Mardi Himal
Annapurna, Western Nepal
Five days on a quiet ridge above the Annapurnas, with Machhapuchhre close enough to feel. The shortest way to stand somewhere genuinely high.
- Duration
- 5days
- Max altitude
- 4,200m
- Difficulty
Moderate
- Best seasons
Spring — March to May
Autumn — September to December
From · 3–5 people
€350
When to go
Coldest to warmest across the route, and rainfall. Open-Meteo
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Pokhara → Kande → Lovely Hill
A peaceful climb through dense forest after the drive from Pokhara. Quiet and green, with occasional glimpses of Annapurna South and Mardi Himal.
- Altitude
- 1,770m
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs· 6 km
- Driving
- 1 hr
Forested trail, gradual ascent, shaded paths
Day 02
Lovely Hill → Low Camp
A steady uphill walk through dense forest and cloud layers, by way of Forest Camp. Low Camp gives you your first clear view of Machhapuchhre on a good day.
- Altitude
- 2,990m
- On foot
- 5–7 hrs· 8 km
Forest trail, more uphill, mossy and serene
Day 03
Low Camp → High Camp
The forest gives way to open alpine meadow and panoramic ridge. From High Camp you see Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre up close.
- Altitude
- 3,580m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 5 km
Open ridge walk, alpine zone, steep in parts
Day 04
High Camp → Mardi Himal Viewpoint → Low Camp
A pre-dawn start for sunrise at the viewpoint, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre at their most striking. Then back down to High Camp, and on through open meadow and alpine forest to Low Camp.
- Altitude
- 2,990m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 9 km
Steep early ascent to the viewpoint, then a long descent
Day 05
Low Camp → Sidhing → Pokhara
Down through lush forest and quiet village paths to Sidhing, a settlement with far fewer trekkers, then a jeep back to Pokhara by late afternoon.
- Altitude
- 822m
- On foot
- 4 hrs· 11 km
- Driving
- 2–3 hrs
Gradual descent through forest and terraced villages
Maptoolkit · © OpenStreetMap contributors
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board — breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route — and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
ACAP — arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures — before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
Mardi Himal is a short, quiet trek in the Annapurna region, following a ridge that most people walk straight past on their way somewhere busier. It climbs from dense forest into open alpine terrain in a couple of days, and the mountains — Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli — sit unusually close the whole way.
It is a good first trek at altitude, and a good short one if you do not have two weeks.
Questions
Before you go
Why is Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) considered special?
It is a sacred mountain, believed to be the home of Lord Shiva — and no one has ever officially climbed it.
When is the best time to see rhododendron blooms?
March to April, when the forest is full of bright red, pink and white blossom.
Can I spot wildlife on the trail?
Yes — Himalayan monals (Nepal's national bird), langurs, and deer in the lower forest.
What are the teahouses like along the trek?
Simple, family-run lodges with basic rooms, warm meals and cosy common areas with wood stoves.
Which major peaks can you see from the Mardi Himal trail?
Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and even parts of Annapurna I (8,091 m).
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better — that happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.