Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.
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5 reviews
Duration: 13 days
Group size: 1 - 30
Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna 57000, Nepal
Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.
- Email address verified
5 reviews
Duration: 13 days
Group size: 1 - 30
About this trip
The Annapurna region of Nepal is renowned for its breathtaking mountain views, diverse landscapes, and cultural experiences. Two trekking routes stand out for their beauty and challenge: the Mardi Himal Trek via Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek. Both offer unique experiences, but deciding between the two can be difficult. Here's a comparison to help you choose the right trek based on your preferences.
- Mardi Himal Trek: Often described as a hidden gem, the Mardi Himal Trek is less crowded compared to the more popular ABC trek. It offers a peaceful trekking experience, where you walk through dense rhododendron forests, climb ridgelines, and witness panoramic views of the Annapurna range, including Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The trek is perfect for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The ABC trek, on the other hand, is one of the most famous treks in Nepal, attracting trekkers from all over the world. It provides a mix of natural beauty and cultural exploration. The trek takes you through terraced fields, quaint Gurung villages, and lush forests, leading up to the base camp of the mighty Annapurna massif. While it’s busier than Mardi Himal, it offers a chance to witness the grandeur of Annapurna I (8,091m) and other towering peaks up close.
Available Packages
Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Mardi Himal Trek: This trek is relatively short, typically lasting around 5 to 7 days. It’s a great option for trekkers with limited time who still want to experience stunning mountain views and tranquil landscapes.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The ABC trek generally takes about 7 to 12 days, depending on your pace and starting point. It’s slightly longer than Mardi Himal, with more elevation gain and a more immersive experience through the heart of the Annapurna region.
3. Difficulty Level
- Mardi Himal Trek: The trek is considered moderate in difficulty. It involves some steep ascents, especially when approaching the Mardi Himal High Camp. However, due to its shorter duration and lower altitude (maximum of around 4,500m), it’s more accessible for beginner to intermediate trekkers with moderate fitness levels.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek: ABC is also rated as a moderate trek but involves higher altitudes (up to 4,130m at Annapurna Base Camp) and a longer trekking duration. The trail has more steep sections, particularly when ascending towards the base camp. Acclimatization is essential due to the altitude.
4. Scenic Beauty
- Mardi Himal Trek: This trek offers incredible views of the Annapurna range, with a particular focus on Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The ridgeline walk from Low Camp to High Camp is a highlight, where you get continuous, close-up views of the snow-capped peaks. The landscapes here feel more rugged and wild compared to the traditional trekking routes.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The ABC trek offers a more varied landscape, transitioning from lush forests and terraced farmland to high-altitude alpine meadows. The final destination, Annapurna Base Camp, is a spectacular natural amphitheater surrounded by towering peaks, providing a 360-degree panorama of the Annapurna range.
5. Cultural Experience
- Mardi Himal Trek: Being a less popular route, Mardi Himal offers a more intimate cultural experience. You’ll pass through small villages, meet local Gurung people, and have a chance to experience their lifestyle without the commercialization seen on more popular routes.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The ABC trek offers a richer cultural immersion as you pass through several Gurung and Magar villages like Ghandruk and Chhomrong. Trekkers get to experience traditional Nepalese hospitality, visit teahouses, and enjoy local food and customs.
$2,140
Your Organizer
Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.
5 reviews
Namaste and welcome to Everest Trekking Routes!!!
Everest Trekking Routes is one of the best trekking agencies in Nepal. We operate fantastic trekking, mountaineering, peak climbing, jungle safari, and tour packages in various must-go tourist destinations of Nepal and our neighboring countries Bhutan and Tibet. So, don’t bother searching for a reliable and excellent trekking operator in Nepal coz Everest Trekking Routes is already with you.
We organize popular as well as unique trekking packages in the various hotspot destinations.
Reviews
VZ
I booked a 10 days Annapurna base camp trek with Everest trekking routes and I’m so glad I did it!
This has certainly been a lifetime experience. although the trek is moderate it presents some challenges for beginner trekkers like me, but my guide Bale was amazing, he was very patient, helpful and skilled. He was always there for me, I’m really grateful for him.
Thanks to Rabin also for making this trip possible.
Highly recommended! The views are absolutely stunning.
By Veronica Z for Annapurna Base Camp Trek on Dec 07, 2024
My guide was good, supportive and helped me to get me down the snow part of 5000 meter mountain which felt slippery.
By kahnaz k for Langtang Valley Trek on Oct 14, 2024
What a breathtaking and amazing trip! We highly recommend this less travelled route. As you hike closer to the Himalayans every day, the views become more and more stunning. The villages and tea houses are cute and authentic, the beds are comfy (no air mattresses needed). Don’t expect high standard though!
Rabin and his team are amazing! So warm, helpful and continuously making sure to meet your needs. There was not a single thing Rabin could not manage. We even met him personally in Kathmandu before the trek. He answered every single question beforehand via WhatsApp and even during the trek he was available.
The guide and porter (Torje 1 and 2) were wonderful people. We had a blast, playing cards together at night, talking and hiking an extra day to the Tibetan border for acclimatization.
I would always do it again ❤️
Note: If you don’t book the full package, make sure to bring enough cash. That means: 40.000 NPR for the 12 days. Paying accommodation and food by yourself is much cheaper than booking the full package. So if you don’t bother to simply pay yourself in the tea houses every day, that’s an option to save some money.
By Carlotta B for Khopra Ridge Trek on Apr 28, 2024
We have booked the Langtang 7 days trek
We had a group of two, my son and me.
After checking several sites, we thought that Everest Trekking Routes would meet our requirement at most. We booked it directly and came in touch with Rabin Gurung, owner. First through mail and soon via whatsapp.
As we were quite new to trekkings, we had a lot of questions, Rabin answered very clearly and quickly. Communication was very good.
After booking the tour, Rabin suggested us to stay at Kathmandu Suite Home, close to Thamel area.
This was an excellent choice, quiet and good service.
During the tour everything was taken care of by Rabin, from transport from the airport to the Hotel and backwards and everything around the trekking.
The trekking itself was a lifetime experience. We had a great guide, Sandesh, who was looking after us, laughing with us, playing cards with us. Great guy. And we had a porter, Uncle. He is very stromg. We felt a little awkward that he was carrying our 13kgs bag, but this was not a problem for him, since he used to carry bags of over 30kgs.
Me and my son had an unforgettable experience.
I Would recommend everybody to book your next trekking with Everest Trekking Routes. You can find the route that best suites you as they have a lot of choice.
Thanks again Rabin, Sandesh and Uncle
By Fulco H for Langtang Trek on Mar 28, 2024
Suk was the best trek guide, ever! I had so much fun and saw amazing views. He helped me with my bag and was accommodating in any way I needed. Please do yourself a favor and book with Everest Trekking!! I’m already planning another Himalaya trek for next year and will definitely be using their service. 😁 10/10 would book again. Thanks so much!!
By Paula B for Annapurna Base Camp Trek on Sep 21, 2023
References
I can’t recommend Everest Trekking Routes highly enough.
Rabin was the best. Very responsive to our queries and helpful at all times.
Our guide, Veer, was so respectful and kind. He has a gentle spirit and a lovely smile. Always there for us.
Our Porter, Micheal, was so strong and carried such big loads for us.
They are a family business and their close relationships were evident. It was lovely to see.
The trek itself was unbelievable. Incredible scenery, lovely people, lots of good food, and comfortable lodgings. The walks are quite tough but at a slow pace, quite ok for us two girls in our late 50s 😊
Thanks to you all, from Sonya (U.K.) and Tracey (Australia)
By Tracey W on 26 Oct, 2024