Curious about the Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty?
Actually, I would like to mention that Mardi Himal Base Camp trek can in no way be categorized as strenuous trek. Incomparison to the other well-known treks as the EBC trek, the ABC trek, and the AC trek, the MHBC trek is significantly easier and more accessible. Even though Mardi Himal Trek is categorised as the moderate trek, anyone of any age group with reasonable fitness level and stamina can accomplish this trek.
But still having said all that, it by no means implies that the trek is all an easy grade. Mardi Himal is situated at an elevation of 4500 meters, this makes attaining the base camp quite a challenge. Besides these, this high altitude Annapurna Region trek has often several repeatedly up and several repeatedly down on the way to make the trekking walk challenging. But everything that has an extraneous problem gives you gorgeous memories for the remainder of life.
This saying, William Penn’s ‘No cross, no crown,’ may have already familiarized any of the trekking in Nepal. As far as Mardi Himal Trekkers are concerned, how could this proverb come in exception. It is equally valid for the Mardi Himal trekkers as well as for others who undertake such activities frequently.
How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek, is a question, I think, that carries no right answer. The ethnic villages, wonderful mountainous areas, viewing hills, and wonderful waterfalls are always on your trails to enchant you. After having been hiking for a while, in the pathway of the Annapurna Base Camp, The giant peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Himchuli and many others welcomes you at most of the turn.
The trails if one goes into the sub-tropical vegetation to alpine provide the vaster chance to explore the Annapurna region floral and faunal setup. In addition, to get a feel and touch the richness of the ethnic Gurung, Tamang, and Magar tribes’ lifestyle and tradition during the trekking adventure the hard work that knocks on the door is worth it.
undefined Thus, you are interested in the Mardi Himal trek Difficulty? It’s absolutely one of those best kept secrets there in Nepal, not as many hikers there as seen with some other routes, which is great. In fact, it is placed in the Annapurna area and let me assure you, the scenery is breathtaking.
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Mardi Himal Trek
undefined We are discussing trekking up to touching distance with Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail) and Mardi Himal respectively. The trek has been known to start at Phedi, which is about an hour’s drive from Pokhara and can be done in 4-5 days which makes it quite fitting for those with tight schedules yet the urge to explore never leaves.
Undefined It is relatively less touristy and hence, you do not get a feeling of nature, woods, and mountains without meeting hundreds of other travelers. Moreover, the teahouses which are placed along the way are quite comfortable and represent traditional Nepali hospitality.
undefined Opt for the spring season particularly from March to May or the autumn particularly from September to November because it is not very chilly or very hot and the visibility is usually very clear.
But remember to drink a lot of water too, as people often forget they are thirsty when they are hiking, that you should not rush to avoid getting tired easily and that of course every waking moment should have a camera because you are going to want to take pictures of everything.
Let me assure you that it is a feeling you will never want to lose. Mardi Himal is just the type of adventure that the modern traveler desires, a cultural, adventurous and visually sensational trip through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the planet. Prepare for the journey of your lifetime!
Is Mardi Himal Trek suitable of the beginner trekker?
No any technical gears or earlier trekking experience is not necessary for the Trek. As a result MBC trek is most suitable for all type of trekking lovers. Right from the novice trekker to the professional trekkers, the Annapurna region is easy for anyone to trek on.
But when there arise the question regarding the Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty level, these trek remain normally easily for the experienced treks. However, the green horn trekker may consider it quite a task. However, as far as you possess the desire and fight to carry out the trek there is nothing that is as good as an impossibility on the way.
The Mardi Himal Trek can however be categorized as moderately difficult trek as far as the level of efforts and physical exertion required is concern; however, the technicalities that is the actual challenges of the trek could be considered relatively easy or easy-moderate.
For the same reason, it is hard for any one to provide precise answer about the degree of difficulty of the trekking to the Mardi Base Camp. The difficulty of the Mardi Himal Trekking will still depend on the previous experience of trekking and fitness level of the individuals in the group. While the experienced trekker would consider it a very easy trekking adventure, it is relatively a hard one for the new trekkers.
In addition to the above all, the trek difficulty levels depends on many factors including distance or length of the trek, time taken to accomplish the trek, weather and temperatures, altitude and acclimatization, cost, availability of food and accommodation and the like. But keeping in mind various factors, it is generally regarded as the trek of moderate level of difficulty.
These treks are doable for all types of trekking aficionados but some planning, decency and a good dosage of patience and endurance will be useful. Below you find the points that describe about the difficulty levels of the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek in detail.
Duration of the Trek made Mardi Himal trek Difficult
Usually, the Trek is suggested to take about 7 days. Nonetheless, based on the various travel companies, the time spent on the trek is different. Some design the trek itinerary of two weeks, whereas other make the itinerary for more than two weeks.
Those who wish to do MBC trekk in less than 7 days they can do so if they dare to hustle and increase their trekking pace. But for this one can only be the physically and mentally quite strong and experienced lot. For a first time trekker the trek of 5-7 days to MBC is suggested.
The distance covered during trekking days= On the average during the trekking exercise, it is required that you cover 4-6 hours trekking per day. It is also necessary to mention that more experienced trekkers may take even lesser time than it is mentioned above.
However if you have not had any prior walking experience then to get to your destination, you may well find yourself treading up those steep trails for more than the stated number of hours. Besides this, long after the journey is over and the destination has been achieved, the leg pain may be the only thing that will be constantly occupying your thoughts. It is opposite to enjoying the overall walking throughout the day, your day will end with a stressful mind.
Hence it is advisable to have a little trekking background before setting off to the actual Mardi trek. In additional, it is advisable to train in long distance walk in plain and hilly areas several months before the actual trekking.
The total area that was covered when undertaking the trek
While the MBC trek, the distance that will be covered approximately 45Km within about 7 days of the trek. As a matter of fact, it is as if one has to cover 10-15kilometers on foot daily. Besides, a possibility to observe various kinds of plants and animals, trekking in the Mardi region is relatively easy.
However, there are some areas of the trek route with steep ascends and descends that are very difficult and tiresome. For a beginner deciding to trek for weeks on rugged terrains, the style of walking 10 – 15 kilometer per day might be a nightmare to him/ her. Thus to get prepared for that walking distance to be expected during the Trek, undertake long and short hikes.
Difficulty Trekking Trail:
Although the trails of Mardi Base Camp are comparatively less demanding than the Annapurna Circuit, the trails to the MBC are not always smooth and sheeny. Hiking for 6-7 hours per day over a proximately five days in the high altitude territory without a doubt is not an easy task. The trails at MBC are winding, some leading uphill and some downhill and due to the high altitude, one feels very exhausted at any one time.
Information on the level of difficulty of the Trek on the way to Mardi Base Camp:
When one is done with the drive for Pokhara from Kathmandu the trek to MBC begins from Kande. Kande is an easy four hours drive from Pokhara, that very beautiful city of Nepal.
The one between Kande to Australian camp is fairly challenging, but then if you are beginning from Phedi, you would have to climb stairs to Dhampus, so better start the trek at Kande. It is without doubt a very strenuous exercise even for the most experienced of trekkers to climb so many steps. Still amasingfully anyone can climb these staircases just that a little patience and perseverance is all that is needed.
Going still further from Australian camp to Pitam deural the trail is still little easier but the morning trek from Deurali to Forest Camp might again leave you a little more weary. However, when the camp is at the Hilltop, the breathtaking view of the stunning sunsets over the mountains compensates for all the difficult climb at the Forest camp Hilltop.
A hike is then made on this trail for some time on the RestCamp after which another haul is made to Lowcamp and from there onwards through the Badaldanda. It is another 2 hours of a very steep climb from Lowcamp through the route that leads to badal danda. On this day, you can decide on the Trek Difficulty level on your own.
The MBC trek route from Badaldanda to Mardi High Camp is easy. The trail starts from Mardi High Camp after crossing Low View point and Upper view point reaches Mardi High Camp. The trek from High camp towards 1st view point is a steep ascend and may take upto 2 hours of trekking.
Where upside movement is difficult in itself, the poor Oxygen level in such high altitude increases it by a little more. Albeit this section of the trail does not provide you an easy hiking experience but once you set your feet on the trail from Second view point to Mardi himal Base Camp, you are sure to be spell bounded.
Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty in the return.
The return hike from MBC to High camp is also possible in 3 hours and is even easy as well. But, 1 half-hour of an downhill to badaldanda from Highcamp makes the return a bit easier. From badaldanda the trail moves on to lowcamp then to sidding.
Of them, the trail from low camp to sadding is not just a downhill trails but a tough one. When you reach the Sidding, allow some time to have the pleasant Mountain Lunch and then be prepared to take the drive back to Pokhara.
Weather and Temperature making trek Difficulty:
Weather and Temperature are among the factors that can help to enhance your experience of the trekking or, on the contrary, make it more difficult. Weather and temperature in the high altitude areas are relatively unstable and bear a close relationship with each other.
The warm temperature is being expected to be a typical feature of this high altitude trek, although there are likely to be harsh weather events in the course of the trek to the Mardi Base Camp.
Sometimes, it stays within visible range and other times the snow meltage impedes your track as shown below: However it is important to not that at any one time, strong winds can come to further hinder your trek journey.
In addition, the temperature at these places is always at its extreme as one gets to the higher altitude. But while by day it is rather warm, at night, the temperature may drop below minus degrees. Staying at such a temperature at nights may not be very comfortable, may be difficult In that case the bird would have to live through that temperature at night.
Nonetheless, with these fundamental warming gears, one can stand the bar of the cold temperatures. As you are going to a region at a higher altitude, many times the weather is very unpredictable, therefore, all provisioning should be done with this in mind. Moreover, it is much easier and effective hiking this area when opting for the correct season.
Acute Mountain illness also known as Altitude sickness makes the trek Difficult
Do you have any idea about the Acute mountain sickness? It the answer is yes, then it is wonderful. If not then also no worries. Before going to read the next paragraph, ensure that you understand what really means altitude sickness. Knowing the fact about altitude sickness, though to some extent can make your Trek more easier.
When you expose your body to the low oxygen level in the higher altitude, your body may not be able to stand that pressure and you will develop altitude sickness. Usually altitude sickness takes place above 2500m of altitude. Dizziness, vomiting, breathlessness, and throbbing headache are some of the symptoms of the altitude sickness.
And those are the symptoms which if you experience them while trekking around the higher regions, it is about the time you took that action. But if you don’t heed such signs, altitude sickness will take you straight to the phase of death.
Hence, if one develops the symptoms of altitude sickness, do not ascend any further and if possible, it is advisable to go down to the lowlands. If you again start to feel abnormal, do some rest and/or consummate adequate fluids.
It can however take weeks for the symptoms to subside and if this is the case, then you can go on with the trek. But if there is none in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. You have to go back to the city areas and must seek for hospitalization in the hospital.
To avoid getting an altitude sickness, there is need to control the speed while trekking. Smoking and alcohol should not be taken during the high altitude trek is another restriction needed for the trek. Besides, adequate intake of water and enough intake of soup, lentils and other fluidal items is of much impacts in guarding against altitude sickness.
If you put all these measures in check, no how however experienced a trekker you might be, you might end up being a prey to the baroness that is altitude sickness.
Due to the fact that the Trek is a high elevation trek, the risk of being treated by altitude sickness is very high on this trek. However, with all the above mentioned precautions you can minimise altitude sickness to the lest.
Annapurna Base Camp trek begins from the comparatively lower area of 1700m at Kande, and then it gradually takes you higher with every day’s trek. Therefore, you might suffers from altitude sickness in Mardi Himal Area less likely if compared to many other famous treks like the one to Everest Base Camp.
In the case of EBC trek, when one hires a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, one immediately get to an altitude of 2860m. Since it is possible to gain such high altitudes within an hour, the danger of altitude sickness in the Everest region treks is relatively high.
Food and Accommodation availability made Mardi Himal trek Difficulty:
Since there are number of teahouses and lodges on the trail of the Mardi Base Camp, this can make you never to struggle on issue of food and accommodation. The teahouses here offer you the barest of facilities. Whoever is in a search for a luxurious stay will find some luxurious lodges on the way to the Mardi Base Camp. But if you anticipate the type of luxury as is found in the city area, then you will definitely be let down.
Similarly during such a period it becomes very hard to book the single rooms/ Sometimes you will be required to sleep with the fellow trekkers in the room. Furthermore, sharing of washroom and bathroom is practices among the people using the tea houses. With that, you have to compromise.
In some cases you can get the hotshower facility at no extra cost on some of the teahouses. In some cases, however, be prepared to incur an additional cost for such service on some of the teahouses.
So if you are planning for food and drinks you’d find in the hotels centralized areas, do not do that. Yes, the Annapurna region caters for the needs of the trekkers for foods as is revealed from the above list of foods that the trekkers can find in the region. And that is never up to parity with that of the city areas.
Budget Difficulty
Budget also plays a very big role in the increase or a decrease in the Trek difficulty level. And if you have enough budget, then you can spend your trek with available luxurious stay. But, if one lacks finance, then spending a night with limited basic amenities is not very easy in Tanzania.
In addition, as observed from the cost of food and accommodation in this sections compared to those of the lower altitudes, any item or service, in these higher altitudes costs a lot of money. As you go higher in class, you will discover that the price of every good, is rather steep.
But when you climb towards the higher classes on this site, you will find all the varieties categorized by prices. As there are no any roadways facilities to trans- port the goods in the higher altitudes, only available way is mules or porter.
A few ATMs and Banks available than some other treks in Nepal. But it is advisable to have some money on you if you are going towards the tribal areas as a trek.
Solo or Guided trek Difficulty
Many signs of direction are also available in every location on the Mardi Himal Trekking trail. Therefore, doing this Trek had been such a great thing though I did it alone. But, for the first-time trekkers, who haven’t come to this region with the notion of acute mountain sickness, your Mardi Himal Base Camp trek can be quite enerving.
Thus, if you decide to go for a trek with this guide, they are ensure that your pace is observed well and they do all in their power to make the journey as enjoyable as possible. Despite that they do their best to offer you even better accommodation service during the peak season at higher altitudes.
This is as true for the burden-free trek which also requires a porter. When moving through the staircases with a heavy backpack, it makes one more fatigued and drained. Hence, it can be said that while entering the trekking trails in Nepal, getting a porter is a wiser choice. Incase you trek Mardi Base Camp with out a porter then in the middle of the trails you will cruse the trek much tougher.
And in that case if one decides to look for a porter, then he stands very minimal chance of getting the service of a porter there. Going by this logic, if by any chance you get someone, you are going to pay a very expensive price.
The difficulty level in the descending order on the basis of the seasons for the trek to Mardi Base Camp. Apart from two large trekking season, there are four seasons in Nepal. They include; Autumn, Spring, Winter and Summer. These seasons come with various kinds of ‘awesomeness’ and levels of difficulty that set them apart from one another. Nevertheless, irrespective of the season you take for the trek, you will always be in for some kind of trouble.
With reference to the Mardi Base Camp, the types of difficulties that you might encounter whilst trekking during the period of Autumn and Spring?
Because of the moderate temperature with little variation in weather Autumn and Spring are the ideal seasons to visit the country of Nepal. And similar is the case, when it come to trek the Mardi Base Camp. It is, however, the clear visibility of the skies and the wonderful mountains that draw a large bleaching of trekkers to the Mardi region especially during the Autumn and Spring time.
Even though spring and autumn are considered to be the best times for trekking with numerous great views, there are some challenges one is likely to encounter when on a trekking exercise to this part of the world during spring and autumn.
The only challenge that you can encounter during the Autumn or Spring trek is the problem of acquiring a single room. In some places, there is not even such a concept as a ‘sharing room.’ Sometimes it may also be mandatory that while the food is prepared, you are required to wait in the line.
However, the Mardi Base Camp is a much sought after trekking destination in these peak trekking seasons so, bear in mind to book your stay in advance. Busy trails mean that you might interact with other people, this can also make the trek more irritating for those who like solitary environments.
Off Season Trek Difficulty
For the peace and solitary lovers, for the long trekking lovers, both Summer and Winter are the best seasons. But somehow cold in winter and heavy rainfall in summer appears to be very much detrimental to the weather condition.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
