Best time for Mardi Himal trek

The Mardi Himal trek is an underrated gem of the Annapurna region and an ideal option for anyone who prefers to be away from the hustle and bustle. It is suitable even for beginners, being classified as an easy-to-moderate trek. While the paths may be slippery and rocky at times, those with average health conditions can surely complete the trek in 6 or 7 days.

The highest altitude the Mardi Himal trek extends to is 4500 m / 14763.78 ft. It has a lesser chance of causing altitude sickness for experienced trekkers. However, beginners might experience some of its effects like HAPE, HACE, shortness of oxygen, etc. Chasing Mardi, one traverses through beautiful rhododendron forests ( in spring ), Pun and Gurung villages, exotic flora and fauna, and endless panoramic views. Trek to Mardi Himal Base camp is known for one of the best views of the Machhapuchhre Himal / Mt. Fishtail (6993 m / 22943 ft) and other snow-capped mountains like Mt.Annapurna 8091m / 26545 ft, Mt. Gangapurna 7455 m / 24459 ft, Mardi Himal 5587 m  /18330 ft, Hiunchuli peak, etc.

As the trek is not challenging and does not have any major issues during any season, you can enjoy the Mardi Himal trek any time of the year. Spring, Summer, Winter, and Autumn are the 4 seasons Nepal experiences. Autumn and Spring are the best seasons to visit the Mardi Himal Base camp, but the other two seasons are not bad either. Let us explain what Mardi welcomes you with according to the season.

Spring season

Nepal experiences the Spring season from March to May. This is the peak season of trekking for nature lovers because the flowers start blooming, making the environment magical. The temperature is suitable for trekking. It ranges from 18 degrees Celsius / 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit to 21 degrees Celsius / 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Similarly, it drops down to 5 degrees Celsius / 41 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Celsius / 32 degrees. 

Fahrenheit. The sky is clear, and no precipitation is expected (occasional rainfall during May). 

Photo: Clear View of Mardi Himal during Spring Season

Therefore, the Spring season has the best scenic bliss for you to witness with flowers of all the colors you can imagine! Oh, what a dream it would be to trek amidst wildflowers with their fragrance accompanied by birds chirping. The days are longer than nights which gives ample amount of time to finish the trek on time. 

Not to forget, with a great view comes great traffic on the trail. Meaning there will be a lot more people, unlike in any other season. So, if you want to enjoy trekking peacefully then this season might not be for you. One might not have many options regarding accommodation either, as almost all the lodges and tea houses are pretty full. 

Summer / Monsoon season

The monsoon ( June to August ) season is not the best time to trek to Mardi Himal. The temperature ranges from 17 degrees celsius / 62.6 to 23 degrees celsius / 73.4 during the day. During the night, it drops down from 5 degrees Celsius / 41 degrees Fahrenheit to 10 degrees Celsius/ 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It experiences heavy rainfall. Yes, the green forests and other vegetation will be a sight worth beholding. The trail, on the other hand, gets muddy and slippery. This makes trekking a bit hard and risky. You may slip and hurt yourself. In case of sudden rainfall, you might get wet for a prolonged time and eventually fall sick. 

Photo: Mardi Himal Trekking Path during Monsoon

Likewise, the dark clouds and rainfall also obstruct the clear view of the panoramic sights. The only reason one should opt for this season for the Mardi Himal trek is seclusion. During this time, there is not much movement of trekkers. Thus, less crowded trails are perfect for people who cherish “me time “. You will not struggle to find a teahouse at that very instance if needed.

If you plan the Mardi Himal trek around Monoson / Spring season, make sure to be prepared to stay safe from the rain with proper clothes and other supplies like raincoats, umbrellas, waterproof jackets, and boots.

Autumn/fall season

Autumn season is the best time for the Mardi Himal trek. Be it weather-wise, temperature-wise, or view-wise. The Autumn season has the best of it all. Nepal experiences the season of harvest (Autumn ) from September to November. Between September and October, Nepalese celebrate their biggest festival -Dashain. Traveling around this time lets you enjoy the greatest Nepalese festival with them. The festivity’s warmth in the air is a plus point in the trek to Mardi Himal during the fall season.    

Since the monsoon bids farewell and the environment gets clear, nature is on another level in Autumn. The sky is crystal clear, and the temperature is not too hot and not too cold either. It is around 20 degrees celsius/ 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and falls down to around 5 degrees celsius/ 41 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The trails are perfectly intact this time around, making it easier for you to walk long hours continuously. 

Precipitation (rainfall ) is expected only in early September. So, no need to stress too much about sudden rain ruining the trek.    

The only downside of this season’s trek is the traffic, like in that of the Spring season or even more. Since Autumn is a peak season and perfect from all aspects many people travel during this timeline. You can not expect to trek without encountering a crowd. It can get hard to get a teahouse that is at the top of your list and changing the teahouse seems nearly impossible. If you make the bookings prior and have no issues with crowds at trails, then go for it.                                                            

Winter season

Don’t we all prefer to see mountains being piled up with snow? If your answer was yes, then winter is the season to visit Mardi Himal for you. Winter starts in December and ends in the month of February. The surrounding gets cold, and the snow starts to cover everything, making it a winter wonderland.

Photo: The snow-covered path of the Mardi Himal trail during the winter season

The temperature gets really low. During the day time, the approximate range of the temperature is 9 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius/ 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night it really gets freezing as it gets below 0 degrees Celsius / 32 degrees Fahrenheit to -5 degrees Celsius/ 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though the view looks really pretty with the snow all around, the surrounding gets really dry. It can be hard to navigate the correct trail due to snow. There is also a risk of snowstorms.

Other than these issues, everything else is fine. The trails are not overly crowded, you can trek peacefully. Many people do not prefer trekking during this time, so teahouses are easily available. Some even offer hefty discounts. For the Mardi Himal trek during the Winter, wear warm clothes like down jackets, gloves, hats, etc. Do not forget to carry trekking boots that are specially made to be walked on snow.

Final say for the right season:

The Mardi Himal trek is easy and can be done in any season. We suggest you avoid the winter and Summer seasons due to the weather conditions. The ideal option to go for is Spring and Autumn/ Fall seasons. The most important thing is to stay safe and go prepared if you decide to trek during Summer or Winter. Carry proper clothes and trekking gear, and always keep up with the weather forecast. Eat healthy food and stay warm. Take the lead of experienced personnel or simply just hire a guide. It is better if you do not plan a solo trek during Winter and Summer because you might need the help of other people if any accidents occur unexpectedly.

Why Mardi Himal trek?

Suppose your confusion about choosing the right time to plan your trek is out of the picture now. Let us give you some reasons that answer “Why choose the Mardi Himal trek?”

• Beginner-friendly. People with little to zero experience in trek can easily do it.

• Flaunts the best rhododendron forest during spring

• Doesn’t elevate up to a very high altitude ( max altitude in the entire Mardi Himal trek - 4500 m / 14763.78 ft)

• The trail to Mardi Himal Base Camp boasts the Annapurna range Annapurna I (8091 m / 26545.28 ft), II (7937 m / 26040.03 ft), III (7855 m / 25771 ft), IV (7525 m / 24688.32 ft ), Annapurna south(7,819 m / 25652.89 ft), and mountains like Dhaulagiri (8,167 m / (26,795 ft), Machhapuchre / Fishtail 6,993 m / 22,943 ft, Nilgiri 7,061 m / 23,166 ft, Mardi  5,587 m / 18,330 ft, etc.

• The Mardi Himal trek can be completed in a short period of time.

• Get to trek through the beaten path.

• Observe the Gurung and Sherpa lifestyles of remote places closely and be a part of them.

Why Swotah Travel for Mardi Trek? 

Swotah Travel is your ideal choice for the Mardi Himal trek. We are a socially responsible travel company that is passionate about sustainable tourism. We take pride in providing personalized service and tailor-made packages to our clients. We believe in creating meaningful experiences that are both enlightening and enjoyable. Our goal is to help our clients explore Nepal in the most responsible way possible. 

When you travel with Swotah Travel, you can be assured that your journey will be eco-friendly and hassle-free. We guarantee that your trek will be well-organized, safe, and comfortable. We plan our treks considering tourism's impact on the environment, local communities, and cultures. We take special care to minimize the wastage of resources and to promote responsible tourism practices. 

If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure in the Annapurna region, book your trek with Swotah Travel today! We provide a wide range of packages to meet your needs, so you can have the best experience possible. Let us help you explore the breathtaking beauty of Mardi Himal and its surrounding areas in a responsible way.