How Difficult is Mardi Himal Trek?
This trek is considered to be moderately difficult and not an easy one-day excursion. It doesn’t require any special skills like other technical peaks such as Island Peak or Thorong La Pass crossing.
First of all, this Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary route includes gradual climbing over several days from Kande to High Camp. The section from Forest Camp to High Camp seems to be the steepest of all. However, this trekking route is well marked, and there is no need to worry about getting lost.
Another important point that needs mention is altitude. The Mardi Himal Base Camp reaches about 4,500 meters of altitude, and some people feel mild symptoms of AMS here. The trek itself allows for proper acclimatization, so it is important to follow the schedule and not to hurry.
Finally, weather conditions might cause certain difficulties, especially during the rainy season when it could snow heavily in the highlands. Thus, it is necessary to be well-equipped to survive the cold climate of Nepal.
Overall, despite being a physically demanding activity, the majority of tourists cope much easier than expected.
Preparation or the Mardi Himal Trek
Although there are no special athletic requirements for the Mardi Himal Trek, being prepared for the trek will certainly help you a lot. Ideally, you should start preparing six-eight weeks prior to your trek date.
Cardio exercises should come first. You may either run, cycle or swim, whatever suits you. Try to perform at least four times per week. Stair climbing exercise can be especially helpful due to its similarity with uphill trekking.
Strength training is beneficial too, specifically leg and core muscles training. Strong quadriceps and ankle joints will ensure easy and comfortable descending during the hike.
It would be good to undertake several test hikes in your trekking shoes before the trek. This measure will prevent you from blisters formation while you are trekking.
Mentally, try to get ready for a simpler lifestyle than usual. The tea house rooms will not be very cozy. Hot water might not be available at some higher altitude campsites. Moreover, internet connection will often become unavailable along the route. Getting prepared for such inconveniences ahead will allow you to enjoy them.
Remember to pack properly, keep fit and have realistic expectations.
Language & Communication
The official language of Nepal is Nepali, yet, honestly speaking, there shouldn’t be any problem with communication during the Mardi Himal Trek because most locals speak English quite fluently. In fact, most owners of tea houses, guides, and even porters will communicate easily in English.
Most of the owners of tea houses, guides, and porters have no difficulty communicating in English. Conversations about food, accommodation, and other details are easy and without any barriers to understanding.
Some common Nepali phrases include Namaste (hello), Dhanyabad (thank you), and Ramro (good/beautiful). When locals notice an effort to speak their native tongue, their attitude improves drastically.
However, English language proficiency decreases in some villages located closer to the mountains and far from cities like Sidhing and Lumhre. In such areas, having a guide who knows the local culture and can communicate in Nepali will become very important.
Cultural Festivals on the Trail
A trek in Mardi Himal trek while experiencing the local festival makes for a great experience. The majority of villages on this trek route belong to Gurungs and these people have very colorful ways of celebrating their festivals.
The first major festival in which people can enjoy is Tamu Lhosar that is a celebration of the new year among Gurung community. The festival takes place either late in December or early in January. If your timing is such that you get to enjoy this festival, then you will definitely be left with an unforgettable memory.
The Dashain and Tihar are the two most important festivals in Nepal, and they take place in October and November respectively. The good thing is that both of these festivals fall at the perfect time when Mardi Himal Trek route becomes even more enjoyable than usual.
Maghe Sankranti takes place around mid-January and is celebrated by the end of the winter with food delicacies and family meetings in mountain villages on the trail.
Mobile Network, Internet & Charging Facilities
Connection on the Mardi Himal Trek can be maintained, but it will definitely not resemble city connection.
There are two mobile operators providing connection in the area, which are Ncell and Nepal Telecom. It is worth noting that connection by Ncell is somewhat more reliable on the lower parts of the itinerary, whereas connection by Nepal Telecom is less effective. Coverage of both operators is poor on the higher stages, reaching the point where there is no signal at all. It is not advisable to use a phone to navigate as you may have no access to data at all. Remember to download offline maps.
WiFi might be found at some tea houses of lower camps, but its stability is questionable. Think of it as an additional service, not a guarantee of Internet connection. Many trekkers enjoy the lack of connection during their hike and feel quite fine without it.
Electricity for charging can be obtained at almost all teahouses, but again, the connection cannot be considered stable on higher elevations. Thus, a charger should be taken. The price for charging can reach from 200 to 500 Nepalese rupees.
Solar energy powers the tea houses above the altitude, making their charging facility dependent on past weather conditions around Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Don’ts on This Trip
Every amazing journey has its own rules to follow. And while following these unspoken rules may be seen as simply a matter of respect. By observing them you will be much safer, environmentally friendly, and have a lot more fun while on your Mardi Himal Trek.
Do not try to hurry. This itinerary was prepared with much care and consideration so that you would have enough time to adapt to the altitude conditions. By trying to hurry and pushing yourself on those climbing days, you will be placing yourself at a great risk of developing altitude sickness.
Do not litter. The Annapurna Conservation Area is a protected area, and you should respect its rules. Littering in this region is strictly forbidden. It is a great shame to do it because plastic bottles cause lots of damage to the mountainous environment.
Avoid being disrespectful to the local culture. The right thing is to dress decently, especially in the villages. Besides, do not be shy to inquire for permission to photograph them. In addition, do not forget to take off your shoes before going into monasteries or people’s homes if they instruct you.
Do not neglect any altitude sicknesses. Although minor headaches are quite common at the beginning of climbing, you should avoid ignoring them since altitude sicknesses can develop rapidly. You should not hesitate to communicate your discomfort to your guide around Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Avoid using untreated water. Be very careful with water sources, which may include either tap water or running water from the rivers. The problem here is that although the water may appear clear and good, drinking such untreated water will only give you severe diarrhea.
Do not ignore weather changes. Weather can become unpredictable at high altitudes within seconds. As such, ensure that you have a rain jacket and other protective clothing no matter how pleasant the morning was.
Trip Extension
The greatest thing about this trek is that it seamlessly blends with many other destinations in the Annapurna region.
Firstly, you can combine Mardi Himal Trek with Annapurna Base Camp Trek. After completing the itinerary of the Mardi Himal Trek, all you have to do is continue towards Annapurna Base Camp. Due to sharing many common paths, it becomes extremely easy and convenient to link them.
Another excellent extension destination is Poon Hill, which is quite popular for its spectacular views of the sunrise at Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. This place is close to Ghorepani and adds only two to three days to your trek. Poon Hill Trek can be considered as one of the most fulfilling short excursions from Mardi Himal.
For those who have plenty of time, the complete Annapurna Circuit trek remains one of the best long treks in Asia. The inclusion of a detour at the beginning or end of your circuit around the Annapurna range to visit Mardi Himal Base Camp will result in an extremely diversified itinerary.
If you are searching for a hike that is closer to the city of Pokhara, then the Australian Camp hike makes for a relaxing half day journey that includes stunning views. It can serve as an ideal warm up hike prior to your trek.
Essential Permits for Your Mardi Himal Trek Adventure in Nepal:
Applying for visas and permits to undertake the Mardi Himal Trek can be done easily, and it is recommended that you do it in advance for peace of mind.
If you are an international traveler, a visa can be acquired immediately when you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport located in Kathmandu. There is another way to acquire a visa, which is by doing so through the Nepal immigration website. Validity of visas comes in three forms, 15, 30, and 90 days. The most practical visa option would be a 15-day visa if you plan to go on the Mardi Himal Trek for 12 days.
For your trek itself, there are two permits that you will require. One is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). This permit costs approximately $30 USD. The second permit is called the TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System). This permit costs around $20 USD.
These permits have been organized for you by us “Epic Trek Nepal“. You just need to concentrate on trekking now. It is essential that you keep these permits throughout the trekking period. At checkpoints, the staff might ask you to show these permits.
Travel Insurance
Having proper travel insurance is an absolute necessity when trekking the Mardi Himal Trek.
To begin with, your plan should cover you for trekking above 5,000 meters. A number of popular insurance policies do not provide coverage for trekkers who climb at heights, and you absolutely should not assume that your chosen one does. It must contain information related to trekking, or else you will end up in trouble later.
Now, probably the most important thing about any insurance policy in relation to Mardi Himal trekking is helicopter evacuation. In case of an accident, be it an illness, an injury, or altitude sickness, you will surely require rescue in the nearest possible time to save yourself. The price of such services in Nepal is usually sky-high unless covered by the insurance plan.
Coverage for treatment will be equally significant. It would be necessary to have yourself insured for hospitalization expenses, medication costs, and emergency medical evacuation back to Kathmandu in case of severe health issues.
It is essential to share your insurance policy documentation with your guide even before starting the Mardi Himal Trekking itinerary. This will save your time in case of any emergencies.
Health and Safety on Mardi Himal Trek
Safety during the trek to Mardi Himal is achieved through adequate preparation and staying vigilant throughout the process.
The first problem that will arise in this situation will be altitude sickness. This will depend on your body’s reaction to the low amount of oxygen when you are close to reaching the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Some signs of this include having headaches, feeling sick, dizzy, and exhausted. When you have these signs, refrain from ascending further. Descent should be done immediately.
Dehydration can occur quickly during a high-altitude trek, which is different from what one would anticipate. Drink at least three to four liters of water daily irrespective of your level of thirst. Altitude sickness, along with exhaustion, can worsen due to dehydration.
Having some medications in your pack will also be beneficial, like medication for altitude sickness (e.g., Diamox), pain killers, blister patches, disinfectant, and hydration salts. And don’t forget that your guide should also be prepared.
The other aspect is hygiene. It is recommended not to eat any food which is not freshly prepared in the tea houses. Try to avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits, particularly those which have no peel.
Even though this route is considered very secure, yet it all depends on you.
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