Mardi Himal Trek- 09 days

The Mardi Himal Trek is a beautiful short trekking journey in the Annapurna region that offers a perfect balance of nature, culture, and Himalayan adventure.

Overview

Show all photos

Overview
Highlight
Outline
Itinerary
Cost Includes/Excludes
FAQs

Duration

09 Days

Max Alitiude

4,500 meters at Mardi Himal Base Camp

Transportation

Tourist Bus & Shared Jeep

Trip Grade

Moderate

Activity

Trekking

Start/End Point

Kande / Siding Village

Best Season

Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November)

Meals

Full board during trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation

Hotels (Kathmandu & Pokhara), Teahouses during trek

Trip Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek is a beautiful short trekking journey in the Annapurna region that offers a perfect balance of nature, culture, and Himalayan adventure. It is ideal for those who want to experience the mountains without walking on overly crowded trails. From the very beginning, the journey takes you through changing landscapes, from busy city life to peaceful lakeside towns and then into quiet mountain paths surrounded by nature.

The journey begins in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, where you can get a firsthand look at the native way of life, winding alleyways, and historic temples. From here, a lovely drive leads to Pokhara, a laid-back, charming city on the shores of the well-known Phewa Lake. Before the hike begins, Pokhara offers a serene introduction to the highlands, with vistas of snow-capped peaks reflected in the river.

As the trek starts from Kande, the trail gradually climbs through small villages, terraced farmlands, and dense forests filled with rhododendron and oak trees. The peaceful rhythm of nature and the clean mountain air gradually replace the sounds of city life. Every day is a gradual climb that lets your body acclimate while the view gets more striking.

The forest gives way to expansive ridgelines and alpine scenery as you ascend. As you start to see tall peaks like Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli rising beyond the horizon, the vistas are more and more stunning. The experience is more intimate and immersive, as the path itself is serene and less crowded than on other well-known hikes.

The early-morning ascent to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters is the highlight of the trip. It’s a unique experience to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas, where a 360-degree panorama of the mountains unfolds as golden light gradually reaches the snow-covered summits. Most trekkers still remember this remarkable experience long after the journey is over.

The descent brings a different perspective, as you walk back through forests and villages. Later, you will return to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu, which will conclude your trek.

Overall, the Mardi Himal Trek is not just about reaching a destination. Still, it is about the experience of walking through a blend of natural beauty, cultural encounters, and the peaceful charm of the Himalayas of the Annapurna Region.

Trip Highlights

Witness the close-up views of mountains such as Machhapuchare Himal, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other Himalayan peaks.
Enjoy the breathtaking golden sunrise hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) with panoramic Himalayan views.
Explore the vibrant lakeside city of Pokhara with views of the Annapurna range.
Walk through peaceful rhododendron and oak forests in the Annapurna region
Capture stunning sunrise and sunset views over snow-covered peaks.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus.
Day 03: Drive to Kande and Trek to Pitam Deurali.
Day 04: Trek to Forest Camp.
Day 05: Trek to High Camp.
Day 06: Early in the morning, hike to View point- 4,200m, Mardi Base Camp 4,500m, and trek down to Low Camp 3,035m.
Day 07: Trek down to Siding village and drive to Pokhara.
Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus
Day 09: Departure

Trip Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Depending on your travel time, you can rest at the hotel or stroll around the vibrant Thamel area in the evening. You get to explore cafes, trekking shops, and the nightlife of the area.

Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Max. Altitude: 1,400m (4,600 feet)
- Accommodation: Standard Hotel
- Meals: Dinner
Day 02 Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus.
Today, you will reach the lake city of Nepal, Pokhara, known as the Gateway to the Himalayas. You’ll travel through rural areas with roadside markets, little settlements, and terraced rice fields.

Along the route, there will be many pauses for lunch, refreshments, and quick leg-stretching breaks. On clear days, you may see far-off vistas of the Annapurna range as you get closer to Pokhara.

Once you reach Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can rest for the remainder of the day, or you can stroll around the Phewa Lake (Lakeside) area.

Overnight in Pokhara.
- Max. Altitude: 822m (2,697 feet)
- Accommodation: Standard Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Drive duration: 6-7 hours’ drive
Day 03 Drive to Kande and Trek to Pitam Deurali.
After breakfast, you will drive for about 1 hour and reach Kande. Kande is the starting point of the trek. From Kande, you walk through stone steps and forested trails. You will ascend through stone steps and pass through small settlements and terraced farmlands.

In a few hours, you will reach Pitam Deurali, a resting spot surrounded by the stunning view of distant mountains and green hills. The trip today is very short, and you will have enough time to rest and pace yourself for the long trek ahead.

Overnight in Pitam Deurali.
- Max. Altitude: 2,150m (7,054 feet)
- Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Drive duration: 1 hour drive
- Trek Duration: 2-3 hours trek
Day 04 Trek to Forest Camp.
The trip today takes you deeper into the oak and rhododendron forests of the Mardi Himal trail. If you visit in spring, the rhododendron flowers are in full bloom, adding beautiful colors to the forest.

It is quieter and less crowded, making it a peaceful place to trek. You’ll hear birds, feel the fresh mountain air, and occasionally see mountain views through the trees.

Later, you will reach Forest Camp, where you will find a few lodges, but the mountain view from there will be astonishing on clear days.

Overnight in Forest Camp.
- Max. Altitude: 2,600m (8,530 feet)
- Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Trek Duration: 5-6 hours trek
Day 05 Trek to High Camp.
You begin the morning by leaving Forest Camp behind and traveling uphill through peaceful oak and rhododendron forests. For a time, the route seems steady, green, and serene, much as it has been over the past few days.

As you go higher, the surroundings start to change. The trees become fewer, the temperature drops, and the views begin to widen. When you arrive in Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) for lunch, the scenery has already changed significantly. If the weather is favorable, clouds will appear underneath you, resembling a white ocean. Also, you will witness the massive Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain standing right in front of you so close.

After lunch, the real push begins. You will cross the 3,000-meter mark, and the ascent starts to feel more real. The trail gets narrower and more visible. The lush greenery gradually changes to dry, open slopes and a rougher, higher-altitude landscape.

Although there are a few steep spots that may challenge your stamina, the scenery always draws you back in. The mountains are calmer and seem larger up here. Once you reach High Camp, you will be surrounded by untainted mountain beauty.

Overnight in High Camp.
- Max. Altitude: 3,580m (11,745 feet)
- Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Trek Duration: 4-5 hours trek
Day 06 Early in the morning, hike to View point- 4,200m, Mardi Base Camp 4,500m, and trek down to Low Camp 3,035m.
Today, you have to wake up early, around 2 hours before sunrise. The trail climbs straight up from High Camp, narrow and a bit rough, and you can feel the altitude almost immediately.

By the time you reach the Viewpoint at around 4,200 meters, the light begins to touch the mountains. And suddenly, Machhapuchhre is right in front of you, glowing in the morning light. It doesn’t feel far away at all. Machhapuchhre catches the first light, sharp, glowing, almost unreal. No photo really captures that exact moment. Behind and around it, the peaks of the Annapurna range stretch out, quiet and massive. It’s quiet, cold, and somehow very still, like the mountains are just there, doing their own thing, and you’re lucky to be watching.

The trail gets increasingly wide and exposed as you proceed near Mardi Base Camp. You are now surrounded by nothing but rock and sky, with no trees or shade. It’s not a crowded or populated area. No crowd, no large sign. Just a vast, untamed area encircled by mountains.

You will get a chance to play with the snow, capture the moments in your photos or videos, and in a while, you will return to High Camp. You will have a decent breakfast at High Camp, then continue descending to Low Camp.

The descent to Low Camp is long. At first, it’s the same dry, open terrain, but step by step, the landscape softens, the mountains feel a little farther away, and the trail brings you back into green hills and trees.

Reaching Low Camp feels lighter, but there’s a heaviness in the heart as you have left the massive mountains behind.

Overnight in Low Camp.
- Max. Altitude: 4,500m (14,764 feet)
- Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Trek Duration: 5-6 hours trek
Day 07 Trek down to Siding village and drive to Pokhara.
It is the last day of the trek, and there’s no early rush today, no big climb ahead, just the way down.

After leaving Low Camp, you begin to descend through the jungle. The air feels warmer, the trees surround the trail, and the mountains gradually disappear from view behind you with each step. The walk down to Siding village takes a few hours, mostly downhill, and involves stone steps.

You will reach Siding in a few hours and take a jeep drive to Pokhara. In about an hour, you will reach Pokhara and rest for the remainder of the day. Pokhara comes alive at night, so you might want to stroll around the city’s famous spots like Lakeside in the evening.

Overnight at Pokhara.
- Max. Altitude: 1,750 meters (5,741 feet)
- Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Drive duration: 2 hours’ drive
- Trek Duration: 3-4 hours trek
Day 08 Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus
After breakfast, you will head back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. The drive once again offers scenic views of rivers, hills, and rural life.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Nepal. Also, you may want to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax, look through the photos you shot during the trek on your camera, and admire the scenery.

Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Accommodation: Standard Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Drive duration: 6-7 hours’ drive
Day 09 Departure
Your trek comes to an end today. You will leave Nepal with unforgettable memories of mountain landscapes, cultural encounters, and a truly unique trekking experience.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for a final walk or some last-minute shopping.
- Meals: Breakfast (Lunch depending on the schedule)

Trip notes

Accommodation is in simple teahouses, and meals are freshly prepared along the trail. Weather can change quickly, especially at higher altitudes, so warm layers are essential. The itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted for safety, weather, or trail conditions.

Drinking water is available at teahouses along the main trail, but there are no reliable water sources in between, so it is important to carry enough water. A reusable bottle or hydration pack is highly recommended.

Cost Includes

Airport picks up and drops off.
All necessary trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS, or equivalent).
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara (standard tourist category, twin sharing)
Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during the trek.
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
Professional trekking guide and porter (1 porter for two trekkers).
Guide and porter insurance, salary, food, and lodging.
All government and local taxes.

Cost Excludes

International airfares.
Nepal entry visa fees.
All personal expenses, including alcohol & other beverages, trekking equipment, travel insurance, and more.
Extra expenses during the trek, like hot shower charge, battery charging, Wi-Fi, and any others.
Tips for the trekking guides and porters.
Additional hotel stays in Kathmandu or Pokhara if not on the planned itinerary.
Any expenses not mentioned in the “Includes” section.

When to visit

Average time to visit
Best time to visit
Good time to visit

FAQs for this trip

How difficult is the Mardi Himal trek?

The Mardi Himal trek is considered moderate. It doesn’t require technical climbing, but you should be comfortable walking 4–6 hours a day on uphill and downhill trails. A basic level of fitness is enough if you take it slow and steady.
Do I need prior trekking experience for the Mardi Himal trek?

No, prior trekking experience is not required. However, being physically active (walking, hiking, or light exercise) before the trip will make your experience much more enjoyable.
What is the best time to do the Mardi Himal trek?

The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

During these times, the weather is usually clear, and you’ll get the best mountain views.

Winter is also possible but colder, while monsoon (June–August) brings rain and limited visibility.
Is the sunrise really worth the early wake-up in this Mardi Himal trek?

Yes, this is often the most unforgettable moment of the trek. Watching the first light hit peaks like Machhapuchhre creates a calm, almost surreal experience. It’s quiet, peaceful, and completely worth the effort.
What makes the Mardi Himal trek different from other treks in Nepal?

Unlike busier routes, the Mardi Himal trek feels quieter and more personal.

You walk through peaceful forests, narrow ridgelines, and open mountain landscapes without heavy crowds. It’s a great choice if you want stunning views without the rush of more commercial trails.