Annapurna Region
Mardi Himal Trek Guide
A short Annapurna-side ridge trek from the Pokhara area with close Machhapuchhre views, forested lower trails, high camps, and a dramatic sunrise viewpoint finish.
Region
Annapurna Region
Duration
4-7 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Best season
Mar-May and Oct-Nov
Max altitude
4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint
Route overview
How the Mardi Himal route usually flows.
Most Mardi Himal plans begin in Pokhara, then use a road transfer toward Kande, Phedi, Siding, or another current trailhead depending on road condition and itinerary style.
The route climbs through forest camps toward Low Camp, Badal Danda, High Camp, and the Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint area.
Mardi is shorter than ABC but still reaches serious altitude quickly, so the best itineraries keep a flexible pace and avoid treating it like a casual hill walk.
Day-by-day itinerary
A practical starting itinerary.
Treat this as a planning frame, then adjust for weather, fitness, guide advice, and available lodges.
Day 1
2,520 m
Pokhara to Forest Camp
Road transfer and ridge entry
Drive to the trailhead and climb through forest toward the first main lodge cluster.
Day 2
2,970 m
Forest Camp to Low Camp
Rhododendron forest trail
Continue through forest with occasional mountain openings when the weather is clear.
Day 3
3,580 m
Low Camp to High Camp
Badal Danda ridge
The route becomes more exposed and scenic as views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna open.
Day 4
4,200-4,500 m
Viewpoint or Mardi Himal Base Camp area
Early ridge hike
Start early for sunrise and turn around if weather, snow, wind, or altitude symptoms are not right.
Day 5
1,700-1,800 m
High Camp to Siding or Landruk side
Descent route
Descend carefully through forest and village routes toward road access.
Day 6
822 m
Return to Pokhara
Road transfer
Use the final day for a relaxed return if you prefer not to rush the descent and transfer.
Permit Information
ACAP permit
Required for the Annapurna Conservation Area; arrange in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting.
TIMS or local trek registration
Confirm the latest trekking registration requirement before departure because local rules can change.
Cost Expectation
Budget tea-house style: USD 25-45 per day
Simple lodges, local meals, permits, and shared transport where possible.
Guided style: USD 50-90 per day
Guide support, route planning, lodge coordination, and safer weather decisions.
Transport and permit buffer: USD 50-130+
Depends on chosen trailhead, jeep/taxi use, group size, and current permit fees.
Difficulty And Fitness
Mardi Himal is approachable for fit beginners, but the short itinerary means altitude gain can feel sharp. You need steady uphill stamina, comfort with ridge walking, and patience in wet or misty forest sections.
Best Time To Go
October-November usually gives the clearest mountain views. March-April brings rhododendron color. Monsoon can be slippery and cloudy, while winter may bring cold, snow, or icy upper sections.
Transport Access
Pokhara is the main base. Access commonly uses a private jeep, taxi, or local transport toward Kande, Phedi, Siding, Landruk, or other active roadheads depending on route choice.
Travel utility checklist
Mardi Himal trekking essentials
Use this as the reusable trek checklist for permits, transport, cost ranges, altitude, emergency planning, and official references.
Last verified: 2026-07-09
Permit Information
ACAP permit
Required for the Annapurna Conservation Area; arrange in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting.
Confirm current requirements with official sources or a licensed trekking agency before departure.
TIMS or local trek registration
Confirm the latest trekking registration requirement before departure because local rules can change.
Confirm current requirements with official sources or a licensed trekking agency before departure.
Transport Options
Access
Pokhara is the main base. Access commonly uses a private jeep, taxi, or local transport toward Kande, Phedi, Siding, Landruk, or other active roadheads depending on route choice.
Estimated Costs
Budget tea-house style
USD 25-45 per day
Simple lodges, local meals, permits, and shared transport where possible.
Guided style
USD 50-90 per day
Guide support, route planning, lodge coordination, and safer weather decisions.
Transport and permit buffer
USD 50-130+
Depends on chosen trailhead, jeep/taxi use, group size, and current permit fees.
Emergency, Hospital And Altitude
Max altitude
4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint
Fitness
Mardi Himal is approachable for fit beginners, but the short itinerary means altitude gain can feel sharp. You need steady uphill stamina, comfort with ridge walking, and patience in wet or misty forest sections.
Hospital information
Identify the nearest health post, HRA aid post, or evacuation plan before starting high-altitude sections
ATM, Internet And SIM
Cash planning
Carry enough cash after leaving the gateway town; ATM reliability is not guaranteed on trail
Internet and SIM
Expect mobile data and lodge Wi-Fi to vary by valley, altitude, weather, and power availability
Weather And Seasonal Notes
Best season
Mar-May and Oct-Nov
Best time detail
October-November usually gives the clearest mountain views. March-April brings rhododendron color. Monsoon can be slippery and cloudy, while winter may bring cold, snow, or icy upper sections.
Packing Tips
Core trek packing
Warm layers, rain shell, broken-in boots, sun protection, water treatment, headlamp, power bank, and offline permit copies
Safety notes
Do not push to the high viewpoint in whiteout, strong wind, lightning risk, snow, or altitude symptoms. Carry warm layers even on a short trek because High Camp mornings can be very cold. Trail conditions can be muddy and slippery in forest sections. Book ahead in peak season because Mardi's lodge capacity is smaller than major routes.
Nearby Places
Pokhara
Main base for permits, gear, road transfer, and post-trek recovery.
Mardi Region
Destination guide for the Mardi Himal trekking area and route context.
Annapurna Region
Wider trekking region connected to Mardi, ABC, Poon Hill, and Ghandruk.
Ghandruk
Nearby village route option that can combine with Annapurna-side plans.
Travel warnings and verification notes
- Permit, guide, and route rules can change; confirm before paying for a fixed plan.
- Altitude illness can become serious. Do not ascend if symptoms worsen.
Official government and tourism references
Discover Nepal Hub explains the planning context and links out to official sources. It does not replace government or permit services.
Safety notes
Build safety into the plan before the trail starts.
Do not push to the high viewpoint in whiteout, strong wind, lightning risk, snow, or altitude symptoms.
Carry warm layers even on a short trek because High Camp mornings can be very cold.
Trail conditions can be muddy and slippery in forest sections.
Book ahead in peak season because Mardi's lodge capacity is smaller than major routes.
Related places
Destination pages connected to this trek.
Place guide
Pokhara
Main base for permits, gear, road transfer, and post-trek recovery.
Place guide
Mardi Region
Destination guide for the Mardi Himal trekking area and route context.
Place guide
Annapurna Region
Wider trekking region connected to Mardi, ABC, Poon Hill, and Ghandruk.
Place guide
Ghandruk
Nearby village route option that can combine with Annapurna-side plans.
Route planner
Connect Mardi Himal with the rest of your Nepal route.
Use the planner to compare arrival bases, recovery days, and nearby destination pages before fixing your schedule.