Mardi Himal Trek

Overview

Additional Info

The Trekking Group

For this trek, there will be one leader, 1 assistant leader (6 trekkers:1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters for carrying luggage  (2 trekkers:1 porters). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned. Our experience has led us to believe that a maximum of 12 people is an optimum number to fully enjoy a trip. However, if a traveler is interested in larger groups then that can be arranged too.

Accommodations

We will be accommodated in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and teahouses during the trek. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 215. Touching the void trekking  will arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Meals

During our trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouse or from a lodge menu where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking while only breakfast will be available in Kathmandu. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners for guests.

Leader(S) & Staff Arrangements

The most significant thing that makes this trek, enjoyable and memorable is the skilled, experienced, courteous and helpful leader(s) and the crew members with the ability of operating our days on the mountain smoothly. Our trip will be led by the best and most professional leaders. All of Touching the void trekking’s leaders are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills, and personal aptitude. With the objective of sustaining local communities, Touching the void trekking only employs local staff who have adequate knowledge about culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, and history of their local region(s). The trek and expedition leaders have undergone the following trainings:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid
• Trekking Guide Training
• Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet
• English Language
• Conservation and Biodiversity
• Rock climbing, Ice Climbing, and Mountaineering (for expedition leaders)

Porter Care

Touching the void trekking  is firmly committed to porter rights. We make sure that all our porters are well treated and well paid. Further, Touching the void trekking provides the level of shelter, clothing, and footwear that these harsh environments demand. Porters who become sick are treated with the same care and attention as other team members. We have previously used helicopters at the company’s expense to rescue porters from dangerous situations. And for the porter’s sake, all trekkers keep their luggage bag weight under 15kgs/33 pounds. We support the work of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), making our resources available to them to help improve the working conditions of the porters.

Environmental Concerns

The Everest Region is stunningly beautiful but equally fragile. Future generations have just as much of a right to appreciate it as much as we do.  Therefore, we believe that the tourism industry has an obligation to protect and preserve it.Touching the void trekking employs a ‘zero impact’ policy on the natural environment and the traditional communities that live there.Touching the void trekking, therefore, enforces a number of dos and don’ts. Please talk to your trek leader to avoid environmental impacts.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition upon joining any of Touching the void trekking’s trips that all clients be insured for comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please note that we don’t arrange or sell insurance.

Acclimatization: Overcoming Acute Mountain Sickness

This trek’s itinerary is planned with a high degree of awareness of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Going up at higher altitudes too fast causes a medical condition serious enough to result in death. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen will be in the air. For example, at an altitude above 5000 m, there is 50% less oxygen than at sea level. Therefore, our body needs many days to adapt to an environment with less oxygen. During this trip, we take rest in Namche Bazaar which will help us acclimatize to the high altitude.

Physical Fitness & Experience Requirements

Mardi Himal Trek is a moderate trek suitable for passionate walkers who have the ability to walk at least 6-7 hours a day with a light rucksack. On some days we might even need to walk for 7 to 8 hours. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Touching the void trekking before booking the trek. We also recommend that you consult your doctor(s) before the trip.

Best Time To Travel

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for this trip. Although this trip can be taken during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.

Equipment & Packing List

This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Also, understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. Those items marked by an asterisk (*)are provided by Touching the void trekking inclusive in the service. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 15 kg. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.

Important Documents And Items

• Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets
• Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
• Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
• Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

Head

• Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
• Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition weight thermal tops
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
• Down vest and/or jacket *
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
• 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
• 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs
• 1 pair of Hiking shorts
• 1 pair of Hiking trousers
• 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
• 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
• 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
• Cotton socks (optional)
• Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
• Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Rucksack And Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
• 1 large duffel bag *
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.
• Water purification tablets or water filter
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS(optional)
• 1 alarm clock/watch
• 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
• large Ziplocs
• 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
• 1 small folding knife
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue /toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial handwash

Extras/Luxuries

• Reading book
• Trail map/guide book
• Journal and pen
• iPod
• Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)
• 1 modest swimsuit
• Binoculars (optional)
• Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
• Lightweight pillowcase (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow