The Mardi Himal Trek Guide you need starts here. Mardi Himal is a moderate 10-day trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region, topping out at Base Camp 4,500 m. You walk close to Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) the whole way. The trail stays far quieter than Annapurna Base Camp. You sleep in eco-lodges along a forested ridge, then climb into open alpine country for the big mountain views. Most fit walkers finish without trouble. A licensed guide is now required, so booking through a registered agency is the simple, legal route. Our Mardi Himal Trek package handles permits, lodges, and guides from start to finish.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Region | Annapurna, Nepal |
| Trek start | Dhampus |
| Trek end | Ghandruk |
| Max altitude | Base Camp 4,500 m (viewpoint ~4,200 m) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Walking | 5–7 hrs/day |
| Accommodation | Hotel + eco-lodge |
| Best time | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Permits | ACAP + TIMS |
| Price | From USD 950 |
Where Is the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, north of Pokhara. You walk along the western flank of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The route climbs a single forested ridge to a high alpine basin under the peak.
Here is the full path in one line: Kathmandu → Pokhara → Dhampus → Deurali → Forest Camp → Low Camp → High Camp → Base Camp → Jhinu Danda → Ghandruk → Pokhara.
Pokhara is the gateway. The drive from Pokhara to the Dhampus trailhead takes under two hours.
Why Choose the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek offers close-up views of Annapurna in far less time than longer routes. Here is why trekkers pick it:
- Shorter than ABC, with a really high camp finish
- Machhapuchhre fills the sky from High Camp
- The trail stays quiet, even in peak weeks
- Easy access from Pokhara, under two hours by road
- Fit first-timers manage it with the right pace
Want close mountain views without committing two weeks to the trail? Mardi gives you the payoff fast. If you catch the high-altitude bug and want a bigger goal later, look at the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek for your next trip.
Route Overview
The route shifts from thick forest to open alpine scrub near High Camp. In this part of the Mardi Himal Trek Guide, you feel the change in your legs and lungs as the trees thin out and the trail climbs higher.
- Pokhara to Dhampus: Smooth road transfer by private vehicle
- Dhampus to Deurali: Steady climb up village stone steps
- Deurali to Forest Camp: Peaceful trail winding through a thick rhododendron forest
- Forest Camp to Low Camp: Shaded canopy featuring mossy oak trees and wild orchids
- Low Camp to High Camp: Open alpine ridge with panoramic views
- High Camp to Base Camp: A steep, exposed alpine push over snow and rock
- Descent to Ghandruk: A long, continuous downhill trek
The biggest change in scenery comes above High Camp. The forest drops away. Bare ridge and snow take over.
How Difficult Is It?
The Mardi Himal Trek is moderate in difficulty. You need decent fitness, not athletic power. Days run 5 to 7 hours of walking. The hard part is one steep, exposed push near the top.
Forest Section (Dhampus–Low Camp)
The lower trail is steady. Stone steps and packed dirt lead through rhododendron and oak. Shade keeps you cool. Most walkers find this part comfortable with regular breaks.
Ridge to Base Camp
The climb from High Camp to Base Camp is steep and exposed. Snow often covers the path from late autumn into spring. Wind picks up on the open ridge. You start before dawn to reach the top for clear morning views. Our guides check oxygen saturation each evening above Low Camp to catch any altitude trouble early.
How to Prepare (Fitness)
Start training 2 to 3 months before you fly. Build stamina, not muscle. You want legs that keep going for six hours.
- Walk hills 2 to 3 times a week, building from 1 to 4 hours
- Add cardio like running, cycling, or swimming for heart fitness
- Train with a loaded daypack, around 5 to 6 kg
- Practice downhill walking to protect your knees
- Stretch your calves and hips to stay loose on steep days
Maintaining a slow, continuous pace preserves your energy and allows your body to acclimatize safely to the thinning air.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
The Mardi Himal trek itinerary below is the real 10-day plan. Each day has a reason behind it, built for safe acclimatization and the best views.
| Day | Plan | Altitude/note |
| 1 | Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel | 1,400 m |
| 2 | Drive to Pokhara (tourist bus) | 822 m |
| 3 | Drive to Dhampus, trek to Deurali | 2,100 m |
| 4 | Trek to Forest Camp | 2,540 m |
| 5 | Trek to High Camp via Low Camp | 3,590 m |
| 6 | Hike to Base Camp, descend to Low Camp | 4,500 m (highlight) |
| 7 | Descend to Jhinu Danda | 1,760 m |
| 8 | Trek to Ghandruk, drive to Pokhara | Trek ends |
| 9 | Drive to Kathmandu | Free evening |
| 10 | Departure | Airport transfer |
Day 5 sets you up at High Camp for the dawn push. Day 6 is the big one, with the climb to Base Camp and the descent back to sleep lower. Day 7 ends at Jhinu Danda, home to a natural hot spring that eases sore legs after the high days.
Cost
The Mardi Himal trek costs USD 950 per person. Solo travelers pay around USD 1,050. Group bookings bring the price down per head.
What the Package Covers
- Airport transfers and Kathmandu hotel nights
- Pokhara transport and hotel
- Eco-lodge stays on the trail, twin-sharing
- All ACAP and TIMS permits
- A licensed guide and porter support
- Daily breakfast and trail meals as listed
What Changes the Price
Group size has the greatest impact on price. More people mean a lower per-person rate. Season, hotel grade, and private versus shared transport also shift the cost.
Personal Expenses
Budget extra for drinks, snacks, hot showers, charging, and Wi-Fi at lodges. Tips for your guide and porter are customary. Private rides around Kathmandu or Pokhara also add a small cost, worth planning for.
Permits & the Guide Rule
Two permits are required for the Mardi Himal Trek: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. ACAP for the Annapurna region runs about USD 25. The guided TIMS card costs roughly USD 15-17.
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers must hire a licensed guide through a registered agency. The rule is fully enforced in the 2026 season.
The old independent green TIMS no longer exists. Only the guided blue TIMS is issued now. Checkpoints at Ghandruk and Birethanti scan your e-TIMS card and your guide’s credentials.
So, independent Mardi Himal trekking is no longer legal for foreigners. A registered agency is the only compliant route. You can confirm the current rules on the Nepal Tourism Board Official Portal before you book.
Best Time
Spring and autumn are the best times for the Mardi Himal Trek. March to May brings rhododendron blooms and warm days. September to November gives the clearest skies. Winter is cold with snow up high, but walkable. Monsoon months mean rain, leeches, and clouds that hide the peaks. For a full breakdown, read our best season for Mardi Himal post.
Accommodation & Food
You sleep in hotels for 4 nights and eco-lodges for 5 nights. Rooms are twin-sharing. Lodges get more basic as you climb. High Camp rooms are simple and cold. High Camp fills fast in peak October. Beds run out by mid-afternoon. Our team books ahead, so you are not left scrambling for a room at altitude. Dal bhat is your best fuel on the trail. The rice, lentils, and vegetables come with free refills. The meal gives steady energy for long climbing days.
A Typical Day on the Trail
Most days follow a simple rhythm built around the mountains and the weather.
You wake near 6 a.m. for tea and a hot breakfast. The mid-morning start beats the afternoon clouds. You walk a few hours, then stop for a hot lunch at a lodge. The afternoon brings a shorter push to your night stop. You arrive by mid-afternoon, rest, and warm up. After dinner, your guide briefs you on the next day and checks how you feel.
What to Pack
Pack light but cover the cold and wet. Here are the core items:
- Warm down jacket and fleece layers
- Waterproof shell jacket and pants
- Broken-in trekking boots and wool socks
- Thermal base layers for High Camp nights
- Hat, gloves, and a buff for wind
- Headlamp for the pre-dawn Base Camp push
- Sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle and purification tablets
- Small first-aid kit and personal medicine
For the full list, see our Nepal Trekking Gear List page.
Mardi vs Annapurna Base Camp
Mardi Himal is shorter and quieter than Annapurna Base Camp. Both are moderate. The Mardi Himal trek vs Annapurna Base Camp choice comes down to your time and your taste for crowds.
| Feature | Mardi Himal | ABC |
| Duration | 10 days | 14 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Max altitude | 4,500 m | 4,130 m |
| Crowds | Quieter | Busier |
| Price from | USD 950 | USD 1,550 |
Want the classic amphitheater of peaks and more days on the trail? See our Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Mardi vs Poon Hill
Poon Hill is the gentler option. Mardi climbs higher, rewarding you with closer, wilder views. Pick Poon Hill for an easy first taste, Mardi for a bigger goal.
| Feature | Mardi Himal | Poon Hill |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Easy–mod |
| Max altitude | 4,500 m | 3,210 m |
| Crowds | Quieter | Busy |
| Price from | USD 950 | USD 890 |
New to high trails? Our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a softer start.
Who Should Do This Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek fits walkers who want big views fast. Here is who thrives and who might pick another route.
Good fit:
- Fit first-timers ready to train for a few months
- Trekkers with 7 to 10 free days
- People who want quiet trails over busy ones
- Anyone craving close Machhapuchhre views
Less suitable:
- Walkers wanting flat, easy days only
- Those who cannot handle a steep, snowy push
- Travelers needing luxury rooms at altitude
Why Trek With Peregrine Treks
We are a registered Nepal operator with TAAN, NMA, and Nepal Tourism Board credentials. Our trekkers rate us 5.0 from 13 reviews. Clients praise guides like Mingma, Kaji, and Sherpa Nima, as well as helper Raju.
Owner Pradip Karki oversees the service himself. Our guides arrange all permits and check oxygen saturation each evening above Low Camp. We put your safety ahead of the summit, every time.
Mardi Himal Trek Guide FAQs
How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?
The trek is moderate. You walk 5 to 7 hours a day on a mix of forest steps and open ridges. The one hard stretch is the steep, often snowy climb from High Camp to Base Camp. Most fit walkers who train for a few months finish it well.
How many days do you need for the Mardi Himal Trek?
Our full package runs 10 days from Kathmandu. The plan covers arrival, transport to and from Pokhara, five trekking days, and a buffer for travel. The actual walking on the trail takes about five to six days.
What is the highest point of the Mardi Himal Trek?
The highest point is Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m. The upper viewpoint sits near 4,200 m. You reach Base Camp on day 6, then descend to sleep at a lower, warmer lodge for the night.
Do I need a guide for the Mardi Himal Trek?
Yes. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers must hire a licensed guide through a registered agency. The rule is fully enforced in 2026. Booking with a registered operator is the only legal way to do this trek now.
What permits do I need?
You need two permits, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. ACAP costs about USD 25. The guided TIMS card costs roughly USD 15-17. Our package arranges both for you.
Is altitude sickness a risk?
Yes, but the risk is moderate. Base Camp reaches 4,500 m. The itinerary builds in steady gains, and our guides check oxygen saturation each evening above Low Camp. Drink water, walk slowly, and tell your guide about any headache early.
What is the best time to trek Mardi Himal?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are best. Spring brings rhododendron blooms. Autumn delivers the clearest skies and mountain views. Winter is cold but possible. Monsoon months bring rain and clouds.
Can a beginner complete the Mardi Himal Trek?
Yes, fit beginners can do it with training. Build stamina over two to three months with hill walks and cardio. The steady pace and 10-day plan suit first-timers. The steep top section is the only real test.
Is there Wi-Fi and phone signal?
Lower lodges have Wi-Fi for a small fee. Phone signal works in many spots but fades near High Camp. Bring a power bank, since charging costs extra and outlets are limited at altitude. Tell family not to expect daily contact up high.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Get insurance that covers trekking up to 4,500 m and emergency helicopter rescue. Standard travel cover often skips high-altitude evacuation. Check the policy fine print before you buy and carry your details on the trail.
Why book the Mardi Himal Trek with Peregrine Treks?
We are a registered operator with TAAN, NMA, and NTB credentials, and we have a 5.0 rating from 13 reviews. Owner Pradip Karki leads the service. We bundle permits, guides, and lodges, and put your safety first.
🏔️ Secure Your Space on the Trail
The mandatory guide rule means permits and peak-season eco-lodges book out months in advance. Let our elite Sherpa team manage the logistics while you focus on the views.
Best Price Guarantee: Packages start from USD 950 per person.
Flexible Customization: Tailor the itinerary to your exact pace and comfort level.
Elite Guiding Support: Daily oximeter tracking and licensed local experts.
Email us at sales@peregrinetreks.com or message us on WhatsApp at +977 985 105 2413. We confirm current prices and open dates fast, so you can lock in your trip.