Mardi Himal is the name
given to the feature of the long rising ridge and its
summit that from the south-westerly lower slope of Mount
Machhapuchhare, the famous triangular skyline that is
seen from the Phewa Lake at Pokhara. As we shall soon
see from a closer and more westerly vantage point, the
mountain possesses twin peak - thus its name, Machhapuchhare,
which is English means "Fish tail".
Machhapuchhare is the
most southerly high point of the Annapurna Massif, the
awesomely majestic grouping of mountains in the central
Himalaya that includes 5 of the 12 highest mountains
in the world - all at close of very close quarters to
our route.
Ours is an eight day expedition
climbing through the forest and on above the tree line
and on up to from our high altitude camp at 4,100 m.
(13,600 ft.). We establish this "High camp"
with a view to our climbing to the knoll of Mardi Himal
5,588 m. (18500 ft) from where there are the most amazing
close quarter views of all.
Now descending first through
the forest, a different route takes us steeply down
to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that has been
the ice and the snow of the Mardi Himal. Although remote
and still away from all the much-used trekking routes,
our expedition now takes on the moods of the warm valleys
and the friendly villages. Here, as we make our way
along the bank of the Mardi Khola from the hill- side
village of siding, down through the lovely fields, past
the simple farms and over the "interesting"
bridges, there is no doubt this indeed the idyllic Nepali
countryside.
TAKING PART IN THIS EXPEDITION
calls on some determination and stamina. However its
demands should not be exaggerated. If you are averagely
fit and under 35 (or above averagely fit and under 50)
you will manage well, you will cope with some aches
and pains, with chilly night, with the occasionally
blister perhaps, and you will be pleased with what you
achieve. The higher altitudes are addressed by having
2 consecutive afternoons of rest and acclimatization
(at "Low camp and High Camp").The trek starts
in Pokhara. Clients carry daypack only and walk at their
own pace. The duration of the trek is about 6-7 hr a
day.
Mardi Himal Trekking
Itinerary:
Day 01 : Arrival Kathmandu air port-
transfer hotel
Day 02 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
Day 03 : Drive to Pokhara
Day 04 : Drive to suikhet (Dhampus
Phedi) and trek to Pathana
Day 05 : Pathana - Deurali
Day 06 : Deurali - Mardi Himal Base
camp
Day 07 : Mardi himal BC - day hiking
Day 08 : Mardi Himal BC- Lachock
Day 09 : Lachok - Dhapus khola
Day 10 : Dhampus Khola - drive to Pokhara
Day 11 : Pokhara - Kathmandu drive
Day 12 : Kathmandu
Day 13 : Final departure
|
