Mardi Himal Trek

Trekking to Mardi Himal is undoubtedly the most notable achievement for any adventurer. But to make your adventure the most memorable experience of your life, you need to be well-informed about the destination, its weather, available options for accommodation, and many more. 

How high is Mardi Himal?

Situated just beneath the shadow of Machhapuchre peak in the Annapurna region, the Mardi Himal is 5587 meters (18330 feet) above sea level. This point offers a mesmerizing view of the Annapurna ranges and the region’s surrounding peaks. Along with Annapurna, you can also catch the view of Mount Machhapuchre and other surrounding ranges.

Accommodation for Mardi Himal Trek

Depending on your location, the accommodation for your Mardi Himal trek ranges from 3-star hotels to teahouses. As you arrive in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to a three-star accommodation, primarily at Kathmandu Business Hotel or similar properties. You will have the option of twin-sharing or double accommodation with breakfast. It is a standard room with all basic amenities like a private bathroom, ample storage, a comfy bed, and more.

Additionally, you can request a five-star accommodation with all amenities, but it does come with an additional cost. While on the trekking trail, you will have standard accommodation in tea houses. Usually, these rooms are shared and have a common washroom. However, here, you will also have the option to get a private room with a personal bathroom, but for an additional cost.

Washroom Facilities on the Trek

Since you will be staying in standard lodges and tea houses, the washroom facilities are reasonable. Stops like Pokhara city have standard rooms with private attached bathrooms. However, the washroom services at other stops without settlements or at the base camp will not be that good.

While on the trail, washroom facilities might be limited until you reach a village settlement or your destination for the day. And often, you need to carry a pee bag to release yourself in places that lack washrooms. It is necessary to know that comfort on the trek to the mountains is modest, and often, you might have to adjust with limited choices available.

Trek Essentials

Trekking to the Mardi Himal is slightly difficult and might involve some risk if you are a beginner in trek. For these reasons, you will have to check off all the boxes of your trekking essentials, as mentioned below.

Permits 

You will require two main passes to trek to the Mardi Himal. The Annapurna Conservation Area permit is essential for trekking through the trail that falls onto the territory of this conservation area. Similarly, you will require another permit, the TIMS card, to trek through any region of the country.

Travel Insurance 

The trek to Mardi Himal requires crossing an elevation of 4000 meters from sea level, and there is always a risk of natural disasters like glacial flooding, avalanches, and landslides. Thus, it is mandatory to have insurance. Besides, the lower temperature and scarce oxygen at higher elevations often cause altitude sickness, frostbite, and other medical emergencies. Having trekking insurance helps a lot in such scenarios.

Trekking insurance usually covers possible events like accidents, emergency evacuations, natural disasters, and flight disruptions. These insurances can be bought from several providers, depending on your location. Here are some suggestions for you:

• USA and Canada: Blue Criss, United Healthcare, Tugo, World Nomad
• Europe: Austrian Alpine Club, Europe Assistance, Allianz Europe
• New Zealand and Australia: Allianz Australia, Fast Cover
• Singapore: World Nomad, Ergo
• India: ICICI Lombard

Trek Difficulty 

Any trek to a higher elevation that takes you close to snow-capped mountains is definitely challenging, and so is Mardi Himal. You will have to trek continuously for 6 to 7 hours a day through rough trails and varying landscapes. It is a physically demanding task, as the trek takes you to an elevation above 4000 meters, where the temperature is low, oxygen is scarce, and the terrain is rough and risky. You must be physically fit and mentally composed to complete the trek successfully. 

Besides, the weather can be quite unpredictable. The temperature is lower and can often drop to freezing at night. The higher-elevation areas can usually have snow storms, soft rains, and chilled breezes.

Trekking Distance from Kande to Mardi Himal Base Camp 

The total trekking distance to Mardi Himal Base Camp is about 32 kilometers, starting from Kande, our starting point. It usually takes about 6 days to cover this distance, whereas returning from this point to the end point of the trek, Siding Village, takes 2 days, covering an approximately 8-kilometer distance.

Best Time to Trek to Mardi Himal 

It is possible to trek to Mardi Himal throughout the year, each with different experiences. However, the cold, freezing winters or the heavy rains of the monsoon season might not be for beginners. There is nice snow during winter, but it also comes with a risk of altitude sickness, yet proficient summiteers also choose this time to avoid the crowd of peak season.

Fall and Spring are the best seasons to trek to Mardi Himal. Since the climate is suitable, the trails are dry, and the skies are clear during these two seasons, it is also the best season for climbing the Himalayan regions of Nepal. Usually, during September-November and April-May, most visitors ascend through different trekking routes of the Annapurna region. 

Safety on Mardi Himal Trekking 

Traveling to regions surrounded by high mountain peaks and challenging landscapes has risks and challenges. However, these risks can be mitigated with proper trekking, preparation, and adaptation of the necessary safety measures. Plan your trip in favorable climbing seasons to get off safely from your adventure.

 Before travel, you must train and prepare your body to trek rough terrain for up to 7 hours daily. You will also need to be ready to tackle altitude sickness and other health conditions that might appear when traveling to high altitudes. You can buy trekking insurance to prepare for additional security, as you will be trekking above 4500 meters in an area with high avalanches and unpredictable climate risks.

Preventing Sickness During the Mardi Himal Trek

While trekking to higher elevations, such as the Mardi Himal trek, altitude sickness is inevitable and often carries fatal risks. Since medical facilities are limited en route, you need to prepare well to avoid any symptoms of altitude sickness. Ensure you bring proper layers of clothes and warmers to protect yourself well. 

You should also opt for a gradual ascent, as this helps you adapt to the harsh climate and low temperatures. 

However, if you get altitude sickness on your way to the Mardi Himal, let your trekking guide know about the situation. The guides are prepared with first aid required for such a situation. 

Rest for a while in the same spot, and take the anti-sickness medications. After you feel a little better, you can descend to a lower altitude. If the situation worsens, request the guide contact the head office in Kathmandu for a helicopter rescue.

Wi-Fi and Internet Facilities on Mardi Himal Trek

Compared to most trekking routes, the Annapurna region has good internet and Wi-Fi facilities, given that it is the most travelled route. Most of the tea houses en route to the Mardi Himal have internet services, often free of cost. However, you might need to buy internet packages from the service providers for the trekking trail.

You can also get mobile SIMs from different network providers in Nepal to make the internet more accessible. However, you must remember that these SIMs might encounter network issues while traveling through dense forests and remote areas.

How to Get to the Starting Point of the Mardi Himal Trek? 

You can reach Kande, the starting point of the Mardi Himal Trek, by taking a scenic drive along the hills or catching a flight to Pokhara. Then, you can continue driving until the starting point of the trek. 

Pokhara Flight from Kathmandu Airport

If you do not want to exert yourself by travelling around 8 hours by road, there is also an option to take a fight. When the air traffic is under control, the flight to Pokhara takes off from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. You can catch these flights easily in the off-season, but during the spring and fall seasons, the traffic flow is heavy, and often, you might get stuck in an air traffic delay.

Bag Allowances in Pokhara Flight

On the flight to Pokhara Airport, a traveler is allowed to have a maximum of 15kg (approx. 33 pounds) of baggage. This weight includes both the duffle bag and your backpack. Hence, we suggest you pack light and carry only the essential trekking requirements.

If your bag exceeds the given weight limit, you must pay an extra fee of US $ 2 to 5 for each kilogram of additional weight. 

Extending Your Trips 

It is possible to extend your trek to the Mardi Himal Trek even after you start the adventure, as long as you have a few extra days in hand. However, adding a few additional days to your trek involves some additional costs.

Charging Your Gadgets

Electricity is available in standard guesthouses and teahouses on the route to the Mardi Himal trek. However, in the remote areas, these cost around 1-5 US dollars per charge, specifically in higher altitudes without proper electricity facilities.

It is advisable to carry your own solar-powered charges or batteries to keep the devices charged. It would be helpful while camping on the base of Everest, where there are no guesthouse facilities.

Similarly, remember to bring the two-pin and three-pin types of adapters to help charge your devices. In case you forget, you can buy these C-type and D-type adapters in Kathmandu.

Food in the Annapurna Region

Food in the Mardi Himal trek is heavily influenced by its residents. The kind of food and accommodation you will find varies vastly based on the locations and terrains you intend to travel through. 

Typically, city areas in Pokhara offer all kinds of cuisine, including Mexican, Chinese, Continental, Nepalese, etc. But on the trek, it will be more ethnic cuisine, including noodles, soups, teas, coffee, and sandwiches. In Mardi Himal Base Camp, you will find more Gurung cuisine, whereas higher altitudes might serve Thakali or Tibetan-Chinese cuisine.

Mardi Himal Trek Cost 

A standard 11-day Mardi Himal trek package costs approximately $990 per person, whereas the short 8-day Mardi Himal trek costs $795 per person. However, the cost may vary depending on how food and accommodation are customized, the variation of the trekking package, and the routes you choose. 

The cost might increase with added amenities like personalized guides, private rooms with attached bathrooms, additional acclimatization days, and rest days. This trekking cost excludes personal expenses or charges for services made upon request. Please check the packages for the price and find the amenities/services offered. 

Other Annapurna Trek Packages  

For an exclusive experience of the Annapurna region, you need to find the right package for your requirements. Choosing the right package ensures a smooth experience and makes the experience memorable for you. From luxurious to budget itineraries, there are multiple packages to choose from:

Standard ABC Trek 

The standard Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of the classic Himalayan treks that takes you closer to experiencing the divinity of nature. This 14-day adventure in the Annapurna region begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu, taking you through river banks, green hills, and mesmerizing scenic beauty. Being one of the easiest treks that can be completed even in the shortest time, the ABC trek is very popular among domestic and international tourists.

Annapurna Circuit Trek 

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 22-day adventure that offers an unparalleled experience of the Himalayas while taking us through lush subtropical forests, diverse landscapes, and high-altitude desert plains. The trek circles the Annapurna Massif, crossing the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), and provides stunning views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchre. It is the perfect trek for those looking to experience the best of Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural diversity.

Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trek is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful and rewarding adventure through some of Nepal’s most stunning landscapes. This trek lasts 11 days, which is relatively short compared to other treks in this region, and takes you through lush rhododendron and oak forests across alpine meadows. It is a perfect adventure for someone looking for a refreshing contrast to the hectic and busier scenario. You get to experience unforgettable moments surrounded by the grandeur of the Himalayas in serene solitude. You can enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Annapurna range, including the iconic Machhapuchre (Fishtail) and Himchuli.

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a 5-day adventure that begins with a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and offers a unique cultural experience along with panoramic views of peaks in the Annapurna region. This trek takes you through the pleasant ambiance of rural villages, luscious green forests, and ethnic homestays before ascending to the base camp of the Annapurna range. It also perfectly blends natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure, making it one of Nepal’s most popular trekking routes.

Mardi Himal or Ghorepani Poon Hill: Which is the correct alternative trek of Annapurna for you?

Honestly, one cannot precisely distinguish which is the more correct alternative, the Annapurna Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit trek. Both these areas offer majestic views of Annapurna and let you experience the luscious rhododendron forests and rich cultural heritage. However, if you want to experience what a mountain peak looks like from up close, then you should definitely go for Mardi Himal. Contrastingly, if you want to get the best cultural experience of the ethnic community, then you should definitely go for the Ghorepani Poonhill trek.

Training for Mardi Himal Trek

The trekking route to Mardi Himal consists of rough, rocky terrain, steep hills, and narrow trails. You must train well to build your core strength, as this adventure requires you to trek continuously for 7 to 8 hours daily. It will also take you above an elevation of 5000 meters, where the temperature is low, oxygen is scarce, and the terrain is rough and risky. You must be physically fit and mentally composed to complete the trek successfully. You will also require good cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength to ascend easily through rough terrain.

If you aren’t somebody who doesn’t perform physical training regularly, it is better to start training at least ¾ months in advance. Ensure you include cardio, flexibility exercises, and strength training in your workout to prepare your body for the trek.

Some of the best ways to train for the trek are through regular cardio, focusing on breathing exercises, strength training, lifting weights, hamstring sketching exercises, and so on. You can switch to climbing stairs instead of taking lifts, walking instead of driving, or jogging instead of driving to smaller distances to prepare your body. Additionally, going on regular hikes or climbing up the hills can be the best way to train for the trek.

Beginner’s Guide to the Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trek is definitely an easy trek compared to EBC and other treks, but it also comes with certain challenges. Like any adventure, you need to have physical strength and a calm and well-prepared mind to face the challenges that may come across. You need to train well with cardio and strength exercises, gradual acclimatization, and adequate gear to succeed on this trek. In addition, you need to rest well and let your body recover while using mindfulness for success.