Mardi Himal Trek

It's a short trek in Nepal's Annapurna region that takes you up along a ridge to Mardi Himal Base Camp, sitting at 4,500 meters. From up there, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range feel close enough to touch. You start and finish in Pokhara, and the whole thing usually wraps up in a total of 6 days. There is no camping involved; you sleep in teahouses the whole way, and compared to Annapurna Base Camp, the trail is a lot quieter.

Our itinerary runs for 6 days, including the drive out and back. And the total walking distance is around 41 kilometers round trip.

No, and this confuses many people. Mardi Himal Base Camp, the highest point most trekkers reach, sits at 4,500 meters. The actual summit of Mardi Himal is a separate 5,587-meter peak further along the ridge. Reaching that summit requires a technical mountaineering expedition, not a standard trek.

The trek is in the Annapurna region of central Nepal, in Kaski district, southeast of Annapurna Base Camp. It sits within the Annapurna Conservation Area, beneath Machhapuchhre and close to the southern flank of the wider Annapurna massif.

The trailhead at Dhampus is about 1.5 hours from Pokhara by private vehicle. From there, the walking route to Base Camp and back covers roughly 41 kilometers, making Pokhara both the starting and ending point of the entire trip.

The trek to Mardi Himal is shorter and less crowded than the trekking routes leading to Annapurna Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit. The trail runs along an open ridge rather than through a valley, so mountain views appear earlier and stay visible for most of the walk. It also opened for trekking only in 2012, making it one of the newer routes in the region.

Yes. Trekkers stay in local teahouses at Forest Camp and Badal Danda, with hotel nights in Pokhara at either end. There is no need to set up tents. You also do not need camping equipment. However, a good sleeping bag is still worth carrying for the colder nights higher up.

No. It's considered a good first Himalayan trek for reasonably fit beginners. That said, the rapid altitude gain over a short distance means it shouldn't be treated as an easy walk, even without technical difficulty.

The easiest way is to fill out the inquiry form on our site. WhatsApp or email also works if you want to talk to someone directly. Once we have your dates sorted, we will go over the itinerary together. You need to pay a 20% deposit to actually confirm the booking. After that, accommodation, transport, and permits — all of it's on us.

Nope, you just need to pay a 20% deposit to confirm things, and that part is non-refundable no matter what happens afterward. The rest, the remaining 80%, can wait until you land in Kathmandu, paid in cash or by card, before the trek kicks off. Or if you'd rather get it all out of the way, you can just pay in full when you book.

We use WeTravel and Himalayan Bank for card payments. Keep in mind that all card transactions carry a 4% processing fee on the total payable amount, so cash payment in Kathmandu is slightly cheaper if that's an option.

You can. It is just that the terms depend on your timing and how much you have already paid. If you've paid in full and cancel 7 days or less before departure, a 30% cancellation fee applies. Your original 20% deposit is never refunded, even if you cancel well in advance. If it's a genuine emergency, postponing to a later date is possible instead, though you will cover any costs already incurred plus the difference if the new trip costs more.

Four to six weeks ahead works for most of the year. During spring and autumn, when Forest Camp and Badal Danda's limited teahouses fill up fastest, booking 2 to 3 months out gives you a much better shot at your preferred dates.

No. The 20% booking deposit is non-refundable under any circumstance, even if you cancel months in advance or never use the booking at all. This is standard across the trekking industry in Nepal, since your deposit covers permits, transport, and accommodation booked on your behalf ahead of time.

Such cancellations only happen for reasons outside our control: natural disasters, flight cancellations, strikes, or similar emergencies. In that case, we will offer an alternative trip of equal standard. If no suitable alternative exists, you get a full refund, minus the card processing fee charged by WeTravel. Refunds are processed within 5 working days of us confirming the cancellation.

They do. More people means the guide and transport costs get split more ways, so everyone pays less. A group of four or more usually comes out noticeably cheaper per person than going solo or as a pair. 

Yes, that is included. Send us your flight details ahead of time, and our representative will be there at Tribhuvan International Airport holding a name board, ready to drop you straight to your hotel.

You do, since Kathmandu accommodation isn't part of the Mardi Himal package. The trek itself starts with a drive straight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, so you will want at least one night in Kathmandu beforehand to land, rest, and get your paperwork sorted.

Most trekkers take the tourist bus, which runs 6 to 7 hours and covers about 200 kilometers. If you'd rather skip the road time, a short domestic flight gets you there in around 25 minutes, though that's an extra cost on top of the standard package.

Sure, plenty of people do. Just mention it when you book so we can plan your pickup and drop-off around your actual arrival and departure dates.

Yes, you do need it. But most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Bring a passport photo and USD cash for the visa fee, since card payment isn't always reliable at the visa counter. But make sure to check the rule for your country before planning for the journey.

Yes, both Ncell and NTC have counters right inside the airport, and either one works well for calls and data along most of the trek route until you are deep into the mountains.

We can, if you want it. If you are short on time before or after the trek, you can visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath all in a single day. We have options of both a full-day sightseeing city tour and a half-day Kathmandu trip.

Most Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels will hold your bag for free while you are on the trail. You will only need to carry what fits in a duffel bag or daypack for the trek itself.

You do. You need one permit — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, with children under 10 exempt. Since the whole route stays inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, you won't need a restricted area permit like trekkers on the Manaslu or Upper Mustang treks do.

Yes. Nepal has required a licensed guide for all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna region since April 2023. Solo, unguided trekking simply isn't an option anymore on this route, regardless of experience level.

You don't need it. All you need is the ACAP, and you are ready to go. Radiant Treks sorts this out for you either way, so it's not something you need to chase yourself.

Yes, ACAP can be processed through the online e-permit portal before you land, though most trekkers on a guided package let their operator take care of it as part of the booking.

Children under 15 aren't allowed to trek without a parent or legal guardian present. There's no strict upper age limit, but fitness and prior trekking experience matter more than age at altitude.

Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip cancellation is mandatory with Radiant Treks, and you will need to show proof of it before the trek begins. It's not just a formality either, given how remote evacuation from Badal Danda or Base Camp would otherwise be.

Honestly, it's one of the more forgiving introductions to Himalayan trekking. No technical skills, no ropes, and no prior high-altitude experience required. The catch is the pace; you are gaining a lot of altitude in a short window, so beginners do fine as long as they walk slowly and don't try to rush the climb. We rate it as a moderate climb.

Nothing extreme. If you can comfortably walk 6 to 7 hours a day on uneven ground, day after day, you are in good shape for this trek. Regular hikers, runners, or anyone reasonably active will find it manageable without needing a dedicated training regimen.

Most days last 6 to 7 hours, but the day to Base Camp and back to Badal Danda is longer, closer to 7 to 8 hours, due to the extra distance and the early start.

The push from Badal Danda to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back is, hands down, the hardest day. It's the longest day, the highest altitude, and the steepest ground, all stacked together. Most groups start before sunrise to give themselves enough daylight for the round trip.

No, though it helps you know your limits. Plenty of first-time trekkers complete Mardi Himal successfully. What matters more than experience is pacing yourself and being honest with your guide if you are not feeling right.

Start a few weeks out with regular cardio, hiking, stairs, or anything that gets your legs and lungs working. Walking with a loaded daypack a few times before you fly out helps too, since that's closer to what you'll actually be doing on the trail.

Age alone isn't the deciding factor; fitness and health are. Plenty of trekkers in their 60s and beyond complete this trek without issue, provided they have cleared it with a doctor beforehand and pace themselves sensibly on the steeper days.

October and November in the autumn season are the best months if clear mountain views are your priority. Spring, especially March and April, is a strong second choice, offering slightly less visibility but stunning rhododendron forests in full bloom along the lower trail.

Stable and dry, which is precisely why it's peak season. Daytime temperatures in the lower valleys sit around 15-20°C, dropping to somewhere between 5°C and 12°C at higher elevations. Nights at Badal Danda and beyond get properly cold, often close to freezing or slightly below.

Overall, spring is warmer than autumn, with daytime temperatures around 18-21°C lower down, cooling to 0-5°C at night as you climb. The rhododendron blooms are the main draw; they start lower down in March and work their way up the trail as the season progresses.

Yes, if you can help it. June through August brings heavy rain, muddy trails, leeches in the forested sections, and clouds that block the mountain views you are trekking up there for in the first place. It's still walkable, just far less rewarding.

It is, and some people prefer it for the quiet trails and sharp visibility on clear days. Expect real cold, though; temperatures at Badal Danda and Base Camp can drop well below freezing at night, and snow sometimes closes sections of the upper trail entirely.

Base Camp can run 25-30°C colder than Pokhara on the same day, since temperatures drop roughly 2-3°C for every 500 meters of elevation gained. Even in the warmer trekking seasons, expect near-freezing or below-freezing nights once you are above Badal Danda.

Yes, more than people expect for such a short trek. Because the trail runs along an exposed ridge rather than a sheltered valley, wind and cloud cover can shift fast, even during the stable autumn and spring seasons. Checking the forecast daily once you are on the trail is worth the habit.

In general, the temperature stays within this range throughout the different seasons: 

Mardi Himal Trek: Season And Temperature At A Glance

You will be sleeping in small, family-run teahouses at Forest Camp and Badal Danda, with proper hotel comfort waiting for you back in Pokhara at either end of the trip. Rooms are simple — two twin beds, a thin mattress, a pillow, and a blanket — and walls are often just plywood, so don't expect much soundproofing or heating built in. Bathrooms are shared and mostly squat-style once you are past Forest Camp, though a few of the lower lodges still have western sit-down toilets.

During peak autumn and spring months, yes, it's worth locking in early since Forest Camp and Badal Danda only have a handful of teahouses between them and rooms fill fast. Radiant Treks handles all teahouse bookings as part of your package, so you won't be showing up and hoping for a free bed.

Most teahouses hand out a blanket, but it's rarely enough once you are above Forest Camp, where nighttime temperatures drop close to freezing even in good weather. Radiant Treks includes a sleeping bag as part of the package, so you don't need to buy or carry one specifically for this short trek.

Mardi Himal doesn't carry the flight-cancellation risk that treks starting from mountain airstrips do, since the whole route runs by road from Pokhara. Occasionally, heavy rain or landslides can delay the Dhampus – Pokhara drive by a few hours, but multi-day disruptions are rare. If you do need an unplanned extra night in Pokhara, that accommodation isn't covered under the standard package.

Teahouse menus run from fried rice and noodles to pasta, momos, and the occasional pizza attempt, but dal bhat — lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry — remains the trekker's the safest bet the whole way up. It's cooked fresh daily, refills are usually free, and it holds up better at altitude than heavier, oilier dishes.

Teahouses sell boiled water by the liter, and it's worth paying the small fee rather than relying on untreated tap water. Bringing a filter or purification tablets and refilling from taps is the cheaper, more eco-friendly route, and it cuts down on the plastic-bottle waste that's become a real problem on Nepal's busier trekking trails.

 Vegetarian and vegan trekkers are well covered, since dal bhat itself is plant-based and a trail staple anyway. For gluten-free or other specific restrictions, just flag it with your guide before the trek starts — teahouse cooks along this route deal with international trekkers daily and are generally happy to adjust a dish when they know in advance.

Yes, chocolate bars, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water are sold at every teahouse along the route. Prices creep up the higher you climb, simply because everything from Forest Camp upward has to be carried in on someone's back.

Hot showers and phone charging are available at most teahouses for a small extra fee. And this fee usually rises the further up you go. Wi-Fi exists at lower elevations but gets patchy and unreliable past Badal Danda. So, treat it as a bonus rather than something to plan around. Ncell and NTC SIM cards both hold a decent signal for most of the route. However, coverage thins out noticeably near Base Camp. Laundry service is really only an option at the Pokhara end. After that, it is not convenient to get clothes washed once you are on the trail.

Nepal mostly runs on Type C, D, and M sockets. And they are not always consistent from one teahouse to the next. A universal travel adapter is the simplest fix. Pack one and you won't be stuck guessing whether your charger fits the socket at Badal Danda.

Packages start around $500 per person for a group booking. However, the final number shifts depending on your group size and the season you are traveling in. Whether you swap the bus for a domestic flight somewhere along the way also affects the price. Going solo or as a pair costs more per person than joining or forming a bigger group. That is simply because guide and transport costs get split fewer ways.

The standard package does not include meals and drinks in Pokhara, tips for your guide and porter, personal trekking gear, travel insurance, or any trail extras like hot showers or Wi-Fi. Your booking confirmation spells out exactly what you are paying for upfront, so there's nothing to guess at once you land.

That depends on your specific booking, so it's worth double-checking with Radiant Treks before you fly out. Some Mardi Himal packages start directly from Pokhara and assume you will make your own way there. But this 7-day package includes the transportation cost of the Kathmandu-Pokhara leg. Either way, upgrading from the tourist bus to a short domestic flight is always available as a paid add-on if you'd rather save the road hours.

Cash, without question, is essential the moment you leave Pokhara behind. Teahouses along the route usually don't take cards, and there's no ATM anywhere past the trailhead. So, pull out however many Nepali rupees you will need before you start walking.

Kathmandu and Pokhara both have plenty of licensed money-changers and ATMs, so exchanging dollars or euros for rupees is easy in either city. It's smarter to withdraw a bit more than you think you will need, since once you are on the trail, that access simply disappears.

Tipping isn't required, but it's genuinely expected and appreciated, given how physically demanding the job is for your guide and porter. Most trekkers set aside somewhere between $5 and $10 per day for each of them, handed over as one lump sum in rupees at the end of the trek rather than doled out day by day.

 A reasonable cushion is somewhere around $150 to $250, covering meals in Pokhara, trail snacks, hot showers, charging fees, Wi-Fi, and tips. It's always safer to bring a bit more than you expect, since running short on cash once you're deep in the mountains isn't something you can easily fix.

Look for a locally licensed operator whose guides actually know this specific route, not just the Annapurna region in general. Clear, upfront pricing with no vague "add-ons" that show up later is a good sign, and so is a company that answers your questions properly before you've even paid a deposit. Reviews that mention a guide by name tend to say more than star ratings alone, since it means real trekkers were on the ground with that company, not just booking through an office.

Local operators are usually cheaper, mostly because there's no international agency sitting in the middle taking a cut, and their guides tend to know the small day-to-day details of a route like Mardi Himal better than someone managing it remotely. Foreign agencies can feel more convenient if you'd rather pay in your home currency and deal with someone in your own time zone, but that convenience almost always comes with a higher price tag attached.

Just ask them directly, since a legitimate operator won't dodge the question. You can also check whether they are registered with the authority concerned or listed as members of trekking associations like the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal. A company with nothing to hide will provide you this information on demand.

Red flags are like prices that are unreasonably low compared to everyone else. Likewise, vague answers about what is actually included also count as warning signs. Add to that no verifiable reviews or presence in Nepal. If a company can't clearly explain who your guide will be or how permits get sorted, you need to be careful. That's usually a sign they are reselling someone else's service rather than running the trek themselves.

Radiant Treks runs on local, licensed guides who know this route firsthand. We offer clear pricing with no last-minute surprises. And our team is genuinely reachable before, during, and after your trek. It's the kind of operator where you are dealing with people who've actually walked the trail themselves. Radiant Treks is not a booking platform passing your trip along to someone else.

Layered clothing matters most, since temperatures swing hard between the lower forest and the exposed ridge near Base Camp. The full packing list is covered separately below, but the short version comes down to warm layers, broken-in boots, and a solid sleeping bag for the cold nights higher up.

Not really. Radiant Treks includes both a sleeping bag and a down jacket in the package, and you simply hand them back once the trek wraps up. If you've already got gear you trust and prefer to use your own, that's fine too.

A week or two out is plenty for most people. That gives you time to break in new boots properly, pick up anything you are missing, and do a trial pack to make sure everything actually fits in your bag before you fly out. 

Not strictly, no. Plenty of trekkers manage to pack up the steep stretch from Forest Camp to Badal Danda just fine. That said, a porter costs relatively little for how much easier it makes the climb, so most people hire one anyway.

Around 15 kilograms per trekker when a porter is shared between two people. Worth keeping that number in mind while you're packing, since anything heavier just puts more strain on someone else's back for the whole trek.

Yes, every Radiant Treks guide on this route is licensed and comfortable speaking English, from conversational to fluent. Most also know the local Gurung and Magar communities well, so you will pick up more cultural context along the way than a map alone could give you.

You can ask, and Radiant Treks will try to accommodate it when schedules line up. It's not guaranteed since guide availability shifts season to season, but plenty of returning trekkers do end up back with a guide they clicked with the first time.

 All guides are licensed through Nepal's tourism authorities and trained in wilderness first aid, with real experience specifically on the Mardi Himal route rather than just the wider Annapurna region. That route-specific knowledge is what actually matters when it comes to pacing, weather calls, and altitude judgment.

Usually one guide per small group of up to 8 to 10 trekkers, though solo travelers and couples still get a dedicated guide of their own. Larger groups sometimes get an assistant guide added, so nobody's left waiting too far behind on the trail.

Yes, on request. Radiant Treks works with female guides for travelers who prefer one, though availability depends on the season and how far ahead you book, so it's worth mentioning this preference early rather than assuming it can be arranged last minute.

A porter-guide combines both roles into one person, carrying some of your load while also leading the route. This is usually a cheaper option for solo trekkers or small budgets. A dedicated guide, by contrast, focuses purely on navigation, pacing, and safety decisions. And this approach is one option most trekkers prefer for a trek with real altitude risk like this one. 

It's something to take seriously rather than worry about, since the itinerary does gain height quickly above Forest Camp. The good news is it's very manageable with the basics: walking at a steady pace, drinking enough water, and being upfront with your guide about how you're feeling. Most trekkers who follow this simple approach get through it without any issues at all.

Headache, mild nausea, dizziness, or trouble sleeping are the early signs of altitude sickness to watch for. And they are actually a good thing to catch early. Mentioning them to your guide right away, rather than pushing through quietly, is important. This way most cases stay minor and resolve with a bit of rest.

Your guide is trained to handle this calmly, usually recommending a short rest or a slower pace. If that doesn't help, you might need to descend to a lower altitude. Serious cases are rare on a route this well-traveled. However, evacuation can be arranged quickly if it's ever needed. That is why insurance covering high-altitude emergencies is built into every booking.

Coverage is solid lower down and gets patchier past Forest Camp, though that's rarely an issue in practice. Guides on this route carry their means of emergency communication as a backup, so you're never actually relying on personal phone signal alone if help is needed higher up.

Simple habits make the most significant difference. For that, drink more water than feels necessary and avoid rushing between camps. Also, eat properly even if your appetite dips a little at height. Avoiding alcohol consumption during the trek is another important rule to follow. Trekkers who pace themselves and stay in close communication with their guide tend to have a genuinely smooth, enjoyable experience on this route.

You will mostly pass through Gurung and Magar villages in the lower stretch, before the trail leaves permanent settlements behind, climbs into the forest, and then opens into a ridge. Both communities carry deep cultural roots in this part of the Annapurna region, worth slowing down for if you can.

Stay on marked trails and pack out everything you pack in when returning from the trek. Also, skip single-use plastic by refilling water instead of buying it bottled. A bit of respect goes a long way too. This includes asking before photographing people and following local customs in Gurung and Magar villages.

Rhododendron forest dominates the lower trail, especially vivid in spring, giving way to pine and oak higher up before the terrain opens into ridge and alpine scrub. Birdlife is common throughout, and with some luck, you might spot langur monkeys in the forested sections.

Shorter, yes, but not automatically easier. Mardi Himal squeezes a similar amount of altitude gain into far fewer days, so the daily climbing often feels steeper, even though the whole trip runs at less than half the length of ABC.

Poon Hill stays shorter and tops out much lower, around 3,210 meters, making it the gentler option of the two. Mardi Himal climbs over 1,000 meters higher with more sustained effort, better suited to trekkers wanting a real challenge without committing to a long trip.

It depends on what you are after. Mardi Himal wins for tight, close-up ridge views of Machhapuchhre since the trail runs right along its base, while ABC delivers a wider amphitheater of peaks once you reach the sanctuary, one dramatic close-up versus a full panorama.

Yes, and it's genuinely how we prefer to run things. Groups stay small by design, often just a handful of trekkers or a private party who booked together, so your guide can actually adjust the day's pace to how your group is doing rather than following a rigid script. A fully private trek, just you and your guide, is also available if you'd rather set your schedule entirely.

Definitely, and it's a good move if you'd rather not rush. Extra days give your body more time to adjust at altitude, let you linger in villages like Kalimati or Ghandruk, and take some of the pressure off an itinerary that otherwise moves fast for how much height it gains.

Yes, it's a popular add-on. Many trekkers pair Mardi Himal with the Ghorepani Poon Hill Ghandruk Trek or the Khopra Danda Trek. Both the treks sit in the same general area and share some of the same rhododendron-forest scenery. Or you can opt for a bigger trek with the full Annapurna Base Camp Trek if you want more altitude and a longer trip. 

Yes. Pairing Mardi Himal with a Kathmandu-Chitwan-Pokhara tour is a common way to add some lowland and wildlife time to the trip. Likewise, guided day tours around Kathmandu or Pokhara are easy to arrange too. If you want to do more trekking afterward, Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill are good options in the same region. Likewise, you might also opt for the Khopra Danda trek.