Located south of the very famous Annapurna Base Camp, the Mardi Himal trek is an adventurous short journey in the Annapurna region. Opened in 2012, the Mardi trek remains an untouched and less commercialized trekking option for foreigners.
Nepali trekkers love this trek, and so do the foreigners who have done it. The rich nature, limited tea houses, tranquil trails, and jaw-dropping views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Nilgiri, and many others have made Mardi Himal trek one of the best trekking destinations near Pokhara.
If you are looking for an authentic trek experience and a fresh destination, our Mardi Himal trek 9 days will be a great option. In the spring season (March to May), colorful rhododendrons decorate the entire trail and make it unbelievably gorgeous.
Likewise, autumn (mid-September to November) has crisp air, warm daytime, and chilly nights. Our favorite is winter (December to February), but unfortunately, not many trekkers have witnessed the magical beauty of the Mardi Himal trail in the winter season.
Snowfalls cover the trail and the region. The winter scenery is just out of the world and unbeatable. The Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), or the Upper Viewpoint (4,250 m), is the highest point on this trek. To reach either of these points, you have to walk through dense and damp forests.
With the several ascents and descents throughout the trek, you will see diverse landscapes and vegetation. Imagine walking in the shadow of trees, enjoying the chirping of birds and the occasional gushing sounds of rivers and streams. Wouldn't this sound excellent?
On top of that, you will also be accompanied by the heavenly presence of giant mountains and memorable interactions with locals and fellow trekkers. Unlike the popular Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, the cultural experience is a little limited on the Mardi Himal trek.
However, you will see picturesque traditional Nepali villages and get a somewhat close view of the daily lives of the mountain people. The Mardi Himal trek has a perfect blend of lovely walking in nature and moderate difficulty.
Some trekkers find this trek challenging, but it would only be fair to say that your fitness heavily affects the Mardi Himal trek difficulty. Note that no trek in the Himalayas is easy, and this is what makes trekking in the Himalayan range special.
Whether you find the Mardi Himal trek doable or challenging, your heart will be filled with happiness, gratitude, and fulfillment by the end of the journey!
Highlights
- An adventurous short journey in the Annapurna region
- Untouched and less commercialized trekking option for foreigners
- One of the best trekking destinations near Pokhara
- Beginner-friendly, less crowded, and peaceful trails
- Rich nature, limited tea houses, tranquil trails, and diverse vegetation
- Witness jaw-dropping views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Nilgiri, and many others
- Walk through dense and damp forests of rhododendrons, pine, and fir
- Offbeat, rugged terrain with several uphill and downhill trekking
- Enjoy the chirping of birds and the occasional gushing sounds of rivers and streams while trekking
- Witness a gorgeous sunrise and heavenly mountain panorama from Mardi Himal Base Camp
- Memorable interactions with the locals and fellow trekkers
- Explore mountain lifestyle and culture in Siding village
Why should you do the Mardi Himal trek?
The spectacular mountain views and short itinerary have made the Mardi Himal trek popular. It is especially loved by youngsters who love quick gateways and adventure. But there are also many other reasons that make the Mardi trek awesome.
*The Mardi Himal trek is also known as the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek.
- New trekking destination: Mardi Himal is a relatively new trekking destination in Nepal.
- Short itinerary: You can complete the Mardi Himal trek in under 10 days, even if you start and end the journey in Kathmandu. Likewise, the Mardi Himal trek distance is also shorter than other treks- only around 45 kilometers.
- Great mountain views: The Mardi Himal trail offers one of the best panoramas of the Annapurna range and Mt. Machhapuchhre.
- Beginner-friendly: It is one of the most suitable adventurous treks for beginner trekkers. The trail is entry-level, offbeat, and follows rugged mountain terrain.
- Less crowded and tranquil: Very few trekkers do the Mardi Himal trekking, even during the peak trekking seasons. The trail is not totally empty but also not crowded like ABC and Ghorepani. Trekkers looking for solitary and alone time in nature will find this trek fantastic.
- Easily accessible from Pokhara: The starting point of the Mardi Himal trek is less than two hours drive from Pokhara.
9 days Mardi Himal trek route overview
Like most treks in Nepal, Kathmandu will be your first destination, followed by Pokhara. We will gladly welcome you to Kathmandu, help with final preparations, and wish you a good trip as you venture towards Pokhara.
From Pokhara, the trailhead, Kande, is easily accessible with a hassle-free short drive. Your first night will be at the Forest Camp, which can be reached in around five hours' walking from Kande. From Forest Camp, the trail continues to Low Camp through lush forests.
Moving ahead, you will gradually ascend via dense and damp forest. The trail goes above the tree line and follows Mardi Himal ridge to High Camp. You may get to see Danphe, the national bird of Nepal on this part of the trail.
From High Camp, you will hike to Upper Viewpoint or the Mardi Himal Base Camp to see a gorgeous sunrise and jaw-dropping mountain views. It will be your final ascent of the trek. After this hike, retrace the path back to Low Camp and follow a different route to Siding Village.
The trek ends in Siding. From here, you will drive back to Pokhara, followed by another lovely drive to Kathmandu the next day. Please check out our Mardi Himal trek map on this page if you have any confusion. You can also talk to us for more information.
Why are there camps instead of villages on the Mardi Himal trek route? What does it mean? Are you staying in tents during the trek?
Unlike other treks in Nepal, the Mardi Himal trek route has camps instead of villages because there is no actual village on this trek route. When this trail was established, different camps were built to provide accommodation and meal service to the trekkers.
At first, there were only a few tea houses at every stop, but gradually, as the trek gained popularity, more tea houses opened. There is only one village on the Mardi Himal trek, which is Siding. You will reach here towards the end of the trek.
Please note that even though the night stops on the Mardi Himal trek are called camps, you will not spend nights in tents. There are tea houses along the trail where we will spend nights and have meals.
Mardi Himal trek from Kathmandu or Pokhara?
We organize the Mardi Himal trek from both Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can choose the city you want to start the trek at your convenience. The package price may differ depending on the city in which you start and end the trek.
Mardi Himal trek fitness, preparation, and packing
The Mardi Himal hike is beginner-friendly but not easy. It is an adventure trek with high altitude, rugged terrain, and long uphill and downhill walking. The trek does not include technical climbs, but 6 to 7 hours of daily hiking make it demanding.
Therefore, trekkers with good fitness will mostly enjoy the trek. Any normal person can join the Mardi Himal trek, but make sure to exercise for a few weeks before the journey starts. It will make the trek less stressful and more enjoyable.
The fitter you are, the less demanding the Mardi Himal trek or any beginner-friendly trek will be for you in the Himalayas. To train for the trek, consider day hiking, cardio, and strength training. These services are great for improving your stamina, endurance, and strength.
Likewise, you will need the following things for the Mardi Himal trek:
- Duffel bag
- Daypack
- Sleeping bag with liner (highly recommended)
- One pair of trekking boots and casual shoes/crocs to wear in the teahouse
- Trekking poles
- Breathable undergarments, liner socks, fuzzy socks, touch-screen compatible liner glover, thermal gloves, scarf, two beanies
- Trekking t-shirts and pants, thermal layer, fleece layer, down jacket, windproof/waterproof jacket and pant
- UV Sunglasses, water bottles, water purification tablets, camera, Universal adapter, power bank, spare batteries, charger
- First aid kit, any medication you need to eat daily, SPF, lip balm, wet wipes, toilet paper, moisturizer, body lotion, small mirror, comb, hand sanitizer, handwash, deodorant, shampoo, and other toiletries
- Snacks, journal and pen, books, your choice of travelers games
- Passport with at least six months of validity, Nepal travel visa, travel insurance documents, passport-size photos, emergency contact, cash, debit/credit card
What is it like trekking with a Base Camp Trip?
We, Base Camp Trip, are a Nepali trekking company. Our team members come from around the country, so our trips are very personal, unique, professional, and well-managed. If you want to travel with a reliable and trustworthy trekking company in Nepal, choose us.
We are friendly, open to customizing the itinerary, up-to-date with the latest routes, and heavily give back to the local communities. Traveling with us goes beyond adventure. You will learn about the locals and the region while exploring the hidden depths of the Himalayas.
We have a very high satisfaction and success rate. Our expert team pre-plan and arrange logistics for every trip, so we are never late or rushed. You can travel safely, confidently, and hassle-freely with us. Likewise, our Mardi Himal trek cost is also reasonable.
The value and service we provide are nothing compared to the price we charge. Your money is safe with us. Choose us as your trekking partner for the best Mardi Himal trek experience. 2025 and 2026 bookings are open. Get your seat and get ready to embark on a lifetime trip.
