Our Mardi Himal trek should not be likened to those offered by other organisations. We follow a far quieter, off the beaten track, destination in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Here you will see few other trekkers and we’ll meet friendly local people along the way. A number of new basic lodges and home stays have been established along Mardi Himal ridge; therefore it is now possible to do this as a lodge based trek rather than having to bring in a camping crew.

Mardi Himal trek contains all of the elements of a classic Nepal trekking experience, including typical villages, wildlife, panoramic mountain views and a wide range of landscapes from forest to high alpine meadows. The mountain views from Mardi Himal are superb including Annapurna South, Mount Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail) and Mount Hiunchuli.

Important Note: Your safety is of paramount concern whilst travelling with Griffon Travels. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary as planned; however, as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters, etc, can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Day to Day Activity

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day 03: Drive to Kande and trek to Australian Camp
Day 04: Trek to Forest Camp (Kokar)
Day 05: Trek to Low Camp
Day 06: Trek to High Camp
Day 07: Trek to Upper Viewpoint back to High Camp
Day 08: Trek to Siding Village
Day 09: Trek to Lumre, drive to Pokhara
Day 10: At leisure in Pokhara
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 12: Depart Kathmandu

Note: In Kathmandu & Pokhara you’ll have Bed &  Breakfast – for all other days you will be on full Board.

» Follow a far quieter, off- the- beaten track, route in the Annapurna region.
» Superb views of mighty Annapurna range including Annapurna South, Mount Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail) and Mount Hiunchuli.
» Trekking through conservation area, forested hillsides, human made terraces, stopping at small typical villages, wildlife and a wide range of landscapes from forest to high alpine meadows.

• Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
  Check in to your Hotel (Yak and Yeti) right in the centre of the town, just off Thamel. It’s an easy location giving you easy access to all the important sights in Kathmandu valley.
  Overnight 4-Star Hotel, Meals included: breakfast

  Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1,350m),
  Today there is a half day guided tour to visit the old part of Kathmandu Durbar Square, in the heart of the old city. Here is the old Royal palace, with its intricate woodcarving and four fine towers. There are several Hindu temples to house for different Hindu deities and images including the resident for Kumari, the young girl who is revered as a living Goddess from mid 18th century. We will see magnificent examples of Nepali medieval architecture around this Durbar Square. Leading away from the square, in all directions, are narrow alleys.  These are full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls.

  In the afternoon you will be free to visit the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath, or one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath. Alternatively you may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath.
  Overnight 4-Star Hotel, Meals included: breakfast

  Day 03. Drive via Pokhara to Kande and trek to Australian Camp (1,950m)-
  2 hours trekking.
  After breakfast, we will drive westwards over the Chandra pass.  This is where the Chinese have built the Prithivi highway which snakes to Naubise.  We will continue follow the Trisuli river to Mugling.  From there we will take a right turn to Pokhara. This is set in a beautiful valley and is overlooked by Machhapuchhare, one of the most distinctive mountains of the western Nepal Himalaya. From here on a clear day we will get good view of Dhaulagiri 1, plus other different peaks of the Annapurna range. We continue driving through town northwards to the road head at Kande and start our trek, climbing steeply, sometimes through forest, to Australian camp.  Here we will stay in a teahouse lodge for the first night with great views of Annapurna massif and Manaslu range in the distance.
  Overnight Teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  Day 04. Trek to Forest Camp at Kokar (2,600m)-
  4 hours walking.
  From the camp we will walk downhill, then up through forest to Pothana continuing on to Pitam Deurali.  Here we will turn off the main Annapurna Sanctuary trekking route and continue along a quiet trail through a dense forest of oak, maple, hemlock and rhododendron. Tonight we will stay at one of the lodges in a clearing of the forest at Forest Camp, also known by the locals as Kokar. The lodges at Kokar are quite basic and there is no dining room. We will probably have meals in the kitchen along with the owner.  Therefore, in some ways, this is more like a home stay and is a good opportunity to get to know this friendly family from Siding village.
  Overnight Teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  Day 05. Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)-
  5 hours walking.
  Today’s walk, from Kokar to Low Camp, continues through the forest, however as we ascend, the vegetation starts to change with more rhododendron and the trees are covered with moss, lichen and tree ferns. At Low Camp there are two basic lodges, one with a dining room with open fire. The view from Low Camp is superb with the holy peak of Mount Machhapuchhre visible up the valley.
  Overnight Teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
  
  Day 06. Trek to High Camp (3,600m)-
  4 hours walking.
  After walking for an hour, or so, above Low Camp the trail breaks out above the tree line; towards the west there is a good view to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The trail continues along the Mardi Himal ridge, mainly on grass, with some isolated rhododendron bushes along the way. Look out for the colourful Danphe pheasant on this section of the trail. The lodge at High Camp is larger than lodges at Low Camp and Forest Camp. The one that we use has eight rooms and a separate dining room with heater. The view from the lodge is superb to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail).
  Overnight Teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
  
  Day 07. Day walk to Upper viewpoint (4,200m)-
  4 hours walking.
  We will wake you up early today, so that we can see the sun rise from behind the mountains.  Then, after an early breakfast, we will walk up the ridge towards Mardi Himal.  Here there is a well established trail through the grass with a couple of steeper sections, however, overall, these are not too challenging.  Look out for the dzos (yak/cow crossbreds) grazing up here as well as Danphe pheasant – the national bird of Nepal. In the summer months the sheep and goats, from lower villages, are brought up to graze in this area. We will pass a number of herders’ huts along the way.
  After three hours walking we should reach Upper View point at 4,200m this is where one can look into the Annapurna Sanctuary. This is a spectacular panoramic view. We will see the south face of Annapurna and all of the peaks in the Sanctuary as well as Hiunchuli and mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
  Overnight Teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
  
  Day 08. Trek to Siding village (1,750m)-
  6 hours walking.
  On the way back we will take a different route, completing a circuit, from Low Camp. We will use a trail that goes down to Siding village - rather than going back down Mardi Himal back to Kokar. Siding is a traditional Nepali village and still very much away from the busier tourist route.  It is likely that we will stay at a home stay in Siding owned by the family who run one of the lodges at Low Camp. Experiencing the real village life is a wonderful cultural experience. We will discover more about village life and we will probably eat Dal Bhat in the evening with the family in their traditional kitchen.
  Overnight homestay or teahouse, Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
  
  Day 09. Trek to Lumre and drive to Pokhara
  3 hours walking and 2 hours driving.
  From Siding village we will walk out to the road head at Lumre, passing the villages of Kalimati and Ghale. Kalimati is mainly a Brahmin village with Ghale, and Siding is mixed with Brahmin and Gurung people. These are the different indigenous groups of the country.  At Lumre we will meet your jeep, organised in advance by us.  This will take us back to Pokhara.
  Overnight Simple Hotel, Meals included: breakfast

  Day 10. Relax in Pokhara.
  Today is a free day to rest and relax in Pokhara after the trek, or to go shopping, explore or sight-seeing around the city by yourselves. It is possible to do lots of different things in this beautiful town.  For example, you may choose from things like hiring a boat and rowing out to Phewa Tal on the lake, visiting the mountaineering museum, caves and Barahi temple on an island in the lake.
  Overnight Simple Hotel, Meals included: breakfast
  
  Day 11. Fly to Kathmandu.
  Transfer to Pokhara airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. It’s just a half an hour scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara.  From the left hand side of the plane you’ll get a good view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the Langtang range.
  Overnight 4-Star Hotel, Meals included: breakfast
  
  Day 12: Depart Kathmandu,
  The trip ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
  Meals included: breakfast

Price Includes:

» Arrival and departure -transfer
» Transport - Comfortable Bus, on foot,
» Accommodation - Hotels, Tea House and Lodge (twin share basis)
» All sightseeing in Kathmandu,
» Local leader throughout the trip, local guide and naturalist
» All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), snacks, welcome drink, Tea/Coffee as listed in the itinerary
» Domestic flights and applicable taxes.
» All National Park permits and entrance fees
» Comprehensive medical kit

Price Excludes:

» Personal expenses such as soft drinks, beverage, postage and laundry
» Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
» International flights and departure taxes
» Visa and passport fees
» Travel insurance
» Emergency evacuation
» Tips and gratuities
» Costs arising from unforeseen events outside the control of Griffon Travel