Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 13 days

Best time for Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Mardi Himal and ABC Trek is an all-year-round trek because of its simple trails and lower elevations, welcoming beginners, families, and pro hikers. As this trek is easy and goes by well-maintained sections, even though it is a combined trip within the Annapurna region, one can smoothly complete the trip without any hassle.

However, just like any other expeditions in Nepal, this Annapurna and Mardi Himal Trek is ideal for Spring and autumn, as these seasons of the year offer the ideal temperature and mild humidity to hike along the route with the undisturbed mountain views and landscapes. Meanwhile, the monsoon and winter give a high level of precipitation and cold temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius; nonetheless, with proper preparation and guidelines, this trek can be done smoothly any time of the year.

Spring: March to May

Spring is one of the best seasons to explore the Annapurna region, with mild humidity, which contributes to a chill hike with no physical strain. Daytime temperatures generally range from 12°C to 22°C, while temperatures at higher elevations can fall below freezing at night.

The weather is usually stable, with less snowfall and rainfall than during the monsoon season. Clear skies and limited fog provide excellent views of the Annapurna ranges. The trails are especially beautiful in spring, when rhododendrons bloom across the hills, and wildflowers brighten the green forest sections.

Autumn: September to November

Autumn is another popular trekking season that comes after the end of the monsoon, so the trails are generally drier, the skies are clearer, and the risk of rainfall is lower. Daytime temperatures usually range from 5°C to 15°C, creating comfortable conditions for walking.

The fresh air and cloudless skies often provide excellent mountain views. Autumn is also a wonderful time to experience local culture, as the season coincides with harvest activities and important festivals. You may see traditional celebrations, village customs, and golden fields along the route.

Winter and Monsoon

Winter and monsoon are considered off-season periods and are less suitable for inexperienced trekkers. Winter can bring snowfall, icy trails, and temperatures that may fall to around -10°C at higher elevations. Trekkers should carry warm layers, insulated clothing, gloves, and suitable footwear.

During the monsoon, rain can make forest trails slippery and reduce mountain visibility. Landslides and muddy paths may also affect transportation and walking conditions. Although tea houses are available along many sections of the route, trekking during these seasons is best suited to experienced hikers who are prepared for changing conditions.

The quieter trails can be appealing during the off-season, and occasional clear days may still offer impressive mountain views. However, beginners should choose spring or autumn whenever possible, while experienced trekkers with the right equipment and flexible schedules may enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of winter or monsoon trekking.

Mardi Himal and ABC Trek Difficulty Level

The combination of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp trek falls under moderate treks in Nepal, even though it is a merged trek of two destinations, opening the gateway to every enthusiastic hiker without demanding prior experience or an age limit. This trek covers two routes within the Annapurna region and also diverse trekking trails, from forested sections to rugged terrains with stone staircases, and lastly to snowy sections at higher altitudes of both base camps. In total, this expedition demands a 5-6 hour hike covering approximately 8-12 km of distance per day, which is not challenging for someone having a basic level of physical fitness.

The first half of this trek covers the Mardi Himal route, which is quite easy and smooth to navigate with the well-maintained sections, and even children can easily undertake it with their family. The only challenging part is when undertaking an ascent from Forest Camp to High Camp, as the elevation rises significantly at this point.

Besides, the trail also has some steep sections and goes all the way uphill, which becomes challenging for a newbie, but safe to undertake as there are side poles and bars to take support during the ascent. The highest point of this merged trek is the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 meters); hence, you might feel a mild symptom of AMS en route; proper guidelines are a must.

While covering the second half to Annapurna Base Camp, the trailhead becomes a bit more challenging than the first one as it consists of several ascents, descents, and stone pathways, which creates a leg-trembling situation for a newbie. However, the trails are well managed, and most have wide stone steps for easy navigation. The trail provides wider paths with better maintenance than Mardi Himal, although it has more foot traffic. 

All in all, this merged trek is accessible to all kinds of hikers; no matter whether you are a pro or just a novice hiker, you can smoothly undertake this expedition without a doubt. On top of that, our Annapurna Base Camp with Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is safely customized, ensuring that parents with children and beginners with proper preparation can complete it with no difficulties.

Who should skip?

If you are still confused about whether you can embark on this combined trip or not, here are the factors that determine if the trek is not ideal for you:

• Pregnant women (beyond 3/4 months): Risk of altitude, exertion, and limited medical evacuation
• Senior citizens with chronic health issues: heart and lung conditions get worse at high elevations
• People with hypertension, BP (low or high), heart or lung issues: Triggers hypoxia, which can lead to serious complications
• Recent surgery patients (below 1 month): Wound healing compromised by low oxygen
• Severe asthma or allergies and uncontrolled diabetes
• Kids below 5 years old: AMS risk, minimum age 5-7 for safety

Distance and Elevation

The highest elevation that this trek stands out to be is Mardi Himal Base Camp itself at 4500 meters (14,764 ft), where the adventure begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (830 meters). You will also reach another main point, the base camp of Annapurna I, which is located at 4130 meters. In total, this trip covers 127 kilometers, with 8 to 15 kms daily hike, depending on the day-to-day itinerary. To let you understand well, here is the outline of the daily distance, elevation gain, and the trip duration of this 13-day adventure:

Altitude sickness and Preventive guidelines

Well, we all know how the risk of altitude sickness is always circulating at such high elevations, especially after crossing the elevation of 3000 meters. The Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Treks ascend over 2500 meters of height daily and reach over 4000 meters; hence, the risk of altitude sickness is always looming with no doubt. Even though the Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) reaches its highest point, and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), due to the gradual climbing, it allows your body to adjust to altitude changes. 

Our 13-day Mardi Himal and ABC itinerary has gradual ascents and enough time for your body to adjust to elevation changes, so you need not worry about altitude sickness. We'll only take an ascent of 300-500 meters each day and don't go beyond that, as safety remains the number one priority at such high elevations. Thus, even though the risk of AMS is low, here are some of the preventive guidelines that you must follow during this Annapurna and Mardi Himal Trek.

• Please make sure to consume 3-4 litres of water daily to avoid headaches and mouth dryness. Hydrating the body helps in ascent and also helps to adapt to the rising altitude
• Avoid alcohol consumption and refrain from smoking while you hike.
• Inform your guide immediately whenever you notice headaches or feel unwell or light-headed, or if you feel unusual difficulty, such as losing control, insomnia (loss of appetite or sleep), skin turning pale, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and most importantly, the feeling of a rapid heartbeat.
• Always listen to your guide regarding their recommendation for slowing down or descending the trail.
• Get sufficient sleep during night hours and maintain proper rest each evening.
• Consult with your doctor about taking Diamox medication before your trip.
• Eat garlic soup to warm up your body from the inside and energise your stamina level (if you aren't allergic to garlic items)

Accommodation

While combining both the expeditions in the Annapurna region, you will get comfortable lodging facilities, as it falls under the most visited and emerging treks in Nepal; hence they are well-maintained. This 13-day trek includes two nights at Lake View Hotel (4 4-star Resort) in Pokhara and covers all the tea house accommodations throughout the trail. While at the lower trails en route, you will be provided a single bedroom with an attached washroom, electric sockets, and a bigger room, whereas moving to the upper parts, the facilities are limited to twin bedrooms, sharing a bathroom. However, can get proper access to other facilities such as hot showers, laundry facilities, WiFi, charging gadgets, and many others by paying extra.

 As, our package doesn't cover the lodging in Kathmandu, if you want one then we can offer you comlimentary staying for 1-2 days in our own hotel. For that, please inform us beforehand so we can arramge the rooms accordingly as there might not be spare rooms at peak seasons.

Food and Drinking Facilities

Since the trip is a combination of two popular treks in the Annapurna Region, you have a wide array of food options throughout the trail. Our package covers the standard menu of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during the journey, where you will get a wide array of meal courses, catering to the tastes and preferences of everyone.

From Western, continental, American to even local asian cuisines, veg and non-veg options are available. Therefore, you do not have to compromise on the meal's taste and preference. The foods are prepared by the locals themselves, considering the hygiene, you just have to order the food, and it will also be prepared. Take note of mentioning the food items beforehand if you are allergic to something.

For the beverages, you can find an array of options as well, such as green tea, milk tea, black tea, Diet Coke, Coke, hot ginger water, americano, any sort of coffee and tea, and even hot chocolates. Drinking water is served hot anytime, as there is a dining area with a natural fire stove where water is always boiling; however, you can even buy bottled water for $1-$2, depending on the lodge.

Travel Insurance

The combined trek takes you to diverse landscapes with steep climbs, rocky and uneven terrain that needs careful navigation. Hence, having travel insurance is essential because it takes care of certain things. A reliable travel insurance policy needs to be secured, and make sure that it contains theft, luggage loss, minor injuries, trip cancellation, delays, and most importantly, the helicopter evacuation (rescue) over 3500 meters. A good travel insurance takes care of your expenses due to injuries, lost gear, as well as trip cancellations, and also allows a worry-free journey.

If you are planning to take the risk and venture on ABC and Mardi Trek without travel insurance, we highly suggest you secure travel insurance first because you will be reaching 4500 meters altitude, as well as the base of the tenth highest mountain, thus certain risks are always there. With all that taken care of, you can fully enjoy your adventure with ease.

Required Permits

Two permits are needed to complete the trek to Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camps, which must be obtained from the authorised local trekking agency. As soon as the booking is confirmed with us, we begin the permit application process. The following permits are required for anybody to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area:

• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP):  NPR 3,000 (approximately $27) for foreigners. NPR 2000 (approximately $18)for SAARC countries.
• Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card: NPR 2,000 (approximately $18) for foreigners. For SAARC nationals, NPR 300.

Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition has been a registered and operating trekking agency for 15 years and is also a member of TAAN (Trekking Agency Association of Nepal) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), hence your booking is safe with us. For confirmation, you just have to pay 10% of the total trip cost just to book your seats, so we can arrange the logistics immediately.

Contact us at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com for booking verification through email or reach us by phone or WhatsApp at +977 9851016814 for any inquiries. To manage everything, we just deduct 20% of the entire fee; the remaining sum may be paid after you get to Kathmandu.  

Last-minute booking 

The booking process for Mardi with Annapurna Base Camp last-minute travel during peak season with Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition is straightforward. Last-minute bookings require a full 100% payment from you to secure guide and porter services and accommodation, which we pay in advance to maintain your trip. You can find more information by contacting our Viber or WhatsApp at +977 9851016814, while direct communications can be sent to [email protected].

Essential Tips for Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek

1. A 2-3 month walking, hiking, and staircase-climbing training regimen will prepare you for your upcoming trek. Walk for a minimum of one hour each day of your walking routine. 
2. The trekking trails do not have any ATM or card-operating facilities available. Withdraw enough Nepali rupees for your entire trek from either Kathmandu or Pokhara before your journey starts. 
3. To maintain proper hydration, drink between 3 and 4 liters of water per day, even if you feel no thirst. Carry a 2-3 liter reusable water bottle, which you can refill in teahouses while using filtration tablets for cleaning contaminated water.
4. A portable high-capacity power bank or charger should be in your backpack for using your phone or camera. Remote areas do not have dependable charging facilities in their tea houses, even though certain places do supply power connections.
5. Purchase local SIM cards from Ncell or NTC in Kathmandu or Pokhara because their networks have sufficient coverage throughout the trekking area. The phone network's range becomes restricted at high elevations, but you can still get in touch with loved ones.
6. Use an oximeter to check your oxygen levels frequently so you can inform your guide about any discomfort you have, because he will offer needed medical support.
7. Your backpack should only contain the required items to remain lightweight. Pack only essential items like clothes, medicine, sleeping bags, and covers.