Mardi Himal Trek, 7 Days
Mardi Himal Trek, 7 Days
Mardi Himal Trek is a short and scenic trekking route in Nepal’s Annapurna region. It offers stunning views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli, passing through beautiful forests, traditional villages, and alpine landscapes. It is a popular trek for those seeking a quieter alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Keywords
Trip code
WT-CODE 2734
- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Booking
- FAQ
MARDIHIMAL TREK.
Mardi Himal is a beautiful and relatively quiet trekking destination in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It lies just east of the famous Annapurna Base Camp route, beneath the striking peaks of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
The trek takes you through lush rhododendron forests, peaceful villages, alpine meadows, and finally into high-mountain landscapes with close-up Himalayan views. One of the special things about Mardi Himal is its less-crowded trails, making it perfect for trekkers who want solitude and raw nature.
As you ascend, the scenery changes dramatically—from green hills and forests to rocky ridges and snowy mountains. The trail follows a long ridge, offering panoramic views almost the entire way. From High Camp, the mountains feel incredibly close, especially Machhapuchhre, which rises sharply like a sacred guardian of the region.
The highlight of the trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp (around 4,500 meters), where you stand face-to-face with towering Himalayan giants. Sunrise from this area is unforgettable, with golden light touching Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Culturally, the trek passes through Gurung and Magar villages, where you experience warm hospitality, traditional lifestyles, and local food. Accommodation is mostly in tea houses, making the trek comfortable and accessible.
Overall, the Mardi Himal Trek is:
Short and rewarding
Ideal for beginners and experienced trekkers
Perfect for those seeking spectacular views without heavy crowds
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea houses during trekking and a tourist-standard hotel in Pokhara
Itineraries
Day 1
Kathmandu to Pokhara
Duration: 6–7 hours / 205 km
Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus. After arrival, enjoy a short sightseeing tour around Pokhara and its beautiful surroundings, including the scenic Phewa Lake. Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 2
Pokhara to Forest Camp
Duration: 6–7 hours / 14 km
Altitude: 2,600 meters
After breakfast, we drive about 31 km (around 1 hour) by bus, jeep, or taxi to Kande. From Kande, the trek begins through villages, forests, and ridge paths, climbing uphill to Australian Camp. Continuing via Pothana, we enjoy beautiful views of mountains and lush green forests as we ascend towards Deurali. Lunch is taken at Deurali while enjoying views of mountains, forests, and villages. After lunch, we trek uphill through dense forest for about 2–3 hours to Forest Camp. Overnight at Forest Camp.
Day 3
Forest Camp to Low Camp
Duration: 4–5 hours / 10 km
Altitude: 2,970 meters
After breakfast, we gradually climb uphill through forest trails. From Deurali to Badal Danda, there is a chance to see various birds and wildlife along the way. We reach Low Camp, where lunch is served, and spend the night.
Day 4
Low Camp to High Camp
Duration: 4 hours / 9 km
Altitude: 3,550 meters
After breakfast, we begin the uphill trek towards High Camp. After about one hour of climbing, we reach Badal Danda, where we enjoy breathtaking natural scenery. From here, Himchuli, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) appear right in front of us, along with distant panoramic mountain views. After enjoying a 360-degree panorama, we continue trekking for about 1.5 hours to High Camp. Lunch and overnight stay at High Camp.
Day 5
Mardi Himal Base Camp and Return to Low Camp
Duration: 6–7 hours
Highest Point: 4,500 meters
Overnight Altitude: 2,970 meters
We start early at around 4:00 AM and trek uphill towards Mardi Himal Base Camp. After about 2 hours of ascent, we reach the Mardi Himal Viewpoint, where we enjoy a spectacular sunrise and close-up views of the surrounding mountains. After a further 45-minute climb, passing views of Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and glaciers, we reach Mardi Himal Base Camp. From here, we can see Annapurna Base Camp, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Singha Chuli, Baraha Shikhar, and the Annapurna Glacier up close. After enjoying the views, we descend to High Camp for lunch, then continue downhill via Badal Danda to Low Camp. Overnight at Low Camp.
Day 6
Low Camp to Pokhara
Altitude: 800 meters
After breakfast, we descend for about 2.5 hours (approximately 4 km) through forested stone steps to Sidding village. From Sidding, we drive about 31 km (around 2 hours) by shared jeep to Pokhara. Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 7
Pokhara Sightseeing or Drive Back to Kathmandu
Explore the natural beauty of Pokhara, or drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. The 6–7 hour journey offers many scenic views along the way.
- Two-night stay at a 3-star hotel in Pokhara.
- All necessary trekking permits, such as the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, the TIMS Card, etc.
- All accommodations during the trek
- Three meals a day during the trek
- A cup of tea or coffee each time with the meal
- If and when available, fresh fruit should be provided every day.
- Complimentary duffle bag, trekking map, down jackets and sleeping bags if needed.
- A government-registered and first-aid-trained professional local guide who speaks English
- First-aid kit
- Return travel by bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara
- From Pokhara to trek starting point, Kande by car
- Siding lwang to Pokhara by shared jeep or cab.
- Staff insurance, meals, accommodations, equipment, transportation, etc.
- Rescue arrangements, if necessary
- Agency service charge and government tax, or VAT
- Certificate of Achievement if needed
- International airfare and Nepal visa fee
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Porters to carry your backpacks (we provide porters on request. A porter will be provided for two people and it costs $150 in total including his salary, meals, accommodation, transportation, and insurance. That means $75 per person as per the itinerary.)
- Personal insurance, personal expenses, loss of property, theft, etc.
- Sightseeing costs in the city (temples, monasteries entrance fees, etc.)
- All beverages, snacks, and additional expenses such as laundry, hot showers, battery charging, wifi, etc.
- Tips for staff
The Mardi Himal Trek is considered a moderate trek, suitable for beginners with a reasonable level of fitness.
Most itineraries take 4–7 days, depending on the starting point and pace.
The highest point is Mardi Himal View Point at approximately 4,500 meters (14,764 feet).
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the best weather and mountain views.
A guide is recommended for safety, local insights, and a more enjoyable trekking experience.
The trek offers spectacular views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other peaks of the Annapurna range.
There are no reviews yet.