Mardi Himal trek one of the short and easy trek in Annapurna Region
Mardi Himal trek 4-7 days is a newly opened trekking route in 2012 in Annapurna Region Of Nepal. Mardi Himal trekking has been very renowned among trekkers in a short span of time. It is also a trek through the ridge of Modi River on the other side of Annapurna Base camp trek trail. This is a very short and sweet trek route that allows trekkers to enjoy everything within a short period of time.
The 4-7 Days Mardi Himal trek is generally started from Phedi, an hour’s drive from Pokhara. Then climb the hill called Dhampus; subsequently, the trail climbs slowly to Pothana, then Deurali. Staying here overnight in Deurali, the next day you go to Forest Camp. A nice place to relax in the middle of the forest where the 4-5 trails from different sides join here. Crossing the forest, you reach Low Camp, where you will meet another trail that climbs through Sidding. From here, if the weather is very good, you can see Mt.Fishtail. Walking further for 1 hour, you will reach Badaldanda; a nice viewpoint of the mountain range can be seen from here. Most of the mountains can be seen from here. Now you walk through the ridge of the mountain; you can see both sides down the valley from here. One side is the Annapurna Base Camp trail; the other side is the Mardi Himal river valley. Your last camp is High Camp, which has an elevation of 3500 Meter and takes just about 3 hours from Badaldanda. A high camp is a place where you stop your hiking. The next day, early in the morning, you hike to Base Camp, then return.
Key Takeaways
- This is short and easy trek which can be done in 4-7 days
- It is suitable for all kind of travellers such as a family, firiends or with even senior citizen
- A beautiful view of Lake Phewa and enjoy the evening at Pokhara. Tourist can do boating here for relaxation, if the weather is good you can see the Annapurna mountain range from lake phewa
- If you are lucky, you will be able to see different wildlife, fauna here. The fauna available here are very gigantic even though it is located at the high elevation.
- Eye catching view of Mt Fishtail (6997 meter) , Annapurna I(8091 meter) and many other peaks as well as Gurung and magar villages and their cultures.
Mardi Himal trek facts
Trek Name | Mardi Himal Trek |
|---|---|
| Trip Duration: | 9 Days (Travel to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu and Arrival and Departure) |
| Trek Duration: | 4,5 and 6 days |
| Max. elevation: | 4500 Meter, Mardi Himal Base Camp |
| Start | Kande, Australian Camp or Phedi |
| Ends | Pokhara, Lumre |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Best Time | Spring and Autumn Season |
| Permits: | TIMS and ACCAP Permits |
| Accommodation | Tea House |
| Total Incline | 4800 Meters |
| Total Decline | 4300 Meters |
What to see in the Mardi Himal trek? (highlights)
You may see many things on the Mardi Himal trek among them here are some things to see the trek and will be easier for you to select the trip
Scenic drive to Kande
Trekkers will have a scenic view of the Annapurna range while driving to Kande, You will see some beautiful periphery of the Pokhara valley and surroundingsBreathtaking views from Australian camp
You will see the breathtaking view of the Annapurna range, from the Australian camps and also the Pokhara valley, The Australian camp itself is a beautiful spot to spend some time over here.Flora and Fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area
Trekkers have to trek through the jungle mostly where Various species of plants and animals can be seen. trekkers can see various types of flora such as oaks, pine, juniper, hemlock and many other plants. Talking about the fauna, you can see langur monkeys, red monkeys, musk deer, barking deer, black bears as well as many other animals if you are lucky enough.Traditional local village:
You will trek through villages like Pothana, Kande, Landruk and many others where you can see the traditional local houses and their lifestyles.Ethnic culture of the local people:
You will see the settlements of the local ethnic groups like Magars, Tamangs, Gurungs, Brahmin along trekking trails where you can learn about their culture, customs, lifestyles and religions.Rhododendron forests:
You will be amazed here if you trek in the spring season because whole forests get rhododendron blossom.Machapuchhre:
The “fishtail” peak, the most recognizable summit in the Annapurna Range & it is visible from everywhere and everyone likes it because it’s unique shapes.scenic mountain views:
Trekkers can see scenic views of the snowcapped peaks from the Badaldanda, high Camp and Mardi viewpoints. Trekkers can see the Annapurna South 7219 Meters, Himchuli 6400 meters, Fishtail 6,993 Meters, Annapurna III 7555 Meters, Annapurna I 8091meters, Gangapurna and many other mountain peaks.Mardi Himal Base Camp:
You will trek through the ridge of the mountains to reach the Mardi Himal base camp which is the ultimate destination and offers astonishing views of the Annapurna ranges and glaciers as well as the best view of Mt Fishtail 6,193 meters.
Mardi Himal Trek itinerary 5 days
Day 1: Arrive at kathmandu
We welcome you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan international Airport. One of our guide will welcome you at the Airport then together we go to hotel. We brief about the trekking matters and help you for preparation of trek.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus
Your guide will pick up you from the hotel early in the morning then together with guide you go to Tourist bus park. The bus leaves around 7.30 am from Kathmandu which takes 7-8 hours to reach in Pokhara. By that time they often stop for breakfast, lunch and pee break. it is nice to drive to Kathmandu. you can see the amazing landscape of Nepal countryside.
Day 3: Pokhara to Deurali (Trek Starts)
This is our first day of the trek, as we head north from Lakeside by driving on Baglung road, we can be in Phedi roughly about 40 Minutes. From there, our trek starts the first part we climb to Dhampus. Dhampus is a viewpoint from there the trail slightly goes up via Pothana then Pritam Deurali. We stay overnight here. This is the place where two trek trail separate. It is a hillock from one side you can see the Pokhara valley from another side you can see the perfect view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Day 4: Deurali to Low Camp
Our trekking trails begins with stairs on a massive forest. You can see the sheep pasture here. There is some sheep shelter as well. The trails continuously go through the forest to reach Low Camp. You can see the massive trees of oak and pine. There are a lot of fungi in the tree as well. This is really cool to walk as there is no noise it is a very peaceful walk. if you are lucky you can see some wildlife such as monkeys, deer.
Day 5: Low camp to High camp
From Low Camp the scenery becomes more pretty because we can see both sides of the valley as we walk through the ridge of the mountain. The thick forest becomes thinner and you can see the view of the down valley on the south side. The trail continues through the forest and open ridges until High Camp. It is like suppose we are walking on the top of the mountain. it is an amazing experience that you can see high hills, white mountain and yak pasture. as the trail climbs steep we are almost on High Camp.
Day 6: Trek to Mardi Himal Base camp and back to Low camp
Early morning around 4:0 clock you wake up and start your trek for a sunrise view of the Annapurna Himalayan ranges. The Guesthouse offers you early breakfast. The trail climbs with a rocky trail. The rocky trail keeps going until the top. It takes about 3 hours. From the Mardi Himal base camp, you would see the all Himalayan scenery such as Annapurna II, IV, Gangapurna, Tent peak, Sinhu chuli, Annapurna south and many more. You get back to High Camp and may behave lunch if it is time otherwise it is better to get down to low camp.
Day 7: Trek to Sidding and drive to Pokhara (Trek Ends)
We get down all the way through the forest. It is nice to walk through the forest. As there is no human settlement in Mardi Himal area you see only the donkey carrying the food and other stuff for lodges. We stay overnight at Sidding. In the afternoon you would take the jeep to Pokhara which takes 3-4 hours
Day 8: Drive to Kathmandu
We take the tourist bus to Kathmandu which takes about 7-8 Hours.
Day 9: Departure
We will drop you to the airport.
Short Mardi Himal Express Route (From Pokhara) – The budget-friendly and complete Mardi himal trek
The Mardi Himal trek for 4 days is ideally a good trek for trekkers who have a very limited time of 3 nights and 4 days and still want to do some trekking and see the Himalayas. The Mardi Himal trek for 4 days might be the perfect option for you. The trek allows you a similar experience as the longer days trek but the only thing is you trek longer hours in a day due to the 4-day limit we expect you to be reasonably fit and the trek might be also suitable for budget trekkers who wish to finish the trek in Low budget. 
On the 4 days of the Mardi Himal Trek, trekkers will be able to see the snow-covered peaks from the Badaldanda, high Camp and Mardi viewpoints as well as the Mardi Himal base camp 4500 m (14,763 ft). Trekkers can see the Annapurna South 7,219 m (23,684 ft), Himchuli 6400 m (20,997 ft), Fishtail 6,993 m (22,942 ft), Annapurna III 7555 m (24,786 ft), Annapurna I 8091 m (26,545 ft), Gangapurna and many other mountain peaks plus you can see the astonishing surroundings from the ridge of Mardi Himal. Trekkers will be able to see both sides of valleys from the Mardi Ridge which is very unique. Trekkers can enjoy the jungle walk of the Annapurna
Mardi Himal Trek 4 days (Outline itinerary)
The budget-friendly 4 days Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara to Pokhara
| DAYS | ITINERARY | ALTITUDE | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive from Pokhara to Kande then trek Forest Camp | 2,600 m (8,530 ft) | 7-8 Hrs |
| Day 2 | Forest Camp – Low Camp – Badal Danda – High Camp | 3,600 m (11,811 ft) | 7-8 Hrs |
| Day 3 | Trek to Mardi Himal Base camp and back to Badal danda | 3,300 m (10,826 ft) | 8-9 Hrs |
| Day 4 | Trek from Badaldanada to sidding then drive to Pokhara | 800 m (2,624 ft) | 8-9 Hrs |
Best Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary Options
Short Mardi Himal Express Route (From Pokhara)
The shortest Mardi Himal trek for the budget and young trekkers who have the ability and less budget can do the Mardi Himal Trek in just 4 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. See our Short Mardi Himal Express Route (From Pokhara)
Standard Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
The Standard Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary 5 days from Pokhara to Pokhara or 9 days from arrival to Departure from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is a standard Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, and it is suitable for most of the trekkers, and if you think it may be harder for you, then you can add some more days too
Mardi Himal Trek map
There are different type of Mardi Himal Trekking maps in Market. These maps are published by the different publisher of Nepal. The map is may different as per publisher, Some map may have much information while other has less. If you want to buy the map in Kathmandu there are mostly Nepal Map, Himalayan Map. If you want to get the big scale with details map which cost is more than the normal map. You can choose as per your wish but make sure that the proper information you seek is in the map, Such as distance in KM, Time in Hours. We advise you to take the float-able map which can go anywhere in the bag or even in the pocket. You can get Mardi Himal trek map free from us if you book the trip with us. When you arrive in Kathmandu, we give this map on your trek preparation day.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost & Group Price Table
Mardi Himal Trek costs are 270$, 400$ and 550$ for 5 DAYS on budget, Standard and comfort schemes and the prices are on the cost-sharing basis of Minimum 2 Trekkers. The trek cost would be lower if you have a big group and other factors which determine the costs are here.
Trekkers Group Size: A larger number of participants generally leads to lower costs per person due to economies of operations.
Trekking Duration: Longer treks naturally incur higher costs, while shorter ones are more budget-friendly the 4-day Mardi Himal is a very budget-friendly trek.
Transportation: Kathmandu to Pokhara and Back to Kathmandu by flight significantly increases costs compared to ground transportation via Sofa Tourist bus which is cheaper but a long journey.
Use of Porters: Employing porters to carry gear adds to the overall trip expense.
Trekking Season: Peak seasons (spring and autumn) often see higher prices due to increased demand for guides and other resources.
Package Schemes: The chosen package (budget, standard, comfort) directly impacts the overall cost by including or excluding certain services and amenities.
Group Discounted Cost for 5 days
No of people | Standard Price P.P |
|---|---|
| 1 – 1 | US$ 550 |
| 2 – 3 | US$ 400 |
| 4 – 6 | US$ 360 |
| 7 – 15 | US$ 320 |
Send us your inquiry
Mardi Himal trek cost includes
- Kathmandu international airport transfer by private vehicles.
- Meals on full board: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day during the trekking days
- Guest house basis trekking accommodation while on trekking days
- Tourist Bus transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu for guest and guide.
- Fully escorted trek with fluent English speaking license holder local trekking guide
- 1 Porter to carry the lugguage of 2 Trekkers
- Private Taxi from Hutu to Pokhara
- Pokhara to Kande private taxi transfer
- Annapurna conservation Area Project Permits
- Seasonal Fruits in the Desert after Dinner
- First Aid Box
- TIMS Permit
- All land transportation as per written on above itinerary
- Food and accommodation and salary of Nepali trekking staffs
Cost excludes
- Nepal entry visa fee cost US$ 40.
- Lunch and Dinner during the staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara city.
- Any kinds of battery charges, laundry service, phone calls and hot shower during the trekking.
- Personal trekking equipment and Clothing.
- Any Personal nature expenses, any drinks and bar bills.
- Your travel insurance (it is mandatory in case of emergency).
- Any donation and monuments entrance fees.
- Tips for the crew (Note : TIPS is not compulsory but highly expected)
- Any other things which are not mentioned above
Fixed Departure Dates
Best Time to Hike Mardi Himal
Best Time to Hike Mardi Himal is during the spring and autumn seasons when the weather is usually clear and pleasant. Here are some details for the best times to do the trek.
Autumn (September to November)
This is the best trekking season in the High Himalayas of Nepal. This is also known as post-monsoon time. This time, the weather is very pleasant, sunny, not too hot, not too cold. This is the main tourist season, so there are many tourists. This time the landscape is very colourful because in the valley, the forest is green and the field is filled with rice which is nearly to harvest. The mountain can be seen from very far away. It is not hazy at that time.
Spring (March to May)
Another best time of year to visit Nepal is this one. Usually, this time the weather is good. But due to summer days, the weather down in the valley is hot. In the mountain region, Flowers like rhododendrons, magnolias and other kinds of small flowers blossom. If you are visiting this time, then it is very cool, you can see the whole forest gets red and pink with rhododendron flowers.
Monsoon (June to August)
This is the monsoon season in Nepal. Monsoon generally starts from mid of June till September. Especially in this trekking trail area, it is the rainiest place in Nepal because of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. There are other problems, such as a flood, landslides and leeches if you do the trek at this time.
Winter (December to February)
This is the monsoon season in Nepal. Monsoon generally starts from mid of June till September. Especially in this trekking trail area, it is the rainiest place in Nepal because of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. There are other problems, such as a flood, landslides and leeches if you do the trek at this time.
Mardi Himal Trek FAQ
Mardi Himal Trek Photos
Read Our Trek Review
TripAdvisor Review Google ReviewMemories of a lifetime!
We just finished the annapurna circuit and it was wonderful!
Great organization, everything perfect ..
Our Guide and Porter have been great and we have formed a strong bond these days!
Journey that I will never forget
A great experience with Nepal Trek Hub with best Guide Ambar
My wife and I honestly cannot recommend Nepal Trek Hub more highly:
Every aspect of their service delivery was top notch; the custom made and flexible itinerary; the continuous communication and logistics support; the 30+ year experienced guide (Ambar Tamang is an absolute star 🌟) – everything.
NTH price their product so they can appropriately remunerate their drivers, guides and porters – I would wholeheartedly recommend them for ANY Nepal trek for any size of party.
Great work Shreeram (another absolute star) – you and your team are a class act and we are truly grateful for the adventure you delivered – many, many thanks 🙏
Superb tour agency with excellent service
Luckily we engaged Nepal Trek Hub as for our Mardi Himal Trekking trip. We enjoyed the trip with tour guide of much patient to guide us along the trek.
We appreciate the agency assistance when we encounter illness at 2800m at Annapurna region. The tour agency arranged for emergency evacuation with helicopter rescue to Kathmandu ERA International Hospital.
The arrangements were detailed and much follow up. We appreciate it.
We will engage this agency again on our next trip to Nepal. 👍👍👍
Why Choose the Mardi Himal Trekking Route?
Mardi Himal Trek, 4 days to 7 days, is among the well-known and best scenic offering trekking trails of the Annapurna region and starts from Pokhara. The trek starts from Pokhara and ends at Pokhara, and you can do it within a week on a very limited budget. There are many trekking trails in Annapurna, but you may ask why choose the Mardi Himal Trekking Route
Simple But Rewarding view of the Annapurna ranges:
Mardi Himal Trek is one of the easy moderate-level treks and will be from 4 days to less than 1 week. Since it is a short trek, trekkers will not be exhausted, but the trekking terrain poses some difficulty due to the frequent accents and staircases. The trek can be very good for beginners, and you can see the marvellous, stunning views of the mountains and the Annapurna region, cultural immersion, and the chance to see diverse wildlife.Short Duration Treks:
Among the many treks in the Annapurna Region, Mardi Himal is one of the best short-duration treks in Nepal. It stands out as one of the shorter options, feasible in as few as 4 days with a rushed itinerary or more comfortably in 5 days. However, the most convenient and recommended duration for the Mardi Himal Trek is 7 days, while 6 days is considered ideal for most trekkers. The trek ascends to an altitude of 4500 meters at the Mardi Himal Base Camp.Budget – Friendly and Accessible
Mardi Himal is a budget-friendly trek as compared to other treks. You can finish this trek from Pokhara to Pokhara for 600$ to 1000$ including tipping to the guide and your expenses as well. You can also do it at a lower cost if you do the 4-day Mardi Himal trek only. So you do not need that much money for a real trekking experience in the Nepalese Himalayas.The Mardi Himal trek is best for beginners’ trek:
The Mardi Himal trek is very suitable for new beginner trekkers too. Those people who have not done any treks can do this trek because it is not that technical, but it only requires some levels of physical demand.Easy access and out:
The Mardi Himal trek route has easy and short access from Pokhara and drives out to Pokhara from any location.
Mardi Himal Trek for Nepali
Mardi Himal trek has been prime attractions for the Nepali in recent years. The trek is relatively easy and most rewarding and can be done even in 4-5 days easily. Most of the Nepali people like soft adventure hikes like this from where they can enjoy the mountain scenery at a low cost. The trek starts from the Kande and Ends at the siding. The Mardi Himal trek can be done even in a short period that is the reason for students to the adult people choose to do it. Doing a tour at Pokhara you can start this trek by driving to the Kande and from there to onwards just the trek. Here we have mentioned a very popular itinerary for the Nepali people which is shorter than for the international tourist. Normally we assume that Nepali people can walk faster than international tourists.
Mardi Himal Trek cost for Nepali
Mardi Himal trek cost for Nepali depends on your group size and the way you want to trek. It is good if you are travelling in a big group which would save your transportation costs while going and coming back from Mardi Himal. Normally if you travel with friends then for 4 days Mardi Himal trek cost for Nepali would be around NPR 15,000 to NPR 20,000 more or less. If you spent more days in trek then the cost would be higher to you. If you drink the alcohol then the cost would be more expensive. At this cost, you can hire a Taxi to Kande and from Siding you can hire a Jeep.
Mardi Himal Trek itinerary for Nepali
- Day 01: Pokhara tour and drive to Kande then trek to Deurali 1900 Meters (whole day)
- Day 02: Trek to Low camp 3200 meters 8-9 hours
- Day 03: Trek to High Camp and explore around the High Camp
- Day 04: Trek to Mardi Himal base camp and back to Siding then ride to Pokhara and the trek is over.
What to expect on the Mardi Himal trek
- This is quite an easy trek from Pokhara which can be done in 4,5,6 & 7 days depending upon your physical fitness and your requirements.
- The trek is done mostly through the forests so you would see a lot of plants and often the trek becomes much damp because of the forests.
- The trek is mostly accented because of the fast altitude gains and often you have to trek with the stairs which are built with stone and wooden logs.
- The hotels around long the trekking routes are very basic do not expect a very comfortable heating system in the rooms. The bathroom is shared and for the hot shower you will get the bucket of hot water as there is a crisis of water but there is a heater in the Dining Room.
- The area does not have a good connection to the wifi but still will be able to use the power you need to have a power bank that you can use to recharge your devices.
- If the weather is good then you would see a great view of the Annapurna ranges and Fishtails too but if the weather becomes bad then you do not see anything and the weather is very unpredictable.
- If you trek in monsoon then there will be a lot of leeches on the way as well as trails become muddy and slippery.
- If you trek on winter it is better to have a wind/rain/snow gears as well as crampons for the safety
Is the Mardi Himal trek (4,5 and 7 days) suitable for You?
The Mardi Himal trek offers incredible opportunities for many hikers. However, it’s essential to assess your own fitness and choose an itinerary duration (4, 5, or 7 days) that perfectly aligns with your abilities and desired pace. This will ensure a rewarding and safe trekking experience.
- The Mardi Himal trek is an easy moderate trek. trekkers are expected to walk about 6-7 hours each day on the accents and descents of uneven stone/wooden stairs during the entire treks and you should be better prepared for that.
- The Mardi Himal trek is also best for beginners even without any preparations and previous trekking experience you can do the trek but you should have strength and decide what number of days itinerary is good for you and your peace.
- In this trek, going accents to Mardi Himal High camp is accented with many breaks in between and returning from the trek is going downhill continuously so there are no flat trails and you should be prepared for that. Normally it takes 2-3 days to go High camp and 2-3 days to downhills.
- Expect a dramatic temperature swing between day and night. Nights and mornings can be quite chilly, but daytime temperatures are generally pleasant, making it comfortable to trek in a t-shirt, a wind-resistant layer, and trousers
- The accommodations on the Mardi Himal trekking are very basic and normal. The beds are quite comfortable and it is with the blankets. You will get the private rooms but it is not attached to one
- Please note that bathrooms are shared among guests staying at the tea house. Hot water availability may vary depending on gas and solar power availability. Basic electricity and Wi-Fi are available, but charges may apply for usage
- Due to its popularity, you’ll likely encounter numerous other trekkers and groups on this well-known route.
How to prepare for the Mardi Himal trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek is an accessible trek for many, even without extensive prior training. If you’re reasonably fit and can walk for 6-7 hours comfortably, you’re likely well-suited for this trek. However, incorporating some exercise into your routine can undoubtedly boost your stamina and confidence, ensuring a more enjoyable and fulfilling trekking experience.
Do some morning walks:
Daily hikes will involve 6-7 hours of walking, including a 1-hour lunch break, covering distances between 10-20 km (6-15 miles). To prepare for this, consider incorporating a morning jog into your daily routine for 1-2 weeks before your trip to Nepal. Aim for a moderate pace and gradually increase the duration of your jogs as you get closer to your departure date.Weekend mountain/hillside hiking:
on your weekend you can hike to uphills and downhills with the day packs which prepare you to adjust to trek quickly.Mental and Physical Boost:
Use the weeks before your vacation to boost your physical and mental fitness through exercise. You’ll be better equipped to handle any adventure and have a more fulfilling trip.Use Your Gears Before Trek:
To ensure a smooth and comfortable trekking experience, it’s crucial to use it by yourself with all your gear before the trek. By testing your equipment beforehand, you can identify any potential problems and make necessary adjustments, ultimately enhancing your preparedness and enjoyment especially the the trekking boots which may cause blisters within the hoursInvolve in physical exercise:
Trekkers can do cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, cycling, and other sports, and you may improve your stamina. You can also try some yoga and daily stretching that makes you fit for the adventure hiking. The more physically fit you are more enjoyable the trekking is for you.Mental preparedness:
is also very important for the trek and you should be mentally prepared to do the trek which boosts your self-confidence and morale.