Mardi Himal Trek 12 Days

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. 

Today, upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our company representatives will receive you and escort you to the tourist standard hotel booked for you. If time permits, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek, followed by an introduction session with other members (especially Sherpas and guides) of your team.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and trek preparation. | Meal: B

The capital, Kathmandu valley itself, is a big storehouse of exclusive natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a few hour tours to the major attractions of Kathmandu valley. After spending a few hours observing these wonderful sites, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gears (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.) required during the trek. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu.
(Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia.)
Optional site: Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara - Altitude: 850m | Drive: 6/7hrs | Meal: B

Today, in the morning our guides will come to pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the bus station to catch an early morning, comfortable tourist bus to Pokhara. The bus will head towards the west of Kathmandu Valley and continue the journey towards the western part of Nepal following the Prithvi Highway along the Trisuli River. The bus will stop twice – one for breakfast and one for lunch and then continue until we reach Pokhara. The evening can be utilized to explore the lake area. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: Comfortable tourist bus, windy highway along the Trisuli River, breathtaking view of waterfalls, rivers, jungles, hamlets higher up on the hills, terraced fields with seasonal crop, different vegetations, curious faces of people running motels, restaurants and lodges, Lake area in Pokhara.)

Day 04: Pokhara to Phedi drive and Trek to Pothana - Altitude: 1970m | Drive: 40min | Trek: 5 hours | Meal: BLD

Pothana is the destination set for the day. After having breakfast, the trip continues with a 40 minute bus ride to Phedi. The upward hike begins from here. A climb through the jungle, passing several small villages takes us to the beautiful Gurung village -Dhampus. From Dhampus, a steep climb will first take us to the Australian Camp, passing Deurali. We further walk up to Pothana situated on the Annapurna Circuit trail. The evening can be spent exploring Pothana and enjoying the views of the mountains. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Pothana.
(Highlights of the day: Spectacular view of the Annapurna Mountain range and Machhapuchhre, a number of beautiful Gurung settlements; their lifestyle and traditional houses surrounded by the farmland.)

Day 05: Pothana to Forest Camp - Altitude: 2550m | Trek: 7 hours | Meal: BLD

The Forest Camp is the destination set for the day. From Pothana, the upward hike continues on the stone paved trail till Deurali. On reaching Deurali, we leave the circuit trail and catch an off-the-beaten-trail that heads east. The trail passes through the dense forest, presenting the glimpses of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif and some wildlife en route to the Forest Camp. We reach the forest Camp around the afternoon, where we set up the tent for the overnight stay. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the Forest Camp.
(Highlights of the day: Magnificent, closer view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, glimpses of leopard, deer, monkeys and various species of birds, dense forest and the experience of a tented camp along with the meals prepared by local cooks)

Day 06: Forest Camp to High Camp - Altitude: 3580 m | Trek: 6 hours | Meal: BLD

The High Camp is the destination of the day. Leaving the Forest Camp we proceed towards the High Camp. Though the distance is short the climb through the forest of Rhododendron and Juniper forest is quite steep. The settlement is almost nil around this area. We first pass Manjh Danda to reach the low camp, and then we pass the Nangge Danda to reach the high camp. The top greets you with the most spectacular view of Machhapuchhre, the Annapurna Range, the valley of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the High Camp.
(Highlights of the day: Dense forest of Rhododendron and Juniper, splendid views of Machhapuchhre, the Annapurna Range, the valley of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal.)

Day 07: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High Camp - Altitude:4500 m | Trek: 6/7hrs | Meal: BLD

Mardi Himal Base Camp is the destination set for the day. Today we wake up earlier than usual to enjoy the sunrise view from the High Camp. Today is a challenging day as the day requires walking on a narrow, rocky trail. Leaving the High Camp, we ascend for about 4 hours to reach the base camp of the Mardi Himal. After enjoying the views from the base camp, we walk back to the High Camp. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the High Camp.
(Highlights of the day: The spectacular sunrise view from the High Camp, view of the great ice fields and the blue glaciers of the Sanctuary wall, the stunning Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal with a dozen of glistening snow-bound giants and also the hovering Lhophophorous above us.)

Day 08: High Camp to Siding Village - Altitude: 1850m | Trek: 7 hours | Meal: BLD

Siding Village is the destination set for the day. From the High Camp crossing the Nangge Danda, a steep descent brings us back to the Low Camp. From the Low Camp, we leave the trail used earlier and head towards the Mardi Khola River through the dense forest. The walk continues till Siding. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Siding.
(Highlights of the day: Dense forest, friendly little settlements, lovely fields and the experience of pristine Nepali countryside.)

Day 09: Siding Village to Pokhara - Altitude: 850m | Trek: 2.5 hours | Drive:1 hour | Meal: BL

Pokhara is the destination set for the day. Leaving Siding, we now hike down following the line of the river valley, passing various small settlements of Gurung and Tamang people until we reach Lumre. At Lumre, we catch a vehicle that will take us to Pokhara in one hour. The evening can be spent exploring the Lake area. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: Beautiful view of mountains, and the cute little settlements of Tamang and Gurung people, attractions of Lakeside in Pokhara.)

Day 10: Sightseeing and relaxing Pokhara. | Meal: B

After a number of days of a tiring hike, we spend the day relaxing the tired muscles. Pokhara is a beautiful place that offers a number of attractions to both tourist and the local people. Today we spend our time exploring various attractions of Pokhara. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: A number of attractions like Santi Stupa, Davis fall, Phewa Lake, Caves and other attractions of Pokhara with a comfortable night at a tourist standard hotel.)

Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. | Meal: B

Kathmandu is the destination set for the day. Today we drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which leaves you enough time to spend your day in Kathmandu. The day can either be spent resting at the hotel or exploring the cities of Kathmandu. 
(Highlights of the day: 25-30 minutes scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, and a comfortable tourist standard hotel and a farewell dinner in Kathmandu)

Day 12: Departure day | Meal: B

This day is the last day of your trip in Nepal with us. If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few souvenirs in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, our team can also make arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal.

Route Map

Useful Information

PASSPORT AND VISA: 

All the foreign nationals (except Indian nationals) are required to display Visa while entering Nepal. Nepalese Visa can be obtained either at the Nepalese Embassy of the respective country or can be obtained during your arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu or from Nepal’s border entry point in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border.
Certain nationals are requested to arrange Visa prior to arrival in Nepal. The listed countries are- Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Liberia and cannot secure Nepalese Visa on arrival.

VISA FACILITY    DURATION    FEES

Multiple Entry    15 Days    US$ 80 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry    30 Days    US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry    90 Days    US$ 175 or equivalent convertible currency

You can also download the VISA form and fill it up. Please go through the link as below: http://www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa  

MONEY & CREDIT CARD INFO    

Most of the credit card, master and visa card is blocked from your card provider. It may be because of a security reason. It, sometimes, may bring you in a problematic situation that you can't get money from ATMs. To find yourself free from this problem, you can call your card provider before you travel to Nepal and inform there that you are traveling to Nepal. Ensure them to give the authorization for the payment. Be sure you have brought some small amount for your daily expenses as well as for those items which are not included in our cost. If you want to exchange money, we provide you with the facility to change your money. Or, you can take help from Money Changers in Thamel.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: 

While traveling to Nepal, you are requested to have travel insurance that should cover any comprehensive expenses possible to acquire due to medical issues or accidents. Especially, your travel insurance must protect air ambulance, treatment charges, rescue and evacuation, product cancellation and refundable charges, flight delay, and cancellations.

Insurance Policy:

Traveling in the Himalayas is full of adventurous; hence it is wise to choose a proper insurance policy. While choosing your insurance policy, make sure that it will protect all such unforeseen expenses. You must ensure that the policy you do take provides an adequate level of protection, well familiar with your itinerary and covers you for the activities involved. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday or send us a scanned copy and it must be issued from your homeland. 

RECOMMENDATION:

1.    World Nomads

https://www.worldnomads.com/ 

NOTE:

Please, kindly note, these given references of the insurance company above is only a recommendation, which based on the recommendation of our previous travelers. You could review their update insurance policy by contacting them directly.

VACCINATION FOR NEPAL    

Travelers should consult with their physician or update on vaccination requirements before travel. (Your doctor or the health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities). For traveling to Nepal, we recommend you to take vaccination of Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, etc. However, it is not mandatory but recommended.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS (ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS)

Altitude sickness, also known as AMS (acute mountain sickness), is caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes (normally above 3,000m). It occurs as the result of our bodies’ inability to adapt to a sudden increase in altitude. If given time, our bodies will adjust and a gradual ascent will decrease the possibility of altitude sickness. 

PREVENTION OF AMS: Go slowly, drink a lot of water, and pay attention to the sensations of your body. If symptoms occur you have climbed too far for the day. Rest at the same altitude will give you time to acclimatize and usually relieve mild symptoms. 

MILD SYMPTOMS: Headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and mild shortness of breath with minimal exertion, difficulty sleeping, dizziness or lightheadedness, mild weakness, fatigue, a general unwell feeling. 

SERIOUS SYMPTOMS: The inability to recover from shortness of breath with rest, severe persistent headache, low urine output, vomiting, confusion, delirium, loss of coordination. These require immediate descent as acclimatization will not take place at the same altitude. 

The key is to trek slowly, carry a light pack and just take it easy. Allow your body the time it needs to acclimatize.

ARRIVAL INSTRUCTION

Upon your arrival at TIA International Airport, our company's representatives are stationed to pick you up. They will be holding your name sign along with the company's name in it. Our office representative will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu.