Trekkers that visit Nepal mostly trek in the popular Everest and Annapurna regions. The famous treks of Nepal are crowded the most in spring and autumn season making it difficult to enjoy solitude. Fulfill your wish of trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas in seclusion with Mardi Himal Trek.
Mardi Himal Trek is also called the hidden gem of the Annapurna Region. Although the trail of Mardi Himal Trek was used for years by self-supported groups, the trek to Mardi Himal officially launched in 2012. Walk on the trail less frequented with Mardi Himal Trek. Enjoy the seclusion offered by the trail when you can as the streak of commercialization is yet to touch here. The recently launched trail’s popularity is on the rise.
Where is Mardi Himal?
Mardi Himal is situated below the popular Peak Fishtail or Machapuchare. The mountain 5575 meters high, Mardi Himal is separated by a 5,200meter col. from Peak Fishtail. If you are pondering, “If Mardi Himal was climbed or not?” Well, the mountain was first scaled by Basil Good fellow in the year 1951.
What makes Mardi Himal Trek Famous?
If you wish to trek in the shadows of the Himalayas in a short span of time, choose Mardi Himal Trek. The short trek to Mardi Himal boasts dramatic and breathtaking views of mountains. Best views of Machhapuchhre or FishTail Peak is the main highlight of this trek. Also, this trek will reward you with astounding views of mountains including Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South.
Walk above the clouds and watch the hills and settlements below you get covered in the blanket of clouds. The up-close view of Machhapuchhre or Fishtail leaves an everlasting impact. Watch a mesmerizing sunrise and sunset over Peak Fishtail when it glows like a sheer gold. On the trek, you will come across a place called Badal Danda. The place is righteously named as you never know when clouds start to hover and hide the wonderful view of Fishtail.
Traverse through dense forest that eventually opens up into a ridge. The main attraction of the trek is walking on a ridge. Enjoy the thrill of treading on a narrow ridge that offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding. Hiking on the ridge with remarkable views is every photographer’s and videographer’s delight. The trail ahead will give you the least chance to keep your hands off your camera. On a cloudless night don’t miss out on stargazing. The star-studded view of the sky shining like diamonds will be mesmerizing.
Watching towering mountains in front of your eyes is overwhelming. On this trek, you will be attaining the maximum height of 4500m at the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Peak Fishtail which appeared far, in the beginning, appears too close and beautiful beyond words.
Get ready to see a surreal view straight from an adventure tale unfold in front of you! Those who tread on a significantly narrow ridge get to devour the magnificent views of the Himalayan range. Enjoy close-up views of Fishtail, Himchuli, and Annapurna South along with the huge snow-white glaciers falling down the mountainsides. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations that stand true for this trek!
Food on your Mardi Himal Trek
Your concern regarding food on the recently opened route of Mardi Himal is obvious. The food menu is more or less similar to the other trekking routes of Nepal. The staple dish dal-bhat is available everywhere. The staple dish is an assortment of different dishes. Basically, dal-bhat consists of steamed rice served with lentil soup, fresh vegetables, and pickles. In a non-vegetarian version of dal-bhat has an additional meat curry, usually a chicken curry. Also, momos or dumplings, chow Mein, pasta, pancakes, fried rice, etc are also available. Try to include garlic soup in your meal to abate altitude sickness.
Fitness Level
If you are moderately fit you can do Mardi Himal Trek which is graded as easy to moderate trek. Both novice and experienced trekkers will enjoy the trek in the wilderness. Walking up steep ascend and traversing down sharp descends are the main challenges during this trek. You will be climbing as high as 4500 meters.
Best Time to Trek
Spring and autumn are the best time of the year for trekking to Mardi Himal. In spring you will get to walk on the trail decorated with colorful rhododendron blooms. The time of the year when the forest looks most colorful is the spring season. You will be hiking in nice weather in the spring; however, chances of occasional showers cannot be omitted. When trekking in the autumn season, you will be trekking in pleasant weather and you will get uninterrupted views of snow capped mountains against the azure sky.
Trekking in the foothills of Mardi Himal is possible in winter as well. You will get to walk under the warm sun during the day time but you need to be prepared for cold mornings and nights. A cozy sleeping bag is best for a night of sound sleep and a boon if you have cleanliness issues. It will be wise to gear up for a possible snowfall for a comfortable trek. Monsoon is the least favorite month for trekking and chances of haze obstructing your views are high. Leech attack might take away the joy of trekking in monsoon.
Permits
You will require Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS Card) and Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) for Mardi Himal trek. Your trekking company or agent will take care of the permits. If you are trekking alone you can get permits via offices of Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Pick the best route
There are quite a few trekking routes to Mardi Himal. Bask in the natural beauty of Nepal, be its verdant hills, snow capped mountains, a cascading waterfall, and starry nights. The Mardi Himal trek route passes through Pokhara, Pothana, Forest Camp, Badal Danda, High Camp, Mardi Himal Base Camp, Low Camp, Sidhing, and ends in Pokhara. The itinerary is created in such a way that there is no abrupt gain of altitude that makes an individual prone to altitude sickness.
Typical Itinerary Of Mardi Himal Trek
DAY 1:Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m/4593ft)
DAY 2: Fly to Pokhara - Drive to Kande - Trek to Pothana(1990m/6528ft)
DAY 3: Trek to Forest Camp (2600m/8531ft)
DAY 4: Trek to Badal Danda (3210m/11528ft)
DAY 5: Trek to High Camp(3600m/11810ft) and Acclimatization
DAY 6: Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m/14760ft) - Trek to Low Camp(3050m/10006ft)
DAY 7: Trek to Sidhing and Drive to Pokhara (800m/2624ft)
DAY 8: Fly to Kathmandu
DAY 9: Final Departure
Note: The above itinerary is cited from Third Rock Adventures
With the rise in popularity of Mardi Himal Trek, the trails are getting upgraded for the benefit of the trekkers. The construction of tea houses or lodges along the trail is also increasing to cater to the growing number of trekkers in the region. It wouldn’t be surprising if it becomes one of the favorite destinations to trek shortly.
Himalayas allure trekkers to Nepal and the memories of a wonderful journey of trekking compel trekkers to return to Nepal. Rich culture and tradition of Nepal enrich a trek in the foothill of mountains.
Mardi Himal Trek Video
This Article was written in accordance with Marvels of Nepal