# Mardi Himal Trek 2026 — 4-7 Day Itinerary, Cost & Permits

Off-the-beaten Annapurna alternative. Ridge-trail views of Machapuchare, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli from the Upper Viewpoint (about 4,500 m).

The Mardi Himal trek is a 4-7 day ridge-trail trek above the Annapurna sanctuary, climbing through rhododendron forest to a high-altitude alpine ridge with close-up views of Machapuchare (Fishtail, 6,993 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), and Hiunchuli (6,441 m). Maximum altitude is 4,500 m at the Upper Viewpoint above Mardi Himal Base Camp. Yatra For Fun books the trek with ACAP + TIMS permits, English-speaking Gurung guide, porter, teahouse accommodation, and three meals daily, for NPR 35,000-80,000 per person.

Booked on Yatra For Fun (yatraforfun.com) — our Kathmandu concierge confirms the exact NPR price, permits, guide, and dates within 2 business hours.

## Key facts

- Duration: 4–7 days
- Max altitude: 4,500 m
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best season: March-May (spring) and September-December (autumn through early winter). Mardi Himal is one of the few Nepali treks that's good in December because the maximum altitude (4,500 m) is reached on a single day-trip — no need to sleep above 3,580 m. October offers the clearest mountain panoramas. Avoid monsoon June-August (cloud, leeches, slippery trail).
- Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Typical cost (per person, 2-pax group, mid-tier): NPR 35,000 – NPR 80,000
- Start / end: Pokhara → Pokhara
- Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) (NPR 3,000); TIMS card (NPR 2,000 group / NPR 1,000 FIT)
- Fitness: Moderate. The longest single day is the Upper Viewpoint summit + descent to Sidhing (9 hours, with 950 m gain and 2,775 m loss). Maximum sleeping altitude is High Camp at 3,580 m. The summit at 4,500 m is reached as a day-trip with no overnight at that altitude, which helps limit altitude exposure — but symptoms are still possible, so tell your guide if you feel unwell. Recommended: 4-6 weeks of cardio + hill walking.

## Why this trek

Mardi Himal opened to trekkers in 2012 — it's the youngest 'Annapurna alternative' route. Where ABC tracks a glacial sanctuary at the valley floor, Mardi Himal climbs a ridge that runs parallel to the Annapurna massif, putting you above the cloud line with mountains at eye level rather than overhead. The Upper Viewpoint at about 4,500 m gives a close, trekking-grade view of Machapuchare's south face. The trek is shorter than ABC (4-7 days vs 7-12) and significantly cheaper, but offers a comparable mountain experience — many trekkers prefer it because the trail is quieter than the ABC route and the lodges (entirely teahouse-style, built post-2012) are newer and quieter. The lower-altitude sections also pass through pristine rhododendron forest with red panda habitat (sightings are rare but reported). Yatra For Fun books the standard 4-day Pokhara → Forest Camp → High Camp → Upper Viewpoint → Sidhing → Pokhara loop for shorter holidays, or the 7-day version that combines Mardi with the Ghorepani / Poon Hill section as a comprehensive Pokhara-region trek.

## About the route

The trek starts with a 1-hour jeep ride from Pokhara to Kande (1,770 m). Day 1 climbs steadily through pine and rhododendron forest to Forest Camp (2,520 m). Day 2 continues to Low Camp (2,990 m) and onwards to High Camp (3,580 m) on a ridge that begins to give the first views of Mardi Himal and Machapuchare. Day 3 is the summit-style day: pre-dawn 2-3 hour climb to the Upper Viewpoint at 4,500 m for a sunrise panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare and the upper Modi Khola valley. Most trekkers turn back at the Upper Viewpoint; some continue 30 minutes more to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,300 m. The descent retraces or takes the alternative route via Sidhing village and Lwang Ghalel back to Pokhara. Total walking distance is approximately 45 km. Daily walking time is 4-7 hours.

## Day-by-day itinerary

### Day 1: Pokhara → Kande → Forest Camp (2,520 m · 5h walking)

1h jeep to Kande, trek 4-5h through rhododendron forest to Forest Camp (2,520 m).

### Day 2: Forest Camp → Low Camp → High Camp (3,580 m · 6h walking)

Continue ridge ascent to Low Camp (2,990 m) and onwards to High Camp (3,580 m).

### Day 3: Upper Viewpoint sunrise (4,500 m) → Sidhing (4,500 m · 9h walking)

Pre-dawn 2-3h to Upper Viewpoint for the panorama, then long descent to Sidhing village (1,725 m).

### Day 4: Sidhing → Lwang Ghalel → Pokhara (822 m · 4h walking)

Final descent through Gurung villages to Lwang Ghalel, jeep back to Pokhara.

## Cost breakdown

- **ACAP + TIMS permits:** NPR 5,000
- **Pokhara ↔ trailhead jeep transport:** NPR 4,000-6,000
- **Guide (English-speaking Gurung):** NPR 12,000-18,000 — USD 25-30 per day × 4-5 days
- **Porter (1 per 2 trekkers):** NPR 8,000-12,000 — USD 18-22 per day × 4-5 days
- **Teahouse accommodation (twin-share):** NPR 3,000-5,000 — NPR 800-1,200 per night × 4 nights
- **Three meals per day:** NPR 10,000-16,000 — NPR 2,500-3,500 per day × 4-5 days
- **Yatra For Fun concierge + emergency line:** NPR 5,000
- **Total per person (2-pax group):** NPR 35,000-80,000 — Lower = published starting price; upper = 7-day with Ghorepani add-on

## What's included

- ACAP + TIMS permits
- Pokhara ↔ trailhead jeep transport
- Licensed, English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers, 25 kg max)
- 4 nights teahouse accommodation (twin-share)
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Tea / coffee with every meal
- Welcome briefing in Pokhara
- Yatra For Fun 24/7 emergency line + helicopter evac coordination

## What's not included

- International flights to Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee (NPR 4,000 for 30 days / USD 50)
- Mandatory travel insurance with high-altitude trek cover
- Tips for guide + porter (recommended: USD 6-10 per day per trekker)
- Pokhara accommodation (Yatra For Fun books separately if needed)
- Hot showers + device charging at teahouses
- Soft drinks, alcohol, snacks
- Personal trekking gear (Yatra For Fun rents)

## Frequently asked questions

### How is Mardi Himal different from Annapurna Base Camp?

Three key differences: (1) Mardi is a ridge trek at 4,500 m max with far fewer trekkers; ABC is a sanctuary trek at 4,130 m with much busier teahouses. (2) Mardi is 4-7 days vs ABC's 7-12. (3) Mardi is roughly half the cost (from NPR 47K vs from NPR 94.5K). Both end with sunrise views, but Mardi's Upper Viewpoint gives you Machapuchare south face at eye level — a close, non-technical view of the Fishtail.

### Why is Mardi Himal cheaper than other Nepal treks?

Three reasons: shorter duration (4 days minimum vs 7+ for ABC, 12+ for EBC), no domestic flight required (jeep from Pokhara only, vs Lukla flight for EBC), and no restricted-area permit (vs Manaslu's NPR 22K). The total NPR 47-80K reflects the genuinely lower overhead for a comparable Himalayan-mountain experience.

### What's the altitude sickness risk?

Lower than on the Everest or Manaslu routes, but not zero. Maximum sleeping altitude is High Camp at 3,580 m, and the 4,500 m Upper Viewpoint is reached as a day-trip before descending — yet altitude sickness can affect anyone above about 2,500 m, whatever their fitness. Ascend gradually, drink enough water, tell your guide about headache, nausea or dizziness, and turn back or descend if symptoms get worse. Ask your doctor about prevention before the trip.

### Can I trek Mardi Himal in winter (December-February)?

December and early January are workable. The summit at 4,500 m has snow but the route is non-technical and crampons usually aren't needed. Late January and February see heavy snowfall above 3,000 m and many teahouses partially close — ask the Yatra For Fun concierge to confirm which teahouses are open before you book. Spring (March-May) is generally a better-value winter alternative.

### How fit do I need to be?

Moderately fit. The hardest day is the Upper Viewpoint summit + descent to Sidhing — 9 hours with significant elevation change. The earlier days are 5-6 hour walks at gradual elevation. If you've done a 5-day European Alps tour or a Lake District multi-day hike with overnight bag, you're ready. Recommended: 4-6 weeks of cardio + step climbing before departure.

### Can I combine Mardi Himal with another trek?

Yes — the most popular combination is Mardi Himal + Ghorepani / Poon Hill (10-day total), which gives the rhododendron forest cultural experience plus two summit views (Mardi Upper Viewpoint + Poon Hill). Yatra For Fun also books Mardi + ABC (12-day total) for trekkers who want the ridge-and-sanctuary contrast. Both add NPR 25-40K to the base trek cost.

### What gear do I need?

Same as ABC: boots, daypack (30-35 L), -10°C sleeping bag, down jacket, base layers, gloves, hat, sunglasses, trekking poles. Yatra For Fun can arrange rental of the bulky items (sleeping bag, down jacket, poles) in Pokhara. No technical gear needed.

### When is the absolute best month?

Usually October: typically the clearest mountain views, driest trail, full teahouse coverage, peak rhododendron post-monsoon greenery on the lower section. April is second-best for the rhododendron bloom but afternoon clouds are more frequent. Yatra For Fun books year-round but recommends the two main windows.

## Book this trek

- Yatra For Fun page: https://yatraforfun.com/treks/mardi-himal-trek
- WhatsApp concierge: https://wa.me/9779708072951
- Email: support@yatraforfun.com