Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek: Best Season

If you want to go on the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek, then you should choose to trek in autumn/fall, spring, followed by winter. Spring, from March to May, will bless and gift you with agreeable heat between  17 and 20 degrees Celsius, with trails lined with stunning shades of red from the rhododendrons.

Autumn, from September to November, gives you the most comfortable daytime heat between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius with the terrain painted in vibrant yellow shades.

However, the main benefit that spring and autumn showers the trekkers with is the amazing translucent Himalayan expanse spread across the horizon. After all, this is what we trek for right?

On the other hand, winter, December to February, is not that bad either. Yes, the daytime heat often plummets to 9 degrees Celsius and nighttime to -5 degrees Celsius, but the sun will smile upon you throughout the day.

If you like to go on the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek in the wintertime, then prep yourself with the proper thermal gear and walk through the loneliest trail in the Annapurna.

Monsoon/summer, June to August, however, is not recommended because of the intense showers, thunderstorms, and fog. In times of no rain, the blazing sun may make your trek tough.

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek 9 Days: Difficulty

The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is a level 2 medium trek that promises minimal physical and mental strain throughout the experience. This trek of the Annapurna region is also short, covering approximately 70 to 80 km distance over nine days.

You will enjoy 4 to 6 hours of average daily walks along the changeable terrain that ultimately concludes at 4550 m elevation of Mardi Himal Base Camp.

During the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek, the highest overnight sleep will occur in its High Camp at 3600 m. As for the hiking route, it is signposted, but at times you may find paths made by sheep or goats that may make the path a bit confusing.

The infrastructure is, however, excellent designed with the amenities keeping in mind the convenience of western tourists. On the path, you will find numerous cozy family-run tea houses or lodges where you can get WiFi, hot water, delicious dining, and warm bedding so there is no need for cold camping at all.

There will be, of course, ridges to tackle which are typical of Nepal terrain, such as Badal Danda, Nange Danda, Kali Danda, and more but nothing strenuous. In the forest too, you will meet the locals with their animals, so nothing scary on the route.

Overall, the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is very safe, secure, comfortable hiking trip perfect for families and new tourists and travelers.

Who is eligible to join our Mardi Himal Base Camp trek?

If you are looking for less touristy yet comfortable mountain trails in Nepal, if you want to forget the fatigue, stress, and exhaustion of your corporate life, if you want some calm and peace in your life, and are searching for a short escape from the hectic civilization, then Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is made for you.

So whether you have a family with kids and grandparents, or you are just thinking of starting out hiking, you can without a doubt join our trek provided you are enthusiastic, in good health, and active.

Yes, there are some ridges, stone steps, and steep areas to go through and over, but nothing unreachable or undoable. Plus, remember, you will have the support of our expert local guide and porters who will go to every limit to make your 9 days of Mardi Himal Base Camp trek enjoyable.

So don’t hold yourself back from this daring short mountain expedition that can be taken by individuals of any age, gender, fitness level, or skill.

However, we do suggest our expecting mothers, guests with chronic lung, kidney, muscle, and heart conditions to reach out to their doctors once. Tell them about the travel plan, the maximum altitude, terrain and nature of the trek and if they allowed, you can come with us but do carry your medicines.

Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS and Acclimatization

The occurrence of acute mountain sickness which is normally known as altitude sickness among travelers is quite infrequent in our Mardi Himal Base Camp trek.

First of all, the maximum point of the trek is 4550 m; secondly, our Mardi Himal Base Camp trek itinerary facilitates a gradual rise to the altitude thus allowing your body to slowly adapt to the new atmosphere.

Third, our walking days are also shorter thus all comprising the minimal occurrence of AMS in the trip. However, the AMS is not predictable and can impact anyone who finds it difficult to adjust to the varying altitude.

Even if the AMS occur, it may only show the milder physical discomforts such as nausea, loss of interest in eating and sleeping, dizziness, tiredness, and headaches.

Please keep in mind that anyone can be vulnerable to AMS, be it the new traveler or the experienced one so do not neglect and stay alert if you feel these discomforts.

Please also tell our guide about your discomforts as he is the trained professional and knows what will be the right steps in such case. He may suggest you to move down or stay and rest where you are or he may offer Diamox.

In the case of Diamox, it is advisable that you talk with your doctor before the start of the trip whether it is safe for intake. Diamox is a diuretic medicine so it may have some contraindications.

The most effective and simplest precaution and treatment for the AMS is the proper adequate and timely hydration. Like the local community do, you should also take lemon, ginger, garlic,and honey with your diet.

Training and Prep for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is certainly a moderate altitude and medium-level trek, inviting everyone in the journey. But this doesn’t mean you ignore the importance of the advanced physical prep for the trek.

Please understand that preparation and training in advance are crucial for any trekking trip in Nepal because of its unique mountain terrain that fluctuates at every nook and corner.

Such terrain adds an extra pressure on your legs, hands, and heart muscles. Thus, training your overall body and core muscles for such activity is a must, minimum one month beforehand.

Aim with walking and then progress to running 10 to 15 km a day, regulating our heartbeats to 140 beats per minute. You can also opt to do squat exercises with dumbbells, pull-ups and push-ups, treadmill, swimming, biking, cycling, and stair climbing as well.

A 2 to 3-session regimen every week with regular intervals will ready your body, after which you can hike to 3000 m near your hometown. Such hiking activity will give you the knowledge of the practicality of the trek.

Different Approach and Extension of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

There is one other fantastic way to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp. We also have our Mardi Himal Helicopter tour, which will take you from Pokhara Airport in a helicopter towards the Mardi Himal Base Camp.

With an hour stop at the base camp, you can capture the precious Himalayan moments, after which you will again be returned to Pokhara. No trekking, no overnight lodge stays, and no longer days; just give us a few hours and we will take you to the dream location of Mardi Peak.

You can also discover other stunning trekking paths during the Mardi Himal trek. Such as you can combine the Annapurna Base Camp trek to your Mardi Himal Base Camp trek itinerary, which will take you through Jhinu Danda.

Other Annapurna hiking trails can also be integrated such as Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Khopra Danda Trek and Dhampus Panchase Trek. If you are exhausted from walking, then sure you can just decide to spend a few extra days in Pokhara or you can directly go to the National park of Chitwan from Pokhara to relax with the enchanting animals of the park.

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek are both part of the enchanting Annapurna region, yet they have distinct similarities and differences.

The Mardi Himal trek is located just to the east of the Annapurna Base Camp at 4550 m beneath the Mardi Peak and Fishtail Peak, where very few tourists venture every year.

The Annapurna Base Camp/ABC trek, on the other hand, lies below the gigantic Annapurna I at 4130 m, which has become the most popular trekking location after the Everest trail.

The ABC trek has been open to international tourists since 1977, while the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek was opened only since 2012. Thus, the ABC trek has become the most well-known and most walked trekking trail in Nepal, whereas the Mardi Himal trek still remains lesser known among tourists.

Both trekking adventures are moderate in nature and offer daring experiences along with the mesmerizing landscape and Himalayan views.

The ABC trek brings you closer to Annapurna I, while the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek brings you proximity to the Mardi Peak and the Fishtail Peak. However, the ABC route has become a very overpopulated route with thousands of tourists walking this path each year.

Thus, the route has lost its original charm that the ABC trek once had. The local community also now focuses more on mass commercial tourism which is convenient for tourists but somehow, it has reduced the essence of hiking adventure which is to be in nature.

On the other hand, the Mardi Himal base Camp trek still has its raw wilderness, despite being close to the ABC trail. The local community here remains engaged in agriculture, herding animals, collecting wood from the forest, and gathering Yarsagumba.

You may not have the luxury and comfort as in the ABC trail, but you will have pure nature, quiet trails, and solitude. Both treks are amazing in their own way, so choose according to what you have in mind.

Sleeping, Dining, and Transportation

We plan to sleep in the three-star hotels, the best that are available, in Kathmandu and Pokhara. A large spacious twin room with private shower and toilet, hot tap water, and WiFi will be available to you. You can also choose to sleep in the four or five-star hotels of the cities (please see our ADD ON options).

When trekking, we plan to sleep in the tea houses, guest houses, or lodges, the best offered on the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek route. We avoid the lodging settings that have low standards.

You may get a private shower and toilets, but up in the High Camp, the tea house may not facilitate the service, requiring you to settle with the shared facilities.

You will have, however, a warm bed, few furniture, and delicious food on the table with the incredible Himalayas to view from the window and terrace.

As for food, breakfasts during the entire stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara are included in the cost while on trekking, breakfasts, lunch, and dinners are also included with a nice farewell dinner on your final day in Kathmandu.

Including lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara turns out to be more beneficial when settling bills and gives you more freedom than prepaid meals because of the availability of countless menu options.

We have also looked after your way of traveling during our Mardi Himal Base Camp trek. A welcoming rep with private transport will be with you for the TIA transfers (in and out).

A tourist bus will be used for your traveling between Pokhara and Kathmandu while a private drive will take you to Kande from Pokhara and from Siding to Pokhara.

An upgrade to a flight or private jeep, or car can also be done; please see our ADD ON options.

Permits for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card are two primary permits that are essential for carrying out the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek.

These two permits are arranged by your trekking and tour agency you have collaborated with and are available from the tourism office situated in either Pokhara or Kathmandu.

Conversely, these two permits can also be arranged by your guide at the Pothana Village check post. The ACAP permit helps to manage the resources for the preservation of the ecosystem of the Annapurna Park, while the TIMS Card helps to locate you and your route in the event of any emergencies such as natural calamities.

The TIMS Card will cost you 2000 Nepali Rupees for each trekker and ACAP will cost 3000 Nepali Rupees for each hiker. The price will be slightly lower for the Nepali and the SAARC citizens.

Travel Insurance

Please understand that the government now requires travel insurance for any type of remote and multi-day trekking trips in Nepal. Without this insurance, the mandatory permits will not be given to the trekkers.

So for the Mardi Himal base Camp trek as well, you must pass on your insurance copy once you confirm this trip with us. This policy has been implemented to protect the trekkers from any form of unexpected and unfortunate events that can happen in the mountains.

Weather in the mountains can change abruptly, resulting in natural calamities. You may become lost or stranded, requiring prompt helicopter search and rescue. The mountain trails are also treacherous and may sometimes, due to your ignorance,e can lead to slips, falls, or injuries that may require immediate medical attention.

In some cases, surgical intervention may also be needed, resulting in expensive hospital stays. With travel insurance, you will have financial and technical support throughout such unfortunate incidents.

For the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek, it is wise that you include the helicopter rescue coverage up to 4500 m, as well as medical coverage, baggage loss, theft, damage, trip delays, and extended stays. Please make sure that your insurance remains active for the entire duration of your trip in Nepal.