Mardi Himal Trek is a medium difficulty trek of the Annapurna region with the best scenes of the Himalayas from a lower elevation trail. You will be welcomed in authentic Homestays by the locals and small tea houses along the way.

Mardi Himal Trek is a hidden gem for the dedicated trekkers and backpackers.

Located eastwards of the classic Annapurna Base Camp, this trekking route is yet to witness a large crowd like other commercial treks in Nepal though it officially opened for all in 2012.

If you’re looking for the perfect week-short trek, a little off the beaten trails of shepherds, and with great views, this trek is a great choice. It combines the best of quieter parts of the Annapurna and much more to offer: amazing mountain views, pastoral villages, and rice fields layered on top of each other, ascending towards the base camp and descending down into the valley.

Major Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek

The magnificent scenes of giant Himalayas — Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri.
Indulge in the rich cultures of Gurungs and their local hospitality.
Traverse through the ever-changing landscape with the narrow winding paths, rhododendron forests, high valleys, and rugged Himalayan terrain.
Explore The Himalayan lifestyle, culture, tradition learning opportunities throughout the trail.
Experience authentic trekking experience with overnights in Teahouses and homestays.

Best Time/Season for Mardi Himal Trek

Unlike most of the treks in Nepal, trekking to Mardi Himal is possible throughout the year. However, Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are two most favorable seasons to trek to Mardi Himal.

The temperature in Autumn is usually moderate and stable with a clear sky, which means the scenery of the mountains and landscapes is incredible throughout the trek. You also get to relish an exceptional sunrise and sunset during this period. However, the trekking trail is slightly more crowded in Autumn.

Spring is considered the second-best time for trekking in Nepal. The temperature is a bit warmer and stable during this time of the year. However, the sky can be slightly vague and hazy at times, which means the scenery may not be as exceptional as the Autumn.

Winter brings cold and harsh weather, especially at the higher elevations. Most of the time, snow covers the upper reaches of the trail. Therefore, in case of excessive snow, the trails may be more challenging to walk. However, the skies are unclouded and rewarding with magnificent sights. If you’re planning to trek to Mardi Himal during the winter, make sure to pack warm clothes and high-quality sleeping bags.

Monsoon is the least favorable time to go trekking in Mardi Himal. The temperature and weather are far too unstable with wet and slippery trails. Since dense forests dominate this region, the risk of leeches increases extensively. Trekking in monsoon demands proper preparation and packing for the wet weather.

Foods and Accommodations

Teahouses along the Mardi Himal Trek have necessary facilities or minimal amenities and services. Most of the rooms consist of two single beds with thin mattresses and do not provide the attached toilet. The toilets are mostly shared, and running hot water is not available throughout the trek. However, some teahouses offer buckets of warm water with an additional charge. If you like, you can have it.

Although the teahouses do not offer a variety of food choices as other commercial treks do, they provide enough menu to have well. One impressive thing about the food in this trek is that the locals themselves produce the majority of the crops.

Dal Bhat is the most common meal, followed by pancakes, pasta, and chop suey. Since you’ll be burning a lot of calories while trekking, Dal Bhat is healthy and filled with proper calories to keep you going. Chocolate bars and treats are also widely available throughout the route. It is important to remember that the foods are more expensive in the higher reaches of the trek.

For extra amenities like hot showers, boiled water, wifi, and charging services, most of the teahouses charge you an additional amount

Required Documents (Permits)

While trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp, you will require two different permits — TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System) and the ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project). You do not need any other special authorization to enter this area.

To acquire the TIMS Card and ACAP permits, you’ll require your passport, insurance details, four passport size photos, and contact details of a person in Nepal. If you do not have printed photos, you can take one at the office free of charge.

The price for TIMS card and ACAP entry fees are as follows

Required Permits	For International Tourists	For SAARC Countries
TIMS Card	For Individual: NPR 2,000/ USD 18 For Group: NPR 1,000/USD 9	For Individual: NPR 300/ USD 2 For Group: NPR 600/USD 4
ACAP Entry Fees	NPR 3,000/ USD 27	NPR 1,000/ USD 9