Being on the outskirts of the ABC trekking route, this trek will give you the virgin experience of a trek in Nepal with the most magnificent and pristine landscape. Also this trek can serve as a great start-up for the high altitude treks in Nepal as it takes you to an altitude much less than the other treks in Nepal.

So its time to explore this less crowded trail in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

The Mardi Himal Trek is an easy to moderate-level trek that can be done by beginners as well as seasoned trekkers. Previous trekking experience will always be an added advantage. However, one needs to make sure that your fitness level is best in order to complete this trek successfully. Though there are fewer challenges as compared to other treks in Nepal but there will be some terrain which is difficult to walk along with steep ascents and descents in narrow and rugged paths. Since you will be attaining an altitude of 4500 m, there can be chances of AMS so make sure you have experience of being in high altitude. The total distance covered will be 40 km in a span of 5 days hence there will be long walking hours, so you should be physically and mentally prepared for this.

Maximum Altitude: 4500 m

Duration: 7 days

Best Time to Visit:

• Spring – March-May
• Autumn – middle of September - December

The best time to go for the Mardi Himal Trek is during the spring and autumn season. The spring and autumn seasons in Nepal have the best weather with crystal clear skies and favourable temperatures. During the spring season, the trail is blooming with rhododendrons all over. Whereas the autumn season provides unbeatable views of the high Himalayas. Overall during these 2 seasons, the trekking conditions are ideal, and the terrains are in good condition that will provide a memorable experience to the trekkers. The temperature in the daytime is around 15 degrees Celsius and in the night it falls down to -3 degrees Celsius. So make sure to have the proper gear with you to sustain the temperature in any season you go.

Suitable Age Group: The suitable age group for the Mardi Himal trek is between 9 years and 60 years. There are days in this trek where there is long walking hours hence your fitness level should be at its best. If you are between 9 to 17 years old, you should accompany your parents or guardian on this trek. If you are above 55 years of age, you need to carry a medically fit certificate from a doctor in order to go on this trek.

Highlights of the Trek

The highlights of the Mardi Himal Trek are as follows:

•       The most important highlights of the Mardi Himal Trek is camping at the Mardi Himal Base Camp just at the base of Mardi Himal and Mt Machupuchare. You need to be here to experience the beauty of this place.
•       Stunning and enchanting views of Mt Machupuchare, Mardi Himal, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and Manaslu.
•       Journey through the secluded and offbeat trails of the Annapurna region is very peaceful and serene.
•       Get a glimpse of the daily life and rich culture and be a part of the Gurung lifestyle and culture of the authentic interior villages of Nepal.

How to Reach

Via Air: Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport located in Kathmandu, Nepal. From Kathmandu, you need to reach Pokhara. There is no airport available in Pokhara but there is a landing field and you need to book an additional flight to reach Pokhara. The popular airline companies that run flights in this route are Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Simrik Air and you need to book the tickets in advance which are quite expensive. The total air distance is 200 km and can be travelled within 30 minutes.

Via Train: There is no railway option available in Nepal and you need to reach Gorakhpur, Raxaul, or Jaynagar, New Jalpaiguri in India. From Gorakhpur, you need to reach Sonauli border, or from Raxaul you can reach the Birgunj border or from Jaynagar you can reach the Panitanki border. From these places, you can book a car or take a bus to Pokhara via Kathmandu.

Via Road: If you are coming from the Gorakhpur side, Pokhara is 275 km away from Gorakhpur and would take around 8 hours to reach. If you are coming from Raxaul, then the distance covered is 259 km and would take around 7 hours to reach Pokhara. If you are coming from Panitanki, you need to reach Kathmandu first which is 457 km and will take 12 hours to reach. From Kathmandu, you need to reach Pokhara which is another 200 km in distance and will take 6.5 hours to reach.

Pick up point- Pokhara, Nepal

Drop point- Pokhara, Nepal

Pick-Up and Drop Time: On Day 1, you should arrive to Pokhara as per your schedule and contact our team. On Day 2, our journey for the Mardi Himal trek will start from Pokhara at 9 am after breakfast. On the last day, we will reach Pokhara by 4 pm however we suggest booking your return journey from 7 pm onwards.

Mobile Network Availability: NCell, the local network is available in the lower altitude areas during the trail and the large villages. You will get network signal as well as mobile data services in these places however the coverage is patchy and not at all reliable in the remote areas. So it is best to inform your family about network issues and the best is to inform them in Pokhara itself.