Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek

Best Time

It is very wise for you to choose the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek to maximize the fun and traveling experience. Although you can trek in any season, each season has its own aura and demerits. The best seasons have stable weather, with temperatures not too cold or too hot. Following are the seasons that you can choose to trek according to your preference:

Autumn (September to November): Autumn is a wonderful time for the Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal. This season’s temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold, resulting in stunning landscapes with clear mountain vistas. Although the fall season comes after the season, you may still see the fresh lush landscapes.

Sometimes, you can also experience the light rainfall, making the environment cool off and ultimately rewarding visitors with pristine landscapes. The bonus point of this season is that it is the time of major festivals in Nepal, like Vijaya Dashami (Dashain) and Deepawali (Tihar), which provide them the opportunity to celebrate with Nepalese people and to experience something new.

Spring (March to May): The most visited time of the year in Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek is the spring season, as Mother Nature is in its best form, showcasing stunning landscapes and attracting a lot of nature lovers from all around the world. Days are longer in this season, which offers you additional time to explore more.

The forests are decorated with colorful flowers and plants, making the landscape even more alluring. The season is perfect for those people who want to enjoy the peak nature. The route is filled with sceneries that are worth photographing for every step you take while trekking in the Annapurna region.

Summer (June to August): If you want to experience fewer crowds and green vegetation everywhere during the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek, then summer or monsoon season is the best choice. However, this season can be very tricky due to heavy rain, which makes the paths slippery and increases the chances of natural disasters like floods and landslides in Nepal.

Rainfall delays may strongly influence the scheduling of your trek, as many flights are likely to be postponed in Nepal. In the same way, mountains at lower altitudes may not be seen at all, as mist and clouds result in poor visibility. Nevertheless, in this region, one can still be thrilled by the lush green fields, blooming flora, and tranquil paths.

Winter (December to February): If you can cope with the cold temperature or the habit of living in a cold climate, then the winter season can be a good time to travel peacefully during the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek. However, it is not recommended for all trekkers who are first-timers or traveling with children.

The winter season has its own set of problems, including the high likelihood of severe snowfall. Heavy snowfall can easily obstruct the way, making the trek more difficult and dangerous. Despite the inconveniences, this season provides the most spectacular panoramic views of snow-capped snowy mountains.

Elevation and distance

The Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek journey will take you through different elevations on each day. After you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be at 1324 meters altitude in the vibrant city, of Kathmandu. On the next day, you will catch a flight to Pokhara and start your trekking journey from Jhinu Danda, which lies at an altitude of 1780 meters.

Similarly. Your first goal of this trekking plan is reaching the Annapurna Base Camp, which lies at an elevation of 4130 meters. After that, your next ultimate goal of this journey is to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is located at 4500 meters. This is the highest trekking route you will be traveling on this exciting journey.

Similarly, the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek cover an overall distance of 90.5 km to 106 km (56 miles to 66.5 miles) while hiking from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara via Siding Village. To reach the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), you will have to cover 19.5 km to 23 km from Jhinu Danda, passing through Chhomrong and Himalaya villages.

In the same way, you will have to cover 28 km to 35 km from Jhinu Danda to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp (MHBC), passing through Landruk, Forest Camp, and High Camp. On the return journey, you will cover 20 km to 23 km from MHBC to reach Pokhara via Siding villages, passing by Badal Danda.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

The combination of Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek in one single journey can be very moderately complex due to long hours of walking, rugged terrain, and changes in altitude level while trekking. Some paths involve steep ascents, while some have steep descents.

So, those who are not used to walking daily might find this trek very hard and demanding, which may break their endurance limits. Thus, visitors who are physically fit and healthy are recommended to embark on this journey even though they are beginners in the world of trekking.

Another primary concern for Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek is acute mountain sickness (AMS) because this trek will lead you to above 4000 meters altitude above sea level, which can cause higher chances of being affected by altitude sickness, having symptoms like headache, vomiting, nausea, shortness of breath, and others.

Although there is no acclimatization day in this 13-day itinerary journey, we have customized our itinerary in such a way, putting each day’s destination with a gradual increase in height that allows the body to adapt properly. Similarly, our guides will monitor your health while trekking to ensure your safety, encouraging you to stay hydrated all the time to avoid AMS.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

On this Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek, you will hike for an average of 5 to 6 hours daily. Therefore, this trek demands that you be physically fit to accomplish it successfully. Therefore, you should be ready in such a way that you can trek for at least 5 to 6 hours daily without breaking your sweat.

Your maximum trek per day will be on the second, ninth, and tenth days for six to seven hours when you trek to Chhomrong from Jhinu Danda, next from Forest Camp to High Camp, and finally from High Camp to Mardi Himal, with also a hike to Badal Danda for an overnight stay.

Similarly, your minimum trek per day will be 4 to 5 hours when you trek from the village of Bamboo to Jhinu Danda to experience the soothing bath at a natural hot spring. So, this is a medium level trekking journey that requires some preparation before starting your trip.

Accommodation During Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek

You will spend the first night of this Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek adventure at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu. On the first and twelfth days of your journey, you will spend two nights here. The three-star hotel offers you contemporary services including room service, housekeeping, Wi-Fi, and more. On day eleven, you will also be housed in a three-star hotel in Pokhara.

When you take a trek to the mountains, you will typically stop at tea shops, which are usually built and run by people from the local villages. They are known for their low prices, and they offer simple accommodations in shared rooms, consisting of basic utilities. Internet services and electricity can be additional expenses incurred out of your pocket.

Food and Drinks

Three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara serve a diverse choice of meals. Food alternatives may be limited during the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek at higher altitudes. Except for alcohol, the package includes all meals and accommodations.

Breakfast options include Tibetan bread, pancakes, eggs, and French toast, while lunch and dinner options include chowmein, Momo, dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, and curry), etc., in the higher elevation areas. In lower elevations, you can also find spaghetti. Pasta, pizza, pancakes, French toast, etc.

Similarly, drink options like ginger, mint, green, lemon, tea, Coca-Cola, hard beverages, and local alcohols are found. But they are not included in the package. We do not advise you to drink any alcohol while trekking. Some tea houses will provide boiled water for free, while some may cost you 1 to 2$ per liter. Bottled water can be found in every teahouse.

Can beginner join this trip?

A well-trained beginner who has some experience or may not have it may also enter this place and can complete this Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek. This trek will provide a good start to test your courage and enjoy the various natural wonders in the Annapurna region. This trek is not only meant for experienced trekkers but is also appropriate for beginners who wish to overcome the ABC and MHBC simultaneously.

Beginners with good mental health and a strong, positive outlook can easily complete this trek. They should follow the guides’ directions and eat nutritious foods while trekking. If something goes wrong, they can contact their guides for assistance. Beginners can embark on this fascinating journey with the correct advice and preparation.

Preparation and fitness

If you want to embark on the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek without any problems, proper preparation is essential. Appropriate training will help you overcome all the challenges thrown your way while trekking. Depending on your fitness level, you can train about one to two months before your hiking trip to Nepal.

Another crucial requirement of this trekking journey is that you have to be healthy and in good shape. There can be a lot of challenges that you need to face, but without a healthy body, it may worsen your condition further. You can do squats, step-ups, planks, bench presses, calf raises, and so on for strength and endurance.

Similarly, for enhancing your cardiovascular fitness, you can do swimming, lateral shuffles, aerobics, running, etc., to prepare you for several hours of trekking. Another effective preparation for the trekking journey is that you can carry a backpack and go hiking in nearby hills to get a taste of what it is like to hike in steep ascents.

Gadgets charging and Internet

On this Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek, you don’t have to worry about electricity and internet while staying in Pokhara and Kathmandu. You don’t have to pay a single dime here for these services. However, there are limited destinations that provide these services. So, you have to set realistic expectations in the higher altitude locations.

Even though internet and electricity are available, the connection can be very slow, unreliable, and sometimes non-functional due to the remote location and challenging terrain. But, you must pay between 1 to 4 dollars for Wi-Fi access and 2 to 5 dollars to charge your gadgets like batteries, cameras, drones, or smartphones.

As a result, having backup plans in case of an emergency when trekking is preferable. You can purchase local SIM cards with low-cost data plans, which are more reliable than Wi-Fi in isolated areas. Similarly, you can use a solar charger, power bank, or rechargeable batteries to charge your devices.

During peak season, numerous people visit the teahouses and lodges. As a result, the number of ports available to charge your devices may be limited because everyone wants to utilize electricity for personal purposes. So, alternative solutions can assist you in overcoming these challenges and embracing the balance of technology and environment in high-altitude places.

Permit

Special permits are required to access the Annapurna Conservation Area for the Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Trek. You cannot access the Annapurna region without these authorizations at any cost. To begin your adventure without trouble you need to initially get a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

The TIMS card will keep you safe by tracking your trekking activities, whereas ACAP will allow you entrance to the restricted conservation region. You can receive these permits from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara by submitting the necessary documentation. After you submit your paperwork, our organization will assist you in obtaining these two authorizations.

Transportation

Your transportation costs are included in the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek package. We also have an airport pick-up and drop-off facility during your arrival and departure time. On the second day of the itinerary, you will be going to Pokhara from Kathmandu via flight.

Afterward, we will take a private vehicle to drive to Jhinu Danda, where your trekking journey will officially start. On day 12, we will travel via a tourist bus to go back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. If you want to return by flight to Kathmandu, it will cost you an extra fee for this service for a plane ticket. All the flight and ground transportation will be very safe and comfortable, which will enhance your traveling experience of this 13-day Annapurna and Mardi Himal trekking.

Travel Insurance

It is absolutely necessary to have travel insurance for the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek because this route is a path of the peaks and includes many remote areas where dangerous difficulties can occur all of a sudden. Though the trip is genuinely great, one should always consider what could go wrong and be prepared.

Comprehensive travel insurance coverage should cover the basics, such as medical bills for injuries or illnesses, helicopter rescue in an emergency, and payment for trip interruptions, cancellations, and delays.

It is advisable to get coverage for lost or stolen baggage, too in this Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek journey. When you are covered for all these things, you feel free of anxiety, and you can concentrate on the trip with the confidence that you are safeguarded against any unwanted happenings.

What to expect from this trip?

This 13-day Annapurna and Mardi Himal trekking journey combines the classic Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) with the peaceful Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) to create unforgettable experiences along the popular and less-traveled trekking trails. So, you will be getting a lot more from this trek that will surpass your expectations.

You will journey through various terrains, including lowlands with abundant vegetation and many raging waterfalls, to the rhododendron and the stony of the alpine slopes. This track also offers an opportunity to become a part of the local culture, as it will pass through traditional Magar and Gurung villages; the residents would be happy to have you with them and will introduce you to some of their traditional cultures and ways of life.

Key attractions consist of the exhilarating walk to Annapurna Base Camp with the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the mountains and the calm Mardi Himal Base Camp with the splendid Himalayan landscape. During the process, you will pass through several popular spots of the Annapurna region, such as naturally occurring hot springs at Jhinu Danda, bamboo thickets, and the pristine environment of Forest Camp.

This Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek is designed for people of all skill levels and presents the mix of a thrilling climb with a relaxing descent. Whether you are trekking alone or with some friends, you are bound to make memories that will last you a lifetime of the striking landscapes of Nepal, the distinct culture of its inhabitants, and the stunning mountainous ranges.

Private Trip vs Group Joining

Whether you will have a private or a group trip will be entirely determined by your budget and the kind of experience you prefer. Assuming that a 13-day Annapurna and Mardi Himal trekking journey is the one you crave to encounter in a profoundly personalized manner, a private trip will meet your demand of moving at your own pace and capturing otherworldly Nepal’s Annapurna region.

However, the services will only be focused on you, giving you more flexibility and freedom, which will cost you more than a group trip. On the other hand, when you join a group trip, your expenses will be shared among your fellow trekkers, which will lower your costs, keeping your trip budget-friendly. This will also allow you to make new friends, learn about each other’s culture, and experience branching your network.