Mardi Himal & Other Sanctuary trek and climb, a fascinating adventure with Sherpa Nomads, leading you to awesome scenic mid hills villages inhabited by Gurung tribes a friendly people offering with warm hospitality, trekking in the comfort of nice campsites.
Sherpa Nomads Mardi Himal & Other Sanctuary trek and climb starts with an overland and interesting drive beyond Kathmandu valley to reach a scenic and most popular touristic spot in Pokhara, an amazing place nestled on the laps of Annapurna Himalaya and pristine lakes of Phewa and Begnas with great vista of mountains including the majestic
Mt. Machapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ that dominates the Pokhara valley.
After Pokhara a short drive to the trekking starting point at Mardipul located by the Mardi River, beginning the trek with slow and gradual uphill passing several nice villages of Lwang, Riban and Khorchan, and then a steep haul with wonderful views of Annapurna Himalaya beneath the towering South Face of Mt. Machapuchare and walking through green forest of rhododendron and firs.
Adventure leads towards Mardi base camp also known as “Other Sanctuary” with picturesque scenery, as the walk leads past forested area and tree to reach at Mardi base camp at 4,100 meters the highest spot of this fabulous trek and camping beside the summit top, here you will be encircled with massive Annapurna Himalayan peaks at close distance and towering Machapuchare peak at 6,997 meters high (unclimbed peak).
After base camp adventure leads to a classic climb to the height of 5,587 meters high, here our expert guide will scout the route of the climb for safe ascent, the climb is straight forward with few technical sections, crampons, ice axe are necessary in the entire climb even up to high camp.
Mardi Himal rated F ( Easy snow can rock slopes with some technical difficult and walking on glaciers) the grade as per Swiss / French Alpine System which is widely used world over.
From the summit awesome panorama of Annapurna Sanctuary, with Mt. Annapurna’s I, II, III and IV, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome as far to Mt. Dhaulagiri, Tilicho and Manaslu and mountain range in the distance. After an overwhelming time at the summit of Mardi Himal, then heading back to Pokhara via an alternative route passing through scenic hills, beautiful forest to Mardi Pul for the drive back to scenic Pokhara, on completing a grand super adventure climb of Mardi Himal & Other Sanctuary trek and climb with great service of Sherpa Nomads and its friendly guides and porters.
Daily super views of Annapurna Himalaya & Mt. Machapuchare (Fish Tail) with amazing landscapes, a country walk visiting traditional mid hills villages, old culture and custom, friendly locals, warm hospitality, enchanting alpine forest of rhododendron, oaks, birch and pine trees, striking sunrise over chain of Himalayan mountain range, in the heart of other sanctuary, beneath towering Mt. Machapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ on the least explored area.
On reaching Kathmandu international airport, received by Sherpa Nomads staff and transfer to respective hotel in the hub of Kathmandu, and then briefing / orientation program regarding Kathmandu, Pokhara and Mardi Himal trek, climb.
Morning after breakfast our city tour guide will take you on a half day tour at places of interest around interesting old temples, monasteries and palaces, Kathmandu is full of World Heritage Sites, afternoon free and preparation for the trek and climb to Mardi Himal
Depending upon your choices either take a short scenic flight or drive to Pokhara which takes 6 hours of interesting drive, on reaching Pokhara transfer to respective hotels by the lake Phewa.
After breakfast 30 minutes drive reaches you at the outskirt of Pokhara near Mardipul, from here walk leads downhill near the bridge at Mardipul after crossing the river by suspension bridge the walk leads on the gradual path for few hours passing through farm villages and fields and climbing towards Ghacok village a large Gurung village from here another hour reaches you at Dhiprang by the hot spring for the overnight camp
After enjoying the hot spring at Dhiprung walk leads towards along the ridgeline, careful of the false trails that can lead you array! After being in the hot semi-tropic climate of the low area after few hours of walk on the ridge welcome by the cool mountain breeze and air with stunning panorama of Mt.Machhapuchare at 6,997m to the west view of Annapurna I and South with Huinchuli to the east are the views of the granite mass of Annapurna IV -II and Lamjung Himal and leaving the forest area then reaching to a fine camping area at Simre-Kharka near Kumai
From this lovely spot, walk leads towards the ridgeline on the uphill path with some steep climb and reaching at Khorchon on the grazing pasture land for the overnight stop after a hard steep climb.
A necessary rest day for acclamatsation and to pull back the strength from the previous day steep climb to here at Khorchon, a short hike around can be done here as this area is less trekked.
The trail from here leads to another steep climb along the ridgeline to a hidden plateau beneath the South Face of Mardi Himal and the South-West Ridge of Mt. Machhapuchhre; this is also known as the 'Other Sanctuary' so called by Jimmy Roberts when he first discovered this area in the early 1970's, overnight stop and as Base Camp for the climb.
Another necessary rest day for acclamatsation and to explore around this area, as well preparation for the great climb to the summit of Mardi Himal, with grand view of the surrounding landscapes and snow capped peaks.
From the base camp ascend slowly on the steep path towards the col between the East Face of Mardi Himal and the connecting ridge of Mt. Machhapuchhre, high camp is placed at near 4,650 meters.
Early morning before dawn climb to reach a snow couloir leading to the col with a steep section of 45 degrees, at the col further steep snow slopes leads to the summit of Mardi Himal, a panoramic views can be seen from the very top of all the giant snow capped mountains and deep valleys towards Pokhara, after a wonderful time here descend back to Base Camp
Retrace the journey back to Kumai with downhill walk all the way.
Trek back to near Mardipul at Lwang village a nice place with home stay and vast Tea Garden beneath the towering Machhapuchhre peak, her in the comfort of local home stay.
Last day of this fabulous trekking, as the walk leads into serene cool forest to reach at Thulo Kharka a large pasture, this scenic place is also known as Australian Camp offering tremendous views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour descend to the road head at Kande for a short drive back to picturesque Pokhara and check into hotel by the lake Phewa, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities
Another option at Pokhara either fly or take an interesting six hours of scenic overland drive to Kathmandu.
Your last day in Kathmandu as per your international flight time, our Sherpa Nomads staff will transfer you to airport for the flight homeward bound after a remarkable life time experience in the mid hill of Annapurna Himalaya to base camp & Poon Hill trek with excellent service of Sherpa Nomads.
