Ghorepani Poon Hill with Mardi Himal Trek - 10 days

Best time for Poon Hill Mardi Trek

The most common best time to do any treks in Nepal is Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn(September, October, November), and it is the same for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek. Why these seasons in particular? Well, the answer is simple. During this time, the day is shining brightly without any risk of heavy rainfall, and the temperature blends perfectly with the weather, offering an ideal season to undertake a long hike. 

However, one can either choose to venture out to this Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill in winter, if you are looking forward to pushing your limits and enjoying the white, frosty trail covered with snow. During the monsoon season, this hike is not recommended due to the heavy rainfall; the trails get muddy, and the real tension comes when we pass by forested areas with slippery trails, and of course! The irritation of getting caught up by leeches is still there.

Perks of Spring (March - May)

During spring, the vegetation and surroundings showcase their most remarkable appearance; the trails are stunningly covered with blooming rhododendron forest, and as it falls under harvesting time, we can truly enjoy the view of locals engaging in plantation activities. Imagine walking calm trails through the thriving colors of wildflowers, it's a feeling that can't compare to any other. This is what makes the spring season truly stand out among all.

• Trails fully covered with colorful flora of red and pink rhododendrons and white orchids
• Clear views of landscapes and mountains without any fogginess
• Temperature only ranges from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, allowing perfect humidity for the hike without being all sweaty
• Long duration of golden hour sunlight to get great exposure to the trails without being in a hurry

Perks of Autumn (Sep - Nov)

And why Autumn? The mountain panorama, warm autumn sun, and fresh autumn breeze, together with the perfect Himalayan sight, make up the magical experience that awaits you solo. This clear mountain vista feels just about within reach of the human touch, where we can see the unobstructed views of the Annapurna and Dhauligiri range without gloominess. Visitors can experience the local cultural traditions during the Dashain festival since this period marks the festival celebration. In contrast to spring, there are fewer trekkers on the route, letting you have a "ME" time throughout the trail.

• A perfect chance to immerse yourself in the culture of the Himalayas
• Glimpse of harvests of crops by the locals in the terraced fields
• Perfect weather where the spectacular views of mountains, landscapes, and lush green hills befriend us side by side
• No chance of fogginess due to no rainfall and snowfall

Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty Level

The Ghorepani Poon Hill with Mardi Himal Trek is an easy-to-moderate-level trip that can be completed without any fuss. In total, we have to walk for around 4-5 hours each day. The first section goes to Poon Hill, which is the easiest one but demands a bit of a steep ascent by a stone staircase while you go to Poon Hill View Point, 3210 meters. Hence, it is crucial to have some basic level of physical fitness; if not, then there's nothing to worry about, as it is the easiest trail that can be done by any age group, beginner, or we can say, a beginner- or family-friendly trek.

The second section goes for the Mardi Himal route, which is quite challenging compared to the first section, as we must navigate by the continuous ascent and descent by Forest Camp and downhill to Siding, covering a 5-hour hike. The maximum altitude that we will reach during this odyssey will be Mardi Himal Base Camp, 4500 meters; however, if you are a beginner, then you can just ascend to Mardi Himal Viewpoint, which serves the same spectacular mountain views.

To sum up, our 10-day Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is safely crafted, so even if you are a novice wanderer, you can smoothly complete this odyssey without any risk of altitude sickness. The AMS (acute mountain sickness) is a rare thing in this expedition, even if you feel mild, the guide will take care of you! We will only ascend 400-500 M each day, gradually adopting the rising altitude. These combined trails will be perfect for someone who doesn't want to go for completely remote trails pushing all the limits, where the risk of AMS is always there. 

Accommodations

While covering both routes, the accommodation facility is quite simple in form. Lodges run by the locals are the only type of tea house with basic amenities and rooms. A popular spot like Ghandruk can provide you with better lodging, but in more sparse areas, the facilities are quite luxurious, like a hotel in the city area with an attached washroom and wifi cable in the room itself.

The teahouses across the trail offer a cozy ambiance to rest your head on after a long day hike; however, there are 2 sorts of rooms available: firstly, the single bed and twin bedrooms. The rooms will be booked as per your choice!

You will discover comfortable bedding with a mattress, pillows, and blankets to guarantee peaceful rest throughout the night.  Most rooms are shared with a common bathroom in the upper section after crossing Forest Camp, as it is uncommon to find single rooms in high-altitude regions.

Foods and Beverages

If it were any other trek, then the availability of food would be a big question; meanwhile, as the region falls under the most visited trekking routes, it is also a trail to many other famous treks. From Luxury, Western, Indian, and Asian to Nepalese local foods, throughout the route, you'll get a variety of options that cater to everyone's taste and preference.

For breakfast, you can go for soups, Tibetan bread, chapati, and eggs. A warm, hearty breakfast kickstarts your day. It keeps moving on through long, straining walks through the trials. 

The most common lunch option is Dal Bhat, which includes rice, lentil soup(dal), curry, sides of green, and pickles. It is the best meal for any trek, as it is fulfilling and can be refilled as well. However, it depends on your choice, just choose it from the menu, and it will be prepared by the tea house.

Dinner: After walking throughout the day, nothing is better than a comforting hot meal. Preferably, Dal Bhat will be the all-rounder meal for you. Every person with different dining preferences can find alternative options among noodles and Thukpa, together with Thenduk, pasta, pizza, bread, and momo paired alongside vegetable curry and burger. 

Drinking water or any beverages: The best fluid intake for climbers should consist of regular water consumption throughout daylight hours. But be aware! The water needs to be filtered and safe to drink. At high altitude, make sure to drink hot water. Too much caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. "Water Purification" will be provided by us so you can cleanse the water, making sure that it's quite safe enough to drink, along with quenching your thirst. There will be many beverage options available, like Red Bull, Tibetan Tea, Americano, and so on...

Trekking Guide

Our professional, experienced trekking guides handle route navigation alongside permit acquisition and arrange food accommodations as well as emergency support. The trail also leads you through deep forested areas as well as secluded territories. Without a guide, you can lose your way. Guides are proficient in communicating, thus bridging the language barrier. They take care of your safety and well-being and also have a perfect travel buddy to converse with and get an idea of the local knowledge.

Porter

Porters are like your backpack superheroes. They carry your heavy backpacks so you can enjoy the journey without straning you body too much. Porters in the Himalayan region can carry over 25 kg of your gear. Unbelievable, right? Also, it is a simple way to contribute to the local community of the Annapurna Region. Win-win! For our porter and you as well.

Communication Facilities

It would be naive to assume that the network coverage is top-notch in the Himalayas. Throughout the trek, new networking and communication facilities are limited. And in some portion nonexistent, to put it bluntly. In lower altitudes like Biratheni, Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Ulleri, the network coverage is tolerable. You can use NTC or Ncell for calls and texts.

In desperate situations, mobile data can be used, but the speed is slow, i.e., 3G at best. In higher altitudes like Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp, and Mardi Himal viewpoint, the network coverage is almost nonexistent, to say the least. Ncell coverage drops completely. NTC might give you a bar if you're lucky.

However, Wifi at the tea houses becomes your savior; it becomes a luxury in the himalayas. Every tea house provides you with Wi-Fi but charges you $2- $3 for the usage. Nonetheless, the communication won't be a problem throughout the odyssey.

Travel Insurance

Trying to conquer the Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek comes with unforeseen risks, even though it is an easy trek, as wandering around the Himalayas means exposing ourselves to unfortunate situations. This is exactly why you need travel insurance. But you might wonder, “Do we need it?” The answer is yes. Why? Please note that having a safety net during unpredictable situations is surely a good thing, isn't it? 

The quest to the Himalayas is never obvious. Steep trails, dense forests, erratic weather conditions, and high altitude create a setup for mishaps. In case something goes wrong during the trip, travel insurance will come to your rescue. It takes care of your medical emergencies. Need to evacuate if things turn bad? The travel insurance can cover that too, but make sure your insurance policy covers helicopter evacuation as well. We all know that helicopters do not come cheap. Also, things may not always go as you plan. Flights may get canceled, or you may not be able to make it for the trip. In a situation like this, travel insurance will reimburse your expenses.  

If possible, try to get your insurance in your hometown and check it thoroughly! Even though it's not compulsory, the risk during the quest, it will just help you trail along the route without worries. And also help us to do immediate rescue if necessary.

Permits for the Ghorepani Poon Hill with Mardi Himal Trek

Permits are made mandatory for the conservation and promotion of the region's natural beauty. It is a way to conserve the forests and wildlife and promote sustainable tourism. Also, it is a key component to ensure the safety of the trekkers. To put it simply, permits are like the pass for a mesmerizing show of Mother Nature!

For trekking to Mardi Himal via Poonhill, you need to obtain two necessary permits mentioned below: 

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) costs approx. NPR 3000 per person, i.e., nearly $27 for internationals, whereas for the SAARC nationals, the price is relatively low, costing around NPR 2000, i.e USD 18. 
• TIMS card is charged $20 (NPR 2000) for international trekkers and NPR 400 for Indian nationals.

You need not worry about how to get these permits. Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition will get it for you once your booking is confirmed. 

Packing Recommendation

The ten-day excursion will be a smooth success if you have prepared appropriate clothing and gear. As you will be carrying your backpack and walking for hours a day, the best idea is to pack light with only the most essential items. Layering clothing is a smart strategy to cope with any weather conditions. According to the time you have scheduled your trip, pack accordingly. Waterproof jackets and pants are a must. For colder regions, pack warm gloves and hats. 

Since you will be walking for days, your foot is your ultimate tool. You must protect it with comfortable and functional trekking boots. It should have grips and ankle support. Light shoes for relaxing in teahouses are suitable. Large-capacity water bottles are also a must.

Basic toiletry items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, alongside sunscreen and lip balm, should be present in your backpack at all times. And most importantly of all, you must have Nepalese rupees cash ready to buy refreshments from small local tea houses. 

Safe Booking Procedure

Willing to sign up with us for this combined trip of the Annapurna region? Well! Do not wait longer, we have a safe booking process where you just need to deposit 20% for the confirmation, and the remaining amount can be paid before the trip starts upon your arrival in Nepal. If you have any queries then, you can talk to us anytime: give us a call or Whatsapp us at +977 9851016814 or mail us at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com.