Mardi Himal Trek – Complete 2027 Guide

Trek Overview

The Mardi Himal Trek climbs the quiet ridge above the Modi Khola valley to a high viewpoint directly beneath the southwest face of Machhapuchhre. The route was a quiet alternative for many years but has grown in popularity since 2015 as tea-house infrastructure improved along the ridge. Over 4 to 7 days you cover 40 kilometres of trail, climbing from 1,000 metres to a 4,500-metre high camp with one of the closest views of Machhapuchhre available to trekkers. It remains a good choice for trekkers seeking a shorter, less-crowded Annapurna experience with a genuine high-altitude finish.

Why Visit

You come here for the close-up view of Machhapuchhre from the high camp viewpoint at 4,500 metres, one of the most intimate Fishtail perspectives available without climbing. The ridge walking between Low Camp and High Camp is the highlight of the route, with the trail following an open ridgeline that delivers panoramic views on both sides. The route is quieter than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, with smaller tea houses and a more remote feel. The five-day itinerary possible from Pokhara makes it one of the best short high-altitude treks in Nepal.

Best Time to Trek

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) are the two reliable windows for this trek. Spring brings warmer days, blooming rhododendron on the lower trail, and the clearest morning views from High Camp. Autumn delivers the most stable weather of the year, cold nights at High Camp, and excellent visibility after the monsoon. Winter is possible but the High Camp section becomes very cold and may close in snow, so we recommend it only for experienced groups.

Difficulty Level

We rate the Mardi Himal Trek as Moderate, slightly harder than Poon Hill but easier than Annapurna Base Camp. The trail is well-graded with a long climb from the road head to High Camp, and the altitude profile is gradual until the final ridge. The maximum altitude of 4,500 metres is at the upper end of the moderate range, and some trekkers feel mild effects on the final climb. Fit first-time trekkers, healthy older adults, and active families with older children can complete this trek.

Duration

The standard itinerary runs 4 to 7 days from Kande or Phedi back to Lumre, with the longer end including a side trip to the Annapurna Base Camp route. Most trekkers complete it in 5 days, which gives a manageable pace and a full morning at High Camp. Shorter 3-day versions exist but they cut acclimatisation and we do not recommend them. Add two days for Kathmandu and Pokhara logistics, and your full trip length is 6 to 9 days.

Route Details

The trail starts at Kande or Phedi, a 45-minute drive from Pokhara, and climbs through Pothana and Forest Camp to Low Camp at 3,050 metres. From Low Camp the route follows the open ridgeline to Badal Danda and High Camp at 3,900 metres, with the 4,500-metre Mardi Himal viewpoint a 3-hour round trip above. The descent follows a different trail through Siding and Lumre to the road head, completing a satisfying loop. An optional extension crosses to the Annapurna Base Camp route via Landruk.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Drive to Kande, trek to Forest Camp. Day 2: Trek to Low Camp. Day 3: Trek to High Camp. Day 4: Pre-dawn hike to Mardi Himal viewpoint at 4,500 m, descend to Badal Danda. Day 5: Descend to Siding and Lumre, drive to Pokhara. Day 6: Fly or drive to Kathmandu with buffer.

Maximum Altitude

The high point is the Mardi Himal viewpoint at 4,500 metres (14,764 feet), reached on day 4 after a 3-hour climb from High Camp at 3,900 metres. High Camp, where you spend the night before the viewpoint climb, sits at 3,900 metres. Oxygen levels at the viewpoint are roughly 58 percent of sea level, and most trekkers feel some effect on the final climb. The acclimatisation day at Low Camp is non-negotiable for safe ascent to High Camp.

Weather

Daytime temperatures in autumn range from 10 to 18 degrees Celsius at the lower elevations, dropping well below freezing at High Camp. Spring is warmer but cloudier in the afternoons, with the best morning views from High Camp in March and April. Night temperatures at High Camp fall to minus 5 to minus 10 degrees Celsius even in peak season. The ridge between Low Camp and High Camp is exposed, so wind is the most underestimated element on this trek.

Accommodation

Tea-house lodges run the full route, with rooms costing $3 to $10 per night on the standard plan. The lodges at Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp are smaller and more basic than the main Annapurna lodges, with shared squat toilets the norm above Low Camp. The High Camp lodge is particularly small and fills early in peak season. We recommend booking ahead through your guide in March, April, October, and November.

Tea Houses

The tea houses on this route are family-run and traditional, with dining rooms that seat 15 to 25 trekkers at most. The dining room is the only heated space, with a gas heater or wood stove. Bedrooms are unheated with thin mattresses and shared blankets, so a minus 15 degree Celsius sleeping bag is mandatory for the High Camp night. The host families at Forest Camp and Low Camp are Gurung, with the same warm hospitality and good cooking as the more famous Annapurna lodges.

Camping

This trek uses tea-house lodging; camping is not typically required.

Food

The menu on this route is simpler than the main Annapurna routes, with dal bhat, momos, chow mein, fried rice, and pasta the staples. Dal bhat remains the value choice with unlimited refills, and the lodges serve decent apple porridge for breakfast. Local Gurung specialities include gundruk (fermented leaf) soup and dhindo (millet porridge), worth trying at least once. Carry snacks for the Mardi Himal viewpoint climb because breakfast is at 5 am.

Drinking Water

Boiled water is sold at every lodge for $0.50 to $3 per litre depending on altitude, and a UV pen or filter bottle is the cheapest long-term option. Bottled water is available at Forest Camp and below but is increasingly discouraged above to reduce plastic waste. We recommend bringing a reusable bottle plus a purification method and treating tap or stream water along the way. Plan for three litres per day on this route, with an extra litre for the viewpoint day.

Electricity

Hydroelectric power runs from Kande to Forest Camp, with solar power at Low Camp and High Camp. Charging fees run from $1 to $4 per device, with limited availability at High Camp. Carry a 10,000 mAh power bank as a minimum, with a 20,000 mAh backup for the High Camp night. Keep all batteries inside your sleeping bag at night because cold drains them fast above 3,500 metres.

Internet & Mobile Network

Ncell and NTC mobile signal is available at Pothana and Forest Camp, with the signal disappearing above Low Camp. Wi-Fi is available at some lodges at Forest Camp and Low Camp but is slow and unreliable. The signal disappears entirely above Low Camp, so plan for offline use during the two high-section nights. We recommend downloading offline maps and a satellite messenger for safety.

Transportation

The trek starts at Kande or Phedi, reached by a 45-minute drive from Pokhara, which is itself a 25-minute flight or 7-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. Most trekkers fly into Kathmandu, take a flight or tourist bus to Pokhara, then a private jeep to Kande. The trail ends at Lumre, a 2-hour drive back to Pokhara. The trail itself is walking only, with no road access above Kande.

Required Permits

You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS Card, the standard set for the Annapurna region. Permits cost roughly $50 combined and can be issued in Pokhara or Kathmandu before starting the trek. The same permits cover the entire Mardi Himal route. Your guide or agency will normally arrange everything before you drive to Kande.

Packing List

Bring a four-season sleeping bag rated to minus 15 degrees Celsius, a down jacket, a windproof shell, thermal base layers, a warm hat and gloves, and sturdy broken-in boots. Trekking poles are essential for the steep ridge walking between Low Camp and High Camp. Pack a headlamp with spare batteries for the pre-dawn Mardi Himal viewpoint climb, a 2-litre water bottle, a basic first aid kit with Diamox, and high-SPF sun protection. A 30-litre daypack plus a duffel for the porter is the standard configuration.

Budget Guide

Costs are slightly higher than Poon Hill because of the longer duration and more remote lodges. The table below shows typical 2027 ranges for a 5-day trek.

Photography Tips

The Mardi Himal viewpoint at sunrise is the photographic goal of this trek, with Machhapuchhre's southwest face filling the frame and the Annapurna range behind. The ridge walking between Low Camp and High Camp gives a different angle on Machhapuchhre, with the Fishtail silhouette framed by the open ridge. Badal Danda, "cloud hill" in Nepali, gives atmospheric shots when the cloud rolls in below the ridge. Carry a wide angle for the ridge and a telephoto for compressed mountain shots.

Wildlife

The forest between Forest Camp and Low Camp is excellent habitat for langur monkeys, barking deer, and a wide range of birdlife. You will likely see langur monkeys in the trees above Forest Camp, and barking deer are common in the quieter sections. Birdlife includes the Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, and the koklass pheasant. The dense forest below Low Camp is also good habitat for the red panda, though sightings are very rare.

Flora

The trail passes through some of the best-preserved rhododendron and oak forest in the Annapurna region, with peak bloom in April. The lower sections have sal, chestnut, and oak forest with magnolia and orchids. Above 2,500 metres the rhododendron and oak forest becomes dominant, with moss-covered trees and a temperate rainforest feel. Above 3,500 metres the forest thins into juniper scrub and alpine meadow with gentians and primula.

Local Culture

The route passes through Gurung villages on the lower trail, with the same culture as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The Gurung are traditionally farmers and Gurkha soldiers, with their own language, dress, and cuisine. The villages at Siding and Lumre on the descent are smaller and less visited than Ghandruk, with more traditional Gurung life. We recommend asking lodge owners about Gurung traditions and trying the local gundruk soup.

Local Villages

Pothana is the first overnight village on the standard route, a small Gurung settlement at 1,950 metres with a few tea houses. Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp are small seasonal settlements built specifically for trekkers, with no permanent population. Siding and Lumre on the descent are traditional Gurung farming villages with stone houses and terraced fields. The route does not pass through any major villages, which is part of its quieter appeal.

Safety Tips

Acclimatise properly with a slow ascent to Low Camp before climbing to High Camp. Carry your own Diamox and a basic first aid kit, and register with your embassy before leaving Kathmandu. Helicopter rescue insurance is recommended, with policies starting at $120 for full coverage. The ridge between Low Camp and High Camp is exposed, so check weather with your guide and turn back if clouds roll in.

Altitude Sickness Guide

Acute Mountain Sickness is rare on this route but possible, with the night at 3,900 metres at High Camp the main stressor. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, and poor sleep, and they usually resolve with rest and hydration. We recommend a preventive Diamox dose of 125 mg twice daily from Low Camp onward for first-time high-altitude trekkers. Severe symptoms require immediate descent to Low Camp at 3,050 metres.

Emergency Contacts

The Annapurna Conservation Area office in Pokhara is the main contact for this route, with no ACAP office on the trail itself. Helicopter rescue is available through Fishtail Air, Saga Rescue, and Simrik Air, all on 24-hour call from Pokhara. Keep your insurance policy number, rescue contact, and passport copy with your guide at all times. The tourist police in Pokhara can be reached at 1144.

Responsible Tourism

Carry all plastic and battery waste back to Pokhara because the route has limited disposal infrastructure. Tip your porter and guide fairly, with $5 per day per porter and $9 per day per guide being a reasonable minimum. Avoid buying bottled water where boiled or filtered water is available. Respect Gurung culture in the lower villages, ask before photographing people or inside homes, and stay on the marked trail to protect the fragile ridge vegetation.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we hear most often from trekkers planning the Mardi Himal Trek, with answers reflecting current trail conditions for 2027 to 2030.

Summary

The Mardi Himal Trek is the quiet high-altitude alternative in the Annapurna region, giving you a close-up view of Machhapuchhre from 4,500 metres in just 4 to 7 days. With a maximum altitude of 4,500 metres and a budget of $600 to $1,200, it is achievable for any fit walker willing to acclimatise properly. The route is quieter than the main ABC and Poon Hill trails, with smaller tea houses and a more remote feel. We rank it as the best short high-altitude trek in the Annapurna region.

Conclusion

Standing at the Mardi Himal viewpoint at sunrise, with the southwest face of Machhapuchhre filling the frame, you understand why this trek has grown so fast in popularity since 2015. The Mardi Himal Trek delivers a genuine high-altitude experience and one of the closest views of Machhapuchhre available to trekkers, all on a manageable 5-day itinerary from Pokhara. Plan ahead, acclimatise properly, and treat the open ridge with respect. Book 2027 and 2028 dates early because the High Camp lodge fills up fast in peak season.