Mardi Himal Trek is a short an exciting off the beaten trek in Nepal. The trails of this scenic trek pass through the lush alpine forests and virgin landscapes of the Annapurna region. You will get a great trekking experience in a short span of time.
Mardi Himal trek cost depends upon various factors like the itinerary, food and accommodation, personal expenses, etc. Besides that, the trek cost also depends upon the package provided by the travel company. If you book with us, we assure you a complete trek package at a reasonable cost.
The trails of Mardi Himal are less travelled and unspoiled. Thus, the stunning trek is less expensive in comparison to the popular treks of Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp region. The total cost of this incredible trek can range anywhere between $500 to $700. You will get all the features of a high-quality trek in a limited budget.
Furthermore, budget travellers and backpackers can adjust and save costs on various headings like food, accommodation, personal expenses etc. This spectacular trek is ideal for those trekkers who have limited budget and time on their schedule.
We are offering this Mardi Himal trek package at a reasonable cost. These packages include your food, accommodation, transportation expenses, and other costs. We will manage all the logistics so that you can enjoy your trek hassle-free. Read further for the cost estimates, budget allocation and additional information about the Mardi Himal trek cost.
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Mardi Himal Trek Cost Details
Transportation Cost
Kande is the starting point of the Mardi Himal trek. You can get to Kande from Kathmandu either by local bus, tourist coach, or a 4wd jeep. Alternatively, you can also take a flight to Pokhara and then take a short drive to Kande.
A bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs around US $5- $10. The luxury buses might cost around US $25 as they provide many luxurious facilities during the trip. The cost of the domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara varies according to the time of travel.
On average, the one way 25 minutes short and scenic flight costs around US $120 per person. The off-season flights cost you significantly less whereas the peak seasons flights are generally expensive. The short bus ride from Pokhara to Kande will cost you around US $2.
Foods and Accommodations Cost
Food and accommodations cost constitute a large part of the Mardi Himal trek cost. The cost of food and accommodation increases according to altitude. Food in the higher altitudes need to get carried or flown; hence the price is significantly higher. The same food item costs higher as you rise in elevation.
The most common food item during the Mardi Himal trek is the Nepalese meal of “Dal Bhat”. Besides that, a limited variety of western and world cuisine like pizza, burgers, pasta, noodles, fried rice, and others are also available. The food cost range anywhere between US $3 to $7 in these teahouses.
You will need to increase your water intake as trekking makes you lose your body water extensively through sweating. Dehydration is a huge problem for trekkers so you must drink lots of water during the trek. Bottled mineral water costs around US $1-$3 per bottle depending upon the altitude.
Furthermore, you can carry refillable water bottles and water purifiers to save costs on water. You can also drink hot beverages like tea, coffee as a substitute for plain water. However, alcoholic beverages are not recommended as it can lead to altitude sickness among trekkers.
Accommodations in these high altitude regions cost you around US $5-7 depending upon the season. These accommodations come with twin beds, a pillow and a warm blanket. Hot water facilities for shower purposes are available at around US $1- $2 per litre in the teahouses.
The total overall cost of the food and accommodation is around US $20 to $30 per day. However, Mardi Himal trek cost depends heavily upon the time of trek as the tea houses offer special discounts in the offseasons. Some tea houses also offer free accommodation if you have your daily meals on the same teahouses.
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Tell us about your trip and we will help you design comfortable itinerary to meet your needs.Guide and porter cost
Mardi Himal trek is a short trek located in the Annapurna region with trails passing through dense alpine forests. Trekkers can lose their way easily, especially if they are travelling in the region for the first time. If you are trekking solo, it is advisable that you should hire a guide.
A licensed guide in the region costs around US $20 to $25 per day. The accommodation, food, and insurance of the guide comes under this fee. On the other hand, porters costs around US $15 – US $20 per day in the Mardi Himal trek. The cost of the porter is generally based on the weight of the luggage.
Some guides also work as porters in the region. You can hire these porter-guides to save costs as they charge around US $18-US $20 in general.
Gear and Equipment Cost
Gear and equipment are huge parts of your trekking journey. The Mardi Himal packing list should contain only those items that are extremely necessary. You should not overpack, and you can save a lot of costs during the trek by following these tips.
Trekking gears are available in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can find these products at a reasonable cost if you know how to bargain. Moreover, you can also rent these gears and equipment if you don’t intend to use them in the future.
You can buy toiletry items like tissue paper, quick-dry towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and female hygiene products in Kathmandu or Pokhara for a total of US $ 30.
Furthermore, you can get various clothing wears and trekking gears like hiking boots, windcheaters, fleece jackets, trekking pants, trekking shorts, trekking shirt, trekking sandals, sunglasses, and others at around US $100-$200 in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The cost of the gears and equipment vary according to the quality, brands, and also your bargaining ability.
Visa Cost
You can get a Visa on Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The visa on arrival is an easy and quick process, but there might be some queues during peak season. The visa costs are 30 USD, 50 USD, and 125 USD for 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days respectively.
Permits and Entry Fees
The Mardi Himal trek lies in the Annapurna region and thus requires two permits including the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.
The cost of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit is NRs. 100 per person per entry for Nepalese and NRs. 1,000 per person per entry for SAARC nationals. Similarly, the cost is NRs. 3,000 per person per entry for foreign tourists and free for children below the age of 10.
Moreover, the TIMS Card fees for foreigners are NRs. 1,000 for Group trekkers and NRs. 2,000 per trekking route per person per entry for Free individual trekker (FIT). Similarly, the TIMS Card fees for SAARC nationals are NRs. 300 for Group trekkers and NRs. 600 per trekking route per person per entry for FITs.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit and the TIMS card are available in the Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you book with us, we will handle all the process regarding the permits and thus saving you from any kind of a hassle.
Travel Insurance Cost
Travel insurance is an essential part of any trekking adventure. The location of the Mardi Himal trek is the pristine Annapurna region of Nepal. An excellent travel insurance package will cover flight cancellations, theft, robbery, medical emergencies, evacuations and rescues, lost baggage, etc.
Most travel insurance packages only cover upto the altitude of 4000m. You should get the travel insurance package that includes the altitude of 4000 m and above. Standard travel insurance package of 30 days starts from 150 USD and above. However, the cost varies significantly from one travel company to others. Hence, you should choose the best travel insurance package available.
Mardi Himal Trek Extra Costs
Some of the extra costs and expenses in the Mardi Himal trek cost are as follows:
Hot Showers cost
Hot showers are costly in the high altitude Mardi Himal trek. The water resources are scarce, and heating requires added costs too. You will have to pay around US $1 – $3 for hot showers in the region. Alternatively, you can skip showers and use wet wipes instead to save costs.
Charging Costs
There are extra costs for charging electronic gadgets like phone and camera during your trek. Electricity is scarce in the higher altitude regions, and hence the teahouses charge you for these amenities. It costs around US $1 – $3 to charge these devices in these high altitude regions.
Tipping costs
While tipping is not mandatory in Nepal, many guides and porters expect to get tipped in the high altitude region. One unwritten but widely followed rule is to tip your guides and porters around 10% of your trekking cost after the successful completion of the trip. However, it entirely depends upon the trekker and how do they find the services of these guides and porters.
Connectivity and wifi costs
You can buy a local SIM card from either NTC or Ncell with mobile data for connectivity purposes. These SIM cards cost around US $1- $2 initially and you will have to recharge through a top-up service. You can also take the mobile data plan for using the mobile 4G internet services at an added cost.
Miscellaneous expenses
Miscellaneous expenses are of different types during the trek. You might want to buy some souvenirs for your family back home or taste the delicious Yak products. Besides that, you might want to give back to the community and donate to some local charity.
These costs vary according to the data plan you take. Some tea houses also provide Wifi services at an hourly fee of around US $0.5 to US $2. However, you should not expect these facilities as you move up along the trail.
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Factors Affecting Mardi Himal Trek Costs
Various factors affect the Mardi Himal trek costs. Some of these factors are customizable and thus can reduce the Mardi Himal trek cost by a significant amount.
Trek Route
There are different trek routes for the Mardi Himal trek. You can either take the direct route or the more relaxed route. The direct route will cost you less, but you will have less time to acclimatize and explore the region.
The relaxed route takes you longer and costs you slightly higher than the direct route. You can make a decision based on your desire and schedule.
Trekking Duration
The trekking duration is a significant factor that plays an essential role in the Mardi Himal trek cost. You can choose the route and customize it according to your time and schedule. The total trekking cost increases with the trekking duration as the costs for the guide, porter, foods, and accommodations, increase significantly.
Time of the Trek
The trek costs also depend upon the time of the trekking adventure. The off-season treks are less expensive and perfect for a budget traveller. The months of Autumn and Spring are the best season for the trek as they provide you with stable weather and pleasant trekking conditions.
However, since these months are the peak season for trekking the trek packages are more expensive. You can choose the time of the year based on your desire and requirements.
Mode of Transportation
The mode of transportation from Kathmandu also plays a significant factor in the Mardi Himal trek cost. You can arrive at Kande either via a local bus from Kathmandu or take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then a short drive to Kande. The domestic flight is more expensive than the drive but takes you to Pokhara in just half an hour.
How to Minimize the Mardi Himal Trek Cost?
There are various ways to minimize the cost for the Mardi Himal trek. Some tips to reduce the Mardi Himal trek cost are as follows:
- Pack lightly with only those things that are necessary. This way, you can reduce porter costs or save them entirely.
- Travel in a group to reduce your expenses. Travelling in a group is less costly, and you have a higher chance of getting discounts on accommodations and other facilities.
- Always eat your meal at the same tea houses or lodges during your stay. Teahouses offer a substantial discount on accommodation or even provide them for free if you choose to eat at the same teahouses.
- You can take water purifying tablets to purify water in the high altitude region. These tablets can purify water, and you can use them as an alternative to bottled water. Also, carry a refillable water bottle.
- Learn to bargain at local shops.
- You can carry a portable power bank to charge your devices during the trek.
- Carrying tea bags and coffee powders reduce the cost.
- You can rent the trekking gears and equipment that you do not plan to use in the future in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Renting these items cost you around US $1 – $10 per item per day.
Some Essential Tips for Mardi Himal Trek
- Acclimatize properly and hydrate regularly during the trek in the Himalayas.
- Walk carefully through the help of the route map and route marks on a tree or stones.
- Consult your doctor for any precautions related to altitude sickness.
- Get an excellent travel insurance package that covers an altitude of 4000m and above that includes for flight cancellations, theft, robbery, medical emergencies, evacuations and rescues etc.
- Hire a local guide and porter as they provide you with extensive local insights.
- Carry cash Nepalese Rupees (NRs) as there are no ATMs in the high altitude trekking route.
- Book your food and accommodation in the teahouses in advance.
- Make sure to carry female hygiene products like sanitary pads, and tampons for the trek as they are not available along the trails.
- Get snacks like protein bars, chocolate bars, granola bars, to munch on during the trip.
The Final Say
The Mardi Himal trek is one of the most scenic treks in Nepal. The snow-capped mountains and the gorgeous natural landscapes are the highlights of this trek. This beautiful Mardi Himal trek costs you around US $500-$700 excluding you international flight costs.
The Mardi Himal trek cost is less in comparison to other mainstream treks in the region. Moreover, you can reduce the costs at various headings by following the tips we have provided above. Overall, the Mardi Himal trek is an ideal adventure for budget travellers and those trekkers who do not have much time on their schedule.
Do you have any question or Confusion?
Tell us about your trip and we will help you design comfortable itinerary to meet your needs.
