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Mardi Himal Helicopter Tour

Nepal is home to several of the tallest mountains in the world. Climbing these mountains or even visiting the base camps is a highly fulfilling yet difficult experience. However, helicopter tours can make this stressful experience quite convenient and Pokhara Info is here to help you manage the Mardi Himal Base Camp.  

The unique experience of the Mardi Himal base camp offers a bird’s eye view of the stunning Mardi Himal mountain range in Nepal, with all the luxury and comfort of a helicopter ride.

About Mardi Himal

Mardi Himal is a mountain range located in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The peak of Mardi Himal stands at 5,587 meters. There, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas. In recent times, the trek to Mardi Himal is becoming increasingly popular among trekkers and adventurers. As a result, so has the Mardi Himal heli tour.

About the Helicopter Tour of Mardi

Despite being in the same area, the Mardi Heli tour is much preferred by tourists over the ABC heli tour. The cinematic and most incredible horizontal perspective of towering mountains, the setting sun, fluttering clouds, and the picturesque tropical scenery may be seen on a helicopter tour to Mardi Himal. The centerpiece of the tour is Mardi Himal. Some other key mountains visible through this Mardi Heli tour are Machhapuchhre (6,993 meters), Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), Singu Chuli, Hiunchuli, Khangsar Kang, Annapurna Ranges, Gangapurna, Tare Kang Glacier Dome, and so on. 

This Mardi Helicopter Tour stands out as the finest option for individuals who want to enjoy the natural beauty in a shorter amount of time because it provides a close-up perspective of the complete Himalayan majesty. That also applies to individuals who are unable to break through the full route’s uphill and downhill march.

Why choose Mardi Himal Helicopter Tour over Mardi Trek?

  • One of the biggest benefits of a helicopter tour of Mardi Himal is that it saves time. It is quite obvious yet true. Instead of spending days trekking to the base camp, you can explore the beauty of the mountain range in just a few hours. You’ll also be back at this time.
  • Getting on a helicopter if you’ve never done so. Seeing the Himalayas from a bird’s eye view is an unforgettable experience. You might even be scared at first. The helicopter tour allows you to see the mountains and the surrounding landscape from a perspective that is not possible on a traditional trek.
  • The trek is long and exhausting. Luckily, the helicopter tour is a luxurious experience. It features comfortable seating, air conditioning, and panoramic windows that offer stunning views of the Himalayas.

How to Book a Mardi Himal Helicopter Tour

Visitors can book the Mardi Heli Tour through tour operators and travel agencies that offer adventure tourism activities. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure availability and to get the best deals. 

You can choose private helicopter outlets such as Simrik air, Air Dynasty, or Nepal Helicopter service among a few with choppers such as Airbus H125 or Bell 407GXP helicopter. You can visit the official website or also contact Pokhara Info to book your flight easily. 

The price for a single passenger on the Mardi Heli flight is approximately US $1750. As previously said, you can reserve Mardi Heli services from private operators. Luckily, you can contact Pokhara Info to have the tour planned for you if you wish to avoid inconvenience.

The Flight Itself

The flight to Mardi Himal takes off from lake city Pokhara and lasts for about 12 to 15 minutes. After you get to the Mardi base camp, the helicopter will leave you alone for around 30 minutes while you explore the area, take pictures and films, and create tons of memories. You will be flown back to Pokhara after spending some time there, and the trip should just take 12 to 15 minutes.

Best time for a Heli Tour at Mardi

At Mardi Himal, October to December or March to May are the ideal times to take a helicopter tour. The best views of the peak and the surrounding Himalayas are during these months because of the normally good weather and clear skies.

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The Mardi Himal Trek and Expedition

The enchanting beauty makes Nepal one of the top destinations for tourists, adventurers, and nature lovers alike. It allows visitors to experience heavenly experiences without having to visit heaven itself.

If you were to ask us for a thrilling yet short and beautiful trek within this gorgeous nation, I’d recommend you the Mardi Himal Trek. Known for its short, jovial Trek, the Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively new endeavor in the Annapurna region of Nepal that displays some marvelous examples of Mother Nature in a clean and lively atmosphere. It has started to gain a lot of attention in just a few short years.

The Mardi Himal trek is one of the easiest and shortest in Nepal, but it’s no less stunning in terms of natural beauty than other treks in Annapurna. On top of that, the Trek is unspoiled and filled with surprises along the way. Unlike other treks, the Mardi Himal trekking trails circumnavigate the Mardi Himal so we do not have to repeat the same route.

About the Region

During the Mardi Himal trek, you’ll get a glimpse of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu ranges, as well as Siding village, Australian Camp, Mardi Himal base camp, Pothana, and Lwang. In the past, the trails were used by shepherds to take their sheep and goats to graze. However, in 2012, the route to Mardi Himal became accessible to the general public. Tents and catering teams used to be the only thing that trekking groups brought to the region. Then teahouses were built along the way, and the number of trekkers continued to rise.

As an alternative to the relatively nearby Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is the best choice nowadays. The route to Mardi Himal is less crowded than Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, with recently opened lodgings along the way. In addition to interacting with locals, the trail is also an excellent opportunity to learn more about their cultures, festivals, lifestyles, customs, and practices. The locals are very friendly and provide the best hospitality on the trail.

Furthermore, the road is adorned with colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and stupas, all of which contribute to the positive aura of the journey. You can also notice the unique blend of the Buddhism religion on the way.

Necessary Permits and Accommodations

Trekkers require two different permits in order to travel through the Mardi Himal Trekking trails. Mardi Himal Trekking requires trekkers to have a Trekkers Information Management System or TIMS card. Additionally, the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit is also another mandatory permit for the Trek. You can obtain all these required permits from Nepal Tourism Board, located around two kilometers from Thamel’s central area.

During the Trek’s beginning, there were several well-run hotels and lodges to stay in. However, as the Trek continues, well-equipped hotels are hard to find since these paths mainly consist of tea houses and homestays. However, you can bring tents and set up tented camps while trekking.

Preparing For the Mardi Himal Trek

In comparison with other trekking routes in Nepal, the Mardi Himal trek is quite short. The Mardi Himal trek reaches the highest point at 4500m. For experienced trekkers, this may not seem like much, but it is quite a change for first-time trekkers. Additionally, the Trek requires explorers to walk for multiple days. People with lung diseases should either stay away from such activities or take precautions prior to performing them since high altitudes are difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, these high altitudes may cause people to experience altitude sickness.

As a result of the cold conditions at high altitudes, we recommend that you bring the following items with you on your Trek. Our group takes the following items on our Trek to Mardi Himal.

  • Warm clothes, including jackets, sweaters, and thermal wears
  • Water bottles and thermos
  • Tents if you plan to camp by the shore of Rara Lake
  • Backpack
  • Portable fire stoves
  • Snow Glasses and flashlight
  • Well-fitting gloves, socks, and shoes or boots
  • Trekking sticks
  • First aid kit
  • Moisturizers and lip guard
  • Energy bars

For those who forget any of the items above, trek shops are available at the starting point of the Trek, though there they are likely to cost more than usual.

Itinerary and the Trek itself

If you and your group walk at a reasonable pace, the Mardi Himal Trek can take 5 to 9 days to complete. If you do not come from Nepal, you must obtain a visa for Nepal and then travel to Kathmandu. Now, if you are in Kathmandu or any other part of Nepal, your first stop will be Pokhara. From Pokhara, you and your group will then need to travel to Phedi by bus or private vehicle. From there, our Trek begins.

As you trek today, you'll leave tourists, other trekkers, and even villagers behind. You'll walk through an enchanted forest of birch, rhododendrons, oak trees, maples, and hemlocks. There will be breathtaking mountain views if the weather is clear. After 5 hours of Trek, we take a rest at Forest Camp for the night.

On the third day, we leave for high camp. We ascend along a forest trail and enjoy the lush views of rhododendrons and other trees covered with lichen and moss. We stop at Low Camp for lunch with a magnificent view of Mt. Macchapucchre right in front of us. After lunch, we hike up to High Camp and stay at the High Camp Lodge.

You need to leave early for Mardi Himal Base Camp on the fourth day. Depending on the conditions, you may be able to hike to the highest point on the Trek, where Machhapuchare can be seen on the other side of the Mardi Himal crest. After taking in the Mardi view, it's time to descend. After reaching Middle Camp, you can enjoy a hot drink and some warm food where you can rest for the night.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will descend through the shade of the forest to the upper Mardi Khola via a different route from the one you took before. The expedition course now follows the arm valley and past friendly villages into Kalimati, though it is still remote and off the beaten track.

For the final day, a journey from Kalimati follows the contour of the river valley, passing through Tamang and Gurung villages. Finally, you'll reach Lwang village, your destination for the night. Take your time exploring this village and savor an authentic homestay experience.

 From Lwang Village, you will meet your transportation back to Pokhara after walking along an outcrop and back to the road on the following day. After the Trek, you can take the path back home via Pokhara; however, don't forget to cherish all the beautiful scenery and memories you encountered during your Trek. We hope you enjoyed the week you spent on the Trek.

Cost includes:

  • Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
  • Three meals per day throughout the Trekk(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Accommodation in lodges and tea houses during the trek.
  • Nights’Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
  • Trekking Guide and a porter (Shared by two clients) with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
  • First Aid kit.
  • Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
  • TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
  • All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes

  • International Airfare.
  • Your travel insurance.
  • Sightseeing entrance fees
  • Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
  • Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
  • Tips for Guide and Porters

Note

The itinerary mentioned above is the general plan arranged by Pokhara Info. The above itinerary is only a guideline; it might change due to the availability of lodging and campsites, fluctuating weather conditions, unforeseen political, trail, and environmental, or any other factors beyond our control. After consulting with the group, your trek leader will decide the best way to reach a final decision if this occurs.

If the itinerary is unsuitable for you, please let us know, and we will customize it. We will be able to make changes to the itinerary if clients want to do so.