Mardi Himal Trek Cost: Full Budget Breakdown
A guided Mardi Himal trek typically costs NPR 55,000–105,000 per person. Here is exactly where that money goes, and how to keep it down without cutting the parts that matter.
What Mardi Himal Costs in One Glance
The Mardi Himal trek is one of Nepal's best-value Himalayan walks: it is short (4–6 days), needs no domestic flight, starts barely an hour from Pokhara, and runs entirely on teahouses, so you carry no camping or food costs. A guided trip usually costs NPR 55,000–105,000 per person, depending on style and group size.
| Style | Per day | 4–6 day total | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ~NPR 5,000–7,500 | NPR 25,000–45,000 | Self-organised, basic rooms, dal bhat, porter only |
| Standard (guided) | ~NPR 11,000–17,000 | NPR 55,000–105,000 | Licensed guide, permits, teahouse rooms, all logistics |
| Comfort | ~NPR 18,000–26,000 | NPR 100,000–150,000 | Private guide + porter, better lodges, private jeeps, buffer day |
These are on-the-ground trek costs. They exclude your international flights to Kathmandu, your Nepal visa, and travel insurance, budget those separately (see below).
Line-by-Line Cost Breakdown
Here is where every rupee goes on a standard guided Mardi Himal trek, using 2026 estimates.
Permits: about NPR 5,000
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): ~NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals.
- TIMS card: ~NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals.
SAARC nationals (including Indians) pay substantially less. There is no restricted-area permit on Mardi Himal. See our Mardi Himal permits guide for the detail.
Guide and porter: NPR 3,500–4,500 per day
A licensed guide has been required since 2023 in the Annapurna region. Expect NPR 3,500–4,500/day for a guide and NPR 2,500–3,500/day for a porter (who carries up to ~20–25 kg, often shared between two trekkers). A combined "porter-guide" runs around NPR 2,500–3,700/day. These rates usually include the guide's own food, lodging and insurance; tips are extra.
Teahouse rooms: NPR 500–2,000 per night
A basic room is cheap low down, often NPR 500–1,000 around Forest Camp and Low Camp, rising toward NPR 1,500–2,000 at High Camp (3,550 m), where everything is portered or mule-hauled up. Lodges are limited and beds few on the upper ridge, so book ahead in peak season.
Food and drink: NPR 2,500–4,500 per day
Prices climb with altitude. A plate of dal bhat costs ~NPR 500 low on the ridge but ~NPR 1,000 at High Camp. Budget NPR 2,500–3,500/day low down and NPR 3,500–4,500/day high up. Hot drinks, boiled water, charging, Wi-Fi and hot showers are all paid extras that add up.
Transport: NPR 6,500–13,000
Pokhara to the Kande trailhead is a short 1–1.5 hour drive; the return from Sidhing is a rougher 2–3 hour jeep ride. A shared local jeep is a few thousand rupees each way; a private jeep for the group runs more. Add the Kathmandu–Pokhara leg if relevant: tourist bus ~NPR 1,500–2,000, or a 25-minute flight ~NPR 13,000–16,000.
A Real Sample Budget (5-Day Trek)
Here is a realistic itemised budget for one person on a 5-day guided Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara, mid-range style, two trekkers sharing a porter:
| Item | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| ACAP + TIMS permits | 5,000 |
| Guide (5 days @ 4,000, solo) | 20,000 |
| Porter (5 days @ 3,000, shared = half) | 7,500 |
| Teahouse rooms (4 nights) | 4,500 |
| Food + hot drinks (5 days @ 3,700) | 18,500 |
| Charging, Wi-Fi, hot showers, water | 3,500 |
| Pokhara ↔ Kande/Sidhing transport (shared jeep) | 7,000 |
| Guide/porter tips (customary) | 5,500 |
| Trek total | ~71,500 |
Booking the same trip as an all-inclusive package through an agency usually lands at NPR 55,000–105,000, with the higher end buying private transport, better lodges and a single point of accountability. Sharing the guide across a group of two or three drops the per-person cost markedly.
How to Trek Mardi Himal for Less
- Eat dal bhat. It is the best value on any menu, a huge, refillable plate that fuels a full trekking day for one fixed price.
- Share a porter and guide. Splitting between two or three trekkers roughly halves the biggest line items.
- Trek in the shoulder season. Early March or late November still deliver fine weather with fewer crowds and softer lodge prices, see best time to trek Mardi Himal.
- Treat your own water instead of buying bottled, and carry a power bank.
- Take the local jeep, not a private one, to Kande and back from Sidhing.
- Book in Pokhara, not abroad. Local agencies are markedly cheaper than international operators selling the identical trek.
Don't economise on a licensed guide, insurance, or acclimatisation. The exposed final ridge to base camp is where a good guide earns their fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Mardi Himal trek cost in 2026?
A guided Mardi Himal trek costs roughly NPR 55,000–105,000 per person for 4–6 days. Backpackers organising it themselves can do it for NPR 25,000–45,000, while a comfort trip with private guide, porter and better lodges runs higher. This excludes international flights, your Nepal visa and insurance.
Is Mardi Himal cheaper than Annapurna Base Camp?
Usually yes, because it is shorter (4–6 days versus 7–12) and starts an hour from Pokhara. Fewer trek days mean fewer nights of food and lodging, so the total is typically lower than ABC even though the daily costs are similar.
Do I have to pay for a guide on Mardi Himal?
Effectively yes. A licensed guide has been required in the Annapurna region since 2023, costing about NPR 3,500–4,500 per day. Sharing a guide between two or more trekkers spreads the cost, and a guide adds real value on the exposed final ridge.
How much money should I carry on the trek?
Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for everything on the trail, there are no ATMs past Pokhara and teahouses do not take cards. Budget your food, drinks, extras and tips in cash, plus a buffer; withdraw it in Pokhara before you start.
Are permits expensive for Mardi Himal?
No. The ACAP (~NPR 3,000) and TIMS card (~NPR 2,000) together cost only about NPR 5,000 for foreign nationals, a small fraction of the total trek cost. There is no restricted-area permit.
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated July 1, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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