Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek – 13 Days

Itinerary of Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek – 13 Days

Includes/Excludes

Trek Difficulty

The Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek is rated moderate. Trekkers hike about 5–7 hours per day on uneven mountain trails. The path involves steep ascents and descents but no technical climbing. Each day you cover around 6–10 km, often on stone stairways or rocky ground.

The highest altitude is 4,500m (Mardi Himal Base Camp). Although physically challenging, the climbs are spread over many days with rest stops. With training and a steady pace, fit hikers of most ages can handle this trek.

Weather & Best Season

Spring (March–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are ideal. Spring brings blooming rhododendron forests and clear skies; daytime highs reach 15–20°C while nights are cool. Autumn has stable weather and warm days with cool nights.

Winter (Dec–Feb) is much colder at altitude (night temperatures often below –5°C at base camp) and possible snow on trails. Monsoon (Jun–Aug) means heavy rains, slippery paths, and occasional landslides. Humidity is high in summer. No season is truly dangerous if prepared: rain gear and warm layers are essential any time outside the peak seasons.

Food & Drink

On the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek, meals are served at teahouses. Typical dishes include dal bhat (rice with lentils and curries), vegetable stews, noodles, pasta, fried rice, and soups. Breakfast offers eggs, porridge, pancakes, or toast. Western foods like pasta, pizza, and sandwiches may also be available.

All meals on trekking days (B/L/D) are included. Always drink plenty of fluids: boiled or filtered water is provided at lodges (bottle price NPR 150). Carry water purification tablets or drops as backup. Snacks (energy bars, nuts, chocolate) are handy. Note: altitude may decrease appetite, thus eat frequently. We can choose vegetarian and vegan options, but we should notify in advance.

Altitude Sickness

The effects of altitude (AMS) can appear above about 3,000m. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Risks can be reduced by ascending gradually, staying well hydrated, and eating enough carbohydrates. Avoid sleeping pills and alcohol.

The Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek gains altitude slowly with plenty of breaks to help your body acclimatize. Avoid sleeping pills and alcohol. The itinerary will be in such a way that it acclimatizes slowly, and we have rest days.

Consult a doctor about taking Diamox (acetazolamide) before the trek. Our guide monitors your condition and carries oxygen. If someone shows severe AMS (confusion, severe headache, breathlessness), the protocol is immediate descent 500–1000m. The guides will not hesitate to evacuate you if needed because your safety is the priority.

Preparation & Fitness

Start training four to six weeks prior to your departure. To increase stamina and strengthen legs, do some easy cardio activity such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling. Training: Hiking up a hill with a backpack of about five to seven kilograms. Long stair sessions or walks are also beneficial daily.

Simple exercises like squats and lunges can be tried to alleviate the knee strain. In case you have health concerns related to the heart, lungs, or knees, then you should visit your physician before the trip.

Wear trekking boots that are already worn and have warm layered clothes. Having mental preparedness is also crucial. Anticipate shifting mountain weather and moderate and slow speed. Even ordinary walking is more of a challenge at higher altitudes, and thus gradual fitness preparation makes the process of the journey less difficult.

Visa & Permits (Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek)

International visitors will be able to acquire a Nepal tourist visa at Kathmandu airport in most cases. A 30-day visa currently costs around USD 50 as of 2025. Check the validity of your passport for at least six months. On arrival at the airport, you fill in the easy forms and pay the fee in US dollars.

To do trekking in the Annapurna region, you require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, which costs around twenty-five US dollars, and a TIMS card that costs around seventeen US dollars. Above The Himalaya will do these permits.

Do not leave a copy of your passport or any permits behind. The permit charges are used to sustain and protect the local environment and community, thus, do not disrupt the plants or wildlife.

Health & Safety

Your safety is very important during the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. Do not forget to take simple precautions of health prior to traveling. It is also convenient to be informed about vaccinations like tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. Keep a little first aid kit of bandages and your own medicines. Only drink boiled or purified water and avoid raw or unhygienic foods such as unwashed salads.

It is sunny in the mountains, and they need sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and proper sunglasses. Weather changes quickly during the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek, so dress in warm layers. Accommodation is clean, although toilets are sometimes squat, and bring tissue.

Use trekking poles when going downhill in order to protect your knees. Helicopter rescue can be used in case of an emergency, but this is quite expensive. High altitude rescue travel insurance is required. Your guide will inspect the state of all people in the trek every day and provide safety measures during the journey.

Transportation

The Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek includes both road travel and walking. The ride between Kathmandu and Pokhara can be undertaken in six to seven hours using tourist buses or private coaches. The road is paved but winding. You can also take a short flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara.

We also go by local Jeep or van from Pokhara to Dhampus, over gravel roads, and it takes approximately two hours. And at the completion of the walk, you will be transported back to Pokhara in a Jeep either at Nayapul or Birethanti. All local transport needed for the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek is included. Occasionally, there is a landslide or strike on Nepali roads, and we therefore find other alternatives.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for anyone joining the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. The trekking to a maximum of four thousand five hundred meters, emergency medical attention, and helicopter evacuation should be included in your policy.

Helicopter rescue is not covered by some basic plans and therefore, be careful about your policy. Always keep a copy of your insurance with you. In case of a severe illness or accident, evacuation will be organized on the spot. This would be very costly without insurance.

Alternative Routes

There are several route options for the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. To reduce the trip time, you may save yourself the Poon Hill part and head down towards Ghandruk straight. Some tourists also continue their journey from Ghorepani toward Annapurna Base Camp, which adds several extra trekking days (usually 3–4) and provides additional mountain views.

The other alternative is that once the Khopra Danda part had been completed, visiting the hot springs at Jhinu Danda, then taking the road. Other trekkers begin at Lumle as opposed to Dhampus to minimize the driving time. Discuss with us any route changes due to weather and trail conditions, which determine what can be done.

Your Extra Expenses

Carry enough Nepalese Rupees for personal expenses during the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. The average amount that most trekkers pay for drinks, snacks, and small tips is about one thousand five hundred to two thousand rupees per day. The bottled water is one to two dollars, but boiling or filling water is less expensive. Hot showers cost between two hundred and three hundred rupees.

Pokhara and certain lodges in Ghorepani have Internet at a low charge. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks take one hundred and fifty to three hundred rupees. Energy bars or cookies cost approximately one hundred and two hundred rupees.

As a tip, you should give three or five dollars each day of the trek to your guide, and two or three dollars each day to your porter. The mountain villages do not have any ATM machines; hence, get sufficient cash in Pokhara.

Language & Communication

The national language is Nepali, and in the villages, you can also hear the Gurung language and the Magar language. Your guide is fluent in English, and most of the lodge proprietors know a little English; hence, communication should not be a problem. Simple words in the Nepali language, such as Namaste or Dhanyabad, make it easy to feel friendly.

Mobile connections like Ncell and NTC are functional in the location as far as Tadapani or Ghorepani. Higher points on the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek, especially near Khopra Ridge, often have no signal. Other lodges also charge phones at a small fee. You can use offline maps, which is a good idea in case you need to follow your route.

Mobile Network, Internet & Charging:

You may purchase a local SIM card in Kathmandu or Pokhara. SIM cards work well in lower villages along the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek, but higher areas usually have no coverage.

The majority of lodges are either solar powered or have generators and have power charging devices at a fee. Always have a power bank since power outlets are not always present. Outside Pokhara and Ghorepani, wifi is not reliable; do not rely on it. Carry additional memory cards in case of photos.

Don’ts on this Trip

Respect nature and local culture throughout the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. Do not litter the path and attempt to minimize single-use plastics. Do not take flowers or disturb animals. Request permission before making photographs of individuals or places of worship. Wear simple clothes in the villages and take off shoes when entering households or temples.

Do not smoke or drink alcohol on the days you are trekking, as this dehydrates you. Speak in a low tone in order to preserve the calm atmosphere. Keep to marked paths and never try to take shortcuts. Stick to your guide and keep the whole group together.

Trip Extension

You can extend your trip before or after the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek. In Kathmandu, visit the heritage sites such as the Swayambhunath or the Durbar Square of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Additionally, in Pokhara, you can do paragliding, boat rides in Phewa Lake, go to Devi Falls, or visit the Tibetan refugee settlement. A jungle safari in Chitwan can also be added, or a cultural visit to Lumbini. We can assist in the arrangements of any additional activities that suit your interests.

Photography & Drone Rules

The Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek is wonderful for photography, with sunrise views, forest trails, and beautiful mountain scenery. Bring extra batteries, as cold weather causes power reduction.

In Nepal, the use of drones is regulated, and they need permits. Most trekkers would not find it practical. The use of handheld cameras and phones is far more convenient. When taking pictures of local people, it is always best to request permission, and it is important to maintain a respectful distance between wildlife and people.

Cultural Festivals on the Trail

If your Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek takes place during a festival, you may see colorful celebrations. Gurung villages periodically observe Losar, and Magar people have their traditional events.

Nepal is also associated with numerous national festivals, which include Maghe Sankranti, Teej, Dashain, and Tihar. The villages during these times are adorned with lights, music, and cultural dances. You may watch politely or join.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

Bring small amounts of money to use as tips and purchases. Take enough cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara since cash is the only currency accepted in the mountain villages. Dress in warm clothes since the weather changes between hot days and freezing nights. Wear strong shoes and jacket with waterproof jacket. Consume a lot of boiled water and take simple and energy-giving foods such as dal bhat, bread, rice, and pasta.

Get a copy of your passport, visa, and travel insurance. You need to communicate with your family about your travel. Wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin in the presence of a strong sun.

You can download offline maps in case you want to track your direction. Take a leisurely walk and pay attention to your guide. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the culture, scenery, and peaceful nature of the Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda trek.