Mardi Himal

Annapurna

Off the beaten path — untouched trails in the Annapurna range

The Mardi Himal trek is Nepal's best-kept secret in the Annapurna region. This 5-day trek follows a rarely traveled ridge trail to a viewpoint beneath Mardi Himal (5,587m), offering intimate views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli without the crowds of the more popular Annapurna treks. The trail passes through dense rhododendron forests, high alpine meadows, and remote ridgeline camps where you may be the only trekkers. Perfect for adventurers who want genuine Himalayan immersion on a short schedule.

Days 5 days

Highest sleeping altitude 3,540 m highest point touched: 4,200 m

Difficulty Moderate

Price From USD 450

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Route map

Waypoints

Day 1 — Forest Camp 2,440 m
Day 2 — Low Camp 2,970 m
Day 3 — High Camp 3,540 m
Day 4 — Mardi Himal Viewpoint 4,200 m
Day 4 — High Camp 3,540 m
Day 5 — Low Camp 2,970 m

Elevation profile

Mardi Himal: sleeping-altitude profile, with SRTM terrain trace
Day	Place	Altitude	Gain from previous night
1	Forest Camp	2,440 m	first night
2	Low Camp	2,970 m	+530 m
3	High Camp	3,540 m	+570 m
4	High Camp	3,540 m	0 m
5	Low Camp	2,970 m	-570 m

Terrain elevation interpolated between waypoints by SRTM30m — not the route's sourced altitudes. May read above or below maxAltitude/maxSleepAltitude (both cited, manual figures); render or label accordingly, do not treat as the same number.

Acclimatisation

1 night on this itinerary gains more than 500 m of sleeping altitude: High Camp (+570 m). Each of its 1 rest day follows the gain that earned it. The highest night is 3,540 m.

Sleeping altitude by night, with gains above 500 m marked where the night is above 3,000 m
Day	Sleeping at	Altitude	Gain from previous night	Rest day
1	Forest Camp	2,440 m	first night
2	Low Camp	2,970 m	+530 m
3	High Camp	3,540 m	+570 m (above the 500 m guideline)
4	High Camp	3,540 m	0 m	Rest day — follows the gain above
5	Low Camp	2,970 m	-570 m

Cited to the Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines (2024): above 3,000 m, do not increase sleeping elevation by more than 500 m per day, and take a rest day every 3–4 days. WMS itself notes that terrain often makes strict adherence impossible.

This is itinerary information, not medical advice, and not clearance to trek. Acclimatisation varies between individuals.

Your trip, day by day — all 5 days, travel included

Every day of the 5-day trip in the order it happens, including the flights, drives and rest days that have no walking stage. These are trip day numbers. The next section numbers walking days instead, starting again at 1, so a day number here and a walking day number there are not the same day.

Day 1 of 5

Pokhara to Kande — Trek to Forest Camp (2,440m)

Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1 hour). Begin trekking uphill through dense rhododendron and oak forest on a ridge trail above the Modi Khola valley. Arrive at Forest Camp, a small clearing in the woods with basic teahouses. Walking time: 4-5 hours.
Day 2 of 5

Forest Camp to Low Camp (2,970m)

Continue climbing through the forest as it transitions from broadleaf to coniferous. The trail follows a narrow ridge with occasional clearings offering views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. Arrive at Low Camp, a small collection of seasonal teahouses. Walking time: 4-5 hours.
Day 3 of 5

Low Camp to High Camp (3,540m)

The forest thins and opens into alpine meadows with panoramic Himalayan views. The trail traverses a grassy ridgeline with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) dominating the horizon ahead. Arrive at High Camp — a spectacular perch with 270-degree mountain views. Walking time: 4-5 hours.
Day 4 of 5

High Camp to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m) — Return to Low Camp

Early morning push to the Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m) along the exposed ridgeline — the trek's guaranteed high point. Base Camp beyond it is a conditional extension some groups reach when weather, trail conditions and time allow; it is not part of the standard itinerary. The views are extraordinary — you are directly beneath the south face of Machhapuchhre (6,993m), one of the most sacred and unclimbed mountains in the world. Return to Low Camp for the night. Walking time: 7-8 hours.
Day 5 of 5

Low Camp to Siding — Drive to Pokhara

Descend the ridge through the forest to Siding village. Drive back to Pokhara (2 hours). Free afternoon to rest, explore Pokhara's lakeside area, or visit the International Mountain Museum. Farewell dinner.

Walking days on the mapped route — 5 days of sourced altitudes

Numbered by walking day: walking day 1 is the first day with a mapped stage. Every altitude below is a waypoint from this route's own sources, listed at the foot of the page.

Walking day 1

Forest Camp 2,440 m overnight
First overnight, a small forest clearing above Kande. OSM node 1747929780 (place=isolated_dwelling, alt_name="Kokar") carries ele=2440, 80m below the 2,520m figure the prose quotes; no in-repo source corroborates 2,520m, so the OSM-sourced figure is published.

Walking day 2

Low Camp 2,970 m overnight
Drive Pokhara-Kande, trek via Pothana (1,990m) and Deurali. "Forest Camp", an intermediate stop some itineraries use, did not resolve in OSM at this scale — folded into this day.

Walking day 3

High Camp 3,540 m overnight
Via Badal Danda. Above the treeline.

Walking day 4

Mardi Himal Viewpoint 4,200 m day stop
Day trip from High Camp. Coordinate resolved from OSM's "Mardi Himal Base Camp West" (tourism=camp_site) node — the plain name "Mardi Himal" resolves in OSM to the summit itself (natural=peak, ele=5,553m), which is not this waypoint; that node was rejected. Return to High Camp to sleep.
High Camp 3,540 m overnight
Same-day return from the viewpoint.

Walking day 5

Low Camp 2,970 m overnight
Descent begins.

Permits

Permits required for this route, with fee and verification date
Permit	Fee	Verified
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit	NPR 3,000	Verified 2026-09-07

Cost breakdown

Permits (NPR): NPR 3,000

Permit fees above are the only figures on this page we have re-verified against the issuing authority; the route's itinerary and altitudes are built from the sources listed further down this page, not independently re-verified with one. Other trip costs — teahouse accommodation, a guide, a porter, and flights where the route requires one — vary by season, operator and party size and are not itemised here.

When to go

Month-by-month fit for Mardi Himal, based on this route's own best-months window.

Jan avoid
Feb shoulder
Mar best
Apr best
May best
Jun shoulder
Jul avoid
Aug shoulder
Sep best
Oct best
Nov best
Dec shoulder

Mardi Himal — Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Mardi Himal trek?

Rated Easy-Moderate. The trail is well-defined through the forest sections but becomes a narrow ridge above Low Camp with some exposed sections. The altitude gain to the Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m) is the main challenge — some groups continue on to Base Camp when conditions allow, though that is not part of the standard itinerary. The Day 4 push to the Viewpoint and back is the longest day. Overall, it is suitable for fit beginners who are comfortable on mountain trails.

Is the Mardi Himal trail safe?

The trail is safe when trekked with an experienced guide. The upper ridge section above High Camp can be exposed and disorienting in poor visibility or snow. This is not a trail to attempt independently without good route knowledge. Our guides know every section of the route and carry the necessary safety equipment.

When is the best time for the Mardi Himal trek?

October-November and March-April are the best months. The ridge trail is exposed to weather, so clear skies are important for both safety and views. Spring brings rhododendron blooms in the lower forest. Winter (December-February) is possible but cold, with potential snow on the upper ridge. Avoid monsoon season.

How does Mardi Himal compare to Poon Hill?

Mardi Himal is slightly harder, significantly less crowded, and takes you almost 1,000m higher (4,200m vs. 3,210m). Poon Hill has better teahouse infrastructure and is easier for complete beginners. Mardi Himal offers a more adventurous, immersive experience with closer mountain views. Both are 5-day treks from Pokhara. If you want comfort and ease, choose Poon Hill. If you want adventure and solitude, choose Mardi Himal.

Do I need any special permits for Mardi Himal?

No special restricted area permit is required. You need the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, both of which are included in our trip price and arranged in Pokhara before the trek begins.

Sources

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5 days in the Annapurna region, highest night at 3,540 m, from USD 450.

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