Permits for Mardi Himal Trek:
You will need the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) along with the TIMS permit (Trekking Information Management System). However, the TIMS card isn’t yet mandatory as it was discontinued during and after COVID-19. But plans are on the way to reissue it in 2024, but it's not yet confirmed.
Nevertheless, these two permits are essential for this trek, which we arranged in advance. The cost of these permits is around USD 40 or equivalent to NPR 5000. Solo trekking here, male or female, is also possible if you are an experienced backpacker. However, hiring a guide and porter takes the burden of navigating off your shoulders allowing you to enjoy the scenery more
The Mardi Himal Trek Route:
The starting and ending points of Mardi Himal trekking can vary depending on your time and preferences. However, with Nepal Pyramids, the route starts with a scenic drive to Kande at 1770 m/5807 feet. Shortly we trek gently through the beautiful forest setting of Kande towards the Australian Camp at 2165 m/7103 feet. Walking the beautiful untouched terrain, we will get to our overnight camp at Deurali at the height of 2200m/7,218 feet.
From here, the route starts ascending steeper and walking the occasional undulating trail we get to Forest Camp at 2550 meters. Leaving Forest Camp via Rest Camp and Low Camp, we further ascend higher to Bandal Danda (The Cloud Hill) at 3,300 meters / 10,826 feet. As the name suggests Bandal Danda gives you the most amazing view of the landscapes with the clouds.
Both sunrise and sunset from Bandal Danda (The Cloud Hill) are fascinating. As the clouds settle down in the valley, it seems like you are walking in clouds overlooking the endless sea of white clouds. Eventually, we will hike to High Camp at 3700 meters where most trekkers spend two nights to help acclimatize and do day hikes.
The High Camp has a spectacular mountain panorama from Annapurna South to the Fishtail Peak. From here you can hike further to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters or the Lower View Point at 4250 meters before descending. We conclude our trip with a beautiful stay at Pokhara city, the lake city. Pokhara is one of the most stunning city in Nepal.
Mardi Himal Base Camp 4500m / 14,763 feet:
Very newly discovered and very enchanting, Mardi Himal Base Camp sits at a height of 4,500 meters / 14,763 feet. This beautiful Base Camp offers one of the most breathtaking views, which is simply magical. The journey to Mardi Himal Base Camp goes through some of the most stunning landscapes in the Himalayas.
Starting from High Camp as you walk towards the Mardi Base Camp, you eventually walk the high alpine pastures, which is phenomenal. While walking the ridge line, you will realize that you are surrounded by vast Himalayan meadows that create a soft carpet beneath your feet. During spring and summer, these meadows come alive with colorful wildflowers, creating a dramatic contrast with the white snow-capped peaks.
Ultimately, you will reach the 4500m Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is less crowded and seems like it’s been isolated from the rest of the world. It is certainly a hidden gem that offers you the most magnificent view of Mardi Himal, the iconic Fishtail Mountain (Machapuchhare), and the rest of the surrounding peaks.
What makes Mardi Himal Base Camp truly special is the view of the endless deep valleys that stretch like an ocean. These valleys create layers upon layers until they fade in the distance. Most of the time, the clouds settle in these valleys, making a ‘White Sea’, which is a rare view in other trekking destinations. As you stand at Mardi Himal Base Camp watching the majestic mountains and the sea of valleys and white settle clouds, you feel blessed and truly connecting with nature.
Accommodation and Food at Mardi Trek:
The building of teahouses in the Mardi Himal region started a few years back, around 2016/17. Besides, COVID-19 and a few other factors hindered the progress of the teahouse in the region. However, now there are ample teahouses along the way as well as in the High Camp area so carrying camping gear is not necessary.
Most teahouses offer twin or dormitory accommodation facilities with shared toilets. So far these teahouse lodges are in great condition and very hygienic. They provide you with extra blankets without even asking so a sleeping bag wouldn’t be a necessity.
These Basic teahouses offer fabulous food items. Besides, meals like local Dal Bhat (lentil soup and rice) and Momos, they provide a variety of items like local, Chinese, continental, etc. Food items like Momo, Pasta, steak, French fries, sandwiches, etc. are also available. Since the area is not as commercial as Everest or Annapurna, Mardi Himal provides you with freshly cooked and hygienic meals.
Most of the lodges until High Camp have a greenhouse, so to say, trekkers have the privilege of tasting fresh local vegetables. Local salad would be a great item to try. Besides food, they also sell alcohol both local and imported, and a variety of snacks like Mars bars, pringles, fizzy drinks, etc.
Why Do the Mardi Himal Trek?
For those seeking a peaceful teahouse trek that offers Annapurna views away from crowds, Mardi Himal is a perfect medium-difficulty Himalayan adventure. The cultural interactions combined with shorter itineraries also make it ideal for those with a limited time frame.
So, if you are eager to get a taste of Nepal’s Himalayan magic without huge crowds, consider adding this newer trekking destination to your bucket list. the Mardi Himal trek has an incredible atmospheric charm that makes every step well worth the effort. The friendly locals combined with jaw-dropping mountain scenery make this an unforgettable adventure that won’t break the budget.
So, escape the tourist crowds, catch awesome mountain sunrises and sunsets devoid of crowds, and experience authentic connections with the locals. The Mardi Himal trek might just end up being the highlight of your visit to Nepal.
How far is Mardi from Pokhara?
From Pokhara, it is approximately 45 minutes to 2-3 hours drive to the trailhead for the Mardi Himal trek. This depends on the itinerary you so choose. This would likely be around 50-80km depending on the specific trailhead location.
As we start trekking, it would most probably take 3-4 days to reach the foot of Mardi Himal at over 4,500 meters elevation.
The total distance of a regular Mardi Himal Trek is around 40 km which is 24.8 miles.
When is the Best Time to Trek to Mardi Himal?
The clearest weather on the Mardi Himal trek occurs during the Spring season, which starts from March until May, and the Autumn season, which starts from late September until November. Spring and Autumn have always been an ideal time for trekking in Nepal.
Traditionally, the Winter Season from December to February is supposed to have snowfall, which is common in the higher settlements. However, due to the change in the climate, these days people prefer to trek in the winter when the weather is clear and less crowded. It has been a few years now that we have witnessed the effects of Climate Change in Nepal, which is reshaping the trekking and climbing patterns in Nepal as well. So, Winter Mardi Himal Trek is getting quite popular these days.
The Mardi Himal trek can easily be completed in December, January, and February. Trekking to Mardi Himal over Christmas has grown increasingly popular in recent years. Despite January and February bringing peak winter conditions to Nepal and lower temperatures, many trekkers now opt to visit the Mardi region during these months.
For those prepared to withstand cooler weather, the Mardi Trek in winter provides spectacular unobstructed mountain vistas without large crowds. During peak season time these unhindered views and serene experience will be a privilege.
The monsoon hits Nepal from early June till August, making trails muddy and visibility of mountain views less reliable. However, June does offer the advantage of seeing blooming rhododendrons if you don’t mind the rain. Nevertheless, monsoon is not recommended for trekking to Mardi Himal due uncertainty of landslides and slippery trails.
Mardi Himal Trek in August and early September is not recommended basically due to leeches and too much rain. Besides this section of Annapurna, including Pokhara, receives the highest amount of rainfall during the monsoon.
NOTE: Teahouses in the region are open all through the year till High Camp.
How Difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?
Despite the high elevation reached within a short period, the Mardi Himal Trek is still considered relatively MODERATE. It is considered Moderate mainly due to the gradual ascent, which is not physically draining. The trail to Mardi Himal is fairly new, and not many tourists trekked into the region until 2015. There were hardly any shelters for the trekkers because of which the trek to Mardi Himal then was all camping trips.
After the coming of teahouses in many short camps, now trekkers have the privilege to rest for a quick tea, have lunch, or stay overnight. Though the trail is very new and ascends and descends through the most luxurious, dramatic forest setting, it is achievable for anyone of any age with sound fitness.
The descending parts of the trek contain loose rock and lots of steps, which can be hard on the knees, so bringing hiking poles is highly recommended. Proper layered clothing and waterproof gear are also key since rain and snowstorms can come in quickly at these altitudes.
Several routes can be taken, which are broken down below from shortest to longest.
The trek can be done in short 4-5 days itineraries, Medium 7-8 days, and longer 10-11 days. You can further extend your Mardi Himal itinerary with other Annapurna Treks depending on your time and level of fitness.
The shortest route is best suited for very fit trekkers already adapted to being at higher altitudes. The longer routes include extra acclimatization days to help adjust.
Take your fitness levels and any previous experience with altitude into account when deciding.
Shortest Route to Mardi Himal (4-5 days):
- Day 1 - Kande to Forest Camp (2,700m elevation gain approx 1000m).
- Day 2 – Forest Camp to High Camp (1,200 m elevation gain).
- Day 3 – Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Forest Camp (1,700m elevation gain).
- Day 4 - Descend to Sidhing and Drive to Pokhara.
Medium Mardi Himal Trek Route (7-8 days)
- Day 01 - Kande to Deurali
- Day 02 - Deurali to Forest Camp
- Day 03 - Forest Camp to Bandal Danda
- Day 04 - Bandal Danda to High Camp
- Day 05 - High Camp – Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Bandal Danda
- Day 06 - Trek to Kalimati
- Day 07 - Trek to Lwang
- Day 08 - Lwang to Pokhara Drive
Long Mardi Himal Trek Route (10-11 days)
- Day 01 - Kande to Deurali
- Day 02 - Deurali to Forest Camp
- Day 03 - Forest Camp to Bandal Danda
- Day 04 - Bandal Danda to High Camp
- Day 05 - High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Bandal Danda
- Day 06 - Bandal Danda to Landruk
- Day 07 - Landruk to Ghandruk
- Day 08 - Ghandruk to Tadapani
- Day 09 - Tadapani to Ghorepani
- Day 10 - Ghorepain to Mohare Danda
- Day 11 - Mohare Danda to Ulleri and Drive to Pokhara
What other Trip can you combine with Mardi Himal Trek?
Other trips that you can combine with Mardi Himal Trek are:
What to Expect and Things to Do:
The villages at the foothills of Mardi Himal offer insights into the culture of the Gurung people, one of the main ethnic groups in Nepal. Porters here commonly use woven baskets called Doko (Bamboo Baskets) to haul supplies along the trails strung across their foreheads.
You will notice women dressed in vibrant red and blue outfits weaving cloth inside village homes. The sound of workers chipping slate into ornate roof tiles also echoes in settlements along the way, transporting supplies from higher quarries.
The thick rhododendron forests shelter an abundance of birdlife, including the national bird - the colorful Danphe (Himalayan Monal). Other species to spot include the Spiny Babbler, Whistling Thrush, Green-tailed Sunbird, Eurasian Blackbird, and Rufous Sibia.
From the high camp, sunset views overlooking the gently rising Fishtail massif are phenomenal while golden dawn light illuminates Annapurna South and Gangapurna. A day hike towards Mardi Peak at over 4,500 meters provides a 360-degree panorama from the Annapurna range to Machhapuchhre and Manaslu regions.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost:
The total cost for the Mardi Himal Trek can range from USD 820 to USD 1000 per person. The cost largely depends on the number of people joining the Expedition. More participants often enjoy more favorable pricing as compared to smaller number of participants.
What's Included:
To make your Nepal Trip hassle-free free Nepal Pyramids organizes an all-inclusive trek package. So to say, this comprehensive price covers.
- Round Trip Domestic flights
- Private vehicle transfers to and from trekking starting and ending points.
- 3 meals (open menu) with hot beverages during the entire trek.
- Teahouse (mountain lodges) accommodation on a twin bed sharing basis.
- For your safety and comfort, we provide a highly trained Trek Leader, an assistant guide, and porters to carry your luggage.
- All the necessary permits and taxes.
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on a BB basis.
- Half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with paid entrance fees.
- Essential trekking gear and many more.
How Much Will it Cost for a Nepali to Trek Mardi Himal?
The cost of the Mardi Himal Trek for Nepalis depends on your preference for transportation. Local Buses would cost you around NPR 800 to 1000 per person one way. Tourist buses will cost about NPR 1400 to 2500 per person one way, which depends on the mode of luxury you so choose. Food on the way to Pokhara while driving can be around 1000 to 1500 NPR.
The flight would cost around NPR 4200 to 5000 per person one way. Hotel Accommodation in Pokhara again depends on the mode of luxury that would range from NPR 2500 to 15000 twin bed sharing, including breakfast. In bigger groups, Pokhara also has an option for a Hostel facility that may range from NPR 500 to 1500 per person.
Dinner at Pokhara 800 to 1000 per person. Transportation to the starting point of the Mardi Himal trek will range from NPR 5000 to 10000. While on the trek per day, expenses can range from 2000 to 4000 per person, including accommodation and 3 meals with a few cups of tea. Alcohol and fizzy drinks will be an added cost.
Is the Mardi Himal Trek risky?
No, the Mardi Himal Trek is not risky.
- First, Altitude Sickness:
The highest elevation you will get to is 4500m / 14,763 feet, which is Mardi Himal Base Camp. The sleeping elevation on this trip is 3550 m/11,646 feet, which is Mardi Himal High Camp. Most importantly, the ascent is gradual, and you will have enough time for acclimatization.
Starting from Pokhara @ 820m/2690 feet and sleeping at 2000m/7000 feet for a few nights will surely craft enough ground to adapt to the new mountain environment. Even if someone develops a mild AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), they can easily descend to the tree line area in a very short time.
However, there has been no record of altitude sickness during the Mardi Himal Trek to date. It is always wise to have some knowledge of the Prevention of high-altitude sickness and medicine to carry while trekking in Nepal.
Yes, there are chances of bad weather, like snowstorms, rain, or whiteouts. Nevertheless, on the way to Mardi Himal, there are ample teahouse lodges and teashops with basic accommodation facilities on every short-distance walk. These teahouses and teashops along the way can provide you with shelter and food.
In winter, when there are high chances of snowfall, we provide Yaktrax to everyone, including porters. If you are well equipped with a local Guide, rain and snow gear, including Yaktrax, and warm clothing, there is less chance that you will get stuck in the region.
The trail to Mardi Trek is very NEW and was opened only after 2012, until then, Mardi Himal was a hidden gem yet to be explored. The trail is generally undulating and mostly through the lush forested area.
So, this untouched trekking trail receives very little sun and can be very muddy and slippery in the monsoon and early September, with leeches. However, the trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp is not as technical as in many trekking destinations in Nepal. With caution and careful study of the trail, you can definitely finish the trek without much trail safety concern.
Though Mardi Himal Trek is very new and teahouse trekking started around 2016, the quality of food and hygiene and great. All teahouse lodges in the region are family-oriented lodges that always tend to cook fresh meals.
The region isn’t as commercial as Everest or Annapurna, so the level of cleanliness is very high despite the teahouses being basic. The chances of getting Food Poisoning in the region are more or less zero. However, we ask all travelers to look for expiry dates if they are buying something like biscuits, Mars bars, fizzy drinks, etc.
As already mentioned, the Mardi Himal trek is not risky, still Risk Assessment is very crucial. Travelers are to be cautious and do the risk assessment because there are chances of mishaps and trekking nightmares even while doing the easiest trek like the Poon Hill Ghorepani Trek.
Do Climbing Mardi Himal require Climbing Permits?
No, to climb Mardi Himal, you don’t require a climbing permit. However, you need a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit:
- Costs NPR 3000 for foreign nationals.
- Issued by the Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara or Kathmandu.
- Valid for a single entry for 90 days from the issue date.
TIMS Card:
- It costs NPR 2000.
- Issued by the Nepal Tourism Board, all local trekking agencies or TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal).
NOTE: The TIMS card has not been enforced in all the trekking destinations since it was put on hold during and after COVID-19. However, arrangements are being made to enforce it again from this year, 2024, but still it's not yet confirmed.
