Mardi Trek

This travel blog is based on the travel done in 2023

The Mardi trek is a short trek from Pokhara which has been popular recently. The route follows the ridge which leads Mardi Base Camp which is the same ridge which leads to Machhapuchhre peak

This route is very flexible with 2 routes and can also be connected with Gorepani-Poonhill or ABC route to extend the length of the trekking.

1. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

A. Getting close to Machhapuchhre

The trek takes us closest to Machhapuchhre peak than any other trek around Annapurna region. The Mardi is a lower peak on the same ridge as Machhapuchhre.

B. Shortest Route

Although a 4 day trek via Dhampus, the whole trek can be completed in 2 days via Siddhing if in hurry (which we did).

2. BEST TIME AND DIFFICULTY

We made the journey in April. The Rhododendron season starts in March.
While most of the trails is the easy with stone steps in most places. The last stretch of the route to Mardi Viewpoint and Basecamp can be difficult during snowfall. The route to base camp was closed due to snow during our visit.

3. TOUR ITINERARY

VIA SIDDHING (short but steep)

Day 1

Kathmandu - Hemja - Sidhing [1280m]

Take a Micro to Beni/Baglung but make a stop at Hemja. Take a jheep at Hemja to Sidhing. There are plenty of Hotels at Sidhing.

Day 2

Sidhing [1280m] - Low Camp [3170m] – Badal Danda [3210m] - High Camp [3620m]

Start early to ascend to Sidhing through jungle. There are two ways to Low camp - a old abandoned short route and longer new good route. Overall it is at most 3-4 hours steep trek from Sidhing to Low Camp which is a good place to have breakfast.

From the Low Camp it is 2 hours gentle climb to Badal Danda and another maximum 2-3 hours climb to High Camp. Regardless of time we reach High Camp, we rest and high camp and get ready for early morning climb to Mardi View point and beyond

Day 3

High Camp [3620m] - Mardi View Point [4150m] - Mardi Base Camp [4500m] - To where ever you can come down to

Start as early as possible [4am at most] to get the best view of the mountains. You can leave your luggage at the Hotel but use a torch to find the way The Trail is difficult towards the end if snow are still present. The Mardi View Point can be reached in 2 hours. The view is usually clear in early morning. As the temperature rises the clouds also tend to rise blocking the view. There are few tea houses serving teas. From here if weather permits, if there are no snow we can proceed to Mardi Base Camp.

If we skip Mardi Base Camp we can descend all the way down to Sidhing where we can take a jheep back to Pokhara or rest.

Day 4

Pokhara - Kathmandu

VIA DHAMPUS (1 day loger but gentle climb)

Day 1

Kathmandu - Phedi - Dhampus [1650m]

Take a Micro to Beni/Baglung but make a stop near Phedi. Take a jheep or hike to Dhampus

Day 2

Dhampus [1650m] - Deurali [2100m] – Forest Camp [2970m] - Low Camp [3170m]

Day 3

Low Camp [3170m] – Badal Danda [3210m] - High Camp [3620m]

Day 4

Continue from Day 3 on the previous part

4. NECESSARY ITEMS

You can travel as lightly as possible due to facilities available but don't ignore the following

GEARS

Trekking stick, Light Jacket
A torch, pair of gloves n warm clothes to aid early morning climb to Mardi View Point
Power bank - Its solar after low camp and a bad weather can mean no charging

5. LOGISTICS & FACILITIES

Electricity is not available from Low Camp although Solar is present
The area is covered by NTC and NCell mobile network. Signal are sometimes weak so switching to Flight mode will keep the cell running longer
ATMs are available at Pokhara
Foods and water are available throughout the way. The meals [Dal, Bhat] costs higher as we go up. It was highest at Highcamp at Rs 750 per meal.
As mentioned earlier, guides and going through trekking agencies are absolutely not required.

8. REFERENCES

Some of the Hotels and other references

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