Mardi Himal Trek is a short and adventurous trekking route. This trek is to the lowest and least visited place of the Annapurna region. In addition, the Himal lies just to the south of Mt. Machhapuchhre which is popular as Fishtail Mountain. There are very few trekkers who have visited the valley, and its ridge to the south of Mardi Himal.
Most importantly, Mardi Himal trek also offers the golden sunrise view over the famous mountain Machhapuchhre. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail Mountain is sacred to the Queen of Nepal. Even as the Mountain has never climbed. So, your trek in the Annapurna region will show you this most picturesque of all peaks from many different angles.
New Trek is the name of the long-rising ridge. Its summit is at 5,580 m, which forms the southwesterly slope of Mt. Machhapuchhre immediately below its sheer south face. Machhapuchhre towers majestically over the very good valley in Pokhara. This Mountain is popular as Fishtail Mountain. Because of its twin peaks that mirror the image of the fishtail. The Mountain is superbly beautiful and considered sacred. Consequently, no permits have yet been issued to climb this mountain.
We started the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara. Like on most trekking routes inside the Annapurna Sanctuary you have several options where to start and to finish the trek. Most people we met on the trek did the Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp trek before the Mardi Himal. It seems quite popular to combine the route with one of the other treks in the sanctuary.
Mardi Himal Trek Route From Pokhara
You can drive or take flight to reach to Pokhara from Kathmandu. From Pokhara it takes around 45 minutes drive to Phedi. Phedi is from where you will officially begin your trek. You will slowly start climb uphill, passing by terraced fields and green forests. Similarly, you will pass by the village of Dhampus before reaching to Pothana.
The village of Pothana lies at an altitude of 1,950 meters (6,395 feet). You will rest at Pothana for a night. The next day’s destination is Forest Camp. You will walk through luscious forest and pass by rocky wall. You can get a stunning view of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The day’s trek will end when you reach the Forest Camp situated at an elevation of 2600 meters (8530 feet).
From Forest Camp, you will head to Low Camp the next day. The Low Camp is situated at an elevation of 3,580 meters (11,745 feet). The trail takes you through a scenic route. You will pass through “cloud forest” filled with mosses, lichenc, tree ferns, and orchids. Likewise, you can witness the diverese flora and fauna.
You will spend a night at the Low Camp to rejuvenate for next day’s trek. The next day’s destination is the High Camp at an elevation of 3,580 meters (11,745 feet). It is a short trek with short climb on a steep slope and a walk along a ridge. As you move higher, the green forest will change into alpine meadows. The following day you will climb uphill to Mardi Base Camp and return back. It is 10 kms from High Camp. You will stay at High Camp for the night before heading back to Pokhara.
How Difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek is a moderately challenging route of the Annapurna Region. The trail is also comparatively easy and less challenging. The trek requires 5 to 6 hours a day. It can be quite exhausting and take physical strain on trekkers. There are many resting places along the trail to ease your journey.
The Mardi Himal Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4,450 meters. Trekkers can face altitude sickness symptoms during the trek. So proper rest and acclimatization is important. Overall Mardi Himal Trek is among easy routes with moderately challenging trails. With proper preparation, even novice trekkers can easy complete the trek.
Mardi Himal Or Ghorepani Poonhill Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek and Ghorepani Poonhill Trek both provides the trekkers with unique experience. The Ghorepani Poonhill route is short and less challenging than Mardi Himal. The highest elevation trekkers will reach during the Ghorepani Poonhill trek is 3,210 meters.
During the Mardi Hinal Tre, the highest elevation you will reach is 4,450 meters. Likewise, the route is less crowded than the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. Both trek provides some of the best scenery and mountain views. But if you are looking for adventure and closer look at mountains like Annapurna, Mardi himal, Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal Trek is the best.
Which Season is Best for Mardi Himal Trek?
There are four seasons in Nepal. It consists of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Nepal also faces monsoon yearly which coincides with summer. Trekking is possible in every season with proper preparation. But for the best trekking experience, you can choose either spring and autumn.
So what makes these two seasons the absolute best for Mardi Himal Trek? We have prepared detailed information on each season. Take a look:
Spring
The spring season starts from March to May. Similarly, it falls in the pre-monsoon season. The weather is warm and pleasant but the mornings and nights are still cold. It is still cold in the higher elevation. The sky is also clear. To enjoy the scenic beauty of Mardi Himal Trek, spring is the best.
The trail passes through the forests of rhododendrons. During spring, the whole forest is in bloom. You get to travel through the scenic and colorful forest during your trek. Similarly, trekkers can enjoy the clear view of snow-capped mountains. You can witness the spectacular views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail), Mardi Himal, and others.
Spring is a peak seasons for trekking in Nepal. Therefore, expect the Mardi Himal route to be crowded during spring. If you want to avoid crowds, you can plan your trek in early springtime.
Autumn
Autumn is another best season for Mardi Himal Trek. It lies between September to November. It falls in the post-monsoon season in Nepal. The autumn has stable and favorable weather for trekking. The temperature is also pleasant. and the temperature at the higher elevation is also warm.
Autumn is the harvest season, so you can see ripe crops in terraced fields along the way. Since it is post-monsoon, the rain washes away most of the dust and pollution. Therefore, the clear sky provides the best visibility. The trail is also dry with less chance of rainfall. Thus, there are minimal risks of landslides.
Every trekker chooses to travel in the best season. So the Mardi Himal Trek trail is busiest during autumn season. As a result, the accomodations can be fully booked during this time. It is best to book the accommodation beforehand.
Duration For Mardi Himal Trek
The Mardi Himal Trek duration can vary depending on the trek package. There are packages available for 5 days as well as 7 days. There are even packages for a 3-day Mardi Himal Trek. The duration differs depending on the itinerary. Similarly, the starting and ending point of the trek also affects the duration. So, you can choose the shorter or longer option.
For the best and full experience, we recommend you take the 7-day package. You can trek and enjoy the route. Similarly, you will also have enough time to acclimatize as you move to higher elevations. But it ultimately boils down to your preference and the time duration you have.
You can contact us at Himalayan Leaders for any queries. We can also help customize your itinerary according to your needs. You can explore our packages for the Mardi Himal Trek.