With the popularity taking its peak, the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek can be a great alternative if you are looking for a less commercialized trekking trail in the Annapurna region in Nepal. In regards to the other trekking trails in the Annapurna region, this trail is comparatively new and offers authentic trekking experience to the trekkers. From start to finish, the beauty of the surrounding landscape captivates trekkers’ attention.
The Mardi Himal Base Camp trail that starts at the altitude of around 1700 meters, goes through the settlements of Gurung people to the dense forest of Rhododendron, Oak and Birch and then to the treeless land all the way up to 4500 meters in just 5 days, rewarding trekkers in a number of ways. Initially, trekkers get insight into the lifestyle and culture of Gurung people living around the first leg of the trail. As soon as they get into the forest, they can enjoy the tranquility of the forest created by fresh air, chirping birds, singing insects. Once out of the forest the gigantic peaks like Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Baraha Shikhar, Singu Chuli, Annapurna I, Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre make grand appearances.
Adventure Mountain Explore Treks and Expedition offers an 11 days Mardi Himal trek package that starts with your arrival at the airport in Kathmandu and ends with your departure from the same airport. Before heading to Pokhara to officially start the trek, you will spend one day in Kathmandu exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. You will spend a total of 3 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in the beautiful city of Pokhara and the remaining nights at various night-stops along the Mardi Himal Base Camp trekking trail.
Moreover, the itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements, therefore, kindly let us know, if you have any special requirements like private room, choice of hotel in the city, private vehicle, dietary restriction, air transportation or private car/jeep transportation to bus transportation etc., and we will craft the package accordingly. If you have a bigger group of family or friends, we also offer you a special discount (contact us for further details).
March to May and September to early-December are the best times to plan Mardi Himal trek in Nepal. This is also a very suitable trek, if you are planning a trek with children and elderly in your group.
Trip Includes
â— Airport transfer service upon arrival and departure (private car/jeep/minivan)
â— 3 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu (3 Star Standard Hotel)
â— 2 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Pokhara (3 Star Standard Hotel)
â— One full day guided city tour in Kathmandu in a private vehicle
â— Luxury tourist bus transportation to and from Pokhara
â— Private car/jeep transportation from Pokhara to Kande
â— Shared jeep transportation from Siding to Pokhara
â— All accommodation (standard lodge/teahouse), during the trek on twin-sharing basis
â— Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), during the trek
â— 3 cups tea/coffee (served in cups only), during the trek
â— Seasonal fruits served after dinner every day during the trek
â— Government licensed, English-speaking, experienced and knowledgeable guide and his entire expenses (Guest-Guide ratio 6:1)
â— Porter (Guest-Porter ratio 2:1) and his entire expenses
â— All required trekking permits
â— Insurance of guide and porter
â— All required local and government taxes
â— Duffle bag and trekking route map (souvenir)
â— Down jacket and sleeping bag (if required)
â— Basic First Aid Kit including oximeter
â— Adventure certificate upon completion of the trek
â— Farewell Dinner
Trip Excludes
â— Nepal arrival visa
â— Personal expenses such as mineral water, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, extra meals, laundry service, hot drinks except tea/coffee, hot water for drinking or any other purpose,lunch and dinner in Pokhara and Kathmandu except farewell dinner etc.
â— WiFi, Battery Charging and Hot-shower services
â— Cost of extra porter (if required)
â— Any extended trips, accommodation or transportation
â— Accommodation, meals and transportation in Pokhara and Kathmandu in case of early return
â— Cost of domestic flights (if required)
â— Travel insurance that provides coverage for helicopter evacuation over 4000 meters, trip cancellation and the cost of medical treatment.
â— Tips (as an appreciation) to the service providers
Useful Information
Why trek with AME Treks to Mardi Himal?
- Our experienced team collaborates with the local porters and guides to provide you the originality of the local culture. Thus, sustainable traveling can be promoted.
- Your safety is our foremost priority. Thus, we will not take any action if it has higher chance of accidents. We would also like you to cooperate with your team leader so as to avoid any casualties.
- Flexibility is taken as a culture at AME Treks. We try to customize your trip according to your requirements and timing as we value our customers.
- Customer service is highly taken into practice.
Health, fitness and experience requirements
Altitudes in the Mardi region demands moderate stamina. Nevertheless, it requires determination, and a good health condition. Some sections of the trek are quite demanding and some days might even require 6-7 hours of walking.
Though trek to the Mardi Himal Base Camp is not considered difficult regarding technicality, it is highly suggested to seek advice, medications and permission from your doctor before scheduling your trek. It is also recommended to take expert guidance from your local General Practitioner regarding necessary guide walks prior to your trek in Nepal. In the absence of GP, seeking advice from travel clinic is also considered as a very good idea. Your prior hiking or camping experience will definitely be considered as a plus point. Also, a few weeks of regular exercise and jogging is recommended before the trip to build up the required stamina.
Postal, Freight and Cargo Services:
Provided at the General Post Office in Sundhara. Phone No. 01-4223512
Telephone Services:
Your trekking guide will carry a phone and you can make emergency calls from his phone. You can also buy your own NTC or Ncell sim card.
The country code for Nepal is 00977 and the area code of Kathmandu is 01. For other inquiries regarding the telephone number 197 can be usedInternet Services:
Email and Internet services are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also buy wi-fi at some tea houses.
Travel Insurance:
If you are planning this trip in Nepal, a travel insurance policy that covers all the added expenses that might result due to various health issues, injuries or accidents. Moreover, it should also cover death, misplaced luggage, theft and liability, cancellations, medical treatment (including hospital charges, cost of medicine, doctor’s fees) as well as repatriation cost. It is also necessary to ensure that the insurance policy covers all extra activities that you are planning to accomplish throughout your stay in Nepal.
Food and Accommodation:
The food and accommodation is basic during the trek. The similar food menu is followed throughout as a community.
To ensure a comfortable stay, we book a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu, before and after your trip. Normally, the rooms are twin share, where you will have to share your room with another member of your group. However, this totally depends on the size of your group and the availability of rooms in the hotel. On request, triple share can also be arranged. However, extra charges will be applicable for a single supplement. Breakfast is provided in the accommodation in Kathmandu. In Pokhara, your accommodation is arranged in a tourist standard hotel with breakfast included.
Medication:
We recommend you to carry few medicines like Aspirin or Panadol –for pain and fever; Antihistamine – as a decongestant for cold allergies and to prevent motion sickness; Antibiotics, Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium or Lomotil – for upset stomach; Rehydration mixture- for the treatment of severe diarrhea; Antiseptic, Mercurochrome and antibiotic powder or similar dry spray – for cuts and grazes; Calamine lotion for irritation from bites or stings; bandages, band aids, a pair of scissors, tweezers - for minor injuries; insect repellent, sun block lotion, lip balms, water purification tablets, throat lozenges, moleskin, Sulamyd 10% eye drops, and Acetaminophen (Paracetamol, Antacid tablets) in your personal first aid kit.
Our legal documents:
Registered under the government of Nepal, Adventure Mountain Explore Treks & Expedition is a fully licensed and certified company. Therefore, this company holds complete authority to operate treks, tours, expedition, hiking and many other tourism related services in the Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. In addition to this, we are also a very active member of the following organizations.
Nepal Tourism board (NTB)
Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP)
Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation
Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd.
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry
Passport and Visa Information:
It is very easy to obtain Nepal’s visa. You may either apply for a visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country or you can buy this upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the trip. However, nationals of SAARC countries (India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan) and China do not require any visa to visit Nepal. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. Therefore, visa is required for longer stays. However, for the convenience or foreign nationals, a visa is also provided from the borders listed below:
Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Far Western Nepal)
Tourist Visa Fees:
Transit visa (3 days) – Free of cost
Multiple entry (15 days) – 30 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (30 days) – 50 USD or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry (90 days) – 125 USD or equivalent convertible currency
(For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar Kathmandu.
Tel: 00977-1-4433934/4429660/4438862/4438868
What should I pack for Mardi Himal Trek?
Head- Hat (with a wide brim), Sunglasses (with UV protection), Sunscreen lotion and Lip balm
Upper body- T-shirts (2), light and expedition weight thermal tops, Fleece jacket and pullover, Fleece wind-stopper jacket (Optional), waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket, down vest/jacket (included)
Hands - Lightweight gloves, heavy-weight gloves/mittens with a waterproof outer shell
Lower body - Underwear (4), hiking shorts (2), lightweight cotton long pants, light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, Fleece or wool pants, waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet - Thin, light-wear inner socks (4), thick, warm wool hiking socks (4), hiking boots with spare laces, camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals), gaiters.
Accessories - Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries, small padlock or combination lock, basic first aid kit, large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag), day pack, water bottles (2), hiking pole/walking sticks, small ear plugs, fanny bags for your valuables.
Toiletries – Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, small wash towel
Extras - Cameras with extra batteries and cards, binoculars, light balaclava or warm fleece hat, reading books, trip map/guide book, journal & pen, iPod, water purification tools or tablets.
* Please leave your extra luggage in the hotel in Kathmandu (free storage is available) and pack as lightly as possible.