Mardi Himal Trek Vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Which one to choose

Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna base camp are the two treks that are on the bucket list of many Nepalese youths as well as foreigners. Both these treks have their uniqueness and beauty. Some trekkers combine these treks to experience the absolute adventure both route offer.

Mardi Himal Trek and ABC trek both lie in the Annapurna Conservation Area and the beauty of nature provided by both these treks can’t be compared because they have their significance.

However, there are a few differences between these treks that can be considered while making your trekking decision although it is better to combine both the treks to not miss out on anything. Some of the differences between these two treks are as follows:

Altitude:

One of the main differences between the two is the altitude at which they are located. Annapurna Base Camp lies at an altitude of 4130 meters above sea level, while Mardi Base Camp lies at an altitude of 4500 meters above sea level. While the altitude difference may not seem significant, it can make a difference for some trekkers.

Altitude sickness is a common concern for trekkers in the Himalayas, and the higher the altitude, the greater the risk of experiencing symptoms such as headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. If altitude is a deciding factor for you, then you may want to consider this when choosing between the two base camps.

Experience:

The ABC trek takes you on a journey through a diverse range of landscapes, providing you with an opportunity to witness the entire package of nature. The trail follows the Modi Khola River, and you’ll come across several rivulets and waterfalls along the way. As you ascend toward the base camp, you’ll witness the majestic Himalayan peaks, including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail).

The path takes you through dense forests of rhododendron and bamboo, which are home to a variety of wildlife such as langurs, Himalayan tahr, and pheasants. On the other hand, the Mardi Base Camp trek is mostly about forest walks.

The trail takes you through beautiful forests of rhododendron and bamboo, which are especially enchanting during the spring season when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. If you’re looking to experience everything nature has to offer in one trek, then the ABC trek is the better option.

Views:

Both these treks allow you to witness panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas of Nepal but Mardi allows you to experience breathtaking views of the entire Annapurna range while ABC trek provides you with the view of limited mountains namely Annapurna South, Himchuli, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna I

Route:

Talking about the route, Mardi Himal Trek is relatively a newer route, unlike ABC Trek. Therefore, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is relatively more crowded than the Mardi Himal Trek. If you don’t like much crowd then Mardi Himal Trek is your option as it provides stunning views with less crowd.

Commercialization:

As mentioned earlier, Mardi Himal Trek is a newer route therefore it is mostly natural and isn’t that commercialized. However, the ABC trek is more popular among people which is why in recent years this trek is modernized and commercialized. There are many tea shops, restaurants, and homestays as compared to the Mardi Himal Trek.

Difficulty level:

ABC trek is relatively more difficult than the Mardi Himal trek due to the trail it follows. If you are a beginner, you should first opt for Mardi Himal Trek as the trail is beginner friendly and easier compared to the other one.

Days Required:

Mardi Himal Trek can be accomplished within 5-6 days while the number of days required to accomplish Mardi Himal Trek is tentatively around 7-12 days. Now, if you want to go for a shorter trail, you can opt for Mardi Himal Trek but if you want to get indulged in nature for relatively more days, ABC Trek is your choice.

Cost:

Since there are more days required to accomplish the ABC trek, the cost will come out to be a bit more than that of the Mardi Himal Trek. Similarly, you will have to invest more in equipment and gear if you are choosing ABC Trek as it is a challenging route.

Itinerary of Mardi Himal Trek

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 3: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight at Pokhara

Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Kande and trek to Pitam Deurali. Overnight at Pitam Deurali

Day 5: Trek from Pitam Deurali to Low Camp. Overnight at Low Camp

Day 6: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp. Overnight at High Camp

Day 7: Trek from High Camp to Base Camp and trek down to Siding Village and drive back to Pokhara. Overnight at Pokhara

Day 8: Drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 9: Final Departure

Itinerary of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Overnight at Pokhara.

Day 3: Drive from Pokhara to NayaPul and Trek to Ghandruk. Overnight at Ghandruk

Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Sinuwa via Chhomrong Overnight at Tea House.

Day 5: Trek from Sinuwa to Deurali. Overnight at Tea House.

Day 6: Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machapuchchhre Base Camp. Overnight at Tea House.

Day 7: Trek back from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo. Overnight at Tea House.

Day 8: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. Overnight at Tea House.

Day 9: Trek from Jhinu Danda to Nayapul and drive from Nayapul to Pokhara.

Day 10: Drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 11: Final Departure from Nepal.

In conclusion, combining treks with other cultural experiences is an excellent way to experience the unfound beauty and culture of Nepal to its maximum. The unique combination of trekking through the stunning Himalayas and experiencing the local culture through festivals, cuisine, and art makes Nepal a truly unique destination.