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Price(per-person)
Region
AnnapurnaDuration
11 daysAccomodation
Tea-House (Lodges)Altitude
4500 mMeals
Breakfast/Lunch/DinnerDifficulty
ModerateActivity
TrekkingSeason
March, April, May, September, October, NovemberStart End Point
Kathmandu - KathmanduGroup Size
2-30Total Distance
Approx. 68 kmTransportation
Private vehicle
Mardi Himal Trekking takes you to the hidden pockets of the southern Annapurna Himalayas, which were isolated and forgotten for years. The early pioneers and explorers visited this amazing picturesque high country and named it the Other Sanctuary due to its close location to the actual and original Annapurna Sanctuary, which is a mere distance west. After decades of isolation, the two areas are now separated by a deep, rocky gorge carved by the Modi River. In the last few years, trekking to Mardi Himal has become one of the most desired destinations for all trekkers. It can be a perfect adventure for women of all ages whether you are travelling solo or with your fellow female explorers.
The reason for gaining popularity in Mardi Himal is its easy accessibility from the road head. One can enjoy the adventure in a week or less, and as well for its spectacular viewpoints. The walk reaches the highest point at about 4,500 m, without the problem of getting altitude sickness, which mostly happens around the high-altitude adventure destinations in the Himalayas. This is why Mardi Himal, is regarded as one of the most sought adventure areas for blissful and scenic walks. Mardi Himal is a lesser mountain at 5,587 m or 18,330 feet high, listed as one of the trekking peaks. It is located right beneath the southwest flank of towering Machhapuchare Himal, the famous Fish-Tail peak, within the Annapurna Himalayan region.
The adventure to Mardi Himal base camp trek includes a short, exciting drive both ways in the beginning and at the end. The walk follows through an enchanting forested path amidst tall rhododendrons and pine trees as the trek progresses. Exploring the Mardi Himal region offers a unique opportunity to observe the daily lifestyle of local women, an experience that will empower and inspire every trekker. Upon reaching Mardi Himal Viewpoint, high above the tree line, you will arrive at the final goal and one of the journey's highlights. Stand beneath the staggering and prominent Machhapuchare Himal that dominates the Himalayan blue sky.
Enjoy the fabulous panorama of Annapurna Himalayan groups of snow peaks with Mardi Himal, including views of dramatic rolling green hills. The return journey is on an alternative route from the last camp of High Camp and Badal Danda. Then, the walks lead downhill to the lower farm village at Siding to end the walks and then drive back to scenic Pokhara. You will have a most exciting experience and adventures on Mardi Himal Trekking, with the excellent services of Women Adventures.
Food and accommodation are important, besides the best seasons for trekking to Mardi Himal. After staying in a nice tourist standard hotel in Pokhara, the food and lodge accommodations around villages are simple. En route to designated overnight stops, the lodge accommodation is nice and small and provides a basic food menu to enjoy. In Nepal, the most common meal is Nepali Dal Bhat (boiled or steamed rice). It is served with mild seasonal vegetable curry, including Dal, a lentil bean soup with homemade pickles, and hot sauce as options. The food menu lists from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to snack items.
Breakfast from oats porridge, including cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis and pancake, with choice of egg variation. Lunch and Dinner with Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The most common food for both snacks and the main course is the Nepali Dal, Bhat with vegetables. When available, it includes meat curry, mostly dried buffalo meats and fresh chicken are rare sometimes.
The most available food besides Dal, Bhat is noodles, fried with vegetables or eggs or noodle soups. Next is Tibetan Bread which is made from wheat, millet, or barley flour. Sometimes vegetable dumplings are available, along with fried or boiled potatoes. Fresh bakery bread is rare around most lodges around remote areas of Mardi Himal trekking, but one can order pancakes or chapattis’.
It goes well with fresh country honey, jams, and pickles or butter to add along with refreshing hot drinks like Nepali Tea, coffee, and drinking chocolate where available. All lodges have large dining rooms with a fireplace to heat the rooms while you enjoy the meals. Attached bathrooms and toilets are not available in most places; instead, common toilets and bathrooms are provided. All lodges have electricity for the dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. Trekkers can charge electronic items at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available but slow and disturbing in some places due to weather and conditions of landscape terrains.
Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the Annapurna Himalayas and Mid-West Nepal are the Magar and the Gurung hill tribes. The Gurung are the main inhabitants around the southern hills of the Annapurna Himalayas. The main Gurung villages on this treks are Dhampus, Potana, and Siding villages, inhabited by the Gurung ethnic tribal.
The Gurung are predominantly farmers and cattle herders with livestock. The Gurung menfolk are also famous as Gorkha Soldiers in the Indian, Nepal, and British Army Regiments. They follow both Hindu and Buddhist religions and cultures and celebrate their tribal festivals and events. The Gurung also practices ancient Bon sect of pre-Buddhism, worship of nature and mountain spirits.
Trekkers planning to join for Mardi Himal Trekking or other adventures around the Nepal Himalayas should be aware that Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. The trek involves a lot of uphill and downhill sections, with only a few gradual paths to enjoy along the way. The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. En route to Annapurna Circuit, start with steep ups for some hours with a few short downhill.
En route to Mardi Himal base camp trek start with steep ups for some hours and then a short downhill. From the Deurali onwards to Badal and High Camp, we take a steep up for some hours. We follow the winding trail with a few short, gradual paths to reach our designated overnight stops. After you reach the top of Mardi Himal Viewpoint, the highest spot of the adventure, you can celebrate achieving your goal and experiencing the trip’s highlights.
The return journey is much downhill to Siding village and then on a pleasant winding downhill as the walk ends on reaching the roadhead. At the end of the walk, you will have an exciting drive to Pokhara. The walk is mostly on forested paths, with some stone steps near a few settlements. After leaving the village of Potana and Deurali, you will climb on some gradual sections. It will be an enjoyable walk along with the surrounding glorious scenery.
For those seeking expert guidance, Women Adventures offers a trusted female trekking guide agency with knowledgeable and experienced women trekking guides, enhancing safety and cultural immersion during the Mardi Himal trek itinerary.
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Price Starts From $ 1250
General
Daypack
Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes
Hand
Body
Lower Body – Legs
Feet
Medicines and First Aid Kits
(Our guide will carry first aid kit bag during the trek. We still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as you feel it necessary).
Antibiotics.
Miscellaneous
Women's Health Essentials
The items mentioned on the list are recommended by us but not compulsory so you can pack your stuff according to your necessity. Women Adventures lends you down jackets, fleece liner and sleeping bags as a part of their service but if you have your own then you can bring it according to your preference.