Short Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
Short Mardi Himal Trek
Views of Annapurna South and Himchuli during Mardi Himal trek
Machhapuchre from Badal Danda
Mt. Dhaulagiri from Poonhill
Annapurna south from High Camp
Badal Danda during winter
Trip Highlights of Short Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
- The closest view of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail
- Experience the lush Rhododendron forests (March to April – Mardi Himal trek best season)
- Very easy trek (beginner-friendly)
- Experience the local culture
- Get to learn about the Gurung and Pun settlements in the region
- Captivating sunrise/sunset over the Himalayas.
Overview of Short Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
Our short Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara follows along the path that divides two valleys, namely the Mardi Khola and the Modi Khola. The path we will take was once used by shepherds to travel with their livestock. Back in the day, shepherds used to take their livestock to the pastures in the Himalayan slopes, traveling through the Rhododendron forest which they called Kharka. These forests come to life during the Mardi Himal trek’s best season (March to April).
During the summer season, when the snow was melted, shepherds used to let their livestock graze at a maximum height of 4500 meters. Even today, you can see a school of livestock being guided towards the high-altitude meadows as it is their only source of open grazing. You might meet a school of sheep on the way there or even Yaks if you are lucky enough.
The short Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively new trail. Prior to the opening of Forest Camp (2500 m) in 2008, there was no commercial accommodation in the region for trekkers. Following the establishment of the first lodge, 2010 saw the opening of two more lodges in the region. It was in 2012 that the short Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara received some notable advertising efforts from travel agencies.
Since 2012, the Mardi Himal trek route has seen a progressive increase in the number of visitors. At present, the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara is one of the best trekking journeys you can choose.
Most adventurers want a powerful and immersive experience, safe from any external harm, and also one that does not take 15 days to complete. Our short Mardi Himal trek is just the destination for you. The Mardi Himal trek 5 days from Pokhara, is the perfect duration for those seeking thrill in a short time.
The route is easily accessible by vehicles and is close to the city of Pokhara, another wonderful city to visit while in Nepal. In addition to that, The Mardi Himal trek 5 days is very customizable. Depending on your preferences, we can work around the trail so that your vacation here is the one you talk about the most.
The upper viewpoint (4200 m) of the Short Mardi Himal trek is one of the main attractions of this journey. This viewpoint offers a gorgeous view of the Modi Khola River coupled with the snow-capped Himalayas of the Annapurna Himalayan range. Previously, most trekkers used to return back from this point as the way forward was very demanding. But at present, you will be able to reach the max altitude of 4500 meters to the Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Itinerary of Short Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1770m); 1 hour 20 min by car and 3-4 hrs walk to Deurali (2200m)
Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna base camp rek, Mardi Himal Trek, and the whole trek circuit in the central Himalayan region of Nepal, in general. Pokhara itself is a great place to visit, and there is so much to do and so many places to visit. But since we are on a tight schedule, we will refrain from any of that for the time being.
Throughout our 5 days short Mardi Himal trek, our licensed trek guide will guide you, and a porter will also be available to carry your heavy loads. You do not have to worry about anything during the trek, as our guide will be taking care of everything.
We will be picking you up at the Pokhara International Airport and drive you straight to Kande. It is a small town located in Lumle, a popular hub for trekkers to stop at for quick refreshments. It is also the starting point for trekkers who are on a trek to the Australian Base Camp.
Kande itself is a beautiful little place with terraced farms, a typical village vibe, and many traditional aesthetic Nepalese houses. Driving to Kande from Pokhara takes around an hour and 20 minutes.
After we reach Kande, we still stop there for a quick lunch before heading towards Deurali. It is a small village in the Kaski district that is also a popular hub for trekkers as it lies on the trail of many trekking circuits, such as the Annapurna circuit trek and the short Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara.
Most trekkers stop there for acclimatization, and so will we. It’s a lush green village that offers a good view of the high and mighty Himalayas. All the transports required during the Mardi Himal trek 5 days will be provided by us.
Day 2: Trek to rest camp 2700m (5-6 hrs)
Rest Camp is also known as the middle camp of the short Mardi Himal trek since it lies between two campsites, the Forest camp (2520 m) and the High camp (3540 m). The Rest Camp is just an hour away from the Forest Camp, and we will go through a Rhododendron forest. If you’re traveling during the spring season, which is the best season for the Mardi Himal trek, you will see bright pink/red flowers, which are the national flower of Nepal.
We will have to trek for a total of 6 hours (give or take) to reach this camp, where you will be able to view the immersive sunset that just takes your breath away. The views are simply unbelievable.
We will be staying at Rest Camp for the night. You will be provided with meals throughout this trek as a part of the trek package. We will make sure that you get authentic local meals without any compromise.
If you are on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you are mostly surrounded by the Himalayas for the majority of the trail. This is not particularly a bad thing, but you miss out on the sunsets and sunrise. This short Mardi Himal trek is unlike the Annapurna Circuit trek; we will be walking on ridges most of the time, so enjoying the calm and relaxing sunset/sunrise is a plus.
Grab your morning tea while you soak in the beautiful sunrise, a view that is sure to be embedded into your eyes for years to come.
Day 3: Trek to high camp 3500m (5-6 hrs)
The high camp of the trip is one of the major attractions of the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara. You will be able to get a panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayas in the region while chilly air hits your cheeks. Be careful not to catch any cold there since it will be very inconvenient for you.
We recommend you wear layers of clothes so that you will feel your best during the whole trek. We don’t want you to feel even a little under the weather.
Now, one of the best things about this trek is the exclusivity, except in the peak season you will not be seeing many trekkers on the way. You might just be able to be the only guests in one of the tea houses we stay at for the night. This allows you to have a personal experience.
During the peak season, the tea shops and lodge owners work hard to serve the guests’ needs, and hence, they rarely have time to stop and chat with trekkers. In a one-on-one situation, you will be able to have a relaxed chat with the owners and learn about life there, the hardships, the culture, and more.
You can have a “homely” vibe while staying at the local tea shops and lodges, which adds to the overall experience of the short Mardi Himal trek. The people there are very inviting, and they will welcome you warmly and treat you with the utmost respect.
Day 4: Ascend to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) - Back to high camp - Descend to Badal Danda (3200 m)
On the 4th day of our Mardi Himal short trek route, we will ascend to the leading destination of our trip. It will take us about 3 hours of trek to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m). The best view of Mt. Fishtail and the entire Annapurna Himalayan range awaits you at the base camp. Be sure to capture some great moments there while we work on managing meals.
After some time, we will head back to high camp, where we will have breakfast and ultimately head to our next stop for the day, Badal Danda. At an altitude of 3200 m, Badal Danda is another scenic spot with lots of pleasing greenery and a wide view of the Annapurna range. It will take us about 7 hours to descend to Badal Danda, which will be our stop for the night.
Day 5: Descend to Sidding (1750 m - 3 hrs) and back to Pokhara by Jeep (3 hrs)
Descending to Siding will be the last part of the Mardi Himal trek 5 days route. Be sure to wake up early and view the sunrise, trust us, you would not want to miss it. After breakfast, we will make our way down to Sidding (1750 m), where we will grab a quick lunch and wait for our Jeep. It should take us no more than 3 hours to reach Pokhara.
After we reach Pokhara, you can choose to stay there for a day or two. This extra stay will be charged accordingly.
One of the best things about this trek will be the feeling of having done so much in just 5 days. Our short Mardi Himal trek is not among the popular trekking destinations in Nepal, but that does not mean that it is a less rewarding experience.
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Essential Information - Short Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
How our trip starts
Our trip, a short Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara will officially start when you arrive at the Pokhara International Airport. We will be there to pick you up and escort you to the starting point of our trek, a small town named Kande. On your 1st day of the Mardi Himal trek 5 days, you will be traveling for a total of 5 hours (approx.), so be sure to start your day early.
We will take care of all the logistics, transportation requirements, and trek permits; we will provide you with a licensed trekking guide and a porter to help you with your luggage. There is nothing you have to worry about. As your travel partner, we have everything covered.
Before we begin our trip, make sure that you have all your essentials packed in your bag or with you. If you are on medication, please make sure that you have enough pills to last you for the trek duration, as we will not have any dispensary up in the mountains.
We book all your accommodations during the short Mardi Himal trek, you don’t have to worry about finding vacant rooms. Charging spots are hard to find up in the rough terrain so we would recommend bringing power banks if you absolutely need your phones.
Difficulty
Our short Mardi Himal trek is one of the easiest trek routes in Nepal. It is absolutely beginner-friendly; you can trek this trail with your young ones and even your old ones. Since it is a relatively new trekking trail, it has been designed to be accessible by most travelers.
You will not have to go through tricky or difficult passages anywhere on the Mardi Himal trek route. As the weather in the upper region is cold, you must wear a thermal base layer and thick socks as we will be walking on ice-cold snow. You will not need any assistance walking or using oxygen masks at this level.
Best Seasons
As per our recommendation, the Mardi Himal trek’s best season is Spring, as you will be able to enjoy the vibrant Rhododendron flowers on the way to Upper base camp. This really adds to the overall experience.
One of the other options is the Autumn season, which means clearer skies for guaranteed best views along the way and on top. In general, you can do the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara all year round, but certain seasons have a bit of an edge over others so you must really consider traveling at a recommended time period.
The most unpopular season to travel the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara would be the monsoon season since it can be slippery and muddy at certain sections of the trail.
Can a beginner join this trip?
Yes, a beginner can absolutely join this Mardi Himal trek 5 days trip. It is not physically demanding at all. A person with a sound physique can do it with little to no resistance. We have guided a lot of beginners during the Mardi Himal trek’s best season, and we are confident you can do it as well.
If you are in doubt, you can just check vlogs online and conclude yourself, or you can contact us. Many kids, along with aged people, have been a part of the short Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness at an alleviation of 4500 meters is a possibility, but worry not, as we have emergency services on standby. If you know that you are prone to altitude sickness, be sure to let us know and visit a doctor before setting off for the Mardi Himal trek’s best season.
Our experienced guides will be there to take care of you in case you suffer from altitude sickness and will get you down to safe alleviation. Be sure to take the necessary medications for altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food, and Drink
We will be taking care of your accommodations, food, and drinks. We are responsible for your warm bed each night during the the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara. You will be briefed on the details of your stay in different places.
As for food and drinks, our trek package covers all the meals during this trek but will not cover any extra drinks such as colas. We will provide water and tea whenever necessary. One thing to consider is getting a thermos. Since it will be chilly in the Himalayas, you will enjoy warm water more than room-temperature water.
Your meals will be what’s locally available at the time of your travel as opposed to your preferences. Since we will be traveling to rough terrains, you will not have many options when it comes to meals. Plus, the whole point of trekking is to get to know the place so what’s a better way than to try out the local dishes?
And you do not have to worry about being served anything you do not like. We can work something out, or you can just talk about your food choice while we are in Pokhara so we can stock up on foods that you would prefer. The same goes for drinks, and if you think you will need certain drinks on your trek, you can stock up on them.
Transportation
After your arrival at the Pokhara International Airport, we will pick you up in a private vehicle as they are much more sanitized than taxis in the area. We are in charge of all your transport needs. This service will not cost you extra; everything will be included in the package.
Our drivers are friendly, and you can request them to stop at certain locations if you want to get off a have a quick exploration or snap a couple of pics of a location.
Permit
To travel to the Mardi Himal, you will need 2 different travel permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) and the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Card.
We will get these permits for you, and you don’t have to worry about the hassle. We understand that it can be difficult since there can be a bit of a language barrier. These permits will not cost you extra; they are included in the short Mardi Himaltrek package.
Without these permits, you are not legally allowed to travel to the Mardi Himal trek route which lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Trip preparation and fitness
If you are a person with a sound physique, you will get through the short Mardi Himal trek route with ease. But if you want to feel more confident, you can train for it by working out every day for weeks before the actual trek. This will help to build your stamina and also get your muscles used to the wear and tear. We will be walking on rough terrain most of the time and on snow for a couple of days.
You can further prepare for the trip by making sure that you have everything you need for the trek. You can start off by checking the proper outfit, a thermal base, some layers of clothes, and a down jacket to top it off. In addition to that, make sure you have your essential trekking equipment.
Alternative routes
The alternative to the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara includes starting the trek from Lumre to Sidding, going anti-clockwise of our original itinerary. This Mardi Himal trek route will get us to the Low camp without having to travel to the Forest camp first. This is not a preferred option for many since we will be missing out on the Rhododendron forest that lies between Forest Camp and Low Camp. You don’t want to miss this forest especially if you are traveling during the Mardi Himal trek best season.
Another alternative route includes traveling to Poon Hill, climbing up to Jhinu, and descending to Deurali, which is the stop of our 1st day on the original Mardi Himal trek route. Although this route has more to offer than our original itinerary of 5 days Mardi Himal trek, it also demands 2 extra days. If you can spare 2 more days, we will be more than happy to take you up to Poonhill.
Cost & Budget
Our standard package will cost you Rs. _____ per person inclusive of tax. However, if you request changes to the trekking plan, the total cost may rise or lower depending on the changes you have requested.
We have based our price on the services we provide to ensure a hassle-free and memorable experience. You can ask us how much certain services cost or a detailed breakdown of the cost and we’ll follow up with you.
Short Mardi Himal trek vs long Mardi Himal trek
The basic difference between the two is the places we visit along the way. The long Mardi Himal trek incorporates the Poonhill Ghorepani trek, which adds 2 more days to the itinerary.
In the short Mardi Himal trek, we start trekking from Kande to Deurali, while on the long Mardi Himal trek, we start the trek from Nayapul to Birethani, making our way up to Poon Hill. From Poon Hill, we will ascend to Jhinu before descending to Deurali.
A longer route will take more days and will also cost you more, which translates to you visiting more places and experiencing more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Charging your gadgets at the local tea houses and lodges can cost you a few bucks, especially in the upper region. But some might also let you charge your devices for free.
In those rough terrain, far away from cities, you will likely not receive any cell phone signals and your mobile data will not work as well. But you can find wifi services in tea houses and lodges.
The tea houses can bill you for charging your devices and their internet, which our trek package will not cover. So, we recommend you bring a power bank if possible.
Your Extra Expenses
Your extra expenses include getting your visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You will have to pay the officials at the airport to get your tourist visa approved.
Other extra expenses include your international flight fare to and from Kathmandu, flight fare to and from Pokhara, and travel insurance. We recommend that you do not skip getting travel insurance as it can come in handy since they provide emergency health services such as helicopters on standby for rescue.
Furthermore, if you tip the porters or the guide, we are not liable to cover the expense nor other expenses that are personal.
What to Expect
Our short Mardi Himal trekking from Pokhara is designed to make the most out of your limited days vacation to Nepal. You can expect a great, memorable trip to the Himalayas paired with unforgettable views you will get to see every moment of the trek.
You can expect to see sunrises and sunsets like ones you have never seen before. The Himalayas, the hills, and the overall surroundings will make those moments the best you have ever felt. You will be traveling through beautiful settlements, forests, and ridges overseeing valleys.
This Mardi Himal trek 5 days itinerary will be one of the most memorable journeys you have ever been on. Every aspect of this journey will be taken care of by us, you just have to prepare to soak in all the beauty you are about to witness. All the mesmerizing scenes and the rewarding experience once we reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp will be among your most cherished moments.
The short mardi himal trek itself is not very physically demanding, which means that you can enjoy the journey without worrying about body aches. On your journey, you will get to interact with different locals in the area where we will be staying. These locals will warmly welcome you and will not shy away from telling you about their lives, their stories that are unheard of, and also all the popular myths surrounding the region.
Overall, you can expect a rewarding experience that you are going to talk about every chance you get.
Most Asked Questions by Travellers
The short Mardi Himal trek is not difficult at all. It is one of the easiest treks in Nepal. A person with a sound physique can easily go through this trek without having to worry about anything.
The Mardi Himal trek best season is the spring season, around March and April. You can also visit Mardi Himal in the autumn season for clearer weather.
As per our itinerary, the trek lasts for a total of 5 days. You can extend the Mardi Himal trek 5 days by adding popular destinations in the region.
Yes, you absolutely need a guide for the short Mardi Himal trek since people in the region are not very well-versed in the English language and you will have a tough time trying to communicate with the locals and lodge owners. Additionally, a guide helps you understand certain practices in the region and also introduces you to unique things.
Altitude sickness can happen at the altitude of 4500 meters although it is uncommon. We will be ascending at a safe pace, so be sure that you are well-hydrated to avoid any altitude sickness complications.
The accommodations in this region are not well facilitated since it is difficult to get things in the region. You will be spending your nights in tea shops and lodges which is a part of the short Mardi Himal trek experience.
Yes, it is possible to customize the short Mardi Himal Trek itinerary but we will have to work it out together since there are many things we need to consider while customizing itineraries.
Yes, we facilitate our services to solo travelers as well. You do not require a group to benefit from our services.
No, there are no age restrictions for the short Mardi Himal Trek. People of every age can travel this trail.
No, there are none that require special considerations but just be sure to be respectful.
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