Mardi Himal Trek: A Hidden Gem In The Annapurnas

Many roads lead to Rome. Well, the same applies to the Annapurna Mountain Range! Looking at the mountainous landscape at a glance, you might think there aren’t many options, other than knowing you can follow the trekking routes to Annapurna Base Camp and around the massif on the Annapurna Circuit. Think again! A vast network of trails connect the different valleys and mountain villages. One of the hidden gems, tucked away between the famous Annapurna routes, is the trek to Mardi Himal.

Most trekking routes in Nepal follow the mountain valleys, as most villages are located near the rivers. The Mardi Himal trekking route is different. From the trailhead at Phedi you start climbing up a mountain ridge and you essentially follow the ridge all the way to Mardi Himal BC. There is hardly any descent on your trek up to 4500 meters above sea level. The great thing about a ridge walk is that there are lots of stunning views throughout! Hiking at an elevated position, you can see the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna l. When there isn’t a view it is because you’ll be walking in a magical old-grown rhododendron forest, with mossy branches and if you’re lucky red flowers all around. Views from Mardi Himal Base Camp are breathtaking, with one of the world’s most beautiful mountains Machapuchare right in front of you.

The Annapurna Region, alongside most trekking areas in Nepal, experiences four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The months spanning March to May (pre-monsoon) and October to early December (post-monsoon) are the most favored for embarking on the Mardi Himal trek. Each season presents its unique allure and ambiance, making trekking a possibility throughout the year. Spring and autumn, however, stand out as the primary trekking seasons. The following sections provide detailed insights into the characteristics of each season.

Spring

Spring, running from March to May, marks the pinnacle of the trekking season, attracting enthusiasts from across the globe to the Nepali Himalayas. During this period, the weather is pleasant, precipitation is low, and hiking conditions are optimal. While daytime temperatures along the trail are mild, higher altitudes such as Mardi Himal Base Camp can be pretty cold in the early morning. To prepare for varying conditions, refer to our comprehensive Mardi Himal trek packing list below in this blog post.

Summer

Summer, spanning June, July, and August, brings higher temperatures, making it relatively enjoyable. However, it coincides with the monsoon season, bringing frequent rains and cloudy skies, limiting visibility of the mountains. It is also the time when leeches are most active, and you may experience discomfort from these animals. The trail becomes wet and slippery, with an increased risk of landslides.

Autumn

Autumn in the Annapurna area (September, October, November) is another prime trekking season, akin to spring, featuring favorable conditions. The main distinction lies in the clear air post-monsoon, providing stunning views of the Annapurnas including Machapuchare compared to the occasionally hazy atmosphere in spring.

Winter

Winter, from December to February, is the most challenging period for trekking towards Mardi Himal. The sun remains low and there’s limited daylight. Night temperatures plummet to -10 degrees Celsius in the higher camps, and there may be snowfall. Despite the harsher conditions, our collaboration with top-tier trekking companies ensures safety and comfort, even in winter. Additionally, the trail is likely to be empty, offering a unique and solitary experience.

In principle, the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek is not difficult in terms of technical difficulty. The path is well-worn, without any exposure or scrambling. The trail network has been carved out by the Gurung people, who call this place home and it connects the villages in the mountainous terrain of the Annapurna foothills. However, the daily elevation difference is quite big. Almost each day you will ascend around 1000 meters in a relatively short distance. That means it’ll be steep in some places. The Mardi Himal height itself is 5587m and its base camp sits at 4500m. You will visit base camp, but sleep at a maximum altitude of 3580m at High Camp. The descent from High Camp to Sidhing is probably the hardest part, where you drop down nearly 1700 meters in one day to the Mardi river valley. The hike out to the road is easy.

In short, the Mardi Himal trekking is not difficult but you need to be fit and have the stamina to overcome the vertical gain and loss.

There are many lists of the most beautiful mountains on Earth. These lists are as arbitrary as, say a list of favorite bars in Amsterdam. But, certain mountains keep featuring such as Ama Dablam, Alpamayo, Matterhorn and Machapuchare. With a staggering height of 6993 meters, this iconic peak is visible from as far as the city of Pokhara.

Machapuchare is part of the Annapurna Range and is off-limits to climbers. The mountain is sacred in Hindu religion and associated with the God Shiva. In 1957 a British expedition led by Wilfrid Noyce made an attempt. The King of Nepal requested the climbers not to climb all the way to the summit, which they respected. They turned around just 50 meters below the highest point. No permits to climb the mountain have been issued since. Officially no one has set foot on the summit, though it is said that a New Zealand national by the name of Bill Denz climbed Machapuchare illegally.

On the Mardi Himal trek you’ll get a close-up of Machapuchare, in fact, the base camp is effectively on the ridge of the mountain!

Experiencing a stay in the traditional villages along the trekking routes of Nepal is an amazing and essential element of trekking in this region. Especially on a forgotten trekking route such as Mardi Himal it is the perfect combination of rugged mountain landscapes with the distinctive Gurung mountain culture. Staying in these mountain villages offers an authentic insight into life along the Mardi Himal route.

Each village provides lodging in a tea house, which is the local term for a guesthouse. While trekking in Nepal, the tea houses are an incentive in their own right to reach the next destination early. Why? Because experiencing the peace and simplicity of life in these mountain villages is a true delight. Sipping on a cup of tea, you can fully immerse yourself in the everyday rhythm of life in the Himalayas. Some villages may boast monasteries, and fortunate trekkers might chance upon one of the Buddhist festivals. The tea houses themselves on the Mardi Himal trek are generally basic. Some may have upgrades, with facilities like flush toilets, warm water, and even WiFi but don’t count on it. Thankfully, the delightful dhal bat, a staple in Nepalese trekking cuisine, continues to be a highlight on every tea house menu. Immerse yourself in the mountain culture of Nepal on your Mardi Himal trekking trip!

When preparing for a trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp, it is essential to secure the following permits

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System):

For any trekker planning to explore Nepal, whether heading to the Everest Base Camp or Langtang Valley, obtaining the TIMS permit is crucial. It is a mandatory requirement for all trekking routes, and the fee is NRS 2000 per person, approximately 17 USD or 15 EUR.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit

An ACAP Permit is necessary for those intending to trek through the routes within the Annapurna region. Administered by the National Trust for Nature, its primary goal is to safeguard and preserve the wildlife and natural environment of the region. The funds collected from this permit are allocated to conservation initiatives.

For each individual embarking on a single-entry trek, the cost of an ACAP Permit is Rs. 3000 (roughly USD 25), regardless of the duration of the stay. These permits can be obtained in either Kathmandu or Pokhara, and specific checkpoints along the trail ensure the maintenance of trekking records.