Mardi Himal Trek - 11 Days

The best time to do Mardi Himal trekking is from Mid September to Early December. During these months, one can witness stunning and clear views of the snow-capped mountains, lush green forests and flower blossoms along the trail. Monsoon season receives a lot of rain with slipper and muddy trails, and landslide sometimes too.

The Mardi Himal trek difficulty is considered moderate to difficult trek. Thought the walking distances are short and easy but altitude is gained rapidly as you proceed ahead. The highest point is Mardi Himal Base Camp with at 4,500 meters. Depending on the season, there can also be snow and ice on the trails.

It’s a moderate to difficult graded trek with an average walking hour of 4-6 hours per day (in longer days 7 hours). The trek requires a certain level of fitness but no climbing skills are required. The return route to high camp from the base camp is a descent through steeps. So this section can be difficult should anyone have knee problems. You are advised to bring a kneecap for ease. We recommend that you go for a little exercise and daily walking before your trip.

Absolutely! You are recommended to get travel insurance that covers even at higher altitudes i.e. above 4000m. The insurance policy usually doesn’t cover over 3,000 meters of altitude. So, make sure these things while purchasing travel insurance for Mardi Himal trek and read their policies.

At higher altitudes, anyone might experience altitude sickness regardless of how you fit you are or age-difference. Those who haven’t lived at high altitudes may also suffer from altitude sickness (also called as AMS or altitude motion sickness). The highest point on this trek goes above 3000 meters (Upper View Point 4,200m) so altitude sickness can occur. The best thing to do is to walk slow and proper hydration to avoid altitude sickness on Mardi Himal trek. But altitude sickness on Mardi Himal trek is low since you won’t be at a high altitude for very long during this trek. But, it is wiser to be aware of altitude sickness.

Family-run lodges often called ‘Teahouses’ are in the Annapurna region. Especially the higher you go accommodation is limited, so the room may differ from a private single/double room to a bed in a dormitory. Mardi Himal trek accommodation is very basic accommodation and usually be shared shower and toilet facilities. All lodges have a communal dining hall. Though basic, these teahouses are clean and welcoming, friendly and warm resting place after a tiring day’s trek.

Lodges on the trail offer wide choices for foods and drinks. These contain typical Nepali meals to the continental dishes. Nepali dish ‘Dal Bhat’ with season vegetable and pickle. Or, go for pizza, momo, noodles, macaroni, sizzler, sandwich, burger, etc. Different types of coffee, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks are also available. If you have booked a package tour then the company handles all costs. But if booked on service only then Mardi Himal trek food cost to US$25-30 per person per day for lunch/dinner, where breakfast will be included. But on high altitude treks, avoiding alcoholic drinks is a good idea.

Bottled water can be bought or you can take along a bottle and fill the bottle with tap water with purifying tablets. These can be bought in Pokhara before the trek. Most brands of purification tablets take just 30 minutes before you can drink. Drinking a minimum of 3 to 4 liters of water per day is recommended.

Bringing snacks and protein bars is good. Daily meal includes Dal Bhat – Nepali meal which is already high in carbohydrate. If you bring your own food, lodges may charge you an additional cost.

Yes, and trekking permit for Mardi Himal trek includes ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) entry fee and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card. Annapurna conservation area entry fee is US$30 per person. TIMS card is US$10 per person. Both of the permits are already included while booking so you don’t have to worry about it.

Showers are available at Lodges. Especially the higher up you go there will usually be shared bathrooms in most lodges. Hot water shower needs to be paid per person. As you go higher, the colder it gets and you may have to think for the second time for a shower. Wait just a few days until your descent. Wet wipes can be used to clean your body but in trek, it might come expensive. So it is good to buy them in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

You can bring trekking gear from your home country. They can also be bought in Kathmandu or Pokhara at many trekking shops around there. But, most of the trekking gears you get here are not up to standard though are comparatively cheaper. So, it’s up to you to decide. The last option to buy them is in Pokhara if you forget any trekking gears.

All the electronics can be charged in lodges with an extra cost of US$2-6 per hour. Further up you go, the price for charging increases. In Mardi area, there are chances there won’t be electricity and the lodge is powered by solar energy.

Sickness depends upon its nature. For mild sickness usually descending to a lower altitude with the help and support of the guide or porter is done. For serious illness, emergency helicopter evacuation service is arranged. Our guide will be in constant contact with us and takes immediate action as per the situation. This is where travel insurance comes covering for a medical evacuation service and other medical expenses. Our guides carry first aid kit with basic medication like simple painkillers, altitude sickness tablets, bandages, balm for muscle aches and medication to treat diarrhea and vomiting. They are experienced trek guides and will take care of you if anything happens to you.

Solo trekking to the Mardi Himal is possible. You can trek without joining a group or you can even trek without any trekking guide too. The trek is completely safe for solo trekkers. But please keep in mind that it will be safe only if you have prior experience of high altitude treks. Otherwise, chances are a novice trekker walking alone may go through several unexpected complications.

The trail to Mardi Himal trek is among the safe trekking routes if certain precautions are taken and the trails aren’t particularly dangerous. There is least to no news of trekkers being theft or any unpleasant behaviors by the locals.

Booking the trek with us, we shall provide our experienced trek guide and necessary porters. Hiring a trekking staff or booking an organized trek is not mandatory but doing it individually without experienced staff completely depends upon you.

If you are fit and can carry your own baggage which comes to 15 kg maximum and walking the high mountain terrains then hiring a porter isn’t necessary. Otherwise, hiring a porter is a good idea where you only have to carry your day-pack. The maximum load is 15 kgs each porter.

Tipping is not mandatory but let’s not forget that it has become a custom to show gratitude towards your guide and porters who made it all possible for you to finish the trek. You can give them a certain amount as tips for Mardi Himal trek as per your desire at the end of the trek.

Wifi on Mardi Himal trek is available at limited locations which is at Australian Camp, Pothana, Pitam Deurali have wifi. But there is no wifi in Forest Camp and you can’t access net through your sim too.

Taking along children for this trek is an unwise decision. But if they are old enough to trek for days at high altitudes in a cold climate, it shouldn’t a problem. Make sure, they have prior experiences of a few days hike and high altitudes.

Our trek guide carries a comprehensive first aid kit with basic medication for altitude sickness, cold, diarrhea, headache, etc. All of our guides are trained on mountain wilderness medication.

Your lodge where you get a room provides a blanket. But the blanket can’t be sufficient at all times. To be on the safe side bringing along sleeping bag is suggested which we shall provide and already included in the tour cost.

You do not have to carry much cash if you have booked a full tour package from your travel company since your trek guide shall take care of your accommodation and daily meals. Besides that only a few extra costs incur like for bottled water, charging mobile phones/cameras, shower, extra tea/coffee and of course alcoholic drinks also tipping your guide and porters. So, carrying Nepalese Rupees equivalent to a few hundred USD is recommended.

ATM on Mardi Himal trek isn’t available. Exchanging into Nepali rupees before the trek in Kathmandu or whilst in Pokhara is the only option.

Usually, it’s about 4-6 hours in most of the days and in longer days is 7 hours. The walks must be slow and steady.

The maximum number is 15 trekkers. Yes, you can also do this trek privately with your personal guide and porter.

Your hotel where you stay in Kathmandu will store your luggage that you don’t want to take to trek without any charge. Later on, you can pick up your luggage after the trek. If you are starting the trek from Pokhara then you can store it at your hotel in Pokhara.

Mardi Himal trek packing list depends upon the season you travel. During winter warm clothes are suggested. These include down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. In monsoon requires rain gears are suggested and in summer, still requires light warm clothing. At most cases, your company already provide down jacket and sleeping bag. Besides, clothing can be purchased in Kathmandu at Thamel area or Pokhara as well where numerous trekking shops exists with both local and foreign brands.

Mardi Himal trek weather depends upon the season of your travel. During spring (March-May) the temperature may rise up to 20 degrees and the average would go anywhere from 17 degrees in the daytime. In Monsoon (Jun-Aug), the average temperature will go up from 10 to 23 degrees. Due to the occasional rain, the temperature is around 5-10 degrees in the mornings and evenings.
Autumn (Sep-Nov) it’s around 20-degree Celsius during the day while it drops to 5 degrees during the night. In Winter (Dec-Feb), the daytime temperature scales between 9-12 degrees, and in mornings/evenings, it reaches to – 5-degree Celsius.