Mardi Himal Trek

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu where you are met by a representative and get transfer to the hotel. After check-in there is time to land and relax before an informal welcome dinner is served.

The day begins with a complete briefing of the trek. After any additional shopping and lunch we walk through Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist area, continuing to Asan Bazaar and Kathmandu Durbar Square before we continue to Swayambhunath Stupa. Here we walk a kora together with local pilgrims while they perform their evening prayers.

Asan is Kathmandu's historical, cultural and commercial center, where you get to experience the city's everyday life up close. This ancient marketplace consists of a network of narrow alleys filled with temples, monasteries and small shops selling everything from spices and kitchen utensils to clothes, vegetables, meat, dried beans and local delicacies.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is a dense area with old palaces, courtyards and beautifully carved temples that was once the center for royal ceremonies. Here you can find among others the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and Kumari Ghar.

Swayambhunath, also called the Monkey Temple, is one of Nepal's most iconic temples. It is located on a hill west of the city and is known for its prayer flags and the characteristic eyes painted on the stupa. From here you also have one of the best views over Kathmandu and the valley. After a day filled with cultural impressions you go to bed, because tomorrow already heads towards Annapurna.

Early in the morning we fly to Pokhara. After check-in at the hotel we take a boat across the shimmering Phewa Lake and hike up to Peace Pagoda. In clear weather the Annapurna range spreads out before us, a first magnificent glimpse of the mountains we will soon be trekking in. The rest of the day is free to explore Pokhara, which is known for its relaxed atmosphere with cafés, yoga studios and walking paths.

After an early breakfast we drive to the starting point in Khande (about 45 minutes) where we meet our porters. When everything is loaded and organized we begin the trek with a steep climb through jungle and through local villages until we reach Australian Camp where we eat lunch. If the weather is clear we will be able to see magnificent views over the Annapurna mountains while we eat. A lighter climb after lunch takes us to Pitam Deurali and our tea house where we stay overnight. Just like every evening during the trip we get a briefing before dinner.

After a hearty breakfast we continue up towards the next stop, Forest Camp. It's uphill for most of the day through dense jungle with beautiful views over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs. We take it easy and methodically, with time to really take in the place, and if we're lucky we might spot some of the area's animals, such as deer, monkeys and many different bird species that live here.

We reach Forest Camp and our tea house for the night in the afternoon.

Today the distance is short but the climb steep through an old forest of rhododendron and juniper. When you reach the top you are rewarded with outstanding views over Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) - according to Hindus Shiva's abode and forbidden to climb. We should reach our teahouse in time for lunch, and the afternoon is free to spend as you wish – enjoying the view, exploring the nearby area, resting in the sun with a book or socializing with other trekkers and playing cards before dinner.

Today will be a shorter day over more easily trekked terrain, a pleasant break for tired legs. Along the way we get, if the weather cooperates, fine views over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Tare Kang and Khangsar in the north as we really get close to these mighty mountains.

We reach High Camp in time for lunch and the afternoon is set aside for rest and preparations for a very early start the next morning. Today there will be early dinner and early to bed after today's briefing.

The day begins with an early wake-up call so you can experience the most spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. After a quick warm drink we begin the climb towards the viewpoint in darkness with headlamps. The goal is to reach the trip's highest point, 4,200 meters above sea level, in time for sunrise over Mardi Himal - an almost spiritual experience.

If the weather is clear you will see Annapurna I (8,091 masl), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Tare Kang, Khangsar, Annapurna III and Fish Tail up close. When the sun has risen we return to our teahouse to warm up, eat breakfast, compare photos and spend the rest of the day preparing for the long descent the next day.

Today we make the long, steep descent back to lower altitude. After breakfast we first go back to Low Camp for lunch and then continue southeast from the ridge through dense forest towards Mardi Khola and Siding, our last stop on the trek.

Trekking poles are a must today to spare the knees and maintain balance on the way down. When we reach Siding it's time to celebrate our achievement and our cooperation in the mountains.

Today we travel by jeep back to Pokhara (2-3 hours) and are met by comforts like a hot shower, a comfortable bed and clean clothes. We are back in Pokhara in time for lunch and you have free time to explore this bohemian city, try paragliding, take an ayurveda massage, stroll by the lake, shop or just enjoy the city's many restaurants and watering holes with a wide selection of different cuisines.

Again an alpine start (early), but this time to travel south through the country to the lush jungles of Chitwan National Park by private vehicle. The journey takes about five hours and the goal is to arrive in time for lunch. After we have settled in and eaten we begin our jungle activities. These may include jeep safari, canoe trip, bird watching, jungle walk, morning walk together with elephants as well as a cultural performance.

Chitwan is Nepal's first and most famous national park and is located in the lowlands of Inner Terai. It became a national park in 1973 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park covers an area of 932 square kilometers and includes hilly areas in the Siwalik Mountains covered by deciduous sal forest as well as river plains along the Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers. These areas are dominated by tall elephant grass and are interspersed with riverside forests with silk cotton trees, acacia and sisam.

The national park protects 56 species of mammals, including the Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Ganges dolphin and wild buffalo. There are an estimated 470 species of mammals, over 500 bird species, 126 fish species, 150 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles. With some luck we will see rhinoceros, crocodiles, deer, monkeys as well as rich bird and butterfly life.

Note: we do not support elephant riding for entertainment and instead collaborate with a lodge that takes care of older and injured elephants and offers them a safe and dignified life without chains.

Today we continue our safari activities and venture deeper into the jungle with hopes of getting even closer to Nepal's fantastic wildlife.

After breakfast we bid farewell to Chitwan and its warmer climate and go to Bharatpur airport for our approximately twenty-five minute flight back to Kathmandu. If we're lucky we get fantastic views over the entire Annapurna range from the left side of the plane, as well as a view from above over the many terraced fields and villages that characterize Nepal's countryside.

Upon arrival at the hotel you get time to settle in and plan your own lunch. After lunch we go to the northeastern part of the city for a guided tour to the World Heritage sites Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.

Pashupatinath is not only Nepal's most important Hindu temple, but also one of the most significant Shiva temples on the Indian subcontinent. It is also Kathmandu's most important cremation site, where the cremation sites are located along the riverbank next to the temple.

Boudhanath is one of the most important religious and cultural centers for Nepal's large Tibetan exile population and is one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. The streets around the stupa are filled with monks in maroon robes, monasteries with gleaming roofs, stalls selling yak butter lamps and shops with objects for Buddhist worship, while low murmured prayers are heard from monks in meditation.

Transfer to the airport in Kathmandu for departure home.