Nestled within the Annapurna Conservation Area, both Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are captivating journeys that take you through the lap of mountain vistas. As they are located in the same regions, one can enjoy these treks simultaneously in a single package or as independent treks.
In a glance, Mardi Himal Trek is a hidden gem that was only recently added in the trekking list and gained popularity in the year 2010. Since this track is less traveled, it is perfect for those travelers seeking peace during their Himalayan journey.
(Mardi Himal )
Moving on to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it is a classic route that has been travelers’ favorite for decades. It is a well-established track and you should expect a huge crowd during the peak seasons.
(Temple at Annapurna Base Camp)
Altogether, Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek have loads in common as they lie in the similar region. They have the same starting point which only separates the route in the mid-way. However, having said that, both of the routes do possess their distinct charm and give a unique experience.
Location & Altitude
Though both the treks lie in the Annapurna region, the Mardi Himal trek takes you to the eastern side of the region while the Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you to the heart of the region.
You can start both the treks from Pokhara. For Mardi Himal Trek, you will travel by bus to Kande and for ABC trek, you will travel to Nayapul.
During the journey of Mardi Himal, you will pass through dense forests, terraced farmlands, and local communities. It is inclined more towards the side of Mount Machhapuchhre. Likewise, the ABC trekking route will pass you through rhododendron forests and ethnic Gurung communities located right into the heart of Annapurna.
Talking about the altitude, the starting point of Mardi Himal trek is in Kande (at 1,770 meters). During the journey, you will ascend up to 4,500 meters as you reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp. Following it, you can elevate more till the High Camp (at 4,800 meters).
As for the ABC trek, its starting point is in Nayapul (at 1,070 meters) and by the time you reach the Annapurna Base Camp, its elevation is 4,130 meters. You can further elevate up to 5,416 meters through the Annapurna trek at Thorung La.
Trip Duration
The Mardi Himal Trek is one of the shortest treks in Annapurna region that lasts for 5 days. As a fact, the distance of the Mardi Himal trekking trail is 41 kilometers.
Similarly, the distance of the Annapurna Base Camp trek is 110 kilometers which can be accomplished in around 10 days.
Here, you can extend both the journeys by adding other routes.
In Mardi Himal Trek;
- Mardi Himal Trek & Ghorepani Poon Hill (8 to 10 days)
In ABC Trek;
- Annapurna Circuit Trek (12 days)
- Annapurna Circuit Trek & Nar Phu (16 days)
Weather & Seasons
As both Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek lie in a similar region, they do not have a huge difference in weather conditions. However, the climate at ABC trek gets a bit unpredictable as it is located at a higher altitude than the Mardi Himal trekking route.
Indeed, the Mardi Himal trek starts at a higher altitude; however, the elevation is not as high as during the ABC trek. Generally, the Mardi Himal trek has tolerable weather conditions but around the base camp, the temperatures will drop significantly.
As for the ABC trek, it has variations in the weather due to wider altitude ranges. Also, the nights do get more chilly as the altitude increases.
Moving on to the seasons, the peak time is Spring (March, April and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November). During these months, the temperature is mild with clear blue skies and blooming flowers. Hence, the track is crowded and you will have to book your trip in advance.
However, the Summer or Monsoon (June, July, and August) and Winter (December, January, and February) seasons are the off-time. During Summer or Monsoon, it rains almost everyday which makes the trail wet and slippery with the risks of landslides. Likewise, during Winter, the upper region experiences heavy snowfall with the risks of avalanches.
Here, you can embark on Mardi Himal Trek as a solo trekker however, we advise you to travel with a partner or at least a guide if you are looking forward to the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Difficulty Level
While both Mardi Himal trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek are not extremely challenging, Mardi Himal Trek is comparatively an easier one. The difficulty level of each trek is vastly affected by factors such as the altitude level, trip duration, trail conditions, weather, and even travelers’ own physical and mental strength.
Well, the trails of the Mardi Himal trek is known for its smoother tracks which makes the journey quite anagable. However, the tracks of the ABC trek consist of steep ascents, rugged paths, and stone stairs which require a lot of stamina.
Moving on, the Mardi Himal trek lasts only for 5 days while the ABC journey requires you to walk everyday for around 10 days which gets quite strenuous.
Cultural Experience
Trekking in the Annapurna region brings you a close up immersion to experience the local culture and religion of the area.
During your journey to the Mardi Himal, you will pass through several villages such as Siding, Lwang, and Ladruk. This region is mostly inhabited by the ethnic Gurung and Magar communities.
On a similar note, the ABC trek will take you through villages like Ghandruk and Chhomrong which are mostly inhabited by the ethnic Gurung and Thakali communities.
Alongside all these, you will get to experience unique practices, their religions, traditional village houses, foods, and warm hospitality.
Cost
Before embarking on either one of these journeys, you should be well-aware of the cost factors. Well, both Mardi Himal trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek require you to have the permit.
The permit of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is issued by the tourism board and you can either get it in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. For the Mardi Himal trek, the permit cost ranges from USD 20 to 30 while it’s USD 25 to 30 for the ABC trek.
Likewise, you will have to add your transportation costs which can be cheap or expensive depending on your mode of travel. Additionally, it is important to know that the higher you ascend, the more expensive the items get, including accommodation, food, drinks, and snacks.
As a fun fact, in some parts of the trails, you will have to pay extra for hot showers, wifi, and even phone and battery charging. Another thing to note is that although you will find multiple ATMs and money exchange corners in the capital city, Kathmandu, you will not find a single one along the trails of the Himalayas. Hence, you should carry enough cash.
Highlights of The Mardi Himal Trek
- Witness authentic tribal villages such as Siding, Lwang, and Ladruk.
- Experience peace and tranquility during the journey.
- Relish the breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre, and the Mardi Himal.
- Trek through the dense forests of oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendrons.
- Explore the city of lights, Pokhara and enjoy boating in Phewa Lake.
- Sunrise and sunset view of the mountain views.
- See Also @wheatliesrblx : How @wheatliesrblx Changed Gaming
Highlights of The Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Mesmerizing views of the Annapurna ranges, Hiuchuli, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Chulu, Machhapuchhre, and so on.
- Enjoy the hot springs at Jhinu Danda.
- Stunning views from Poon Hill.
- Adventure sports such as paragliding from Sarangkot.
- Breathtaking sunrise and sunset views from high viewpoints.
- Explore the city of lights, Pokhara and enjoy boating in Phewa Lake.
- Witness local villages such as Ghandruk.
What To Pack During Your Trip To Annapurna region?
The list of items to pack for the Annapurna region depends on the season you are planning to visit. Hence, the packing list as per the seasons is mentioned below.
For the Spring / Autumn Season
- Thermals
- Light-weight hiking shirt and trousers
- Full and half pants
- Wind-cheater jacket
- Quality hiking shoes
- Light-weight down jacket
- Light underwear
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
For the Summer / Monsoon Season
- Full sleeve trekking garment (shirt and trousers)
- Windproof and waterproof jackets
- Down jacket
- Anti-slippery shoes
- Water-proof backpack
- Rain Jacket
- Rain pant
For the Winter Season
- Fleece or wool trousers
- Inner thermals
- Warm shirt
- Woolen sweater and jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Down jacket
- Woolen cap
- Woolen scarf
- Heavyweight gloves
Other Essentials For The Trek
- Sunscreen
- Lip Guard
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Shampoo
- Moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Lightweight towel
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper
- Sanitary pads
- Water bottle
- Trekking poles
- Casual sandals
- Mobile chargers and adapters
- Torchlight and extra batteries
Conclusion
Both the Mardi Himal trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek provide an incredible journey with distinct experience. Hence, choosing between either of them depends upon your preference, time, stamina, and other various factors like cost.
However, if you had to compare between the two in terms of difficulty, it is visible that the ABC trek is more challenging than the Mardi Himal trek. Lastly, if you do not wish to choose between the two journeys, you can also combine both into one package and enjoy it.
