Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
13 Days
Max Altitude:
4,500 m
Activities:
Trekking and driving
Region:
Annapurna region
Starting Point:
Kathmandu
Ending Point:
Kathmandu
Grade:
moderate to strenuous
Group Size:
2 to 12 trekkers
Accomodation:
Teahouses, 3-star hotel in Pokhara
Best Season:
Mar-May & Sep-Nov
Notice
This trek joins two classic routes into one: the Mardi Himal trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek. So you reach three base camps in a single trip.
You visit Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m), and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). The high point is Mardi Himal Base Camp on Day 5.
Both treks are easy on their own. Joined together, they are longer and harder. So this trip suits fit trekkers, not first-timers. A licensed guide and permits are required, and Spade Himalaya arranges both.
Overview of Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek 13-Days
Quick answer: This 13-day Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek links two classics, reaching three base camps including Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). It is strenuous and needs an ACAP permit, a TIMS card, and a guide (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-26).
The Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 13-day journey that joins two famous trails into one. Both routes sit inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. So it makes sense to link them into a single two-week trek. The result is one of the best long trips in the region.
On its own, the Mardi Himal trek takes about 5 days. The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes about 9 days. This combined plan blends the best of both. You walk through Gurung villages like Dhampus, Chhomrong, and Jhinu Danda. You also climb high to three different base camps.
The big draw is the variety. First, you climb the quiet Mardi ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), right below the Fishtail peak. Then you drop down and cross into the Modi Khola valley. After that, you climb the Annapurna Sanctuary to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). On the way back, you soak in the hot springs at Jhinu Danda. So you get high views, deep valleys, and warm village life.
This trek is harder than either route alone. The days are long, the trails are steep, and you reach three base camps. So it is best for fit trekkers with some hiking experience. With a porter to carry your bags, you can focus on the views.
Spade Himalaya runs this trek with licensed Nepali guides. So your guide sets a safe pace, watches the weather, and checks your health each day. Prefer a shorter trip? You can do each route on its own. See the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Short Mardi Himal Trek (5 days), or the 10-day Mardi Himal Trek. For a famous sunrise, try the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Still deciding? Our comparison of Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp explains what each route adds. You can also check the Mardi Himal Trek cost and the full Mardi Himal Trek guide. For the wider region, read our Annapurna region guide. Not sure you need both trails in one trip? Then our Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp comparison lays out what each one offers. And the Mardi Himal guide covers the ridge in detail.
Trips Highlights
- Reach three base camps in one trip: Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna.
- Stand at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) for a 360-degree mountain view.
- Walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary and reach Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m).
- Watch a golden sunrise over the Annapurna range from base camp.
- Start in the charming Gurung village of Dhampus, near Pokhara.
- Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda after the high days.
- Trek the quiet Mardi ridge below Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), the Fishtail peak.
- See Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre up close.
- Pass through classic villages like Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and Bamboo.
- Enjoy a long, varied trek that combines two of Nepal's best trails.
Kathmandu (1,400 m) → drive to Pokhara (822 m) → drive to Dhampus (1,650 m), trek to Pitam Deurali (2,100 m) → Forest Camp (2,600 m) → High Camp (3,580 m) → Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), down to Low Camp (2,970 m) → Jhinu Danda (1,780 m) → Bamboo (2,300 m) → Deurali (3,200 m) → Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m), Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) → Bamboo → Jhinu Danda → Ghandruk Phedi (1,150 m), drive to Pokhara → drive to Kathmandu.
In short, you first climb the Mardi ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Then you drop to Jhinu Danda and cross into the Annapurna Sanctuary. After that, you climb to Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Base Camps. Finally, you descend through Ghandruk Phedi and drive back to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Trips Itinerary
Your trip starts with the drive west from Kathmandu to Pokhara, about 200 km on the Prithvi Highway, which takes six to eight hours because the road is narrow and winding.
You drop from 1,400 m to 822 m along the way, and the Trishuli river stays beside you for most of it. Pokhara is the second city of Nepal and the base for every Annapurna trek, and on a clear evening the peaks stand above Phewa Lake behind your hotel.
- Duration: 6 to 8 hrs Drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Shared 3 Star Hotel
A jeep takes you up to Dhampus in about an hour and a half, and from there you walk through Pothana and up the ridge to Pitam Deurali in four or five hours.
Dhampus is at 1,650 m and Pitam Deurali at 2,100 m, so the day is a gentle introduction. Dhampus is a Gurung village inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, and the trail beyond it climbs through farmland and then rhododendron forest on old stone steps.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs Hiking & Driving
- Max Altitude: 2,100 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you leave the main Annapurna Base Camp route and turn up the quiet Mardi ridge, climbing through thick rhododendron forest past Forest Camp to Low Camp.
Low Camp sits at 2,970 m and the walk takes about six hours. The climb is steady rather than steep, with no punishing sections, which makes it a pleasant day.
Shepherds use this path to move cattle to the high pastures in summer, so it is wide and good underfoot. Clearings open now and then with clean views north to the Annapurna peaks.
- Duration: 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,970 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
A short day in distance but a real one in height, climbing out of the forest through Badal Danda and onto the open ridge at High Camp in four or five hours.
High Camp is at 3,580 m, around 600 m above Low Camp, and it is the highest you sleep on the whole trek. Badal Danda means cloudy hill and cloud really does form below it most afternoons. Above it the trees stop and you are left with rock, low scrub and alpine grass.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,580 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
The big day of the Mardi section. You start at five in the morning with a light pack, climb the ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp, then come all the way back down to Low Camp.
Base Camp is at 4,500 m, so it is around 900 m up and then 1,500 m down, roughly eight hours in total. You leave your heavy bag at High Camp and collect it at lunch.
Machhapuchhre at 6,993 m stands directly above you, with Mardi Himal at 5,587 m, Annapurna South at 7,219 m and Hiunchuli at 6,441 m spread along the wall behind it.
The tip of Annapurna I shows at 8,091 m beyond them. You leave the crowds behind entirely on this ridge, which is exactly why people pair Mardi with Base Camp.
- Duration: 8 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,500 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today is all descent. You drop off the Mardi ridge through forest and small settlements, losing height steadily for about six hours until you reach Jhinu Danda.
You fall from 2,970 m to 1,780 m, which is nearly 1,200 m in one day. Downhill is easier on the lungs and much harder on the knees, so poles are worth using. Jhinu Danda has natural hot springs a steep twenty minutes below the village, and after a day like this they are the obvious plan.
- Duration: 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,970 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
You join the classic Annapurna Base Camp trail today, climbing the long stone staircase to Chhomrong and then working your way through Sinuwa down to Bamboo.
Chhomrong is at 2,170 m and Bamboo at 2,300 m, with about six hours of walking between them. The profile goes up, down to the river, and up again, so it is busier than the numbers suggest.
Chhomrong is the largest village on this route and the last with proper shops. Below it you cross the Chhomrong Khola on a suspension bridge before the trail drops into thick bamboo forest.
- Duration: 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,170 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
A hard climbing day takes you up the Modi valley through Dovan and Himalaya village, past Hinku Cave, and on to Deurali at the mouth of the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Deurali is at 3,200 m, so today is more than 900 m of climbing across roughly six hours. Dovan at 2,505 m and Himalaya at 2,920 m are the natural stops along the way.
Hinku Cave is an overhang that shepherds have sheltered under for generations. Part of this section runs below avalanche prone slopes, so your guide leads and you do not linger there.
- Duration: about 6 hrs hiking
- Max Altitude: 3,200 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
One of the great days in Nepal. You climb the rocky valley to Machhapuchhre Base Camp, then turn west into the Sanctuary and finish at Annapurna Base Camp.
Machhapuchhre Base Camp is 3,700 m and Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m, five or six hours in all. The last stretch is slow, often icy, and you feel every metre of the height.
You are standing inside a full ring of peaks, with Annapurna I at 8,091 m, Annapurna South, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre standing all the way around you.
There is no easy way out of the Sanctuary except the way you walked in, and that closed in feeling is what makes the place. Nights here are properly cold, so a warm sleeping bag matters.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,130 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
You watch the sunrise over the Annapurna wall, eat a hot breakfast, then start the long descent back down the valley through Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo.
That is over 1,800 m of descent and about 13 km, so allow eight hours. Sunrise at Base Camp is the reason people put up with the cold night, and the light hits Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre first while the Sanctuary floor is still in shadow.
- Duration: 8 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,130 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
A shorter and gentler day. You climb up to Sinuwa, drop to the Chhomrong Khola, then climb back up to Chhomrong village before the last descent down to Jhinu Danda.
Sinuwa is at 2,360 m and Jhinu Danda at 1,780 m, about five hours of walking. The stone steps up to Chhomrong in the middle of the day are the only real effort.
This puts you back at the hot springs for a second soak if you want one, and it is a good way to loosen off after the long descent yesterday. It is your last night on the trail.
- Duration: 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,360 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
The last trekking day drops to the Modi river, crosses to Landruk, then runs on to Ghandruk Phedi where a jeep is waiting to drive you back to Pokhara.
You finish the walking at 1,150 m after about five and a half hours, then drive roughly an hour and a half down to Pokhara at 822 m. Ghandruk Phedi is a junction, with one road running up to Ghandruk village and the other down to Nayapul. The evening is free beside the lake.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs hiking & Driving
- Max Altitude: 1,780 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Shared 3 star Hotel
You take the tourist bus back to Kathmandu after a relaxed breakfast by the lake, six or seven hours retracing the river valleys and hill towns. This is the end of the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp trek, so tell us in advance if you would like extra nights or a Chitwan extension.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
Trips Include
- Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara, both ways.
- Private transport from Pokhara to Dhampus (trek start) and from Ghandruk Phedi (trek end) to Pokhara.
- 2 nights' hotel in Pokhara (3-star, twin share) with breakfast.
- All teahouse and lodge accommodation during the trek.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek, plus a farewell dinner.
- Safe drinking water using a filter or purification tablets.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card.
- A licensed, first-aid trained, English-speaking Spade Himalaya guide (2 guides for groups over 7).
- Porter support, one porter per two trekkers (pay, insurance, meals, lodging, equipment).
- First-aid kit for basic medical assistance during the trip.
- Rescue-operation assistance for serious illness (funded by your travel insurance).
Trips Exclude
- All hotels in Kathmandu, before and after the trek.
- International airfare and airport departure tax.
- Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 Days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation).
- All drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging on the trail.
- Tips for guide, porter, and driver.
- Extra nights from early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes.
- Personal trekking gear and any personal expenses.
- Anything not listed under Cost Includes.
Add-on: you can upgrade your hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu, or choose higher-end lodges in some villages, for an extra fee. Ask Spade Himalaya for current rates.
Trips Altitude
Trips Map
Trips Gallery
Packing List
General
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag.
- Sleeping bag liner
- Puffy down jacket.
- Duffel bag.
- Daypack, 30 to 45 litres, with a rain cover
Upper Body
- Warm hat or beanie that covers the ears
- Neck gaiter, buff, or scarf
- Sunglasses with UV protection (vital for the snow glare)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunscreen (SPF 35 to 60) and lip balm
- Long-sleeve t-shirts and thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or wool pullover
- Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Thermal base-layer trousers
- Comfortable trekking trousers
- Light trousers for the teahouses
- Waterproof, windproof shell trousers
Hands
- Wool or technical liner gloves
- Warm outer gloves for the high base camps
Feet
- Waterproof trekking boots (well broken in)
- 4 to 5 pairs of warm wool socks and sock liners
- Light shoes or sandals for the evenings and the hot springs
- Micro spikes if there is snow or ice near the base camps
Undergarments
- Quick-drying technical underwear
- Sports bras (women)
- Thermal underwear set for cold nights
First Aid Kits
(Your guide carries a kit, medication, and a pulse oximeter, but a personal kit is strongly recommended.)
- Assorted adhesive and blister bandages
- Antiseptic ointment and pain relief
- Altitude medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox), only if advised by your doctor
- Anti-itch ointment
- Water-purification tablets
Others
- Passport, 4 passport photos, and a copy of your insurance
- Reusable water bottle and a water filter or purifier
- Toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, toilet paper, hand wipes
- High-energy snacks (bars, nuts, dried fruit)
- Swimwear for the Jhinu Danda hot springs
- Waterproof or dry bags for documents and electronics
Optional
- Trekking poles (your own, if you prefer them; otherwise provided)
- Power bank and spare batteries
- Camera with memory cards, charger, and spare batteries
- Local SIM card for Pokhara and the lower trail
- Book or cards for the evenings
Good to Know
On their own, the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek are both fine trips. Joined together, they make one epic trip. You reach three base camps, not one. You also see far more of the Annapurna region in a single visit. So it is the ideal choice if you have two weeks and want the full experience.
The walking starts from Dhampus, a Gurung village near Pokhara. A jeep takes you there in about 1.5 hours, because buses cannot manage the steep, winding road. Before you set off, your guide briefs you on the gear you need. So make sure you have it all before the drive.
This is a long, demanding trek. So train for it. Start at least 10 weeks before the trip. Build your cardio with running, cycling, or swimming. Also work your legs and core for the steep, rugged trails. Practice long hikes with a daypack on hilly ground. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the high days.
The trek stays below 5,000 m, so the altitude risk is lower than on higher routes. Still, take it seriously. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, and walk slowly. Skip alcohol up high, and eat well for energy. Tell your guide early if you feel a headache or nausea. Your guide carries an oximeter and checks you daily. Going down is the best cure.
Since April 2023, foreigners must trek the Annapurna region with a licensed guide. You also need the ACAP and a TIMS card. Spade Himalaya is a registered agency, so the guide and permits are handled for you. A ranger checks the permits at points along the trail.
The trail runs on cash, and there are no ATMs. So carry enough Nepalese rupees from Pokhara. In the Gurung villages, try local food like dhindo, kinema, and Gurung bread. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging cost a small fee. Power can be solar in some villages, so charge when you can. Signal fades the higher you climb, so enjoy the quiet.
Trips Reviews
The Perfect Combination of Two Amazing Himalayan Routes
Trips FAQs
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
It is graded moderate to strenuous. Each route is easy on its own. But joined together, they make a long, demanding trek. So the difficulty comes from long days, big climbs and descents, stone stairs, and three base camps. There is no technical climbing. Still, you need good fitness and ideally some trekking experience.
We do not recommend it for absolute beginners. The combined route is long and tough, with back-to-back high days. So even fit people can find it hard. If you are new to trekking, it is better to do each route on its own first. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Short Mardi Himal Trek are gentler choices.
The high point is Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m, reached on Day 5. The highest place you sleep is Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m. So both heights stay below the 5,000 m line. Still, you should climb slowly and drink plenty of water. Your guide checks your health with an oximeter each day.
There is no separate rest day in this plan, because the trek stays below 5,000 m. But the route climbs, drops, and climbs again, which helps your body adjust. So walk at a slow, steady pace, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. If you want extra rest, Spade Himalaya can add a day.
You walk roughly 100 km in total over the trekking days. So it works out to about 8 to 14 km a day. The daily distance feels longer because of the steep stone stairs and the big climbs. So your pace matters more than the raw distance.
Permits, Guide & Insurance
Yes. Since April 2023, foreigners must trek the Annapurna region with a licensed guide. You also need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. Spade Himalaya provides the guide and arranges both permits. The guide and porter are already part of your package.
The ACAP is about NPR 3,000 (around US$25) for foreign trekkers. The TIMS card is about NPR 2,000 (around US$17). So the permits total roughly US$42 per person. Spade Himalaya includes both in the trip cost and handles the paperwork before you start.
Yes, it is a must. Your policy has to cover high-altitude trekking and a helicopter rescue. Many normal policies do not, so check the wording first. Arrange it at home before you fly. Then leave a copy with Spade Himalaya at the briefing, so the team can act fast in an emergency.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are best. Autumn has clear skies, mild days, and little rain. Spring brings blooming rhododendrons and warm air, plus a few festivals. Winter is cold, with snow up high. The summer monsoon brings rain and cloud, so most people skip it.
Accommodation & Facilities
You sleep in simple teahouses, usually in twin rooms with shared bathrooms. Higher up, rooms are basic and cold. The food is hearty and local. You can try Gurung dishes like dhindo, gundruk, and sukuti. You can also get dal bhat, momo, noodles, soup, and eggs. Vegetarian meals are easy to find.
Trek Highlights & Views
Yes. Jhinu Danda has natural hot springs, just below the village by the river. You pass through Jhinu Danda twice on this loop. So you can soak after the Mardi section and again after Annapurna Base Camp. A warm bath is a fine reward for the long, high days.
