Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days

Following the Trishuli River along the Prithvi Highway, we will leave the valley of Kathmandu and get on the road to Pokhara. The distance between the two cities is about 200 km, but since the road is windy and the overall condition is bad, it will take us about 8 hours to reach Pokhara on a bus. We will be getting on a tourist bus for a comfortable ride. Our lunch will be done on the way, at one of the highway eateries we will stop at. There will be multiple stops along the way for refreshments and relief. The Trishuli River and the views of the hills will accompany us for most of the ride; the road is bumpy, though. We will probably reach Pokhara in the evening hours, which leaves us with an hour of daylight to spend by the famous Fewa Lake. Pokhara is a beautiful city, west of Kathmandu, also known as the tourism capital of Nepal. There are many things that make this city a beautiful place to explore and visit. The plethora of sites to visit, the different extreme sports you can try, such as paragliding, and the availability of different cuisines, all these things make it a worthwhile place. If you are not in a hurry, we can arrange a day sightseeing tour the next day. This add-on will take you on a day tour around the city, visiting sites like World Peace Stupa, Methlang, Kahun Danda, Tibetan Camp, etc. Activity: Drive for 8 hours Max. Altitude: 822m/2,697ft. Pokhara Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

The 2nd day of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days takes us to Dhampus, a beautiful Gurung village within the Annapurna Conservation Area. This jeep ride takes about 1.5 hours, covering a distance of 26 km. The road to Dhampus is windy and uphill, which takes a long time to cover a short distance. From our last night’s accommodation, we will have a filling breakfast and get on the jeep to Dhampus. Making our way through Hemja, we will be on the Baglung Highway that takes us to a divergence at the Ghatte Khola bridge. Taking the right will take us to Nayapul, while a left turn starts the uphill road to Dhampus. This is also the start of the off-road section. After we reach Dhampus, following a bumpy but scenic ride, we will unload our bags and get on the path to Pothana. The trail is full of lush forest and hill farmland with a slight incline that facilitates an easy trekking experience. As we go up the track, the trees open up and provide us with a grand view of the Annapurna Himalayan range. We will reach Pothana in just 1.5 hours of trekking, covering a distance of 4 km. The beautiful village of Pothana sits at an altitude of 1890 meters and has a couple of lodgings and tea houses for visitors. Not many trekkers spend the night in Pothana, which is why the village is not filled with accommodations. However, many people visit the village, especially the city dwellers of Pokhara, for a short getaway from their city life. It’s a great place to rest and fill up our water bottles. From Pothana, the track ascends a little, taking us through Rhododendron forests with stone stairs at a few points along the trek. This final section of today’s trek takes about 1.5 hours. The sounds of the birds and the mountain breeze fill the air with refreshment. As we go deeper into the valley, the forests get thinner and the views of the mountains get clearer. Following a 1.5-hour trek from Pothana, we will finally get to our destination of the day. After reaching Deurali, we will get some food and get ready for bed, ending the 2nd day of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. Deurali sits at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level and is a stop for many Annapurna region treks. Activity: Drive & Trek for 4-5 hours Max. Altitude: 3,200m/10,499ft. Deurali Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

Covering 8.5 km, day 3 of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days takes us on a 6-hour-long day trek to get to Forest Camp. Leaving the village of Deurali, the trail splits off from the standard Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) route and takes us through a lush rhododendron forest, leading us higher into the valley. This trail is used mostly by shepherds to take their cattle to highland pastures during the summer season. The starting portion of today’s trek is a gravel road with a slight ascent. The trail is ide enough to fit trekkers on one side and the group of cattle on the other. Moving forward, the trail offers a great view of the valley and the Himalayas up north. There are several clearings along the way that offer unobstructed views of the Annapurna. The trail is very manageable since it only has slight ascent all the way through, you do not have to navigate harsh inclines or rugged trails. The rhododendron trees beside the trial provide shade for us as we day trek to Forest camp and spend the night there. Activity: Trekking for 6 hours Max. Altitude: 2,550m/8,366ft. Forest Camp Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

From Forest Camp to High Camp, it’s just a matter of 4 km, but since the trail is rugged and windy, we will be on foot for about 4 hours. We will begin day 4 of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days with a delicious breakfast and soon get on the trail after packing our bags. Your luggage and bags will be carried by our porters; all you have to do is carry a light day pack for easy access to water bottles, energy drinks, energy bars, and anything you want to carry inside it. The trek to High Camp starts with an ascent through a forest of oak and pine. This part of the trek is fairly easy with some narrow sections, but overall wide and plain tracks. We will reach Low Camp (2990 m) after about an hour of trekking from Forest Camp. There, we will rest a little, get hydrated, and snack on energy bars before continuing the trek. After that point, the trail ascends a little more, and the lush forests turn into sparse woodland with more frequent clearing, offering views of the surroundings. The narrow hillside trail turns into wide plain ridges as we get close to Badal Danda, our lunch spot. The name translates to Cloudy Hill, which is a fitting name since the clouds tend to form below the ridge of the hill. It’s truly a stunning sight to see as you get the sense of being above the clouds. As we proceed the trek after lunch at Badal Danda, the path continues along the ridge line and the tree line is left behind, all you will see now are huge rocks, short bushes, and alpine grassland patches. Going uphill, the air continues to get thinner, and you might feel the difference right away as you start to breathe shorter breaths. We will shortly reach High Camp after passing grassy ridges. Activity: Trekking for 4 hours Max. Altitude: 3,550m/11,647ft. High Camp Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 5 of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days is the climax of the trek as we will reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m). It is also the most challenging day of the trek as we have to climb up a steep trail all the way to the base camp. We will begin the trek at 5 in the morning since we have a lot of ground to cover, leaving our bags at the accommodation. The starting portion is narrow and steep, taking us along a ridge that has sheer drops on both sides. As we go higher, the trail offers great views of the nearby peaks, and the sunrise gives a much-needed warm sensation, illuminating the entire snow-covered Himalayas. With little to no vegetation, this part of the trek is full of rocks and ice. After about 2 hours of trekking, we will reach the Lower View Point, which means that we have reached over 4000 meters of altitude. Along with being a great viewpoint of the Annapurna Himalayas, the Lower View Point is also a resting spot with a couple of tea shops. From there, the trail continues to ascend and gradually becomes sharper as we move up the ridgeline. Another 2 hours of trekking along the path will take us to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. In total, it will take us 4 hours to reach the base camp from high camp. The views from the Mardi Himal Base Camp are your ultimate reward for the trek. After spending some time at the camp, we will get on the descent back to Low Camp. Descending the same path we hiked up, we will first reach High Camp, which will be our lunch stop for the day. Also, our heavy bags are at the accommodation, so we will have to stop by anyway. Following a short lunch break, we will descend a lot more, losing about 600 meters of elevation by the time we reach Low Camp. The forest line starts to thicken a little as we get closer to Low Camp. Descending over snow and ice is not as easy as it sounds because it is slippery, and you have to be cautious of where you step. Activity: Trekking for 8 hours Max. Altitude: 2,990m/9,810ft. Low Camp Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

As you might have guessed, today’s trek is all about descent as we lose over 1250 meters of elevation to get to Jhinu Danda. The trail is pretty simple but going downhill is not as easy since your knee joints will have to work overtime to cushion the hard steps. Going through small settlements and forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron we will make it to Jhinu Danda after about 6 hours of trekking. This village is famous for its natural hot springs, which are believed to have natural healing properties. We can’t say for sur,e but what we can guarantee is a relaxing time for your sore muscles that have been walking for days. Starting the trek at 3050 meters of elevation, we will end the day at 1780 meters above sea level. Activity: Trekking for 6 hours Max. Altitude: 1,780m/5,840ft. Jhinu Danda Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

We will start the 7th day of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days, with an uphill trek to the village of Chhomrong. This village is often visited by many trekkers who visit the Annapurna region. We will go over stone stairs that will definitely test our endurance, and also the terrace farmlands owned by the locals. We will follow the Modi River upstream, and the sound of its water crashing on the huge stones will control the ambience. We will reach Chhomrong in about 2 hours of trekking, covering 8 km in the process and reaching an altitude of 2170 meters above sea level. It’s a great village to spend time in, and so we will rest a little, taking in the views of the Annapurna Himalayan range before moving on. A short photo session is also great. From Chhomrong, the track descends a little as we get down over stone steps that lead us to the Chhomrong River. We will soon go over the river via a suspension bridge that goes towards Sinuwa. Passing a lush forest of oak and an up-and-down trail, we will make it to Sinuwa, where our lunch awaits us. Sitting at 2360 meters above sea level, this village offers trekkers a chance to meet fellow trek enthusiasts since many trekking itineraries include Sinuwa as a stop. From Sinuwa, the trail takes us down a bamboo forest, which signifies that we are close to Bamboo village. But before that, we will reach Kuldi Ghar, a popular sheep breeding facility. There aren’t many facilities in the region since bringing equipment and daily tools is such a hassle, where road transport is not an option. After Kuldi Ghar, we have to trek a long, downhill trek to Bamboo Village, sitting at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level. This final leg of the trek is hard on your knees and so trekking poles should be used to minimize the load on your legs. Activity: Trekking for 6 hours Max. Altitude: 2,300m/7,546ft. Bamboo Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 8 is one of the hardest days of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days since we have to gain over 900 meters of elevation by the end of the day. Leaving the village of Bamboo, we will ascend a bamboo forest with some oak trees. This part of the trail is fairly simple and easy to navigate. Trekking for about 1.5 hours will get us to Dovan (2505 meters), where a couple of tea houses are established. After a quick rest there, we will continue the trek along the Modi River basin upstream. The trail is steep in this part of the trek, and stone stairs also await us. We will get to a sacred little temple, about a 35-minute trek from Dovan, that was established in the name of Lord Panchhi Baraha. Moving on, the trail continues to ascend and leads us to the village of the Himalayas, sitting at 2920 meters above sea level. This will be our last stop before we get to our destination of the day, Deurali. As we hike uphill from the Himalaya village, the surroundings begin to change as the treeline grows thinner. We traverse over an avalanche-prone zone, guided by our expert Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days guide. Debris and giant rocks are present there, a memory of the last avalanche or landslide that occurred. After an hour of trek from the Himalaya village, we will reach the Hinku cave, an ancient shelter for shepherds. Now, the final leg of the trek to Deurali begins. The trail up to our destination is moderately steep and wide, with giant cliffs on the east and west sides. The woodlands now turn into small shrubs and grass patches as we reach Deurali at 3230 meters above sea level. Activity: Trekking for 6 hours Max. Altitude: 3,200m/10,499ft. Deurali Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

The 9th day is one of the ultimate days of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days, as we will make it to the famous Annapurna Base Camp. Our morning starts with breakfast, followed by an ascent through rocky terrain full of pebbles and big rocks. As we progress forward, the trail opens up to a wide valley ridge following the Modi River. About 50 minutes of trekking takes us to Bagar, the infamous landslide section of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This place was one full of human activity, but after the landslide, the tea houses there were deserted, turning it into a ghost settlement. The trail then gets steeper after we cross the Modi River via a suspension bridge. This part of the trek goes on for more than one hour, which takes us to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700 meters above sea level). We will spend some time there, hydrating and taking photos before we continue the ascent. From Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the trail turns west, taking us to a gravel path with alpine vegetation and views of the glaciers in the vicinity. From MBC, the scenes of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, and Hiunchuli are apparent. This is the final part of the climb to Annapurna Base Camp, and it will not be easy. After two more hours of climbing an icy trail, we will finally see the blue roofs of the tea house at the base camp. It’s truly a fulfilling experience to make it to Annapurna Base Camp and see the blissful views from the top. The panoramic scene of the Annapurna range and the valley is an unforgettable view. We will take in as much of it as possible before heading to our accommodation in the evening. The chilly winds in the evening can get really cold, and the temperature at night drops below zero, which is why you should bring along a warm sleeping bag. From 3230 meters, we will end the day at 4130 meters above sea level at the Annapurna Base Camp. This trek covers a distance of almost 8 km within 5 hours of trekking. The total elevation gain throughout the day is 900 meters. Activity: Trekking for 5-6 hours Max. Altitude: 4,130m/13,550ft. Annapurna Base Camp Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 10 is the first day of descent on the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. We will wake up to view a stunning sunrise from the base camp and have a hot, fulfilling breakfast to energize ourselves for the upcoming descent. Leaving the Annapurna Base Camp, we will trek the same path we used to ascent and get to Machhapuchhre Base Camp first. It’s a 2km trail from ABC to MBC, and the descent is pretty easy. Continuing the drop, the trail descends down for 1.5 km to level at the village of Deurali. In the company of the Modi River, we will traverse through narrow trails to get there. From Deurali, we will first get to Himalaya village (2920 meters) and subsequently reach Dovan, crossing multiple streams and bridges along the way. Dovan sits at 2505 meters above sea level, which means we have lost 1625 meters of elevation. However, the trek has not concluded for the day. From Dovan, we descend about 200 more meters to Bamboo village, which is only 2 km away. In total, we will travel over 13 km in a span of 8 hours to conclude the 10th day of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. Activity: Trekking for 8 hours Max. Altitude: 2,300m/7,546ft. Bamboo Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

The next day, we will get on the path to Jhinu Danda, trekking a total distance of 10 km over the span of 5 hours. A total descent of 520 meters ends day 11 of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. After about 1.5 hours of trek from Bamboo, we will reach Sinuwa (2360 m), followed by a descent to Chhomrong River, and an ascent to Chhomrong village. From there, the trail turns into a sharp ascent until we reach Chhomrong and a short little descent takes us to Jhinu Danda. Activity: Trekking for 5 hours Max. Altitude: 1,780m/5,840ft. Jhinu Danda Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Teahouse

Day 12 is the last day of the trek on the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. Our morning starts with a cup of hot tea/coffee, followed by a descent to the Modi River. We will then cross a suspension bridge over the Modi River to get to Landruk. We reach there after about 3 hours of trekking. From Landruk, the trail ascends a little before leveling, and this theme continues throughout the trail to Ghandruk Phedi. This place is a junction, the north road leads to Ghandruk village while the south road leads to Nayapul. Taking the latter track, we will reach Nayapul in about 2.5 hours. Our jeep will be waiting there, and we will reach Pokhara in just 1.5 hours of ride. Activity: Trek & Drive for 6-7 hours Max. Altitude: 822m/2,697ft. Pokhara Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Day 13 is the last day of your Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek-13 days. You will wake up in the relaxing vibe of Pokhara and grab breakfast before getting on the bus to Kathmandu. Activity: Drive for 6-7 hours Max. Altitude: 1,324m/4,344ft. Kathmandu Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel