Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara: Overview
The 5-day Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara is the fastest practical way to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) without skipping the best parts of the trail. Because the trek starts and ends in Pokhara, you do not lose days on long road transfers or internal flights. You drive about one hour to Kande, then climb a forested ridge through Australian Camp, Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp and Badal Danda to High Camp. From there you make a pre-dawn push to the base camp, and return along the same ridge to Sidhing, where your vehicle takes you back to Pokhara.
Mardi Himal opened to tea house trekking only in 2012, and it still feels like a quiet corner of the Annapurna Conservation Area. Most Himalayan treks follow a river valley, so the big mountains stay hidden behind foothills for days. This route does the opposite. It follows a high mountain spine, so the views open up early and keep growing. The peak you walk toward, Mardi Himal (5,587 m), stands beside Machhapuchhre, also known as Fishtail (6,993 m). Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Annapurna I and Gangapurna complete a skyline that rivals far busier routes like Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek.
Five days is a compressed schedule, so how the days are arranged matters more than the number. On this itinerary, you sleep no higher than High Camp (3,600 m). Day 3 is deliberately short, only 2 to 3 hours of walking, so your body has the afternoon and evening to adjust before summit morning. On Day 4 you start in the dark, reach Mardi Himal Base Camp for first light, and then drop to Low Camp (3,050 m) to sleep at a much lower altitude. Your guide checks your oxygen saturation and heart rate with a pulse oximeter twice a day and sets the pace for the group. If symptoms appear, the plan changes.
This trek suits first-time Nepal trekkers with good general fitness, travelers on a short break who want a real high-altitude finish, and returning visitors who prefer quieter trails. It is graded moderate. There are no technical sections, but the days are long, and the climb above High Camp is steep and rocky. If you have more time or prefer a gentler rhythm, we can stretch the same route into a six- or seven-day trek with extra rest at High Camp, or you can book our regular 9 Day Mardi Himal Trek.
On the trail, the days follow a simple rhythm. Tea houses are family-run, meals are hot and filling, and the dining room is the warm place to be once the sun drops. In the lower forest, you may see langur monkeys, Himalayan thar, and colorful birds, and in spring the rhododendron forests are in bloom. Higher up, the open grassy ridge gives you wide views of the Annapurna range from the moment you step outside your tea house.
If you can add time to your Himalayan journey, then you can also connect the Mardi Trek with another exciting short trek, the ABC Trek from Pokhara.
What You Can Expect from Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
- Trail and Terrain: Expect stone steps and forest paths on Days 1–2, open grassy ridge above the tree line on Day 3, and steep, rocky, exposed ground above High Camp on Day 4. The ridge is narrow in places, which is why a guide matters when clouds roll in.
- Walking Time: Roughly 4–8 hours per day. The longest days are Day 2 (6–7 hours) and Day 4 (7–8 hours, including the descent to Low Camp). Total walking distance is roughly 40–50 km, depending on the exact route and tea house stops.
- Views: Annapurna South and Hiunchuli appear above the tree line, Machhapuchhre dominates the ridge from Badal Danda onwards, and Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Dhaulagiri join the panorama at Mardi Himal Base Camp. Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake are visible from the lower trail on clear mornings.
- Wildlife and Nature: Forest sections are home to Himalayan thar, barking deer, langur monkeys, and many Himalayan birds, including the Danphe (Himalayan monal) at higher elevations. Spring brings rhododendron blooms.
- Daily Rhythm: Wake up at 6:00–6:30 am, breakfast, walk, lunch stop at a tea house, afternoon walk, and an early evening in the dining room. On summit day, we start around 3:30–4:30 am to catch sunrise and the clearest views.
- Weather: Mornings are usually the clearest. Afternoon cloud (the "badal" in Badal Danda means cloud) is common, so we move early.
Is the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara Suitable for You?
This trek is a good fit if you:
- Walk or hike regularly and can manage 5–7 hours of steady uphill walking.
- Want a short Himalayan trek with a genuine high-altitude finish.
- Prefer tea houses to camping, and a licensed guide to doing everything on your own.
- Are a first-time Nepal trekker with reasonable fitness and a positive attitude.
Think twice, or ask us for a longer, slower version, if you:
- Have no hiking experience and have never done multi-hour uphill days.
- Have heart, lung, or blood-pressure conditions (speak to your doctor first).
- Are travelling with children under 10 or older adults who prefer a gentler pace.
- Want to spend a night at the base camp or have more time for views. A 6- or 7-day Mardi Himal schedule is easier on the body.
The truth: five days is a compressed schedule. The distance is moderate, but the elevation gain between High Camp (3,600 m) and Base Camp (4,500 m) is steep and happens in one morning. That is why we build in a short acclimatization day, keep the sleeping altitude at or below 3,600 m, and check oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter every day.
You can go through our blog, How to Train for Trekking in Nepal, to get prepared before participating in this amazing trek.
Preparation for the 5 Day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara
Fitness (4–6 weeks before):
- Hike hills or stairs 3 times a week with a loaded daypack (5–7 kg).
- Add cardio: running, cycling or swimming, 30–45 minutes, 2–3 times a week.
- Strengthen quads, glutes and calves with squats, lunges and step-ups. Downhill knees take the biggest beating on Day 4–5.
- Do at least one 5–6 hour hike back-to-back with a second day of walking.
Gear: Break in your boots before you arrive. Test every layer. See our packing list below.
Altitude awareness: Learn the early signs of AMS: headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, and poor sleep. Tell your guide immediately. Never ignore symptoms to "push through".
Documents and Money: Valid passport, Nepal visa, travel insurance covering trekking up to 4,500 m, and enough Nepali rupees in cash for personal expenses. ATMs and card payments are not available on the trail.
Arrive Early in Pokhara: Give yourself at least one night in Pokhara before the trek begins. Our team will brief you, check your gear, and arrange rentals the evening before departure.
Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara Cost 2027 and 2028
Price per person in US dollars. Final price depends on group size and season.
| Group size | Price per person |
| 1 Pax | US$ 520 |
| 2 – 4 Pax | US$ 385 |
| 5 – 8 Pax | US$ 375 |
| 9 – 12 Pax | US$ 350 |
What Affects the Price
- Group size: larger groups share vehicle and guide costs.
- Season: March–May and October–November are the busiest months.
- Porter: adding a porter makes the trek more comfortable for 2 trekkers.
- Private vs. joining a group: every departure can be fully private.
Typical Extra Costs on the Trail
Budget around US$ 10–20 per day for snacks, hot showers, charging, bottled water, and tips on top of your trek price. Carry cash in small Nepali rupee notes.
