Mardi Himal

An immersive full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley.
Start by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. The temple is situated atop a hill offering panoramic views of Kathmandu valley. The large domed stupa is surrounded by a variety of small shrines and temples, each ornate and luxuriously decorated with gold and vibrant prayer flags and is considered holy to Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. The site is believed to date back to 460 A.D. and was reconstructed by King Manadeva in the 13th century.

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, an old royal courtyard with over fifty temples, including the temple of the titular deity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar has two courtyards; an inner section consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. Some floors of the main palace have been converted into a museum dedicated to display the three generations of Shah kings of Nepal and also showcases some ornaments from the medieval periods. Thus, the palace is also known as “the Museum of Temples”. The outer courtyards have a Kasthamandap (was a three-storied public shelter), Kumari Ghar (which houses the Goddess Kumari), and a Shiva-Parvati Temple. The outer courtyards also have an abundance of handicraft shops, and a nearby Bazar and locals markets.

Visit Patan Durbar Square, also known as the city of artisans. The area is home to some of the finest artisans of Kathmandu Valley, who have preserved the cultural and ancient techniques of art and craft, such as wood, wax, painting and metal work. The former Royal Palace of Patan has been converted into a museum to display the unique crafts. Apart from the museum, Patan includes Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), Golden Window, and Mahabouddha Temple and many other unique cultural attractions.

Flight Option:
A morning 20 min flight to Pokhara and spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the lakeside city.

Drive Option:
An early morning drive to Pokhara, starts by leaving the valley and following the river before stopping for lunch. The road then turns towards the north, before reaching Pokhara late evening.

Pokhara is considered the gateway city to the Annapurna Himalayas. This lakeside city has abundant cafés, restaurants and adrenaline day activities. A place many travelers spend their time in, as it is less polluted and has more natural surroundings than Kathmandu.

After breakfast, begin the journey to Kanda.
Once in Kande, begin the trek with a short hike to Australian Base Camp along a forestry path uphill. Along the way you will see the views of the towering Annapurna Mountain Range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South Hiuchuli, Annapurna II and IV and Lamjung Himal (weather permitting). Upon arrival, check into the simple lodge, where the remaining evening, will be at leisure.

Note: From day 4 to day 7, accommodation will be in a simple lodge with basic and limited facilities, mostly having shared bathrooms.

After breakfast with views of the Himalayas, continue on the trail to Forest Camp. The trail takes you into the wilderness as you enter the forest of birch, giant rhododendron, mountain oak, maple, and hemlock. Catch an occasional glimpse of the stunning views of the Himalayan mountains.

After breakfast, continue along the ascending path through forests until reaching a clearing with impressive vistas of the Fishtail mountain and the Annapurna range. Continue hiking along the hillside ridge, with both sides dropping into deep valleys filled with clouds.
Reach Badal Dhanda, for lunch, and spend the remaining day at leisure.

A relatively short day of trekking starts by ascending along the ridge (which is sometimes covered with snow) to High Camp. Reach there by lunchtime, and spend the afternoon acclimatizing and admiring the views of Annapurna South and Fishtail, which are much closer than the day before.

An early morning start to reach Mardi View Point. Spend some time at the viewpoint and witness the sunrise view and close-up views of the Annapurna I, Machhapuchere mountain range and panoramic vistas from Dhaulagiri to Ganesh Himal.

If you are fit to walk, you can walk an additional 2 hrs. to reach Mardi Base Camp (5,000m).

Later, hike back to the High Camp, and after lunch, make the way back down to Middle Camp.

After breakfast, follow the steep descending path through dense forest to Sidhing. Upon arrival, meet the driver and drive back to Pokhara.
Once at Pokhara, check in to the hotel, and spend the remaining day at leisure.

Optional add-on: Visit Sarangkot via Cable Car
Optional add-on: Pokhara Ultralight flight
Optional add-on: Visit international Mountain Museum

Start the sightseeing tour, by visiting Pumdikot, a viewpoint located at an altitude of 1,500 m offering impressive views of Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Annapurna, and Mt Machhapuchhre. The viewpoint also has a new 3-story view tower, Shiva Damaru, a gigantic statue of Lord Shiva. This 51 ft high statue sits on top of an enormous dome and is surrounded by 108 Shiva Linga.

On your way back, visit Shanti Stupa, located on Anadu Hill at an altitude of 1,100 meters. The pagoda is built in the pagoda style of the Nihonsan Myoboji monks. The word “Shanti” means peace in Sanskrit, thus meaning Peace Tower. The shrine was built as a symbol of peace. Nepal is home to two of the world’s eight peace pagodas and the other Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The peace pagoda in Pokhara offers panoramic views of the Annapurna Mountains, Pokhara City, and Fewa Lake.

Choose either to hike for 2 hours or drive for 15min back to Pokhara.

Optional add-on: Helicopter tour of Pokhara valley and Annapurna Base Camp
Optional add-on: Visit international Mountain Museum
Optional add-on: Bungee Jump
Optional add-on: Ziplining

Flight Option:
Have a leisure morning, before catching your flight back to Kathmandu, where you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Drive Option:
An early morning drive to Kathmandu. Stop for lunch by the riverside, before reaching Kathmandu in the evening.

Relax with a 45-minute complimentary foot massage in Kathmandu.

Optional add-on: Half day sightseeing to the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Try a pottery session.
Optional add-on: Thangka painting class
Optional add-on: Yoga class
Optional add-on: Cooking class
Optional add-on: Singing bowl class

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Relax with a 45-minute complimentary foot massage in Kathmandu.
This additional day in Kathmandu is recommended to avoid missing your international flight, due to the unpredictable weather in the mountain region and the domestic flight might be cancelled due to bad weather.

Optional add-on: Full Day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Square, the ancient city inside the Kathmandu Valley.
Optional add-on: Day trip to visit Monastery in Pharping.
Optional add-on: Rock climbing in Pharping.
Optional add-on: Day trip to Changu Narayan temple.
Optional add-on: Day trip to Kritipur (a Newari styled area in Kathmandu)

We will drop you off at the airport for your continued adventures.