Mardi Himal Trek Guide: Route, Itinerary, High Camp and Verified Reviews

By Blake Penson · Updated 2026-10-24

Blake Penson has climbed Everest twice and has 20 years in the mountains.

The Mardi Himal trek is a short, spectacular ridge trek in Nepal's Annapurna region. It climbs from the hills north of Pokhara through rhododendron forest to High Camp (about 3,580 m) and on to a viewpoint and Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m, directly beneath the "fishtail" peak of Machapuchare. Most itineraries take 5 to 7 days from Pokhara, with simple teahouses throughout. On ExpedReview, as of 23 October 2026, 2 operators have 2 verified client reviews for Mardi Himal: Dream Himalaya Adventures, based in Nepal (5.0★, March 2026), and The Mountain Company, based in the UK (4.8★, June 2021). Below are the reviews, the route, a sample itinerary, season, permits and how to choose an operator.

Mardi Himal trek: key facts | | | |---|---| | Highest point | Mardi Himal Base Camp, about 4,500 m (upper viewpoint about 4,200 m) | | Highest lodge | High Camp, about 3,580 m | | Region | Annapurna Conservation Area, Kaski district, Nepal | | Start | Kande, Phedi or Dhampus, about 1 hour by road from Pokhara | | Typical length | 5–7 days from Pokhara | | Difficulty | Moderate; steep, narrow ridge trail, no technical sections | | Accommodation | Teahouses | | Seasons | Spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November) | | Operators reviewed on ExpedReview | 2, with 2 verified reviews (as of 23 Oct 2026) |

Mardi Himal operators with verified reviews

ExpedReview ranks operators by their verified client reviews for each place: the star rating, adjusted so one or two reviews, or only old ones, count for less than many recent ones. Every review is checked by hand before it is published, and operators cannot pay to appear or rank higher. Data as of 23 October 2026.

Also listed for Mardi Himal, with no reviews here yet: Bold Himalaya and Everest Trekking Routes.

What clients say

Dream Himalaya Adventures. The March 2026 reviewers describe "an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish", praising the company's professionalism, kindness and attention to detail. They single out Dawa's pre-trip communication as quick, detailed and helpful.

The Mountain Company. A first-time visitor to Asia, writing in June 2021 about a November trek, found the hiking beautiful and not crowded, always felt safe and thought the pace was right. They note that teahouse menus were the same at every lodge. Their guides suggested starting the final climb at dawn rather than hours before, so they could see the views in daylight instead of joining the crowds at sunrise, which made the trek "much more pleasant".

With one review per operator, ask both for recent references before booking.

Why trek Mardi Himal?

Mardi Himal offers big-mountain scenery in under a week. The trail follows a narrow, grassy ridge that runs straight towards Machapuchare (6,993 m), with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Mardi Himal itself (about 5,587 m) close by. The route was only officially opened to trekkers in about 2012, and although it has become much more popular since, it is still quieter than the Annapurna Base Camp trail on the other side of the same ridge. For trekkers short on time, it is one of the best value treks in Nepal.

Machapuchare, the sacred mountain

Machapuchare, whose double summit looks like a fish's tail from some angles, is sacred to the Gurung people and is regarded as a home of the god Shiva. In 1957, the British climbers Wilfrid Noyce and David Cox climbed to within about 50 m of the summit but stopped, as they had promised, to respect its sanctity. The mountain has since been closed to climbing, so it has no recorded ascent. From Mardi Himal High Camp and the base camp viewpoint, you see its west face rising more than 2,500 m above you.

The route

Pokhara to Forest Camp

Most treks start at Kande or Phedi, about an hour's drive from Pokhara, and climb to the Australian Camp or Pothana, with views of the Annapurnas. Others start from Dhampus. From Deurali, the trail leaves the main routes and enters dense rhododendron and oak forest, climbing steadily to Forest Camp (Kokar), at about 2,550 m.

Forest Camp to High Camp

The trail continues through mossy forest, where the trees are draped in lichen, to Low Camp (about 2,970 m), where the first views of Machapuchare appear. Above Low Camp, the forest thins to rhododendron scrub and the trail emerges onto an open ridge, passing Badal Danda ("cloud hill") to reach High Camp at about 3,580 m.

High Camp to the viewpoint and base camp

On the key day, trekkers leave High Camp early and climb a steep, narrow ridge to the upper viewpoint at about 4,200 m. Many stop here; others continue across moraine and grassy slopes to Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m. The views of Machapuchare, Mardi Himal and the Annapurna South face are superb. The trail is steep and exposed in places, and can be icy early in the morning or after snow. Then trekkers return to High Camp or descend further.

Descent

Most descend via Low Camp to Siding village, a traditional Gurung settlement, and drive back to Pokhara, or return via Forest Camp and Landruk.

Sample itinerary

A typical 6-day trek from Pokhara:

1. Drive to Kande and trek to Australian Camp or Pothana, then on to Deurali.
2. Trek through forest to Forest Camp.
3. Trek to Low Camp and on to High Camp.
4. Early climb to the viewpoint and Mardi Himal Base Camp, return to High Camp or Low Camp.
5. Descend to Siding and drive to Pokhara.
6. Spare day for weather.

Shorter itineraries combine some days; longer ones add a night at Low Camp or Badal Danda for better acclimatisation, or continue to Annapurna Base Camp.

Difficulty

Mardi Himal is a moderate trek. The climbing is steady and steep, with about 3,000 m of ascent from Kande to the base camp, and the day from High Camp is long and tiring. The ridge is narrow and exposed in places, so it may not suit people with a strong fear of heights. No technical skills are needed, but trekkers should be fit and comfortable on rough trails.

Season

The best seasons are spring (March to May), when rhododendrons bloom, and autumn (late September to November), with clear views. In winter, snow and ice can make the upper ridge dangerous and some lodges close. The monsoon (June to September) brings rain, leeches and cloud.

Permits and rules

You need an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000; NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals). Since 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area must hire a licensed guide.

Choosing an operator

1. Check acclimatisation. Avoid itineraries that go from Pokhara to High Camp in two days.
2. Ask about timing on the high day, as one reviewer found that a dawn start gave a better experience.
3. Ask about weather plans for the exposed upper ridge.
4. Check group size and guide experience.
5. Read recent reviews and ask for references.

Lodges and food

Teahouses line the whole route, at Deurali, Forest Camp, Rest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp. Rooms are simple, usually twin beds with blankets, and most toilets are shared. In peak season the lodges at Low Camp and High Camp fill up, so book through your operator. As one reviewer noticed, menus are almost identical at every lodge, with dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, pasta, soups and potatoes, plus tea and hot drinks. Prices rise as you climb, because supplies are carried up by porters or mules. Hot showers, charging and wifi are available at most lodges for a small fee, but may not work at High Camp.

Altitude and safety

Mardi Himal goes high quickly. Pokhara is at about 800 m and Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m, which many trekkers reach in four days. Mild altitude symptoms are common at High Camp, and some people feel unwell on the climb to the viewpoint. Walk slowly, drink plenty, and do not continue higher if you have a bad headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness at rest; descending is the best treatment. An extra night at Low Camp or Badal Danda makes the trek safer and more enjoyable.

The upper ridge is exposed. In wind, rain, snow or ice, a slip could be serious, and the cloud that often builds by late morning can hide the trail. Start early, follow your guide's advice about turning back, and use microspikes if the trail is icy. Make sure your travel insurance covers trekking to 4,500 m and helicopter evacuation.

Gear

Bring broken-in trekking boots, trekking poles, a warm down jacket, a waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, a hat, gloves, sunglasses and sun cream, a headlamp for the early start from High Camp, and a sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C. In winter and early spring, carry microspikes. Water purification tablets or a filter save money and plastic.

People and wildlife

The lower trail passes Gurung and Brahmin villages such as Dhampus, Pothana and Siding, with terraced farmland and traditional stone houses. The forests are home to langur monkeys, barking deer and many birds, and the Danphe (Himalayan monal), Nepal's national bird, is often seen on the open slopes above Low Camp. Lammergeiers and Himalayan griffon vultures soar along the ridge.

Combining Mardi Himal with other treks

Mardi Himal fits neatly with other Annapurna treks. Some trekkers walk to Poon Hill or Khopra Ridge on the same trip; others descend from Mardi Himal to Siding and continue towards Annapurna Base Camp via Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong. See our Annapurna Base Camp trek guide, Poon Hill guide, Khopra Ridge guide and Annapurna region guide.

Who the Mardi Himal trek suits

It suits fit trekkers with about a week who want to get close to big mountains without the length of Annapurna Base Camp or the Circuit. It is a good first high trek in Nepal for people with hill-walking experience, but it is steeper and higher than Poon Hill, so it is not a gentle stroll. Families with older teenagers, and active older trekkers, often enjoy it if they take an extra day to acclimatise.

Getting to the trailhead

Pokhara is reached by a short flight or a six- to eight-hour drive from Kathmandu. From Pokhara, taxis and jeeps reach Kande or Phedi in about an hour, and Siding by rough road in a few hours. Many trekkers stay an extra night in Pokhara at the end of the trek to relax by Phewa Lake.

Mardi Himal the mountain

The trek takes its name from Mardi Himal, a 5,587 m peak on the southern ridge of Machapuchare. It is a permit-only climbing peak, rarely attempted, with a long and fairly remote approach from the base camp area. Most trekkers are happy simply to stand beneath it, but a few operators run guided ascents for experienced climbers. These need a climbing permit, glacier equipment and extra days.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the Mardi Himal trek?

Mardi Himal Base Camp is at about 4,500 m. The upper viewpoint is about 4,200 m and High Camp about 3,580 m.

How long does the Mardi Himal trek take?

Usually 5 to 7 days from Pokhara.

Is Mardi Himal harder than Poon Hill?

Yes. It goes much higher and has steeper, more exposed sections, but it is still a non-technical trek.

Do I need a guide for Mardi Himal?

Yes. Since 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area must travel with a licensed guide.

Which operators have verified reviews for Mardi Himal?

As of 23 October 2026, Dream Himalaya Adventures (5.0★, March 2026) and The Mountain Company (4.8★, June 2021).

Can operators pay to rank higher on ExpedReview?

No. Operators cannot pay to appear, rank higher or have reviews removed.

When is the best time for the Mardi Himal trek?

Spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November). Snow and ice can make the upper ridge dangerous in winter.

Can I combine Mardi Himal with Annapurna Base Camp?

Yes. Some itineraries descend from Mardi Himal and continue to Annapurna Base Camp via Chhomrong, which takes about another week.

Is the Mardi Himal ridge exposed?

In places, yes. The trail above High Camp follows a narrow ridge, so take care in wind, snow or ice and follow your guide's advice.

Where do you stay on the Mardi Himal trek?

In simple teahouses at Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp.