Mardi Himal is a peak that lies beneath Machapuchre in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It has been classified as a trekking peak by the Government of Nepal. If you wish to see the stunning views of Annapurna in less time and with relatively fewer resources, then trekking to Mardi Himal is the best option for you.
Highlights of the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
Mardi Himal Trek is a short mountain trek in Nepal. The Mardi Himal Short Trek passes through thick rhododendron forests, paddy fields, and beautiful streams. Along the trek, you meet people from various ethnic groups. You can see the stunning views of the Mardi Himal, Annapurna, and Himchuli peaks.
Mardi Himal Short Trek Route:
The Mardi Himal Short Trek typically starts from Pokhara. You advance towards Deurali with a view of the Annapurna and Manaslu range. From Deurali, you walk through a forest of rhododendron, maple, and hemlock to reach Forest camp. You trek to Low Camp to get a closer view of the Machapuchre and Annapurna region peaks.
From Low Camp, you will climb to High Camp. High Camp provides the best view of the Mardi Himal, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Himchuli, and surrounding mountains. You return to Pokhara from High Camp via Siding Village and Lumre.
Best Time for the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
Autumn (September-November) and spring (March-May) are the best seasons for the commencement of the Mardi Himal Trek. During these seasons, the weather is pretty sunny and warm. You get clear outstanding views of the Himalayan region.
June to August is the monsoon season. So, the trek is affected by the heavy rainfall and slippery roads. You can do the Mardi Himal Trek in the winter months (December-February). During these months, you can see beautiful winter views. There is less crowd on the route as heavy snowfall may occur.
Mardi Himal Short Trek is for everyone:
The Mardi Himal Short Trek is perfect for people who are new to hiking. You do not need technical climbing skills. You follow steep ascents and descents and walk on a narrow ridgeline with exposed sides during the Mardi Himal Short Trek. You walk from 3-9 hours per day.
Furthermore, since the most elevated overnight location is at 3550 meters, there is a very low chance of altitude sickness. Even if you get signs of altitude sickness, you can take some rest and walk slowly to acclimatize.
On the way to Mardi Himal Trekking
Fitness needed for the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
The Mardi Himal Short Trek is moderately graded. So, you do not need a high physical fitness level. People with excellent health can easily do the trek. But it is never a bad idea to do some exercise before the trek starts. You can go for walking, jogging, and running exercises to prepare for the trek.
Accommodations available in the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
During the Mardi Himal Short Trek, you can get cozy beds and blankets in the local guesthouses. You may get a private room with electricity and other facilities in the lower altitudes. But in the higher altitude, you may need to share lodging with 4-6 people.
Only shared bathroom and dining space is available. During the peak trekking season, you must book the rooms beforehand. If you do not book lodgings, you may need to sleep in the dining room or something similar.
There are teahouses along the route to provide the Himalayan food. You can get water, snacks, tea, and coffee. You can also get typical Nepalese Dal Bhat. Some teahouses also serve Western, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. There are no clothing and gear shops on the route. So you need to buy and carry it safely from the city areas.
Permits needed for the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
For the Mardi Himal Short Trek, you need two permits. You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry permit and a Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) card.
You can get these permits from the Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu or the Tourist Information Center in Pokhara. If you are associated with the travel agency, then they will arrange these permits for you.
Things you need to pack for the Mardi Himal Short Trek:
You need to pack according to the season you are going for the trek. Some of the things you need are a duffle bag, sleeping bag, trekking pole, torchlights, water bottle, cash or credit cards, pants, windproof jackets and pants, inner garments, hiking boots, sandals, cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen. In the winter season, you need to pack warm clothes, including gloves, woolen hats, and warm socks.
Mardi Himal Short Trek Days and Cost:
You can complete the Mardi Himal Short Trek in about 4 to 7 days. You can extend your travel days to explore Pokhara and Kathmandu City or to trek to different destinations. In both cities, there are many places to visit and many cultures and lifestyles to learn.
You can visit Swoyambunath and Pashupatinath. You can stroll around the city of Kathmandu to explore the lifestyle of the people there. In Pokhara, you can visit Phewa Tal, Begnas Lake, and Davis Falls. You can also choose to do activities like paragliding, zip lining, boating, and canyoning.
The trekking cost of the Mardi Himal Short Trek is lower than for longer treks. The overall cost of the trek depends on the means of transportation and accommodation standards you choose. To lower the cost, you can opt to travel by local buses instead of private vehicles or planes. You can choose to eat local foods rather than expensive cuisines.
Solo Mardi Himal Short Trek:
If you were comfortable, you were permitted to do solo trekking for the Mardi Himal Short Trek before April 1, 2023. You could have just downloaded or got the map of the trail containing the detailed path view and elevation and followed it to reach Mardi Himal.
Additionally, the trekking route was well-marked by the little white and blue marks. So it was easier to find and stay on the route. But now, with the new rule banning foreigners from solo trekking, solo Mardi Himal Short Trek is not possible.
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