Mardi Himal Trekking

Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best trekking trails in the Annapurna trekking region in Nepal. Lying in the south of one of the most popular trekking routes, Annapurna Base Camp Yet,

Group Tour 10 Days Moderate January – May September – December

Highlights

Key trip facts at a glance.

Duration
10 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Max Elevation
4,250 m
Minimum Group
2+
Accommodation
Teahouse / Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gallery

Trip photos and moments.

Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best trekking trails in the Annapurna trekking region in Nepal. Lying in the south of one of the most popular trekking routes, Annapurna Base Camp Yet, very few trekkers have explored the beautiful, rugged trail of Mardi Himal. Perhaps, this is the best route for trekkers who want to avoid the crowd. It gives you the pleasure of having a peaceful walk in nature even during the peak seasons. The sound of birds chirping and walking in the shadow of trees gives a trek a special flavor that is difficult to locate on other routes. The significant highlights of the Mardi Himal Trek are Mardi Himal Base Camp, traditional Nepali villages, and people’s lifestyles.

Along the trail are rich greenery and closer views of snowcapped mountains like Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Annapurna South, and Himchuli. Likewise, Mardi Himal Trek is a blend of easy and moderate treks, heavily depending on your previous trekking experience. The trek’s highest altitude is 4,250 meters above at Upper Viewpoint. Additionally, you can hike up to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters. Therefore, your heart will be filled with every sense of adventure with the expansive panorama view of the mountains, including Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Himchuli, and Annapurna South. Besides, one cannot easily forget the rich flora and fauna and the stunning rhododendron forest along the pathways. The Mardi Himal Trek is unquestionably the greatest trek to experience the breathtaking mountain vistas and the greenery of Nepal. After completing these trails, you will have wonderful memories for your lifetime.

How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?

The Mardi Himal Trek is generally rated as moderate in difficulty and is quickly gaining popularity as one of the top trekking destinations in the region. As you ascend, you can experience the stunning beauty of the Himalayas through the serene shades of alpine forests without rigorous physical exertion. The Mardi Himal trail is considered moderate since the route is not excessively steep, and we will encounter comfortable accommodations, better connectivity, typical local cuisine, and warm hospitality at every step. Although some physical training and mental preparation are essential, as the trekking trail, although it features well-defined paths, also presents some exhilarating steep inclines and rocky sections along with altitude gain.

Accommodation

Nepal Himalaya Tours will organize you the best and deluxe accommodation at Kathmandu and Pokhara as your requirement and tea-houses lodge during the Mardi Himal trek. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis. However, tea-houses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking area at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Best Time to Hike Mardi Himal trip

The best time for the Mardi Himal Trek is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to December). The weather is mild and stable, with a clear sky offering excellent visibility of breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain peaks, such as Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail. The trail is filled with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and white as you pass through blooming rhododendron forests. In autumn, the weather becomes dry and stable, with crisp, clear conditions after the monsoon rains.
The reduced risk of rainfall and snowfall offers favorable weather for excellent visibility of the sky-piercing mountains and the surrounding landscapes. For the best mountain experience, aim for the spring or autumn when the weather is most favorable and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.

Is the Mardi Himal Trek family-friendly?

The Mardi Himal trek is an exciting family-friendly adventure, featuring a well-marked trail rated as moderate. The trek allows for proper acclimatization and includes cozy accommodations, ample resting stops, and pleasant dietary options along the trails. The Annapurna Base Camp trails can promise families a memorable and enriching experience, showcasing the diverse natural beauty of hills and stunning mountains.
Along with breathtaking landscapes, families can immerse themselves in unique cultural experiences that deepen their connections to the local community and each other as well. Just a short drive from Pokhara is a hub of tourist attractions like boating on Phewa Lake, exploring fascinating rock caves and picturesque waterfalls, and wandering around vibrant local markets. For families seeking adventures, Pokhara also presents thrilling activities such as ultralight flight, paragliding, zip-lining, and boating.

Itinerary

You will be meet Nepal Himalaya Tour’s representative at the Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel. Evening explore local market.

Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara, it will take about 6 hours. Evening explore Phewa Lake.

Early morning breakfast at Pokhara, we then take a private vehicle and drive to the starting point of the trek, Kande. The trail steeply ascends through lush forests and passes by small villages. Soon, you will reach Pothana passing through Australian Camp. If the sky is clear, you can see stunning views of the Annapurna Range.

After breakfast, the route continues to Pitam Deurali. The trail further joins Annapurna Sanctuary and goes through dense forests. You will be walking on a secluded path that mostly passes by forests of oak, rhododendron, hemlock, and maple. After a delightful walk, the trail finally takes you to Forest Camp. Forest Camp is also known as Kokar.

The trail from Forest Camp to Badal Danda is short. However, it involves some steep climbing through forests of juniper and rhododendron. Along the way, we will get to see beautiful views of Annapurna South, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Mardi Himal as well.

Today we hike to High Camp with fantastic views of the snow-capped western Himalayan mountains. Today, we will be blessed with some of the most sensational views of mountains like Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Tare Kang, etc.  The trail moves above the tree line and continues along the Mardi Himal ridge. We will be walking mainly on the grassy slopes and reach the High Camp. On the way, we may get to see the Lophophorus, the national bird of Nepal.

After breakfast in the morning, we begin trekking early in the morning to catch a gorgeous sunrise from the Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail ascends along the ridge towards the base camp of Mardi Himal. We will be following a grassy trail, further crossing a couple of steep sections.  We can see a dzokpo, a crossbreed of cow and yak, on the way, along with lophophorus. Likewise, domestic animals are also seen grazing around the area. The Mardi Himal will welcome you with a sensational landscape that will make you forget all the pain you got while climbing up here. After that we will trek back to Low Camp, following the same trail to spend the night.

We are descending back to Kokar from Low Camp; we will complete the circuit following a downhill route to Sidhing village. As there are not many good local villages along the route to Mardi Himal Base Camp, Sidhing village will overcome this absence with some intimate interactions with the locals. From here, we drive to Pokhara, where we will be spending the night. In the evening, explore the Phewa Lake and Market.

After breakfast at the hotel, we then transfer to Pokhara airport for the flight to Kathmandu. In the evening we will have a farewell party with a cultural program at a Nepalese restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, we then transfer you to the Kathmandu airport 3 hours before your flight schedule to your own destination.

Includes / Excludes

Trip Includes

  • Accommodation at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast (twin sharing basis).
  • Three breakfasts in Kathmandu
  • Standard meals are served during the trekking (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • All airport transfers (pickup and drop-off) and ground transportation in a private tourist vehicle.
  • One experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed trekking guide.
  • One porter for every two trekkers (each porter carries up to 25 kg total—approximately 12–13 kg per trekker).
  • Wages, accommodations, meals, equipment, insurance, and medical coverage for all trekking staff.
  • Trekking Permit – Annapurna Conservation and Agency Paperwork
  • Trip completion certificate
  • Annapurna Conservation, Administrative & Taxes

Trip Excludes

  • Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa (available upon arrival at the airport)
  • Personal travel insurance that includes high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
  • Wi-Fi access, mobile calls, and charging fees unless provided free by the lodge
  • Extra snacks, alcoholic drinks, bottled beverages, drinking water, and other personal purchases during the trek

Route Map

Featured Video

Packing List

Know Before You Go

  • You are traveling to Nepal for Trekking; you must need Nepal visa. It is also available at immigration office at Kathmandu airport.
  • Personal expenses, such as extra foods, drinks, and snacks, are not included in the package. It’s advisable to carry extra cash.
  • Always carry a reusable water bottle and purification tablets to ensure you have access to safe drinking water.
  • Prepare for varying weather by packing clothing appropriate for the season and the regions you plan to visit.
  • The rural side can’t accept credit cards, so it is recommended to have enough cash for your expenses.
  • At tourist points, maintain a safe distance from wild animals and follow your guide’s instructions to avoid any risks.
  • When booking international flights far in advance, be conscious, as weather conditions in Nepal can lead to delays or cancellations.
  • The travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover potential emergencies, such as medical care and trip interruptions.

FAQs

The Mardi Himal Trek will take 5 to 8 days, covering about 40-45 kilometers a day, depending on your physical fitness and chosen itinerary, with popular options being quicker 4- to 6-day trips or more comfortable 7- to 8-day journeys, offering stunning close-up views of Annapurna peaks without the crowds of longer treks. So including the Kathmandu and Pokhara tour, we are making 10-day packages for you.

Of course, the Mardi Himal trekking trails are generally safe if done with proper planning and preparation and with a porter and guide. Otherwise, it can be risky for you. Located within the Annapurna Conservation Area, the Mardi Himal trek is one of the shortest yet most rewarding treks in the Annapurna region.