Mardi Himal Trek - 10 Days
Region: Annapurna Region | Duration: 10 days | Difficulty: Easy | From $410
Trek Overview
The Mardi Himal Trek (10 Days) is a complete Annapurna region adventure that combines a peaceful Himalayan trekking experience with comfortable stays in Kathmandu and Pokhara. This well-paced itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors to Nepal who want both mountain exploration and cultural experiences without feeling rushed.The journey begins in Kathmandu with airport pickup, a welcome dinner, and a detailed trek briefing to ensure proper preparation. A scenic drive then takes you to Pokhara, where you can enjoy the relaxed lakeside atmosphere before beginning the trek.The six-day trekking section follows a quieter route through lush rhododendron forests, traditional villages, and scenic ridgelines. As the trail ascends through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp, the views of Machapuchare, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli become increasingly dramatic.The main highlight is reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), where trekkers are rewarded with spectacular close-up views of the Annapurna range. The peaceful trails and fewer crowds compared to other Annapurna treks make this route especially appealing for those seeking a more tranquil experience.The descent returns to Pokhara, allowing time to relax by Phewa Lake, explore cafés, or enjoy optional activities before returning to Kathmandu. These extra days provide time for recovery and a more complete travel experience.With a maximum altitude of 4,500 meters and well-maintained trails, this trek is considered easy to moderate in difficulty and requires no technical skills. Comfortable teahouses during the trek and quality hotels in the cities make the journey both adventurous and comfortable.Overall, the Mardi Himal Trek in 10 days is perfect for travelers seeking a balanced Nepal experience that combines off-the-beaten-path trekking, mountain scenery, cultural discovery, and well-organized logistics.General InformationDetailInformationStart PointKande (via Pokhara from Kathmandu)End PointSiding (return to Pokhara then Kathmandu)Daily Walking3-7 hoursCity Days4 days (preparation/transport/recovery)Ideal ForFirst-timers, families, complete experience seekersWhat makes this 10-day version ideal:Complete first-time experience: See Nepal beyond just trekking (Kathmandu culture, Pokhara lakes, mountain villages, pristine wilderness)Comfortable pacing: Never rushed between destinations, proper rest before/after trekking, time to genuinely absorb experiencesBeginner-friendly: Low altitude (max 4,500m), gradual ascent, excellent support, achievable for fit beginnersFamily suitable: Comfortable for active families with teens, seniors in good health, multi-generational groupsValue package: All-inclusive from arrival to departure, no hidden costs, transparent pricingFlexibility buffer: Extra days accommodate weather delays, minor illness, or simply wanting more time somewhereWhether you're seeking serene Himalayan escape, perfect photography route under Fishtail's shadow, cultural immersion in Gurung villages, or simply achieving Himalayan base camp without extreme difficulty, this trek invites you to tread lightly and look deep into Nepal's heart.
Trek Highlights
Complete Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu (1,350m)
Welcome to Nepal! Representative greets you at airport with traditional Khada scarf, private vehicle transfer to 3-star hotel in Thamel. Afternoon rest after international travel. Evening welcome dinner at authentic Nepali restaurant with traditional cuisine and cultural dance performance. Meet trekking guide for comprehensive briefing: detailed itinerary explanation, altitude awareness, cultural protocols, packing final checks, permit distribution, all questions answered thoroughly. This preparation day crucial for confidence and proper equipment. hotelOvernight 3-star hotel, Kathmandu.
Day 2: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (822m) - 6-8 hours
After breakfast scenic drive to Pokhara following Prithvi Highway through beautiful countryside: terraced hillsides, Trishuli River, traditional villages, possible Himalayan glimpses if clear. Lunch stop at riverside town. Arrive Pokhara late afternoon, transfer to comfortable lakeside hotel. Evening free to explore Lakeside area: restaurants, shops, cafes, boating on Phewa Lake, or simply relaxing watching sunset over water with Annapurna range backdrop. Dinner at leisure. hotelOvernight 3-star hotel, Pokhara.
Day 3: Drive to Kande, Trek to Deurali (2,100m) - 3-4 hours trek
Morning drive from Pokhara to Kande (1 hour), trek starting point. Begin gentle uphill through forests, stone steps, local villages passing Australian Camp viewpoint. Arrive Deurali late morning, peaceful ridge village with first excellent Annapurna and Machapuchare views. Afternoon rest, short exploration, acclimatization. hotelOvernight teahouse, Deurali.
Day 4: Trek to Forest Camp (2,600m) - 5 hours
Steady climb through spectacular rhododendron and oak forests (blooming spectacularly spring), fresh mountain air, bird songs, peaceful atmosphere. Arrive Forest Camp mid-afternoon, simple teahouses surrounded by tall trees, excellent Machapuchare views. hotelOvernight teahouse, Forest Camp.
Day 5: Trek to Low Camp (3,035m) - 4 hours
Continue ascending through thinning forest transitioning to alpine zone, views opening with elevation. Arrive Low Camp mid-afternoon, dramatic ridge location with spectacular emerging Machapuchare and Annapurna South views. Afternoon rest, short acclimatization walks. hotelOvernight teahouse, Low Camp.
Day 6: Trek to High Camp (3,550m) - 3 hours
Steeper rocky climb (2-3 hours) with stunning expanding views. Reach High Camp late morning, spectacular narrow ridge perch with panoramic Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare vistas. Afternoon crucial rest and acclimatization before tomorrow's base camp push: hydrate constantly, carb-rich meals, prepare equipment. Early dinner, early bed. hotelOvernight teahouse, High Camp.
Day 7: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) & Descend to Badal Danda (3,210m) - 7-8 hours
Early morning (pre-dawn optional for sunrise) ascent to Base Camp (3-4 hours). Spectacular alpine amphitheater surrounded by Mardi Himal, Machapuchare, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli. Time absorbing incredible setting, photos, celebration. Descend to Badal Danda for overnight (4-5 hours). hotelOvernight teahouse, Badal Danda.
Day 8: Trek to Siding, Drive to Pokhara - 3-4 hours trek
Gentle descent through forests and terraced fields to Siding village (3-4 hours). Trek complete! Meet vehicle for drive to Pokhara (1.5-2 hours). Arrive afternoon, transfer to hotel. Hot shower, clean clothes, celebration dinner, rest and reflection. hotelOvernight 3-star hotel, Pokhara.
Day 9: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu - 6-8 hours
After leisurely breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu through scenic countryside. Arrive afternoon, transfer to hotel. Evening free: shopping, dining, packing. hotelOvernight 3-star hotel, Kathmandu.
Day 10: Final Departure
Transfer to airport based on flight time. End of unforgettable Nepal adventure!
Gears
Hygiene and Safety Essentials
Soap, toothpaste, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, first aid kit, and a quick-dry towel.
Electronics & Navigation Essentials
Camera/smartphone, power bank, notebook & pens, and a headlamp (for the early morning hike to the Upper View Point).
Layered Clothing
Base Layer: Thermal tops and leggings.Mid Layer: Fleece jacket and a light puffer jacket.Outer Layer: Windproof and waterproof jacket.High-Altitude Essentials: Medium-weight down jacket, warm hat, and gloves.
Essential Trekking Gear
Backpack (35L-45L), trekking poles, sleeping bag (-10°C), and sturdy hiking boots.
Media Gallery
5 images
7-Day Weather Forecast
Forecast for Annapurna Region. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains.
More Information On The Trek
The Complete Nepal IntroductionDay 1 (Kathmandu Arrival): Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet representative, transfer to comfortable hotel, evening welcome dinner at traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural show, comprehensive trek briefing with guide addressing all questions, gear checks, permit distribution. This dedicated preparation day ensures you start trekking confident and properly equipped rather than rushed after long international flight.Day 2 (Drive to Pokhara): Scenic 6-8 hour drive through countryside following rivers, terraced hills, traditional villages, with possible Himalayan glimpses if weather clear. Arrive beautiful lakeside Pokhara, evening relaxation by Phewa Lake, dinner at numerous excellent restaurants, rest preparing for trek start.Days 3-8 (Trekking): Six comfortable trekking days through forests, villages, to base camp and back. The gradual progression (Deurali 2,100m → Forest Camp 2,600m → Low Camp 3,035m → High Camp 3,550m → Base Camp 4,500m → descent) allows natural acclimatization.Day 8 (Return to Pokhara): Trek ends at Siding, drive back to Pokhara, hot shower, clean clothes, celebration dinner, rest and reflection.Day 9 (Drive to Kathmandu): Return drive allowing final countryside absorption, arrive Kathmandu afternoon, evening free for shopping/dining/packing.Day 10 (Departure): Airport transfer matching your international flight time.This structure provides complete experience without exhausting pace, ensuring memories of Nepal extend beyond just mountains to include vibrant cities, warm people, delicious food, and profound cultural insights.Why Choose 10 Days Over 6 Days?Comfort: Kathmandu/Pokhara hotel stays provide proper rest before/after trekking (not arriving jet-lagged and immediately starting trail).Cultural Depth: Time in Kathmandu and Pokhara allows experiencing Nepal's cultural richness, not just natural beauty.Recovery: Post-trek Pokhara day enables proper rest before long drive, arrival in Kathmandu with time to relax before departure.First-Timer Ideal: The 10-day structure perfect for Nepal newcomers wanting comprehensive introduction rather than just trekking.Flexibility: Buffer days accommodate weather, health, or simply wanting more time somewhere without derailing schedule.Value: All-inclusive package from airport arrival to departure handles everything for stress-free experience.Machapuchare: The Sacred Unclimbed PeakMachapuchare (6,993m) dominates all Mardi Himal views, its distinctive fishtail double summit creating iconic profile visible from Pokhara through trek's entirety. Sacred to local Gurung communities as Shiva's throne, climbing permanently banned—the mountain never summited, never will be. This protected status preserves pristine, mysterious character.At High Camp and Base Camp, Machapuchare's south face rises vertically just 3-4 km away creating overwhelming scale impossible to comprehend until experienced. The combination of distinctive shape, sacred significance, and dramatic positioning makes this one of Nepal's most photographed and revered peaks.Rhododendron Forest MagicTrek through extensive rhododendron forests blooming spectacularly mid-March through mid-May. Nepal's national flower grows as massive trees (not low shrubs) creating forest canopies 20-30 meters tall in crimson, pink, and white. Walking through blooming forest on sunny spring day with dappled sunlight filtering through petals creates ethereal atmosphere trekkers never forget.Gurung Villages and CulturePass through traditional Gurung villages (Deurali, Siding, nearby Landruk) where centuries-old mountain culture thrives: stone houses with slate roofs, prayer flags, traditional dress, warm hospitality, and genuine interactions with locals whose families have farmed these terraced hillsides for generations.
What Our Trekkers Say
Average rating: 5 | 3 reviews
By Aakash Patel | 3 months ago | Rating 5
We had a great experience on the Everest Base Camp trek with Nepal Visuals. Our guide Rupesh was very knowledgeable and patient with our many questions and many, many photo sessions during the trek. Resh, the CEO, was responsive and did a great job of taking care of our needs the entire time we were in Nepal. Wonderful experience overall, I would definitely book another trek with Nepal Visuals again.
By Deepak Patel | 4 months ago | Rating 5
“Nepal Visuals” planned the whole Everest Base Camp trek very well, they were always in control of different situations & the guide was very helpful, calm & explaining everything in detail. Resh was very prompt in answering all our questions before trek & took very good care of our family upon arrival in Kathmandu till we left. We recommend Nepal Visuals to all our friends & will definitely use them when we plan our Annapurna trek.
By laura perez | 4 months ago | Rating 5
From Cañete, Chile to the Magic of Everest Base Camp with Nepal Visual The dream of reaching Everest Base Camp came true for Luis and Laura, as we departed from Cañete, Chile, on September 30, 2025. After the journey, we landed in Kathmandu on October 2, where the warmth of our guide, Prim, welcomed us. The next day, our epic trek began. Before writing these lines, I reviewed the logistics that Nepal Visual had proposed for the trip; I must confess that they far exceeded our expectations. Everything went perfectly, demonstrating a level of professionalism and attention to detail that allowed us to focus solely on the beauty of the mountain and the experience. They took care of everything. Jepe (as Prim called the boss, warm and friendly), Prim, our guide in Spanish, did everything to make us feel good. He didn't have faith in us when he saw us, but later recognized how strong we were. Ram, our porter, a strong man with his smile and humility, and Rajat, who showed us the well-documented history of his capital, KMD. At the Capital Boutique Hotel, the receptionists, Anupama and Devendra, surprised us one morning by greeting us in Spanish. Our sincere congratulations and admiration to everyone for their work, "A Whole Team." Nepal Visual's service makes this magical: safe trekking, hotels, sufficient food, assistance with souvenir shopping, soaking up the culture, its spirituality, and connectivity. We recommend Nepal Visual to anyone looking for an unforgettable, magical, and, above all, hassle-free experience at Base Camp. They are a true team who put their heart and soul into their service and speak Spanish to the best of their ability. Nepal is also very safe. Thank you, Nepal Visual, you truly are a team. A total thank you!!! Signed: Laura and Luis. (From Cañete, Biobío Region, Chile)
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