Mardi Himal Trek

Reaching the trailhead is convenient. You either take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara (about 6–7 hours, Prithvi Highway passing through the Trishuli River valley), or catch a short 25-minute domestic flight. The bus ride offers spectacular views of the river gorges and the agricultural terrain; it's a cheap way to go, but time consuming.

Flying into Pokhara saves time; this will be a good option if time constraints are a key concern.

From Pokhara, take a private car/jeep from Kande village, the trekking point (approx. 1.5 hours' drive, 22km from Pokhara). Kande is accessed by an all-weather road, north of Pokhara city. When your trek ends, a private car/jeep picks you from Siding village for your transfer back to Pokhara (approx 1.5 hours).

Helicopter return from High Camp/Base Camp, in an event of emergency, is available on special request through your trek guide and should be covered by your travel insurance.

Teahouses surprisingly have an abundant and tasty menu despite their altitude! Meals are freshly prepared with ingredients sourced locally and are hearty enough to power you throughout a day of trekking. The classic Nepali rice-and-lentil-soup lunch of “Dal Bhat” is found at almost every teahouse and is highly recommended as the optimal fuel for the trail (many teahouses offer refills for an extra cost or included with meal).

Other items commonly found include noodle soups, pasta dishes, fried rice, momo (Tibetan dumplings), pancakes, porridge, eggs, and various breads.

Vegetarian and vegan dishes are readily accessible at all locations. Bottled water is an option, but bringing a water filter bottle or purification tablets will help you minimize plastic use and save money at the more isolated, higher elevations. Hot tea, coffee and lemon are all standard menu items that make for an inviting and delicious evening refreshment.

We stay in simple local tea houses on the Mardi Himal trek; teahouses are typically family owned simple guesthouses offering a few basic comfortable rooms. Most have twin / double rooms with wooden beds with mattress and blankets – you are very welcome to bring your own sleeping bag for extra warmth which we strongly suggest bringing, especially to High Camp and above. All share toilets - squat and sometimes western - although newer tea houses in the lower areas now have some private attached bathrooms.

Most teahouses have an option of a hot shower for a few extra dollars.

At the higher altitude camps like Low Camp and High Camp rooms can be a little more basic and smaller, but the tea house owners are always friendly and do a good job looking after their trekkers. Wi-Fi is available at most teahouses (for a price) but is unreliable and often non-existent above Low Camp. We spend the first and last nights of the trek in comfortable 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara which include all necessary amenities.

Two permits are required to trek the Mardi Himal route, both of which are included in your package:

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Required for all trekkers entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. This fee directly funds conservation and community development in the region.

TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): A mandatory registration card that records trekker movements on the trail for safety and statistical purposes.

Both permits can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg) or Pokhara (Damside), and at the TIMS/ACAP counter near the Pokhara trekking area. You will need a passport photo and a copy of your passport. Permit checking points are located at Kande (trailhead) and at several checkpoints along the trail, so always carry your permits with you during the trek.

We class Mardi Himal as a moderate grade trek. This type of trek will appeal to reasonably fit and active adults (who have not trekked in Nepal previously) where they have the ability to undertake moderately strenuous walking on consecutive days without an unreasonable amount of effort. You will be walking for 4 to 6 hours each day, with the summit push on your journey to Mardi Himal Base camp being between 6 to 7 hours.

The route varies between stone paved pathways, forest tracks, and open ridge trails and rocky alpine surroundings.

There is considerable ascent and descent along the route and the path to basecamp from High Camp is both steep and challenging. As with all treks at this altitude (4,500m is the max altitude reached) altitude is an important consideration but the itinerary has been planned carefully to permit acclimatisation. No technical ability or high altitude climbing experience is required for this trek; as long as you are generally fit and healthy and can sustain regular cardio exercise (such as walking, cycling or swimming in the run up to your expedition) you should be able to comfortably manage the demands of this expedition.

The itinerary of the Mardi Himal Trek takes a completely natural approach to acclimatisation. It follows an even and progressive slope. The Mardi Himal trek doesn’t rocket to a great height from one night to the next.

Following the road Kathmandu (1350m), Pokhara (822m), our altitude gradually increases via Australian Camp (2060m), Kokar Forest Camp (2520m), Low Camp (2970m), and finally High Camp (3700m) before tackling Base Camp (4500m).

This gradual increase in altitude allows your body to adjust, bit by bit, to lower pressure and oxygen levels, in response to an increase in altitude (this adjustment happens more effectively as altitude increases) . You will do a rest day at High Camp (3700m) before going to base camp: good food and fluids here… alcohol and sleeping tablets are to be avoided! They do not help the body. Do not hesitate to listen to the advice of your guide and listen to your body: always give him and the group the opportunity to inform us of the signs that affect us.

Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS) is a genuine risk on any trek that exceeds 3,000 metres, and the Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500 metres at its highest point. Understanding the symptoms and preventive measures is an important part of your preparation.

Common symptoms of AMS include:

• Persistent headache, particularly after arriving at a new altitude

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or light-headedness

• Fatigue disproportionate to the effort

• Loss of appetite

• Difficulty sleeping

• Shortness of breath at rest
  

Prevention strategies:

• Ascend gradually and never rush the itinerary

• Stay well-hydrated — drink 3 to 4 litres of water per day on the trail

• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes during the trek

• Eat regular, light, and nutritious meals

• Consult your doctor about Acetazolamide (Diamox) as a preventive medication before your trip

• Communicate openly with your guide about how you are feeling
  

If AMS symptoms appear:

• Do not ascend further until all symptoms have fully resolved

• Rest at your current altitude and increase fluid intake

• Inform your guide immediately — they are trained to assess and respond to AMS

• If symptoms worsen, descend immediately; descent is the most effective cure

• In severe cases, emergency helicopter evacuation from High Camp or Base Camp can be arranged through your guide and must be covered by your travel insurance
  

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking base layer (top and bottom)

• Fleece mid-layer jacket

• Down jacket or heavy insulated jacket (essential for High Camp and above)

• Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket and trousers

• Trekking trousers (2 pairs) and trekking shorts (optional for lower sections)

• Thermal underwear for cold nights at altitude

• Trekking socks (4–5 pairs, wool or synthetic)

• Sun hat or cap

• Warm beanie / wool hat

• Lightweight gloves and heavier insulated gloves

• Neck gaiter or buff

• Comfortable camp shoes or flip-flops for teahouse evenings

Trekking Gear

• Trekking boots (well broken-in, waterproof, ankle support)

• Trekking poles (highly recommended, especially for descents)

• Daypack (25–30 litres) for carrying daily essentials

• Duffel bag or large backpack for porter (max 10–12 kg)

• Sleeping bag (rated to at least -10°C for High Camp)

• Headlamp with spare batteries

• Trekking umbrella or compact rain cover
  

Personal Items

• Sunglasses (UV400 or glacier glasses above High Camp)

• High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm with SPF

• Personal water bottle or hydration bladder (2 litres minimum)

• Water purification tablets or personal filter (LifeStraw or Sawyer)

Toiletries

• Biodegradable soap and shampoo

• Hand sanitiser

• Toilet paper and small trowel

• Wet wipes (invaluable when showers are unavailable)

• Small microfibre towel

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Personal feminine hygiene products
  

Electronics

• Camera or smartphone for photography

• Power bank (large capacity, at least 20,000 mAh)

• Universal travel adapter

• Extra batteries and memory cards

• Earphones

Documents

• Original passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond travel date)

• Nepal visa and copies

• ACAP and TIMS permits (provided by us)

• Travel insurance documents (physical copy and digital copy)

• Emergency contact numbers

• Passport photos (4–6 extra copies for permits and emergencies)
  

Medicines

• Personal prescription medications (sufficient quantity plus extra)

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for headache and pain

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS packets)

• Antidiarrheal medication (e.g., loperamide)

• Antacids

• Antihistamines

• Blister plasters and moleskin

• Elastic bandage and antiseptic cream

• Altitude sickness medication (consult your doctor about Acetazolamide / Diamox before travel)

The Mardi Himal Trek has one indispensable item that’s not optional-it's mandatory, and it's a primary part of getting your trek booked:Travel insurance. This is critical because your plan needs to include trekking at altitudes of up to 5,000m and, crucially, helicopter evacuation. This is the only feasible rescue solution from High Camp, or even from Mardi Himal Base Camp, if a medical emergency occurs.

Rescuing people from high-altitude areas by helicopter isn’t cheap – between $3,000 and $7,000 (or sometimes a lot more!).

You can’t rely on your guide or tour agency to organize anything of this magnitude if your insurance or payment isn’t sorted. Make sure your insurance company has a 24-hour emergency support line. Always carry both printed and digital copies of your insurance. World Nomads, True Traveller, Battleface, and other providers commonly offer plans with high Himalayan coverage, so ensure you study the specifics of the plan.

It’s hard to describe a trail in superlatives, but Mardi Himal trek offers so many you’ll find yourself struggling to find new ways to express wonder! This is one of the Himalayas most beautiful, remote and rewarding trekking routes. It’s possible to travel from bustling Kathmandu to the slopes of an imposing, barely-seen massif and back in only 10 days of walking. You’ll cross ancient forests, camp with an alien-like moon and wake at 4,500m with the scale of Annapurna sprawled before you, on what remains to be one of the least discovered treks in Nepal.

This 10-day Mardi Himal trek suits either the first time Nepal trekkers who are ready for a challenge, a returning visitor keen for an experience they can boast about when back at the bar, or the group of friends or family keen on the shared adventure that a mountain trek delivers.