Mardi Himal Machapurchare Trek

Himalayan sights: Annapurna I- 8091m. Annapurna II-7937m.Annapurna III-7855m,Annapurna IV- 7525m, Annapurna South 7819m, Varaha Shikhar 7847m, Himchuli 6441m, Thapa Peak 6015m, Machhapuchhre 6993m, Mardi Himal 5588m,Tharpu Chuli 5663m. Gangapurna 7483m, Lamjung Himal 6931m, and more snow capped mountains.

Most Attraction of the trek: Different Community with majority of Gurungs & Magars and Great Himalayan scenery etc.

Lake: Fewa Lake 900m.

Mardi Himal is the name given to the feature of the long rising ridge and its summit that form the south-westerly lower slope of Mount Machapuchare the famous triangular skyline that is seen from the Phewa Lake at Pokhara. The trekking starts climbing through the forests and on above the tree line then one to our high altitude camp at 4,100 m (1',600 ft.). We establish this high camp with a view to our climbing of the knoll of Mardi Himal 5,558m.(18,500ft.) from where there are the most amazing close quarter views of all. Now descending, first through the forest, a different route takes us steeply down to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that has been the ice and snow of the Mardi Himal.

Although remote and still away from all the much used trekking routes, our trekking takes on the moods of the warm valleys and the friendly villages. Here, we make our way along the banks of the Mardi Khola from the hillside village of 'iding, down through the the lovely fields and over the Interesting bridges. There is an essence of exploration on this trek. The trails we follow are not well used and sometimes hard to identify. 'ometimes shepherds and pilgrims pass by. Our Mardi Himal /Machapuchare trek is designed to provide outstanding mountain views, and to get away from the tea-house trails and into the forests and villages that have not felt the impact of tourism.  

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu transfer to hotel. O/N Hotel.

Day 02: Full day sightseeing Kathmandu valley. O/N Hotel.

Day03: After our first "expedition" breakfast together. Short drive to the Suikhet, Phedi. Start Steeply climb up the main trail and along the ridge to Dhampus. Here will have ours first unhurried lunch, our first nights camp is situated in full view of Machhapuchare at Pathana.

Day 04: Early morning bring a spectacular sunrise; the "Fish Tail" turning pink, to gold. The more distant bare rock wall of Annapurna 2 is still in shadow. Today we start our "Secret Trial" leaving tourists, other trekkers and even villagers behind. We trek on following the ridge and upwards this is the ridge that will bring as up in front of Machhapuchare. We enter forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, hemlocks and daphnia, camping in a small clearing far from the beaten trails. This we call "Forest Camp" at 2,550m. (8,500ft.)

Day 05: Trekking on the flora as we climb has turned to classic cloud forest with mosses and lichen, tree farms and orchids hosted by the hardier trees. Now and then there are window in the woods that look out to the thrilling panorama-towards Himchuli, Annapurna South. Far, far below to our left, with the Sunni morning slopes of the terraced paddy fields of Gangrung beyond, we can see the Mardi Khola valley leading up into Annapurna Sanctuary. Today we reach camp at lunch time; for it is wise not to go too high too fast. This is "low camp" at 3,400 m. We have spectacular northerly views of the ever close "Fish Tail

Day 06: Just a short, climb and we are out of the forest. The views are best and the most exhilarating yet, for everywhere we turn the world is either at our feet or towering above us. The ridge, now grassy and under snow for several months, takes us up to "high camp" at 4100m. Which we shall reach at lunch time and where our second rest afternoon is spending awe-struck with the views and acclimatizing.

Day 07: After breakfast, then with a well-packed lunch we set off to reach our objective. Conditions being favorable, our party should reach upto 5000 – 5300 m. (17000-18000 ft.) and our goal of course is the crest Mardi Himal at 5588 m. (18500 ft.). The year round snow-covered knoll before the saddle that is all that separates us from the triangular south face of Machhapuchare looming now just in front of us. The great ice field and ice blue glaciers of the Sanctuary wall lie below in the northwest, Annapurna 1, Dhaulagiri to the Ganesh Himal. Afternoon we need to descend, through the sight of "high camp" and down into the tree line to the food, shelter and welcome rest of "low camp".

Day 08: After breakfast, tried bodies make an unhurried descent down through the shade of the forest, out into terraced field and down 1000m, in all amongst the cottages of Siding and down still to our camp sight near the rock strewn course of the tumbling Mardi Khola.

Day 09: The path from Siding follows the contour of the river that follows the river gradually down. The trail between the Tamang and Gurung villagers is a live wire of gossip and of porters and farming fold bent over loads. There are just a few hours of walking, the trail skirts an outcrop, there's the road, there's our transport and we're back in Pokhara for our last lunch… This afternoon is spend showering, relaxing, some have enough energy for rowing on the lake, other for lounging in pie shop. Tonight we have our end of trek party! The Sherpa and porters let their hair down and urge you to do same although few need encouraging.

Day 10: At leisure Pokhara for independent activities. O/N Hotel.

Day 11: Drive or flight to Kathmandu. O/N Hotel.

Day 12: Transfer to airport for next destination.