A trek through the Himalayas is what many people dream of when they think of Nepal. And truly, there’s nothing quite like spending days or even weeks wandering through remote villages, surrounded by dramatic landscapes, towering mountain ranges, and the raw beauty of nature. The prominent Annapurna Base Camp trek has become the first choice for trekkers over the past years. Surely, it is one of the best trails out there with majestic landscapes, mountain ranges, and, a well-managed route. Despite all these, I opted for an obscure trail this time, the Mardi Himal trek, guided along with the experts from Mission himalaya.
Mardi Himal trek
The Mardi Himal trek also explores the Annapurna region of western Nepal. Starting from Pokhara, you ascend towards the forest camps, low camps, high camps, and eventually Mardi Himal Base Camp. The maximum altitude you can reach in this trek is about 4500 meters. This trek can be easily completed in about 5 to 6 days or it can be shorter according to your preferences.
On your stay at teahouses on the way, hike to untouched off-beaten path, and enjoy in the beauty of alpine subtropical forests with mountain ranges. The awesome views of the Annapurna,, Macchapuchhre, and Hiunchuli are very magnificent. The rhododendron forests on the trails look way more amazing, beyond what you can imagine. Watching the sunrise from a viewpoint near High Camp. The golden light hits the peaks one by one, setting them aglow while the valleys below are still asleep in shadow.
So, why did I choose Mardi Himal over ABC?
The decision to trek Mardi Himal over ABC wasn’t as easy. Reading all the suggestions and the hype of ABC trek, somewhere I still was unsure if I would regret not choosing ABC until the day the trek started.
Fewer Crowds
Surprisingly, the Mardi Himal Trek had very few trekkers, not even about a quarter of the people you’d see on the ABC trail. The trail hadn’t gained much popularity and is still not as developed as the trail of ABC, contributing to fewer people. I could enjoy the trek with so much more peace. Not having to wait in line for clicking pictures, crossing bridges and even enjoying the views is surely better, isn’t it?
High Ridgeline Trail
Unlike ABC, the trail is just high ridges surrounded by clear skies and mountain ranges all over. You’ll feel like you are walking towards the huge mountain peaks which keep on getting closer and closer with every step. The massive Annapurna range feels unreal every time you lift your head to see up. However, the trekking might not be as comfortable as ABC because the trail of ABC has well-marked, and managed routes with gears to make it easier.
Accommodation
Finding a lodge during the ABC trek is quite a task. In peak seasons, you mightn’t even find one if you didn’t book weeks in advance. The lodges are pretty good and well-managed. Nonetheless, they are packed and so many people accommodating there might make you feel uncomfortable. However, these are not a problem in the Mardi Himal trek. You’ll find local teahouses with fewer people, plenty of space, and a very warm welcome as they see tourists less often.
Time and Budget
If you have a shorter time and less budget, the Mardi Himal trek is just perfect for you. The trek can be completed in about 5 to 7 days meanwhile the ABC takes up almost two weeks. You can also complete this trek for about $400 to $500, half of the cost of the ABC trek, which sums up to a total of about $1000. Mission Himalaya had everything i need included in a package, and honestly, i did not had to pay for anything else.
The Macchapuchhre Himal
The Mardi Himal trek offers a different view of Macchapuchhre Himal, which you couldn’t see anywhere else. The mountain follows you through the trail. You can view it from almost every angle possible. As you get toward the High Camp, the Macchapuchhre stands shining so close to you, that you feel like you could just extend your arms and touch it. This mountain has a presence that’ll be with you even weeks after.
Untouched and Raw
The trail is still not changed or modified as in the ABC trail where everything is separated and marked well. The lodges aren’t modernized a bit. The cuisines are traditional and the villages are still the same as decades before. The whole trek gives you authentic and raw vibes that feel so nostalgic and surreal. You can understand the culture and connect with the people way better than the ABC trek.
Sunrise and Sunsets
The ABC might have some great sunrise and sunset views but it won’t match the beauty you see from the Mardi Himal trek. Straight from the high camps and Mardi Himal Base Camp, you get a magnificent view of the sun rising, reflecting the golden light on top of the Annapurna range giving you a surreal feel. The whole trail is a ridged path, so the uninterrupted sunrise and sunsets are a blessing to the eyes, which sadly is not so common in ABC trail.
The one thing to consider is the altitude you reach in the Mardi Himal trek (4500 meters) is greater than that of the ABC trek (4130 meters). The altitude will increase fast in a shorter time in Mardi Himal Trek unlike in ABC which would have more days for you to adjust to the gradual increase. So you need to make sure, you’re physically fit and can handle sudden altitude change well before starting Mardi Himal Trek.
Eventually, it’s not a comparison of which is better. It is all about which suits your preferences the best. I liked a less crowded and more authentic route which would give me more peace and chances to connect with nature and locals there. I got the space I needed to just be myself with the huge mountains by my side. Hence, I opted for the Mardi Himal trek over the Annapurna Base Camp trek despite low popularity and suggestions.