Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trek is generally considered a moderate to moderately difficult trek, suitable for those with a moderate level of fitness and experience hiking at altitude. The highest point (Mardi Himal Base Camp) is at 4,500 meters, but the relatively short duration of the trek and the fact that it is not as difficult as the Annapurna Base Camp trek contribute to its “doable” reputation.

Difficulty level: Moderate to moderately difficult.
Elevation: The highest point, Mardi Himal Base Camp, is at 4,500 meters.
Duration: The trek can be completed in less than 5 days, making it a shorter option than other popular treks.
Fitness level: A moderate level of fitness and experience with hiking at altitude is recommended.
Acclimatization: Due to the altitude, it is important to prioritize acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness.
Hiking conditions: The trek can be narrow and rocky in some sections, especially towards higher elevations.
Safety: It is advisable to hike with a guide, especially for the more challenging sections.
Compared to Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Mardi Himal offers a more sacred and less commercial experience, Annapurna Base Camp Trek is more crowded but offers close-up views of the mountains. Best time for trekking – March to May and mid-September to December.

The best time to trek Mardi Himal is during the pre-monsoon months from March to May. The post-monsoon months from late September to December are also favorable for trekking. It is also possible to trek, between February and early September, but the best time for this trek is as mentioned above.

The weather in the Mardi Himal varies differently in different seasons. The snow-capped Himalayan region is never really hot, not even during summer season. The maximum temperature during the day reaches up to 25°C/77°F while the night temperature falls as low as -20°C/-4°F or sometimes lower. Considering the whole trekking journey, the lower regions are much warmer than the Mardi Himal. Spring season is relatively hot especially during the daytime when there is no cloud or snowfall.

Absolutely yes! Under normal circumstances, our booked trips are guaranteed to run. We are a tailor-made company. If you are in a last-minute stress, remember to find us to sort out your trip decisions. Please feel free to book your stress-free holidays with us. Unless there is a situation which is out of control such as a political riot, natural disaster, pandemic, epidemic or weather catastrophes, our trips are 100% guaranteed to run.

Rest assured that you will be in good hands with our experienced trek leaders, who have multiple years of experience trekking in Nepal. All of our guides, known as, are locals with a deep understanding of the mountain, its people, culture, health, hygiene, and most importantly, your safety. They are fluent in English and will be able to communicate effectively with you throughout the trek. Our guides are passionate about their work and will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.

The guides have many years of guiding experience in trekking. Most have been exploring the Himalayas for years. Our guides are also trained in first aid and know how to handle any situation. All our guides speak fluent English and are happy to share their in-depth knowledge of the culture, geography, flora, festivals, lifestyle with you. It is enough to take visitors to special places or special cultures, who can engage people in what they are experiencing, explain it well and entertain them. They are well versed in how to make the journey comfortable and safe while appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas.

AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions offers a lifetime deposit policy that gives you the flexibility to transfer your deposit to anyone or any other trip. If you wish to cancel your booked trips, certain cancellation fees apply. Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions for detailed information. Terms and Conditions

Yes: We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and you must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. More information: Travel Insurance

After a long day or short day of hiking, a good night’s restful sleep is very important for the next day’s hiking. With your comfort in mind, we make sure to book the best lodges with two beds in each room and western toilet facilities where available. Generally, the beds are clean and comfortable with electric blankets (where available) and an attached bathroom for most nights. The room temperature is usually maintained at 10-12°C / 50-54°F.

During the trek, electricity is available at all teahouses where you will spend the night. You can recharge your phone, laptop or iPad from micro-hydropower and solar panels for a nominal fee. Regarding W-iFi, there are no free hotspots along the trek route, so we do not encourage you to bring your laptop. Some teahouses offer paid Wi-Fi services by the hour, but do not expect high-speed connectivity on remote trails.

Trekkers will enjoy 3 delicious meals on each day of the trek. Typically, you will have breakfast and dinner at the lodge where you will spend the night. Lunch will be provided at tea shops or small restaurants along the trail. You are free to choose your meals from the menu wherever possible; they will provide you with the best food items – our leader will ensure that you are provided with the right food. Throughout the trek, you will be fed fresh and organic fruits, either brought from Kathmandu or sourced locally in local villages. The meals include a nutritionist-designed balanced diet containing complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The chefs are trained by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in hygienic food preparation and allergy safety. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher diets can be arranged if required with prior notice.

Sample menu for Annapurna Region, Trek

Breakfast:

• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate
• Toast with jam or honey, toast omelet, pancake, Tibetan bread, porridge/muesli
• Eggs on your choices
• American breakfast or Continental breakfast

Day Lunch:

• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali style dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken steak, yak steak
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate

Dinner In Night:

• Soups: vegetable soup, mushroom soup, chicken soup, chicken noodle soup, Rara noodle soup, French onion soup, pumpkin soup, potato soup
• Main Meals: (Dinner in Night)
• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali Dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken stake, yak stake
• Dessert: apple pie, chocolate cake, carrot cake, apple fritter, canned fruit
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate

Yes, cell phone networks are available on all trekking routes in the Annapurna Region. Most small villages and trekking routes have cell phone coverage via Ncell or NTC networks. However, in some areas, network coverage may be very poor or may not be available at all.

AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions has a capable team of trekking guides teams who are highly skilled in dealing with any difficulties or emergencies that may arise during the trip. If you feel sick with altitude, the first thing you should do is inform your leader so that he or she knows what to do. With years of experience, he or she can sense the severity of the situation and respond accordingly, either by bringing you down to a lower altitude or by using a helicopter to rescue you. If for some reason a helicopter is unable to fly, we will use our local staff and contacts to coordinate alternative rescue and treatment procedures, which may mean using a horse or stretcher to transport the sick person down the mountain to the nearest health post or a safe helicopter landing site.

On the trek, you should pack light but at least enough for your journey. If you don’t pack wisely, it is certain that you won’t be able to enjoy your trek in the Himalayas. Since this is a lodge-to-lodge trek, you will be sleeping in small lodges or tea houses throughout the trek. Since it can be cold at high altitudes, especially during the colder months, you should be prepared with the right clothes and equipment. For detailed information on what to carry with you during the trek, please visit our detailed packing lists. Packing equipment lists