The shortest and most challenging sub-trail in the Annapurna region, Mardi Base Camp Trek, is located at an elevation of 4500 meters above sea level. Mardi Base Camp Trek can be your best option if you’re in Nepal and searching for a challenging, 5-day uphill mountain trek. The highest point of this walk is Mardi Base Camp, located at an elevation of 4500 meters above sea level and begins at 900 meters in Pokhara.
The trail can be finished in three days if you are a quick walker and frequently go on hikes. We advise you to take five days off from your routine and embark on the Mardi Base CampTrek; nevertheless, if you want to make the most of the paths, admire the vegetation, and appreciate the picturesqueness of the mountain ranges that smile right at you with their peacefulness.
Trekkers and tourists are warmly welcomed at Mardi Base Camp Trek. When you begin your walk from Kande, the village’s hospitable and culturally rich locals will fit you. The path is undiscovered and home to many endangered plants and animals. Rhododendron, Oak, Magnolia, and Pine are just a few of the exotic plants and trees that abound in the forests.
Mardi Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
As your plane approaches Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will see the world’s highest mountains from your plane seat. After you land and complete immigration formalities, we will receive you at the airport and drop you at pre-booked hotels. As you come out of the airport, it is natural to feel cultural shock, but no worries, as we are here to assist and guide you throughout your trek journey—overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali (2200m, about 4 hours trek)
After a nicely cooked hot breakfast, we drive an hour to Kande and commence our trek at Kande, the elevation of 1770 meters. 1.5 hours climb up takes to the beautiful hamlet of Australian Camp at the altitude of 2100m. The trail to Australian Camp from Kande is an uphill and pleasant easy walk up to Pothana from there, and it is a gradual walk up to Deurali (2200m) for about 2 hours, where you stay in a tea house lodge for the first night. It is an easy start for the first day.
Day 3: Trek to Low Camp (2,900m);7 hours of walking
From Deurali, I leave the main Annapurna Sanctuary trail, take off the beaten path to Mardi Himal Base camp to the right side, and continue along a quiet path through a dense forest of oak maple hemlock and rhododendron. Some 4 hours of jungle walk will bring us to a clearing of the woods at Forest Camp. We take a lunch break; then continue up to Low Camp through the forest; however, as we ascend, the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron, and the trees are covered with moss, lichen, and tree ferns. At Low Camp, there are now four lodges. You may find it a long and arduous day. It is acceptable for regular fit trekkers, if you are a beginner or moderate trekker, you can split the day, and the total trek will be seven days, while our pre-set itinerary is six days. Overnight in Low Camp
Day 4: Trek to High Camp (3585m) 5-6 hours trekking
1.5 hours climb through rhododendron forest takes us to Middle Camp, then to Badal Danda offers a stunning view of Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal itself. An hour or so above Low Camp, the trail breaks out above a tree line, and towards the west, there is an excellent view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge, mainly on grass with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is more significant than the lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp; this one has eight rooms and a separate dining room with a heater. The view from the club is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
Day 5: Hike Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m); back to Middle Camp (3200m)
The plan for today is to wake early for a sunrise view of the mountains, then walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp after an early breakfast. There is a well-established trail through the grass with a few steeper sections; however, overall not too challenging. Look out for the dzokpe (yak/ cow crossbreds) grazing here and Danphe pheasant. In the summer, the sheep and goats from lower villages are brought up to graze in this area so that you will pass several herder’s huts along the way. After three hours, you should reach Base Camp at the elevation of 4500m. It is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary. The panorama view is spectacular, looking at the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
Day 6: Trek to Siding village (1,750m) -6 hours walking
On the way back, we take a different route, so completing a circuit, from Low Camp, there is a trail that goes down to Siding village rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepalese village and still very much away from the busier modern tourist treks, and you will likely stay at a homestay in Siding owned by the person who runs one of the lodges at Low Camp. It is a beautiful cultural experience to learn more about village life, and you will probably eat dhal baht in the evening with the family in their kitchen.
Day 7: Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara- 3 hours walking and 2 hours driving
From Siding, you walk out to the road and head to Lumre. On the way from Siding, you will pass the villages of Kalimati and Ghalel. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghalel and Siding mixed Brahmin and Gurung. At Lumre you will meet a jeep organized by Wilderness Excursion in advance to drive you back to Pokhara.
Day 8: Drive from Pokhara(820m) to Kathmandu(1350m)
We leave Pokhara early in the morning to take the bus to Kathmandu. You can either fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. The drive is 200km, following the Marsyangdi River and the Trishuli River. The scenic drive renders some fantastic views of natural serenity and terrace farmland. Also, our trip concludes as we make memories to cherish for lifelong. There is a promise to keep that we shall meet again.
Best time to visit Mardi Base Camp
There is no ideal time to travel to Mardi, and any time of the year is suitable for visiting. There are two perfect seasons to discover Mardi Himal’s exotic splendour; nevertheless, if you want to get a more in-depth understanding of nature.
You may view a variety of mountain vistas during the Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region. In addition, the Pokhara valley’s breathtaking scenery, luxuriant vegetation, and temper tantrums have a wealth of things to offer.
The finest seasons for trekking in Nepal are autumn and spring. A year-round activity is short treks across mountainous areas, though. Trekking in the Mardi Himal region is more convenient because of the clear and simple pathways. Trekking in this area has been difficult only when there has been a hefty snowfall. Due to the potential for landslides and slick terrain, monsoon can be difficult. In addition to this, when you approach the mountain region, other times of the year are breathtaking.
Autumn (October to December)
There won’t be much rain throughout these months, and the sky will be clear and blue. Due to the holiday, the weather will be pleasant, and you can learn about the locals’ culture.
From this point on, the trekking season begins, and you’ll encounter many people along the road. One of the happiest times of year to visit Mardi Himal is now. Since it is also autumn, be ready to pass by different coloured leaves.
Spring (March to May)
Spring usually starts in March or April. At this time of year, the route is covered in colourful Rhododendron blossoms, the sky is clear, and the flowers are vibrant.
The best time of year to visit Mardi is right now. The flowers will frame the mountains; all you want to do is sit somewhere and take it all in. You will be in awe of the scenery and be speechless.
Mardi is best avoided from July through September. The trail will be muddy because it is the wet season. However, you can climb up to other camps and spend the night there if you have an umbrella or raincoat. But we advise against travelling at this time due to the slick roadway and obscuring the view.
Mardi Base Camp Trek Difficulty
The Mardi Himal Hike is a simple trek in Nepal’s Annapurna area. It is a short, beautiful, simple hike in a pristine mountain environment. Due to its recent exploration and lack of commercialization, this place is beneficial in terms of the experiences you can have there.
Trekking to the Mardi Base Camp is a short hike. The Mardi Base Camp hike has a total distance of around 27 km and a maximum altitude of 4500 m. Therefore, most of the walk is uphill, and you quickly gain altitude. As a result, you are more likely to get altitude sickness, especially if you are a novice trekker with little prior trekking experience.
The cold weather and significant snowfall present another challenge during the winter. The walk is always challenging, and in some cases, it can be pretty dangerous to trek through deep snow because there is a threat of becoming lost.
Rainfall during the monsoon causes the pathways to becoming slick, making trekking a challenge. Leeches abound on the forest pathways that are off the beaten path. You cannot escape these effects, but you can lessen them. Therefore, avoiding hiking during the monsoon is best due to the leeches and the slick terrain.
Permits required for the Mardi Himal trek
We usually require two different permits to go on any hike in the Mardi Base Camp. Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). These permits are required to access the Annapurna Area as Mardi Himal lies in the Annapurna region, and ACAP personnel will examine them at several checkpoints. These cards are non-expiring so you can spend as much time in the conservation area. But we recommend you only use them once. However, you’ll need a new permit to re-enter the Annapurna region’s other hiking trails.
If you’re trekking alone in Nepal, don’t worry. You can get these permissions from the Nepal Tourism Board. Nepal Tourism Board has its office in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Therefore, you can get them before your trek. If you are with the trekking company, they will handle all necessary trekking permits.
TIMS Card
Individual travellers must receive a Green TIMS card. The cost will be USD 20 per person. A trekking company like us will obtain a Blue TIMS card for group trekkers. If you are going on a trek with a trekking company, the cost of the TIMS card is around USD 10 per person.
ACAP
To enter the Annapurna Conservation Area, all trekkers must get Entry Permits (ACAP). It will cost 1,000 Nepali rupees for SAARC nationals. However, it will cost Nepali Rupees 3,000 for other residents (not from SAARC countries). Please visit the NTNC website for additional information: https://ntnc.org.np/.
Things to consider during Mardi Base Camp Trek
- All you need is a good pair of shoes and a stick because you will be walking for the full five days.
- Remember to bring your water bottle; you can fill it up along the way.
- The key to ascending to high altitudes is to stay hydrated.
- Littering is strictly prohibited on the route because the entire thing supports eco-tourism. Additionally, kindly refrain from picking any of the plants or animals out of respect for them.
- Always keep high-altitude sickness medication on hand. Make sure to stroll alongside your travel companion if you are not accustomed to travelling at high altitudes. They will take care of you if you become altitude ill severely. Don’t freak out.
- Granola bars and energy tablets are both transportable. You might be hungry because there are no restaurants along the road.
- Follow the blue and white markings on the tree if you get lost along the route.
- Leeches can be a problem when travelling during the rainy season. To get rid of it, you can carry your salt.
- Enjoy every second of your trek’s therapeutic second and make the most of it.
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