Mardi Himal Trek

Overview

A fabulous adventure in a short duration of time, adventurer who is interested for a good challenging climb on the less technical peak then this is just for you, a scenic journey in just one week. Our trek and climb unto Mardi Himal which takes you in the southern Annapurna region. A beautiful peak and to be on top of over 5,500 meter and in the less climbed mountain certainly adds a life time adventure thrill and achievement and to be within this unspoiled area, where you will be in complete harmony and in tranquility with the nature in this complete wilderness. Mardi Himal's East Face is separated from Machhapuchare ridge by a col (circa 5,200m/17,060ft). The normal route of ascent reaches this col from glaciated amphitheatre that rises above a hidden plateau, also known as 'Other Sanctuary'.

These regions are seldom frequented by westerners and the ridges south of Mardi Himal. The area is quite steep sided and heavily wooded with bamboo and rhododendron. Above the forest, high alpine pastures provide good grazing and a habitat for undisturbed wildlife.

As it is lowly altitude the mountain obviously has a great deal of potential for those interested in small scale exploratory climbing and the ridges will certainly present climbing challenges at a reasonable standard.

This rarely visited area provides a tough trek isolated from the teahouses and lodges, which dominate most of the trekking in and around the Annapurna Range.

The trail to base camp is short and sharp on ill-defined trails that would be particularly difficult in wet and snowy conditions.

It is located, approximately fifteen miles or 45 km north of Pokhara as the crow flies, this mountain is the most southerly of the Annapurna range. From some viewpoints it seems little more than an outlier on the southwest flank of Mt. Machhapuchare (Fish Tail). Mardi Himal is the lowest and least climbed and visited of all the trekking peaks in Nepal.

Western mountaineers first noticed this mountain by the photographs of Basil Goodfellow, taken in 1953. It was climbed to its summit by a route on its east flank by Jimmy Roberts with two Sherpas. As seen from the south, Mardi Himal terminated the Southwest ridge of Mt. Machhapuchare as a distinct and separate mass, at right angles to that ridge. On Mardi Himal South West Face are three well-defined ridges rising from rock buttresses and separated by hanging glaciers. It is the most southerly of these is said to have been climbed, but no such details has been recorded.

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrive at Kathmandu (1300m) and Transfer to Hotel

  On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our staff, who will escort you to the hotel. After some refreshments our Sherpa guide or other representative will give you a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do's and don’ts of the area. They will also review any additional information that you might require while in Nepal, including an overview of the next day's sightseeing tour. In the evening, you will enjoy a complimentary welcome dinner at one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu. Transfers by private vehicle.

• Day 2

  Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

  After breakfast you will precede to Kathmandu Durbar Square where you will tour the ancient palace, the temple of Kumari, hailed as the living goddess of Nepal. You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable professional guide. From there you will head towards Swayambhunath Stupa, famously known as the "Monkey Temple". You will then visit Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine for Hindus situated on the bank of Bagmati river, a popular cremation site. Before returning to the hotel you will visit Boudhanath Stupa, a buddhist pilgrimage center and home to many colorful gompas and monasteries. Once back at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about the trek and ask any last minute questions before tomorrow morning's departure. Overnight in hotel.

• Day 3

  Drive to Pokhara, west of the Kathmandu Valley.

  After breakfast, you will board a tourist coach which will take you west of Kathmandu. You will follow Trishuli, Marsyangdi river basin until you finally reach the submissive city of Pokhara

• Day 4

  Drive from Pokhara to Dhampus (1640m / 5,380ft) and trek to Deurali (2100m / 6,889ft)

  Post breakfast you will drive for 2 hrs west of Pokhara to reach the initial point of your trek, Dhampus. As in most trekking trails you will follow through numerous settlements of Gurung, Brahmina nd Chettris on your journey to Deurali. Gaze at massive Annapurna south from Deurali.

  Max Altitude: 2100m

• Day 5

  Trek from Deurali (2100m / 6,889ft) to Forest Camp (2600m / 8,530ft)

  After early breakfast at Deurali you will led to the trail that finishes of for the day at Forest Camp. The trail follows through rhododendron, birch and oak forest. Also there has been reported sightings of leopards, deer, monkeys, and several bird species in this section of the trek.

  Max Altitude: 2600m

• Day 6

  Trek from Forest Camp (2600m / 8,530ft) to High Camp (3600m / 11,811ft)

  Todays trek will transition the vegetation of the place as you make your way to High Camp. The lush forests and water spring now transition to semi-arid landscape which is filled with small bushes and dry rock and soil. As you elevate towards high camp, amazing sighting of Annapurna South and other mountains will lure you into ecstatic state of mind. The topography of the land now turns different as you ascend through narrow ridges open on both sides. To the northern gorge lies modi khola springing up from Annapurna Base Camp while to the south lies Seti and Mardi River basins.

  Max Altitude: 3600m

• Day 7

  Trek from High Camp (3600m / 11,811ft) to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m /14,763ft) and to Low Camp (3,050m / 10,006ft)

  The splendid stake about this trek is the early morning sunrise view from Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m). You will be woken up early in the morning to hike to MBC from High Camp. You will gaze at spectacular view of sun rays touching the shimmering on Mt.Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail. For the next section of the journey, we descend down to High Camp for lunch and further descend to Low Camp for overnight stay.

  Max Altitude: 4,500m

• Day 8

  Trek from Low Camp (3,050m /10,006ft) to Jhinu Danda (1780m / 5,839ft)

  We divert from the original ascending route and follow through a southern trail that passes through thick lush forest to reach Siding. After lunch at Siding we cross through Landruk village: one of the major settlement of Gurungs and follow through to reach Jhinu. Theres a natural hot spring in Jhinu to relax your stressed out muscle.

  Max Altitude: 1780m

• Day 9

  Jhinu Danda/Landruk to Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi (1,150m/3,770ft) drive to Pokhara (820m) via Nayapul (1050m)

  We descend down from Jhinu until you reach the river basin of Modi khola and hike alongside the river until you reach Ghandruk Phedi. Our vehicle will guide you through to Pokhara from there.

  Max Altitude: 1050m

• Day 10

  Drive to Kathmandu

  After a wonderful time in the mountains, Pokhara is certainly great spot to relax after the trek and swap stories with fellow trekkers. After breakfast, we will board the bus for the 5- 6 hour scenic journey back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel

• Day 11

  International Departure

  Keep the departure time of international flight in mind, and make sure to keep your confirmed air ticket and passport handy! Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from beautiful Nepal.