The Mardi Himal Trek is an incredible new trekking route situated in the Annapurna region. The Mardi Himal Trek was officially opened in 2011 and has since become a popular trekking destination in Nepal's Annapurna region. Now it’s a popular hiking destination in Nepal, like other major treks in the Annapurna region. Mardi Himal Trek is popular not only for its spectacular Mountain views but also for its very rich, diverse, and unique local culture, the locals’ livelihoods, and the trek through the incredible, lush green valley to rocky, snow-capped mountain terrain.
The Mardi Himal Trek is also known as the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) model trek, with off-the-beaten-track trails that offer beautiful wilderness trekking experiences in the Annapurna region. It’s. It’s also considered to be the best scenic and exotic trekking destination in Nepal. It starts with trekking through the beautiful, lush green forests and colourful rhododendron woodland, then through steep, rocky landscapes and snow-covered high mountain terrain. Sometimes the entire region can be expected to be covered in snow as it reaches the high mountain areas, and depending on the time of year, trekkers visit this area.
The Mardi Himal trek can be completed either as a short holiday in Nepal or as a long holiday, depending on the hiker’s interests and requirements. On average, this trek can be done in 5-9 days, depending on the available Holiday schedule and your own requirements.
Highlights:
- Spectacular views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna, and Himchuli, Mardi Himal Base Camp, High Camp, and Low Camp.
- Less crowded wilderness trekking in Nepal.
- Scenic landscape and beautiful rhododendron forests.
- Sunrise and sunset mountain views.
- Breathtaking panorama of the Annapurna Himalaya ranges.
- Local lifestyle and cultural trekking in Nepal.
- Beautiful terraced fields and a homestay.
- Friendly and hospitable people of the mountain region.
- Wonderful experiences of Mardi Himal Trekking.
- Facts of Mardi Himal Trek
Trip Fact
Trip standard: hotel/lodge/Teahouse/or homestay.
Trek Grade: moderate to high hills.
Trek duration: 05- 09 days.
Highest point: 4500 meters at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Best trip Seasons: All seasons, except mid-June to August.
Trip itinerary of Mardi Himal Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m) and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara (800m) by tourist coach.
Day 03: Drive to Phedi& Trek to PothanaDuerali (1810 m ) – 4 hours.
Day 04: Trek to forest camp (2480 m) -5 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Low Camp (2970 m) – 4 hours.
Day 06: Trek to High Camp (3550 m)-4 hours.
Day 07: Excursion to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m) – 4 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Sidding (1700 m) – 6 hours.
Day 09: Trek to Lumle -3 hours & Drive to Pokhara (800 m) – 2 hours.
Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu -6 hours.
Day 11: Departure from Nepal.
Note – The trip itinerary is very flexible and can be customised to your available holiday schedule or requirements, whether you make your holiday in Nepal shorter or longer.
The best time to do the Mardi Himal Trek
Nepal has four climatic zones, with the country exhibiting geographical and topographical diversity from the mountains to the hills to the Terai. Nepal also has diverse weather and climate. Nepal is very eclectic, from the deepest gorge to the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest. The spring (Mar-May) and Autumn(Sept-Nov) seasons are the best times to trek in Nepal.
Spring season (Mar-May): The best time to trek in Nepal. During this season, wildflowers will blossom. Treks are so pleasant and beautiful because all the plants are deep green and in bloom. Entire trekking hills are covered with colourful rhododendrons, and the breathtaking mountain panorama is magnificent to capture. During the season
The weather is very good with warm \ hot temperatures, mostly clear, sunny days, so many hikers prepare to hike in Nepal during the spring season.
Autumn (Sept-Nov): Autumn is one of the best seasons to trek and holiday in Nepal. In the autumn, the weather is very pleasant, with a perfect temperature. The temperature is neither hot nor cold but moderate. This time of year, the rain has stopped, and still, the forest is so lush with green scenery, streams \ rivers are crystal clear; the stunning peaks are breathtaking. Over 50% of hikers visit Nepal in the autumn season.
Note: However, trekkers can do this trek in other seasons, such as summer and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Mardi Himal Trek:
Where is the Mardi Himal trek?
The Mardi Himal trek is situated in western Nepal, east of the Annapurna Base Camp area and directly under the southeast face of the stunning holy Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) at 6,997m. The Mardi Himal trek route starts in the low, warm pastureland, passing through a spectacular, vast, lush green forest of colourful rhododendrons. The trail continues into the forest, then, as we reach elevations above 3,000m, it passes through rocky sections from which we can see magnificent views of Mt. Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Mardi Himal. And trekking trails continue to the low camp; perhaps it’s the greatest advantage of Nepal Trekking, especially since the sunset and sunrise mountain views are so impressive.
Is the Mardi Himal trek safe?
Yes, the Mardi Himal trek is safe, and you easily get accommodations and food everywhere. The trekking trail is very well-defined, and people are so kind, helpful, and friendly. Now, we don’t have conflicts, and all sorts of conflicts have been settled peacefully, and a new constitution for Nepal has been adopted. People now have clear rights and duties and move accordingly. Nepal doesn’t have any political and religious violence right now.
What does food and accommodation look like in the Mardi Himal Trek?
Throughout the Annapurna region, it is easy to find accommodation and food; we don’t need to carry our own, as everything is available. As we reach the low forest camp, to be honest, we will get just normal accommodation on a sharing basis, with a shared bathroom, but the teahouse is neat and clean.
Nepal is well-known for its traditional local dishes, which are very hygienic. You will enjoy fresh, organic meals during the Mardi Himal trek in the Annapurna region. The hotel keepers serve you every kind of meal, so you can pick from the food menu whatever you like, which is prepared by the Hotel management team. It’s very common to get all kinds of dishes from the guest house, but it's better to have fresh local dishes like Dalbhat, Bread, pancakes, Noodles, potatoes, Dumplings, etc.
What do you expect to see from the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal trek is a hidden gem of the Annapurna region, offering awesome views of snow-capped mountains. The views of the silver mountain peaks are spectacular as we reach low camp and high camp, with incredible views of Annapurna South (7219m), Mardi Himal, Himchuli (6440m), and a magnificent view of Mt. Machhapuchhre (fishtail, 6997m).
What can we expect from the Mardi Himal trek?
We easily get all food items and accommodation from tea houses \ homestays. Expect to pick up the food item mentioned in the menu at the guesthouse or tea house. Expect to wait for the food for some time. Expect to share accommodation too sometimes, but not all the time. You need to share the bathroom or toilet with other people. Expect to walk 4-8 hours a day and climb an average of 4-500 meters. Expect to hit the Virgin Country trail hard. Expect to meet friendly and beautiful people in the mountains. Expect to witness breathtaking mountain peaks.
What is the difficulty level of the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek is considered a short, easy-to-moderate trek in Nepal, sometimes in the lowlands, with short, very easy walking through deep, lush rhododendron forests and breathtaking views of the mountain head of the valley. As you cross around 3,000 m, the trail becomes a few rocky sections with spectacular snow-covered silver peaks. It takes you to the Mardi Himal Base Camp, located at 4,500 m. This is the highest point of this trek. If you have some trekking experience and skills, then you can do it without any problem. However, short hiking and trekking experiences will be an asset. These experiences will enhance your level of stamina.
How long will we walk on an average day’s trek in the Mardi Himal trek?
The trekking itinerary is designed with particular attention to walking pace and daily hours. Normally, trekkers have to walk 4-8 hours a day. This walking hour includes our lunchtime too. We spent about an hour for lunch in the middle of the trip, around 12-1 pm.
What kind of weather do we expect during the Mardi Himal trek?
Normally, mountain weather will be cold. The temperature in the mountains will range from 4 to 18 degrees Celsius. But sometimes it even gets colder, down to -3 or -4. The weather in the mountains may change suddenly. On shorter treks, we do not really get snowfall, but on longer treks, we sometimes get heavy snowfall during winter. So, we need to be ready to adjust to this weather in the mountains. We sometimes have rain too.
What is the minimum number of people required for the Mardi Himal trek?
Even a single individual can make the trek to Mardi Himal. It does not mean we cannot handle large groups. We even offer the option to book any of our featured trekking trips as a single traveller. Some people do not want to join a group. We understand it. We will divide the larger groups into smaller groups of no more than 10 members each, so our leader or guide can properly care for them.
What type of insurance do we need before the Mardi Himal trek in Nepal?
You need to have travel insurance that covers your rescue or evacuation and all medical expenses. It is required in case you are to be evacuated from the mountain due to any sudden injury or sickness during your trip. Sometimes we have to deal with altitude sickness or fall on slippery or steep mountain trails. Thus, we need to be well prepared for this before coming to Nepal. We must ensure that our travel insurance covers all these unexpected incidents. It is for your safety.
Is Mardi Trek known as a wilderness trek?
Trekking into the core of wild nature, where there are no human settlements, is known as a wilderness trek. Wilderness trekkers can have the most natural flavour of nature. The complete bliss of getting into the core of nature and celebrating freedom is absolutely the perfect experience. Nepal offers various wilderness trekking routes, including the Manaslu, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga Treks. The Mardi Himal trek is a wilderness route in Nepal.
How high can I get during the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best advantage spots in the Annapurna region. 4,500 m is the highest elevation in the Mardi Himal trek at the Mardi Himal base camp, which will be the highest point you will reach during the Mardi Himal trek.
What should I bring?
You should bring all your equipment, including clothing, a small backpack, a jacket, a fleece, a T-shirt, a Thermo coat, a hat, gloves, socks, good hiking or trekking boots, sunglasses, sun cream, etc. You should also bring a charger or a power bank in case there is no power on the mountain. It occasionally happens. If you want some pastimes, you can get some books.
Can I get any Communication battery charging during the Mardi Himal trek?
This area has good coverage of communication networks. Many hikers will buy local SIM cards, such as NT and N CELL, to access the network on their phones. It is also possible to buy a data pack for internet access, which helps you connect with family and friends, and is mostly available in places where you can easily get WIFI service.
In the Annapurna region, power is supplied by a local hydroelectric plant or, in the upper part, by solar power. The hotel keeper provides trekkers with the facility to charge batteries and use lighting in their rooms, powered by either solar or hydroelectricity.
What is the best time to come to Nepal for trekking and adventure?
Nepal has four main climatic seasons: winter (Dec-Feb), autumn (Sept-Nov), summer (June-Aug), and spring (March-May). Winter and summer are not considered good times to travel in Nepal. In winter, we have heavy snowfall in the mountains, and in summer, we have heavy rainfall. Autumn is the best time to travel in Nepal because the weather is pleasant and the mountain views are breathtaking. People also love travelling to Nepal in spring to see beautiful rhododendrons in bloom amid alluring mountain peaks. So, Spring and autumn are the best times for Trekking in Nepal.
Can I trek in the Mardi Himal if I haven’t done any trekking before?
Yes, we can trek in the Himalayas even if you haven’t done any trekking before. First, try trekking below 3,000 m. You won’t get any health hazards below 3000 m. If you have good stamina for hiking 4-8 hours at higher elevations in the mountains, you can also do other challenging treks. But before heading to the trailhead, we recommend jogging, short day hikes, and regular exercise to build your stamina for hiking in the mountains. Further, if you have any serious illness, consult a doctor before heading out on the trekking trail.
Are the foods and water in the lodges and camps hygienically standard?
Yes, the food and water you will have must meet hygiene standards. All food items are locally produced or grown. They are fresh, hygienic, and organic too. You will certainly have a quite different flavour. And the water is safe to drink. The water is either boiled or provided as well-purified bottled water. But do not try water from the creek or river. Your tummy may not adjust to the water and food in the mountains. In this case, you should be very watchful. Sol, take some general medicine to help your tummy adjust to the food in the mountain.
How much does the Mardi Himal Trek cost?
Numerous trek\ tour companies offer many different trip costs, but to be honest, the cost of a Mardi Himal trip differs depending on the service, mode of accommodation, and quality of service. of group size etc…If you choose a full board package trip of 5-9 days it costs roughly $400- $850 per person and a full board package trip Includes with Guide, porter, all meals, accommodation, ground transportation, and all applicable Annapurna conservation project permit, Tims card and guide porter food accommodation, equipment, salary, daily wages, etc… during the trip.
It’s possible to do this trek on your own, but we highly recommend doing it with a guide or porter for your safety. They will help during the trip. Trekkers have many more options to complete the Mardi Himal trek independently. It is also possible to hire either a guide or a porter for a budget, basic hike around Mardi Himal in the Annapurna region. The cost of hiring a guide and a porter is as follows: guide hire is $30 per day, and porter hire is $20 per day.
Several trekking agencies offer a range of trip packages for hikers to complete the Mardi Himal trek and enjoy a memorable holiday in Nepal. Most trekking companies can offer full-board packages, non-package (guide-and-porter-hiring service) trips, half-package trips, etc., according to the Traveller’s interests and requirements, so the cost can vary slightly.
Can I do the Mardi Himal trek with a full-board package?
Of course! You can take a full-board package trip to Mardi Himal. Suppose you take a full-board package trip. In that case, everything is included, i.e., all food, accommodation (both city and mountain), porter, all ground transportation, permits, a TIMS card, and an experienced, professional, government-authorised, licensed guide or leader will lead you in the mountains. He/she knows the local culture, flora, and fauna, as well as the mountain peaks, very well. He/she has very professional knowledge of the entire region. He/she will arrange all the accommodation and transportation.
