Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. There will be a guided tour to UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Boudhanath- the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath- the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Patan or Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5km away from Kathmandu. At Patan Durbar Square, you will delight in the architectural wonders of Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions at the square.

You will take a 6/7 hours drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu airport. After reaching Pokhara you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day you can explore around Pokhara Bazaar, do shopping or boating in Phewa Lake.

You drive to Phedi which takes around 1-2 hours. Phedi is our trek starting point, from where you ascend to Deurali. Passing through stony steps, villages, terraced fields and green forests of oak, maple and hemlock, you reach Deurali, a beautiful village with awesome views of Annapurna South, Mardi Himal and Macchhapuchhare. Overnight at Tea House.

Early morning, after breakfast with sunrise view, you will start our journey. Our trail passes through a quiet wooded area along a ridge which starts to descend after halfway. After a while the trail starts gaining height rejoining the earlier ridge and continues till you reach Forest Camp. After reaching our stopover for the night, you explore the area which will be followed by a well-earned rest. Overnight at Tea House.

As you move on to the higher altitude, the trail gets more rugged and you can feel the wilderness slowly taking over the surrounding. En-route you can observe the breathtaking views of Hiunchuli and Annapurna South occasionally. After walking about 3/4 hours, lesser compared to previous days, you reach Low Camp. Overnight at Tea House.

You have our early breakfast and start trekking. After short walk inside the forest, the trail leads to the grassy land with lesser vegetation. You can enjoy the Himalaya panorama throughout our trek. You may also have an opportunity to have a glimpse of Himalayan birds like Impeyan Monal and Lophophorus, the national bird of Nepal. Once you reach High Camp, you have one of the most stunning views of the Himalaya. Overnight at Tea House.

Today you will hike through the challenging terrain towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. As you move on towards the deeply off the beaten track, the views become more and more captivating. If you continue to the Mardi HimalBase Camp, it makes the back and forth trek of around 7/8 hours. However, there is also a viewpoint halfway for those who want shorter trek. From the Base Camp you can have the wondrous views of Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machhapuchhre (6993m) and others; and its sure that moment will stay in our memories for ever. After enjoying the great views, you retrace back to High Camp. Overnight at Tea House

After breakfast, you descend to Kalimati passing through the pine and rhododendron forests, and farms. You take a different route rather than retrace back the same route which allows us a new perspective of the region. You walk 5/6 hours down to the upper Mardi Khola to reach Kalimati. It’s a small quiet village untouched by the bustle of tourist traffic. You can have the experience of authentic Nepali village life here. Overnight at Tea House

Today is the last day of our Mardi Himal trek. You have to walk for around 3 hours and reach Lumre. En-route you pass though some beautiful villages inhabited by mixed communities. At Lumre, you take a vehicle and reach Pokhara in about 2 hours. Once you reach Pokhara, you will enjoy the rest of the evening doing boating or other independent activities. Overnight at Hotel

Today you will go for the city tour. You will visit the popular landmarks of Pokhara like Devis waterfall, Seti gorge, Bindabasini temple and Guptseshowor Cave. A carefree stroll down the lakeside in the evening is also a very rewarding experience. And in the afternoon you will fly back to Kathmandu. During the flight you will get the mesmerizing view of Mt. Annapurna and Manaslu.

You have free time till departure. You will be assisted to Tribhuwan International Airport as per your flight time. Have a safe journey back home!

TRIP GRADE: Moderate 
Mardi Himal trek lasts for about a week. Each day, you can expect to be walking for around 6-8 hours right into high mountain country leading to some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps. Moderately tiring that involves trekking along rocky ridges of high Himalayan hills. No previous experience is required, you should be moderately fit, used to some regular exercises and enjoy walking in the high-altitude conditions.

TREKKING TYPES

Trekking in Nepalis categorized in three different types based on their way of organization (Camping Trek, Tea House Trek and GAP Trek). Mardi Himal Trek is organized in two ways (Tea House Trek and GAP Trek) due to the abundance of accommodation facilities available in the region.

1. Tea House Trek: This trek includes services like guide, food, accommodation in local Tea Houses and porters.
2. GAP Trek: This trek includes services like Guide (G), Accommodation (A) in the Tea Houses, and Porters (P). Food bills are to be paid directly by the client.

ACCOMMODATION

Annapurna trekking doesn’t need tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. You often have to share rooms but you can also stay in single rooms where possible. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets. A few have electric blanket, hot bags (luxury lodges) and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in a comfortable local lodge each day. The Guide coordinates with the local lodge owners to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot always be booked in advance). Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary.

FOOD

LODGE TREK:

Meals are included in our price and are taken in lodges available along the trail. You can find a considerable variety of Nepali (rice, curry & lentil, momo, noodles, chapatis etc.) and Western food (pizza, pasta, sandwich, chips, porridge, toast, pancake, soup etc) as well as drinks (coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, and beer). The Guide suggests you the best option as per the availability.

GAP Trek:

You will have to make your own eating arrangements in the lodges available along the trail. Expect to spend around $25-$30 a day for food. Guide, accommodation and porters are covered in the price.

WATER

On GAP trek and Lodge trek, you will be provided filtered water about 3-4 liters per person per day. The good thing about such water is it doesn’t smell chlorine. We normally use Sawyer Filters. However, you can also buy bottled water in tea houses. You can also bring water purification pills in case you want to drink water from local taps.

PERSONAL EXPENSES– MONEY TO TAKE ON TREK

Money requirement depends largely on type of trek style, duration and trekking region.
For a two-week Annapurna trek, you can take about $200-300, more if you intend toget more table drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas), souvenirs, battery charge, internet, hot shower (available in some places) etc. If you are on ‘GAP’ trek style you need to pay for all your meals. Approximately $25-30 a day should be enough to cover your meals. We pay for your accommodation at mountain hut (teahouse) along the trail and bear all the expenses of staffs assigned by us, plus extra bar bills, snacks, hot shower, battery charge, internet etc.

CHANGING MONEY

You can change money at a bank or the money exchange counter in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many Tourist class Hotels have money exchange facilities. For Trekking, there are banks and exchange counters at major Tourist hubs in Everest and Annapurna regions like Namche, Lukla, Ghorepani and Jomsom. These days, there is availability of ATMs everywhere in Kathmandu, Pokhara and some major trekking hubs.

TIPS

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

PLACES

Pokhara (827m)
Pokhara is the main town in central Nepal. It is the starting point of most of the major treks in the Annapurna region. Situated at an altitude of 827m, it is warmer and more humid than Kathmandu. This town is known for its picturesque spots like Phewa Tal (lake), which reflects one of the most unforgettable images of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Himal. Pokhara is one of the major travel destinations in Nepal.

Muktinath (3710m)
Muktinath, a sacred place both for Hindus as well as Buddhists, is located at an altitude of 3710 m at the foot of the Thorong La  pass in Mustang district. The Hindus call the place Mukti Kshetra, which means the “the region of salvation“, while the Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, Tibetan word for ‘Hundred Waters’. For Tibetan Buddhists Chumig Gyatsa is a place of Dakinis, goddesses known as Sky Dancers. Jwala Mai Temple, Vishnu Temple, Marme Lhakhang and Gompa Sarwa are some of the religious shrines to visit. The springs from the Gandaki River spurts out of the 108 waterspouts near the Vishnu temple, from where the Hindu pilgrims take ritual bathe. One special thing that is unique to this place is the Saligrams (Ammonite fossils). These are black stones that when broken open, reveal the fossilized remains of prehistoric ammonites formed about 130 million years ago. The old specks that appear on many saligrams are pyrite (fool’s gold). Hindus believe that the saligrams represent Lord Vishnu.

Jomsom (2713m) 
Jomsom serves as the center for Mustang valley. It lies on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. There is an airstrip with scheduled service to Kathmandu. The increase in the frequency of flights has brought more tourists to this area. Jomsom has a bank, post office, telecom office, a hospital and numerous hotels and lodges. The place is a popular stopover during Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Manang (3520m)
The Manang area was opened to outsiders in late 70s only. The dry and arid region of Manang called Nyeshang lies at an altitude of 3520m. There is an abundance of large chortens and maniwalls .The people of Nyeshang were granted special trading privileges by the King of Nepal hundred years ago. The businessmen from these parts are reputed to be both keen and astute. The tall peaks of the Himalaya – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m) and Tilicho Peak (7134m) are visible from this place. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) aid post in the village which makes an interesting and educational visit. This place falls in Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Kagbeni (2810m)
Kagbeni is the northernmost village in this region that foreigners may visit on a normal trekking permit. The police check post at the northern end of the village fastidiously prevents tourists from proceeding towards Lo-Manthang, the walled city of Mustang without proper documentation. A green oasis at the junction of Jhong Khola and Kali Gandaki river, Kagbeni looks like a town out of the medieval past, with closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels and alleyways, imposing chortens and a large, ochre-colored gompa perched above the town.

Chomrong (2100m)
This is the highest permanent settlement in the valley. Chomrong is divided into New Chomrong and Old Chomrong. New Chomrong at 2040m is the upper part. It has resort hotels, a school and a helicopter pad. Old Chomrong at 2060m is the main part of the village with shops offices and lodges. There is a tremendous view of Annapurna South, which seems to tower above the village. There are good views of Machhapuchhare, the fish tail mountain across the valley. Beyond Chomrong, camping is limited to certain ACAP- designated camp sites and hotel construction is strictly prohibited.

Ghandruk (1940m) 
Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village that falls in Annapurna Base Camp trail, is a cluster of slate-roofed houses. It is the second largest Gurung settlement in Nepal after Siklis. Its actual Gurung name is Kond. Surrounded by neatly terraced fields, the village has electricity and an extensive water supply.  There are many hotels and lodges to cater to numerous trekkers and tourists that pass that way. The headquarter of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project is located here. Over here one gets to witness the unique culture, tradition and custom of the Gurung community. Ghandruk offers excellent views of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhre.

PEOPLE 

The Gurungs form the largest group in the Annapurna region. They come from Tibeto Burmese stock. Although essentially Animist and Buddhist, some lowland Gurungs have converted to Hinduism. They inhabit the higher northern slopes of the Annapurna, Lamjung Chuli and hills around Ganesh Himal. A large number of Gurung men serve in the British and Indian armies. The immediate vicinity of Pokhara is largely populated by Chettris and Bahuns (Brahmins). They also live around the historic site of the old Gorkha kingdom. The Magars inhabit the lower trail between Baglung and Dana. They live high on the steep ridges along the tributaries of Kali Gandaki.

Another ethnic group of this region is the Thakalis. Known throughout the country as accomplished hoteliers and skilled traders, they are noted for their aggressive trading spirit. They make up one of the few richer groups of people in Nepal. The Jomsom trek passes through ThakKhola, the Thakali homeland.

In the valley of the Muktinath live the Baragaun Bhotiya. Their lifestyle is similar to that of the Tibetans. Another group of people who share a close affinity to the Tibetans are the Lopa people of Mustang, north of Kagbeni. Some of them practice the ancient pre-Buddhist religion of Bon which is infused with animistic and shamanic belief and ritual. The people living in the upper Marshyandi valley are generally known as Mananges. In the Nyeshang area, under which fall the villages of Manang, Braga and Ngawal, people are of Tibetan origin. But their language Nyeshang is not a Tibetan dialect. This area is popularly known by the name of its largest village Manang.

FESTIVALS

Lhosar

“lhosar” means New Year. Known as the festival of mountain people or highlanders, it is celebrated by various ethnic groups following Buddhism like Sherpa, Hyolmo, Tamang and Gurung. Interestingly, these groups don’t celebrate the festival on the same day. There are three types of Lhosars namely Tamu Lhosar (Gurungs), Sonam Lhosar (Tamangs) and Gyalbu Lhosar (Sherpas and Hyolmos) celebrated on different dates based on lunar calendar starting from January to February. During the festival people offer prayers for good health and prosperity at homes and monasteries. They exchange various goods and gifts, organize feasts and perform dances.

Tiji Festival

Tiji Festival is celebrated in Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. It’s a three days festival observed annually at the onset of spring season. As spring season symbolizes regeneration of life, this festival is also about hope, revival and affirmation of life. The festival features a three days ritual known as ‘chasing of demons’. Monks donning masks and colorful costumes enact the story of Dorje Jono who fought against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from falling apart.

Yarlung Festival

The Yarlung Festival which literally means “End of Summer” is a three days festival celebrated all over Mustang. It normally falls during August full moon day every year. It is a three days celebration and is celebrated with horse races, drinking and dancing by local Thakali people. As the festival is celebrated at the end of summer marking the culmination of harvesting season, it is all about merry making and showing appreciation to the good lives the summer has offered. People also make offerings to Gods and receive the blessings from the seniors.

Dashain

Dashain is Nepal’s biggest festival, and people especially Hindus living in lower region of Annapurna also celebrate this festival. It is celebrated for fifteen days starting from the new moon of the Nepali month of Asoj (October/November). This festival marks the victory of goddess Durga over the demon king Mahisasur, or the victory of good over evil. People visit temples dedicated to goddess Durga. Children fly kites and play on swings supported by long bamboo poles throughout the festival. Tenth day, called as Vijaya Dashami, is the most important day of the festival. On this day people visit elders to receive blessings and tika (rice mixed with red vermilion put on the forehead). The barley sprouts (jamara) that were planted on Ghatasthapana are picked and worn in the hair.

Tihar

Tihar, the second biggest festival, lasts for five days. As with the rest of the country people especially Hindus, people living in lower region of Annapurna also celebrate this festival. The five days festivities mark the worshipping of Goddess Laxmi and different birds and animals like crow, dog, cow and ox. The third day is called Laxmi Puja or Deepawali on which people decorate their houses with lights and flower. On fifth day called as Bhai Tika, sisters worship brothers and exchange gifts. In short, celebration among families, relations and friends. Pujas (worship), lights, colors, flowers, new clothes, feasts and merriment, all these make up the joyous festival of Tihar.