Trek to Mardi Himal with Mission Eco Trek
Mission Eco Trek is one of the best trekking and travel company in Nepal. It offers expert local guides, high safety standards, well-designed trekking packages, and quality services since 2008. We are in Thamel, Kathmandu and deliver reliable, professionally managed trekking and travel experiences.
Documents for Mardi Himal Trek
Two passport-sized photos (2×2 inch)
A copy of your international flight ticket
A copy of travel insurance
A valid passport copy.
International Flights to and from Nepal for Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
You need to book your own international flights. We are a local agent and it would significantly costly to book through us.
Hiring Guide for Mardi Himal Trek
You can hike without a guide. But trek with guide is nice. The guide assists you in going forward and making alternative plans and arrangements when unanticipated occurrences happen/when things get difficult. The guide creates much fun and make the trek successful.
Our guide speak English, and start their careers as porters for 3 to 4 years before becoming trekking guides. Their English skills are based on real-world experience rather than formal education. They are able to communicate effectively, please note that English is not their first language, so their fluency may not be like native speakers. They will also assist with communication, especially since many locals, like shopkeepers and teahouse hosts, may not speak English.
Weather and Temperature
Trekking season for Mardi Himal extends from mid- September to May. From early September, the monsoonal rains decrease. By end of September to December, the weather is usually stable with mild to warm days, cold nights. February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December are the best time to do Mardi Himal trek.
The weather in the mountains is unpredictable. It is nice to trek with well equipped and prepared for Mardi Himal Trek. The nights are much cooler than the daytime in the Mardi Himal. During the day, the temperature reach as high as 25 degrees C (77 Degrees F), and goes down as low as -5 degrees C (23 Degrees F) in the night. The weather and temperature ranges are predictable based on the month and seasons.
Mardi Himal Trek in Spring-March/April/May/June
Spring are the best times of the year to trek around Mardi Himal. You will get beautiful clear blue sky and the species of flower are visible. The average temperature is 20-25 degrees C (68 Degrees F) with the sunny days and a minimum of 0 degrees C (32 Degrees F) in the morning and the night above 2500 meters.
Mardi Himal Trek in Monsoon-July/August/Mid-September
Monsoon season is not really recommended for this trek. The excess rainfall can provide a chance to see spectacular views of the waterfall and it’s also the best season to avoid the crowds. The average temperature is 25-30 degrees C (77 Degrees F) with the sunny days and a minimum of 5 degrees C (41 Degrees F) in the morning and the nights above 2500 meters.
Mardi Himal Trek in Autumn-End of September/October/November
Autumn is one of the best times to trek the Mardi Himal Base Camp. While it lacks the beauty of flowers, the clear blue sky can be seen with an incredible views of the Himalayas. The average temperature is 20-25 degrees C (68 Degrees F) with the sunny days and a minimum of -5 degrees C (23 Degrees F) in the morning and the night above 2500m altitude.
Mardi Himal Trek in Winter-December/January/February
It is also possible to trek Mardi Himal in winter months. It is fewer crowds, and offers great mountain views. The average temperature is 10-17 degrees with sunny days and a minimum of-10 degrees C (14 Degrees F), in the morning and the night above 2500 meters altitude.
The temperature mentioned above is the outdoor temperature of the guesthouse. No need to worry about the cold temperature as we provide the sleeping bag plus an additional blanket to make sure you warm enough in the winter. The sleeping bags that we rent to trekkers is about -15 °C (5 °F). Also, our guides can obtain extra blankets if needed at the teahouses.
Obtain Nepal Visa Upon Arrival
You can obtain a Nepal visa upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. The cost is USD 30 for a 15-day multiple entry tourist visa, USD 50 and USD 125 for a 30-day or 90-day multiple entry tourist visas. It is nice to carry cash in USD for visa fees since the digital payments are frequently unavailable.
It is nice to fill up the online visa application form in advance. Applying online 2 weeks before your arrival to Kathmandu airport. We will be waiting you outside the airport terminal with your name and flight details. You will be transfer to a hotel in a private car or bus.
Trek Payments and Extra Costs
The USD 15 to 20 per person per day will be sufficient to purchase water, tea/espresso, snacks, and hot showers in the trek and for lunch or dinner in Kathmandu. Additionally, if you want to buy souvenirs or native Nepali goods, you can bring extra cash with you.
Once you are out of the cities, all you need is cash. Please change the currency in local Nepali Rupees before you go to the Mardi Himal Trek.
Process of Mardi Himal Trek Booking
When you book, you must pay a 20% deposit to secure your itinerary. The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival at Kathmandu or before arrival. US Dollars cash and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) are accepted once in Nepal. Please note a 4% transaction fee will be added for all credit card transactions.
There are ATM and money exchange facilities almost every few meters in Thamel, where you will be staying in Kathmandu. So, you can easily use your cards to cash out limited sum of money to which a minimum charge is deducted by the ATM facility itself. You can easily exchange your foreign currencies in currency exchange centers for an exact rate.
You can make payments via US Dollars cash or credit card (Visa, Master, and American Express). A 4% transaction fee is added if paying with a credit card. Thus, we encourage you to pay with USD cash if you are planning to pay upon your arrival in Kathmandu.
We prefer you pay with larger bills (USD 50 or 100). Please note that the cash should not be older than 2009 and in good condition, as the banks do not accept worn, torn, or crumpled bills.
Mardi Himal Trek for all ages group hikers
Previous trekking experience is not required if you are physically healthy and have enough enthusiasm for the trek. Mardi Himal treks have no age restrictions if members are healthy and willing. We have had families with kids as young as 5 years do the mountain trekking, and our oldest adventurers have been in their late 70s.
It is safe for a female to trek alone in Nepal. Nepal is usually regarded as a safe nation for female visitors traveling alone. It is entirely safe for a solo woman to trek with our company on any of our treks.
Physical Fitness for Mardi Himal Trek
The trekking to Mardi Himal is somewhat challenging due to the altitude and long duration of the trek. It is a strenuous journey that comprises walking 5 to 8 hours a day. The average walking speed for a reasonably fit person is 4 kilometers per hour. At higher elevations, it is highly recommended that you walk slowly to help with acclimatization.
For trekking, you must prepare your body to walk over uneven, hilly landscapes while carrying a backpack. Walking at an incline, jogging, cycling, and going for long-distance hikes are all good ways to exercise. You should work out for at least four to five times a week for at least two months before trekking.
The trekkers in a good physical condition will able to complete this trek. If you are not physically active, we advise starting an exercise two months before the trek that includes at least an hour of walking at an incline, running, or biking 4-5 times a week.
It is advised to speak with a doctor before making travel arrangements if you have any health issue that could affect your ability to complete the trek.
Preparation and Packing for Mardi Himal Trek
After making the deposit, we will email you for further information. We will require a copy of your passport photo page and your arrival/departure flight details. We will also provide you with additional trip information.
Travel insurance is mandatory for Mardi Himal Trek. We require your policy have medical evacuation coverage for the maximum elevation of the trek. Insurance may also cover additional costs in the event of a flight delay or cancellation caused by bad weather, medical costs, theft, loss, and damage to your items while traveling.
Travel insurance can be obtained through online by one of several travel insurance companies. Please note that insurance obtained from an airline at the time of booking your flight may not cover medical evacuation coverage.
Weight Limit for the Porters in the
The porters carry 30kg, a maximum weight and each porter for two people. However, each porter carries a maximum of 25 kg/55 lbs in total during the trek period. Your duffel bag, which should be weight no more than 12.5 kg/27.56 lbs per client, will be carried by the porter throughout the trek.
We suggest a 30 to 40-liter capacity daypack. Wider straps and hip belts are recommended to assist you in carrying weight evenly and reduce pain. The hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara does provide the free storage services. So, you can leave all your items that are not required for the trekking at your hotel.
Bring copies of your passport, insurance papers, and other essential items in your carry-on during your flight. If you need to take medications daily, keep them in your daypack with your other essential possessions. You can store other non-trekking essentials in the office or at the hotel in Kathmandu.
The porter will take care of your luggage. All you need to carry is your small day bag for your personal belongings like camera, water bottle, sun cream etc.
Accommodation on Mardi Himal Trek
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, we use three-star hotels including breakfast. The teahouses with clean rooms are used during the trek. The guesthouse does not facilitate with heater or air conditioner. However, as it gets colder above 3,500m, they do have facility of hitting the dining area by providing kerosene or metal heater. The USD 1 to USD 3 per person would be applicable to use this service and this is payable directly to the guesthouse.
Most of the tea houses do have western style flushing toilet however in higher elevation you could find the squat toilets made of either a ceramic basin on the ground or few planks precariously positioned over a hole in the ground which is always outside of the room.
A private room in the teahouses cannot be guaranteed during peak season. During the non-peak season, the teahouses may provide a private room without any additional cost. The accommodation during the trek will remain very basic with twin sharing rooms and occasionally dormitory rooms for our trekkers.
We can arrange for a private room while in Kathmandu and Pokhara for an additional cost of USD 35 per room.
You can buy toilet paper in the guesthouses during the trek, but it can be expensive, so we suggest you bring some with you. You also need to bring personal items such as towels, soap, hand sanitizers, and so on.
There are toilet facilities in the teahouses/lodges during the trek. Trekkers can also find private areas along the trail for emergencies.
Meals on Mardi Himal Trek
The most teahouses (lodges) in Mardi Himal trails offer a delicious meals like Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard.
You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization-eat some every day. In many villages, you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always get hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
Each day dinner and breakfast will be at a lodge you’ll stay at while for the lunch you would be stopping by on the way where you can order your meals as per your choice. Guide will help you to stop by at best possible places to eat.
Most of the teahouses in the mountains offer vegetarian meals. So, being a vegetarian is not a problem. Vegetarian meals are preferable to avoid food poisoning and indigestion.
Indeed, the guesthouses follow international guidelines while setting up the food and serve you clean, protected, and warm meals.
Bottled water is easily available at the lodges and teahouses, which you can buy at the cost of USD 2 at lower elevations to USD 4 to higher elevation per liter.
If you are planning to drink normal water all the way during trek, purifying water with any sort of purification tablets or drop is must. You can bring your own purifier or can purchase it in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
In case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellation, your health, or for any reason you decide to discontinue the trek and arrive early in Kathmandu then you will need extra accommodations in Kathmandu. The cost of the teahouses in the mountains is not equivalent to the cost of a hotel in Kathmandu. In such cases, we will arrange your accommodations, but you will need to pay a supplemental charge.
Th teahouses do provide hot boiled water for an extra charge of USD 2 to 5 per liter. The cost varies and increases at higher altitudes. Most of the guesthouses provide proper running common shower and toilet facility.
You can charge your equipment during the trek for an additional cost. The cost will vary but is around USD 1-5 per charge. Two pins (type C) and three pins (type D) adaptors are highly recommended. Bring these adaptors or purchase them while you are in Kathmandu.
Health and Safety
We provide licensed trekking guides with fluent English. Our guides are certified by the Hotel Management and Tourism Center after receiving 45 days of training. Similarly, the guides receive high-altitude training from Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP).
Our guides are well trained and certified in first aid. Throughout the journey, our guides will evaluate your condition. They update on your condition and location through the guides. In places without a phone signal, your situation will be updated through a satellite phone during emergencies.
We allocate one guide for groups of up to 7 participants. For groups of over 7 participants, we allot an assistant guide. As per the size of the group, we may add more guides or divide them into sub-groups.
We provide one porter for every two clients. Two clients’ duffel bags will be carried by one porter. The weight limit is 25 kg (55 lbs) or 12.5 kg (27.56 lbs) for each client. For an additional cost, we can arrange for one porter to carry one participant’s duffel. Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters.
While no vaccinations are strictly mandatory for travel to Nepal, it is highly advisable to take precautionary measures to protect your health. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, we recommend the following vaccinations: Routine Vaccines, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Cholera, etc.
It is also helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. We keep your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.
Altitude sickness is a possibility during the trek. Air at higher elevations has less oxygen available. To avoid altitude sickness, acclimatization days and slow climbs are recommended at higher elevations. Along the trek, you’ll be assisted by our professional guide in recognizing and preventing altitude sickness.
Even when the sun isn’t shining, sun protection is essential. UV rays are reflected by the snow and the harshness of the sun will damage your skin before you notice it at high elevations. Therefore, proper clothing and sunblock are necessary. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, clothes, etc. are vital for sun protection.
Our guides are 24 hours available for the services during the trek. They are trained to use first aid kit and have knowledge to use Oxy meter. They are very much aware that higher the altitude the oxygen level gets lesser so to get updated on the oxygen level of our client and to know whether they are fit enough or needs extra precautions to continue.
Guides carry local sim cards both Nepal Telecom and Ncell in order to update whereabouts and situation of our every client. During the time of emergency our guides are alert and keeps updated to head office in Kathmandu that is available 24 /7 to arranging from horse to mules or helicopters in the must needed cases especially when client is seriously sick in the mountain and needed to be hospitalized.
The continuation of the trek depends upon your health condition. If you suffer from altitude sickness, you need to go down to a lower altitude. It takes several days to a week to recover. In group trekking, you need to discuss with your guide if you can re-connect with your group. However, you’ll be bound by time. If you are on a private trek and have extra time, the trek might be able to continue.
An important piece of equipment is your trekking boots. Invest in a durable and comfortable pair, preferably with water-proof lining. Boots that provide ankle support on rough ground and have stiff soles are recommended.
We have access to a portable altitude chamber in case of an emergency. It is not essential to carry during the trek. Though, we can use arrange it upon request for an extra cost of USD 200.
Practical Matters
Notice should be provided 20 days before the trip start date in case of cancellation. The trip can be canceled for justifiable reasons. Once the trip is canceled, a fee of 30% of the trip cost is retained for administrative costs.
However, the trip amount is entirely non-refundable if the cancellation is not made before the 20 days as per our terms and conditions. For submitting a claim to your insurance company after the cancellation, we can assist with documentation such as a receipt of monies paid. Refund will not be provided for unused accommodation in case of trip cancellation caused by personal reasons/sickness/weather.
Tipping is both expected and appreciated, and it reflects your satisfaction and enjoyment of the trek. We recommend tipping based on the number of participants in your trekking group and the duration of the trek. As a general guideline, consider at least 10-15% of your total trek cost for tipping.
The guides carry local cell phones, so you can use their cell phones if necessary and reimburse them. Assuming you have brought your cell phone, you can obtain a local SIM card and use it. Our guides or representatives can help you get a local SIM card after your arrival. There is the availability of Wi-Fi at most teahouses for an additional cost. We utilize satellite telephones for emergencies.
If you are a solo traveler and book one of our published dates, there is no additional fee. If you sign up for a private trip or change the trip date from one of our published trip dates, you will be charged an additional fee.
Trekkers occasionally fail to complete the journey for medical or personal reasons. In this situation, be aware that we do not issue any refunds for products purchased or unused trek days. We must pay our administration staffs, guides, and porters, purchase trekking permits, and all other booked accommodations in advance, so our expenses remain the same.
If there are any, you will be allocated to a trekking group. The details of the personal data of your group members cannot be disclosed. However, feel free to contact us if you have queries about other trekkers in the group and we shall give you a general idea of the ages, nationality, and sex of your group members. Chances are you will be trekking with others unless you have booked a private trip.
You can extend your trekking trip for an additional cost. Potential arrangements will be made if we get a request from your guide. This is applicable for private or solo trips as the itinerary can be easily adjusted. The addition of extra days is bound by time when you are in a group. Therefore, discuss with your group and guide, what changes can possibly be made.
You can extend your holiday. We offers many options and alternatives for your holiday extension. For
Transportation and Flights
You must book your international flights. We are a local agency and do not make international flight arrangements. You can easily browse through flight tickets in airlines sites to book ones most feasible for you.
We provide you only those options, which enhance your local experience while allowing you to travel comfortably and efficiently. We use private tourist vehicles for sightseeing, city tours and pickups. Depending on the group size we use cars, minibus, vans, tourist bus to and from Kathmandu/ Pokhara. All the vehicles are usually air-conditioned unless you are traveling in cooler areas.
