Mardi Himal trek | Himal Trek Nepal

Trip Facts

Difficulty

Medium/Moderate

Max Altitude

4,500m/14,764ft

Accommodation

Standard Hotels (Pokhara / Kathmandu) & Tea houses (Trek)

Activity

Trekking

Best Season

Autumn (Sept–Nov) & Spring (Mar–May)

Duration

8-9 Days

Trip Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek is a famous eco-trekking trail that runs along the pristine ridges of the Annapurna Region. Once a hidden gem, this route is now celebrated for delivering breathtaking mountain views in a short span of time, making it the perfect choice for travelers seeking quiet trails, authentic culture, and stunning panoramas over a compact 5-to-7-day itinerary. Easily accessed via a short 1-hour drive from Pokhara, this moderate-grade ridgeline journey offers a pristine, off-the-beaten-path alternative to the busier routes in the area.

Covering a total round-trip distance of 35 to 45 km (22–28 miles), the trail climbs steeply from magical, fairy-tale forests of oak and blooming rhododendrons onto a dramatic mountain spine. Because you walk along a high-altitude ridge, you will enjoy sweeping, unobstructed vistas of the Annapurna massifs on both sides of the path every single day.

The ultimate highlight of the journey is standing at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m / 14,763ft), where you stand face-to-face with the sheer, magnificent south face of the sacred, unclimbed peak of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). Supported by cozy, uncrowded local teahouses offering authentic mountain hospitality, this rapid loop packs maximum Himalayan scale into a short timeframe without the massive crowds.

Trip Overview

Day 1

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. A Himal Trek Nepal representative will meet you at the terminal and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, take time to rest. In the evening, meet your licensed trekking guide for your pre-departure briefing. Sort out gear, finalize last-minute preparations, and ask questions before departure.

Max altitude

1,400m/4,593ft

Day 2

Catch a short, scenic 25-minute domestic flight to Pokhara. Check into your hotel and take time to unwind. The rest of the day is entirely yours for self-exploration. Stroll along the vibrant Lakeside strip, rent a colorful wooden boat on Phewa Lake, or complete your final gear shopping before hitting the trail tomorrow.

Max altitude

822m/2,697ft

Day 3

A scenic highway drive leads to Kande. The hike begins with a steep stone-stair climb to Australian Camp, opening up to wide pastures. It then passes through the village of Pothana before making a gentle ascent to Pitam Deurali.

Max altitude

2,100m/6,890ft

Day 4

Leaving the main Annapurna Sanctuary trail behind, you branch onto a quiet ridge line. The path winds through a dense, mossy jungle of oak, maple, and giant rhododendron trees.

Max altitude

2,970m/9,744ft

Day 5

You quickly climb past Badal Danda (Cloud Ridge), where the dense trees give way to alpine shrubs. The trail follows an exposed, grassy ridge with clear, panoramic views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli tracking right beside you.

Max altitude

3,580m/11,745ft

Day 6

An early 3:30 AM alpine start on steep, narrow paths ensures you reach the Upper Viewpoint for sunrise. The jagged wall of Mount Machapuchhare towers directly ahead. If trail conditions and energy permit, you can continue another 2 hours to the official Base Camp before making a long, steep knee-jarring descent back down the ridge.

Max altitude

4,500m/14,764ft

Day 7

You break away from the ridge and plunge straight down a steep forest trail into the valley. The trail ends at the traditional Gurung settlement of Siding Village, where a local 4x4 jeep will pick you up for the bumpy dirt-road drive back to Pokhara.

Max altitude

2,970m/9,744ft

Day 8

Bid farewell to the mountains and travel back to Kathmandu. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is completely free for any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping in Thamel. Relax and unwind before your departure tomorrow.

Max altitude

1,400m/4,593ft

Day 9

Enjoy your final breakfast in Kathmandu. A Himal Trek Nepal representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport exactly three hours before your scheduled flight time, marking the conclusion of your journey.

Trip Gallery

Trip Cost

What to Expect

2 nights accommodations during Kathmandu stay in twin sharing basis.
2 nights accommodations during Pokhara stay in twin sharing basis.
Internal ground transfer to/from Kathmandu & Pokhara.
Required Permits & Fees: 1. Annapurna conservation Park Entry Permit. 2. TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management Systems) card if applicable.
Accommodation Along the Trail: 1. Standard twin-sharing rooms in local tea houses or mountain lodges for 4 nights.
Trekking Support Staff: 1. Salary, insurance, food, accommodation, and equipment for a licensed English-speaking guide. 2. Salary, insurance, food, and accommodation for porters (typically 1 porter shared between 2 trekkers, carrying up to 20–25kg total).
Meals on the Trek: 1. Full board meals: 3 meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) chosen from the tea house menu. 2. Post-dinner hot beverages (tea or coffee) or a cup of hot water.
Safety Gear: 1. First-aid kit carried by the guide, including an oximeter to monitor oxygen levels daily.

What not to Expect

International Travel Costs: 1.International airfare to and from Kathmandu. 2.Nepal Tourist Visa fee (payable in cash USD upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport).
Single Supplement fee.
Internal flight transfer. 1.Round-trip domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara. 2.Airport transfers via private vehicle in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Travel and Emergency Insurance: 1.Mandatory: Travel insurance that explicitly covers emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 meters (most basic plans cap out at 3,000m).
Meals before & after trek in Kathmandu & Pokhara and extra stay in Kathmandu/Pokhara hotels other than mentioned above: 1.Hotel up-gradation might cost extra depending on your request.
Trail Luxuries & Services (Tea house Add-on): 1.Hot Showers: Gas or solar-heated showers cost between $3 to $7 USD per shower (prices increase with altitude). 2.Device Charging: Power banks, phones, and camera battery charging cost $2 to $5 USD per full charge. 3.Wi-Fi / Connectivity: AirLED or Everest Link Wi-Fi prepaid cards cost roughly $5 to $10 USD for a set amount of data. 4.Drinking Water: Bottled water costs $1 to $4 USD per bottle (it is highly recommended to bring water purification tablets/filters instead).
Personal Trekking Gear: 1.Down jackets, sleeping bags, hiking boots, trekking poles, and backpacks (though sleeping bags and jackets can be rented cheaply in Kathmandu for around $1 to $2 a day).
Beverages & Snacks: 1.Alcoholic drinks (beer, spirits), specialty coffees, soft drinks, and bakery items at trail cafes.
Tips & Gratitude: 1.Tipping guides and porters is custom and highly expected. The industry standard is roughly 10% to 15% of your total trek cost, pooled together by the group and handed out on the final evening.

Availability

Trip Date	Duration	Price	Space Left	Action
2 Oct 2026 - 11 Oct 2026	9 Days	$ 699	1 Space available	Book Now
16 Oct 2026 - 25 Oct 2026	9 Days	$ 699	1 Space available	Book Now
28 Oct 2026 - 6 Nov 2026	9 Days	$ 699	1 Space available	Book Now
8 Nov 2026 - 17 Nov 2026	9 Days	$ 699	1 Space available	Book Now
15 Nov 2026 - 24 Nov 2026	9 Days	$ 699	1 Space available	Book Now

What to Expect

Fishtail Face-to-Face: Stand directly beneath the south face of the sacred, unclimbed Mount Machapuchhare at 4,500 meters.
The Badal Danda Ridge: Walk along an exposed, high-alpine grassy ridge floating completely above the cloud line.
Uncrowded Eco-Trail: Experience a cleaner, quieter, and deeply peaceful alternative to the classic commercial Annapurna tracks.
Mardi Sunrise: Watch a spectacular high-altitude dawn over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the glacier fields from the Upper Viewpoint.
Traditional Siding Settlement: Immerse yourself in authentic mountain hospitality inside a pristine Gurung village.

Equipments And Gears

Teahouse Lodging: Expect basic, cozy tea houses with twin sharing beds, communal dining spaces, and shared bathrooms carefully vetted by our team.
Internet and Wi-Fi: Available in most lower-elevation villages for a small fee, but connection becomes unreliable and slow at higher altitudes.
Charging Devices: Electricity is accessible at most teahouses, though hosts usually charge a fee per device higher up the trail.
Water Availability: Safe drinking water is available via boiled water from teahouses, water purification tablets, or UV filters; buying plastic bottles is discouraged.

FAQs

October to November offers the clearest skies and best mountain views, while March to April brings beautiful blooming rhododendrons.

Routes range from short 3-day hikes (like Poon Hill) to epic 12-to-22-day journeys (like the full Annapurna Circuit).

Trekkers need the ACAP Permit and a TIMS Card, both of which Himal Trek Nepal handles completely for our clients.

Nepal restricts solo trekking in most mountain regions; our agency provides licensed, experienced guides to ensure full legal compliance and safety.

Good To know

Physical Fitness: You need a moderate to high level of cardiovascular fitness; training with stairs and cardio 2–3 months prior is highly recommended.
Altitude Sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a risk above 3,000 meters; our guides are trained in altitude safety to monitor your pacing and hydration.
Travel Insurance: Your policy must cover high-altitude emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 meters before starting your trip with us.
Packing Essentials: Prioritize sturdy hiking boots, thermal layers, a down jacket, a 4-season sleeping bag, and reliable rain gear.

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