Mardi Himal Trek (4500 meters)

Mardi Himal Trek in December is not necessarily unattainable. Instead, you can just make it to the top with little precautions and proper medications.

Between December and January, the weather in the region is quite severe and in fact, icy cold. It is, therefore, preventive measures are to be taken to avoid health issues. Trekkers also must follow routine exercise for physical strength and mental alertness.

The weather of Mardi Himal Trek depends on which season you’re probing to visit the region. If you’ve already made plans to travel the region in July then there is a little we can do for you.

But if not, we recommend you to make the trip during spring and if likely autumn. It is the time when the weather along the way to Mardi Himal remains moist with mild temperature.

Besides, you can also enjoy grand scenery at this time with a clear sky overhead. For a little distraction, there is a floral show of orchid and jasmine all through the forest.

Trekking permits for foreign nationals is mandatory while traveling throughout the country. And Mardi Himal Trek, being no exception, also requires a TIMS card and Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit. Other documents include your passport valid for up to 6 months.

Although not as much as while tripping to Annapurna Base Camp, but trekkers at Mardi Himal are also likely to fall ill. The health of most trekkers often deteriorates as they travel to higher elevations. Altitude sickness often experienced among travelers here includes nausea, vomiting and even problems in breathing.

Since it’s an 8-day trek to Mardi Himal, travelers might experience an urgent situation. But even in such cases, the guide escorting you will help you in every way. If needed, he will also provide you all the medical facilities needed as it’s your safety that matters the most.

One of the highest peaks in Nepal, Mardi Himal lies on the east of north-central Nepal. It’s just placed underneath the gigantic Machhapuchhre in Annapurna massif that’s only 5,200m col. far off from it.

But, even with that, Mardi Himal continues to shine with its distinctive features and drop dead scenery. Categorized as a trekking peak by the Nepal Government, Mardi Himal offers unique landscapes and picturesque views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna.

Normally, it takes 5 to 8 days for trekkers to finish the trek to Mardi Himal. But if you deliberately stay longer in the villages or go into exploring the secluded places, then the trip might extend a few more days.
If stuck by the itinerary, you’ll venture into the trip by boarding on a flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu. Despite the fact that how wonderful Pokhara is, you won’t be staying more than a night here.

In about 8 days of Mardi Himal Trek, you’ll come to witness many traditional villages including Pothana. There is a cultural diversity with different enthnic groups inhabiting the same locality which will most likely stun you.

While you can travel Mardi’s well-defined trek route without much preparation, you’ll want your body to stay in good shape. Walking the rocky foothills can get anyone weary and force them to lose their physical strength.

Following this, it’s important that you improve your physical stamina through routine exercise and diet. This can help you release the stress and draw level during the trek.

For trekkers who have had experience trekking before can easily make it to Mardi Himal. But for those who have never hiked in their life, Mardi Himal can come to be a real pain. Hence, starters must prepare for the trek in advance compared to those who are already used to hiking. They mustn’t panic in any unfortunate circumstances and rather deal with the situation calmly or else take help from locals.

Does camping under the open sky excite you? If not, how about sleeping in the forest. Does that sound fun? If yes, you can easily relate to what it feels like during camps on Mardi Himal Trek.

Starting from the top, your first outdoor adventure gets down to business at Forest Camp. For overnight you can put a tent there or else book a room in a tea house which provides a great service. They are standard and come with a neat room including a bed sheet, towel and a blanket.

Next it’s a Low Camp that you’ll reach after climbing uphill through a forest. As you ascend higher, there are few trees of rhododendron to be seen. In place of that, you’ll witness a forest filled with lichen and mosses.

From here, you’ll walk to high camp on a green pasture leaving the forest far behind. The trails on the way offer a mesmeric scenery of Mardi Himal and Annapurna along with surreal landscapes.

Last but not the least, it’s the best of all camps, Mardi Himal Base Camp where you’ll arrive by scrambling on a meadow. The green grass is fed by goats and sheeps in summer. Upon reaching the campsite, you’ll discern a spectacular view of Annapurna.

Mardi Himal Trek is perhaps one of the safest and easiest hikes to ever encounter in Nepal. Walking on a well-marked trail is relaxing unlike most trek routes that are rugged and filthy.

Since trekking isn’t hard in Mardi Himal, there is no need to have a porter all the time. In case of extremity, we’ll provide you a porter who’d be helping you to complete the trek.

The porter hired to carry your luggage charge around $20 to $25 a day. Some of these porters can also speak a little bit of English in which case, you won’t need a pro guide.

For each pair of travelers, a single porter is provided who carries a total weight of 20 kg. This means each individual will have their 10 kgs of weight lifted by the porter.

As per the rule, the amount that porters in Nepal are tipped each day for their service is $2-$3 . This is apparently far less than what guides are paid which is in-between USD4 to $5. But of course, if you like their work, you can tip more than what is specified. Since it is their main source of income, be kind to give them what they deserve at the end of the day.

During an 8-day Mardi Himal trek, you’ll be walking no less than 4-5 hours a day. This is usually a minimum hour you’ll be trekking in one of the many unspoiled regions. But, there are also some routes that will see you clambering the uneven hills for almost 6 hours. The time may stretch if you take more time on the trails or interacting with the villagers.

Mardi Himal Trek is a short-distance trek route that can be easily navigated. Hence, there is no such condition that only a specific age group can track the way to the snow peak. Any age group from mid-teen is allowed to trek to Mardi Himal since it’s no threat to anyone. Still precaution is must as the weather in himalayas is unforeseen and can get severe at times.

The food that you’re mostly provided in the teahouse is a regular Nepali food i.e. Dal, Bhat and Tarkari. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t evade the meal or have to go with it all the time. Although there isn’t much to choose from, you can still find different food items.

Even besides steamed rice and lentils, you can have flatbread, momo, and stir-fried noodles as well. On breakfast, you’ll be offered tea, boiled eggs and muesli with hot milk by the guest houses and lodge.

Ascending hills to Mardi Himal is least challenging with no great effort required. But, sometimes even the easiest trek can be tough to pull up in absence of right trek gears. So, it’s vital that you have all the basic essentials needed during the trek. As for now, we provide you a list of a few items which can be of great help.

• Lightweight fleece shirt and waterproof jacket 
• Light fleece pants and shorts 
• Gloves or mittens
• Quality hiking boots and slippers 
• Trekking poles, disposable plastic bottle 
• Personal toiletries and first-aid kit including band-aids and aspirin 
• Spare batteries, charger, and headlight 

Along the way to Mardi Himal, you’ll run into many lodges and guest houses. They’ll provide you with good accommodation service and food. But as soon as you go higher altitude, the choices are limited. On top of that if it’s peak season, you’ll have a really hard time getting a room. So instead of having nowhere to spend the night, it’s best that you play it safe and carry a sleeping bag.

Usually trekking Mardi Himal requires no substantial effort or help from a guide. The trails often remain crowded with tourists and even locals are willing to offer their help. So, most of you won’t have a problem navigating the route.

But for those who want to travel deep through the region and isolated places, it’s better you have a trek guide. Your guide can help you with the remote places and unsigned enclave.

March out of all months has the loveliest weather. The month officially marks the spring season and brings warm weather throughout the country. The early days in March are somewhat cold with winter just walking away. But as the days pass, the temperature soars and the weather turns mild even in mornings and nights.

In Nepal especially in the upper Himalayas, teahouses have become a popular culture. Hiking miles-long trails often gets you exhausted and that’s when these teahouses come to rescue. They provide the trekkers visiting the region with a number of facilities like dwelling and food. The locals who run the mountain lodges serve traditional Nepali meals, Dal Bhat, and tarkari.

Anyone who looks forward to visiting Nepal with the purpose of hiking must have travel insurance. It is done with the motive to protect trekkers of acute health conditions that may turn critica thereupon. Hence, the amount that trekkers are to spend on insurance should be enough to support emergency evacuation and medical cost.

Mardi Himal trek is one of the few hiking destinations that’s pretty much safe for all. Even for solo women travelers, the trek poses no threat and can be easily tracked. If only lost the way or got in any trouble, the locals are kind enough to provide with every sort of help. The route to Mardi Himal has tourists traveling all around the year, so you’ll always have someone to get help from.

Of course, you can charge your camera and phone batteries while on Mardi Himal trek. But that won’t be free of cost. Trekkers are often charged an extra amount for using wi-fi or electricity to charge batteries. So, before you decide to connect the charger to your phone, make sure you’ve enough to pay the keeper of the lodge.

It might be difficult to get a whole backpack of trek kits on lease. But there are few local shops in the streets of Thamel who provide almost every trekking gear on rent. From sleeping bags to sunglasses and trekking poles, you can rent any of them for as little as $1 per day.

After each use, ensure that all your items are in the same working condition as they were since you also have to return. Renting equipment is usually appropriate for those trekkers who seldom go on hikes.

All nationalities except Indian will need a visa to enter Nepal. For that, you’ve to apply for Nepalese visa in the first place and fill the form. This requires a photocopy of your passport valid up to 6 months from the time you apply and 2 passport size photographs. It is after that you’ll pay your visa fee that relies on the length of your stay in the country.
Arrival Visa Fee at different entry points for various length of stay 

• $25 or equivalent exchange NRS for 15 days 
• $40 or equivalent exchange NRS  for 30 days 
• $100 or equivalent exchange NRS for90 days 
• SAARC nationals are exempt to visa fee for up to 30 days

Visa Extension 

• For the extended length of 15 days in Nepal, you’ll be charged a visa fee of $30 or equivalent convertible Nepalese Rupees. 
• If you want to stay in Nepal after even 15 days then you’ll have to USD 2 per day from there onward