Mardi Himal Trek is one of the viral travel destinations among Nepalese trekkers. This trek is getting popular because of the dramatic mountain view, close to Pokhara, and easy to go there. Most of the time the upper viewpoint will stay above the clouds and that will make you stand above those clouds. There are many reasons why you should do Mardi Himal Trek.
Trekking to the base camp of Mardi Himal and Mardi Himal is one of the mountains of the Annapurna Himalayas. It’s not that old trekking trail because this place was undiscovered until 2012. When it’s discovered soon after this trek becomes very famous among trekking lovers. Because of the off-the-beaten path, rural villages, lush forests, and amazing nature with the background of the high snowy mountain peaks.
While walking up to the trekking destinations each day you will; a close-up glimpse of the Machhapuchhere, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. This is the best alternative to the classic Mount Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It’s named after the Mardi Himal, Mardi Himal is 5587m above sea level on the lap of the gorgeous Mt. Machhapuchhere. So if you are a trekking and mountain lover this is the trek awaiting you.
There are different reasons why you should do Mardi Himal Trek. Those reasons are hereby for you.
Short and beautiful trek – One of the reasons to do Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Trek is a suitable trek for that person who has a short-time holiday; and wants to have a real trekking experience in Nepal. This trek can be accomplished in 4 nights and 5 days and if you are fit even in shorter days. So that this short trek is a decent trek for everyone.
Naturally, this trek is very remarkable because it has excellent Mountain views, jungle, landscape, and a proper trekking trail. Wildlife in the lower land is another thing to see during this trek. So that I recommend this trek for all who wish to trek in the Himalayas. These elements are the reasons why you should do the Mardi Himal Trek.
Easy access to start and end the trek.
Mardi Himal Trek can start from several places such as Phedi, Dhampus, Kande, and Naudanda. It all depends on where you want to start and where you want to end. But normally this trek starts from Kande and overnight at Australian Camp. The stating vistas from the Australian camp are the perfect view to start this trek.
Even this trek can combine with Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. If you are doing Poon Hill Trek and ending from Ghandruk; but not enough to walk in the mountain, walk to Landruk dir Mardi Himal. After ending ABC Trek and looking for more adventure follow the trail to Landruk and then Forest Camp.
Superb mountains and landscapes view.
During Mardi Trek first image in your mind and you can find on the Internet is the soaring Machhapuchhere peak. So you will have the same kind of scenery when you embarking your journey to the Upper Viewpoint and the Base camp of Mardi Himal. The breathtaking mountain views are the reasons why you should do trekking to Mardi Himal.
Walking on the ridge of the hill means you can have a look around at both sides. So on the left side while climbing up; you can enjoy the villages and part of the Annapurna Base Camp and on the right side other parts including Pokhara. Passing inside the dense forest of Rhododendron and pine. And the sound of the birds and Yaks in the jungle.
Developing infrastructure
When this region is declared as the Mardi Himal Trek; slowly needed infrastructures are developing each year. Trail marking, walking trails, Tea shops, guest houses, hotels, and other needed things for the trekkers. These infrastructures are essential to developing tourism in the region.
However, the guesthouse in the Mardi Himal region is not as good as the other trekking areas of the Annapurna region treks. Therefore sometimes need to share a room with 5/8 people in a room. But building more and more hotels in every village along the trekking routes will soon solve this problem in the future. Enough hotels are restaurants on this route will be the reason to do the trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Suitable for all ages of hikers.
Trekking trails are different in their hardships, this trek is a moderate type of trek. No need to trek for a long day, guest houses and tea shops are available along the way. Not many confusing walking trails for go-ups and downs. Friendly people, lovely hospitality, and cheap accommodation and food during the trek.
Because of the easiness of the trekking trails; this trek is for all ages people who can walk for 4 to 5 hours a day. But sometimes walking steeply up and down is a challenging task for everyone. To walk inside the lush forest and backed land at the upper part is distinguished but both parts have their beautiful scenery.
To have the best trekking experience you have to choose the best trekking seasons, best trekking partners, etc. There are so many reasons to go trekking to the Himalayas. And here I mentioned the top 5 reasons why you should do Mardi Himal Trek in 2022.
The best alternative of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most renowned trekking trails in Nepal. Every year thousands of trekkers visit Annapurna Base Camp and enjoy the panoramic views of the world’s 10th highest peak. Walking through the typical villages and the alpine forests to reach the destination. The culture and tradition of the Gurung people will be witnessed while going up and downs during ABC Trek.
Because of the popularity of ABC Trek, this is one of the most crowded trekking trails in Nepal. During the peak trekking season (spring and autumn) if you don’t book accommodation in advance; you may have to sleep in the dining room with guides and porters. In this region, there are fewer guest houses and hotels for trekkers.
Mountain views-wise, altitude-wise, trekking trials, and duration-wise this trek is the best alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. And also these trekking trails are in the same trekking area; inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
When to do the Mardi Himal Trek?
Nepal has four seasons and for trekking usually; two seasons are the best time to do trekking in Nepal and Mardi Himal Trek too. Those two seasons are Spring and Autumn.
Spring seasons – March, April, and May
During the spring season, the temperatures are good so that not cold and neither hot to do Mardi Himal Trek. Also, during this time weather will be clear for the majestic mountain and landscapes views. And blooming the rhododendron flower along the way will attract many visitors during this trek.
Autumn seasons – September, October, and November
The Autumn season is one of the best trekking seasons in Nepal. During this season there will be very clear weather for the mountains and surrounding views. And the temperature will be perfect for trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal. So that to complete the Mardi Himal Trek need to choose the best time or season.
Standard Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary.
The itinerary is one of the reasons to do the Mardi Himal Trek; this trek can be accomplished in 4 nights and 5 days. There is no limitation regarding who can do this trek, anyone who wishes to walk in the Himalayas can do this trek. Short duration to walk in a day and easy walking distance.
Each day 5 to 6 hours hiking into the Annapurna Himalayans to get the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to get into the Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Pokhara in 5 days. Even, it’s possible to complete it in 4 days and that will be a very tough last day. The last day of walking down to Sidding is quite challenging because the walking trail is steep down in some parts.
| Day 1 | Pokhara to Kande drive and trek to Australian Camp |
| Day 2 | Australian Camp to Forest Camp |
| Day 3 | Forest Camp to High Camp |
| Day 4 | Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and trek down to Badal Danda. |
| Day 5 | Badal Danda to Sidding and Drive back to Pokhara. |
Require permits, cost of the permit, and from where to get for Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Trek is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. So that to trek into Mardi Himal need to purchase an ACAP permit and this permit can be issued from Kathmandu and Pokhara. In Kathmandu, individual trekkers can be issued from the Nepal Tourism Board at Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu. And those trekkers who are going by the trekking companies, those trekking companies will organize your permit. In Pokhara trekkers have to visit in ACAP office. It cost USD 30
Also, need to buy a TIMS Card, A TIMS Card means a trekking information management system. This also has to be issued from the same place where you are going to issue a trekking permit. For organized trekkers, their chosen company will organize everything that they need. It cost USD 20
To get a permit and TIMS card need to have a photocopy of the passport and 4 pieces of passport photograph. One for the form and one for the permit and in Nepal everything works on a paper base.
