Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek – 9 Days Self-Launched
9 days · Nepal
Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours charges £712
No-markup version: ~£390 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek follows the same 9-day route from Kathmandu to Pokhara and up to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,450m — without paying for a fully guided group tour. You'll swap the guided package for independent transport (tourist buses or a short domestic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara), teahouse accommodation along the trail, and a self-arranged trekking permit. A local guide or porter can be hired directly in Pokhara for a fraction of the cost. This is a moderate-level trek through rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and jaw-dropping Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) vistas. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and make your own way to your guesthouse in Thamel — the backpacker hub. A prepaid taxi from the airport costs around £5-7. Spend the afternoon sorting your Nepal visa on arrival (US$30/~£24 for 15 days or US$50/~£40 for 30 days), exchanging currency, and picking up any last-minute trekking gear in Thamel's many outdoor shops. In the evening explore Thamel's lively streets and grab a dal bhat dinner.
🚌Prepaid taxi from Tribhuvan International Airport to Thamel (~£5-7)
🛏Thamel budget guesthouse or hostel dorm — e.g. Hotel Holy Himalaya or similar (~£8-14/night)
- →Collect Nepal visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (~£24-40 depending on duration)
- →Prepaid airport taxi to Thamel (~£5-7)
- →Explore Thamel neighbourhood and gear up for the trek
- →Optional: visit Pashupatinath Temple or Boudhanath Stupa (~£3-5 entry)
Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara
Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The budget option is the tourist bus from the Tourist Bus Park in Thamel (~7-8 hours, ~£6-8). For comfort and time savings, take a domestic flight with Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines (~25 minutes, ~£50-70 — highly recommended as reviewer Melanie noted the roads can be rough). Arrive in Pokhara, settle into your lakeside guesthouse in the Lakeside/Baidam area, and spend the afternoon exploring Phewa Lake, Lakeside market, and lining up your trekking logistics. Obtain your TIMS card (~£10) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, ~£22) at the Nepal Tourism Board office or TAAN office near Lakeside.
🚌Tourist bus from Thamel (~£6-8) or domestic flight Buddha Air/Yeti Airlines (~£50-70)
🛏Lakeside budget guesthouse — e.g. Hotel Butterfly or similar (~£10-15/night)
- →Travel Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus (~£6-8) or domestic flight (~£50-70)
- →Obtain TIMS card (~£10) and ACAP permit (~£22) at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara
- →Stroll along Phewa Lake's Lakeside promenade
- →Optional: hire a local guide or porter for the trek directly in Pokhara (guide ~£20-25/day, porter ~£12-15/day)
Pokhara to Kande to Pitam Deurali
Pitam Deurali
Take a local taxi or shared jeep from Pokhara to Kande village (the trek starting point, ~45 mins, ~£3-5 shared). The trail climbs steeply through forests with views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range opening up. The trek to Pitam Deurali takes around 3-4 hours. Accommodation is in basic but cosy teahouses — meals are included in the teahouse package deal (dal bhat, noodles, etc.).
🚌Shared taxi/jeep Pokhara to Kande (~£3-5)
🛏Teahouse at Pitam Deurali (~£4-7/night, meals extra ~£6-10)
- →Shared taxi/jeep from Pokhara to Kande trailhead (~£3-5)
- →Trek Kande to Pitam Deurali through forests and terraced farmland (3-4 hours, ~7km)
- →Views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna range
Pitam Deurali to Forest Camp
Forest Camp
A longer day of trekking through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. The trail climbs steadily, and the forest canopy keeps things cool. Forest Camp sits in a clearing with incredible mountain views on clear days. Trek time is approximately 5-6 hours. Stay in one of the simple teahouses and enjoy dal bhat for dinner — the local trekkers' staple that's filling and cheap.
🚌Trekking on foot
🛏Teahouse at Forest Camp (~£4-7/night, meals extra ~£6-10)
- →Trek Pitam Deurali to Forest Camp through rhododendron and oak forest (5-6 hours, ~9km)
- →Views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna South
- →Birdwatching in the forest canopy
Forest Camp to High Camp
High Camp
The trail breaks out of the treeline today and enters alpine meadows with increasingly dramatic mountain panoramas. High Camp sits at around 3,580m so take it steady to acclimatise. The Annapurna range dominates the horizon. Trek time is around 5-6 hours. Teahouses at High Camp are basic but the views make up for it. Altitude sickness awareness is important — stay hydrated and ascend slowly.
🚌Trekking on foot
🛏Teahouse at High Camp (~£4-7/night, meals extra ~£7-12)
- →Trek Forest Camp to High Camp through alpine zone (5-6 hours, ~8km)
- →Panoramic views of Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, and Annapurna South
- →Acclimatisation walk around High Camp at dusk
High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Badal Danda
Badal Danda
The highlight of the trek. Set off early (around 5-6am) for the push to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,450m — one of Nepal's most spectacular viewpoints with a 360° panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal itself. The return to High Camp takes around 3-4 hours total. After soaking in the views, descend all the way to Badal Danda for the night (a further 2 hours descent).
🚌Trekking on foot
🛏Teahouse at Badal Danda (~£4-7/night, meals extra ~£7-12)
- →Pre-dawn start and summit trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,450m (3-4 hours return from High Camp)
- →360° panoramic views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal
- →Descend from High Camp to Badal Danda (approximately 2 hours)
Badal Danda to Siding to Pokhara
Pokhara
Descend through forests and traditional Gurung villages from Badal Danda to Siding village (4-5 hours trekking). From Siding, arrange a local jeep or shared taxi back to Pokhara (~£4-6, takes about 1 hour). Back in Pokhara, treat yourself to a hot shower and a lakeside meal — you've earned it. Explore Lakeside in the evening.
🚌Trekking on foot then shared jeep/taxi Siding to Pokhara (~£4-6)
🛏Lakeside budget guesthouse — e.g. Hotel Butterfly or similar (~£10-15/night)
- →Trek Badal Danda to Siding through forests and Gurung villages (4-5 hours)
- →Shared jeep/taxi from Siding to Pokhara (~£4-6)
- →Celebrate the end of the trek with a lakeside dinner in Pokhara
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Return from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus (~£6-8) or domestic flight (~£50-70). Back in Kathmandu, check into your Thamel guesthouse and spend the evening exploring the city. For your own farewell dinner, head to a local Nepali restaurant for live folk music and dance — try Bhojan Griha or Krishnarpan restaurant for an authentic experience (~£10-15 per person including a cultural show).
🚌Tourist bus (~£6-8) or domestic flight (~£50-70)
🛏Thamel budget guesthouse or hostel — e.g. Hotel Holy Himalaya or similar (~£8-14/night)
- →Travel Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus (~£6-8) or domestic flight (~£50-70)
- →Farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant with live folk music and dance — Bhojan Griha or similar (~£10-15)
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel
Departure from Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Enjoy a final breakfast in Thamel, then make your way to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure. A prepaid taxi from Thamel to the airport costs around £5-7. Allow at least 3 hours before your international flight. Namaste, Nepal!
🚌Prepaid taxi Thamel to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5-7)
- →Final breakfast at a Thamel café
- →Prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5-7)
- →Optional: last-minute visit to Boudhanath Stupa if time allows
Self-launched vs. Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£390 | £712 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £322 per person (45%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£390
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek – 9 Days Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £390 per person for 9 days in Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours?+
Yes — Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours charges around £712 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £390 — a saving of roughly £322 (45%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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