Annapurna region · Tea house trek
Mardi Himal Trek
- Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Trek type
- Tea House Trek
- Duration
- 7 days
- Program starts/ends
- Khandbari / Pokhara
- Trek difficulty
- Easy to moderate
- Maximum elevation
- 4,500 m
- Walking duration
- 4–7 hours
- Group size
- 1–6 people
- Best season
- Mar–May · Sep–Nov
- Accommodation
- Tea house
- Transportation
- Private jeep or taxi
- Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
From $336 for Adult
Book this trekOverview
The Mardi Himal Trek is one of the newest and quietest treks in the Annapurna region. It was officially opened to trekkers in 2012, and it still feels far less crowded than Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill. In just a week from Pokhara, the trail climbs a long, narrow ridge east of Annapurna Base Camp, from terraced farmland and Gurung villages into thick rhododendron and oak forest, and then above the tree line onto open grass slopes.
The reward is the view. From High Camp (3,580 m) and the Upper View Point (4,250 m) you stand almost face to face with Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), the sacred "Fishtail" mountain, with Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and Mardi Himal (5,587 m) close by. On a clear morning, strong walkers can continue to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m). The trek ends with a descent through the farming village of Siding and a drive back to Pokhara.
Every night is spent in a simple tea house. You pay for your food and room directly at each lodge, so your money goes straight to the families who run them. The walking days are short to moderate, and the altitude gain is gradual. This makes Mardi Himal a good first Himalayan trek for fit walkers who have about a week and want big mountain views without the crowds.
Highlights
- Close-up sunrise views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Mardi Himal from High Camp and Upper View Point
- A quiet ridge trail with far fewer trekkers than the main Annapurna routes
- Rhododendron forests that bloom red and pink in March and April
- Gurung farming villages, from Kande at the start to Siding at the end
- Trek with purpose: a licensed local porter-guide, fair porter wages and insurance, and a share of every trip fee for community projects
Itinerary
A. Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 2,100m
- Day 2 2,550m
- Day 3 2,970m
- Day 4 3,580m
- Day 5 3,580m
- Day 6 1,750m
- Day 7 822m
| Day | Description | Altitude (Meters) | Net Gain/Loss | Trek Duration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive Pokhara to Kande, trek to Pitam Deurali via Australian Camp | 2,100 | +1,278 | 1 hr drive, 3 to 4 hrs walk |
| 2 | Trek Pitam Deurali to Forest Camp | 2,550 | +450 | 5 to 6 hrs |
| 3 | Trek Forest Camp to Low Camp | 2,970 | +420 | 3 to 4 hrs |
| 4 | Trek Low Camp to High Camp via Badal Danda | 3,580 | +610 | 4 to 5 hrs |
| 5 | Hike to Upper View Point (4,250 m), optional Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), return to High Camp | 3,580 | 0 (high point 4,500) | 6 to 9 hrs |
| 6 | Trek High Camp to Siding village | 1,750 | −1,830 | 6 to 7 hrs |
| 7 | Drive Siding to Pokhara | 822 | −928 | 3 hrs drive |
B. Detailed Itinerary
- Altitude: 2,100 m
- Walking: 3 to 4 hours (plus about 1 hour by road)
Your porter-guide meets you at your Pokhara hotel after breakfast. A private jeep takes about an hour to reach Kande (1,770 m) on the Baglung road. From here the trail climbs steadily through forest to Australian Camp (2,060 m), a grassy ridge with your first wide views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and the Lamjung Himal. You then walk on through the small village of Pothana, where permits may be checked, and on to Pitam Deurali. Overnight at a tea house.
- Altitude: 2,550 m
- Walking: 5 to 6 hours
Just past Pitam Deurali you leave the main trail to Landruk and turn uphill onto the Mardi Himal ridge. The path climbs gently through dense forest of rhododendron, oak and maple, with moss and hanging lichen. There are few villages on this section, so your porter-guide plans tea and lunch stops at the small lodges along the way. Listen for laughingthrushes and look for Danphe pheasants. Overnight at a tea house in Forest Camp.
- Altitude: 2,970 m
- Walking: 3 to 4 hours
A short day helps your body adjust to the altitude. The trail keeps climbing through the forest, passing Rest Camp (2,850 m), until the trees open up at Low Camp. In the afternoon, Machhapuchhre appears very close above the lodges. Rest, take a short walk higher up the ridge for sunset, and drink plenty of water. Overnight at a tea house.
- Altitude: 3,580 m
- Walking: 4 to 5 hours
The trail climbs above the tree line along a narrow, grassy ridge. After about two hours you reach Badal Danda (3,210 m), the "cloud ridge", where you often walk above a sea of clouds. The views widen with every step: Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli fill the skyline. Walk slowly, as the air is thinner now. Overnight at a tea house in High Camp, where nights are cold.
- Altitude: 4,500 m (high point), overnight at 3,580 m
- Walking: 6 to 9 hours
You start very early, usually around 4 or 5 am with a head torch, to reach the Upper View Point for sunrise. The path is steep and can be icy or snowy from December to February. From the viewpoint you see the Annapurna South face, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal at close range. If the weather is clear and everyone feels well, you can continue for another 2 to 3 hours to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m). Your porter-guide decides on the day whether it is safe to go on. You then return to High Camp for the night. Overnight at a tea house.
- Altitude: 1,750 m
- Walking: 6 to 7 hours
A long downhill day. You retrace your steps to Badal Danda and Low Camp, then take a different, steep trail down through forest into the Mardi Khola valley. You arrive at Siding, a quiet Gurung farming village with terraced fields and millet and rice crops. Take it slowly, as the descent is hard on the knees; walking poles help a lot. Overnight at a tea house or homestay.
- Altitude: 822 m
- Drive: about 3 hours
After breakfast, a jeep takes you along a rough village road down the valley, past Lumre, to Pokhara, reaching the lakeside by around midday. Your porter-guide drops you at your hotel. Enjoy a well-earned rest by Phewa Lake. End of the trek.
Cost and Price
The Cost Includes
- International flights and Nepal visa fees
- Travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Food and accommodation on the trek (you pay the tea houses directly, see below)
- Travel and medical insurance. Your policy must cover helicopter rescue up to 4,500 m
- Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi
- Tips for your porter-guide
- Extra costs caused by events outside our control, such as landslides, bad weather, road blocks or illness
The Cost Excludes
- International flights and Nepal visa fees
- Travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara (tourist bus or flight). We can book this for you
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Food and accommodation on the trek (you pay the tea houses directly, see below)
- Travel and medical insurance. Your policy must cover helicopter rescue up to 4,500 m
- Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi
- Tips for your porter-guide
- Extra costs caused by events outside our control, such as landslides, bad weather, road blocks or illness
Tea houses: pay as you go
You pay for your room and meals directly at each tea house, so 100% of that money stays with the local families who run them. Budget about NPR 4,000 to 5,000 per person per day (roughly US$30 to US$38) for food, a bed and hot drinks. Prices rise the higher you go, and High Camp is the most expensive stop. There are no ATMs on the trail, so bring enough Nepali rupees in cash from Pokhara.
Your porter-guide
Your porter-guide is a licensed, local, English-speaking trekking guide who also carries your main bag (up to 15 to 20 kg for two trekkers). They know the tea house owners on this route, look after your health at altitude, and decide each morning whether it is safe to continue. Please pack light. You carry a small day pack with water, snacks, a warm layer and a rain jacket.
Altitude and fitness
You do not need trekking experience, but you should be able to walk 5 to 6 hours a day on steep, uneven paths. The trek climbs gradually, with a short day at Low Camp to help you acclimatise. Above 3,500 m some people get headaches or poor sleep, which usually pass with rest and water. Tell your porter-guide at once if you feel unwell. Travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue is required
Mardi Himal Trek
FAQs
General
It is a moderate trek. The days are 3 to 7 hours long and there are no technical sections. The hardest parts are the steep early climb to Upper View Point on Day 5 and the long descent to Siding on Day 6. Anyone who is reasonably fit and walks regularly can do it.
Our standard itinerary is 7 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. It can be shortened to 5 or 6 days by skipping the Low Camp night or driving from Siding on the same day, or extended with a rest day.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are best. Spring brings rhododendron flowers; autumn has the clearest skies. Winter (December to February) is possible but cold, and snow can close the path above High Camp. The monsoon (June to August) brings rain, leeches and cloudy views.
Our package starts from US$500 for 2 adults. On top of this, budget about NPR 4,000 to 5,000 per person per day for food and accommodation, paid directly at the tea houses.
You pay the tea houses yourself, so all of that money goes directly to the local families who run them, not to an agency. It also lets you choose what and how much you eat.
Yes. You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which we arrange and include in the price. The fee for foreign nationals is currently NPR 3,000 per person.
Yes. We can add rest days, combine Mardi Himal with Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp, or start the trek from Kathmandu. Contact us with your dates.
Yes. Our standard package is a porter-guide service, so you can book a porter-guide and arrange everything else yourself.
There are no ATMs on the trail, so bring enough cash from Pokhara. Most tea houses offer Wi-Fi for a small fee, and mobile data works on parts of the route, but both can be slow or unavailable at the higher camps.
Warm layers and a down jacket (High Camp is often below freezing at night), a waterproof jacket, good broken-in trekking boots, a sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C, a head torch for the early start on Day 5, walking poles, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle and purification tablets, and a basic first-aid kit. In winter, bring microspikes.
The risk is low to moderate because the highest overnight stop is 3,580 m. Climb slowly, drink plenty of water, and tell your porter-guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness. If symptoms get worse, the best treatment is to go down.
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Guests' Reviews
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