Trek & climb of Mardi Himal at 5.555 meters also known as the four fives peaks situated in the hidden corners of other side of the Annapurna Sanctuary, let Nepal International Tours & Treks Pvt. Ltd. show you the magic of Himalaya around the Annapurna region with breathtaking scenery of the surrounding landscapes and tall mountains of Annapurna I A South and Huinchuli peak, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, A II, A IV , Lamjung Himal and towards east the Manaslu range of mountains, Mardi Himal located just beneath the towering Mt. Macchhapuchere Approximately 15 miles 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. 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. Nepal International Tours & Treks Pvt. Ltd. professional guides will lead and support you all the way to the top summit of Mardi Himal at 5,555 meters. 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. So, this will be an exciting adventure to Mardi Himal with Nepal International Tours & Treks Pvt. Ltd. in this isolated region within Annapurna range.
Note on Mardi Himal climb:
Western mountaineers first noticed this mountain by the photographs of Basil Good fellow, taken in 1953. It was climbed to its summit by a route on its east flank by Jimmy Roberts with two Sherpa. 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’s 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. Mardi Himal’s East Face is separated from Mt. 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’. The trail to base camp is short and sharp on ill-defined trails that would be particularly difficult in wet and snowy conditions.
Trip highlights: “Isolated area, other side of Annapurna sanctuary, traditional l villages, remote local culture, breathtaking scenery of snow top peaks, landscape, hills and valleys on the hidden rail, enchanting forests, beneath the staggering majestic Mt.Macchhapuchere.”
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Half day Sightseeing
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara,
Day 4: Trek to Gyachok
Day 5: Trek to Sano Khoban (1,600m).
Day 6: Trek to Pipa (3,150m).
Day 7: Acclimatization day.
Day 8: Trek to Thulo Kharka (4,120m).
Day 9: Trek to Base Camp (4,100m).
Day 10: Acclimatization day.
Day 11: Climb to High Camp (4,650m).
Day 12: Climb Mardi Himal (5,555m).
Day 13: Trek to Korchon (3,680m).
Day 14: Trek to Riban (1,780m).
Day 15: Trek to Hyenja, drive to Pokhara.
Day 16: Return flight to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Rest day at Kathmandu
Day 18:Final departure
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Half day Sightseeing
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara,
Day 4: Trek to Gyachok
Day 5: Trek to Sano Khoban (1,600m).
Day 6: Trek to Pipa (3,150m).
Day 7: Acclimatization day.
Day 8: Trek to Thulo Kharka (4,120m).
Day 9: Trek to Base Camp (4,100m).
Day 10: Acclimatization day.
Day 11: Climb to High Camp (4,650m).
Day 12: Climb Mardi Himal (5,555m).
Day 13: Trek to Korchon (3,680m).
Day 14: Trek to Riban (1,780m).
Day 15: Trek to Hyenja, drive to Pokhara.
Day 16: Return flight to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Rest day at Kathmandu
Day 18:Final departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Pick up from Airport and drive to your hotel (1,300m/4,264 ft) Hotel Accommodation.
Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival, our representative will greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transport you to the finest hotel at Thamel. After some rest at the hotel, you’ll join our team meet-up in the office. During this program, you will meet and greet with your guide and other trekkers. In the evening, you can stroll around the main tourist area of Kathmandu.
Day 02: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. Hotel Accommodation.
After breakfast, you’ll go for a half day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple on the bank of the Bagmati river. In addition, you can also visit Swayambhunath Temple, a famous Monkey Temple, and Boudhanath. On the way back to your hotel, you’ll also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a place that holds the history of the valley. In the evening, you’ll get plenty of time for trek preparations. If you’ve missed anything, then you can do short shopping at Thamel or Durbar Marg. Overnight stay at Kathmandu, you will prepare the official documents such as climbing permit.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (827 m/ 2,712 ft) 7- 8 hrs by Tourist Bus. Hotel Accommodation.
Next day, you will set out to Pokhara on a bus after having a breakfast in your hotel. The route of the bus takes you along the beautiful, scenic hills along with sights of Trisuli and Marsyangdi River. It is also possible for you to catch views of Ganesh Himal and the Manaslu peak during this bus ride. After a bus ride of 6-7 hours from Kathmandu, you will reach Pokhara. Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. It is a paradise for tourists. This is mainly due to its wonderful landscape, touristic vibe, and its clean, green environment. After you reach Pokhara, you can stroll around the city or spend some quality time in the lakeside.
Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Hemja and trek to Gyachok (1420 m / 4,657 ft) 4-5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
We make an early start for the 6-hour drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest town some 198 km to the west. Stopping at the village of Hyenja, we then set off on foot, along the bank of the Mardi Khola which is soon crossed via a rope bridge. We then follow the Seti Kola, through farmed terraces to the village of Gyachok, where we camp for the night. Good views of Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal.
Day 5: Trek to Sano Khoban (1,600m/52,48 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
After breakfast we walk through the village with its beautifully built houses and dry stonewalls, and friendly villagers. As we climb higher through the paddy field terraces, the much busier villages on the opposite side of the valley become visible. A good track contours along the hillside to Dhiprang and later we reach a super lunch spot by the river. We then pass two more villages, Mirsa and Kaduwa, which are the last settlements we will see until our return trek. The day finishes with a steep climb to the pastureland of Sano Khoban, where we camp.
Day 6: Trek to Pipa (3,150 m/ 10,332 ft). 4 – 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
The trail continues steeply, now through forest. The only clearing in the forest is about 1 ½ hours from Sano Khoban, so we may well stop for an early lunch. Then it is a long up-hill struggle through dense forest until we reach 2,900m, where we break out into the open air. A very steep ridge then leads to the small lake at Pipa.
Day 7: Acclimatization day for a local hiking and enjoying the lake’s beauty and its surroundings. Tea House Accommodation.
Yesterday was a long day and we ascended 1,500m, so today is a welcome rest day, this also helps us to acclimatize to the altitude. There is a stream suitable for washing about 20 minutes from the campsite.
Day 8: Trek to Thulo Kharka (4,120 m/ 13,513 ft). 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
We continue up the ridge line, with fantastic views stretching from the Manaslu group in the east, across the Annapurna to Dhaulagiri in the far west. Eventually we arrive at the pleasant grazing area of Thulo Kharka.
Day 9: Trek to Base Camp (4,100 m/ 13,448 ft ). 3 – 4 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
This is a short day and the whole route to base camp is visible from Thulo Kharka. It takes about 2 hours to reach it, where it sits in the obvious valley, which descends between the south and southeast ridges of Mardi Himal.
Day 10: Acclimatization day for a local hiking and enjoying the lake’s beauty and its surroundings. Tea House Accommodation.
Another important acclimatization day. It is best to rest during this period rather than try and do too much – there will be plenty of opportunity for exertion later! It would be like refueling your strength to continue the rest of the trekking. It is always wisely suggested to acclimatize on this day and enjoy a rest, it will give you an opportunity to explore the trail closely.
Day 11: Climb to High Camp (4,650 m/ 15,252 ft). 3- 4 hrs, Tent Accommodation.
It takes about 2 hours to reach the high camp, our take-off point for the summit. First we climb straight up for 200m then traverse around the south-east ridge. A steady climb on rocks and perhaps some snow then leads to the camp site. This is in a good sheltered location but water is scarce and may involve melting snow. Make sure your water bottles are full at the beginning of the day!
Day 12: Climb Mardi Himal Summit (5,587 m/ 18,325 ft ), and descend to Base Camp. 8 – 9 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
With 900m of ascent before us, we need to make a very early start to ensure success. The first part of the climb is the couloir leading to the East Col (5,400m), between Mardi Himal and Machhapuchare. The base of the couloir is at 4,950m, where we will most likely need to put on crampons. The couloir is a very long snow climb, not steep, but it is sustained and tiring, and it will take about 4 hours to reach the col. On the col it will probably be quite windy (unless we are very lucky), but it is only an hour or so to the top, up a pleasant snow ridge. Once on the summit, we can rest and enjoy being on a Nepalese summit in the midst of the Himalaya. After taking photos and perhaps having a bite to eat, we descend to the high camp and then continue to base camp for a good meal.
Day 13: Trek to Korchon (3,680 m/ 12,070 ft) 5 -6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
We take a different route back to Pokhara which stays high up on ridges to allow us to enjoy the views for longer. From base camp we traverse the south ridge to reach a col at 4,280m. We then stay up on the ridge, following it with wonderful views, to Korchon where we camp.
Day 14: Trek to Riban (1,780 m/ 58,38 ft ). 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
The ridge line continues to Odane Hill. The descent is steep and awkward, being on tussock grass with hidden holes, so care is needed. However, the trail is marked and eventually the grass gives way to forest. Soon after we reach the col below Odane Hill, which is a good view point. Following the ridge line south, we emerge out of the forest above Riban. This is our last evening on trek so it is usual to sample the local brew and have a sing-song with the Sherpas – they are always happiest when the hard work is over!
Day 15: Trek to Hyenja, drive to Pokhara (827 m/ 2712 ft) 3 hrs trek and 40 minutes Drive. Hotel Accommodation.
The final part of the trek is a lovely walk through Riban and on to Lachock. We cross the Mardi Khola and Mardi Pul which is an excellent lunch spot. Then it’s a short walk to Hyenja where we are met by our bus whisks us to the luxury of the Fish Tail Lodge, on of Nepal’s most celebrated hotels. It’s buildings sprawl across a small island in Pewa Tal, the picturesque lake beside Pokhara. From here we can look back towards Machhapuchare and Mardi Himal, while sitting on the terrace drinking beer!
Day 16: Return flight to Kathmandu. Hotel Accommodation.
Today we fly back from Pokhara to Kathmandu and the Hotel, where we can celebrate the success of our expedition in fine style.
Day 17: Rest day at Kathmandu. Hotel Accommodation.
Give a good rest to your tired bones, wander around Kathmandu city and give a good look to the city and people of Kathmandu before you say goodbye to this beautiful country.You can possibly go for shopping souvenir. Walk around the the Thamel street and there will be a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of Mardi Himal Trek.
Day 18: Final departure.
Nepal International Tours & Treks will help you transfer you to Tribhuvan International airport. You can catch your flight back home in this airport. The representatives from Nepal International Tours & Treks will drop you at the airport in a private transport. You will get to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. You need to secure your confirmed air ticket as well as necessary travel documents. We are sure that you will be inspired to visit Nepal again after this trek. We hope that you choose us to plan your next trip to Nepal. Don’t hesitate to write to us if you want to be a part of another tour in Nepal.
Cost Included
- Pickup and drop from hotels from airport
- Accommodation in Kathmandu (3-star hotel)
- All domestic flights
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
- Experienced Trekking guides with government license
- Porters (2 guests 1 porter)
- All meals during trekking and climbing period (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- National Park permit
- TIMS ( Trekkers Information Management System)
- Peak Climbing permit
- Accommodation during Trekking (Tea Houses)
- Accommodation during Climbing (Tent)
- Mountaineering (climbing) equipment
- First aid Medical kit
- Company services and all required government taxes/royalties
- Emergency Rescue Help (covered by your travel insurance)
- Farewell Dinner
Cost Excluded
- Personal climbing equipment
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Your travel insurance
- Kathmandu monuments fees
- International flight and departure tax
- Any expense of personal nature
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Any kinds of Bar bills
