High-altitude trekking course
4.88(42)Mardi Himal, Annapurna, NepalCourses
Nine days on the Mardi Himal ridge learning how to trek high safely: acclimatisation, pacing, layering and reading the weather, below the fishtail peak of Machapuchare.
- Learn acclimatisation, pacing and altitude first aid
- Climb to Mardi Himal High Camp at 4,500 m
- Close-up views of Machapuchare
- A course handbook to keep for future treks
About the trip
Many people dream of the big Himalayan treks but are unsure how their body will cope with altitude. This course answers that, on a quieter route that still reaches 4,500 m.
Each day mixes walking with short lessons on the trail: how to pace a climb, what to eat and drink, how to spot the early signs of altitude sickness and what to do about them. You also practise layering for the big swings in temperature, and reading the afternoon cloud build-up.
The Mardi Himal ridge climbs through rhododendron forest to open grassland right under Machapuchare, the sacred fishtail mountain that has never been climbed. It is a beautiful place to learn.
What's included
- Two nights in Pokhara, six nights in tea houses
- All meals on the trek
- Annapurna Conservation Area permits
- Porters for your main bag
- Daily lessons and a course handbook
- Pulse oximeters and a first aid briefing
- Tashi as your instructor
Your guide
Tashi Sherpa
Lead guide, Everest and Annapurna
Tashi grew up in Khumjung, below Ama Dablam, and started guiding at nineteen after summers as a porter. He has led more than sixty treks in the Khumbu and Annapurna and knows every tea house owner by name. He is strict about acclimatisation and generous with butter tea.
Meet TashiDay by day
Meet, a first lesson on how altitude works, and kit checks.
14 km, 1,100 m up
From Kande through the Australian Camp viewpoint into the forest.
6 km, 600 m up
Lesson on pacing: walking slowly enough to talk all day.
6 km, 950 m up
Out of the trees onto the ridge, and practising layering.
10 km, 700 m up and down
An early start to the upper viewpoint, then back to High Camp.
4 km, 300 m up and down
Altitude first aid, weather and a short acclimatisation walk.
12 km, 2,200 m down
Down a different ridge to a farming village in the valley.
5 km, 300 m down
A short walk and drive back, then the course debrief.
Breakfast and goodbyes.
