Short drive from Pokhara, then an easy first climb into rhododendron forest. 3 hours.
Mardi Himal Trek
6
Days
Overview
- NTB-certified guides based year-round in Pokhara
- One of the quietest ridgelines in the whole Annapurna region
- A genuine 4,500m viewpoint reached in only 4 trekking days up
- All-inclusive pricing: permits, lodges, meals and porters
- Easy to combine with a few extra days in Pokhara before or after
The Mardi Himal trek is a 6-day teahouse trek to 4,500m in the Annapurna region, climbing a quiet forest ridge for close-up views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. It's genuinely one of the shortest ways to get real high-altitude views near Pokhara. Full itinerary and cost details are below.
The Mardi Himal trek is the one we suggest most often to guests who don't have two weeks free. It climbs a narrow forest ridge that most Annapurna Base Camp trekkers never take, ending at a viewpoint around 4,500m with Machhapuchhre close enough to feel like you could touch it.
Because it split off from the busier Annapurna trails only in the last couple of decades, it still sees a fraction of the traffic. If you want Annapurna-region views without the crowds, this is our honest recommendation.
Trip snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 days (trek only, Kande to Pokhara) |
| Max altitude | 4,500m (Mardi Himal View Point) |
| Difficulty | Moderate, 4 to 6 hours walking most days |
| Best season | March to May, September to December |
| Group size | 2 to 12 people |
| Price basis | Per person, teahouse full board included |
| Permits required | ACAP permit and TIMS card |
Booking
Email contact@aqtreks.com or visit aqtreks.com, we can often confirm a date within days for this one.
Itinerary
Day 2 :
Pothana to Forest Camp (2,550m)
The trail narrows onto the ridge proper here, with the crowds thinning fast. 5 hours.
Day 3 :
Forest Camp to Low Camp (2,970m)
Through rhododendron and oak forest, with the first real mountain views opening up. 4 hours.
Day 4 :
Low Camp to High Camp (3,580m)
Above the tree line now, with Machhapuchhre dominating the skyline. 4 hours.
Pre-dawn start for the viewpoint, then a long descent back to Low Camp to sleep. 6 to 7 hours total.
Descend a different route through Siding village, then drive back to Pokhara. 4 hours walking plus the drive.
The cost includes
- All teahouse accommodation on the trek
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on the trail
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Ground transport, Pokhara to trailhead and return
The cost excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Before You Go
Best time to go
We like this trek in autumn especially, October and November, when the sky is at its clearest for Machhapuchhre. Spring works well too, with milder nights at High Camp. It also runs later into the season than most Annapurna treks, into early December, before winter snow closes High Camp.
Check the forecast on Windy.com before you go, since the viewpoint push on day 5 really depends on a clear morning.
Permits and practical info
You'll need the same ACAP permit and TIMS card as most other Annapurna-region treks, both arranged through the National Trust for Nature Conservation. We take care of both when you book.
Altitude risk is genuinely low on this trek compared to the longer base camp routes, since you're at 4,500m for only a few hours before descending. Still, our guides carry a pulse oximeter as standard on every departure. General altitude guidance is available from the Himalayan Rescue Association.
Ready to go? Email contact@aqtreks.com or book at aqtreks.com.
Departures
No fixed departure dates published yet for this trek — send us an enquiry for a private departure.
Routes
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Mardi Himal trek?
Our itinerary runs 6 days, trek only, from Kande back to Pokhara. Some agencies offer a rushed 4-day version, but we build in a proper acclimatisation pace since High Camp and the viewpoint both sit above 3,500m, which deserves a bit more care than a rushed schedule allows.
Is the Mardi Himal trek difficult?
It's moderate, genuinely more approachable than Annapurna or Everest Base Camp. Most days run 4 to 6 hours of walking on a clear ridge trail. Reasonable fitness helps, but this suits trekkers without prior high-altitude experience better than most other routes we run.
How high is the Mardi Himal trek?
The highest point is the Mardi Himal View Point at around 4,500 metres, reached as a pre-dawn push from High Camp at 3,580 metres. You don't sleep at the viewpoint itself, only visit it briefly for sunrise before heading back down to lower, warmer ground.
What is the best time for the Mardi Himal trek?
March to May and September to December. Autumn gives the clearest views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. This trek also runs later into the year than most of our other routes, since High Camp stays accessible right up until real winter snow finally arrives.
How much does the Mardi Himal trek cost?
Our all-inclusive package starts at USD 600 per person for a solo trekker, dropping to around USD 430 per person in a group of 7 to 12. That covers permits, teahouse lodging, full board, a licensed guide and porter service.
Can beginners do the Mardi Himal trek?
Yes, this is one of the more beginner-friendly treks we offer. The trail is clear, teahouses appear regularly along the way, and the whole trip is short enough that fitness demands stay manageable even for a first-time trekker with no prior Himalayan experience at all.
How far is the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara?
The trailhead at Kande is about 1 hour by road from Pokhara. From there, it's roughly 35 to 40km of walking round trip up to High Camp, the viewpoint, and back down through Siding village to where our vehicle meets you again.
Do I need a permit for the Mardi Himal trek?
Yes, an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit costing NPR 3,000, and a TIMS trekking card costing NPR 2,000. Both are mandatory and checked at entry points on the trail. We arrange both permits for you as a standard part of every package we sell.
Can I combine Mardi Himal with Poon Hill?
It's possible in principle, but the two trailheads are on different sides of the Annapurna range and combining them adds several days of extra driving and walking. We usually recommend picking one based on how much time you have, rather than stitching them together.
Is the Mardi Himal trek crowded?
No, and that's the main reason we recommend it. It sees far fewer trekkers than Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill, even in peak season, since it split off as its own trail relatively recently and hasn't caught up in popularity yet.
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