Mardi Himal Trek - Best Itineraries - Trekking Cost with different options
Mardi
Himal 5,587m is a trekking peak beneath the most prominent, sacred and
fascinating Machapuchre (Fishtail) 6993m Himal in the Annapurna Region within
the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) of Nepal.
Since
it’s opened in 2012, this trek become one of the favorite trekking destinations
in the Annapurna Region of Nepal beside the famous Ghorepani Poonhill Trek,
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Mardi Himal Trek is one of
the shortest trek to reach at an elevation of 4500m which offers a mind-blowing
overlooking view of majestic Machapuchre (6993m), Mardi Himal (5587m) itself,
Annapurna Base Camp, lush rhododendron forest, diverse landscapes, different
villages and the most amazing sunrise view.
If
you are planning your first trek in Nepal, this trek would be your most
impressive trek in the shortest period of time. You need only 4 days’ time to
admire its natural beauty. Although there are different trekking options in
the Annapurna Region, this trek remains the shortest trek to admire the
majestic snowy peaks.
Annapurna
Region of Nepal has much more trekking options from the classic and famous
Ghorepani, Poonhill Trek, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek,
Homestay Panchase Danda Trek to the newly opened and an off the beaten trail
Khopra Danda Trek and Mohare Danda Trek.
Mardi Himal Trek Quick Overview.
Duration – 4 Days
Distance – 40km
Main starting point
– Ghandruk/Dhampus Phedi/Kande
Main finishing point
– Siding/Lwang
Trek Permits –
ACAP permit and TIMS card
Highest elevation
– Mardi Himal Base Camp, 4500m
Walk duration - 5-6 hours
Guide – organized
trek in a group, with a porter/guide or independent.
Trek budget – $25
per person per day
Accommodation –
teahouses/guesthouses
Food – Nepali,
Western, Chinese, Indian
Landscapes - different villages, typical Nepali houses, the agricultural field, lush rhododendron forest, monkey bridge, rivers, snowy peaks, yaks, lakes, sunrise view, Buddhist and Hindu faith.
1. 1. Mardi Himal Trek trails options and Outline Itineraries
2. 2.Mardi Himal Trek Permits and Insurance for the Trek.
4. 3. Best Season
5. 4. Independent Trek or Guided Trek
6. 5. Trekking Cost of Mardi Himal Trek
7. 6. Accommodation and Food on the Trek
8. 7. Best Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
9. 8. Trekking Materials and Packing List for the Trek
10 9. Places to Visit in Pokhara
1.
 |
Trail Option 1
Dhampus Phedi (1100m) is the classic and famous starting
point of different famous treks in Annapurna Region such as Ghorepani Poonhill
Trek, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and Homestay Panchase Danda
Trek. It is 17.5 km away from Pokhara and takes 45mins drive.
Beautiful Dhampus village (1650m) is the first overnight
stay for this trek. It takes a 1.5-hour hike from Dhampus Phedi through the agricultural field, tropical forest, and village. The first 25 mins are steep ascend
on a stone staircase than trail climb up progressively up to the village. Beautiful Dhampus village offers a marvelous view of towing Machapuchre (6993m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), and diverse landscapes.
Ending point at Siding (1750m), one can easily find a
jeep to Pokhara and takes 3 hours’ drive. It cost NRS 1000/- US$9 per person.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu (1350m) – Pokhara (900m) 7 hours’ drive or
25mins flight – Dhampus Phedi drive (35mins) – Dhampus (1100m) 1.5h walk.
Overnight at Lodge.
Day 3: Forest Camp – High Camp (3550m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at Teahouse.
Day 4: Exploration Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) 7 hours
walk. Overnight at High Camp Teahouse.
Day 5: High Camp – Siding Village (1750m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 6: Siding – Pokhara 3 hours’ drive. Overnight at Pokhara
Hotel.
Day 7: Pokhara – Kathmandu, drive back, or fly back.
Overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.
Trail Option 2
Starting point “Kande” is a 1-hour drive from Pokhara. Then
the trail climbs up 1.5 hours to reach the scenic viewpoint at Australian Camp
(2000m). 3 lodges/teahouses are available at Australian Camp. Beautiful
snow-capped mountains such as Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m),
Machapuchre (6997m) and Pokhara Phewa Lake can be observing. This is a perfect
overnight stay in nature.
Ending point at Siding Village, we can find a local jeep to
Pokhara which takes about 3 hours’ drive. Jeep cost per person NRS 1000/-
US$9.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu – Pokhara drive (7hours) or flight (25mins)
– Kande drive (1 hour) – Australian Camp (2000m) 1.5-hour walk. Overnight at
teahouse/lodge.
Day 2: Kande – Forest Camp (2600m) 5 hours walk. Overnight
at teahouse/lodge.
Day 3: Forest Camp – High Camp (3550m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 4: Exploration Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) 7 hours
walk. Overnight at High Camp Lodge.
Day 5: High Camp – Siding Village (1750m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 6: Siding – Pokhara 3 hours’ drive. Overnight at Pokhara
Hotel.
Day 7: Pokhara – Kathmandu drive back or fly back. Overnight
at Kathmandu Hotel.
Trail Option 3
The starting point of the trek is Ghandruk village. One of the
most beautiful villages of South Asia at an altitude of 1940m. It takes 3 hours’
drive on a local jeep from Pokhara. Their hospitality, Gurung Culture, Costumes,
typical Nepali houses, museum and mesmerizing view of Annapurna South (7219m),
Hiunchuli (6441m) and Machapuchre (6997m) fascinate all the visitors. This is a
wonderful place for the first overnight stay of Mardi Himal Trek.
The ending point of this trek is Lwang Ghalel Village. Another
beautiful Gurung village at an altitude of 1500m. Beautiful typical Gurung
houses, an area of 50 hectares of tea plantation, and a homestay facility is a
wonderful experience of local food, culture, and hospitality of this trek. It
takes 2.5 hours’ drive on the local jeep to reach Pokhara. It cost NRP 1000/-US$9
per person.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu - Pokhara 7 hours’ drive or 25 mins flight
– Ghandruk Village (1940m) 3 hours’ drive on local jeep. Overnight at lodge.
Day 2: Ghandruk – Forest Camp (2600m) 5 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 3: Forest Camp – High Camp (3550m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 4: Exploration Mardi Himal View Point (4250m) – Middle
Camp (3200m) 7 hours walk. Overnight at Middle Camp Lodge.
Day 5: High Camp – Forest Camp (2600m) 4 hours
walk. Overnight at lodge.
Day 6: Forest Camp – Lwang Ghalel Village (1500m) 4 hours
walk. Overnight at Lwang Homestay.
Day 7: Lwang – Pokhara 2.5 hours’ drive. Overnight at
Pokhara Hotel.
Day 8: Pokhara – Kathmandu drive back or fly back. Overnight
at Kathmandu Hotel.
Trail Option 4
The starting point is Ulleri, a classic trail to Ghorepani
PoonHill Trek. Since recently of road access, one can go directly on the local
jeep to Ulleri which takes 3.5 hours’ drive. A beautiful village for the first
overnight stay of this trek which passes through the famous Ghorepani Poonhill
Trek.
The ending point of this option is Lwang Ghalel Village, a
beautiful Gurung village with a home stay facility, local food, and warm
hospitality. From here it takes 3 hours’ drive to reach Pokhara on local jeep.
It cost NRP 1000/- US$9 per person.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu- Pokhara 7 hours’ drive or 25 mins flight –
Ulleri 3.5 hours’ jeep drive. Overnight at Ulleri lodge.
Day 2: Ulleri – Ghorepani (2874m) 6 hours walk. Overnight at
lodge.
Day 3: Ghorepani – Poonhill (3210m) – Tadapani (2620m) 6
hours walk. Overnight at lodge.
Day 4: Tadapani – Ghandruk (1940m) 4 hours walk. Overnight
at lodge.
Day 5: Ghandruk – Forest Camp (2600m) 5 hours walk.
Overnight at teahouse.
Day 6: Forest Camp – High Camp (3550m) 6 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 7: Exploration Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) 7 hours
walk. Overnight at High Camp Lodge.
Day 8: High Camp – Forest Camp (2600m) 4 hours walk.
Overnight at lodge.
Day 9: Forest Camp – Lwang Ghalel Village (1500m) 4 hours
walk. Overnight at Lwang Homestay.
Day 10: Lwang – Pokhara local jeep drive 3 hours. Overnight
at Pokhara Hotel.
Day 11: Pokhara – Kathmandu drive back or fly back.
Overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.
MARDI HIMAL TREK PERMITS
One should have two different permits before starting to
Mardi Himal Trek in the Annapurna Region in Nepal. One is the Trekking
Information Management System (TIMS) Card and another is the Annapurna
Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. No need for any other permits for this
trek.
One can obtain these permits Nepal Tourism Board offices in
Kathmandu and also in Pokhara. If you have booked this trek with an authorized
Travel and Trekking company, they will do this for you.
To receive the ACAP permit and TIMS Card, one should have a
passport, details of insurance, 4 passport size photos, and contact details of
a person in Nepal. If you are an individual trekker and don’t know anyone, you
can give contact details of a hotel or guesthouse of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
TIMS Card fee: NPR. 2000/$18
ACAP permit fee: NPR. 3000/$27
Note: They only accept Nepalese Rupees.
Gandaki Province had announced to charge a levy of NPR.
1000/- per tourists to enter the area but not in effect. However, keep in mind
that maybe it will be into effect in the future.
INSURANCE FOR MARDI HIMAL TREK
This trek is considered as a moderate trek in Nepal, with
the highest elevation of 4500m. It is very important to have travel insurance
because at such elevation the circumstances are unpredictable. So, it is
necessary to have travel insurance for this trek.
But make sure that in case of emergency your insurance
covers the helicopter rescue, natural disasters, medical charges, etc.
Mid-March to Mid-May is considered as the best season for
trekking in Nepal. As the weather is almost always being clear so that we can
admire the snow-capped mountains throughout the trail.
Mid-May to Mid-September is pre-monsoon and monsoon season
in Nepal. So the roads are muddy and landslide can be occurring because of
heavy rainfall. Of course, the weather is not clear.
The end of September to End of December is considered the high
season in Nepal. It permits almost always the best weather with beautiful
landscapes and snow-capped mountains view. October and November are also the
biggest festival celebration time so this is the best season to travel and trek
in Nepal. Since this is the peak season this place is crowded with local tourists
as well as international tourists in the regions.
January and February are winter season so the weather is very cold
because of heavy snow in the high altitude of this trek. Lodge and Teahouse
owners also descend to lower village or Pokhara for 2 months. So trek is
possible but for accommodation and food, we should carry tents and food with
us. Some adventurous do the trek in this season.
INDEPENDENT TREK OR GUIDE TREK
Mardi Himal Trek can be done Independently if you are a regular hiker or trekker in the mountains. The trekking trail is well marked with
blue and white strips and at the confusing point, they have well-marked the arrow.
For the accommodation and food, every trekking destination there are
lodges/teahouses. At forest camp 3 lodges/teahouses available with twin sharing
rooms and common toilets. At low camp also there are 2 lodges/teahouses. At high
camp, there are 4 lodges/teahouses.
But in the peak season, there are so many tourists so it’s
better to hire an experienced guide which costs you $25-30 and a porter $20-22.
Porter carries max. 25kg. The guide can manage to book the lodges for you and inform
you about the trail and importance of this area if you want stress free trek.
If you want a guided tour, there are so many trekking agencies
at Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can join their packaged tour which includes all
the permits, guides, porters, accommodation, and food during the trekking. I
recommend the agency where I work as a guide. Please check the link below.
TREKKING COST OF MARDI HIMAL TREK
TIMS Card fee per person NRP: 2000/-US$18
ACAP Permit fee per person NRP: 3000/-US$27
Breakfast per person per day NRP 200-500/-US$2-4
Lunch per person per day NRP
400-600/-US$4-5
Dinner per person per day NRP 500-800/- US$5-7
Battery charge fee per mobile NRP 150/-US$1.2
One-liter filter water NPR 50-200/-US$.5-2
Guide per day NRP
2500/-US$25
Porter per day NRP
2000/- US$20
Tips for guide Not
mandatory but it’s tourism culture. Recommended $2-3 per day.
Tips for porter Not
mandatory but it’s tourism culture. Recommended $1-2 per day.
Accommodation and food on Mardi Himal Trek
I am mentioning here the teahouses and lodges from Forest
Camp to Lwang Village. In other places, there are plenty of options for accommodation.
1)
Forest
Camp (2600m)
a)
HOTEL GREEN VIEW AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
9806536904, 9817121180, 9846802009
b)
HOTEL MARDI AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
9806635881, 9846802007
c)
HOTEL FOREST CAMP AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
9846619146
2)
HOTEL REST
CAMP AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.: 061-696535, 9856014428, 9816121776,
9806666036
3)
Low
Camp
a)
HOTEL LALIGURANS GARDEN AND RESTAURANT Cell.
No.: 061-696883,9846087626, 9846183583, 9846817340
b)
HOTEL MACHAPUCHRE SHAMJHANA AND RESTAURANT Cell.
No.: 061-696875, 9856031903, 9846418575, 9860504755
4)
Badal
Danda - HOTEL LUCKY VIEW AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.: 061-620041, 9866061995,
9814157732
5)
High
Camp (3550m)
a)
HOTEL FISHTAIL AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
061-696945, 9856014765, 9869143940, 9856075031
b)
HOTEL HIGH CAMP AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
061-696839, 9846284859, 9866014558
c)
HOTEL TREKKER’S PARADISE AND RESTAURANT Cell.
No.: 061-696668, 9856087625, 9846087625, 9846087624, 9846183746, 9815155811
6)
Lwang
Ghalel, Siding (1500m)
a)
GAUTAM COTTAGE AND RESTAURANT Cell. No.:
061-696883, 9846087626, 9846183583, 9846817340
b)
HOTEL TREKKER’S HOME NEPAL HIMALAYAN MEDITATION
CENTRE Cell. No.: 061-696668, 9846087625, 9846087624, 9846183746
Food on Mardi Himal
Trek
In these teahouses/lodges, they serve Nepali food such as
Lentils, Rice, Vegetables, Oil fried wheat bread “Gurung bread”, Chapati bread.
Chinese food such as fried noodles, dumpling-like mo: mo. Other foods such as
pasta, spaghetti, boiled eggs, etc. also
available. You can also buy cane juice, can beer, chocolate bars, etc. but the
price is not the same as in low areas.
BEST MARDI HIMAL TREK DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Kathmandu (1350m) – Pokhara (900m), 206 KM, 7 hours’
drive or 25 mins flight. Pokhara – Ulleri, 52.8km, 3.5 hours’ drive.
Day 2: Ulleri (1960m) – Ghorepani (2874m). 8 KM / 4.9 MILES. 6 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 3: Ghorepani (2874m) – PoonHill (3210m) – Tadapani (2610m).
7.5KM / 4.6 MILES. 6 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 4: Tadapani (2610m) – Ghandruk (2012m). 9.8 KM / 6 MILES. 5 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 5: Ghandruk (2012m) – Forest Camp (2600m), 9.5 KM / 5.9 MILES. 5 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 6: Forest Camp (2600m) – High Camp (3550m) 8.5 KM / 5.2 MILES. 6 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 7: High Camp (3550m) – Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) –
High Camp (3550m) 9KM / 5.5 MILES. 6 hours walk. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 8: High Camp (3550) – Lwang (1500m) 15 KM / 9.3 MILES. 7 hours walk. Overnight at Lwang Homestay.
Day 9: Lwang (1500m) – Pokhara (900m) 17.3 KM. 3 hours drive. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Pokhara (900m) – Kathmandu (1350m), 7 hours’ drive
or 25mins flight. Overnight at Hotel.
Trekking Materials and Packing List for the Trek
Important
Materials:
- Trekking
Poles
- Sleeping
Bag
- Backpack
- Small
daypack for carrying your valuables.
- Personal
first-aid kit (light).
- Important
medicines like aspirin, anti-diarrhea pills, anti-headache pills, cold and
cough medicine, stomach antibiotic.
- Water
purification tablets.
- Water
bottles (2 liters)
- Plug
adapter
Clothing:
- Waterproof
and windproof Jacket (breathable)
- Down
Jacket
- Thermal
tops
- Trekking
shirts
- Trekking
trousers or pants
- Hiking
shorts
- Lightweight
thermal trousers
- Breathable
underwear
- Rain
gears
Head and hand:
- Lightweight
gloves (inner thermal gloves and outer windproof and waterproof gloves)
- Warm
woolen hat
- Sun
Hat
- Headlamp
with extra batteries and bulbs
- Sunglasses
with UV protection
Foot:
- Hiking
socks
- Woolen
socks
- Hiking
boots with spare laces
- Hiking
sandals
- Cotton
socks
- Gaiters
Toiletries and personal hygiene:
- Quick
drying towel
- Toothbrush
and toothpaste
- Soap
- Nail
clippers
- Face
and body moisturizer
- Sunscreen
cream
- Lip
balm
- Foot
powder
- Female
hygiene products
- Anti-bacterial
hand wash
- Wet
wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue
/toilet roll
PLACES TO VISIT IN POKHARA
SARANKOT (1591)
An
amazing hill station at an altitude of 1591m which is 9 km north side from
Lakeside Pokhara and takes only 45 mins drive. This is the world-famous superb sunrise
viewpoint with majestic snow-capped mountains, Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake,
the second biggest lake in Nepal.
BINDABASINI TEMPLE
It is
located on the top of a small hillock at the north end of the old bazaar around
6 km from Lakeside. This is believed to be one of the oldest temples in the
valley and is most famous in Pokhara. On lucky days, you may get chances to
witness Hindu wedding ceremonies taking place on the premises of this temple.
BARAHI TEMPLE
It
is located on a small island in the middle of Phewa Lake, the second largest
lake in Nepal, just offshore from the lakeside. It takes less than 10 minutes
to reach there by boat. The atmosphere is so tranquil that one can enjoy the
green forest scenery just across the south end of the lake, full-scale scenery
of the lake and amazing reflection of the Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m)
and Machapuchre (6997m) on the surface water of the lake. Two stored pagoda
temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of love, and prosperity. Thousands of pilgrimages
from India and different parts of the country visit this temple. There are major
celebrations during Dashain, the biggest Nepali festival, which falls in the
month of October.
WORLD PEACE PAGODA
It
is a massive Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop (Rani Ban) just Southern hill
of Phewa Lake. This Stupa is the symbol of peace where the huge idols of Lord
Buddha from Japan, SriLanka, Thailand, and Nepal have been installed. From here
one can enjoy the breathtaking view of Himalayan ranges, lakes, and the city.
As the route is from the lakeside by boat, it can be enjoyed biathlon of
boating and hiking at the same time. Another option is that you can visit DAVI’S
FALL on the way and then the gentle climbing starts from Chhore Patan. If you
want to avoid all walks, and then you can drive close to the place and walk 10
minutes to the stupa.
DAVI’S FALL (PATALE CHHANGO)
Locally
known as Patale Chhango was naked Davi’s Fall after a Swiss lady was swept away
and died on 31 July 1961. The water flowing from the Phewa lake shows a wonderful
fall. We find a hollow sandy part and a heavy fall of water within its natural
trench. It looks really amazing scene of the rainbow with sunlight when a volume of
waterfalls in the deep rocky gorge and produces water vapor, especially in
summer.
CAVES
There
are many limestone caves as interesting parts of the geological study. Among
them, MAHENDRA CAVE, BATS’ CAVE, and CRYSTAL CAVE are situated in the northern
part of the city and about 8 km drive from the Lakeside. GUPTESHWOR MAHADEV
CAVE, where an idol of Lord Shiva is mysteriously found is situated just
opposite to the DAVI’S FALL.
GUPTESHWOR MAHADEV CAVE
OLD BAZAAR AREA (HERITAGE SITE OF POKHARA)
A historical Newari bazaar is extended in the heart of the city just south
beneath the Bindabasini temple. This area has been protected as an old heritage
site of Pokhara where one can observe old houses, temples, and the cultural life
& activities of Newari people.
TIBETAN VILLAGES
Several numbers of Tibetan refugees have been living in Nepal since 1959. The number has
reached up to twenty thousand now. Pokhara area is the mainland when they
arrived and settled in Nepal. One such is Tashi Ling Tibetan Settlement at
Chhorepatan, which is located near two popular sightseeing sites i.e. Davi’s
Fall and Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave. The other two Tashi Palkhel and Paljor Ling are
situated in Hemja and Prithvi Chowk respectively. One may visit Tibetan monastery,
curio shops, hand-made carpet factories, schools et. In those settlements. Tashi
Palkhel is in Hemja, 9km west from Lakeside, where Zip-line fly-ends nearby.
As
each and every corner of Pokhara is scenic and picturesque, there are many
places and things to see and to enjoy. What you need is to plan it as per your
available time. There are several half-day trips, full-day trips, day hikes
mountain bike routes, and bird watching trips as advised below.
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM
The
International Mountain Museum is situated just 1.5 km south from Pokhara
airport and around 5 km from Lakeside. The spot is rightly selected that we
can enjoy the unique view of the 3 massive mountain peaks; Dhaulagiri,
Annapurna and Manaslu which are above 8000 meters with our single eyesight and
no place in the world offer us such a panoramic view. It provides information on
mountaineering, the world’s mountain system, mountain cultures, environments, prominent
people in mountain history, mountain geography, ecology, an exhibition of
mountaineering, history, and implied methods. Opens daily from 9:00 am to 5:00
pm Managed by the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Entry fee in Nr: foreigners
300, residential foreigners or SAARC citizens 100, Nepali adults 50, Nepali
students 35, and garden visitors 10 only.
Comments
Post a Comment