A Complete Guide To Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trekking route is a perfect escape from bustling tourist trails with congested lodges giving you a fine combination of culture, mountains, and wilderness. It is a fantastic trekking destination recently unlocked in 2012, less crowded and sober. It is a hidden gem at the lap of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

This exciting trail leads you through the astounding views of the Mardi Himal, the Annapurna range, glacial lakes, natural waterfalls, vegetation, terraced fields, rhododendron forests, and valleys. Thus, this new trekking route offers you exciting experiences of the geography that Nepal has to offer.

Mardi Himal Trek offers to endure a unique blend of two religions, i.e., Buddhism and Hinduism, and allows you to come across traditions and culture of ethnic groups like Gurungs, Magars, Brahmins, etc., Chhetris of Nepal and their lifestyle. In addition, the vibrant landscape with contrasting colors of mother nature and the warm welcome you receive from the Gurung and Magar villages makes you feel lively.

The ascends and descends of the rocky trail might seem off-beaten, but it is less challenging than a few other treks in Nepal. Since this trial is considered a moderate trip grading, the trekkers need not have any previous trekking experiences.

The best thing about the Mardi Himal trek for many trekking enthusiasts is that the Mardi Himal trek can be combined with other routes like Annapurna base camp (ABC) or Poon Hill, or both so that the trek can be further extended to these destinations.

Significant Highlights of Mardi Himal Trekking

  • Less crowded and newly discovered trekking area in Nepal
  • Himalayan Flora and fauna
  • The stunning view of Annapurna Ranges, Mount. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Mount Dhaulagiri
  • Unspoiled cultural and traditional experiences
  • ‘Eco-Tourism route’ in the Annapurna region
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Mardi Himal Trekking Routes

Likewise, there are several options for where to start and finish the trekking on most of the Annapurna Sanctuary trekking routes. However, the standard route to Mardi Himal that the trekkers from Pokhara or Kathmandu usually take would be starting in Kande and finishing in Siding. The route from Kande goes through the Australian camp to Landruk and then to the Forest camp. It is a 12km walk with moderate ascends from Kande to Landruk. Finishing in Siding is the best option for the route if one is not planning to do the further trek in the park. If walking the same way seems like a nightmare, you can always hire a jeep back to Pokhara.

Another route is usually preferred by the trekkers who complete their Poon Hill or Annapurna base camp trek and intend to go for the Mardi Himal trek; consider their starting point, Ghandruk, and finish in Siding.

One of the shortest route options for the Mardi Himal trek is starting at Landruk and finishing at Siding, which measures a distance of 30.5 km. It is preferred by those trekkers who are short on time yet interested in covering this excellent trekking area.

The longest route measures 52 km, starting at Ghandruk and finishing at Kande. Hence, this route is perfect if one wishes to see more and is less worried about the time frame.

Brief Itinerary of Mardi Himal Trekking

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Explore Kathmandu
Day 3: Move to Pokhara
Day 4: Drive up to Kande and trek to Pothana from Kande
Day 5: Pothana to Forest Camp
Day 6: Continue the trek to Badal Danda (5 hours)
Day 7: Trek to High Camp
Day 8: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and hike back to Middle Camp
Day 9: Trek to Kalimati
Day 10: Trek to Lwang Village
Day 11: Drive to Pokhara
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu
Day 13: Depart Kathmandu

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trekking

10 Days Moderate
US$ 950

Permits – Mardi Himal Trek Guide

Mardi Himal Trek is situated inside the Annapurna Conservation area, also known as Annapurna Sanctuary. And trekking inside the Annapurna Sanctuary area requires permits, namely ACAP.

(Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and TIMS card (Trekkers Information Management System).

Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS)

  • SAARC personals: NPR 600, about $6 for the individual trekkers, and NPR 300, about $3 for groups.
  • All other personals: NPR 2,000, about $20 for the individual trekkers, and NPR 1000, about $10 for groups.

Annapurna Conservation Area or ACAP

  • SAARC personals: NPR 200, about $2
  • ALL other personals: NPR 3,000, about $30

You can get them both at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Getting the permits might take a few days and be hectic due to insufficient information or documentation.

So, what are the best months for the Mardi Himal Trek?

The best weather conditions that favor trekking would be September – October – November or April – May, during which the hiking season in Nepal peaks. However, many trekkers even try the border seasons, i.e., March or November, to avoid the busy route,s but sometimes you can be unlucky with the weather. As for the people who like to trek in winter, December- February could be your choice. But as the place can get very cold and there are no local villages, it might be challenging to find accommodation and food.

What accommodation to expect on the trail?

Accommodation on this trail is cheap, like any other route in Nepal. Unlike many other trekking routes in Nepal, the Mardi Himal trail doesn’t have many local villages to stop by. There are stops on the route exclusively for trekkers in the peak seasons. It is up to the trekkers to stay in the guest house or camps, as there are few campsites. The guest houses have standard rooms, dining areas, toilets, and a shower.

Are you worried about the food on the trek?

Of course, the typical Nepali food you usually get while hiking in Nepal would outnumber all other dishes. Local dal, bhat, and vegetables would be the best value for money as you would want to be complete and not pay a lot at the same time. But you can always find numerous other dishes like soups, spring rolls, Nepali momos, and chocolate bars on the menu.

Possible obstacles one can face during the trek

  • Mountain sickness

Any physically fit individual can get mountain sickness due to less atmospheric pressure and low oxygen levels while climbing uphill, causing decreased oxygen saturation in the body. Mardi Himal trekking takes you to 4,500 meters above sea level. The trekkers could encounter symptoms like weakness, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. Maintaining the correct hydration level throughout trekking and avoiding possible dehydrators like alcoholic beverages is essential. Also, taking a day off for acclimatization and letting your body adjust to the new altitude is the best way to prevent it.

  •  Weather 

The weather conditions of this trek route are pretty unpredictable. However, in the months mentioned above, Autumn and Spring would be the best time to trek. During cold weather like December – January, the temperature could fall extremely low, up to -16 to -20 degrees Celsius. The snowfall in this region might cause a blockade of the passes due to the avalanche. The heavy rainfall during the monsoon periods, i.e., May to September, makes it challenging to trek.

 

What trekking gear do I need for Mardi Himal Trek?

Well, speaking about the trekking gear, it usually depends on the trekking season that you’ve decided to trek. Here is the general packing list for Mardi Himal Trek:

  • A good backpack (Capacity: 40L to 50L)
  • A good pair of hiking boots x 1 pair
  • A windcheater style jacket x1
  • Long sleeve shirts x3
  • Trekking trousers x 2
  • Rain jacket/down jacket, depending on the season
  • Fleece
  • Cap
  • Beanie
  • Shorts x1
  • Socks x5
  • Rubber sandals x 1 pair
  • Underwear x 5
  • Water bottles (water purification system) x 2
  • Trekking Map
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Balm
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Head Lamp
  • Soap/shower gel
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Humid tissues
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper

Please note that the list above is fundamental. Please check my Nepal Trekking Gear List article for a fully comprehensive list.

Guided vs. independent trek

Mardi Himal Trek can be done with or without a guide. It depends on you and how much experience you have in high-altitude trekking.

If you decide to do the trek solo, you need to prepare well to complete the trek. The Mardi Himal Trail is well-marked with white and blue stripes; you can see the signs in that direction. So, there is very little chance of getting lost on the trail. Also, finding accommodation is not as tough as many teahouses along the trail. You must get to the teahouse and ask for the room and the food.

If you are an inexperienced hiker, this trek might be challenging; high altitude, unpredictable weather, and steep ascend and descends, so it is highly recommended to join on tour. You can find many trekking tours from Kathmandu to Mardi Himal, including accommodation, transport, permits, guides, the entire board, etc. It’s a great option if you want a stress-free hiking holiday.

However, if you don’t want to trek with a group, you can easily hire guides or porters. Guides usually charge around US$25 per day, including food and accommodation. You can share the guide with two or more people as well. At the same time, the porters charge US$20 per day, including their food and accommodation. Porters carry up to 25kg. You can hire one porter for two trekkers if you don’t pack too much.

Some Tips for Mardi Himal Trek

  • Packing correctly for the trek is very crucial. Thus, pack appropriate gear and equipment according to the trekking season you are trekking in.
  • If you are trekking during the monsoon season, pack your rain gear: Pack rain jackets, good-quality boots with sturdy soles, waterproof socks, and trekking pants.
  • Suppose you are hiking to Mardi Himal during the off-season. It is better to hire a licensed professional trekking guide as there are no permanent villages in this region, and it can be tough to find accommodation.
  • Use water purifiers while using the local water resource. Using it will reduce your trek cost and be safe for you. And always keep your body hydrated.
  • Pre-booking for accommodation is highly recommended during the peak season as there will be massive traffic on the trail.
  • Physical fitness is essential. You must be able to walk for hours a day. Also, it would help if you prepared to trek over the rugged landscapes between the high camp and base camp.
  • Before heading toward the trek, learn about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and remedies.

Conclusion of the Mardi Himal Trek Guide

In other words, Mardi Himal trekking is the best short trek in Nepal that takes you to the lap of Mardi Himal in the Annapurna Region. Also, be sure to keep yourself happy and healthy throughout the trek. You can do this trek at any time of the year with little preparation.

I hope this Mardi Himal Trek guide helps you prepare and plan your trek well. If you have any further questions or queries regarding this trek or any other trek in Nepal, please get in touch with us or email us at [email protected].