Mardi Himal Trek: 7 Days from Kathmandu

The price is per person and drops as your group grows.

Included

• ACAP permit fees
• TIMS card fees
• Local Gov. Permit Fees

Not included

• Nepal visa fees
• Travel insurance that covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation (compulsory)

The 4-day Mardi Himal costs about $310 per person. Naturally, the more you trek with groups, the more discounts you will receive, eventually costing you less. The Mardi Himal trek cost depends on the time of the year chosen. Autumn and spring are the best months for many trekkers worldwide to visit. Prices of lodging and transportation facilities skyrocket during these times.

Since the trek is just about four days, the fees for transportation, accommodation, and meals, as well as the fees for guides and porters, are lower than those of other major trekking destinations, such as Annapurna Base Camp. Hence, if you are looking for budget-friendly treks but the reward is still excellent, please book the Mardi Himal Trek.

Similar to all other treks in Nepal, you will need a couple of permits for the Mardi Himal trek. There are two major permits you need for this trek: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card. It is essential to carry both of these permits with you throughout the journey for a hassle-free crossing through checkpoints.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

As the Mardi Himal is located in the Annapurna region, trekkers are required to collect the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to trek the trail. This permit aims to maintain and protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage. A huge part of the amount collected through ACAP goes towards conservation activities and trail maintenance.

Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card

The Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card is another important document that every trekker needs to collect before embarking on the Mardi Himal trek. It is used as a tracking device to monitor hikers and facilitate their rescue in case of emergencies. The TIMS card can be collected from either the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) office in Pokhara.

This trek is graded medium: 38.1 km on foot over five trekking days on a non-technical trail, with most of the effort packed into two climbs. Day 4 gains 1,060 m to High Camp (3,600 m), and day 5 climbs 980 m to base camp at 4,500 m before descending 1,330 m to sleep at Badal Danda (3,250 m).

Altitude by day on our 7-day itinerary. The trail peaks at 4,500 m on day 5, and you sleep 1,250 m lower the same night.

The hard part is altitude and day length, not technique. Days 2 to 4 are 7 hours each, day 5 starts at 05:00 and runs about 9 hours, and days 5 and 6 descend 2,810 m between them, which is where trekking poles from the packing list below pay for themselves. Walk at a steady pace, drink water through the day and take short breaks on the day 4 climb.

How this trek compares with our other treks in Nepal

Highest point on four of our treks. Mardi Himal goes 370 m higher than ABC in two fewer days.

Every trek in the table starts and ends in Kathmandu except the 5-day version, which starts and ends in Pokhara. Our Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty, Route and Best Time guide walks through each climb and the trail map.

The Mardi Himal Trek is a short trek suitable for beginner trekkers. With a moderate difficulty level and lower altitude compared to some of the popular trekking routes, Mardi Himal attracts more new trekkers. Additionally, you don’t have to compromise on your views or adventures. You will enjoy the best views, people, and trekking paths, with minimal hassles. Here is a brief reason why a beginner should consider the Mardi Himal Trek:

Moderate Difficulty Level

The trek is considered a moderate trek. You will face a few uphill climbs, but nothing too overwhelming. Most of the trail follows a gentle, steady ascent, so you can enjoy the views without constantly catching your breath. Rated 5 out of 10 on the difficulty scale, this trek doesn’t require intense training or any prior trekking experience. Additionally, the availability of basic amenities and a short duration make the trekking adventure a lot easier for new adventure seekers.

Lower Altitude

One of the best aspects of the trek to Mardi Himal Base is that it stays at a relatively lower altitude (below 5,000 meters) compared to other famous treks in Nepal. The highest point, Mardi Himal Base Camp, sits at 4,500 meters (14,763 feet). If you are concerned about altitude sickness, a lower altitude definitely will give you some advantage. The risk of getting affected is low, making the trek more accessible for beginners. That said, it’s still advisable to stay hydrated, walk at a comfortable pace, and take breaks to allow your body to adjust properly.

Minimal Technical Skills Required

Unlike more advanced Himalayan treks, the Mardi Himal Trek doesn’t require specialized technical skills such as climbing or using ropes. The terrain consists of well-established paths, and no difficult or dangerous sections require mountaineering knowledge. For beginners, this means a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. As long as you have basic fitness and can walk uphill, you can enjoy the trek.

Incredible Local Hospitality

The Mardi Himal Trek is well known for the exceptional hospitality offered by the local people, especially the Gurung community. They are known for their warmth and friendliness. As you pass through villages like Pothana, Deurali, and Sidhing, you will experience the traditional way of life. You will be welcomed into their homes and tea houses. You can also try authentic Nepali food like dal bhat, momos, and roti.

Drinking water on the Mardi Himal Trek should be treated with caution. While there are plenty of natural water sources along the trail, such as local taps, streams, and rivers, it is not always safe to drink water directly from these sources due to the risk of contamination. It’s recommended to purify the water before drinking it, either by using water purification tablets, a filter, or boiling it.

Most tea houses along the trek will provide bottled or filtered water for a fee, which is safer for drinking. If you’re concerned about carrying enough water, you can refill your bottle at these tea houses. Be sure to have a reliable purification method, especially in more remote areas, to avoid any waterborne illnesses.

Preparing for the Mardi Himal trek is not much of a hassle. For a smooth and enjoyable experience, you should be physically and mentally ready. The trek to Mardi Himal is moderately challenging and requires a basic level of physical fitness. Similarly, being mentally prepared for the challenges is also essential. Here is a guide to help you get ready:

• To increase your stamina, consider engaging in activities such as walking, hiking, running, or cycling. You should aim for at least 30-60 minutes of cardio exercise 3-4 times a week.
• For an easy uphill climb and carrying your bags, you should build leg and core strength. To do so, exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups are great options.
• You can incorporate meditation and visualization techniques to prepare mentally for the challenges.
• Stay positive, especially when facing challenges like unpredictable weather or tough days of trekking.
• If possible, try to hike at higher altitudes before the trek to help your body adjust to lower oxygen levels.

The best seasons for this trek are March to May and September to November, the two trekking seasons in our trip facts. Spring brings the rhododendron forest into flower and clear views of the peaks, and autumn brings warm, sunny days and the busiest trail.

Pack for 4,500 m in every season; the packing checklist below lists what to bring.

A typical day on the Mardi Himal Trek will begin with a warm breakfast at the tea house. We will pack our essentials and set off early to enjoy the cool morning weather. The trek will usually start with gentle paths as we pass through beautiful forests, villages, or ridges. Along the way, we will stop to take in the views and rest during short breaks. Around midday, we will arrive at a scenic spot for lunch, where we can refuel while taking in the peaceful surroundings.

In the afternoon, we will continue trekking toward our destination for the day, often a cozy tea house or lodge. The trail may involve some steep climbs or descents, adding a touch of adventure to our journey. Once we arrive, we can relax, explore the nearby area, or chat with other trekkers. Dinner will be served early, and we will spend the evening resting, enjoying the stars, or planning for the next day’s adventure.

On the Mardi Himal Trek, you will primarily stay in tea houses or lodges along the route. These accommodations are basic but comfortable, offering a warm place to rest after a day of trekking. They provide essential services such as beds with blankets, meals, and sometimes hot showers (depending on the location and season). The tea houses are spread out across the trail, from Pokhara to Mardi Himal Base Camp, making it easy to find a place to stay each night.

The higher you go, the more basic the tea houses become. In places like Forest Camp and High Camp, the facilities are simple, with shared rooms and basic amenities. However, these tea houses are great for meeting fellow trekkers and experiencing the local Gurung culture. The food served at these tea houses typically consists of Nepali dishes, such as dal bhat, momos, and noodles, and is an essential part of the trekking experience.

Dining on the Mardi Himal Trek offers an opportunity to try traditional Nepali food and some familiar international dishes. At the tea houses and lodges along the route, you will find a variety of meals to fuel your trek. Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice) is a staple and is served daily, often accompanied by vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat. It is a hearty, nutritious meal that provides energy for long trekking days.

Other popular options include momos (dumplings filled with vegetables or meat), noodles, and Tibetan bread with jam. You can also find Western dishes like pancakes, omelets, and soups in the lower villages. As you go higher on the trek, the menu becomes more limited, but the food remains simple and satisfying. Drinking tea or coffee with a piece of chocolate or a biscuit is a common way to relax and recharge in cozy tea houses.

During the Mardi Himal Trek, you may have limited access to the internet. In the lower villages like Pokhara and Deurali, you can find Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes. However, as you go higher into the mountains, internet access becomes scarce or non-existent. In places like Forest Camp and High Camp, you may not have internet access at all, so it is essential to prepare for limited connectivity.

To stay connected during the trek, you can buy a Nepali SIM card in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you start your trek. The primary mobile networks in Nepal are Ncell and NTC, both of which offer good coverage in major towns and certain parts of the country. While signal strength is weaker in remote areas, having a SIM card will enable you to make calls or use data in areas with poor network coverage.

Pokhara

You will start your Mardi Himal Trek in Pokhara, a lively city known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy a variety of accommodations, eateries, and shops while soaking in views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli from the lakeside. The city is a melting pot of locals, tourists, and trekkers, offering a glimpse into Nepali culture and a place to unwind before embarking on your trek.

Deurali

After starting your trek, you will reach Deurali, a peaceful village at an elevation of around 2,100 meters. This small stop offers basic tea houses and a glimpse into the local Gurung culture, with its stone houses and terraced farming. From Deurali, you will get your first clear views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South while interacting with the friendly locals who rely on farming and tourism for their livelihood.

Forest Camp

As you ascend further, you will arrive at Forest Camp, a remote resting point situated in a dense forest of rhododendrons, oaks, and pines. Though not a traditional village, this spot offers basic tea houses that provide shelter and warmth. From here, the views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South start to open up, and the peaceful, quiet atmosphere allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty around you.

Low Camp / High Camp

Continuing up the trail, you will reach Low Camp and High Camp, two key stops on your journey. Low Camp, at about 3,000 meters, is more developed and offers several tea houses, while High Camp, at 3,600 meters, is more isolated and offers an even more serene environment. Both camps offer stunning views of Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, and Annapurna South, and you will encounter mostly trekkers who are trying to reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp, as well as locals who call this remote region home.

Mardi Himal Base Camp

Your journey culminates at Mardi Himal Base Camp, located at 4,500 meters. This is not a village but a high-altitude base camp offering unrivaled panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. At the Base Camp, you will meet fellow trekkers and local guides, who will share in the awe-inspiring beauty of the mountains, providing an unforgettable conclusion to your trek.

Our 7-day Mardi Himal Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From Pokhara, we will drive to Kande and begin our trek to Pitam Deurali, passing through lush forests and small villages. The next day, we will trek to Forest Camp, surrounded by dense greenery and the peaceful sounds of nature. As we climb higher, we will reach High Camp. Upon reaching here, we will see the breathtaking views of the Annapurna range.

Day 5 of the trek takes you to Mardi Himal Base Camp, the highlight of the trek. Here, we will be rewarded with stunning mountain vistas. After exploring the base camp, we will descend to Badal Danda, taking in the serene beauty of the surrounding hills. The final leg of the trek takes us to Sidhing before we drive back to Pokhara and eventually return to Kathmandu. Each day of this trek offers a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.

Transportation Options

A range of transportation options is available to complete the Mardi Himal trek, depending on your time and budget. First, you’ll need to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which can be done by tourist bus, local bus, microbus, private vehicle, or domestic flight. Most trekkers opt for the tourist bus, which takes around 7–8 hours and offers some beautiful views along the way. If you’re short on time, a domestic flight is much faster, just 25–30 minutes, and you’re there!

Once in Pokhara, we’ll head to Kande, the official starting point of the trek. You can get there by private car or shared jeep, with the shared option being cheaper and a bit more adventurous. From that point on, everything is on foot. There are no cars, no buses: just you, the trail, and the mountains.

At the end of the trek, we’ll descend to Sidhing, where a shared jeep or private vehicle will take us back to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you can either fly or drive back to Kathmandu, depending on what fits your plan best.

Most trekkers in the Annapurna region funnel onto the same two trails. The Mardi Himal Trek goes the other way. It climbs a quiet forested ridge the crowds miss, up to a high base camp directly beneath the sacred Fishtail peak. Opened only in 2012, but it is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal. The Mardi Himal Trek offers the mountains up close, and on most mornings they feel like they belong to you alone.

The journey changes character almost by the hour. You begin among rhododendron and oak, where the canopy turns red and pink in spring and birdsong follows you up the trail. The forest thins into open alpine meadow, the air sharpens, and the snow peaks step closer with every switchback. Then comes the high ground.

Mardi Himal Base Camp sits at 4,500 m, higher than Annapurna Base Camp itself, ringed by eight Himalayan giants. They include Annapurna I (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), and Mardi Himal (5,587 m). On the way down, terraced Gurung and Magar villages and warm teahouse evenings close the loop.

It all fits into a single week. The trek covers 38.1 km on foot across five trekking days, on a non-technical trail rated moderate: no ropes, no climbing skill, just steady walking. And because the 7-day version runs door-to-door from Kathmandu, with transport, city hotels, your guide, and a porter all arranged, the only things you carry up the mountain are a daypack and your own sense of wonder.

Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best trekking adventures in Nepal. It offers you breathtaking views of the Himalayas along with diverse flora and fauna. It can be completed in fewer days, making it a beginner-friendly adventure. Furthermore, the exclusion of the region attracts fewer crowds. Want to learn more about the reasons for Mardi Himal? Let’s delve further:

Spectacular Views of the Mountains

The Mardi Himal trek package offers you breathtaking views of the Himalayas throughout the journey. You will start to witness the distant views of the Himalayas from Kathmandu only. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will get a slightly closer view of the Annapurna Range.

Our first stop Deurali, offers the more clear views of Annapurna along with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). As we ascend forward, the mountains start to get clearer, along with the views of Mardi Himal itself. In this adventure, you will also be witnessing Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri.

• Annapurna I – 8,091 meters
• Annapurna South – 7,219 meters
• Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) – 6,993 meters
• Hiunchuli – 6,441 meters
• Mardi Himal – 5,587 meters
• Gangapurna – 7,455 meters
• Dhaulagiri – 8,167 meters
• Lamjung Himal – 6,983 meters

Fewer Crowds

Unlike the busier routes like Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill trek, Mardi Base Camp is still a less-crowded. You won’t find crowds along the trekking trail, even during the best time to do this trek, spring and autumn. This makes a huge difference. You get to walk at your own pace, take in the scenery without rushing, and slowly soak up the beauty around the Mardi Himal route.

The trail winds through lush forests, open ridgelines, and quiet little villages. Without the noise and hustle of busy groups, it feels like you’ve got the mountains all to yourself. Similarly, the teahouses are usually calm and not packed with tourists. This gives you a chance to have more genuine conversations with the locals and enjoy some quiet downtime after a day of hiking.

Diverse Flora and Fauna

The Mardi Himal Trek passes through a variety of landscapes, such as subtropical forests, which you will encounter at the starting point of the trek. This forest is mainly available in the lower regions of Nepal, like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Deurali. As you ascend, you will pass through alpine vegetation, rhododendron forests, and the forests of oak, maple, or hemlock.

Similarly, if you choose the right trekking seasons, you will also get to watch the different fauna the region offers. Some common animals you can see include langurs, Himalayan thar, barking deer, and pika. Similarly, birdlife, such as pheasants, ducks, and eagles, can also be observed on the journey. Getting a glimpse of various butterflies and smaller mammals makes the adventure a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Traditional Gurung Villages

During the Mardi Himal Trek, you will pass through several traditional Gurung villages, including Dhampus, Deurali, Landruk, Pothana, Sidhing, and others. These villages provide a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle. These villages are known for their warm hospitality, traditional houses, and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

You will also find Buddhist prayer flags and small stupas that reflect the spiritual essence of the region. Exploring these villages offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty, making your trek truly memorable.

A Great Alternative to Annapurna Base Camp

The Mardi Himal expedition is a great alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek. It offers similar breathtaking views of the Annapurna range without the heavy crowds. While ABC is more popular and crowded, Mardi Himal provides a peaceful and less-traveled trail, allowing you to connect deeply with nature.

Additionally, it takes a few days to complete this trek and is less physically demanding than ABC. Thus making it suitable for those with limited time or looking for a less challenging route. Additionally, the Mardi Himal Trek offers more raw beauty of nature, along with traditional Gurung villages. This is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the Himalayas.

Hiring a guide for the Mardi Himal trek can be an ideal way to enhance your trekking experience. Walking alongside a guide or trek leader gives you the opportunity to explore the places more effectively. As your trip advisor, they are always happy to share their knowledge about the local culture, history, and natural environment, while also ensuring your safety. Finding suitable accommodation on the trail can also be easy when trekking with a guide. Additionally, a guide can help with acclimatization, reducing the risks of altitude sickness.

A porter, on the other hand, can carry your heavy trekking gear, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey without worrying about your pack. They typically carry around 15-20 kg of gear, which can include clothing, a sleeping bag, and other essentials. Along with lightening up your shoulders, hiring a porter also supports the local economy. You can hire both guides and porters through trekking agencies in Pokhara or Kathmandu, and their services are relatively affordable.

Established with a goal to fulfill your travel dreams, we at Himalayan 360 believe in making your travel more memorable and fun. We are a government-recognized organization operating in Nepal. As a leader in the field of trekking, we offer personalized packages based on your requirements. While booking with us, you will be accompanied by our highly experienced guides and porters, ensuring your safety and comfort. Every package of ours is a value for money, designed to give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For the safety of our clients, we follow all the necessary protocols during the trip. We also believe in responsible tourism and continuously work with the locals to conserve nature. Just by booking with us, you can become a part of this conservation effort while getting the best out of your journey in the Himalayas. With Himalayan 360, you will receive the best possible service, an insightful experience, and an unforgettable adventure trekking towards the Mardi Himal.