Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
10 Days
Max Altitude:
4,500 m
Activities:
Trekking and sightseeing
Region:
Annapurna region
Starting Point:
Kathmandu
Ending Point:
Kathmandu
Grade:
Moderate
Group Size:
2 to 12 pax
Accomodation:
Teahouses, Hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara
Best Season:
Mar-May & Sep-Nov
Notice
The Mardi Himal Trek is a quiet, newer route in the Annapurna region. So you get big mountain views with very few other trekkers.
The high point is Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), on a ridge right below Machhapuchhre, the Fishtail peak. You reach it on Day 7.
Mardi is in the Annapurna region, so a licensed guide and permits are required. Spade Himalaya arranges your guide, the ACAP permit, and the TIMS card.
Overview of Mardi Himal Trek 10-Days
Quick answer: Mardi Himal is the ridge walk that locals kept quiet about for years. Over 10 days you climb through rhododendron forest onto a narrow spine of trail, with Machhapuchhre growing closer every hour. Base camp sits at 4,500 m, close enough to touch the wall of the Annapurnas. Prices start at US$ 750, permits and guide included. Book spring dates for the blooms, or autumn for the sharpest skies.
The Mardi Himal Trek is a 10-day journey on a hidden ridge in the Annapurna region. It is one of Nepal’s newer trails, so it stays quiet. You walk a high spur that sits right below Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), the sacred Fishtail peak. So the views feel huge and close, but the crowds are thin.
The trek starts near Pokhara, the lakeside city. First, you drive to Kande and climb into rhododendron forest. Then the trail follows a forested ridge up through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. As you climb, the trees thin out. Slowly, a wall of peaks fills the sky: Mardi Himal (5,587 m), Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South (7,219 m), and Hiunchuli (6,441 m).
The big day is the hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m). You walk the open ridge to the viewpoint, with peaks on three sides. Then you return down the same ridge. On the way out, you pass terraced farms and the village of Siding. Here, local people still gather wild honey from the cliffs. So the trek mixes high mountains with real village life.
Mardi is graded moderate, and it suits fit beginners. It is short, scenic, and easy to reach, with no flight needed. It pairs well with other Annapurna treks too. For a longer classic, see the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. For a famous sunrise, try the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. For a big high pass, see the Annapurna Circuit Trek. For another quiet ridge, look at the Khopra Danda Trek.
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.
Want to plan the details? See our Mardi Himal Trek cost breakdown and our guide to Mardi Himal Trek difficulty and best time. Not sure which Annapurna trek to pick? Then read Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp. For the full overview, see our complete Mardi Himal Trek guide. New to this trail? First, read our full Mardi Himal trek guide. Then see what it costs, how difficult it feels, and how it stacks up against Annapurna Base Camp.
Trips Highlights
- Trek the quiet Mardi Himal ridge, one of the newest trails in the Annapurna region.
- Stand at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), right below the Fishtail peak.
- Watch sunrise and sunset over the peaks from Mardi Himal High Camp.
- See Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Mardi Himal up close.
- Climb a forest ridge through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp.
- Walk through rhododendron, pine, and moss-draped forest full of birds.
- Meet the honey-hunters and farmers of Siding village on the way down.
- Enjoy a short, scenic trek with no flight, just a drive from Pokhara.
- Trek far from the crowds, yet close to lakeside Pokhara.
Kathmandu (1,400 m) → drive to Pokhara (822 m) → drive to Kande (1,770 m), trek to Pitam Deurali (2,100 m) → Forest Camp (2,600 m) → Low Camp (2,970 m) → High Camp (3,580 m) → Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), back to Low Camp → Siding (1,750 m), drive to Pokhara → drive to Kathmandu.
In short, you drive to Kande and climb the forest ridge through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. Then you hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back. After that, you descend to Siding village and drive to Pokhara.
Trips Itinerary
A Spade Himalaya representative meets you at the airport and drives you to your hotel in Thamel, so you can shower and sleep off the flight. Your guide comes by in the evening for a short briefing on the route, the gear and the safety plan, and to collect your passport, photographs and insurance copy for the permits.
Kathmandu fills a bowl shaped valley at 1,400 m, ringed by hills on every side, and the Annapurna range you will be walking in lies roughly 200 km west. If the afternoon is free, Boudhanath is worth the trip across town, particularly at dusk when the butter lamps are lit.
- Duration: 30 min drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Accommodation: Shared 3 Star Hotel
You drive west to Pokhara after breakfast and check into your hotel near Phewa Lake. The Prithvi Highway follows the Trishuli river for about 200 km, dropping from 1,400 m to 822 m through terraced farms, roadside stalls and hill towns, and it takes six or seven hours.
The rest of the day is deliberately free, because it is the last comfortable afternoon before the trail. Tal Barahi temple sits on an island in the lake and the white World Peace Pagoda stands on the ridge above the far shore. Take a boat out late on, when Machhapuchhre shows up in the water.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs driving
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Shared 3 Star Hotel
A short drive takes you from Pokhara to Kande, where the road ends and the walking begins. You climb a stone staircase through farmland and forest and reach Pitam Deurali on its forested ridge by the afternoon.
Kande sits at 1,770 m and Deurali at 2,100 m. That staircase lifts you onto the ridge that carries this whole trek, and you stay on top of it almost all the way to Base Camp.
The path passes Australian Camp, one of the best known viewpoints within reach of Pokhara. Annapurna South at 7,219 m, Hiunchuli at 6,441 m and Machhapuchhre line up there in a single view.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hiking
- Max Altitude: 2,100 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you walk deep into the ridge forest, mostly under a thick canopy, climbing steadily to the lodges at Forest Camp, which people here also call Kokar. It is a quieter day with fewer big views and more atmosphere, and the trail holds the top of the ridge almost the whole way without ever dropping far off it, so the height you gain, you keep.
Rhododendron, oak and pine close overhead for hours at a time at 2,600 m. In spring the rhododendron flowers red and pink, langur monkeys move through the branches, and the canopy opens now and then onto snow peaks.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,600 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
A shorter day, so you reach Low Camp with time to spare and the whole afternoon to yourself. The climbing is steady rather than steep, and the forest changes character noticeably as you gain height.
The trail takes you into cloud forest at 2,970 m. Moss and lichen hang from the branches, orchids cling to the trunks, and the air turns damp and cool as you climb into it.
This is where Machhapuchhre first stands close and completely clear at the end of the ridge. Take a warm drink onto the terrace late in the afternoon and watch the cloud push up the valley below you.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,970 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
After an early breakfast you climb to High Camp, the highest point you sleep at on this trek. Later in the day you go a little higher still and come back down, which is what helps your body adjust to the altitude.
The trees give out near 3,300 m and the ridge opens into alpine ground, with High Camp at 3,580 m. The lodges up here are basic, because everything in them arrived on somebody’s back.
Annapurna South at 7,219 m, Hiunchuli at 6,441 m and the face of Mardi Himal at 5,587 m stand around you with nothing in the way. Sunset from the rise behind the lodges is the best light on the whole route, so keep a jacket to hand and go out before it goes.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,580 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
This is the big day, so you start early. You follow the open ridge past the Upper Viewpoint to Mardi Himal Base Camp, then turn around and come back down the same way to sleep at Low Camp.
Base Camp at 4,500 m is the high point of the trek. The descent that follows drops about 1,530 m through forest, so poles are worth carrying even if you never normally use them.
Peaks stand on three sides of you up here: Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The ridge is narrow and open for the last stretch and the ground falls away on both sides, which is what makes the walk in feel bigger than the numbers suggest.
Machhapuchhre has never been climbed to its summit and remains closed to climbers, because the mountain is sacred to Shiva. You are looking at one of the very few Himalayan peaks that nobody has ever stood on top of.
- Duration: 7 to 8 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,500 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
You leave the high ridge for good, dropping through shaded forest and terraced farmland to Siding. After lunch you follow the Mardi Khola across suspension bridges, and a local vehicle drives you back to Pokhara.
Siding sits at 1,750 m in farming country and the air turns warm and heavy again as you lose height through the morning. It is a long descent but an easy one underfoot after the ridge.
The village is known for its honey hunters, who work the cliffs above it on rope ladders to cut wild honey. Back in Pokhara there is time for Davis Falls or the Mahendra Cave before dinner.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,970 m
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
- Accommodation: Star Hotel (twin shared)
You drive back to Kathmandu after breakfast, breaking the journey for lunch on the road, and reach your hotel in Thamel by late afternoon with the whole trek behind you. The road retraces the Trishuli east, about 200 km and six to seven hours through the same hill towns, climbing back up to 1,400 m.
With a free afternoon, Patan Durbar Square is half an hour from Thamel and packs Newar temple architecture into one small space. In the evening, try a Newari or Thakali dinner in town.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Shared 3 Star Hotel
A Spade Himalaya representative drives you to the airport after breakfast, about thirty minutes from Thamel depending on the traffic, and we suggest allowing three hours before an international flight. If your flight is later there is time for a half day in the city, and Pashupatinath sits close to the airport road.
- Duration: 30 min drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
Trips Include
- All airport transfers in a private vehicle.
- 2 nights' 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (twin share) with breakfast.
- 2 nights' 3-star hotel in Pokhara (twin share) with breakfast.
- Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara, both ways.
- Shared transport from Pokhara to Kande and from Siding back to Pokhara.
- All teahouse and lodge accommodation during the trek.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek, plus fresh fruit each evening.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card.
- A licensed, English-speaking Spade Himalaya guide (assistant guide for groups of 8 or more).
- A porter to carry your bags (one porter for every two trekkers), with pay, meals, lodging, and insurance.
- First-aid kit for basic medical assistance during the trip.
- Emergency helicopter rescue arrangement (activated through your insurance).
Trips Exclude
- International airfare to and from Nepal.
- Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 Days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days).
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- All drinks, snacks, and desserts on the trail.
- Hot showers and device charging at teahouses.
- Tips for guide, porter, and driver.
- Personal trekking gear and any personal expenses.
- Anything not listed under Cost Includes.
Trips Altitude
Trips Map
Trips Gallery
Packing List
General
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag.
- Sleeping bag liner
- Puffy down jacket.
- Duffel bag.
- Daypack, 25 to 35 litres, with a rain cover
Upper Body
- Warm hat or beanie that covers the ears
- Neck gaiter, buff, or scarf
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- 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 High Camp and the base camp ridge
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
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)
- 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
Mardi gives you a front-row view of the Fishtail peak, with almost no crowds. It is one of the newest trails in the Annapurna region. You climb a quiet forest ridge to a high base camp in just a few days. Best of all, there is no flight. You simply drive in from Pokhara. So it is one of the easiest big-view treks to reach.
Spring and autumn are the prime seasons. In spring, the forests bloom and the air is mild. In autumn, the skies are the clearest of the year. Winter is cold and quiet, with snow up high, but clear days are common. The summer monsoon brings rain and cloud, so most trekkers avoid it. Bring warm layers in any season, because High Camp gets cold at night.
This trek is moderate, and it suits fit beginners. You walk 5 to 6 hours a day on ridge trails, with steady climbs. The base camp day is the longest and highest, so it is the hardest. So train before you come. A few weeks of walking, jogging, and stair climbing makes a big difference.
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 all handled for you. A ranger checks the permits at points along the trail.
The plan climbs the ridge slowly and adds a short climb above High Camp. So your body has time to adjust before the base camp hike. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, and walk at an easy pace. Skip alcohol up high, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Your guide carries an oximeter and checks you each day. Going down is the best cure.
You sleep in family-run teahouses along the ridge. Lower down, some have attached bathrooms. Higher up, the rooms are basic and warmed by a stove in the dining hall. The food is fresh and filling, with dal bhat, noodles, soup, and eggs. Vegetarian meals are easy to find. For water, refill and purify rather than buy bottles. This saves money and cuts plastic waste.
The trail runs on cash, and there are no ATMs. So carry enough Nepalese rupees from Pokhara. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging all cost a small fee. There is no flight on this trek. You drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then a short way to Kande to start walking. So it is simple and cheap to reach.
Trips Reviews
Beautiful Forest Trails Leading to Incredible Mountain Views
Trips FAQs
Trek Highlights & Views
The Mardi Himal trek is a quiet, newer route in the Annapurna region. It climbs a forest ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m. The ridge sits just east of Machhapuchhre, the Fishtail peak. So you get close mountain views, lush forest, and warm village culture, with far fewer people than the classic trails.
This package runs 10 days from Kathmandu and back, with about 5 days of walking. The trek can be shorter or longer too. For example, the Short Mardi Himal Trek (5 days) starts and ends in Pokhara. But the full 10-day plan adds rest, comfort, and a gentle pace, so your body adjusts well.
Yes. Mardi pairs well with other Annapurna trips. From Kande, you can link it with the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. So you can build a longer trip across the region. Just tell Spade Himalaya your dates and ideas.
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
It is graded moderate. The Mardi Himal trek difficulty comes from the daily climbs, not from any technical sections. You walk 5 to 6 hours a day on clear ridge trails, with some steep parts. The top point is 4,500 m. So a good level of fitness helps. With some training first, most healthy people finish it well.
The Mardi Himal Base Camp trek tops out at 4,500 m, reached on Day 7. The highest sleeping point is High Camp at 3,580 m. So the plan climbs slowly up the ridge and adds a short climb above High Camp to help you adjust. Drink plenty of water and walk at an easy pace.
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. So you only need your passport, photos, and insurance copy.
The ACAP is about NPR 3,000 (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.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are best. In spring, the rhododendron forest blooms in red and pink. In autumn, the skies are clear and the views are sharp. Winter is cold but doable with warm gear, and there can be 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, the rooms are basic and the nights are cold. The food is hearty and local. Dal bhat (rice and lentils) is the trekker staple, with free refills. You can also get noodles, soup, eggs, and bread. Vegetarian meals are easy to find.
Many teahouses offer Wi-Fi and charging for a small fee. Mobile signal works on much of the lower ridge. But there are no ATMs on the trek. So carry enough Nepalese rupees in cash from Pokhara for snacks, drinks, charging, and tips.
Yes. Mardi pairs well with other Annapurna trips. From Kande, you can link it with the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. So you can build a longer trip across the region. Just tell Spade Himalaya your dates and ideas.
