Essential documents necessary for the Mardi Himal Trek:
Travel Insurance- Don't forget to take your travel insurance documents as its policies cover any unexpected accidents, emergencies and helicopter evacuations during the trek.
Passport- Some checkpoints require checking the trekker’s passport, so consider carrying an original or a copy in your packing list for the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek.
Nepal visa- A visa is essential for every foreigner staying in Nepal. You can acquire it in Kathmandu or in advance at your nearest Nepali embassy for just $40 per month.
Permits required for Mardi Himal Trekking
Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit (ACAP) - It is a mandatory permit required for all trekkers entering the Annapurna region. It costs NPR 3000 for foreigners and NPR 1000 for SAARC countries.
Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card - This card is useful for tracking trekkers in the Annapurna region and managing their information for safety and security purposes. It costs about NPR 2000 for foreigners and NPR 300 or 600 for SAARC countries trekkers.
Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality Permit- It costs about NPR 1000, which is approximately 8 US dollars.
Note: Trekking agencies include the cost for these permits in the package; you just have to provide your passports and photos so that they can obtain them for you. If you want to attain these yourself, then you can go through a trekking agency or the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office.
Food and accommodation during Trekking to Mardi Himal
Food Options:
In your journey to Mardi Himal, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the delicious food along the base camp trail. During trekking in the Himalayas, you should focus more on what your body requires rather than your favourites. The quality and quantity of food as well as water you consume during the trip determine the amount of stamina your body has, so it is essential to take a balanced diet to make your trek pleasing and worth it.
You will come across some small shops along the trail where you can buy some light snacks, chocolates and bottled water. However, we suggest you take your reusable water bottle and fill it at the tea houses before you begin to hike.
Here are some of the food options you can find during the Mardi Himal trek:
Breakfast
- Tea (milk/black)
- Coffee
- Tibetan bread (with Yak cheese and milk)
- Porridge (with milk and honey)
- Pancakes
- Aloo Roti
- Chapati
- Eggs
Meal / Lunch
- Dal Bhat Tarkari (veg/non-veg)
- Pasta
- Mo:mo (veg/non-veg)
- Chow-mein (veg/non-veg)
- Noodles soup (veg/non-veg)
- Nepali-style pizza
- Fried Rice (veg/non-veg)
Dessert
- Puddings
- Chocolate rolls
- Sneaker rolls
- Curd
Alcoholic beverages
- Beer
- Chhyang
- Tongba
- Fermented Millet alcohol
Note: Alcoholic drinks are not recommended for trekkers during the trek because they can increase the risk of dehydration and altitude sickness.
Safe Drinking Water:
Despite the number of local water resources you come across on the route, such as taps, wells or rivers in the trekking region, it is not safe for drinking and I do not recommend doing so.
For safe drinking water, you can certainly buy packaged water bottles from en-route shops and tea houses. But please consider carrying your water bottle and refilling it with purchased bottled water to minimise plastic waste. You can also use water purifying tablets or filters as other alternatives.
Accommodation:
The accommodation units on the Mardi Himal Trek usually consist of basic to moderate facilities such as tea houses, simple rooms, meals and shared bathroom facilities. Some homestays and guest houses might have more amenities like hot showers or Wi-Fi for an extra charge.
During peak season, it is recommended to book before to avoid any problems.
Here are some of the types of accommodation you can find during the Mardi Himal trek:
Tea Houses: They offer basic but comfortable rooms with moderate services. These rooms come with twin beds with basic bedding and blankets, shared bathrooms and meal facilities.
These tea houses consist of communal dining areas where trekkers can enjoy their savoury meals and form connections with locals and fellow trekkers.
I recommend that you carry a sleeping bag for more comfort and warmth at higher altitudes.
Home stays: In some villages, you can find tea houses, offer a small group of trekkers or an individual trekker basic food and lodging services in their own home. They allow you to immerse yourself in traditional Nepali culture and form special bonds. You will get to experience their local lifestyle, the terrain and how the climate affects daily life in the mountains.
Guesthouses: These are usually found in larger villages offering slightly more amenities than tea houses, such as hot showers and Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi, mobile networking and electricity during Mardi Himal Trekking
Mobile Networking:
The Mardi Himal trekking route has a far better network and connectivity than other routes in the Annapurna region. Both NTC and NCELL SIMs offer proper coverage along the trek. However, the signal may be intermittent, especially at higher elevations.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is available at various points throughout the trek, Places like Australian Camp, Dhampus, Pothana and Pitam Deurali. Places like forest camp have no Wi-Fi or reliable signal, and connectivity becomes interfered with and slow after passing Badal Danda
Electricity:
Most of the tea houses and guest houses have electricity, but to use it, you have to pay a certain amount to charge your devices. There might be frequent power cut-offs as you go to higher altitudes.
Here are some recommendations for power management during the Mardi Himal Trek:
- Consider getting a high-capacity power bank with at least 20,000 mAh.
- Remind yourself to put your phone in battery saver mode and turn off wi-fi as well as mobile data services when it is not in use to conserve battery.
- Make sure to turn off any background apps and location services except while using these services.
- If possible, bring a solar charger for sustainable power backup.
- Make sure to put your charged items, such as power banks and mobile phones, close to your heart so that the cold temperature in the surroundings does not drain the battery rapidly.
How long is the Mardi Himal trek?
This trek usually takes 5 days.
How much does it cost to do the Mardi Himal trek for 5 days?
The Ammonite Adventure provides 5-day Mardi Himal treks for just $599.
Do I need a permit for the Mardi Himal trek?
Yes, you need these permits: Annapurna Conservation Area project permit (ACAP), Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card, and Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality Permit.
Which month is best for the Mardi Himal Trek?
The best months for the Mardi Himal Trek are March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) due to stable weather, pleasant temperatures, and clear mountain views.
Can you trek Mardi Himal without a guide?
Hiring a licensed guide is strongly recommended for safety. Many trekking companies require foreign trekkers to have a guide, but the rule is not always strictly checked everywhere.
What is the highest elevation of the Mardi Himal trek?
The highest elevation of the Mardi Himal trek is 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Tipping in the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
While not being mandatory, tipping culture is prominent and very much appreciated in the trekking community. There aren't any specifically fixed rules regarding tipping, but usually it is common to tip around 10 to 15% of the total cost of the trek.
Tipping also depends on your experience and satisfaction with the guide’s and porter’s services, which is acceptable.
Here are some of the guidelines to make a fair tipping decision:
- Longer duration treks may require a slightly higher amount of tips.
- As the challenges and risks increase with trekking in difficult terrain or higher altitudes, a high amount of tipping is justifiable.
- If you were able to make a special bond with your guide or porter who went above and beyond to satisfy your needs, feel free to tip more.
- Overall, you can tip however you feel is appropriate and according to your budget.
Both Nepali rupees and US dollars are acceptable for tipping. Collective tips are also acceptable, but if you want to give them individual appreciation, you can give them a separate or personal tip as well.
Just consider balancing the ratio of tipping by the overall cost of the trek and the level of service you received.
Booking trek to Mardi Himal with Ammonite Adventure
Ammonite Adventure is a registered trekking agency bonded by the Nepal Government, members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). So be sure that you are in good hands, and you can trust us to book your dream adventure.
A 10% advance payment by bank transfer is required to secure your Short Mardi Himal Trek with Ammonite Adventure so that we can confirm and start with your travel arrangements. Once that is done, you can pay the rest of the balance in Nepal with cash, credit card or transfer.
After your successful booking, send us an email with a copy of your passport, which can also include dependent children, photos, travel insurance, and flight details within a week.
Is last last-minute booking possible for the Mardi Himal trip?
Yes! We do accept last-minute bookings for the Mardi trek. However, you should make sure to pay for the trip in full within 24 hours before your trek starts.
Although we try our best to run treks at any time according to the demand of our guests, last-minute bookings will most likely face some challenges in confirmed flights and weather.
Is travel insurance required for Mardi Himal Trekking?
Ammonite Adventure recommends that you have travel insurance, as it is considered mandatory for anyone willing to trek Mardi Himal. But if you decide to do so, make sure you choose the one that covers high-altitude trekking, medical crisis expenses, emergency evacuations, trip cancellations and repatriation.
Since the medical facilities in the Annapurna region are limited, it is necessary to make sure that it include coverage for trekking activities above 4000 m. In the event of a serious medical emergency, helicopter evacuation is covered by insurance, which might save you a lot of bucks.
Final Words,
Trek to Mardi Himal is one of the most rewarding short treks that is suitable for all age groups and experience level trekkers. This is one of the must-do treks during your visit to Nepal.
Feel free to reach out on www.ammoniteadventure.com, where we arrange your dream trek to the Mardi Himal, Annapurna region.
