Mardi Himal Trek - Route, 4-Day Itinerary & Ridge Guide

Mardi Himal Trek is the premier short ridge trek in the Annapurna Sanctuary. Opened formally to international hikers in 2012, this trail takes you out of the crowded valley floors and puts you directly on a high alpine ridge that climbs toward the triangular face of Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain, 6,993m). If you prefer longer routes, compare with the Annapurna Base Camp trek or the classic Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. Use our elevation profile calculator to plan your acclimatization.

Unlike longer circuits that require two to three weeks of trekking, the Mardi Himal route can be completed comfortably in four to five days starting and finishing in Pokhara. You ascend through ancient oak and rhododendron forests, break out above the tree line onto the exposed crest of Badal Danda, and finish at Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters.

Because the trail climbs directly along an open ridge, your line of sight stays unobstructed. To your left, Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli dominate the skyline. To your right, the untamed valley of the Mardi Khola drops hundreds of meters down into lush terraced farmland.

Mardi Himal Trek Highlights

• Standing face-to-face with the sacred peak of Machapuchare (Fishtail) from High Camp and the Upper Viewpoint.
• Walking through dense rhododendron and mossy birch cloud forests alive with Himalayan monal pheasants and langur monkeys.
• Sunset and sunrise above the cloud bank at Badal Danda (3,210m), with views spanning Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli.
• Less foot traffic and simpler trails compared to the heavily commercialized Annapurna Circuit and Poon Hill routes.
• Descending through Siding village for authentic Gurung culture and an organic farm homestay experience.

Best Time to Trek Mardi Himal

The weather on the Mardi Himal ridge changes quickly once clouds drift up from the Pokhara valley. Timing your trek during the stable weather windows guarantees clear mornings and safe footing along the exposed upper ridge.

Autumn (Late September to November)

Autumn is the peak window for trekking Mardi Himal. Post-monsoon winds sweep the valley clean of dust and haze, providing razor-sharp visibility of Machapuchare and the Annapurna range. Daytime temperatures at Low Camp hover between 15°C and 20°C, while nights at High Camp drop between 0°C and -5°C. Teahouses fill up fast, so starting your walking days early is recommended.

Spring (March to May)

Spring brings warm walking weather and vibrant forest colors. The lower sections between Kande, Australian Camp, and Forest Camp are blanketed in scarlet, pink, and white rhododendron blossoms. Afternoon haze can build up below 3,000 meters, but early mornings on the ridge consistently reveal crisp panoramic views.

Winter (December to February)

Winter brings freezing temperatures and snowpack above High Camp. The trail between High Camp (3,580m) and the Upper Viewpoint (4,250m) can become icy, requiring microspikes and trekking poles. However, winter provides completely empty trails and crystalline skies for experienced, well-equipped hikers.

Curated 4-Day Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

This four-day itinerary is the most balanced schedule for hikers with solid physical fitness. It maximizes acclimatization by sleeping at Low Camp and High Camp before making the summit push to the Base Camp viewpoint.

Day 1: Pokhara to Kande (Drive) & Hike to Forest Camp (Kokar)

Take an early private taxi from Pokhara Lakeside to Kande (45 minutes, 1,770m). The trek begins with a stone staircase climb through forest to Australian Camp (2,050m), where you catch your first sweeping view of Annapurna South. Continue past Pothana village to check your ACAP permits at the conservation checkpoint. From Pothana, leave the main ABC trail behind and branch right into the quiet jungle trail toward Deurali (2,100m) and onward through dense moss-covered oak trees to Forest Camp (2,550m). Total walking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 2: Forest Camp to High Camp via Badal Danda

From Forest Camp, the trail steepens through rhododendron woodland to Low Camp (2,970m). Beyond Low Camp, the trees shrink into alpine scrub and you break out onto the open ridge at Badal Danda (3,210m). Take a long lunch break here while watching Machapuchare loom directly overhead. An afternoon walk along the grassy crest brings you to High Camp (3,580m), the highest sleeping outpost on the trek. Total walking time: 4 to 5 hours.

Day 3: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp & Descend to Low Camp or Siding

Wake up at 4:00 AM for the pre-dawn ridge push. Using headlamps, follow the narrow crest up to the Lower Viewpoint (4,000m) and continue across exposed ridgelines to the Upper Viewpoint (4,250m) and Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m). Sunrise hits the eastern wall of Annapurna I and Machapuchare with intense golden light. Return to High Camp for hot noodle soup and ginger tea, pack your gear, and descend past Badal Danda to Low Camp (2,970m) or down the steep forested switchbacks to Siding Village (1,750m). Total walking time: 7 to 8 hours.

Day 4: Siding to Lumre & Drive Back to Pokhara

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast of Gurung bread and local honey in Siding. Walk 2.5 hours along the terraced river trail down to Lumre, where local public jeeps and private taxis wait. Drive 2 hours back to Pokhara Lakeside for a hot shower, a hearty lakeside meal, and rest. Total walking time: 2 to 3 hours.

Permits and Regulations for Mardi Himal

Because Mardi Himal sits entirely inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, all trekkers must carry two valid official documents before passing the Pothana checkpoint:

• Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit: Cost is NPR 3,000 (approx. $23 USD) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens.
• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card: Cost is NPR 2,000 (approx. $15 USD) for foreigners.
• Where to Obtain: Both permits are issued at the Nepal Tourism Board / ACAP Office in Damside, Pokhara (open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Bring your passport, two passport photos, and cash in Nepali Rupees.
• Mandatory Guide Rule: Nepal regulations require foreign hikers to trek with a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Guides handle logistics, trail safety along the knife-edge ridge, and lodge reservations during peak autumn months.

Teahouse Costs and Daily Budget

Teahouse accommodations along the Mardi Himal ridge are simpler than those on the classic Annapurna Base Camp circuit. Lower camps have private twin rooms with shared squat or western toilets, while High Camp features basic wooden rooms with foam mattresses and blankets.

• Room Rates: NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 ($4 to $8 USD) per night for a twin room, provided you eat dinner and breakfast at the lodge.
• Meals (Dal Bhat): NPR 600 at Forest Camp to NPR 900 at High Camp ($4.50 to $7 USD). Dal Bhat includes unlimited refills of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry.
• Boiled Drinking Water: NPR 150 to NPR 300 per liter bottle. Bring purification tablets or an insulated filter flask to save money and reduce plastic waste on the mountain.
• Hot Showers & Device Charging: Solar or gas showers cost NPR 300 to NPR 500. Charging phones or power banks at High Camp costs NPR 200 to NPR 400 per device.
• Realistic Daily Budget: Carry NPR 4,000 to NPR 5,000 ($30 to $38 USD) per person per day in cash from Pokhara, as there are no ATMs on the mountain.