Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camps Trek-13 days

Discovery World Trekking provides free airport pickup from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu during arrival and free airport dropoff during departure to all its clients who are coming for Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camo Trek. We provide this service so that you will not find yourself alone in a foreign country or face navigation problems. When you arrive at Kathmandu Airport, you will find our company representative holding a pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, they will present you with a garland and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. To use this service, you must provide us with your flight details after booking the trek. 

 

Journey start

You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at least one day earlier before 3 pm for last-minute preparations. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will also provide us time to conduct an in-person trip briefing. During the trek briefing, we will introduce you to our trek team, provide you with vital information about the trek details, and recheck your luggage to ensure you have packed all essential items. On the trek departure date, we will take you to Pokhara from Kathmandu on a tourist bus. After spending a day at Pokhara, you will head to Dhampus, where the trails begin.   

 

Accommodations

You will spend 12 nights during the trek. Out of these 12 nights, you will spend two nights at Silver Oaks Inn in a room with an attached bathroom and other modern amenities like cable tv, laundry service, internet, etc. You will spend ten nights at trek regions in twin sharing rooms - four nights, room with attached bathroom at Jhinu Danda (2N) and Deurali (2N). Six-night standard rooms at Forest Camp, High Camp, Low Camp, Bamboo (2N), and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). We hand-select the best accommodations in trek regions. You will need at least two nights of hotel stays in Kathmandu - one before the trek starts and the other at the end - but this package does not include those stays. Kathmandu has all sorts of hotels that can match your preferences and budget. We do not want to restrict your choices. 

 

Meals

The Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp is a long trek at high elevations in the Himalayas. The trek will be physically exhausting. So you will require plenty of nutritious food. Hence, we will provide you plenty of hygienic, tasty, and nutrient-rich food. However, as you reach higher elevations, the food choices will get limited. The food is mainly traditional, western, or Asian. 

Though non-veg items will be available in the trek regions, for hygiene concerns, we do not recommend you take them. Instead, you should eat lots of vegetables and liquids such as lemon tea, green tea, ginger tea, and garlic (must) soup. However, we encourage you to avoid alcoholic drinks, caffeinated items, dairy, and hot chocolates.

We will provide 11 lunches, 10 dinners, and 11 breakfasts in the trek regions. Here are the food choices.

Breakfast: Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, Butter, Cheese, Honey, Tibetan bread or Chapati, French toast with Jam, Local Tsampa porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Muesli Breads, fruits, Vegetables, Hot drinks (varieties of teas and coffees, hot chocolates, etc.)

Lunch: Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable curry, Potatoes, Dhal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni dishes, Tenduk Spaghetti Noodles, Vegetables, Salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Desserts, (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), etc

Dinner: Dhal, Bhat, Tarkari, Tibetan Bread, Noodles Thukpa, Pasta, Vegetable Curry, Potato items, Various Soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Macaroni, Tenduk, Spaghetti, Vegetable and salad Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad, Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts items (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc

Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is possible throughout the year, and Discovery World Trekking conducts this trek in all seasons. However, you must consider the weather when deciding to hike to Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp, as different seasons will provide you with different experiences. 

Most people prefer to trek in the Annapurna region during spring (March, April, May) or autumn (September, October, and November). During this time, the skies are clear, the trails are in good condition, and clear skies let you enjoy the views. Winter (December, January, February) and summer (June, July, August) season treks are less popular. In Nepal, the summer season coincides with the monsoon, which makes the trails wet and slippery. In winter the trek regions at high elevations get cold, and snowfall makes trekking difficult.

Here are the weather conditions at high trek elevations throughout the year.

 

Spring (March-May)

The treks in the Annapurna region during spring are very favorable and bring in trekkers from around the world. During these months, the temperatures are mild, the chances of rainfall are negligible, and the trails are in great condition. The trekking season begins in March, and by April, the trek trails get adorned with red, pink, and white rhododendrons. The temperature at high elevations ranges from 10 to 0°C. From mid-March, the temperatures rise gradually, and clear skies provide spectacular views.

 

Summer (June - August)

The summer in Nepal coincides with the monsoon. Though the temperatures are high, the trek regions get wet and slippery. However, the rainfall also feeds the springs, waterfalls, and rivers, making the scenery lively. At high altitudes, the day temperatures range from 10°C to 23°C, and at night, temperatures dip to 5°C to 10°C. The mornings are generally clear, but clouds appear in the afternoon and disappear at night. Nevertheless, the monsoon rain also revitalizes the vegetation giving life to trek regions.

 

Autumn (September - November)

Autumn is a busy trek season in the Annapurna region because of mild temperatures, low precipitation, and good trail conditions. The temperatures at high trek elevations can reach 20°C during the day and retreat to around 5°C at night. The summer greens give way to golden foliage that looks lovely against the blue skies. It is also a harvest season in Nepal, and you can see the grains ripening in the enclaves. Most festivals in Nepal - Chhat, Dashain, and Tihar - also fall during this season, adding a festive mood to the entire nation. 

 

Winter (December - February)

Winter treks at the Annapurna region are less popular due to low temperatures and snowfalls at the high trek altitudes. The coldest part of the winter begins in late December and lasts till early February. The temperature at Annapurna Base Camp can get as low as -10°C. After late February, the weather warms to around -5°C. Though it might be cold during these months, the skies are clear, and with fresh snow, the mountains look fantastic. If you do not mind the low temperature and have no cold allergies, you can certainly trek during winter as well,

We conduct group as well as private treks. If you have your trek group, you will be eligible for discounts according to the group size. We can handle all trek group sizes and allocate one extra assistant guide for a group of 12 or more. However, you will not get any discount for groups Discovery World Trekking assembles. 

 

Trip grade and fitness

Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp trek is a moderate yet highly rewarding hike. The highest trek point is Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500m. You will hike for five to seven hours on a trekking day, taking regular breaks to rest, enjoy the scenery, and take pictures. The trails themselves can be steep at times, with many ups and downs as well as straight sections. Previous trek experiences may be advantageous, but not necessary. A healthy person who can hike for five to seven hours while taking enough breaks and with a small backpack can complete this trek. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trek. So, you may engage in stamina-building exercises such as cycling, jogging, and swimming a few weeks before the trek. However, if you suffer from heart, lung, or blood diseases, you need to consult your doctor before booking the trek. 

 

Typical day

Each trekking day will bring new experiences as you hike, take pictures, try local food, climb, witness new cultures and traditions, and explore new places. As you trek, your Sherpa guides will provide you with information about the places as you visit them. Porters will carry your luggage, but we expect you to bring a small backpack for your valuables and essential documents. 

The trek will begin at around seven or eight after breakfast, depending upon the length of trails to cover. We will serve you lunch, often mid-way to the next destination. After lunch, you will rest for an hour and then resume the trek. Afternoon treks will be shorter, and once you reach your destination for that day, you can snack on your extra-dietary supplements. Then you are free to explore the nearby places.

We will serve you dinner around 6:30 pm. After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing and before going to bed, you can spend your time as you like. You can read books, play games like cards, monopoly, or chess, or learn light and fun Nepali words. 

 

Communication

The lodges/tea houses/hotels you will be staying in have an internet connection, and you can use this internet to connect with your friends and families. However, you might need to pay a small service fee. If you want, you can buy a local SIM in Kathmandu, but based on the network you use, the mobile signals may not be strong enough. Discovery World Trekking remains in contact with its trek teams at least once a day via the trek lead to ensure the trip is progressing as planned and everyone is comfortable. We use mobile for communication at high trek elevations. 

 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is mandatory and must include helicopter rescue up to the trek’s highest elevation (4,500m) and medical coverage. As with all high-altitude hikes, there remains a chance of catching altitude sickness and other mishaps. Hence, you must submit your insurance copy to Discovery World Trekking before departing for the trek. In emergencies, we will use your insurance policy to arrange an effective rescue. 

Only Indians do not need a visa to enter Nepal. However, most foreigners can receive an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport or at immigration checkpoints along Nepal-India and Nepal-China borders. To apply for a visa, you need a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees. The current visa application fee is USD 50 for a 30-day stay. Children under 10 are eligible for a free visa.

SAARC (Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka) and Chinese nationals can also get free visas. However, citizens from certain countries - Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan - may not get an on-arrival visa. So if you belong to any of these countries, you must contact your local embassy. 

The Nepal government may change its visa rules without prior notice. Hence, for the latest information, please visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/. 

 

Money Exchange

Nepali Rupees (NRS/Rs) is the official currency of Nepal. 1 USD = ~Rs. 130.

Despite the security of traveler’s check, we recommend you bring cash (major currencies) to avoid lengthy paperwork and high bank commissions. Banks charge 4% or more to cash the traveler’s check. However, you can easily exchange your currency for Nepali Rupees in legal money exchanges all over Thamel. These money exchanges display their ongoing rates publicly. Most hotels also exchange small amounts of foreign currency.

Since the trek regions only accept Nepali Rupees, you must exchange your foreign currency in Kathmandu based on your spending habits. We estimate that you will require USD 10 to 20 per trekking day. You can also withdraw Nepali Rupees from ATMs using your foreign card. However, you will have to pay Rs.500 as a fee for Rs.35,000 withdrawal. Most of these ATMs are open 24/7. 

If you have Indian Rupees, please note that only Indian Rupee notes of Rs. 2,000 and 100 are legal in Nepal.

 

Luggage

We assign a porter for every two trekkers, but your luggage weight limit is 9 kg, and we do not allow our porters to carry more than 18 kg of luggage. In addition, we also expect you to bring a small backpack with your valuables and essential documents. We will also recheck your luggage during the trek briefing to ensure you have packed all essential things. You can store your extra luggage, for the duration of your trek, at Discovery World Trekking for free. 

 

Trek safety

Discovery World Trekking guarantees your safety, security, and satisfaction. We carry standard equipment, first-aid kits, and oximeters to ensure trek safety. If someone falls sick, your trek leader has the authority to decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately taking into consideration the overall condition of the group. Here are some ways we ensure trek safety. Our trek leaders have completed intensive first-aid training, and in emergencies, we deploy a helicopter for rescue (funded by insurance). Furthermore, you will be trekking in a group for an added layer of safety. 

 

Discovery World Trekking crew

Throughout the trekking, our licensed and experienced Sherpa/guide will be by your side, providing information about the places as you visit them. Porters will carry your luggage. Since our crew members come from the high Himalayas, they can easily stay at high altitudes without being affected. 

We believe that only happy people can keep others happy. For this reason, we try our best to keep our employees happy. We pay our employees well and cover their food, accommodations, insurance, equipment, and gear. They also receive medical care when injured or sick. Our trek leaders are

• Intensive wilderness first aid trained
• Fluent in English and other languages
• Trained in biodiversity and ecology conservation
• Experienced in rock climbing.

 

Responsible travel

We understand that we must preserve tourist destinations today so that these regions keep on attracting tourists in the future. So, we try our best to leave only the footprints in the trek regions. Our crew members dispose of the wastes properly and do not take anything from the trek region. Furthermore, Discovery World Trekking works with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize environmentally friendly trips.

 

Booking and payment

Discovery World Trekking is a government-registered and bonded trek and tour company, providing its service for over a decade. We are also members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Hence you can book treks with us confidently. 

We require 10 percent of the trip cost as advance to confirm the booking. You can pay through bank transfer, Wise, or online through this website. The remaining trip cost is due when you arrive in Kathmandu. You can pay in cash, through bank transfer, or Wise.

We will also email you payment details along with the modes of payment available. Please email us your passport copy, travel insurance certificate, and arrival and departure flight details within a week of booking the trek. 

 

Tipping

Nepali culture accepts tipping and views it as a validation of good service. We suggest you tip based on the trip cost, trip length, and quality of service. Further, you should tip collectively at the end of the trip. 

 

Last-minute booking

It is always a good idea to book treks in advance. However, those who decide to trek at the last minute can book treks with us after completing 100% of the trip cost 24 hours before the intended trek departure date. Though we try to conduct trips at any time, for treks booked at the last minute, you cannot hold us responsible for delays caused due to circumstances beyond our control, such as unavailability of lodging, bad weather, landslides, etc. For more information, you can contact us at 977- 9840055491 or email [email protected].

 

Trip extensions

If you have extra days in Nepal, after completing your Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, we can organize several fun activities for you, such as sight-seeing tours in and around Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan jungle safari, canoeing, paragliding, etc.

 

Feedback

After completing Annapurna & Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, Discovery World Trekking will organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After the dinner, we will present you with a Discovery World Trekking trek achievement certificate. You can also use this time to provide us with trek feedback so that we can improve our services in the future. 

 

Useful info

Please note that Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp include a fixed departure from Kathmandu, but if the dates do not suit you, let us know, and we can arrange the trek at your convenience. Moreover, the itinerary above is a general guideline. In rare cases, we might need to modify the itinerary details for reasons outside our control, such as landslides, unfavorable weather, accommodation unavailability, etc. In case of itinerary modifications, your guide will decide after consulting all the team members.