Mardi Himal Trek

1. Mardi Himal Trek Mardi Himal Trek is the best-kept secret in the heart of the Annapurna region. Located eastwards of the classic ABC Trek, this adventure is one of the best short treks in the Himalayas of Nepal. The rugged trail of Mardi Himal is adorned with rhododendron forest, stone-built teahouses, diverse landscapes, high valleys, and majestic mountains. Our 7-day itinerary for Mardi Himal Trek is an excellent choice for trekkers who are short on time but do not want to compromise the authentic Himalayan experience. You’ll get to savor the stunning sight of the mountains, including Annapurna Massif, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Lamjung Himal. The trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp is considerably less crowded than Annapurna Base Camp or Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Your adventure begins with a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Furthermore, you’ll drive from Pokhara to Kande and start the trek to the Annapurna region’s most isolated trails. On the way to Mardi Himal Base Camp, you’ll walk past several famous villages, including Australian Base Camp, Pothana, Deurali, Forest Camp, and Badal Danda. Upon reaching the base camp, you’ll get to marvel at the closest possible view of Machhapuchhre Himal. In the distance, you’ll see massive ice fields and glaciers gliding from the wall of Annapurna. At the elevation of 4,500 meters, Mardi Himal Base Camp marks as the highest elevation point of the trek. Moreover, this trek also treasures a few excellent destinations for stargazing. If you are keen on looking at the constellations, the High Camp, Low Camp, and Badal Danda are the ideal spots where you can do so. After the trek, you’ll also get the opportunity to explore Pokhara and soak into the diversity of this beautiful valley. The teahouses in Mardi Himal Trek are reasonably comfortable that provide all the necessary services, such as cozy rooms, meals, WiFi, charging facilities, and hot showers. The 7-days Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers, who are looking for an authentic experience of trekking in Nepal. Furthermore, you can also extend the Mardi Himal Trek with the classic Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Why You’ll Love This Trek Stroll around the vibrant city of Pokhara and relax at the shore of Phewa Lake Hike up to the Mardi Himal Base Camp at an elevation of 4,500 meters Trudge through the rugged and remote trails of Annapurna region Marvel at the close-up view of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli Witness the unique culture, rustic lifestyle, and warm hospitality of Gurungs Walk under the shades of blooming rhododendron forest Encounter the diverse landscape and biodiversity of Annapurna Walk past several traditional villages, including Pothana, Sidhing, Lumre        

2. Is Mardi Himal Trek Right For You? On average, on Mardi Himal Trek, you will have to regularly walk around five to six hours on the rugged trails of Annapurna. If you think daily walking for such a long hour is not a problem, you’ll be able to pull this through. However, make sure to put proper training and preparation before you pack your bags and head to the Himalayas.The most effective way to train for the trek is to go for short hikes around your city and engage in as many cardio-related activities like running, jogging, swimming, and cycling, at least a month before the trek. Even though Mardi Himal Trek is a moderate trek in terms of difficulty, trekking in this region is no walk in the park. You will be hiking up to the elevation of 4,500 meters at Mardi Himal Base Camp and sleeping at the altitude of 3,540 meters for two nights.Not only that, but you will also have to walk past a few challenging sections on the upper reaches of the trek. Therefore, this demands both physical as well as mental preparedness. Prior trekking experience always helps when it comes to high altitude treks. However, this trek is achievable even for first-time trekkers with the right amount of training and preparation. Keep in mind that you will be gaining approximately 300 to 800 meters altitude daily on this trek. Also, you will be starting this adventure at an altitude of 827 meters at Pokhara and walking up to 4,500 meters at Mardi Himal Base Camp. Such vast altitudinal variation poses a higher risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Make sure your body and mind can cope with such altitude gain.We highly recommend taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the chances of altitude sickness on the trek. Make sure you do not rush towards the destination! Always walk at the pace that feels most comfortable and keep yourself hydrated. Remember, Mardi Himal Trek is not a luxurious holiday package. You will only stay in three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara during the trip. While trekking in the mountains, the accommodation facilities are not as comfortable as it is in the city areas. You will be staying in small tea houses throughout the trek.The teahouse is a small lodging facility that only provides basic amenities. You will have rooms on a twin-share basis, a warm blanket, delicious food, WiFi, hot shower, and charging facilities. So, if you are one of those travelers who can adapt to such basic accommodation facilities, this trek will suit you quite well.     Do not forget, the weather in the mountains is unpredictable, especially at the higher altitude. You never know when you might have to encounter terrible weather while trekking in the Himalayas. On the upper reaches of Mardi Himal Trek, you might have to bear extreme cold weather, heavy rainfalls, or even snowy conditions in the worst case. So stay aware of such unforeseeable situations and be prepared to tackle them. Moreover, wear enough layers to keep yourself warm and pack weather protection gear to keep you protected from the harsh conditions, even while trekking in spring or autumn.