Best season and weather
The spring season is considered the best time of the year to experience the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara since it offers many great trekking conditions. During springtime, you are bound for very pleasing daytime temperatures with chilly evenings.
You are also greeted with great views all around since the air quality is great, with impressive visibility. It is also the time of lush nature and blooming flowers, adding to the already beautiful scene of hills and the Himalayas.
Difficulty
The Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara is not a difficult trek at all. One of the best things about this trek is the accessibility and ease. The Annapurna region is one of the most accessible trekking regions of Nepal, and most of the trekking destinations within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project are beginner-friendly. This trek is one of the easiest yet highly rewarding trekking experiences you can go for in Nepal.
Altitude Sickness
The highest point of the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara is 4200 meters above sea level at the viewpoint. Although it is at a considerably high altitude, we will be there for about an hour only. Our highest sleeping elevation is 3550 meters at the High Camp, which is very safe from altitude sickness. The chances of trekkers getting altitude sickness on this trek are extremely low.
Preparation and Fitness
Even though the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara is an easy one, trekkers are required to be physically fit and capable of walking for hours at a time. To achieve this level of physicality, you can do cardio exercises and stamina-building exercises that will prepare you well for the physical demands of the trek. The demands are not that high, and the preparation phase is not lengthy either. You can just prepare a short 4 to 6-week training phase.
Food and Accommodation
Dal Bhat is the most popular dish you will find everywhere; it is the national dish of the country. Along with that, you can also get fried rice, soups, noodles, momo, different styles of cooked egg, basic pasta, Tibetan bread, etc.
There are many Western options for breakfast and other meals, but we recommend trying local and Nepalese meals more. The Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara package covers 3 meals per day.
The accommodation arrangements are done on a twin-sharing basis, and you will be spending all your nights at local tea houses. These local accommodations are owned and operated by the local families, featuring a communal dining hall and shared bathrooms.
Usually, you will not find an attached bathroom, especially in a highland village. The tea houses are not heated, but they will provide you with warm blankets. The Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara will cover all your accommodation expenses during the trek.
Transportation
At the beginning of the trek, we have to drive all the way to Kande, the starting point, and towards the end of the trek, we will have you ride a jeep to Pokhara from Siddhing. Both of these transportations are a part of the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara package. You do not have to pay separately for them.
Communication
Mobile network connectivity is always available on this trek. Although we will visit some remote villages, you will still get some level of cellular network. We recommend using NTC SIM cards if you want a stable and reliable network in the highlands. Additionally, you can also connect to WiFi at most of the tea houses in the region.
Permit
To do the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara, trekkers are legally required to have an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit since the route incorporates the protected region of Annapurna. The trek package will cover the expenses related to it.
Visa
After your arrival in Kathmandu, you have to get your tourist visa approved. You have to fill out a visa application form and pay your visa fees at the immigration section. This will not be covered by the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara package..
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is mandatory for this trek as it saves you from the hefty costs that might hit you in case of emergencies. It is rare that trekkers have to be rescued and evacuated on this trek, but even though the chances are slim, the possibility lives on. So, you can not join this trek without being insured. The Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara package will not cover the fees.
Extra Expenses
Your extra expenses include accommodation in Pokhara, meals in Pokhara, extra meals during the trekking days, any kind of beverages, laundry bills, bar bills, etc.
Private vs. group trek
Group treks are the standard option, where you share the Mardi Himal Trek experience from Pokhara with a group of random trekkers. This is the budget-friendly option that is suitable for trekkers who are traveling solo.
They can feel accompanied and also make some friends on the trek. Meanwhile, a private trek is slightly costlier but allows you the freedom to form a group of only people you know.
