The Kaski district is home to some of the most enchanting destinations in Nepal, and today’s guide is all about one of those must-visit spots—Mardi Base Camp!
I chose to do the Mardi Himal Trek in December to avoid the crowds and decided to take a unique approach.
If you’ve explored other guides, you’re probably familiar with the usual journey from Kathmandu to Kande to start the trek.
But I’ve discovered a shorter and more efficient route, allowing you to complete your Mardi Base Camp trek in just three days on a budget of Rs. 6,000-7,000.
Key Facts About Mardi Base Camp
| Region | Annapurna CA, Kaski, Gandaki Province |
| Altitude | 4,500 m |
| Max. Altitude (Mardi peak) | 5,587 m |
| Trip Duration | 3-4 days |
| Trek Duration | 3 days |
| Trek Difficulty | Easy-Moderate |
| Best Months | September-May |
First, Get to Pokhara
Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal, serves as the starting point for most treks in Kaski.
While the Kathmandu-Kande route involves taking a direct bus from Kathmandu, our approach is going to be a little different here.
To begin, reach Pokhara using any mode of transport that suits you best.
In my case, I had arrived in Pokhara a day before my trek via a regular Hiace and stayed at a cozy local hotel in Prithvi Chowk.
Day 1: Hari Chowk – Pittam Deurali – Rest Camp
Start your day early by heading to Hari Chowk in Pokhara, which is located along the Pushpalal Highway.
From here, you can catch a local bus to Pittam Deurali, but don’t rely on this service entirely.
My team prearranged a bus, but the service was unreliable, causing us to lose a few hours.
When the bus didn’t show up, we resorted to taking a mini-bus to Dhampus and then hired a jeep to reach Pittam Deurali.
Pro Tip: Avoid booking a direct jeep from Hari Chowk as it’s more expensive. Opt for the bus, as it’s more budget-friendly. However, if the bus doesn’t work out like it happened with us), our backup approach is a solid alternative.
Once you arrive at Pittam Deurali, it’s a 1.5-hour uphill trek to Suire Dada.
Here, you can stop for snacks or a hearty lunch. After a brief rest, continue on to Pani Pokhari, First Camp, and finally to Forest Camp (Kokar).
While many trekkers stop at Forest Camp for the day, you’ll have ample time to push ahead to Rest Camp, completing 6-7 hours of trekking for the day.
Look for the marks painted on trees throughout the trail to stay on track:
If you’re feeling energetic and it’s still light out, you can even continue to Low Camp.
Day 2: Rest Camp – Low Camp – Badal Danda – High Camp
Rise early to catch the stunning sunrise above the clouds—an unforgettable sight. After breakfast, begin your ascent.
You’ll reach Low Camp in about 1.5 hours, followed by Badal Danda, which takes another 1.5 hours.
Consider stopping at Upper Badal Danda for lunch before continuing to High Camp; the final stretch that takes about two hours.
Note that High Camp is the last spot with hotels along the Mardi trail.
If the weather is clear, you’ll witness a magical sunset over the mountains, with clouds forming a surreal sea below you. It’s an experience that truly feels like being on cloud nine.
Sleep early tonight, and don’t forget to fill your bottles with hot water.
Mornings at this altitude can be freezing, and you’ll need tissues or wet wipes since frozen water can make morning tasks challenging.
Day 3: High Camp – View Point – Base Camp – Low Camp – Siddhing – Pokhara
Prepare for an exhausting but rewarding day. Start your hike at 4 AM to reach View Point at 4,200 meters in about two hours.
The sunrise here is the highlight of the trek, and missing it would mean missing out on the heart of this journey.
From View Point, it’s just 1.5 hours to reach Mardi Base Camp at 4,500 meters. After soaking in the views and capturing memories, return to High Camp for breakfast.
Next, descend to Low Camp and take the route to Sidhing Village. This downhill trek takes about four hours.
Note: Starting your trek from Sidhing is not advisable due to the steep uphill climb, which can be overwhelming even for seasoned trekkers.
You’ll pass through Takaichi and Ratnecho before reaching Sidhing. If you’re unable to make it to Sidhing, rest assured there are a few hotels along the way.
From Sidhing, hire a jeep to return to Pokhara, which takes about two hours. Keep in mind that negotiating a fair price with the jeep syndicate can be tricky.
If you’re not in a rush, consider spending the night at Lakeside Pokhara for some well-deserved relaxation after a 12-14 hour trek.
Otherwise, if you’re early enough, you could try catching the night bus to Kathmandu.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost Breakdown
The total cost of the trek varies depending on your spending habits. Our trek cost Rs. 6,430 per person, but this could increase if you splurge more on hot water and extra snacks.
Here’s a breakdown of our expenses:
| Van to Dhampus | 400 |
| Jeep to Pittam Deurali | 1,000 |
| Rest Camp Hotel Package | 1,600 |
| Black Tea in Badal Danda | 100 |
| High Camp Hotel Package | 1,400 |
| Black Tea in View Point | 200 |
| Other (Boiled water, snacks, etc.) | 730 |
| Jeep Ride from Sidhing to Pokhara | 1,000 |
| Total | 6,430 |
Note: The direct bus from Hari Chowk to Pittam Deurali should cost only Rs. 400.
So, you see, we had to lose Rs. 1,000 for nothing, all faults to the bus and the service provider.
Keep in mind that this region lacks freshwater. So, they will charge you about Rs. 200 to 300 for boiled water. In fact, they even charge you for your electronic devices.
Thankfully, the hotels here offer packaged services that includes hot water, charging, bed, dinner, and breakfast.
Yet, the lack of water and electricity is going to make this trek a little more upsetting.
I know it’s hard for providing such services in such a high altitude but after all most of you will be looking for basic amenities at the least price possible, which is dissatisfying here.
Let’s be hopeful the relevant authorities come up with good solutions so that more people can visit here without thinking twice.
Other than this financial problem, Mardi Base Camp is a must-go spot when you’re in Pokhara.
Alternative Ways to Get to Mardi Base Camp
While this guide highlights the Pittam Deurali route, there are other ways to reach Mardi Base Camp for sure.
The most common path (which I discussed earlier) is from Kathmandu to Kande, then through Australian Base Camp > Pothana > Pittam Deurali.
Another lesser-known trail starts from Kalimati.
Though not widely documented, this route involves taking a private vehicle from Pokhara to Kalimati and then trekking to Forest Camp within two hours. This could be a quicker alternative worth exploring.
Final Words
This guide offers a fresh perspective on reaching Mardi Base Camp. If you and your friends are planning a trek, this Pittam Deurali route is a faster and more budget-friendly option.
And for even quicker approach, consider trying the Kalimati route. In case you do opt for this option, don’t forget to bookmark this guide for now and come back share your experiences in the comments below.
Happy trekking in central-western Nepal!
Even shorter trek? Kapuche Galicer Lake could be the one for you!
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