Trip Details

Duration of Trip: 12 nights 13 days
Maximum Altitude : 4900m.
Trip Grade : Two
Mode of Transport: Bus
Mode of Accommodation: Tented Camp
Best Season : Spring : Mar – Apr – May, Autumn :- Sept - Oct – Nov

This off the beaten trek starts at Suiket Phedi and climbs up to Dhampus with stunning views of Machhapuchare (6997 m) and the Annapurna Mountain ranges. This is truly a private trail, which is unique as 75% of the trekkers visit Annapurna regions yet you will not encounter any other trekkers on this trek for 6 days. The first few days uphill as the trek winds along the ridge through forests of birch, rhododendrons, hemlock and pines and finally brings you right in front of Machhapuchare and Annapurna South with Mardi Khola River winding its way through the valley thousands of feet below.

Mardi Himal is east of the Modi Khola, across the valley from Himchuli. It is separated from Machapuchare ridge by a col. The usual route of ascent reaches this col (about 5,200m. /17,060 ft.) and reaches the summit via a route on its east flank. Although the mountain rises above the entrance to the Annapurna Sanctuary, it is not often visited. The trek reaches and then follows the Mardi Khola for 2 days before turning and climbing the ridge line for 3 more days before reaching base camp around (4,100 m. /13,451 ft.). Through nearly the entire journey you are presented with truly incredible views of the Annapurna Himal and the sacred mountain of Machapuchare with Annapurna I, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri (3 of the world's highest mountains) in sight.

Itinerary In Details

Days 01 Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Days 02 Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Days 03 Today early in the morning at 7 am drive from tourist bus park to Pokhara by Bus, after check in to Hotel short hike up to World Peace Stupa with boating in Fewa Lake. Overnight at Hotel. B.B.

Days 04 Morning drive to Phedi and start trek up to Dhampus. Overnight at Tented camp B.L.D.

Days 05 We wake to the stunning view of Machhapuchhare (23,000 ft/6993 m) and the Annapurna Mountain ranges. Today we will start following "Our Private Trail" leaving other tourists behind. We won’t be seeing any tourists for 6 days. The next days uphill we trek along the ridge which will finally bring us in front of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna south. Today we enter a beautiful forest of birch, rhododendrons, hemlock and pines. We camp in a small clearing far from the main trekking trails. Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 06 This day we trek through the forest, climbing gradually. Every now and then we have a view of Machhapuchhare and the Annapurna’s. We can see the Mardi Khola River winding its way through the valley thousands of feet below. We camp at 10,000 ft at "Low Camp", from where we will have good view of Machhapuchhare. Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 07 Just a short climb and we are out of the forest. The ridge will take us to our campsite at 12,000 ft./3658m. The sunset turns the hills and mountains of the Himalaya pick, then red and finally purple before the stars take over and we get ready for an early night. Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 08 Have an early breakfast and we start trekking to reach our highest point of the trek, if conditions are favorable, up to 15,000 /16,000 ft. 4900m. In the afternoon we return to our camp. If the weather is clear, the view today will never be forgotten. Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 09 After breakfast we descend 7,000 ft mainly through forest, bush and terraced fields, past the hillside village of Siding, down to Mardi Khola for a welcome swim and scrub up near our camp. Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 10 A beautiful walk through the Mardi Khola valley via quiet settlements and over an interesting section of bridges. We camp by the river near Mardi Pul Overnight at Tented Camp. B.L.D.

Days 11 Morning Drive to Pokhara and free time for sightseeing to Davi's fall, Mahadev Cave and Tibetan Refugee camp. Overnight at Hotel. B.B.

Days 12 Today we will drive or fly to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. B.B.

Day 13 Free from Program

Note: It is also possible to fly Kathmandu from Pokhara instead of driving by tourist bus. For comfortable road travel, private car or land cruiser can be used too.