Mardi Himal Trek Cost

Let’s find out about the Mardi Himal Trek Cost! Finding the costs for the trekking can be helpful in preparing the budget for the trip. Traveling is never cheap as it is a sumptuous activity to do in life. Investment in traveling is an investment in itself as you get to see new things and meet new people. Some trips can be life changing and among these life changing trips, the Mardi Himal Trek is also the one. Travel deep into the mountain forests and relish the serene scenery of mountains and cascading hills.

The Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively new trekking route in Nepal. In the Annapurna region of Nepal, people were searching for an alternative trekking trail of the Annapurna Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. The construction of roads had decreased the trekking route of Poon Hill. Therefore, the local municipality and tourism authorities opened the Mardi Himal Trek route. Even if it is new, it has become the trending trekking destination for both Nepalese and foreign trekkers. Therefore, lots of inquiries come about the Mardi Himal Trek Cost.

In this blog, we will breakdown various costs related to Mardi Himal Trek. Major costs of the trek are for transportation, guide services, accommodation, meals, and permits. Besides these costs, travelers must also allocate certain amount of money for tips, personal shopping souvenirs, travel insurance, medications, and an emergency fund!

How much does a trekking guide and porter cost for Mardi Himal Trek?

The salary of a trekking guide depends upon the experience and language proficiency. Specific language speaking guides charge about 45 $ to 55 $ per day, excluding his or her transportation, lodging, and meals. Normally, you get an English speaking guide at 35 $ per day minimum. A porter’s salary ranges from 25 $ to 30 $ per day and you don’t have any obligation to pay for the meals and lodging of the porter. Please note that a porter carries maximum 20 kilograms which is two duffle bags of two trekkers. Generally, a porter is given to two trekkers. In some cases, you can hire the porter guide as well. These porter guides charge 25 $ to 30 $ in which they will guide you and also carry your luggage.

Do I need to tip my porter and guide?

Tipping in Nepal is not mandatory but it has become custom in the trekking industry. You have to tip your guide and porter. The expected minimum tip is about NRs. 5000 for the porter and NRs. 8000 to NRs. 10000 to the trekking guide. Allocate this sum of money in your Mardi Himal Trek Cost so that you will not be short in the budget for the trip.

Cost of transportation for Mardi Trekking

You will have to take a private vehicle to Kande in the start of the trip. The jeep or car costs about NRs. 1000 to NRs. 3000 to reach Kande from Pokhara. It takes about an hour to reach Kande from Pokhara. Another transportation is after the trekking. In the Sidding village, trekkers can find the local jeep which can take you back to Pokhara. The road is bumpy and off road until the highway. Therefore, the cost of the jeep is also slightly higher than the regular price. It costs about NRs. 6000 to NRs. 8000 for one way jeep from Sidding to Pokhara.

Food Cost

The menu items are almost same throughout the trekking trail. From Deurali to High Camp, the menu items are same as it consists of food items of Chinese, Indian, Continental, and Nepalese cuisines. As the altitude increases the price of the food items also increases which is understandable. Allocate 35 $ to 50 $ each day for meals and safe drinking water.

Accommodation Cost

There are only handful of tea houses and lodges in the Mardi Himal Trek route. The local authority doesn’t allow outsiders to open the tea houses and lodges as a drive to maintain the sustainable eco – friendly trekking activities. Some of the tea houses have attached bathrooms which may cost more than regular tea house lodging. Allocate about 5 $ to 10 $ per night for the room.

Permit Cost

You require Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit to do the 4 Days Mardi Himal Trek. The cost of the ACAP permit is NRs. 3000 for foreigners and NRs. 1500 for SAARC nationals. If you are found in the trekking trail without the trekking permit then you may have to stop the trekking and pay the penalties which is more than double the original price. In some cases, trekkers are ejected and convicted as well. Avoid such an embarrassing moment and buy the permit. You can buy the permits in either Pokhara or in Kathmandu. If you are trekking with an agency then the agency will arrange the permit.

How to save on Mardi Himal Trek Cost?

The best way to save on the Mardi Himal Trek Cost is by buying the trekking package. Leave all hassles to the trekking agency and you simply enjoy the trekking. At just about 450 $ you get full board trekking package. The trekking package includes transportation, guide salary, meals, accommodation, and permits. Some prefer to trek in a group so that the price decreases. Eat basic meals and rely on packed snacks. Trek solo or independent, which can save the salary of a guide and porter.

Additional Cost for Extension of Mardi Himal Trek to Poon Hill

There is a possibility of extension after the Mardi Himal Trek. The best destination to extend the trek is the Ghorepani Poon Hill via Mardi Himal. Some trekkers extend up to the Annapurna Base Camp as well. If you wish to extend the trek to Poon Hill then you have to add at least 3 days extra. The Mardi Himal Trek Cost also increases if you extend the trek. Trekkers have to add around 350 $ to 400 $ additional money to do the extended trek to Poon Hill from Mardi Himal Trek route.