Mardi Himal Trek Guide

Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best short treks in the Annapurna region — a scenic, relatively quiet route that climbs a single forested ridge from the foothills above Pokhara to a high base camp at around 4,500 metres, set in a dramatic amphitheatre directly beneath the fluted peak of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the lesser-known Mardi Himal (5,587 m). It only opened as an official teahouse trail in 2012, which is part of its appeal: while the nearby Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill routes can feel busy, Mardi Himal still sees far fewer trekkers and keeps a wilder, more intimate feel.

The trek is moderate in difficulty and usually takes 4 to 6 days on the trail, making it ideal for travellers who want a genuine high-Himalayan experience without committing two weeks. The trail starts low, in dense oak and rhododendron forest draped with moss and orchids, then breaks out onto an open, grassy ridge above 3,000 metres where the views simply explode — Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal and the unmistakable Fishtail crowd the skyline.

Because it stays on one ridge and gains height steadily, Mardi Himal is well suited to reasonably fit first-time Himalayan trekkers, yet the thin air and a steep, narrow final approach to base camp give it just enough edge to feel like a real mountain adventure. Its proximity to Pokhara — the trailhead is barely an hour away by road — also makes it one of the easiest treks in Nepal to fit into a tight itinerary.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

The classic Mardi Himal itinerary runs 4 to 5 days on the trail. Below is a comfortable, well-paced 5-day plan with realistic walking times and altitudes. Strong, acclimatised trekkers can compress this into 4 days; adding a night lets you slow down and acclimatise better.

Day 1: Pokhara to Kande, trek to Forest Camp (Kokar) — 2,520 m

A short 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Pokhara to the trailhead at Kande (1,770 m). From here the trail climbs through pine and rhododendron to Australian Camp (2,060 m) and Pothana (1,990 m), the point where the path branches off the popular route and turns up the Mardi ridge into deep, mossy forest. Continue to Forest Camp / Kokar (2,520 m). Walking time is roughly 5 to 6 hours. Some itineraries instead overnight at Pitam Deurali; both options work.

Day 2: Forest Camp to Low Camp — 2,970 m

A shorter day climbing steadily through enchanting old-growth forest. As you near Low Camp (2,970 m) the trees begin to thin and the first big views open up — Machhapuchhre rises straight ahead. Walking time is about 3 to 4 hours, leaving the afternoon to rest and acclimatise.

Day 3: Low Camp to High Camp — 3,580 m

This is the day the trek transforms. The trail breaks out of the forest onto an open, exposed ridge with sweeping panoramas of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal and Fishtail on almost every step. You pass Middle Camp and Badal Danda (3,210 m) before reaching High Camp (3,580 m). It is a steady 3 to 4-hour climb; take it slowly to help with acclimatisation, as you have gained real altitude.

Day 4: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) and back, descend to Low Camp / Badal Danda

The big day. Start early — ideally before sunrise — for the steep, narrow climb along the ridge past the View Point (3,900 m) to Mardi Himal Base Camp at around 4,500 m. The final section is the hardest of the whole trek: a thin, sometimes exposed ridge that can be slick or snowy, with big drops on either side. The reward is a 360-degree amphitheatre of ice — Machhapuchhre looming impossibly close, plus Mardi Himal, Annapurna South and the whole Annapurna massif. After soaking it in, retrace your steps to High Camp for lunch and continue down to Badal Danda or Low Camp for the night. This is a long day of 7 to 9 hours.

Day 5: Descend to Sidhing, drive to Pokhara

Drop off the ridge on the eastern descent through forest and terraced fields to the village of Sidhing (1,700 m), then take a jeep back to Pokhara (around 2 to 3 hours of rough driving). Alternatively you can walk out via Lwang Ghalel. Allow 3 to 4 hours of trekking before the drive. By evening you are back in Pokhara for a hot shower and a celebratory meal by the lake.

Difficulty & Fitness

Mardi Himal is rated a moderate trek. It is more demanding than Poon Hill but considerably shorter and lower than Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp. Most days involve 3 to 6 hours of walking on well-defined trail, with one long summit day of 7 to 9 hours. The maximum altitude of around 4,500 metres at base camp is the main physical challenge, along with the steep, sustained climbs through the forest.

The crux is the final ridge above High Camp. The path narrows considerably and becomes steep and exposed in places, with significant drops on either side. In good weather it is straightforward for anyone with a head for heights; after snow, in cloud, or on icy mornings it can feel genuinely serious, and microspikes or trekking poles are valuable. Some trekkers turn around at the View Point (3,900 m) when conditions are poor — that is a sensible call.

Fitness advice: you do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours over consecutive days. Prepare with regular hill walking, stair climbing or cardio in the weeks before your trek, ideally carrying a daypack. The single biggest factor in success and safety is pacing: climb slowly, drink plenty of water, and do not skip acclimatisation. Anyone with reasonable everyday fitness who trains a little beforehand can complete Mardi Himal.

Permits & Regulations

Mardi Himal lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so every trekker needs two permits, both easily arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you start:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals; SAARC nationals pay less. Issued by the Nepal Tourism Board / NTNC offices.
• TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System): around NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers. The fee is lower for SAARC nationals.

You will need a couple of passport photos and a copy of your passport for each permit. There are permit checkpoints along the trail (for example around Forest Camp), so carry both documents with you and keep them dry.

Guide note: Nepal has been tightening rules requiring trekkers in many regions to hire a licensed guide, and regulations can change. While Mardi Himal has historically been doable independently, you should check the current requirement before you go — and regardless of the rule, a guide adds real value on the exposed final ridge and for navigation in cloud. A licensed guide also handles permits, teahouse bookings and route-finding, which matters more here than on busier trails.

Best Time to Trek

The two prime seasons for Mardi Himal are spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November), the same windows that suit most Annapurna treks.

Spring (Mar–May) brings warm days, stable weather and — best of all — the rhododendron forests in full bloom, painting the lower ridge red and pink. Autumn (Oct–Nov) follows the monsoon, delivering the clearest mountain views of the year, crisp air and comfortable temperatures. These months offer the highest chance of cloud-free mornings at base camp.

Winter (December to February) is possible and beautifully quiet, but expect snow at High Camp and above; the upper ridge can be icy and some teahouses close, so you will need warm gear and should be prepared to turn back if the final section is snowbound. Monsoon (June to September) is the least rewarding: trails are wet, leeches appear in the forest, and the mountains are usually hidden behind cloud and fog, though the hillsides are lush and green.

In any season, mornings give the clearest views — clouds typically build through the day — so the early starts in this itinerary are deliberate.

Cost & Budget

Mardi Himal is one of the more affordable treks in Nepal because it is short and starts close to Pokhara. Your total cost depends mainly on whether you go with a guided package or trek independently. Approximate 2026 figures in Nepali rupees:

Teahouse costs: a basic room runs roughly NPR 500–1,500 per night lower down, but lodges get scarcer and pricier the higher you climb — at High Camp expect to pay more (a day of food and lodging there can run NPR 5,000–7,500), and meals there can cost two to three times what they do in the foothills, because everything is carried up by porter or mule. A plate of dal bhat ranges from about NPR 500 low on the ridge to NPR 1,000 at High Camp; tea (NPR 60–200), charging your phone, Wi-Fi and hot showers all carry small extra charges that add up. Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash — there are no ATMs on the trail.

Packing, Safety & Tips

A few things make the Mardi Himal Trek smoother and safer:

• Book ahead and start early — teahouses are limited higher up. Unlike the busier trails, the upper ridge (especially High Camp) has only a handful of lodges with limited beds. In peak season they fill fast, so book in advance if you can and reach the next stop early in the day to secure a room.
• Carry enough cash. There are no ATMs on the trek, and lodges only take rupees. Bring more than you think you need to cover food, drinks, charging and the occasional extra night.
• Treat your water. Bring a filter, purification tablets or a SteriPen and refill from taps rather than buying plastic bottles, which are expensive and environmentally harmful up high.
• Watch the weather. Mountain views and the safety of the final ridge depend on clear conditions. Start before dawn on summit day, and be willing to turn around at the View Point if the ridge is snowy, icy or fogbound.
• Know the basics of altitude sickness (AMS). At 4,500 m, mild symptoms — headache, nausea, poor sleep — are possible. Ascend slowly, hydrate, do not push on if symptoms worsen, and descend if they become severe. The good news is that the descent to thicker air is quick from base camp.
• Pack for big temperature swings. Warm days can become freezing nights, especially at High Camp. Bring layers, a warm down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves, a good sleeping-bag liner or bag, sturdy boots, trekking poles, sun protection and a headlamp for the early start.
• Combine it with other routes. Because it is short, Mardi Himal pairs naturally with nearby treks — you can link it with Poon Hill for a longer foothill loop, or use it as scenic acclimatisation before tackling Annapurna Base Camp.

For more on the gateway city, restaurants, lakeside hotels and how to reach the trailhead, see our Pokhara travel guide.