The Mardi Himal trek takes you to the most easily explored trekking destination in Nepal. No wonder the amazing clouds soar over the mountain. On the trek, the most exciting thing will be the backdrop of greenery and snow, all at once. The shorter trekking trail of Mardi Himal would provide equal justice to those willing to comprehend a shorter adventure to chase the Himalayans like Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, and others in the Annapurna massif.
The several sensational scenes at high altitude lands, starting from Pokhara Hyangja, Phedi, Dhampus, Pothana, and multi-route trekking to finally reaching Badal Danda, just a few steps, and you are at the Mardi Himal base camp, the destination that your heart signed up for.
Nepal's Mardi Himal is beautiful in its own way. Opening to visitors in 2012, this trekker’s paradise is located at an altitude of 5,587 meters (18,330 feet) above sea level. The Mardi Himal trek takes you to a maximum elevation of 3660m (High Camp).
The Mardi Himal trek takes you to the scenic trail of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, and treats you to the best Himalayan sunrise view in Nepal. Never had views been so clear and delightful as those of the 5 days Mardi Himal trek.
When you are pressed for time, you can have a short adventure and trek to the Mardi Himal base camp as an alternative to a long circuit trek, which equally does the job for you, with exceptional mountain views and a chance to have a remote stay at the same time.
The Mardi Himal Trek takes you to the east-south side of the Annapurna region, exploring the Himalayas on a short excursion to the Mardi Himal viewpoint. There is a middle camp (3200m), a high camp (3780 m), kande, and a forest camp (2520 m).
The newly famous Mardi Himal trek takes around 3 to 5 days to make the most of its serene landscapes. It is a 41 km (25 miles) long trek in the Annapurna trekking region, starting from Kande, which is 27 km north of Pokhara city.
It takes you to the Pothana, Deurali, and the ultimate high camp adventure, which also deviates you to Siding Valley. The deep gorges of the Mardi Himal trek can have rocky ridges of high hills, offering the most picturesque views of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The views from the top offer you Mt. Annapurna I (8090m), Annapurna South (7219m), Machhapuchre – Fishtail (6993m), Hiuchuli (6444m), Baraha Shikhar (7647m), and Gangapurna (7575m).
The Mardi Himal Trek in February is a thrilling winter expedition, making it a winter wonderland just at the start of the love season. If you want to pop a ring to your other half and get engaged in snow in winter, just with the view of the clouds, the mountain echoes your love; what else can be best undertaken? But prepare cautiously, as the snowflakes might be quite slippery despite being the most exciting.
The temperature range in Mardi Himal during February can vary significantly, with daytime temperatures ranging from 5°C (41°F) to 10°C (50°F) and nighttime temperatures dropping to -5°C (23°F) or even lower, especially at higher altitudes
The beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara is the starting point for the Mardi Himal trek. Even the excitement of participating in nature's most amazing trekking getaways can give you the chills. If you schedule an early morning flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu, the scenic mountain flight on your Mardi Himal trek can add one more special moment, seeing the Himalayan giants from an aerial view.
The next essential stop on the Mardi Himal trek is the traditional Gurung village, Lwang village, at an altitude of 2,675 meters. The specialty of Lwang village in Ghalel is that it is famous for Himalayan tea farming, and with no wonder 20 km from Pokhara, you get to see amazing tea farms and even pack souvenirs of Himalayan flavors for your loved ones.
Yet another essential stop in the Mardi Himal trek is the remote settlement area of Low Camp (at around 3,100 meters.) Badal Danda, which translates to "cloud hill" in Nepali, is a ridge offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna mountain range, including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).
If you follow the ridge towards the summit of Mardi Himal, you will stop at High Camp, located at 3,500 meters above sea level. Most of the trekkers enjoy the majestic views of Mardi Himal at this viewing point and do not go to the Mardi Himal base camp due to time constraints or other priorities.
And if you make it to Mardi Himal Base Camp, it’s the highest point of the trek. It takes you 4 to 5 hours extra to reach the base camp from the high camp, but the views of the Himalayas are clearer and phenomenal after all; you reach as high as 4,500 meters. After a longer, steeper trek in the Annapurna region, you reach the Mardi Himal viewpoint of Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and other peaks.
The temperature on bright sunny days is usually around 8 to 15 degrees Celsius, and most of the time it is partly cloudy. The Mardi Himal Trek region witnesses a 5-degree Celsius drop in temperature for every 1000m ascent. The average rainfall is quite high, with humid climates throughout the Mardi Himal region. And let us tell you that the best time to go for the Mardi Himal trek is near.
| Best seasons to Go | Seasonal benefits of the Mardi Himal trek | Temperature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | Average low (°C) | ||
| Spring (mid-February to May) | blooming rhododendrons | 15 - 20 | 5 - 10 |
| Autumn (September to mid-December) | Clear views and festival season | 20 - 25 | 10 - 15 |
| Summer (June to August) | Less-crowded beauty, but with some rain and leeches. | 18 - 23 | 5 - 10 |
The Mardi Himal trek costs for Nepalese can be more budget-friendly if they opt for a shorter trek of around 3 to 5 days. The trekker's interest in having a longer stay at a particular destination may add to the cost, based on amenities and services taken.
Mardi Himal Trek covers a total of approximately 85-90 km distance and it is one of the best short trekking destinations in Nepal. The well-maintained Mardi Himal trek route finally surprises you with panoramic Himalayan views.
Moreover, the cost of Mardi Himal trekking packages may range from USD 50 to USD 350, and things can go within your pocket if you prebook your Mardi Himal trek. During the off-season, when the crowd is relatively smaller, the trail can get challenging due to extreme cold weather conditions.
If you take half board packages, the package may only be inclusive of guide and porter services. Here in Nepal, a trekking guide at least charges US$30 per day and a similar rate goes for the porter.
Meals are usually included in the cost of your trekking package alongside your accommodation when you book one of the best trekking agencies in Nepal to help you navigate in the Himalayan region.
Most teahouses offer full board packages, including lunch, breakfast, and dinner, at your convenience. You get options for breakfast, like toast with jam, eggs (boiled, fried, or omelets), oatmeal, porridge, and hot drinks like tea and coffee. Some of the hotels also provide lassi and fruit platters on request.
Lunch and dinner commonly included instant noodles or a Nepali traditional Daal Bhat set. You can have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Nepali dinner sets, with seasonal green beans and vegetables and meat from chicken and goat, sometimes even pork and fish. Here in Nepal, a cow is revered as a holy animal; thus, beef meat is strictly prohibited in this country.
Steamed momos, with meat, vegetables, paneer filling, noodle soup, sel roti, and delicious curries—that's the rich flavor of Nepal. You can also savor the local millet beer and fuel yourself for the challenges that the higher altitudes in Mardi have to offer you.
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