Dhaulagiri balcony and Mardi Himal base camp

Description

In the heart of the Annapurnas, this trekking offers you an amazing panorama and extraordinary views of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m), Lamjung, the Himalayas and the famous Machapuchare. You will walk through terraced fields and rhododendron forests. You will discover the traditional local life by sleeping in local people's homes and community lodges, where contact is natural and spontaneous.

This circuit, off the beaten track and incredibly diverse, takes you to the heart of the Annapurna massif. You will pass through Gurung villages and this sustained walk will allow you to discover the Mardi Himal base camp at 4450 meters of altitude and its glacial atmosphere. You will be surrounded by the vertiginous peaks and glaciers of the southern faces of the Annapurnas. Under your amazed eyes, the most prestigious summits are offered to you. The sacred mountain of Machapuchare (Fish Tail) will watch over you throughout your journey. This trek will allow you to discover, without too much difficulty, all the pleasure of walking in the marvellous landscapes that only the Himalayas can offer.

I also propose other circuits in this beautiful Annapurna region:

• the Nar Phu valley trekking,
• the Mardi Himal route,
• and a trek in the Mustang.

Program

D1: Kathmandu.
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

D2: Kathmandu - Beni (830m).
We take the road to Pokhara. The journey is long and very busy with the trucks that supply Kathmandu. We stop for lunch in one of the many small restaurant along the road. During the trip, you enjoy the view on the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs.
About 8 to 9 hours by bus, night in a community lodge.

D3: Beni - Gomanetal - Banskharka (1526m).
Our trek starts in the valley of the Kali Gandaki with an ascent to Banskharka where the locals have built a community kitchen and offer to host the trekkers in their homes. The money received is used to finance schools and dispensaries in the surrounding villages.
About 5 hours of walking, night in a community lodge.

D4: Banskharka - Nangi (2300m).
The hiking day is splendid between terraced crops and tropical forest. Lunch at Danda Khateri in a local's house before continuing our walk to Nangi.
About 6 hours of walking, night in a community lodge.

D5: Nangi - Mahare Danda (3300m).
From Nangi, we climb to the Hampal Bhanjyang pass (3090m) and reach the Mohare Danda by the ridges. We have a very nice walking day with a great view of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri massifs.
About 7 hours of walking, night at a local or in lodge.

D6: Mahare Danda - Poon Hill (3200m) - Ghorepani (2875m).
You live a very beautiful day of walking which passes by Poon Hill, and offers a magnificent view of Dhaulagiri and South Annapurna.
About 5 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D7: Ghorepani - Tadapani (1935m).
You walk through the rhododendrons to Tadapani. Until Deurali (2985m), the route offers magnificent views of the surrounding valleys, the Kali Gandaki and the peaks.
About 5 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D8: Tadapani - Ghandrunk (1665m).
By a path of stairs through a set of terraces where the farmers cultivate millet we arrive in Gandrunk for lunch. It is the biggest village of the Gurung ethnic group. Each family is proud to have at least one member belonging to the clan of the "famous warriors" that are the Gurkhas.
About 4 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D9: Ghandrunk - Forest Camp (2600m).
The day starts with a descent to cross the Modi Khola river at Kyumni (1300m). On the opposite bank, the path climbs, steeply, to reach Landrunk, another beautiful Gurung village. There is a superb view of the South Annapurna (7219m) and the Hiunchuli (6336m). We leave the classic trail to walk to the Mardi Himal base camp. This area is not very frequented, so if we are lucky, we will be able to see wild animals (deer, monkeys...) and many birds.
About 5 to 6 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D10: Forest camp - Low camp (2900m) - High camp (3900m).
We continue to progress in the rhododendron forest until low camp, and arrive on the ridge of Nangge Danda, with extraordinary views of the Annapurnas, the Machapuchare and the Manaslu.
About 4 to 5 hours of walking, night in lodge

D11: High camp - View point (4450m) - High camp (3900m).
Early in the morning, after breakfast, a climb of about 3 hours brings us to the Mardi Himal base camp. The walk takes place in a high mountain atmosphere with splendid views of South Annapurna, Himchuli, Mardi Himal and Machapuchare.
About 5 to 6 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D12: High camp - Low camp - Sidhing (1700m).
We follow a beautiful descent first on the ridge to find then the forest of rhododendrons whose blooming at the end of March early April is fairy tale.
About 7 hours of walking, night in lodge.

D13: Sidhing - Lwang (1460m).
A beautiful descent brings us to Lwang, a beautiful Gurung village in the heart of the Nepalese "hills". It's a beautiful discovery of the life of the villages that dot the numerous rice terraces. In the distance we can still see the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas.
About 4 hours of walking, night in a lodge.

D14: Lwang - Pokhara.
Small walk to reach the track and our vehicle which takes us to Pokhara.
About 2 hours drive, night at the hotel.

D15: Pokhara - Kathmandu.
About 7 hours drive, night at the hotel.

The price includes

• Supervision by the experienced guide.
• The transfer airport/hotel/airport.
• The Beni/Galeshwori trip by taxi or private 4WD.
• The transfers Kathmandu/Beni by private bus from 4 people, otherwise in collective bus.
• Private 4WD from Lwang to Pokhara.
• Bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
• Full board in the lodge, as well as all meals with tea or coffee (except drinks, mineral water, coke, beer, etc).
• An assistant guide from 4 people.
• One porter for every 2 participants (in accordance with the rules of the Nepal Porters' Union: a porter carries a maximum of 20kg with his belongings, so your luggage should not exceed 10kg. In case of excess you will have to hire an extra porter).
• Annapurna Conservation Permit (ACAP).
• TIMS (Trekking Information Management Service).
• One night in Pokhara hotel in double room with breakfast.
• Insurance for the entire Nepalese team.

The price does not include

• International flights.
• Meals in Kathmandu.
• Hotel in Kathmandu.
• Meals in Pokhara.
• Personal equipment (sleeping bag, water bottle, backpack, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc).
• Mandatory personal insurance. Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses, as well as evacuation and repatriation.
• Drinks.
• Tips.
• Entry visa to Nepal (check that your passport is still valid 6 months after your return date).
• Transport and visits in Kathmandu.
• Tickets to enter the city (museum, monument, monastery).
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Any interrupted or shortened trip, any change of programme at the request of the participants (accident, illness, altitude sickness, early return - shortened trek) will not give rise to any refund.

Accommodation

• Lodge during the trekking.

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