Mardi Himal Trek – Meditation Beneath the Majestic Mountains
What a joy to recount my recent Mardi Himal Trek—a purely meditative journey of 5 days—between October 30 and November 3, 2023.
As my inaugural multi-day trek, it began with a mix of emotions—a blend of excitement, anticipation, worry, and fear. But, to my delightful surprise, it concluded incredibly well, leaving me filled with immense happiness.
Walking up to the towering mountains surrounded by pristine nature, I deeply felt life’s magnificence and fragility, beauty and hardships, reminding me of the lessons of patience and endurance once again.
And there, I found a profound haven for introspection—a space free from distractions and pride, letting my mind focus on what truly matters.
Himal* = Nepali word for mountain
The Beginning
Last year, on my birthday, the 3rd of November, 2022, I promised myself an amazing year ahead. Unsure of what lay ahead, I vowed to explore new experiences I hadn’t tried before.
Taking every chance that came my way and creating some of my own, I found myself at WordCamp Asia 2023 in Thailand—my first journey abroad packed with many first-time moments.
During the same event, Faizus Saleheen, the marketing head of Auth Lab, and my friend, warmly invited us to their first WordCamp in Sylhet, Bangladesh. His convincing words made me eager to join. Faizus, a skilled marketer, has a way of winning people over.
Intrigued by stories of Bangladesh’s hospitality from my friend KafleG, I joined KafleG, Prithu, and other friends in attending WordCamp Sylhet 2023 in May. It marked my second trip abroad and a very enriching experience.
In Sylhet, we were warmly welcomed. Beyond that, appreciated for where we were from. There, I discovered what a treasure my homeland Nepal holds, something I hadn’t really acknowledged before.
The Auth Lab team, especially Faizus’s group, were passionate admirers of Pokhara, the mountains, and Nepal. Their enthusiasm made me question why I hadn’t explored them.
After we returned to Nepal, plans for WordCamp Kathmandu 2023 started. I was chosen as the speaker wrangler for the second year.
When we announced the speaker call and began ticket sales, the response from Bangladesh, particularly Sylhet, was incredible.
Many people from Auth Lab showed interest in joining, and everyone planning to attend expressed their excitement about Pokhara and the mountains. Faizus even shared his plan to trek to Mardi Himal.
Faizus came to Nepal, joined us at our camp, and also went for the trek. He completed the trek in just four days, after the WordCamp.
After he returned to Kathmandu, we met again. He described his Mardi Himal Trek experience as incredible, something he’d always treasure. He also mentioned considering attending WordCamp Malaysia during the same dates but decided on Nepal solely for the mountains.
That got me thinking: if he came all this way just for the mountains, why haven’t I?
I felt it was time to get closer to the mountains, a wonderful way to conclude my year already filled with many firsts—traveling abroad, experiencing the sea and sand, and now, embracing the mountains.
The Planning
On September 11, 2023, after the completion of WordCamp Kathmandu 2023, the four female organizers—Alina Kakshapati D, Sweta Shrestha D, Prithu, and I—gathered at Sanchyan Ramen Japanese Restaurant in Durbarmarg, Kathmandu. It was a bittersweet moment bidding farewell to Prithu, a cherished member of our group.
During our get-together, we fondly recalled our experiences at WordCamp, exchanged some cheerful gossip, and talked about our future plans.
During our conversation, I mentioned my desire to undertake the Mardi Himal Trek.
To my pleasant surprise, Alina D also revealed her plan to go trekking with her friends. This sparked the idea for us to join forces.
While I was eager to explore the mountains, I didn’t have a trekking companion initially. The prospect of trekking together with Alina D and her friends sounded delightful to me.
Then, the plan officially started!
As per my discussion with Alina D, I reached out to Yokel Jung Gurung Ji from Sherpa Eco Adventure to organize our trek. Yokel Ji warmly welcomed us and then the actual planning began.
With a dependable trekking company at our service, I felt relaxed and assured that the trek would proceed smoothly. But Alina D was careful, ensuring every detail, big or small, was taken care of for the trek.
She collaborated with Yokel Ji, actively inquiring and organizing various aspects, while I enjoyed even greater assurance.
As the planning progressed, Yokel Ji gave us a detailed list of necessary trekking gear. On October 8th, 2023, we visited the Kalapatthar Trekking Store in Thamel for our first round of trek shopping.
Despite the bustling environment at the store, we found all the essentials at reasonable prices. I was able to buy trousers, jackets, shoes, and gloves—a bag full of clothes—for around 8000 rupees. It felt like a great deal!
We continued shopping on different dates later. I bought some things for both of us, and Alina D bought some for both of us. But she took more load for the overall planning and shopping; I got lucky to have her on my team.
Initially, the trek team included Alina D, her friend, and me. However, her friend later dropped out, leaving just the two of us. Yet, we were all set to go. But we also kept the door open for others to join us, aiming to share some expenses.
Just two days before the trek, Yokel Ji mentioned that another person was interested in joining us. After confirming his experience and reliability, we happily welcomed him aboard our trekking expedition: Yogi Ji.
The Journey Begins
Our journey began on 30th October 2023, at Tribhuvan International Airport around 6:30 AM, heading for our 7:30 AM flight to Pokhara. Before departure, Yokel Ji briefed us on the medicines and had us sign some paperwork.
We had a swift and smooth flight to Pokhara, flying high above the hills, mountains, and white dense clouds. The scenery was beautiful from high above.
We arrived in Pokhara at about 8:15 AM, then met our trek guide, Arun Thapa Magar, and left for Kande on a taxi booked by Arun Bhai.
We had breakfast at 10:15 AM at Kande and officially started trekking at 10:40 AM, heading to our first point, Australian Base Camp.
As we began hiking, we felt enveloped by the serene embrace of nature. The clear sky, warm sunshine, blossoming flowers, buzzing bees, and fluttering butterflies all seemed to welcome us warmly, leaving us filled with excitement.
However, this feeling didn’t last long. After just a few minutes of easy walking, the most challenging part of the trek commenced.
The next two hours were extremely tough and challenging.
Picture this: a steep climb up the steps on a scorching, bright sunny day at mid-day when the sun is at its hottest and brightest.
As we tackled the steep climb, I found it difficult to catch my breath, my heart raced, my mouth dried up, and my legs felt heavy. So, we walked at a super slow speed, nearly stopping after each step.
Adding to our challenge, other groups passed us. Seeing them, I began questioning my ability to complete the trek, while Alina D started experiencing a headache.
However, Yogi Ji and our trek guide Arun Bhai were doing fine. They tried to cheer us up by offering water and chocolates. Arun Bhai kindly carried some of our stuff to make it easier for us.
Note: You can also hire a porter if you lack trekking experience in hills/mountains, have health concerns, or want a lighter hiking experience.
To comfort myself, I recalled that I’d chosen this path and must face it with determination.
We walked slowly, taking a break every 2 minutes, finally reaching the Australian Base Camp by 12:40 PM, taking longer than most groups.
After a short rest, we continued for another 30 minutes to Pothana. But we had to pause again as we were tired and also hungry. We had water, chocolates, and dry fruits for instant energy.
We then walked for about 20 more minutes to reach Pothana, where we had a delicious Nepali meal called “Daal Bhat Tarkari” (lentil, steamed rice, and seasonal vegetable curry) for lunch.
We took a short break and then continued our trek towards Pitam Deurali, a two-hour walk from Pothana. Maintaining our slow and steady pace, we reached Pitam Deurali as anticipated.
After a brief rest, we proceeded to our final stop for the day, Lovely Hill, arriving there at 5:20 PM as planned.
Exhausted yet content to have completed the first day, we were relieved to find our accommodation and meal arrangements pre-booked by our guide.
I felt more relieved that everything turned out fine. I had concerns about catching a cold due to my allergy, dealing with my period, feeling overly tired, or my shoes getting damaged. Surprisingly, none of these happened. I felt great and content.
After freshening up, we enjoyed a cup of tea, spent some time on a swing, and marveled at the stunning sunset and the breathtaking view of the Annapurna mountain range from Lovely Hill.
It was a serene moment, as we gazed down at the Ghandruk village below us.
The Company (The 3 Idiots Gang)
Now, let me introduce us!
First, it’s me, hi! 😁 I’m a quiet observer, a good listener, and into meditation and conscious walking. Dreamy with big dreams, yet a bit cautious.
Next up is Alina Kakshapati, or “Alina D,” my sister. She’s a tall, confident IT professional and a mom to a 5-year-old. She’s super attentive and careful.
Once while planning the trek, I expressed my worries about encountering difficult individuals and our safety. She simply said, “Don’t worry, you’ve got a mom with you.” That made me feel fully assured and safe for the whole trek.
Third, Sanjay Karki, who prefers to go by Yogi. He’s a non-residential Nepali living in the USA, into music, and tries to live a yogi’s life. He talks a lot, makes friends in seconds, and never seems to run out of energy.
Alina D and I met through the WordPress Kathmandu community many years ago. But we became good friends only after we both joined a Go with WP podcast in May 2022 (video attached below).
Our friendship became stronger later as we participated in different WordPress events together.
Yogi Ji was a total stranger who joined us at the last minute. When we first met him at the domestic terminal gate of Tribhuvan International Airport, he seemed like an ordinary person, though somewhat ascetic, with most of his face covered by an untrimmed mustache.
However, unexpectedly, our group expanded to become an interesting trio of friends, that we named the “3 Idiots Gang”. Yogi Ji’s talkative and easy-going personality combined with our friendly nature made our group a lot of fun.
During our final trek hours on Day 1, Alina D jokingly suggested that Yogi Ji and I should start dating. It felt odd at first, but it turned into an ongoing joke topic that kept us laughing throughout the trek. It brought smiles during tough times, though sometimes it caused a bit of irritation too.
Yogi Ji remained easygoing and helpful throughout the trip. I noticed I might have been a bit bossy at times, asking him to do chores for us too. But I’m not to be blamed, he kinda started it all with his teasing. 😎
During the trek, Alina D was my biggest support. Even though she was new to hill walks and faced sickness, her determination was admirable.
She stayed strong and eventually completed the trek. It reassured me that if she’s a mother, she can handle anything and emerge victorious.
Walking the Walk
Our trek was quite slow, probably the slowest one out there.
But I loved it because it felt like meditation, letting us truly soak in nature and savor every step.
It’s just like my outlook on life. Life isn’t a sprint; it’s an ongoing journey. Why rush when every step can be enjoyable?
As we neared the mountains, the scenery became even more captivating. Surrounded by serene nature, vibrant flowers, singing birds, and the sweet scent of blossoms, we continued at a relaxed pace.
Day 1 – Kande to Lovely Hill
The first day was tough, especially the climb to the Australian Base Camp. But reaching Lovely Hill at the end of the day was rewarding. The view of Annapurna Mountain and the sunset made it worthwhile.
Day 2 – Lovely Hill to Low Camp
The second day, from Lovely Hill to Low Camp, took us through lush forests. We met trekkers from around the world, making new friends along the way. Yogi Ji was quite talkative, striking conversations with everyone.
I plucked wild cherries, wearing them as earrings. Yogi Ji and Alina D would also offer me them or any wild berries whenever they found them.
Day 3 – Low Camp to High Camp
On the third day, our slower pace allowed us to absorb the mountain vistas and capture tons of photographs.
Badal Danda, On the Way to Mardi Himal, Annapurna and Machhapuchchhre Peaks in the View
A Photograph with Alina D at Badal Danda
Posing for a Photograph at Badal Danda, En Route to Mardi Himal
The landscapes above Low Camp are just stunning with a closer mountain view and the terrain is so different with more drylands, and fewer forests.
Walking to High Camp, Mardi Himal Trek
Fun Photograph Amidst Hiking, To High Camp, Mardi Trek
Mardi Route, To High Camp
Trekker, Backpack, Nepali National Flag, & Machhapuchchhre Mountain
Hey, wait, I’ve got a short video too! And also, you can hear me sing a Nepali song “Kalo keshma relimai”! 😁
Day 4 – High Camp to Base Camp & Back to Badal Danda
The fourth day was the toughest and most thrilling part of our journey.
We were set to hike from an elevation of 3550 meters to 4500 meters within a day. And, we had to start our trek early, around 3:30 AM, relying on our headlamps.
The plan was to trek for 3 hours before dawn to reach Mardi View Point by 6:30 AM for the sunrise. It was sure to be the longest day of our trek.
As we began, we met many other groups embarking on the same journey. Slowly, we trekked through the dark with headlights guiding our way. It felt a bit like going on a pilgrimage or a treasure hunt.
We wore thick layers to combat the cold, but the biting wind pierced through. That was mainly because I made the mistake of wearing woolen trousers instead of windproof ones, leaving my legs feeling icy. Despite the freezing chill, those hours of the trek were quite an experience.
Right then, I heard a crackling sound beneath my feet, which turned out to be hardened black ice. It was oddly satisfying stepping on it and listening to the cracking sounds.
After about an hour and a half into the trek, Alina D started getting headaches again. But she persevered, walking slowly, taking breaks, and taking medicine.
Thankfully, we reached the Mardi View Point right on time at 6:30 AM.
The sun peeked out from behind the hills, casting yellow rays over the Annapurna mountain range. It was a spectacular sight.
Unfortunately, Alina D felt really unwell and upset, declining to take photos when I asked. So, we rested at a nearby teahouse as the owner kindly insisted. He made us hot garlic soup, which helped Alina D feel better. Afterwards, we took some pictures and videos.
As the sun rose, many people left View Point for Mardi Base Camp or the High Camp. We were unsure; Alina D wanted to continue but was worried about her health. Our guide suggested turning back to avoid risks.
However, Yogi Ji convinced us not to miss the final part of our trek. He advised us to walk slowly and suggested extending the journey if needed.
Finally, we set off toward Mardi Base Camp.
Trekking to the Mountains is Meditation!
As we journeyed towards the Base Camp, the landscape underwent a breathtaking transformation—a sight that made me realize returning from View Point would have been a missed opportunity.
Stunned by the awe-inspiring scenery, I captured short videos and photographs while walking slowly.
However, after about 20 minutes, the trail became more challenging, with large stones, narrow paths, and a mix of uphill and downhill sections.
Recognizing the difficult terrain and with her health not improving, Alina D decided to return to the High Camp with our guide. This left only Yogi Ji and me continuing the trek.
Up next, we had to descend along the ridge and then climb back up. But as we began the uphill climb, I started feeling dizzy.
The trail was rough, with large stones, and quite narrow. On one side, I could see a steep drop to the forest, while the other side showed Mt. Annapurna’s narrow base and a steep uphill trail to a higher ridge.
It was around 9:30 AM and the combination of the bright sun, less oxygen, hunger, and thirst must have made me sick and anxious. And then, worries about a potential danger filled my mind, fearing fainting or slipping.
I then spoke to Yogi Ji about feeling dizzy. He comforted me, suggesting I take a short break and offering water along with a protein bar. Despite the brief rest, the dizziness persisted.
Afterward, we walked at an even slower pace, taking a break every couple of minutes. I kept reassuring myself that I could finish this journey, considering that many others with greater health challenges had completed it.
Also, I turned to prayer, humbly remembering our ancient ancestors Sumnima and Paruhang, my deceased grandparents or our house deities, the mountain deities, as well as my parents, seeking their blessings and protection.
I also made a promise to accept whatever destiny awaited me.
With Yogi Ji’s support and slow pacing, I gradually felt better. Yogi Ji shared stories, discussing his yogic journey, family, and past treks, keeping the journey engaging.
As we ascended, the mountains appeared closer, revealing snowy landscapes as well as dry mountainous deserts. We also encountered several returning groups, but no one ahead or behind us in our direction. Nevertheless, we continued forward.
Finally, we reached our final destination, the Mardi Base Camp at 11:15 AM. It was a moment of absolute triumph and joy.
Soon after arriving, I sat on a bench, enjoying the sun’s warmth and occasional cool breeze, while admiring the towering Machhapuchchhre mountain peak.
At that moment, I felt an incredible serenity, as if my mind had found complete tranquility. It was like sharing an intimate conversation with the mountain—an experience akin to meditation.
It was a sunny day. But thin clouds had started gathering around the mountains, hinting at a possible change in the weather. That made me realize how unpredictable mountain weather can be, much like life itself.
After a while, Dai from the teahouse came out and offered us tea. We ordered lemon tea and quickly snapped some photos. He also took a few more pictures of us before our phones ran out of battery.
Lesson learned: We forgot our power banks for the longest day. So, our phones died right after reaching the Base Camp, limiting our photo opportunities.
Yogi Ji and other trekkers often mentioned how trekking helps them refocus and realign their lives.
That moment at the Base Camp, I understood what they meant as I thought about my priorities and realized I’d been caught up in trivial matters, forgetting what truly matters.
We walked a few minutes around the Base Camp and slowly started retracing our steps back. We even played in the snow—a first for me.
Descending had its challenges, but it was easier. We talked the whole time back, discussing meditation, personal life, and future plans. We also laughed, saying what Alina D jokingly suggested turned into reality—we had a day’s date.
We reached High Camp at 3:15 PM, tired and red-faced burnt by the sun. Despite the physical toll, I found contentment in the day’s experience.
We had a swift meal before returning to Badal Danda for the night. Exhausted, upon reaching Badal Danda, all I wanted was to rest after a day filled with self-reflection and a challenging trek.
Day 5 – My Birthday & Badal Danda to Pokhara
The fifth day began with a lovely surprise – Alina D and Yogi Ji had organized a birthday celebration at midnight! They ingeniously used a pancake as a birthday cake, and we had a short celebration before returning to sleep.
The morning greeted us with beautiful sunshine. We admired the majestic white mountains up close for the last time before moving on. Badal Danda had its unique charm, with white clouds hovering just below the hills, creating a mesmerizing view.
After breakfast, we set off slowly towards Pokhara, our final destination for the day. I was pretty exhausted from the previous day’s hike and ended up being the slowest among the group. My back was sore, maybe like PMS, but it was more from the strenuous walk the day before.
Despite the fatigue and discomfort, I moved leisurely, relishing nature’s beauty while acknowledging my physical strain.
My natural inclination is to stay quiet in such moments, preferring introspection unless I’m in a familiar setting.
We finally reached the Sidhing Jeep station, where our guide had arranged transportation. Sharing a jeep with another trekking group we met along the way, we embarked on our ride to Pokhara.
Around 5:30 PM, the jeep dropped us near our hotel in Pokhara, signifying the completion of our trekking adventure.
Pokhara
Alina D and I didn’t have extra clothes for our stay in Pokhara, so we headed to the market after dropping our bags at the hotel.
Personally, I lack a sense of fashion, so shopping with someone who does makes the experience enjoyable. Alina D picked out a skirt and a T-shirt for me, which I happily bought. She also found a pair of pants for herself.
Once back at our hotel, we freshened up and decided to head out for dinner, possibly extending the night to include a party.
We chose Trisara for dinner because it was nearby, had great food, and a cool ambiance. We let Yogi Ji know, and he joined us later.
After our meal, we took to the dance floor, Alina D and I swinging our legs freely. We forgot our legs were aching after 5 days of continuous walk.
We wrapped up at the restaurant around 11:00 PM, took a stroll by the lakeside, and returned to our hotel by 11:40 PM.
As we entered our room, we realized we were out of drinking water, so we stepped out again to a nearby pharmacy. While there, the shopkeeper was murmuring something that sounded like “bhuichalo”, a Nepali word for earthquake.
And suddenly, a significant tremor hit us – a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Jajarkot, claiming about 150 lives. It happened at 11:47 PM. He had just received an earthquake alert on his Android phone about a minute ago.
After a few more minutes outside, we felt the tremor had passed, so we went back inside to sleep.
The next day, Alina D suggested getting a massage, but I was a bit hesitant because of the cost. Yet, thinking it might ease my soreness from the trek, I decided it was worth it. Also, the memories of the mountains made everything else seem less important.
So, we booked a massage at Tranquility Spa for 12:30 PM.
With some spare time in the morning, we visited the Pokhara’s market again. Alina D found something for her son and surprised me with a beautiful pair of silver earrings as a birthday gift.
After our shopping, we went for the massage, which turned out to be a pleasant experience, concluding our activities in Pokhara.
We booked a taxi to take us to Pokhara International Airport for our 3:40 PM flight back to Kathmandu.
Thanks, Sherpa Eco Adventure and Arun Bhai
Sherpa Eco Adventure, led by Yokel Gurung Ji and his friend, organized our trek.
I initially met Yokel ji a couple of years ago during a hiking event at Nagarjun Shivapuri National Park where he was our hike leader.
Despite being among strangers, Yokel Ji’s encouragement made the day pleasant, especially for a participant who suffered from food poisoning. With his support, she managed to complete the hike despite feeling unwell.
After this event, I joined several hikes led by Yokel ji. His professionalism and guidance impressed me, leading me to request him to organize this trek for us.
Sherpa Eco Adventure organized our trek gracefully. They provided a well-structured and adaptable itinerary, a budget-friendly package, and constant support from an experienced local guide. I wholeheartedly recommend their service and eagerly anticipate another trek with them.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to our guide, Arun Thapa Magar, a humble young man from the same region. Along the Mardi trek, we encountered individuals that Arun Bhai knew or hailed from his village nearly every day.
Arun Bhai was ever-ready to assist us whenever required. He often helped by carrying Alina D’s backpack and even lightened my load by taking a few items from my bag.
His unwavering encouragement and confidence that we would successfully reach our destination were invaluable throughout our journey. Arun Bhai was a tremendous help to us.
FAQs About Mardi Himal Trek
How Much Money Does it Cost to Complete Mardi Trek?
The cost of the Mardi Himal Trek can significantly vary based on your personal choices during the journey. Expenses might range from a minimum of about 20,000 rupees to three to five times that amount.
For our trek (Alina D and myself), the total expenditure summed up to 60,000 rupees. I’ve given a breakdown of our expenses at the end.
If you want to reduce your expenses, you can cut costs on almost everything, including your food and lodging. You can do so by opting for vegetarian meals and avoiding extra-costly foods.
Next, you can minimize your shopping costs by using your already available clothes and buying fewer items. Using cost-effective travel options, like bus travel and basic accommodation in Pokhara can also help.
Also, if you’re a Nepali citizen with experienced trekker friends who have completed this route, organizing the trek on your own might help avoid guide and agency fees.
Nevertheless, managing all aspects of the trek by yourself may add stress due to responsibilities such as arranging accommodation, bargaining, and ensuring the route.
In our case, we chose to have a trekking company handle these logistics, which we found to be extremely helpful. This choice allowed us to trek without worry or hassle, enabling us to focus entirely on the trekking experience.
How is Lodging and Food on the Mardi Trek Route?
The Mardi Himal Trek route has well-organized lodging and food options since it’s quite a popular route. There are plenty of teahouses and small lodges specifically set up for travelers to stay and dine during the journey.
Food in these places is generally good, especially dishes like Nepali Daal Bhat Tarkari. For breakfast, you can often find Tibetan bread, or you can ask for other options like fried rice, noodles, bread with curry, boiled eggs, tea, biscuits, and more.
To avoid stomach issues while trekking, it’s advisable to stick to simple vegetarian food.
At these teahouses, they have a unique fireplace setup. They use a cylindrical/rectangular tank made of tin or something similar, possibly a tar vessel, as the fireplace.
They ingeniously cut a small part of the tank as a door to add firewood and then close it after loading the wood. A metal pipe acts as a chimney to release the smoke outside through the teahouse’s roof.
We used to gather around the fireplace both before and after dinner, chatting and warming ourselves before heading to bed.
The accommodation typically includes rooms with several beds intended for sharing among multiple trekkers. It’s rare to find single-bed rooms; most can accommodate 3 to 7 or 8 individuals.
Although the beds are usually comfortable, be prepared to share the room with your trekking companions.
Regarding washrooms, shared toilets are located outside the main living areas. It’s rare to find a room with an attached bathroom.
While it might be an adjustment, it’s a chance to experience the lifestyle of people living in these rural areas, at least for a few days.
Check the photographs below.
Daal Bhat Tarkari, Nepali Meal Served at a Teahouse during Mardi Trek
Tibetan Bread, Curry, Egg, & Tea for Breakfast
Warming my Head, Fireplace at a Teahouse in High Camp, Mardi Route
The Living Mountains?
From November 28th to 30th 2023, I attended the Martin Chautari Annual Conference 2023. This academic conference is organized by a research organization called Martin Chautari and focuses on promoting research in social sciences.
The first day featured a panel titled “The Living Mountain: Intersubjective Readings.” It was a thought-provoking panel that revolved around a book called “The Living Mountain” by the renowned writer Amitav Ghosh.
During the session, the presenters discussed the concept of the “Anthropocene” and how human activities impact nature, causing environmental harm.
The book portrays an imaginary mountain named “Mahaparbat” as a living entity that communicates with the villagers in a fable-like manner.
After returning from the conference, I deeply reflected on my Mardi Himal Trek, particularly considering the tourism developments along the route and my role as a tourist.
As I previously mentioned, there are numerous teahouses and lodges built along the entire route, including at the Mardi Base Camp. While the teahouses above the High Camp only offer tea and packaged foods, the presence of these structures so close to the mountains might certainly have an impact on the natural environment.
From an aesthetic perspective, the teahouses at View Point didn’t quite match the natural beauty. So, I attempted to exclude them from my photos and videos.
As trekkers, we made an effort not to leave any plastic or litter behind. However, our actions might have certainly impacted the environment in other ways.
Considering the mountains and nature as living entities, our activities, such as stacking rocks or picking wildflowers and berries, might have disturbed the natural harmony.
Drone Camera Near the Machhapuchchhre Mountain Peak
Stones Stacked, Mardi Himal Trek Route
A Donkey Carrying Two Cylinders of LPG Gas, Badal Danda, Mardi Trail
In my next trek, I’ll be more cautious and aim to commune with the mountains. Nevertheless, it will take more than one person’s attention.
Our collective attitude toward nature needs to change.
Summing Up My Mardi Himal Trek Experience
The Mardi Himal Trek has been an unforgettable journey that will remain close to my heart forever.
This trek has gifted me an incredible experience, allowing me to reconnect with my true self amidst life’s chaos.
I’m immensely grateful to my trekking companions—Alina D, Yogi Ji, our guide Arun Bhai, and Yokel Ji—for creating such a wonderful adventure.
My heartfelt appreciation extends to the teahouse owners, fellow trekkers from around the globe, my Syhet friends who inspired this journey, and all the beings I encountered during this incredible journey. Each of you holds a special place in my memories.
Lastly, I extend my love and gratitude to my family for their unwavering support. I’m thankful to Sumnima, Paruhang, and our ancestors for their blessings. And to the mountains, for embracing me with their profound presence.
Appendices
Detailed Breakdown of Our Travel Itinerary
Day 1 – 30 Oct 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Reached Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu for our Flight to Pokhara. |
| 7:55 AM | Flight took off from Kathmandu, TIA |
| 8:16 AM | Landed at Pokhara International Airport, Pokhara. |
| 8:45 AM | Off to Kande on a taxi. |
| 10:00 AM | Breakfast at Kande |
| 10:40 AM | Moving from Kande to Australian Base Camp |
| 12:40 PM | Australian Base Camp |
| 1:20 PM | Pothana – Had lunch at Heaven’s Gate restaurant |
| 2:20 PM | Off to Pitam Deurali |
| 4:20 PM | Pitam Deurali |
| 5:20 PM | Reached Lovely Hill for the Night’s Stay |
Day 2 – 31 Oct 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at Lovely Hill |
| 7:45 AM | Off to Pokhari |
| 9:00 AM | Pokhari |
| 10:00 AM | Dudh Kharka |
| 12:00 PM | Forest Camp |
| 1:15 PM | Off to Rest Camp |
| 2:00 PM | Rest Camp |
| 4:00 PM | Rescue Camp |
| 5:40 PM | Reached Low Camp for Night’s Stay |
Day 3 – 1 Nov 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at Low Camp |
| 8:30 AM | Off to Badal Danda |
| 9:47 AM | Reached Badal Danda and Had Lunch |
| 4:00 PM | Reached High Camp for the Night’s Stay |
Day 4 – 2 Nov 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | Off to Mardi View Point & Mardi Base Camp |
| 6:30 AM | Reached Mardi View Point |
| 9:00 AM | Left for Mardi Base Camp (MBC) |
| 11:15 AM | Reached Mardi Base Camp (MBC) |
| 3:15 PM | Back to High Camp |
| 4:00 PM | Left for Badal Danda |
| 5:45 PM | Reached Badal Danda for the Night’s Stay |
Day 5 – 3 Nov 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | Birthday Celebration |
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at Badal Danda |
| 9:00 AM | Left for Low Camp |
| 10:30 AM | Low Camp |
| 10:45 AM | Off to Sidhing from Low Camp |
| 2:22 PM | Viral Chiya Kaka (Viral Uncle’s Tea Shop) |
| 4:00 PM | Reached Sidhing Jeep Station and Left for Pokhara |
| 5:30 PM | Reached Pokhara |
| 6:00 PM | Checked in at Hotel Portland, Pokhara |
| 6:45 PM | Shopping Time |
| 8:30 PM | Trisara Restaurant for Night Party |
| 11:00 PM | Check out from Trisara and out to Pokhara Lakeside |
| 11:40 PM | Back to Hotel |
| 11:47 PM | Earthquake shook us when at a pharmacy buying water. |
| 12:30 AM | Back to hotel and Sleeping |
Day 6 – 4 Nov 2023
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at Hotel Portland |
| 9:15 AM | 11:45 AM – Shopping Time |
| 12:20 PM | Check out from Hotel |
| 12:45 PM | Massage started at Tranquility Spa |
| 1:45 PM | Massage Done |
| 2:40 PM | Booked a taxi to Pokhara International Airport, flight time 3:40 PM |
| 6:55 PM | Landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (flight delayed by 3 hours due to bad weather) |
Detailed Breakdown of Expenses
1) Shopping: Rs. 22,600
- Jacket and a Wind Stopper – 4500
- 2 Wind-proof Trousers – 2000
- 6 Pairs of socks and a pair of gloves – 700
- Thermal Wear Set – 1400
- 5 T-shirts – 7000
- A Cap – 1200
- A Waist Bag – 800
- Raincoat – 400
- Hiking Pole – 800
- Headlight – 800
- Medicines (Including wet wipes, Vicks, soap)- 1100
- Food (Cup Noodles, Bounty, Apples, Dry Fruits) – 1700
2) Trekking Package: Rs. 12000
Included: flight to Pokhara, transportation to Kande while going, transportation from Sidhing to Pokhara while returning, trek guide salary and food, first aid, and agency fee)
3) Food and Lodging (4 Days at Teahouses): Rs. 8400
Day 1 – 1500
- Lunch at Pothana- 500
- Dinner at Lovely Hill & Breakfast for Day 2 – 1000
Day 2 – 2250
- Lunch at Forest Camp – 600
- Dinner at Low Camp & Breakfast for Day 3- 1650
Day 3 – 2400
- Lunch at Badal Danda – 1000
- Dinner at High Camp – 1400
Day 4 – 2250
- Lunch at High Camp – 700
- Dinner at Badal Danda & Breakfast for Day 5 – 1550
4) Pokhara Stay (Day 5 & 6): Rs. 16250
- Hotel (Shared with Alina D) – 2250
- Trisara Birthday Dinner – 3000
- Pokhara Shopping (Clothes and Jewelry) – 7000
- Ayurvedic Massage at Tranquility Spa – 4000
