Mardi Himal Base Camp: A High Altitude Trekking Trail in Nepal

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a new trekking route in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The trek was opened in 2012 and is the hidden gem in the Annapurna region. It is an easy to moderate level trekking destination doable by every trekking enthusiasts.

The highest point of Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is 4500 meters. So, it is short but has a high altitude trekking trail. The route to Mardi Himal trek is beautiful. But it lives under the shadow of other popular treks in the Annapurna region. For example, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, etc. So, it is perhaps the least visited trekking peaks in Nepal. However, it has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek rewards trekkers with enchanting views of snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna region. The extraordinary views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Himchuli will take your breath away as you trek to the Mardi Base Camp. The journey from the Low Camp, Forest camp, high camp to Mardi Base Camp is full of a thrilling and exciting adventure. You will love the enticing views of rivers, valleys, villages, and terrace farmings along your way to the Mardi Base Camp.  

So if you are ready to enjoy the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, join us at Mount Mania. We can customize your itinerary for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek to suit your demands.  The trek blesses people with various opportunities that at least deserves your precious time.

Trip Highlights of Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

• Panoramic views of Himalayan ranges such as Mount Annapurna, Mount Machhapuchhre, Mount Dhaulagiri, and Hiunchuli.
• Exploring exotic villages like Siding and Liwang.
• Walking along the rugged landscape through the forest of rhododendron.
• Reaching up to Mardi Himal Base Camp height of 4500 meters.   

Mardi Himal Base Camp Route

Day 1: Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara by Tourist Bus (6-7 hrs)

Day 3: Drive to Phedi from Pokhara and Trek to Pothana (1990 m)

Day 4: Trek from Pothana to Low Camp (3150 m)

Day 5: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (4100 m)

Day 6: Explore around High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Low Camp

Day 7: Trek from Low Camp to Siding Village (1280m)

Day 8: Trek from Siding Village to Milan Chowk and Drive back to Pokhara

Day 9: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (6-7 hrs)

Day 10: Final departure

Mardi Himal Base Camp Weather and Temperature

The weather and temperature of Mardi Himal Temperature depend upon different seasons. The weather is quite moderate throughout the year. The maximum temperature rises up to 15 degrees in the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Whereas the minimum temperature falls down to -3 degrees or even lower.

The average daytime temperature of Mardi Himal Base Camp in Autumn and Spring seasons ranges between 15-23 degrees. The temperature ranges between 9-12 degrees in winter and 17-20 degrees in the monsoon season.

Best Time for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is comparatively an easy trek. So the trek is doable in every season. But, the best time for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek would be during Autumn and Spring seasons.

Autumn Season (September, October, November)

Autumn is the post-monsoon season in Nepal. So, you can expect the least amount of rainfall during this season. Early September might face some light rain in the Annapurna region. So, make sure to carry appropriate rain gear when trekking to Mardi Base Camp in September.

The weather condition and temperature during Autumn is very favorable. It is neither too hot nor too cold in the Annapurna region during Autumn.  

Autumn is the most preferred time of the year for trekking in Nepal. Autumn is mostly preferred by trekkers from all around the world. The weather is usually clear during autumn. This means you will have clear visibility of the snowy mountains. So, autumn can be the best option for easy and comfortable Mardi Himal Base Camp trekking experience.

Spring Season (March, April, May)

Spring is the second-best time for trekking to the Mardi Himal Base Camp after autumn. Spring is usually the most beautiful time of the year in Nepal. During Spring, nature regenerates its lost beauty. New plants and trees grow and flowers bloom. Most of the trekking trails get filled with rhododendrons during spring. So, you will get to walk through the rhododendron forest and smell the fragrance of different flowers.

Spring is the pre-monsoon season in Nepal. So the weather of the Annapurna region is usually dry during spring. However, you can expect some rainfall in late May as it is the starting of monsoon in Nepal.

During Spring, trekkers will get to experience the overall natural beauty of the Annapurna region. The whole surrounding looks charming during the Spring season. The weather is quite warm in the lower elevations. The temperature gradually decreases in the higher elevations.

Offseason trek to Mardi Base Camp

Offseason trek refers to trekking during monsoon and winter seasons. Monsoon and winter seasons are the least preferred time of the year for trekking in Nepal. Winter falls in the month of December, January, and February. And, monsoon falls in the month of June, July, and August in Nepal. Unlike other treks, Mardi Himal Trek is easily doable in winter and monsoon season.

Most trekkers do not choose winter and monsoon season when trekking. It is because the monsoon rain makes the trail muddy and slippery. Likewise, the temperature decreases in the winter season that makes the weather unfavorable and harsh. But, the weather and temperature during Mardi Himal trek become stable and bearable even during offseason. Winter in the Annapurna region may not be very harsh. The weather might be chilly in the higher altitude. But you can successfully trek to the base camp with appropriate trekking gear.   

So, off-season trek to Mardi Base camp can be a good alternative to have an incredible adventure. You can experience the beautiful winter world of the Annapurna region during the winter season. The snowy mountains look magnificent than ever. Similarly, there are a lot of benefits you can get during offseason trek to Mardi Base Camp.   

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek Difficulty

One of the major difficulties of Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is very common when trekking at a higher altitude. You will have to reach up to the height of 4500 meters when trekking to the Mardi Base Camp. At such height, there are chances of getting altitude sickness.

In the higher areas, the amount of oxygen present in the air is very low. This causes difficulty in breathing and results in altitude sickness. Some of the common symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. So if you see any such symptoms in yourself, do not ignore it. Descend to a lower height immediately.

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a moderate trek. So, there may not be many challenges that you will have to face. There may be some difficult paths such as walking through steep and narrow ridges, uphills and downhills, etc. The trek does not demand any previous trekking or climbing experience. However, physical fitness might be very important for a successful trek.

Sometimes, unfavorable weather and temperature can also be a barrier when trekking to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. so, choosing a perfect time for trekking would be necessary.

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek Permits

You will require certain trekking permits when trekking in Nepal. Likewise, Mardi Himal Trek requires a trekking permit as well. There are two types of trekking permits you need in order to trek to the Mardi Base Camp. They are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Mardi Himal Trek sits in the Annapurna region of Nepal. You will walk through some of the beautiful places in the Annapurna region. Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. So, you will have to pay for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.

The cost of the permit for SAARC nations is Rs. 200 per person. For other nations, the cost of the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is USD 20 per person.

Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)

Trekkers' Information Management System is mandatory that ensures the safety and security of the trekkers. The permit card is compulsory if you wish to trek to the Mardi Himal Base Camp.

You can collect the TIMS card from Tourist Service Centre at Kathmandu. The cost of a TIMS card for individual trekker is Rs. 2000 per applicant. If you are going in a group, the cost of the permit is Rs. 1000 per applicant.

Accommodation and Meals during Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

Accommodation

Mardi Himal Base Camp is a tea house trek. You can find several teahouses along the way to the Mardi Base Camp. Such teahouses and lodges will provide you with basic accommodation facilities.

Most of the teahouses will provide you with a plain bed, a comfortable mattress, and a pillow. Some of the lodges may also have attached bathroom. But this also depends upon the type of hotel you choose. Most of the teahouses may not provide you with proper facilities. So, it is better to bring your own.

Be careful when trekking in the peak seasons. Most of the teahouses get crowded during autumn and spring seasons. You may also have to share your rooms during this time. So, book for your accommodation early if you are planning your Mardi Himal Trek in Peak seasons.

The cost of an average teahouse accommodation ranges between 6-15 dollars per night. The cost increases gradually as you move to a higher altitude.

Food

You can find varieties of food during your Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek. Most of the teahouses will serve you with the traditional food, Dal Bhat and Tarkari. It includes rice, seasonal vegetable, and pickle. Most trekkers prefer eating this food as it contains all the necessary nutrients required for trekking. Along with this, you can have options in both traditional and international food as well.

For breakfast, you can have bread, egg, porridge, oats, cornflakes, etc. You can have meals such as pasta, pizza, noodles, sandwich, burgers, etc for lunch and dinner. You will also have options in beverages such as tea, coffee, hot lemon, along with some alcoholic beverages too.

The cost of food during your Mardi Himal Trek is quite reasonable. A set of Dal Bhat and Tarkari will cost you around 3-5 dollars. Remember, the cost of food also increases as you move to higher elevations.

Some Tips for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek

• Carry proper trekking gear with you. Decide the time you will be trekking and pack your things accordingly.
• Do not forget to carry a water bottle with you. Keeping yourself hydrated is very important. So, drink plenty of water when trekking.
• Take some rest and walk slowly when trekking. Do not rush or run just to reach your destination soon.
• Do not walk continuously for hours. This may cause a lot of pressure on your feet and tire you easily.
• Check the weather forecast before you start your trek. This will help you to avoid some occasional rainfall.

Conclusion

Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek blesses trekkers with incredible trekking experience. You will surround yourself with some of the gorgeous mountains of the Himalayas. The trek is easily achievable with 5-6 days. So, you do not have to worry if you have a busy schedule. Within a short period of time, you can explore some of the attractive places of the Annapurna region.

You will not regret trekking to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek will bring you closer to nature and experience the life of people living in the Annapurna region. The trek will surely give you a lifetime of experience. To know further about your trip, contact us at Mount Mania. Do not hesitate to call us if you have any confusion regarding your trip.