The Mardi Himal 10-day trek is one of the most untouched trails in Nepal, which lets you get closely acquainted with the Annapurna region's untouched natural beauty. Beginning from the colorful town of Pokhara, this trek passes through splendid rhododendron forests, green terrains of paddy fields, and charming Gurung villages, providing a superb viewpoint. Gradually, the views change: you meet fascinating views of the most popular Machapuchare (Fishtail), Mardi Himal, and the Annapurna range to become the worthy background of your trekking.
This is a perfect match for those who want to trek in the Himalayas but do not want it to be loud and crowded. The trail tends to be traversed less by many trekkers than by other famous trails, and thus, the splendid tranquility of the region is great. It covers several geographical features, including forests and mountains, to arrive at the Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint at 4500m. Throughout the trail, you will spend the night in try-camping like Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp, giving differing views of the valley and the mountain tops.
Besides, there are also vibrant cultural experiences in the Mardi Himal trekking. The people you will be interacting with include the local Gurung and Magar, who can provide the essential understanding of their ancestors' ways of life. The welcome and friendliness of the people, along with the calm and the gorgeous mountains, make this trek a memorable one. Whether you are a true Trekking freak or a lover of natural beauties, Mardi Himal Trekking 10 Days offers the most attractive experiences of adventure trek, eye-catching natural assignments, and a cultural touch.
Geography Of The Mardi Himal
The main features of the geography of the region are high mountain ridges, steep slopes, and deep valleys fringed with moraines left by glaciers cutting through the terrain for hundreds and thousands of years. This gorgeous and constantly altering scenery adds to the entire rally, making Mardi Himal one of the most beautiful destinations in the Himalayas. Situated in the Annapurna region of Nepal, it provides a geographical and visually surprising experience that is dissimilar along its trekkers' path. Stretching to the east side of the highly traveled Annapurna Base Camp trek, Mardiimal stands at a height of 5,587m with the formation of Mount Annapurna massif. Before reaching the Mardi Himal Base Camp, there is a possibility of seeing almost all types of vegetation, from the subtropical to the alpine zones.
The lower stretches have many kinds of flora, including tall rhododendrons and oak trees thicker in the lower parts and stunning during April when the rhododendrons bloom. The further up you get, the more the forests taper off, and the land becomes made up of grasslands and steep mountains. The vegetation and soil gradually decrease, and large stones and boulders become characteristic of the high-altitude Himalayan region. This change of geography from the rich, green forest to the barren and unforgiving mountain ledge is one of the most notable aspects of the journey. The High Camp, and Mardi Himal Base Camp, are decorated with significant geographical features andand beautiful views of Mardi Himal and other mountains. The trekkers get to these points to view stunning views of Mardi Himal, Machapuchare (fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
Why Choose Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek is centrally located in the Annapurna Region and seems to have been discovered much less than the Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit treks. This exciting trekking experience will take you to an altitude of 4500 meters in the first four days, something no other trail can offer. It is very easy and well suited for beginners, but at the same time, it offers spiritual satisfaction for the walkers.
The Mardi Himal trek does not enter the central part of the Annapurna region with many tourists compared to the ABC (Annapurna base camp), Poon Hill, and Ghorepani trek; thus, one has the opportunity to have a beautiful natural experience. The real beauty of this trek is unveiled in the morning when the first rays of the sun reveal the great Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. The trek becomes covered in snow from March to April even at the lower elevations, although the snow is fresh. This just contributes to the experience and makes the game feel like climbing a mountain, which is actually what it is. Even though this is a short trek compared to many other treks in Nepal, the Mardi Hima trek is full of great and glamorous views and provides comfortable lodging. WiFi, hot showers, and charging are available from one tea house or lodge to another if one does not want to camp between the trails.
How Difficult Is The Mardi Himal Trek?
Generally, trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp is considered moderate. Hence, hikers need to prepare themselves for at least moderate physical activity. This is a perfect adventurous activity for those who have trekked before and those who are first-timers in trekking, including children. The pathways are very clearly defined and, for the most part, not particularly challenging, and there are great views of the mountains along the way. Although two days have altitudes over 3,000 meters (9,842. 5 feet), this trekking is not high-altitude. Nevertheless, one should avoid particular physical exertion these days as it is dangerous for altitude sickness.
Most 'walks' last 6-7 hours, depending on the length of the day. The guides suggest spending as much time as possible on the trek without rushing through the terrain because the beauty of the region is well-deserved. This approach improves the quality of the trekking practices while decreasing the probability of fatigue or altitude stress.
Best Time For The Mardi Himal Trek
Similar to all other treks in the Nepali Himalayas, the ideal time for the Mardi Himal Trek is the Spring season (mid February to mid May) and the early winter or Autumn (September to mid December). However, if one is in search of a rather more secluded and 'pure' experience, one may effectively go for the Summer season, which, in spite of rainfall and leech presence, is also quite technically demanding.
Spring is perhaps one of the best seasons for the trek as the temperature averages 11 – 20 degrees Celsius for the lower region. In contrast, the higher regions are relatively colder. It is easy to see the mountains as the skies are clear, and the flowers – rhododendrons blooming at this time- are red and pink along the trails. Unlike the Annapurna Base Camp or EverestBase Camp treks, the Mardi Himal trek is not so crowded, even during the high spring season. Cold climate is felt at low altitudes because the mountains are covered by snow, giving the sensation of more significant climbing navigation. Several days will have a clear sky, resulting in the breathtaking sun rising over Mardi Himal.
Autumn has a temperature of around 8-15 degrees Celsius, which creates good weather for trekking. Because of the better climate for both trekking and the view of the mountains, Autumn can be named the best trekking season in Nepal. This season is characterized by clear skies and little or no precipitation, which gives one clear shot at the Himalayan range, especially Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. Although the trail might be slightly crowded in Summer, it isn't as crowded as other trekking trails in the region.
Summer has its problems as activities are conducted in the rain, trails become slippery, and there are leeches. Despite these challenges, some people love the complications caused by the season and view it as a perfect time for trekking. While on the summer treks, the plants are green, and the flowers bloom fully, presenting breathtaking views that cannot be observed in other seasons. Summer, if tried, it will be fun and challenging to attempt the trek since the views on the other side of the mountain are exclusive.