Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Base Camp Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Standard to Deluxe Hotel's Options in Cities & Tea Houses during Trek
Grade:	Moderate
Max Altitude:	4,500 m/14,765 ft
Meals:	As Mentioned in the itnerary
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Duration :	14 Nights/ 15 Days
Group Size:	1 to 15 People

Highlights of The Trek

Step Into Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m and Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m
Trek to the Classical Trail and Off The Beaten Trail of Annapurna Region
Enjoy view of Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiuchuli (6,441 m) , Mt. Fishtail (6,997 m) from two angles.
Enjoy close view of Mardi Himal (5,587 m) from Mardi Base Camp and Annapurna Glacier from Annapurna Base Camp
Visit many villages of Magar and Gurungs and enjoy Hot Spring at Jhinu Danda
Witness Annapurna Range on Sunrise and Sunset
Enjoy Pokhara City, city of Nature, Lakes and Adventure
Visit Sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa and Fly to Pokhara-30 Minutes

Day 03: Drive to Kimche- 2 Hours and Trek to Ghandruk (1,950 m/6,400 ft )-2/3 Hours

Day 04: Trek to Chomorong (2,170 m/7,120 ft)-6 Hours

Day 05: Trek to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft)-6 Hours

Day 06: Trek to Himalaya Hotel (2,920 m/9,580 ft) & to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m/12,140 ft)-6 Hours

Day 07: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m/ 13,550 ft)-2 Hours

Day 08: Return back to Bamboo (2,400 m/7,875 ft)- 6 Hours

Day 09: Trek back to Jhinu Danda (1,760 m/5,775 ft)-6 Hours

Day 10: Trek to Forest Camp (2,550 m/8,366 ft) via Landruk (1,645 m/5,397 ft)-6/7 Hours

Day 11: Trek to High Camp (3,580 m/11,745 ft)-6 Hours

Day 12: Trek to Upper Viewpoint (4,250 m/13,945 ft), and to Mardi Base Camp (4,500 m/14,765 ft), back to Badaldanda- 6/7 Hours

Day 13: Trek Down to Sidhing Village (1,850 m/6,070 ft)-4 Hours and Drive to Pokhara-3 Hours

Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu-30 Minutes

Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Annapurna Base Camp Vs Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a recent invention in Annapurna Region of Nepal. The classical Annapurna Base Camp Trek has been shorten due of the road expansion on the region and Mardi Trek has been evolving very quickly to impress the trekkers with its fantastic panoramic views of Annapurna Range, Mt. Fishtail ,Mardi Himal and dense forest along the trail.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered as one of the world's great treks. The walk-in to the Sanctuary provides an experience of the great variety of landscape types which serve to make Nepal such a special trekking destination. You will pass through a diverse geographical and cultural variation with an amazing range of flora and fauna in between. Mardi Base Camp Trek goes on the east of Annapurna Base Camp is one of the recent invention in trekking trails of Nepal. This was one of the best, least popular and least visited area of Nepal before few years, is a perfect option for those who are looking for untouched experience in a short period of time. This trek passes through beautiful villages, forests, interesting people, farms, rivers and rewards trekkers by breathtaking views of Mardi, Himal, Machapuchre(Fishtail), Hiunchuli and Annapurna Range.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC) with Mardi Base Camp Trek (MBC) starts with a day city sightseeing in Kathmandu to make you introduce with Nepalese Culture, history and monuments. It continues next day flight or drive to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you will be driving 2 hours to Kimche to start your trek. Our trek firstly goes to ABC via Ghandruk, Chomorong, Dovan, Himalayan Hotel, Deurali, Macchapuchre Base Camp and finally to the Annapurna Base Camp. Our next leg will be to Mardi Base Camp. On our way back, we follow the same route up to Chomorong and make a descend to Jhinu Danda and further down to the river. After crossing the bridge over Modi Khola, we ascend to Landrung for 2 hours. From Landrung, we ascend up to Forest Camp and join the route of Mardi Himal Trek.

Spring and Autumn are the best time for these treks. There are basic tea houses in Mardi Base Camp trail than in Annapurna Base Camp trail. These combined treks allow you the views of great mountain vistas from two different angles. And we let you compare these two great trails.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

After arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, our Alpine Holidays representative will meet you at the airport. Please look for the signage of Alpine Holidays with your name once you come out of Arrival Terminal Hall after collecting your luggage. You will be escorted to the hotel. Before dinner, our Trek Manager and Trek Guide will do briefing and equipment check. In the evening, we will take you to the Finest Nepali Restaurant for Dinner to introduce you with Nepali food and Culture.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa and Fly to Pokhara-30 Minutes

After breakfast, we will take you for guided tour of Kathmandu city. We will begin with Pashupatinath Temple which is famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of holy Bagmati River. After this, we continue to Boudhanath Stupa, which is giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Then in the afternoon, we fly to Pokhara. In Pokhara, you may walk around the Lakeside Bazaar in the evening.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Drive to Kimche- 2 Hours and Trek to Ghandruk (1,950 m/6,400 ft )-2/3 Hours

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Kimche via Nayapul and start trek to Ghandruk. We will ascend on stone steps to the village of Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a famous village of Gurung who has renowned in British and Indian Army as Gorkha Regiment. In the evening, we walk around village and may visit Gurung Museum. Ghandruk offers the great views of Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna and Mt. Fishtail always reward the trekkers.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Ghandruk.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Trek to Chomorong (2,170 m/7,120 ft)-6 Hours

Today our trail goes to Chomorong passing by several small villages and steams. We continue our trek by ascending to Kimrung Danda on stone steps which offers close view of Annapurna South, Hiuchuli and Fishtail. Then we descend to the Kimrong Khola through forest of oak and fir. After crossing suspension bridge over steam, we make a steep ascent to Chomorong which is one of the biggest settlements in the area.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Chomorong.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Trek to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft)-6 Hours

After we leave Chomorong, we walk on steep stone steps upto the bridge over Chomorong Khola, and climb uphill to Sinuwa Danda. The ascent from Sinuwa becomes somewhat flatter.The trail passes through thick and dark Rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar. Then, we descend a long and steep stone steps into deep bamboo and Rhododendron forests to Bamboo. From Bamboo, Dovan is 1 & 1/2 hours gentle uphill.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Dovan.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek to Himalaya Hotel (2,920 m/9,580 ft) & to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m/12,140 ft)-6 Hours

After breakfast, we start our trek by entering to the forest and arrive at Himalaya Hotel in 1 & 1/2 hours. Then we climb steeply to reach a fire-blackened overhang of Hinko Cave and continue to Deurali. From Deurali, the valley narrows even more as we enter the gateway to the Sanctuary. We climb up to the area which is called Macchappuchare Base camp, a level and grassy moraine platform with several lodges. In the afternoon we can go up to the ridge behind camp to look down onto the glacier and absorb the distant view of Annapurna 1 & 3, Gangapurna and by straining your neck upwards…the now nearby Fishtail.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Machhapuchre Base Camp.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m/ 13,550 ft)-2 Hours

Today is short day of the trek as we walk gentle ascend to Annapurna Base Camp which is 4 km from our camp. After breakfast, we continue to Annapurna Base Camp. The Trail is a gentle uphill on a valley kind. During the walk, we see Mt. Fishtail on back and Annapurna South and Hiuchuli on the front. Annapurna Base Camp is marked by Sign Board with many prayers flag. After lunch, we walk on the ridge above lodge from where we see Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiuchuli (6,441 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,997 m) and Annapurna Glacier. The view is rewarding during the Sunset.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Annapurna Base Camp.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Return back to Bamboo (2,400 m/7,875 ft)- 6 Hours

We wake up early in the morning and walk to the ridge to witness the magnificent Sunrise over Annapurna Range. After breakfast, we start our way back to Bamboo. Heading back down to the valley is much easier than climbing up. We will see the waterfalls that drop down from a high point to the rocks below. We pass through the forests with great views of Fishtail and Hiuchuli mountains.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Bamboo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Trek back to Jhinu Danda (1,760 m/5,775 ft)-6 Hours

From Bamboo, we make a steep ascend to the Kuldi Ghar and then to Sinuwa following the stone steps that leads to Lower Chhomrong. Then we ascend on the thousand stony steps taking us to Upper Chhomrong. From Chhomrong, we descend to Jhinu Danda. In the late afternoon, we walk down for 20 minutes to Jhinu Natural Hot Spring for Natural Hot Bath on the river bank of Modi Khola.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Jhinu Danda.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Trek to Forest Camp (2,550 m/8,366 ft) via Landruk (1,645 m/5,397 ft)-6/7 Hours

We descend steeply to the small stream and get to the New Bridge. Then we cross bridge over Modi Khola and continue to walk alongside the river. Along the way, we see small waterfalls, rock walls on the uphill way to Landruk. We will have lunch at Landruk and prepare for the steep uphill to Forest Camp. Forest Camp is locally known as Kokar.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Forest Camp.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Trek to High Camp (3,580 m/11,745 ft)-6 Hours

After breakfast, we continue our trek uphill, the landscape changes to the Sub Alpine Vegetation. After passing out the dense forest, we get to Low Camp where there are few tea houses. More closely we get to the Lower Camp; we will have a close view of Mardi Himal and Mt. Fishtail. After lunch, we continue our uphill trek along the ridge towards Mardi Himal and Machapuchre. After getting at Badal Danda at 3,300 meters, the landscape changes to Alpine Scenery with low vegetation and close view of snow capped mountains. We continue our trek to a small pasture land which is called High Camp from where we get the magnificent view of mountains.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in High Camp.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Trek to Upper Viewpoint (4,250 m/13,945 ft), and to Mardi Base Camp (4,500 m/14,765 ft), back to Badaldanda- 6/7 Hours

Today we do excursion to Upper View Point at 4,250 meters on steep and narrow trail. We walk through pastures and along with a narrow ridge to Upper View Point. From viewpoint, we get rewards with stunning views of Mardi Himal (5,587 m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993m) and many other peaks. Mardi Himal Base Camp is further 2 hours at an elevation of 4,500 m. if we feel fine, we can go to Base Camp which offers the panoramic views of entire Annapurna Range. Then we return back to High Camp for lunch and down to Badal Danda for overnight. Some Trekking Companies recommend trekking down to Sidhing the same. This will be the long and tiring day and if we miss Mountain Views this day because of bad weather, we can see mountain views next morning if the weather will be clear.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Badal Danda.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Trek Down to Sidhing Village (1,850 m/6,070 ft)-4 Hours and Drive to Pokhara-3 Hours

This is the last day of our trek. If we missed to see the mountain earlier day because of bad weather, we can see all the ranges of mountains from Badal Danda which we see from Viewpoint. After breakfast and spending few hours, we trek down to Sidhing Village following a different trail which makes this trek a circuit. Sidhing is a very beautiful village which is very away from today’s modernization and have less number of tourists.We will have lunch at Sidhing and take a private jeep to Pokhara which takes around 3 hours. In Pokhara, in the evening, you may walk around Lakeside Bazaar.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.

Meals: B L

Activity Duration:

Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu-30 Minutes

After breakfast and in the late morning, we drive to Pokhara Airport and fly back to Kathmandu. You can spend the evening leisurely; perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping. In the evening, we will host farewell dinner to mark the great success of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Base Camp Trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast, we will drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu with Office Representative.
2 Nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of Taxes and Service Charge.
2 Nights in Pokhara with breakfast inclusive of Taxes and Service Charge.
10 Nights/11 Day All Inclusive Treks in Annapurna Region with breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea/coffee each time in meals in local Tea Houses/Lodges.
Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu flight with necessary transfers.
Pokhara/Kimche and Sidhing/Pokhara on Private Jeep.
Insurance, meals, accommodation to the crew members.
First Aid Kit and Duffel Bag.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
English Speaking Trek Guide with a reliable team of porters (2:1 Ratio) and additional Sherpa as per the group size.
Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project, ACAP Fees and Trekkers Information Management System, TIMS Fees.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 Hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at Airport (USD 50/- for 30 Days).
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara except welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Bottle drinking water, hot beverages, charges for hot shower, mobile/camera charges during the trek.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Cost for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Charges in case of emergency.
Other than in our include section.