At the height of 5587m Mardi Himal stands strong. Mardi Himal trek is a short trek in the Annapurna Region. It is less crowded and easy to trek. It is easy for beginners also. You should not be an expert in trekking or regular in trekking.
If you have less than a week but still want to trek somewhere then Mardi Himal 6 days trek is for you. In 2012 Nepalese government opened it for the first time. So you can say it is new too. It offers you a great closeup to Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna. It provides you a spectacular view of the Fishtail range with Pokhara valley below.
Mardi Himal 6 days trek is more than green forest and snow-capped mountains. It is often regarded as a hidden gem. This trek includes wildlife, villages, cultivation and panoramic view of mountains. This trail may be a trek route for you but it is a daily routine for local people.
‘Off the beat’ trekking experience is another name for Mardi Himal 6 days trek. This route is on the eastern side of Annapurna. You will have peace and calmness here. It is the lowest and least visited peak in Nepal.
You can climb to Mardi Himal base camp 4500m from high camp 3700m. Mardi Himal lies below the Machhapuchhre(Fish Tail). It is also known as the forbidden mountain. The scenic beauty lies everywhere in this area. You will feel blessed as you walk through Gurung village. You will also witness traditional Buddhist culture.
You will start your journey from Dhampus Phedi and end it at Pokhara. Mardi Himal 6 day trek will take you to Dhampus, Forest Camp, Badal Danda, High Camp, Low Camp and at last drive to Pokhara.
Highlights
- Easy and short trek.
- You can complete it within a week.
- Cost-effective trek in Nepal.
- Enjoy the view of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and many more.
- Mountain landscapes, terrace farming, and village lifestyle.
- Observe various species of Flora and Fauna.
- Immerse yourself in Nepalese culture.
When to visit Mardi Himal?
Mid-September to early December is the best time to travel anywhere in Nepal. Mardi Himal is no exception. Climbers and trekkers prefer this season over any other season.
You can also choose to trek from February to April. It is the second-best season to travel. This end of dry seasons offers you some favorable weather and climate.
May to June is another season for you. It is the pre-monsoon season. Weather is quite hot and everything around is blooming. There is greenery everywhere. You may or may not find the crowd.
Permits and Regulations for Mardi Himal
It is necessary to collect a few permits for this Mardi Himal 6 days trek. Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) is essential for this route.
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) is NPR 3000 for foreigners, 1000 for SAARC nation and 100 for Nepalese citizens. TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) is for your safety. You have to show this in different checkpoints throughout this journey.
Food and Accommodation
After the permission of this route, few tea shops and lodges are available here. Before that, there were almost no shops and lodges. Everything started here only after the government permission. Few homestays are also available. You can have good food and sleep. They will provide you with a comfortable mattress and blanket.
There are tea houses along the trekking trails. You should have food three timesa day. Your body needs energy for further trek. The menu may include some local foods. Dal Bhat tarkari ( Rice and vegetables) and a few drinks will be available. Try cornbread in the forest camp. It is a portion of special local food.
The majority of this food product is grown right here. You should drink lots of water. Have your own water bottle. You also carry your earphones, there may be some noisy neighbors.
Difficulties of Mardi Himal 6 days trek
Narrow and edged paths.
Not throughout the journey but at some high places the trails are narrow and edged. First-time trekkers may be afraid to walk on that trail. When the path gets edgy and narrower on the top of the ridge, it is a scary moment.
You must have proper trekking shoes with a good grip otherwise, you may face some difficulties. If it is the rainy season, then it adds more difficulty due to wet and slippery trails.
Possibility of altitude sickness.
There is a slight possibility of having altitude sickness. Though it is not a high altitude trek you cannot predict how your body reacts to the higher altitude. In higher altitude, the oxygen level decreases and you may feel suffocation. Before starting this trek, it is better to consult with your doctor regarding this issue.
Extreme conditions and unpredictable weather.
The weather in this region is quite unpredictable. The diverse topography affects the day to day weather conditions. As the height increases the environmental condition becomes more extreme. The conditions may be worse in the rainy and winter season. Extreme rainfall and snowfall can affect the entire journey of Mardi Himal 6 days trek.
The rough, rocky and graveled path after forest camp.
You may feel easy to trek around this region until you climb above the forest camp. After forest camp you head for Badal Danda, the path here is rough and rocky. This 5-hour trek will check your physical and mental fitness. Gravel roads cause difficulties in the trek. This route is more difficult in the rainy and winter season.
Going from high camp to base camp is the hardest part of this Mardi Himal 6 days trek
This journey includes reaching the highest point of the trek, which is the Base Camp of Mardi Himal. Reaching base camp from high camp encompasses various uphills, ridges, and edgy paths, so families with small children should be careful in this route.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I do a solo trek to Mardi Himal?
Yes, you can. It is one of the easiest trekking routes in Nepal. Make sure you have the right route map.
What are the permits required for Mardi Himal Trek?
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) are essential for this trek. and Halesi Treks organize it.
What kinds of food are available during this trek?
Some international cuisine like Tibetan, Indian, Chinese are available. There are few tea houses and lodges which will provide you local food and drink.
Is there any age limit for this trek?
No, there is no age limit for Mardi Himal trek. Any age group and trekking experience can visit it.
Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Dhampus Phedi and trek to Dhampus
The first day of Mardi Himal 6 days trek will start from Dhampus Phedi. It will take you 30 minutes to reach Dhampus Phedi from Pokhara. You will enjoy each minute of this drive. Reaching Dhampus Phedi is not your ultimate goal for today.
You will start your trek from Dhampus Phedi to Dhampus. You will follow these beautiful trails. Rhododendron forest, rivers, mountains, and beautiful villages will welcome you. Dhampus is a hill station known for its scenic beauty. The close up of Mount Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other majestic mountains.
It is best to relax and forget your old, regular chaotic city life. You will enjoy the amazing sunrise and sunset view from this place. You will spend your night here. The lodge will provide you with good food. It will also provide you with clean rooms and bedsheets. You may not find this while trekking above.
Day 02: Dhampus to Forest Camp
Today’s trek will take you to the Wilderness of Forest Camp. Forest Camp is popular among trekkers in this area. This area comes under the Annapurna Circuit Trial. Several ascents and descents will appear on this journey. You will know the strength of your legs.
You will see a snow-capped ridge while moving forward to Forest Camp. You will leave your fellow trekker behind. You will also leave those beautiful villages and villagers behind. This trek climbs towards gigantic Mountain Oak, Rhododendron forest, maple, and hemlock.
You will have a great view of Ghandruk from here. Ghandruk is a small Gurung village. This village is also a major tourist attraction around here. Both internal and external are all around here. You will continue your journey in the foggy forest till you reach Forest Camp. You set your camp here and lost in this new world of Forest Camp.
DAY 03: Forest Camp to Badal Danda.
Badal Danda(cloud forest) as its name suggests it is always covered with clouds. It is a 5 hours trek to Badal Danda from Forest Camp. This place is a natural window to various mountains. A panoramic picture of these mountains will make you feel like singing and dancing.
Towards your left, you will see Modi Khola valley. It will lead towards Annapurna Sanctuary. Badal Danda lies at the altitude of 3050m. Before arriving at Badal Danda, you have to cross Low Camp. Low Camp has a few tea houses. The view of Machhapuchchhre and Mardi Himal is very close to you. You will feel closer to a clear blue sky. Badal Danda is 1 hour uphill from Low camp. There are only a few tea houses and lodges here.
Day 04: Trek to High Camp.
You will continue your journey to High Camp. You will trek through the ridges to Mardi Himal and Fish Tail. Leaving Badal Danda below, you will now reach the shrubby alpine zone. It will take you 3-4 hours to reach High Camp from Badal Danda.
From High Camp, you will be able to see Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli. Here you will find yourself above clouds and closer to snow-capped mountains. If you throw a stone from here it might touch Annapurna South, you are this close.
You will stay here and enjoy the moonlight. The moon seems to be as near as possible. In the lap of Fishtail and Mardi, it feels cold and unreal. It is a lifetime experience for you. These landscapes will make you feel small in a literal sense.
Day 05: Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and trek to Low Camp.
This is the highest point in Mardi Himal 6 days trek. Have your breakfast and start trekking towards Mardi Himal Base Camp 4500m. You will see ice fields and blue glaciers of the sanctuary wall below.
From here, you can see the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Himal. Annapurna I, highest of all is waving you from behind. This is a lovely area to spend your whole day here but you won’t do so. You have to trek to Low Camp.
You will enjoy the splendid nature. It is now time to descend back to Low Camp. It is a steep and slippery route so be careful. It will take you 2-3 hours to reach Low Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Lumre and Drive to Pokhara
Last day of Mardi Himal 6 days trek, are you nervous? You will feel nostalgic as you move down towards Lumre. You will see villages of Siding, Kalimati, and Ghalel.
Kalimati is a Brahmin village. Ghalel is a mixture of the Brahmin and Gurung communities. You can interact here with local people. You can have local food and enjoy the local culture. Lumre is a village of Tamangs and Gurungs. There are few organic tea gardens here.
After reaching Lumre, you can get a jeep or local bus that will take you to Pokhara. This will be your final closure and goodbye to Mardi Himal 6 days trek.
What is the maximum height we get in this trek?
Mardi Himal Base Camp is the highest point in this journey that is 4500m. You can also stay at High Camp that is 3900m.
How much does Mardi Himal Trek cost?
Cost includes TIMS and ACAP which is already mentioned above. There are various online tour packages, you can select from them. On average 5-6 days trek might cost you $700-800 including food and accommodation. more details contact with Halesi Treks Pvt.Ltd.
