Mardi himal trek

Best Time to visit Mardi Himal Trek

Like any other area in Nepal, this short Mardi Himal Trek faces four seasons, and out of the four seasons, when it comes to hiking in Mardi Himal, Spring is the best time to trek at Mardi Himal (mid-February to May), and after the spring, the autumn season (September to mid-December) is the second-best season to trek.

In spring, the temperature in the Annapurna region increases to a pleasant 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50°F to 68°F) during the day, which is the mildest temperature and the coolest temperature, ranging from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius (32°F to 50°F) at higher altitudes and during nights. While in autumn, temperatures rise between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius (50°F and 59°F) during the day.

In the spring, you may expect clear and sunny weather surrounded by colorful blossoms and vegetation; nonetheless, occasional rain showers are typical, so bring appropriate rain gear. The odds of rain are much reduced during the spring season.

For the most part, the region is covered in green vegetation, with rhododendrons in full flower. Meanwhile, the days remain pleasant, while the evenings become somewhat cold toward the end of November in Mardi throughout Autumn.

Elevation and distance

Short Mardi Himal Trek is a breathtaking journey through the unspoiled Annapurna region. The first day of the trek starts in Pokhara City and ends at Phedi Village, which marks the nearly conclusion of trek. Within five days, you will get to go through different landscapes until the peak that stands at 4250 meters.

Mardi Himal provides a moderate challenge with varied terrain and height climbs.At 3550 meters altitude sickness becomes a serious concern but you should still heed your body’s signals, keep hydrated and look out for signs of Altitude Sickness as walking commences from 1500m and goes up to 4250m.

Numerous climbs make the trail more difficult, but you will only be hiking 42 km in 5 days, so there will be plenty of time to explore and rest along the way.An average of 8 km per day walking makes it easier for the trekker than ever in the slow placer, wherever trekking in Nepal is not easy due to its landscape, and all the tracks start from low elevation and have to climb a couple of thousand meters to reach the destination.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

This short Mardi Himal Trek is a perfect trek for beginners as it is fit for both seasoned trekkers. Thus, making it an excellent trail to those who may want their privacy unlike crowded trekking zones like Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) or Everest Base Camp (EBC).

You’ll have to cover about 42 km, walking 5–6 hours each day. You’ll be walking through some steep trails, which can be slippery, so we recommend having good trekking shoes and poles, which are very crucial for this journey.

Being physically fit can help you on this trek. You can do some cardio and strength training before the trek to ease your trekking journey even more. Similarly, altitude sickness is very common in normal people, as people react differently to high altitudes.

The highest point on this 8-day Mardi HimalTrek is Mardi Himal Base Camp, at an elevation of 4,350 meters. Although it’s not high compared to other treks, altitude sickness can happen to anyone.

If you are facing signs like shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, trouble sleeping, or any other discomfort, you should know that you suffer from altitude sickness and tell your guide or friends immediately to get help.

“Prevention is better than cure,” as we are all aware. By drinking three to four liters of water a day, abstaining from alcohol, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods high in calories, and so forth, you can protect yourself from it. This way you avoid altitude sickness.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

In 8-day Mardi Himal Trek, you will have to walk for approximately 5-6 hours a day. It is a very short and moderate trek which lies in the Annapurna region of Nepal. You will start your trek from Phedi village on your first day, which will take about 3–4 hours to reach Pothana. This is the minimum walk per day for your expedition while ascending towards your destination.

The standard route covers a total of 42 km from Phide to the ending point, Saidighatta.Similarly, you’ll have to hike for 8 hours on the fourth and fifth days on this Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara, which will be the maximum walk per day.

On your fourth day, you’ll trek from Forest Camp to High Camp, and on your fifth day, you’ll trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp from High Camp. You will be walking 5-7 hours each day on average during this trip. The walking duration also depends on the resting time and pace of the walk.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

We’ll be staying at tea houses and homestays in remote villages during this entire 8-day Mardi Himal Trek. These places provide a cozy, home-like atmosphere with delicious food.

You can find accommodations with separate rooms with attached bathrooms that provide facilities like hot water, comfortable beds, charging spots, and Wi-Fi in some lodges before you reach the Forest Camp destination. After further hiking from there, accommodations will get even simpler. During peak trekking times, you may have to share your room with others.

As for food along the 8-day Mardi Himal Trek trails, you’ll mostly find traditional Nepalese dishes like daal bhat and tarkari. On the trial, you can also carry snacks such as chocolate bars, energy drinks or nuts in case you get hungry. Similarly, one may opt for different types of food such as pasta, momos and cheese, milk toast with butter and honey, omelets and noodle soup among others.

Most of the food is fresh, straight from the local farms, healthy, and high in calories, which is worth the price. But in more remote places, the food choices are very limited. We will provide three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for you during this exciting journey. Similarly, you’ll also be served fresh fruit every evening after dinner, provided by our company.

The tea houses and lodges provide a variety of drinks, such as tea, soda, water, and beer. You can also get soft drinks, but we recommend drinking water to stay hydrated. Our arrangement excludes any cold drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

You must pay for your drinks, although we strongly encourage you to avoid them. And keep in mind that as you move higher, rates rise due to the terrain and lack of transportation. Overall, there will be enough delicious meals and comfortable accommodations to keep you nourished along the way.

Alternative Routes

Instead of the classic route, you can also take alternative routes. There are other ways to get to Mardi Himal Base Camp based on your choice. The following are the routes which may be selected:

• Starting in Landruk and ending in Siding: This route is the shortest alternative option for the short Mardi Himal Trek. You can strategize your hiking expedition in Landruk. We advise you to walk an extra 12 km from Kande instead of taking a bus or jeep due to rough road conditions.

• Starting in Ghandruk and ending in Siding: Most trekkers often choose this route to Mardi Himal after completing the Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp trek. You can start in Ghorepani and go to Forest Camp with steep descents and long ascents. It is recommended to walk to Tolka and go by bus from here while returning to Pokhara.

• Starting in Ghandruk and ending in Kande: You can start your short Mardi Himal Trek from Kande. The roads are better here which will make you easy in your travel. You will be completing in 5 days from this route.

Can beginner join this trip?

Beginners can join this trip to Mardi Himal Trekfrom Pokhara without any doubts. This journey is well-marked and ideal for both beginners and intermediate trekkers. Experienced and fit trekkers can easily handle the 8-day Mardi Himal Trek.

Although beginners might find it challenging, they should prepare in advance and stay calm, as this trek doesn’t demand ropes, ice peaks, or vertical climbing. The hardest part of this trip is hiking from High Base Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and descending from Low Camp to Siding Village due to the many steps. Despite these difficulties, you can manage and complete this trip with ease.

If you need assistance, our guide is always ready and available to help you with anything related to this trek. Our company prioritizes our client’s safety first, so you don’t need to worry about anything. We will surely help you complete this trek with many fantastic moments you will never forget.

Preparation and fitness

If you want to have a great experience on the short Mardi Himal Trek, it’s important to be physically and mentally prepared. If you come on this journey without any preparation, you will get tired easily and slow down the whole group.

Although Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara is comparatively shorter than the ABC and EBC treks, you need to be physically fit by preparing yourself by doing activities like focusing on cardiovascular exercise, walking short distances instead of using vehicles, doing yoga and meditation, walking uphill and downhill, eating healthy foods, researching about this trek, and many more, which will ease your journey.

You will be walking for around 5–7 hours daily on trails like uphill and downhill. Thus, if you prepare for the trek by being physically fit, you will complete it without breaking any sweat. Thus, a lot of unexpected situations can be avoided if you are prepared.

Gadgets charging and Internet

You can charge any of your gadgets, including cameras, mobile devices, tablets, and batteries while staying at tea houses or lodges. However, just a few areas have free electricity and internet access. In most circumstances, you will be charged an additional fee for utilizing Wi-Fi or electricity for your devices.

Although Wi-Fi may be available, it may not be as fast as you might expect at home or in the workplace.We recommend you use data packages so that you can use them whenever you want outside hotels or while trekking if needed.

Moreover, you have to pay for other personal expenses like telephone, laundry, etc. if you want to get those services. The cost of using electricity and the internet may vary in different places with the rise in elevation.

Permit

When you go on the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara, you need to have two compulsory permits. Because it helps to keep track of trekkers to ensure safety and provide crucial information during emergency times, as well as to contribute to trail maintenance and local community projects. The following are the permits that you need to obtain:

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area and Mardi Himal Trek. The permit cost is NPR 3000 (approximately USD 26) per person for foreign citizens and NPR 1000 (approximately USD 9) for SAARC citizens.

You can acquire this permit from the Nepal Tourism Board, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Office in Kathmandu, or the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Office in Pokhara. You need a photocopy of your passport and two passport-sized images to apply for the permit.

Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card: You need a TIMS card, as this card tracks trekkers information as well as helps with rescue operations if needed during their visit to Nepal.

This permit cost is NPR 2000 (approximately USD 18) per person for foreign citizens and NPR 300 (approximately USD 4) for SAARC citizens. You can acquire this permit in the same places and process as ACAP.

Important Note: The permit fees and regulations may change. So, it is recommended that you check the current requirements, or we’ll also assist you in this matter if you don’t know about the guidelines before heading for Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara

Transportation

Our 8-day Mardi Himal Trek package covers all your transportation expenditures. Our personnel will receive you at your hotel in Kathmandu. Then, we’ll be taking a tourist bus from Kathmandu, which will be an 8–9-hour drive. On the second day, we will drive by car for a distance of about an hour from Pokhara to Phedi early in the morning after having breakfast.

During the return journey, we will share a Jeep from Lumre to Pokhara. Then, from Pokhara, we will again take a tourist bus to Kathmandu city, concluding your trip package.

Insurance

When you travel to Mardi Himal Base Camp, you should have travel insurance as a safety net to cover unexpected issues like sudden illness, possible injuries, extra stay costs, flight delays, or lost bags. Insurance will help you minimize the financial burdens in these circumstances.

Who knows what risks we have to face during our 8-day Mardi Himal Trek? You can get arrangements for emergency helicopter service paid for by your travel insurance company in case you have any serious conditions or need immediate medical assistance or evacuation.Therefore, it’s going to be a wise move to get travel insurance before starting your short Mardi HimalTrek to ensure a smooth and worry-free adventure.

What to expect from this trip

Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara is a popular short trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region that was opened in 2012. So, you will have the opportunity to walk on the less-crowded trail, which offers you an untouched tranquility in this place.

If you are a beginner-level trekker, this trek will be the best option for you to start your trekking journey in your life. You will have the company of panoramic mountain views like Mardi Himal, Maachhpuchre, Annapurna Peaks, Singu Chuli, Himchuli, Gangapurna, etc.

You will be hiking through beautiful villages, lush forests, waterfalls, and diverse landscapes. Similarly, you will witness the local culture and warm hospitality of local people in this entire short Mardi Himal Trek.

Likewise, you can also travel to different places in the most beautiful city of Nepal, Pokhara, after returning from the trek. You will have a guaranteed money-worth lifetime experience on this journey through our expertise guide.