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Mardi Himal is a small peak by Nepali standards at 5,587m, located in the Annapurna region. For many years, the trek to the base camp was only accessible to a few tourists who were willing to go with tents accompanied by a Nepalese team. But since 2012, the route has been opened to all comers, and because of this, the region is still not very popular. There are no crowds of tourists here like the neighboring trek to Annapurna. But it is here that you can enjoy a truly wild nature, silence and almost no interference from civilization.
Since the route passes through the mountain range - we will always be surrounded by stunning views.
Mardi Himal trek is ideal for beginners who are traveling to Nepal for the first time or have no trekking experience at all. It is designed just for you. Acclimatization is smooth, transitions are short. Plenty of time for socializing, games, yoga, photos, books.
The highlight of the trek is the unique views of the sacred peak of Machhapuchare, the abode of Lord Shiva. Shiva has chosen a beautiful peak for his home, and we will view it from all sides.
Other trekking in Nepal with KULUAR:
- Annapurna base camp is in the same region, but the route runs in the neighboring gorge
- The route around Annapurna is longer and more difficult. The Torong La pass (5419 m) will be a test, and Lake Tilicho will be the reward.
- The classic track to Everest is the most direct route to the base camp
- To Everest via Gokyo Lake - our favorite, but a long and high altitude trekking trip
You can pay attention that the crossings are quite short and the route can be passed faster. But the difference between overnight stays will be more than 1000 m and the chance of severe mountain sickness increases very much. We gain about 500 m per day and gradually get used to the altitude.
The trail runs along the top of a mountain ridge. What are the advantages? The main one is the panoramic views in all directions. It's one of the most views routes. Also, during the ascent, we will not have big descents (in Nepal constantly: a little (a couple of hundred meters) up, a little down) - only a smooth climb.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the consultant approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group on all route, will make the trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! They have been to Nepal many times and know the country in details.
A team leader or our Nepalese partner will meet you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel. The guide will tell you and show you: where to change money, buy souvenirs and equipment, what and where to eat.
The consultant, who will advise you before the trip, herself was in Nepal and will tell you the details from personal experience!
More than 25000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied. We're sure you'll be happy, too!
Kathmandu is, at first glance, a noisy and dusty city. But if you look closely, it is very bright, welcoming and diverse. Try to take a morning flight that day to rest from the road and immerse yourself in the capital of Nepal. In the evening, over dinner at one of our favorite cafes, meet the whole group and prepare for our exciting journey.
In the morning, we are heading to the Kathmandu airport from where we fly to Pokhara, a beautiful town of greenery, flowers and relaxation. We are going to come back here after the trek. Now we have lunch and transfer to jeeps to get to the mountain village Kande. It's a small village nestled in a clearing in the rhododendron forest known as Australia Camping. The views of the Annapurna Massif and Pokhara Valley are panoramic from here. Admiring the scenery, in about 2.5 hours we reach Deurali, from where we can see the picturesque Modi Khola valley, sandwiched between Annapurna South and Machapuchare.
Distance: ≈ 6.5 km, altitude difference: +600 / -150 m, travel time: ≈ 3 hours. Although we walk not much, but the day is very long. Transfer 8-9 hours
After a fabulous morning on top of the ridge, we hit the road. Today we turn off the trail that leads to Annapurna basecamp and take a course to Forest Camp. There are no tea houses and no villages along the way. Only rhododendron forest, wild jungle and mountains around. So we have to take a stock of water and a snack for the day until we get to the campsite, where we can settle in and have a good meal.
Distance: ≈ 8.1 km, altitude difference: +630 / -280 m, travel time: ≈ 4-5 h
A short hike through rhododendron forest along the ridge. Low Camp is a small clearing in the middle of the forest, where a couple of lodges are set up. The peaks of Machapuchare and Mardi Himal became even closer. The blue skies rest against the Himalayan foothills and join the broad valley to the south.
Distance: ≈ 3.5 km, elevation difference: +610 / -60 m, travel time: ≈ 3 hours 
Our trail climbs higher and higher. After 300 meters of elevation gain, we reach the edge of the forest zone and end up at Badal Danda Camping, which means Cloudy Hill. Indeed, after leaving the forest, we now have unparalleled views of the snow-capped peaks of South Annapurna, Hinchuli and the Fishtail Mountains (Machapuchare), which rise above the deep valley. After resting and drinking tea at the only lodge in Badal Danda, we move on to Hai Camp. It is bigger than the previous one, because there are three lodges here.
Distance: ≈ 4.5 km, elevation difference: +560 / -30, travel time: ≈ 3 hours
Today we will make a radial ascent to Mardi Himal Upper Viewpoint and descend back to our lodge in the evening. This will be the most difficult day of our trek, not only because of the maximum altitude of the route, but also because of the steep ascents and descents, as the transitions before this have been more gradual. But for the sake of such beauty, we can endure a little and gather all our strength for the decisive ascent.
We wake up. With coffee in hand, we greet an unforgettable sunrise with a view of Mardi Himal. After a quick breakfast, we head to Mardi Himal View Point.
We will reach Upper Viewpoint. Here we will rest a little and admire the superb views.
The path to Mardi Base Camp is too dangerous and risky, so today our walk will end here.
Distance: ≈ 8/11 km, altitude difference: +700 / -700 m, travel time: ≈ 4-8 hr
We take the familiar trail down to Low Camp. It would seem that we have already seen everything here 2-3 days ago. But believe me, from a new angle, in different weather, everything seems new and unexplored. After all, even our mood affects the perception of the surrounding beauty. From Low Camp, we turn left and take a new road to Sidhing. This is where the dirt road starts, so there's no point in walking in the dust. The jeeps pick us up and by the evening we are taken to Pokhara, where we check into a nice hotel with hot showers.
Distance: ≈ 8.5 km, altitude difference: +140/-1800 m, travel time: ≈ 4-5 h. Transfer to Pokhara: 30km
Having become acquainted with the majestic Himalayas, we now head closer to the Indian border — to Chitwan National Park — to explore the flora and fauna of Nepal’s lowlands.
Chitwan is a unique place, offering almost a 100% chance of seeing wild rhinos. Sometimes, they even wander right into the streets of the town.
The bus journey takes almost a full day, so we’ll fly from Pokhara instead.
Participants who don’t wish to continue the trip can fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara and depart home the next day.
In Chitwan, a variety of exciting activities await us:
You’ll also have the optional chance to bathe with elephants in the river — not officially part of the program, but it usually happens around midday and is highly recommended for the unforgettable experience.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy a stunning sunset and wildlife watching along the opposite bank of the Rapti River.
We fly back to Kathmandu — once again choosing a flight, since the road to the capital is frequently under repair and a bus ride can take up to 10 hours. Why waste an entire day on travel?
Depending on our arrival time and hotel check-in, we’ll plan visits to some of the main landmarks of Nepal’s capital.
Our journey through Nepal comes to an end! Now you're ready to start planning more challenging adventures — like a trek to Everest Base Camp, a climb of Kilimanjaro or Ararat, or other exciting expeditions with KULUAR! We've got plenty more to amaze you with!
Depending on the weather conditions and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
A visa to Nepal is issued right at the border. Detailed instructions for obtaining here >>.
To participate in the hike, you must not have any of the following diseases: the list here.
After the trek to Mardi Himal trek, we recommend the following routes:
If you are going to Nepal for the first time, you want to see as much as possible, to experience the diversity of the Himalayan landscape, to walk through the jungle and forests and to reach the highest mountains of our planet - you are on the right track. This trek is considered one of the easy ones in Nepal, so often newcomers who are not confident in their strength and altitude tolerance sign up for the group. The main highlights of the route are the wild uninhabited trails, magnificent views of Machapuchar and Annapurna, and lookout points on the approach to Mardi Himal base camp, one of which we will meet an unforgettable sunrise.
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat in lodges, the backpacks along the route will be light. In addition, there is always the possibility of hiring a porter, which we strongly recommend to all participants. He will carry the main part of your luggage (up to 12 kg), and you will walk with small rucksack with warm jacket, water, documents and money. The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp is the easiest by Nepalese standards and can be done by anyone with an active lifestyle. But just to get up from the couch and pass the track will be very difficult. The best preparation for the trek is running (about 5-7 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your stamina, but also train your legs for the daily treks. The better your fitness, the easier you'll tolerate altitude, acclimatize and enjoy the trek and the scenery around you more. For hiking fitness tips from experienced climbers, read the article.
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas, spring (mid-March to late May) and fall (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in early spring, you should be prepared for the fact that there is still a lot of snow on the pass and the approaches to the lakes, and the lakes themselves are hidden under the ice. Closer to the middle of April the first lakes will melt, the snow on the trail will remain only on the approach to the base camp. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which against the background of snow-white mountains create incredible contrasting pictures. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may rain or snow. But by this time we usually arrive at the boat house. Also, spring is the active season for climbers of Everest and Lhotse, so the sections of the classic trail will be oooh-full of people and cargo animals. But there is an upside to this - April and May are the base camp full of life, with lots of tents and would-be climbers. Autumn is warmer, there are hardly any clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere; base camp is empty.
Most of the trek is at moderate altitudes. Temperatures will be around +20 degrees during the day and can drop to freezing at night. At the highest overnights the temperature can drop to -15 outside, and to 0...-2 in the rooms. Rains are not frequent. Characteristic weather for the mountain regions is clear mornings and cloudy evenings.
You should buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the track. The most convenient way to buy tickets is to fly with AirArabia and FlyDubai. Notice that the luggage is not included in the price and you need to order 20 kg extra at the time of purchase, or buy a package with 1 piece of luggage. On boarding you will need a credit card, with which the tickets were paid for - do not forget it! Tickets cost $500-$700 round trip.
To find the cheapest tickets you can use the form below:
Mobile communications along the route will at times be lost. Where it is available, 3G works. Most lodges have paid Wi-Fi, costing 100-300 rupees. In Pokhara and Kathmandu there is free internet in cafes, as well as in hotels. Charging is available in almost all lodges, the cost can be per hour or per device, price 100-700 rupees.
In Kathmandu we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all the loggias, but in the rooms there are rarely outlets.
There are gas showers along the whole route, but the higher you go, the worse it is. Good showers in Namche Bazaar, Pyramid and Lukla, where we try to stay in rooms with showers in the room. In the other localities, at an altitude of 4,000 m or higher, we do not recommend showers, as you can easily get sick.
On the 11th day of the trek we plan to spend the night in "The Pyramid" at an altitude of 5050m, where you can enjoy comfortable rooms, hot showers, free charging and unlimited tea/coffee and delicious food.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: a nice lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dole - no shower and with ice in the sink, cool rooms at the Eco Resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukung, a mug of tea after a night in a room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
Individual accommodations are possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
The menu at all lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges may be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to get a decent meal.
For an example, we recommend looking at some of the most expensive prices on the route in the village of Gokyo, and here is a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the trek to Everest.
Let's face it, some people like Nepalese food a lot, but there are also those who "don't get it". Meat is usually scarce on the trek, so you can take some lard and a stick of sausage with you.
The currency of the country is the Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to 1 dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at the exchange office, with which we have long had an agreement for a more favorable rate. The teamleader will take you to the right place. It's noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - so don't be surprised if you get a bundle of rupees punctured with a stapler - it's quite normal. All expenses en route are in rupees only. Exchange about $500 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Also, there are big restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals and fees are racked up.
You should buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu), not at the sights. Always haggle with Nepalis; sometimes the price can be discounted several times over.
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 15 days of stay - $ 30. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>. To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
To participate in the campaign you must be free of diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list here.
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
These people are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can carry no more than 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $ 20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be twice cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might unload on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, see the article "Porter on the trek - to take or not to take".
To participate in the program, you need to take good insurance that is valid at altitudes up to 5,500 m, covers mountain hiking, and includes helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuular Hikers".
There is no miracle pill that will save you from mountain sickness. The main thing is a smooth and competent acclimatization. Some pills can speed it up and make it easier. If you are sure in your abilities it is not necessary to take pills.
Minimum group for this program: 5 participants. We have calculated the costs for a smaller number, but increased them slightly. So as not to be in the red ourselves.
So we can confirm the date earlier, and you will have the opportunity to buy tickets and plan your unforgettable trip!
| Number of participants | Value |
|---|---|
| 5 and more | 1130$ / 1350$ |
| 4 | 1200$ / 1450$ |
| 3 | 1300$ / 1550$ |
The total amount of mandatory expenses that are not included in the price is approximately $800+ airfare to Nepal. We recommend that you bring about $300 extra for your trip.
Of that amount, we recommend converting approximately $400–500 into rupees.
WE ARE RECOMMENDED: For $75 you can book a porter (12 kg) for the whole trek. Those who have little experience, we strongly advise ordering the porter at once and not to spoil your impressions with a heavy backpack.
If the amount of prepayment is too much for you at the moment, but you still want to book a place, write to the consultant and he will break it down into comfortable parts.
👉 Check out: payment methods and refund conditions in case of cancellation or departure from the route
Dear friends! We kindly ask you to choose dollar banknotes issued in 2009 or newer. Banknotes of the 90s are not accepted in many countries, and we sometimes have problems with payments with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and happy new dollars :)
*Please note: the consultant will help with the selection and search for air tickets, recommend an insurance company, but it is not his task to purchase them. Participants do it themselves or contact our partners, all contacts are in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance
