Mardi Himal Trek

Last November, Thomas and Marie Capelle arrived in Kathmandu for five days to do the Everest View Trek. They had a short holiday in Nepal. As planned, we went to Kathmandu’s domestic terminal early. But Lukla’s flights were canceled that day due to the weather. We tried booking a Lukla flight for the following morning, but the airline said you were returning at 11:00 AM. If Lukla’s flight is canceled again, Thomas and Marie will not have enough buffer days before they return to Kathmandu from Lukla. We went back to the Hotel and talked about the Mardi Himal Trek, since it was not a good idea to wait for Lukla’s flight another day. We decided to easily access the Mardi Himal Trek in the Annapurna region in the middle west of Nepal. We bought Pokhara flight tickets.

On the first day of the Mardi Himal Trek, we went to Kathmandu’s domestic terminal and flew to Pokhara for 25 minutes. We obtained Annapurna hiking passes and drove to Kande for about 30 minutes. From here, we climbed gently uphill through the village and jungle to reach Australian Camp 2020m/2 hours, where we spent a night.

On the second day, we enjoyed breakfast with views of the Annapurna range. We registered our names and trip destination at the Annapurna Hiking Passes check post in Pothana. The gradual uphill trail led us to Pritam Dheurali, where we enjoyed the views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Pokhara Valley with a cup of tea. From here, we ascend through the dense forest of Rhododendrons to reach Forest Camp (2570m), where we had lunch.

Again, we went gradually uphill to Rest Camp and then Low Camp (2970m), where we spent the night. Most of the day, we walked through the forest from Australian Camp to Low Camp. From Low Camp, we saw a lovely Sunset view over Mt. Machhapuchare (6993m), which is not to be missed from here.

On the third day, we started to walk after breakfast. We went gradually uphill through the Rhododendron forest to reach Middle Camp. From here, we left the forest behind and headed through the trail on the ridge to reach High Camp. The views of South Annapurna (7219m), Hiuchuli (6444m), and Machhapuchhare (6993m) were fabulous when we were heading towards High Camp (3600m). There was a group of Yaks that were grazing around the High Camp. Most of the trekkers were happy to see the proper Yaks on the route of the Mardi Himal Trek. We did an hour-long uphill walk as acclimatization training from High Camp. We saw a Pheasant (the national bird of Nepal) en route, but no one could take a photo because it flew out quickly. We enjoyed the views from High Camp till evening.

On the fourth day, we had breakfast at 4:30 AM. The temperature was below 0 degrees centigrade at High Camp early in the morning. We prepared warm gear and a day bag with plenty of water for a day hike towards Viewpoint and Mardi Himal Base Camp. Marie took a photo of South Annapurna and Hiuchuli, which made both mountains look like they were rising from the sea of clouds. Amazing! Everyone said that we would like to share it. We took photos of our favorite mountain, Machhapuchare, which was so beautiful with the first rays of sunlight.

We ascent steep steps through the narrow ridge and yellow grassy yak and sheep pasture sometime to reach Upper viewpoint 4200m which has 180-degree spectacular views of South Annapurna (7219m), Hiuchuli (6444m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna III (7555m), Machhapuchare (6993m) and Mardi Himal (5587m) and green valley on the behind.

We climbed along the ridge towards Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500m, which lies at the lap of Machhapuchare (6993m). It offers even better views of Annapurna I (8091m) than the Upper viewpoint. Thomas and Marie were so happy at Mardi Himal Base Camp because of the scenery, and they had not yet felt the altitude. They thanked us (guide and porter) for offering the Mardi Himal Trek as an alternative to the Everest View Trek. Mardi Himal is a named peak with an elevation of 5587m, situated on the lap of Machhapuchhare (6993m).

We spent an hour at the Upper Viewpoint (4200m) and Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) to see the lovely scenery of nearby icy peaks, then descended to High Camp on the same route back. We packed our bags, had lunch at High Camp, and continued to descend to Forest Camp, where we slept one night.

On the fifth day, we discussed an alternative route to Pokhara that bypasses Siding or Landruk. But Thomas and Marie liked walking through the jungle on the way up and preferred visiting the village of Dhampus. So, we walked to Pothana the same way and descended to Dhampus Phedi, bypassing the village of Dhampus. We drove from Phedi to Pokhara.

On the sixth day, we flew to Kathmandu in the morning. Then, all the trekking fun ended, and Thomas and Marie flew Home in the evening.