Mardi Himal trek | 9 days

Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara by private car
After breakfast, you’ll set off by private car towards Pokhara, one of Nepal’s most popular destinations. The journey of around 200 kilometres winds through hilly countryside, past green rice fields, rivers and traditional villages. Along the way, you’ll get a good sense of rural life in Nepal. The journey takes around 7 to 8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Arrival in Pokhara in the afternoon.

TIP: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadip scing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna.

After breakfast, your guide will collect you from your hotel in Pokhara. Together, you will travel by car or jeep to the starting point of the trek in Kande, about an hour and a half’s drive away.

From Kande, you begin the walk via a stone staircase that winds its way up through the forest. Along the way, you can enjoy the natural surroundings, with monkeys leaping from branch to branch and birdsong in the background.

After about an hour and a half’s walk, you’ll reach Australian Camp, a beautifully situated spot with panoramic views of the Annapurna range and Manaslu. With a bit of luck, you might also spot birds of prey soaring at the end of the ridge.

From Australian Camp, follow a stone path that takes you further through the forest to Pothana, where you will spend the night.

Distance by car: approx. 40 km
Travel time: approx. 1.5 hours
Walking distance: approx. 6 km
Walking time: approx. 3 hours

Today’s walk begins on a stone path that takes you from Pothana to the Pitam Deurali viewpoint (2,142 m). This spot offers a stunning panoramic view of the impressive peaks of the Annapurna range. On a clear day, you can see Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) and Annapurna South, amongst others, rising above the tree line. With a bit of luck, you may also spot birds of prey soaring above the ridge.

After a short break, the walk continues towards Forest Camp. This section of the route takes you through lush, peaceful woods full of rhododendrons and oak trees. The path is varied — with both ascending and descending sections — but never extremely difficult. Along the way, it is often pleasantly quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and birdsong for company. In spring in particular, the forest is full of blooming rhododendrons, which makes the walk even more special.

Forest Camp is a simple, secluded spot in the heart of the forest where you can spend the night. The lodges here are basic, but offer a hot meal and a cozy atmosphere, often around a wood fire.

Walking distance: approx. 9 km
Walking time:approx. 3 to 5 hours

For nature lovers, this day is highly recommended: the peaceful forest environment and the chance to spot wildlife, such as colorful birds or even monkeys, make this part of the trek special. This is also a great day of walking for families with children: the path is not too technical and offers enough variety to keep it interesting. The mystical atmosphere of the forest, the soft moss underfoot and the views along the way make it an experience that will stay with young and old.

Today you continue your ascent from Forest Camp towards Badal Danda. The path winds gradually upwards through an ever-changing forest landscape. As you climb higher, the vegetation becomes more lush: the rhododendrons become more abundant and the forest takes on an almost fairy-tale quality, with moss-covered trunks, tree ferns and soft carpets of lichen.

You’ll pass Low Camp, a lovely spot to catch your breath and enjoy the first impressive views of Machhapuchhre (also known as ‘Fishtail Mountain’) and the valley far below you. You then continue on to Badal Danda, which literally means ‘cloud terrace’. Here you’ll stay on an open ridge, often just above the clouds, with a panoramic view that is particularly breathtaking at sunrise and sunset.

Walking distance: approx. 10 km
Walking time: approx. 4 to 5 hours

Today you’ll continue your ascent to High Camp. Although the distance is relatively short, the path climbs steadily and you’ll be walking at a higher altitude. The trail winds its way through a varied woodland landscape, where rhododendrons give way to lower shrubs and grasslands as you climb higher.

Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Hiunchuli Peak and Annapurna South. A little later, when you reach the other side of the ridge, extraordinary panoramic views open up towards Machhapuchhare (the iconic ‘Fishtail’) and the impressive Annapurna massif. High Camp itself is situated in a beautiful location and is the ideal base for the trek to the viewpoint the following morning.

Walking distance: approx. 5 km
Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Vroeg in de ochtend vertrek je richting het Upper View Point, het hoogtepunt van deze trektocht — letterlijk en figuurlijk. Bij helder weer is het uitzicht ronduit fenomenaal. Je staat er oog in oog met een indrukwekkend panorama van de Himalaya. Onder andere volgende bergtoppen zijn zichtbaar:
Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Hiunchuli (6441 m), Baraha Shikhar (Fang) (7647 m), Tent Peak (5695 m), Singachuli (6501 m), Ganggapurna (7454 m), Gandharwachuli (6248 m), een kleine top van Annapurna III (7555 m), beide pieken van Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) (6997 m), Mardi Himal (5553 m), en zelfs het Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC). Bij extreem helder weer zie je zelfs de dorpen Sinuwa en Chhomrong in de verte liggen.

Once back at High Camp, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved breakfast, after which you’ll begin the descent to Badal Danda. On the way, you’ll be treated to one last stunning view of the trail you’ve covered.

Walk to Upper View Point: approx. 7 km, 2 to 3 hours
Descent to Badal Danda: approx. 5 km, 1.5 hours

For those looking for an extra challenge, it is possible to continue to the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m). If there is snow, this is quite a dangerous hike, and you will need crampons. This hike takes about 2.5 hours extra there and back from the viewpoint.

After breakfast, you begin the descent towards the lower-lying village of Kalimati. You walk once again through the green forest you passed through earlier during the ascent. The path first leads you back to Forest Camp, where you change direction and continue your descent through a damp, dense forest full of ferns, mosses and rhododendrons.

After about two hours’ walk, you’ll reach the charming village of Kalimati, an authentic mountain hamlet with stunning views over the valley. Here you’ll spend the night in a simple, eco-friendly lodge run by the local community — a special place to wind down after your trek.

Walking distance: approx. 11 km
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours

Today is the final day of your hiking adventure. After breakfast, you’ll set off from tranquil Kalimati and follow the path further downhill towards civilisation. The path winds through small villages and agricultural terraces, offering beautiful views of the lower-lying valleys and hills along the way. The vegetation changes once again: from dense forest to open farmland.

After about a 3-hour walk, you’ll reach the village of Lumre, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. The journey takes around 2 hours, depending on road conditions. Once back in Pokhara, you can enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed and perhaps even a well-deserved dinner by Lake Phewa.

Walking distance: approx. 8 km
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Transfer from Lumre to Pokhara: approx. 2 hours

Today you will travel back to the capital, Kathmandu, by private car. You will follow the same scenic route as on the way there, passing through valleys, along rivers and past villages once again. The journey takes around 7 to 8 hours, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a break along the way. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

The Mardi Himal trek is of moderate difficulty. The trails are easy to follow and the daily distances are manageable. There are a few steeper sections, particularly towards High Camp, but these are easily manageable with plenty of rest breaks.

The best time to visit is in spring and autumn: from March to May and from October to early December. During these periods, the views are clear, the weather is pleasant and the flowers are in bloom. The trek is also possible in winter, although it may snow and it is cooler. This trek is also possible during the monsoon season.

You’ll be staying in small-scale lodges that are simple yet cosy. At lower altitudes, the standard of comfort is a little higher; at higher altitudes, the facilities are more basic, but still clean and well-maintained. You’ll be staying in double rooms; the bathroom may be shared. Don’t expect luxury, but do expect a warm welcome.

The highest point is the Mardi Himal View Point, at around 4,200 metres. However, you won’t be sleeping at that altitude; you’ll be spending the night at High Camp (approx. 3,580 metres), which reduces the risk of altitude-related problems.

Yes, provided you are in reasonably good physical condition and do not suffer from knee problems or balance issues. This trek is ideal for hikers with an adventurous spirit who have not previously hiked at high altitudes.

Yes, on our Mardi Himal trek, a porter will carry your main luggage. This allows you to walk comfortably with just a daypack. We recommend this for travellers who want to make the trek easier and enjoy the walking days at a leisurely pace.

On average, you’ll be walking for 4 to 6 hours a day. On the longest day, heading to Upper View Camp and back down via High Camp, this may be a little longer, but the guide will adjust the pace to suit you

In sommige lodges is tegen betaling wifi beschikbaar, maar reken op beperkt bereik. In noodgevallen is er via de gids altijd contact mogelijk. Dit is een mooie kans om even echt te onthaasten.

From various points along the route, and particularly at High Camp and the View Point, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Mardi Himal itself. At sunrise, the panoramic views are unforgettable.

This trek is suitable for active families with children aged around 8 and over who have some hiking experience. The trails are safe and the distances aren’t too long. However, it is important that children enjoy walking for longer periods.

Yes, during the Mardi Himal trek you’ll reach Mardi Himal Base Camp, situated at an altitude of around 4,500 metres. This is the highest point of the trek and offers impressive panoramic views of the south face of Machhapuchhre (the ‘Fishtail’) and the Annapurna massif. The base camp lies above the tree line, in a rugged mountain landscape, and is a real reward after a gradual climb through forests, alpine meadows and ridges. Please bear in mind that the weather and your physical condition will determine whether you visit the actual base camp or stop at the viewpoint at High Camp (approx. 3,580 metres), which in itself offers a spectacular view.