monkeys found on the site. While primarily a Buddhist pilgrimage site, you can also find a Hindu temple harmoniously coexisting alongside the main temple of Swayambhunath.
Kathmandu Durbar Square, situated in the heart of Kathmandu, is the former Royal Palace of Nepal. “Durbar” translates to ‘palace’ in Nepali. It stands out as one of three durbar squares in the Kathmandu valley. Today, it serves as a key attraction for tourists, renowned as the center of medieval art and architecture.
Within the Durbar Square, your tour will encompass visits to several historical landmarks, including the ancient palace museum, the temple of Kumari (the living goddess of Nepal), Hanuman Dhoka, the Kasthamandap Temple, and the statue of Kal Bhairav.
Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Nepal, situated 11km northeast from the heart of Kathmandu city. Its magnificent size and mesmerizing shape are sure to leave you stunned. Historically, it is believed to have been built in the early 5th century and now stands as a beacon of Buddhist belief. Surrounding the stupa, there are many terrace restaurants where you can enjoy a lunch break.
Pashupatinath Temple stands as one of the largest and most revered shrines for Hindus worldwide. Situated on the western bank of the holy Bagmati River, which flows through the center of the Kathmandu valley, it also serves as a popular cremation site for Hindus. The majority of Hindus who pass away in the Kathmandu valley are brought to Pashupati for cremation, so it is highly likely that you will observe open-air cremations during your visit. Entrance to the main temple is restricted to Hindus only. However, even if you are non-Hindu, you can still observe the main temple from the eastern bank of the river.
The journey begins right after an early breakfast at the hotel. You will walk or drive to the tourist bus station and travel by tourist bus towards Pokhara along Prithivi Highway. After an hour, you will start following the Marshyangdi River and Trishuli River until halfway. After the lunch break, you will continue journeying through the foothills of the Himalayas, passing through villages and terraced fields. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will be transferred to a hotel at Lakeside. If you have enough time, you can walk and explore the area around Phewa Lake and the markets on your own.
The breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, your journey begins with a private vehicle drive to Kande, passing through scenic villages like Phedi and Naudanda, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Fishtail and Annapurna Range. After an hour’s drive, you will arrive at Kande. From there, the trekking portion of your journey begins. The trail initially ascends steeply through a village for about an hour to Australian Camp, a hill station nestled in the midst of dense forests offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. From Australian Camp, the path becomes relatively easier as it winds through forests all the way to Deurali. Lunch will be served at either at Australian Camp or Pothana, which is at a 20-minute walk from Australian Camp.
Deurali offers great views of mountains such as Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and the village of Ghandruk. Enjoy your breakfast with these breathtaking views. Right after breakfast, the day’s journey begins. The walk will be pleasant and cool as you gradually ascend through dense rhododendron and oak forests. There are several open ridges along the route, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range. Most of the trail is fairly straight with gradual ascents, though some sections are steep. Lunch will be served at Forest Camp (2460m) or one of the suitable lodges along the way.
Breakfast will be served at 7:00 am, followed by the start of your journey. Today, you will ascend 550 meters. The trail winds through dense rhododendron forests, gradually ascending until you reach Badal Danda (3270m), where lunch will be served. From there, the path mostly traverses open ridges, with occasional sections passing through forests, until you reach High Camp.
High Camp offers a stunning sunrise view, making it worthwhile to wake up early in the morning to seize the opportunity. After breakfast, you begin hiking up to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail involves mostly ascending, with some steep sections. As you climb higher, the trees gradually thin out. You will reach Mardi Lower View Point (4000m), where you will be completely above the tree line. Mardi Himal Base Camp offers an unparalleled and stunning view of Fishtail, Mardi Himal, and other mountains. After spending some time there, you will return to High Camp.
Today, you will descend to Sidhing village, which involves steep descending over a total of 2270 meters. You will retrace your steps back to Low Camp and then diverge from the trail you ascended, following the downhill path on your left side. The route passes through dense forests, and you will reach Sidhing village by afternoon.
From Sidhing village, you will drive to Pokhara on the same day. Half of the road is bumpy, and the other half is well-tarmacked.
After early breakfast, you will depart from the hotel at 6:00 am and drive to tourist bus station by a car or taxi, where you will board the bus for the 5 to 6 hours scenic journey back to Kathmandu.
Today marks your final day in Nepal. We will drive you to Kathmandu International Airport three hours before your flight time.
Note: If you would like to spend more time in Nepal, you can join our leisure or adventure extension trips such as City Sightseeing, White-water Rafting, Jungle Safari, Paragliding, Bungee Jumping etc.
Choosing the proper equipment for trekking in Nepal is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Most trekking destinations in Nepal are remote, with few accessible markets. Even where markets exist, prices tend to be high. Therefore, it is essential to prepare all necessary equipment before starting your trek. Kathmandu, particularly the Thamel area, is the ideal place to acquire equipment if you haven’t brought it from your home country. Alternatively, Pokhara offers equipment at similar prices to Kathmandu.
Below is a list of general equipment. Not all items may be necessary depending on your destination. Consult your travel consultant or guide if assistance in selecting the appropriate equipment.
*Note: FYI, you can also rent a sleeping bag and a down jacket in Kathmandu. The cost varies from $2 to $3 per day for each item, depending on the quality.
