Nima Adventure Trek & Expedition P. Ltd.
Boudha-06, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-9851114058 · info@nimaadventure.com
Boudha-06, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-9851114058 · info@nimaadventure.com
A quiet ridge trek in the Annapurna region, climbing through rhododendron forest to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) beneath the Fishtail. Nine days from Kathmandu.
The Mardi Himal Trek follows a narrow, forested ridge that runs north from the Pokhara valley straight towards Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), the sacred Fishtail mountain. Opened to teahouse trekking more recently than the classic Annapurna routes, it is quieter, shorter and more varied than its length suggests. In just a few days you climb from terraced farmland and rhododendron forest to open alpine ridges above 4,000 m, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Mardi Himal itself filling the skyline.
The trek starts with a short drive from Pokhara to Kande, then climbs past Australian Camp and Pothana into dense forest of oak, maple and rhododendron, which turns red and pink in spring. Above Forest Camp and Low Camp the trees give way to grassy ridges. Badal Danda, the Cloud Hill, often lives up to its name, with a sea of cloud below and the peaks above. From High Camp (3,550 m) an early start takes you along the crest of the ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m, where Machhapuchhre towers overhead and the face of Annapurna South catches the morning sun.
Accommodation is in simple teahouses run by local families. Lodges on the upper ridge are small and basic, which is part of the charm, but they fill up in peak season, so we book ahead. The descent leaves the ridge for Siding, a farming village on its western flank, before a jeep ride back to Pokhara and the lakeside.
The Mardi Himal trek is graded moderate and suits first-time trekkers with a reasonable level of fitness as well as experienced walkers looking for a quieter route. Most days involve 4-6 hours of walking on steep but non-technical trails; the base camp day is longer, at around 8-9 hours. Because the maximum altitude of 4,500 m is reached on a day hike from High Camp, you never sleep higher than 3,550 m, which keeps the altitude risk lower than on longer treks.
Nima Adventure is a Kathmandu-based operator led by Managing Director Kanchha Sherpa, a career Himalayan guide. We take care of ACAP and TIMS permits, transport from Kathmandu, hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and an experienced licensed guide and porter, so you can simply enjoy the ridge.
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you and assist you to transfer in your hotel. Stay overnight at 4 star hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we take a private jeep to Pokhara. On the way, we can see beautiful views of mountains, hills, villages and rivers. It takes around 6 hours. Stay overnight in 3 star hotel in Pokhara.
We take a private jeep from Pokhara to Kande and start our trek to Forest Camp. Stay overnight in Forest Camp.
We start our trek after breakfast. It takes about 5-6 hours to reach Low Camp. Stay overnight in Low Camp.
After breakfast, we start our trek to High Camp. There will be spectacular views of Machhapuchhre ahead and Annapurna South to the left. The trek to High Camp (3550m) takes about 5 hours. Stay overnight in High Camp.
We start our trek early and climb along the narrow ridge to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 meters. From Mardi Himal Base Camp, you can see the sun lighting up the full face of Annapurna South while Fishtail Mountain looms directly overhead. After spending some time at the Mardi Himal Base Camp, we descend back to High Camp for lunch and then descend further to Badal Danda, where we will spend another night.
We continue to descend down to Siding. Today is the last day of our trek. We then say goodbye to the trails and make a return drive through picturesque countryside to Pokhara.
After breakfast, we take a private jeep and drive back to Kathmandu.
Final departure from Kathmandu.
• All land transportation by Jeep or Hiace (Airport/Hotel/Airport) • 2 Nights hotel accommodation in KTM & in PKR on sharing basis (3 star hotel) • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by Jeep or Hiace • Pokhara- Kande by jeep • Siding to Pokhara by jeep • Full board in lodges during trekking to base camp and back. • 1 government license holder guide, and porters on sharing basis. • Daily wages, salary, equipment, transportation, food & clothing for guide and porter. • Medical & emergency rescue insurance for involved Nepalese staffs during the trek. • Nima Adventure’s duffel bag • Trekking permit(TIMS) • Annapurna Conservation Area Project entrance fee • Tea, coffee, hot water, etc during the trek. • Lunch and dinner in Pokhara • Welcome or Farewell dinner in Kathmandu. • Agency service charge. • 13% government tax
• International airfare from/to your country. • Nepal entry visa fee (can be obtained at the airport at upon arrival). • Extra nights' accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara in case of early arrival or late departure, early return, or due to any other reasons than the scheduled itinerary. • Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (also in case of early return from trekking down to schedule itinerary). • Personal insurance such as travel, accident, medical, emergency evacuation and lost luggage. *Mandatory • Expenses of personal nature such as soft drinks,mineral water, battery charge, laundry, postage, telephone, internet/wifi, hot showers, alcoholic beverages etc. • Any change in the itinerary if requested by the client other than the mentioned itinerary. • Extra charge if additional staff added. • Tips and bonuses for Guide and Porter. • Personal trekking equipments and personal medical kits. • Anything that’s not mentioned in the “Package Includes” section.