The Mardi Himal trek route in the Annapurna region has been a sorted out trekking route for decades. The route had been popular among the campers prior to 2011.
Construction of tea houses (guesthouses) along the trail commenced after the official announcement. These days, when you’re trekking, you will see tea houses available even up to the high camp.
Stating all this information one cannot say that Mardi Himal Trek difficulty is relatively easier than any other trekking route. Beneath the Fishtail peak, Mardi Himal stands tall. You can take a trek from the east of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek to the foot of Mardi Himal. From Pokhara, the trek to Mardi Himal begins and ends at the same location.
The Mardi Himal trek traverses beautiful villages. There are always the beautiful Rhododendron forests that welcome you into the everlasting wilderness. You will walk through the woods before you march to an altitude of 3,300 meters.
You will enjoy the breathtaking views of mountains like Mardi, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna over the trails on the rugged landscapes. From the low camp, you will see Machhapuchhre’s best vistas.
The Mardi Himal High Camp is situated 3580 m above sea level. Through the high camp, you will see the entire Annapurna range with a snow gown on. A stunning view of the Annapurnas is a perfect spot to take.
You can enter the Mardi Himal base camp by yourself, taking the Mardi Himal trekking route. Annapurna range’s great displays are alluring. The stunning views of the sunrise and sunset are impressive throughout the trek.
You can choose to go trekking with a travel company, or you can employ an individual guide. Sole Person trekking is also doable. And you may even choose for solo trekking.
Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek
- Off the beaten track through the area of Annapurna.
- Observation of diverse flora and fauna species.
- The great country valleys, the farming on the terrace and the mountain sceneries
- Discover the ethnic community and the way they live.
- Annapurna hills, Lamjung Himal, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, breathtaking mountain vistas.
Mardi Himal trek difficulty
Mardi Himal Trek falls on mild difficulty. Compared to the Everest Base Camp Trek this is a newer trek but it is completely breathtaking. With some of the best views you can get on any trek it will thrill you.
This trek helps you to explore the Nepalese geography in its most raw form. It will take you through some of Nepal’s most difficult trekking routes with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and mountains.
You are going to travel through rugged mountains, glacial roads, moraines, valleys, etc.
Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best treks in the Area of Annapurna. This trek offers you a stunning view of such mountains as Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and more.
The highest height you will climb is 4500 feet. And the highest height you will spend the night is 3580 meters.
It is a long descent from the base camp back down to the high point. But, if you are having knee issues, that part would be difficult for you. Carry a kneecap to relieve yourself.
You are not going to be at a high altitude for very long during Mardi Himal trek. So, there’s less risk of sickness from altitude. Nevertheless, altitude sickness is best to be conscious of.
For all levels of trekkers, Mardi Himal trek is a must. Exercising and biking before going can be helpful throughout the trek.
What you need to think about on trekking during the peak seasons is finding a spot for accommodation.
You need to brace for extreme cold and poor weather if you are traveling in winter. It’s hard to pick a monsoon for the trek too. If it rains, the trails inside the woods get muddy and rough.
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Factors affecting Mardi Himal Trek difficulty
On this journey, you have to walk about 5-6 hours a day. Beginners consider the long uphill climb a little hard too. Resting points along the way also make the ride soothing.
You don’t need top-end trekking equipment such as ropes and ice picks. There is no tough climbing to the top. That’s the reason everyone can do it.
Some of the factors determining the Mardi Himal trek difficulty are as follow:
1. Duration of Mardi Himal Trek
The voyage begins at Pokhara. You will drive to Phedi along with the greenery and launch the trek. Mardi Himal might take about 4 – 8 days to reach from Pokhara and the path you select will change the length of your itinerary.
If you are a novice, it can be convenient to select more days so you don’t have to hurry on this trek. It’s critical to enjoy the trek in your health without any difficulty. And if you have prior knowledge of trekking then you can pick fewer days to trek.
If you want to do something and take some time to enjoy the moment, then you can pick up some more days as well.
You are going to walk about 4 hours a day. You start with a 4-5 hour walk from Pokhara to Phedi. From Phedi you must walk for 5–7 hours to reach the Pothana. You should feel as though the uphill begins after this walk.
The uphills are the hardest part of the trek. Not only do you have to climb all the way up but you have got your backpack full too. You are weighed down by the weight so make sure you always rest once in a while.
For beginners, this length of the walk can be difficult. A proper exercise and preparation are required prior to the trek. Even a moderate trek like that requires exercises before the actual trek.
You can walk every day for around 4 hours or more before you reach the high camp at an elevation of 3700 meters. Then you will hike to 4500 meters. The high altitude can cause shortness of breath so it is necessary to have hydration.
You can reach Siding Village from the high camp after a 6-7-hour trek. So your last trek is the last 2 -3 hours trek to Lumre. Afterward, we will take you back to Pokhara.
2. Altitude Sickness in Mardi Himal Trek
During Mardi Himal trek a growing but unavoidable problem is altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is popular in the higher elevations and in trekking is a very crucial problem.
Different bodies respond to altitude sickness differently, so one of the major factors affecting Mardi Himal trek difficulty is altitude sickness. Some can find it rather challenging while others can well change it.
You will reach a maximum height of 4500 meters during the Mardi Himal trek. Therefore, the possibility of altitude sickness on the trek is very popular.
Any of the altitude sickness signs include headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, and diarrhea. None of the signals should be overlooked. Sickness at altitude is very dangerous, and may even cause death.
Drinking plenty of water and enabling your body to acclimatize are the ways to overcome this issue. In this walk, you can never drink alcohol, as this induces dehydration. Carry a bottle of water at all times, and do not hurry.
3. Weather and Temperature
The weather and temperature of the region you are trekking play a major role in deciding the level of Mardi Himal trek difficulty. Autumn and Spring are considered to be the perfect time to go trekking in Nepal.
Trekking during these seasons will give you a less daunting trekking experience as the atmosphere and temperature during these seasons will give you better atmosphere and weather conditions.
There are however some less popular times to the Mardi Himal for trekking. Winter and Monsoon are among the less favored hiking periods. Trekking is typically better avoided during the months of December, January, February, June, July, and August.
Mardi Himal’s average daytime temperature varies in the winter from 9-12 degrees. This temperature falls by 5 degrees, as every 1000 meters you ascend.
The nights get cold and hit a temperature of -5 degrees centigrade. During the winter season, most of the trails to Mardi Himal may be covered with snow. This causes suffering while trekking.
The weather is erratic and snow sometimes falls in the region. The region’s temperature can be very intolerable in both morning and night time.
Similarly, light or heavy rainfall showers the area during the monsoon which falls in June, July, and August. The paths towards the Mardi Himal become muddy and slippery due to the storm and rainfall.
You have a chance to slip your way. Being soaked when trekking is not a positive thing you’d like to witness. Trekking along the wet and slippery trails can increase your trek’s difficulty level.
If you are someone who loves adventures and challenges, winter- and monsoon-season trekking to Mardi Himal may not be a problem for you. Even during those months, you will enjoy Mardi Himal Trek equally.
4. Accommodations on Mardi Himal Trek
The hotels and lodges in Pokhara and Kathmandu are a little pricey but the tea houses are fairly inexpensive during treks. There is always no problem in finding all the rooms but pre-booking can be very helpful to get the best offers.
Restaurants and cafés are easily accessible with a variety of food choices from one stop to the next. You don’t have to think about eating and sleeping along the trail, because it’s easy to reach.
One thing you have to handle for yourself is to bring a couple of snacks and food for the ride. As the food is costly when you go up higher, it is easier to buy it in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Bottled water will save you a lot of money, in the long run. You can then use the tablets for water purification and get water refills at the tea houses at a lower price.
5. Type of trekker
Though Mardi Himal Trek is a moderate level trek it also depends on the type of trekker you are. For someone who’s very used to trekking to high altitudes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp Treks, you might find Mardi Himal trekking quite simple and less challenging.
If you are new to trekking, you might find it difficult to cope with the altitude and walking hours daily. The trek involves numerous ups and downs and trekking off beaten tracks.
And it can be very difficult and frustrating to walk continuously for 5-6 hours or even more on a single day.
So, if you are a novice, be sure to do some proper workouts before you continue your trek. Increasing your physical strength by indulging in swimming, biking or cycling sports to reduce the level of Mardi Himal trek difficulty.
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Essentials and a few tips for Mardi Himal Trek
- If you are looking for an off-beat path then a package of 6 days is ideal for you. In plenty of time, you will be enjoying the trek and views. This kit is short and gives you plenty of time to enjoy the trip.
- All the things you need during a trek depends on the level of road, season and difficulty. Mardi Himal Trek isn’t that hard so only normal trekking gears are going to do the job pretty well.
- It’s necessary to have proper clothing and equipment depending on the seasons. Wear well a pair of hiking boots. Often wear a windproof jumper. A comfortable pair of sandals, water bottles, maps, and sunglasses are simple items to pack.
- During monsoon, be sure to bring your rain gear. Pack raincoats, trekking boots of good quality with durable soles, waterproof socks, and trekking pants.
- The highest point for night spending is 3580 m. There will be no altitude concerns because you are not going to spend too much time on the higher elevations.
- There will be more traffic within the area during the peak seasons. So, it is completely important to book beforehand. Online booking can be more costly than in-person booking when in Nepal. So, it is easier when you’re here to register.
- It is really important for physical fitness. You ought to be able to walk every day for hours. You must also be prepared to walk through the rugged terrain between the base camp and the high camp.
Itinerary of Mardi Himal Trek
Day 01: Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali/Pothana (2125m)
Day 02: Trek to the Low Camp (3150m)
Day 03: Trek to the High Camp (3700m)
Day 04: Hike to the Mardi Base Camp and trek down to Siding (4500m)
Day 05: Drive back to Pokhara