Mardi Himal Trek
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Trip Facts
Overview
Mardi Himal Trek Overview
Explore the 10-day Mardi Himal Trek itinerary with cost details from Kathmandu. Discover the hidden trails, stunning Annapurna Base Camp Trek, & responsible and experience-guided adventures with Nepal Unique Treks . Mardi Himal Trek is a newly opened tea house trekking route in Nepal, situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. This trekking route has recently become famous amongst the new trekkers with previous hiking experience. So, if you are also looking for a trekking route to help you start your adventures, read this entire Mardi Himal Trek package by Nepal Unique Treks.
Highlights of the Mardi Himal Trek
The trek to Mardi Himal is ideal for beginners seeking to experience their first high-altitude trek.
This trekking trail offers spectacular panoramic views of the Annapurna range.
Outstanding sights of different mountains, like Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and other peaks.
A less crowded trail in the Annapurna region compared to other famous routes like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
A journey through some diverse landscapes from green forest areas to the alpine snow desert.
Chances to immerse oneself in the ethnic and authentic Gurung and Magar settlements, while also being a part of this culture and tradition.
At an altitude of 4500 meters, Mardi Himal stands as one of the major highlights of the trek.
You will also explore many other camps, including the low, high, and forest.
It's also an amazing trekking route for family trekkers or someone looking for a quick escape into the Himalayas.
A great alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek!
Known to be one of the greatest alternatives for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Mardi Himal Trekking route sits just on the east side of the ABC trail. Even after being such a relatively easy and beginner-friendly trek, not many people know about this trek. Why so? Well, because this trekking trail is also relatively remote and has received a few promotions. However, in recent times, word of mouth has also played a strong role in helping many enthusiastic trekkers know about this route.
With Nepal Unique Treks , the trek starts as you arrive in Kathmandu. After spending a night in Kathmandu, we drive towards Pokhara in a public tourist bus and then from Pokhara to Kande, the starting point of the Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara .
A fun fact here: throughout the Mardi Himal Trekking journey, we will visit 5 camps, so out of 10 days on the trail, we spend 5 nights in camps.
The maximum altitude of the Mardi Himal Trekking route is 4,500 meters, which means you will experience an alpine environment and get beautiful Himalayan views as well. Just imagine standing 4500 meters above sea level and seeing some of the mighty mountains like Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli surrounding you. Nothing less than a dream come true.
Well, let us also tell you that, unlike many other trekking routes, we will not backtrack the same route while returning from the Mardi Himal Base Camp. This means that the route ascends via Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp. However, while returning, we follow the route via Siding village and then directly to Pokhara. Isn't that another reason why Mardi Himal Trek, also known as the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, stands as one of the adventurous Trekking Routes in Nepal?
Why Choose Nepal Unique Adventure Treks?
Even though the Mardi Himal Trek is considered a relatively moderate trekking route, trekkers cannot go for a solo trek here. This means you must book the Mardi Himal Trekking package from a government-licensed trekking or travel agency. And if you necessarily have to choose a trek, why not choose the one with a long and successful history? That's why we recommend choosing Nepal Unique Treks.
If you book any trekking or travel package, including the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek with us, we ensure many benefits, such as:
An advantage and backup of a trekking agency with over two decades of experience.
Nepal Unique Treks stands as a fully licensed trekking agency, and we make sure to comply with all the regulations.
Our team is built of some of the highly professional, seasoned, and certified guides with fluent English. Besides, they also have a deep understanding of the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of this trekking region. So, they will be more than helpful for you to interact with the locals.
Our all-inclusive packages cover permits (ACAP and TIMS), meals, tea house accommodations, transportation, and even hot showers and Wi-Fi where available. Therefore, you can simply focus on walking the trail.
Nepal Unique Treks keeps trekkers' safety as its priority. With that in mind, you can expect our guides to carry first aid kits, oximeters, and emergency communication devices to keep the trekkers safe.
We promote sustainable tourism by minimizing environmental impact, supporting local communities. Moreover, the Nepal Unique Treks team also follows the Leave No Trace principles on any trekking route we visit.
Permits for Mardi Himal Trek
If you want to go for the Mardi Himal Trek, remember that you must obtain a permit and a pass to be eligible for this adventurous and exciting journey. Make sure that you obtain the following permits before hitting the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek:
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Trekker's Information Management System
The local representatives from Nepal Unique Treks will assist you in obtaining both of these permits. Remember that these permits play a crucial role in helping authorities keep track of the trekkers. Therefore, every trekker must obtain these permits to be eligible for going on the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost for 2025/2026
The Nepal Unique Treks is known for the affordable excellence that it offers along with its travel packages. We make sure to keep the cost of the Mardi Himal Trek completely transparent to the trekkers to help them make their calculations. So, you can kindly check the table below to understand the Mardi Himal Trekking Cost for 2025 and 2026.
Note: Different factors, including sudden changes in weather, delays, extra stays, etc, can sometimes influence the overall package cost. Therefore, we recommend the trekkers to obtain travel insurance that covers high altitude (at least 5000 meters).
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome i Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport 1345m
Just as the plane enters Nepal's territory, you start getting jaw-dropping glimpses of different mountains. In a short while, you will start seeing the vibrant city areas, and then you will land at the Tribhuwan International Airport (Kathmandu). Our local representatives receive you at the airport and then drive you to the hotel in Kathmandu. Take your time to check in at the hotel room and freshen up before taking yourself for a quick stroll around the city.
In the evening, you will meet the guides who will provide you with a proper description of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek map. After that, you can have your welcome dinner and return to the hotel for a sound sleep.
Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (810 m), 7/8 hours by bus
Without much delay, we begin the journey towards the Mardi Himal trail on the second day. As you wake up and have breakfast, the local representatives from Nepal Unique Treks & Expeditions will take you on a drive towards Pokhara. This scenic drive can be a little bumpy up until a place named Mugling, but after that, the route has recently been extended, making it very smooth. Within the next 6 to 7 hours, the bus covers a total of 201 kilometers, taking us to the city of lakes, Pokhara.
After checking in at the hotel room and getting freshened up, don't waste any time and go for a quick walk around the Phewa Lakeside. With several streets, hotels, restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, etc, the lakeside stands as one of the most vibrant areas in Nepal. After crossing some of the terraced farms, rushing rivers, and charming villages, and before heading towards the Mardi Himal Trek, you can get the perfect rest here in Pokhara.
Day 3: Drive to Kande and trek to Australian Camp (2,050m)
As you wake up on the third day and get ready, our guides will drive you to Kande, the starting point of the Mardi Himal Trek. Located about 31 kilometers away, Kande consists of 412 houses and sits at an altitude of 3,848 meters above sea level. It only takes 1 hour for us to drive from Pokhara to Kande. After that, the guides will lead you on a trail towards the Australian Camp, a 1.5 to 2-hour-long trek. Let us tell you that you can still get the best views of the Annapurna range even at such a low altitude. Moreover, this well-maintained section of the Mardi Himal Trek also passes through lush forests and traditional villages.
As you reach Australian Camp, you can see outstanding views of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Lamjung Himal. Just give yourself some time to believe what you see. Besides, you also get to soak in a pleasant, calm, and peaceful environment while you are at the Australian Camp. We will have our dinner and spend a night here at the Australian Camp before advancing further on the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking route.
Day 4: Trek from Australian Camp to Forest Camp (2,550m)
On the fourth day, we leave Australian Camp behind and advance on the trail towards Forest Camp. This camp is located at an altitude of 2,550 meters above sea level and deep inside the woods. While the trail only takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete, the trekkers will walk through lush rhododendron, oak, and maple forests. Besides, the filtered sunlight, sound of birds chirping, calm surroundings, and relatively easy trail make the walk more gentle and refreshing rather than a tiring one.
As you reach Forest Camp, you start sensing that crisp and cool mountain air hitting you. This outstanding place is perfect for you to sit beside, take a few sips of a warm drink, and watch the sun go down as the evening falls. In the evening, we will arrange dinner and an overnight stay at Forest Camp for the trekkers.
Day 5: Trek to Low Camp (3,150m)
The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trekking map is so full of camps that we will spend half of the itinerary in different camps. With that being said, our journey for the fifth day also takes us to another camp, the Low Camp. Walking through some charming villages and terraced fields, we reach the low camp within 5 to 6 hours. Besides, the trail also leads us through ancient moss-draped forests. These areas are so quiet that you will only hear the sound of Himalayan pheasants and rustling leaves.
Walk for a few hours, and then you start seeing the mighty Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain along with the long route in front of you. As we reach the endpoint for today, we will settle in a village having one-storeyed houses with a blue tin roof. This is where we spend the night after having dinner with the night view of the Machhapuchhre mountain.
Day 6: Trek to High Camp (3,700m)
Get ready to walk on an alpine terrain that ascends above the tree line. As you wake up and have your breakfast, the guides remind you about the journey for the day. As we cover some distance, the trail narrows and climbs steadily. Besides, it also reveals the jaw-dropping panoramas of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the sacred Machapuchare. With each step, you will start feeling the air getting thinner along with the vegetation, and your legs getting tired of such an alpine ascent.
It merely takes about 4 to 5 hours for us to cover this section of the Mardi Himal Trekking route, and after that, you have almost half of the day to rest. High Camp, a place sitting at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level, serves as a perfect spot to stop for the day. So, we will have dinner and rest for the night before continuing the journey on the next day.
Day 7: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) and back to High Camp
Finally, the day has arrived, the day that you have walked patiently for, and the day you reach the highest point of the Mardi Himal Trekking map. Yes, we have finally arrived at the day when we reach the Mardi Himal Base Camp, sitting at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level. As you leave the high camp, you will realize that this section of the trail is both challenging and awe-inspiring. Also, let us tell you that we begin today's walk before sunrise, which means it's a perfect chance for you to see the sun gradually rising.
The more you ascend this trail, the clearer a view of the Himalayan panorama and wind-swept plateau you get to witness. Furthermore, the route also offers some unobstructed views of the Annapurna Massif, Gangapurna, and the iconic Machapuchare (Fishtail Peak). Within the next 4 to 5 hours, we will be standing on the Mardi Himal Base Camp, the highest point of this entire trekking route. A place with very few buildings but a wind-swept plateau offering mindblowing Himalayan views.
After spending some time delving deep into the views and cherishing the accomplishment, we make our move back to the high camp. Another dinner to have and another night to spend in the High Camp before returning to Kathmandu.
Day 8: Trek to Siding Village (1,750m) and drive back to Pokhara
After watching the sun rise over the Annapurna region one last time, it's time for us to descend towards the Siding village. This section of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek takes us through the dense rhododendron forests and mossy trails. Let us also tell you that this section of the trail is quieter, less trodden, and incredibly scenic, giving you a sense of Nepal’s untouched wilderness. Furthermore, we also pass through tranquil woodlands, terraced fields, and remote hamlets in this part of the Mardi Himal Trekking route.
Siding, a beautifully decorated, peaceful Gurung village, is located at an altitude of 1750 meters above sea level. Take your time to go for a short rest and have a final cup of masala tea because after that, we will drive you to Pokhara in a private vehicle. Not to mention, you have another evening to spend on the lakeside of Pokhara before returning to Kathmandu the next day.
Day 9: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Tourist bus, 7 hrs,1345 m
We are finally on the second-to-last day of the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek. As you wake up in the morning and have your breakfast, our representatives take you on another scenic drive to Kathmandu on a tourist bus. Another amazing journey, but this time, back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. It takes about 7 hours for us to reach Kathmandu and our representatives will take you directly to the hotel. Utilize the rest of the day for resting and strolling around the nearby areas.
Also, we recommend the trekkers to rest at some of the pubs, cafes, and even the massage centers to release all the tiredness that they had after such an adventurous trek to the Mardi Base Camp.
Day 10: Final Departure from Nepal 1345m
Finally, we have come to the last day of the 10-day Mardi Himal Trek. Our representatives will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the Tribhuwan International Airport, from where you can board the flight and depart from Nepal towards your home.