Outdoor Activities

On higher grounds: Nepal’s Mardi Himal Trek

Most trekkers in Nepal tend to stick to well-trodden trails but as photographer Muhammad Fadli discovered, there is a lesser-known alternative – the Mardi Himal Trek.

Story By Muhammad Fadli

Photographs By Muhammad Fadli

2 min read

Published On February 1, 2019
Updated On September 8, 2021

This relatively short 5-7 day hike has only made it onto the tourist radar in the last few years and offers diverse landscapes, taking you from moss-covered rhododendron forests up into dramatic mountains that serve up views of Mardi Himal, Annapurna and the sacred peak of Machapuchare.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Roof of the world: The peaks of Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m) in the Annapurna region. The Mardi Himal trek offers an alternative view of these famous peaks.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Halfway up: A trekker stops to scan the horizon as he makes his way up the trail towards the Mardi Himal High Camp, which is situated 3,580m above sea level.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Supply chain: The trekking business in Mardi Himal has led to the need for a constant supply of food and other goods. As the terrain is so demanding, the supplies have to be carried by mule, yak or porters.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Fairytale forests: Lower down on the trail, trekkers pass through glades of moss-covered rhododendron trees.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — A simple stay: The route is dotted with a number of simple guesthouses, including the Hotel Yak in Badal Danda.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Tea break: A Nepalese flag adorns the white-washed walls of a teahouse in Siding, near the end of the route.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Man’s best friend: A portrait of a farmer and his water buffalo in the village of Siding at the end of the trail.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Marking the way: A simple cairn of stacked stones on the trail.

nepal mari himal trek silverkris — Sacred sight: The peak of Machapuchare (6,993m) or “fish-tail mountain” surrounded by stars. A highlight of the Mardi Himal trail is the chance to get close to this holy Hindu mountain, which is off-limits to climbers.

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This article was originally published in the February 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine.

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