Mardi Himal Yoga Trek difficulty
Overall, Mardi Himal Yoga Trek is a moderate trek. You will be following the same trekking route as the usual Mardi Himal Trek, which is off-beat. People of any age can attempt this trek. Moreover, the gentle pace of Mardi Himal Yoga Trekking makes it a great option for the traveler who loves yoga and is new to trekking.
Depending upon the season and itinerary, the journey may face a little different level of difficulty. However, as you will stretch and practice yoga on a daily basis, it will prepare your body and mind for the walk. The route does not include vertical climbing, but there are a handful of steep ascents.
Most of the trek goes through dense forests and rugged paths. You have to walk 5 to 6 hours every day, therefore good health and stamina are needed. Talking about altitude sickness, its chances are quite low. Still, be careful and inform your guide if you see any symptoms.
Learn more about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and preventive measures here.
Mardi Himal Yoga Trek permit
To go on Mardi Himal Yoga and Meditation Trek, trekkers have to get two permits- TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Both permits are available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu.
Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit cost: USD 20 per person
TIMS Card cost: USD 20 per person
*Note: We arrange all necessary permits for our trekkers, so you can only focus on enjoying the trek.
Best time to go on Mardi Himal Yoga Trek
You can go on Mardi Himal Yoga Trek in spring, autumn, and winter. Among these three seasons, spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) are considered the perfect season to do a yoga trek in Nepal.
During spring and autumn, you will see stable weather, which is essential for successful trekking in the Himalayas. Likewise, the views are breathtaking and clear with a moderate climate. The temperature ranges between 10°C to 20°C. You can feel a little colder at night and in the morning. The fresh air and rhododendron bloomed trail enhance the yoga aspect of the journey and soothe the soul.
Winter trekking is only advised if you can endure extreme cold. Depending upon the weather condition, you may trek in the early phase of winter. However, do know that there can be trail blockage because of heavy snowfall, and teahouses at higher elevations may get closed.
The temperature falls below 0°C, and the climate becomes very dry. Despite all the adversity, you will get to see a view unlike any other time of the year on a clear bright day.
Food & Accommodation during Mardi Himal Yoga Trek
Teahouse is the accommodation during the 12 Days Mardi Himal Yoga Trek. Not many trekkers trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp, so the facilities in the teahouses are not that great like other famous trekking routes. Still, you will get a cozy room to spend the night and delicious food to fill yourself.
The rooms are usually small, with twin beds and a private or shared washroom. You will get a bed, pillow, and blanket to spend the night. There is no heating system in the room, so it can get pretty cold at night and in the morning. Therefore, carry a warm sleeping bag.
Three meals will be served, as per the menu of the teahouses. You can get toast with butter/jam, egg, porridge, soup, sandwiches, muesli, chapati and veggies, tea, coffee, etc for breakfast. And for lunch and dinner, there will be dal bhat, momo, veggies, meat curry, steak, pasta, chapati, thukpa, thenduk, burger, etc.
Tips to make the journey smooth
You will not find any ATM lounge on the trail, therefore withdraw enough cash to use on the way.
The WiFi service along the route is not that great. The connection is mostly unstable, so we highly suggest you get a Nepali SIM card with data to use the internet. At high elevations, the network may not be stable.
Drink at least 2 liters of water and other fluids in a day to keep yourself hydrated. Hydration is the key to avoiding altitude sickness.
Buy snacks and bars in the city to avoid paying expensive rates on the trekking route. Moreover, you will not find most of the usual snacks.
Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it instead of buying plastic water bottles on the way.
Trek slowly and safely.
Get extra batteries for your electronic devices if you do not wish to pay extra money to charge your batteries.
Do not touch or eat any flowers/fruits without proper knowledge about them on the trail.