Most trekkers who visit the Annapurna region choose one of three routes — Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, or Poon Hill. All three are excellent. All three are well-known.
The Mardi Himal Trek is none of those things.
Opened officially in 2012, the Mardi Himal Trek follows a ridge east of the Modi Khola Valley — parallel to the busy ABC route but completely separate from it. The trail climbs through some of the finest rhododendron and oak forest in the Annapurna region, passes through the small traditional settlement of Forest Camp, and emerges onto an open ridge with views of Machhapuchhre (6,993m) that are simply not available anywhere else in Nepal.
This complete 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about the Mardi Himal Trek — the route, daily itinerary, trail conditions, best time, difficulty, and what makes this route genuinely different from the standard Annapurna options.
What Is the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek is a 7–9 day moderate trekking route starting from Pokhara in the Annapurna Conservation Area. It follows the Mardi Himal ridge — a spur of the Annapurna massif east of the main Modi Khola Valley — to a viewpoint at Mardi Himal High Camp (4,500m).
Quick facts:
Duration: 7–9 days
Maximum altitude: 4,500m (High Camp viewpoint)
Difficulty: Moderate
Start and end: Pokhara
Region: Annapurna Conservation Area
Permit required: ACAP (30)+TIMS(20)
Best time: March–May and October–November
Trekkers per year: Significantly fewer than ABC or Annapurna Circuit
What Makes Mardi Himal Trek Different
1. Machhapuchhre from a completely new angle
Machhapuchhre — the sacred Fishtail Mountain (6,993m) — is the most iconic peak in the Pokhara landscape. Visible from the city below, it draws the eye of every visitor.
From the Mardi Himal ridge above 3,500m you see Machhapuchhre from directly below and to the side — a completely different perspective from anything available on the ABC or Poon Hill routes. The mountain fills the sky in a way that stops trekkers in their tracks.
Nepal's government has declared Machhapuchhre permanently off-limits to climbing expeditions — it is considered sacred. Its untouched summit makes it the only major Nepal peak that has never been climbed. From the Mardi Himal ridge you understand why it inspires such reverence.
2. Outstanding rhododendron forests
The trail between Deurali and Forest Camp passes through what many guides consider the finest mid-altitude rhododendron forest in the Annapurna region. In March and April the trees reach 10–15 metres in height and the entire forest canopy blooms simultaneously — pink, red, and white against the blue sky.
This forest section is one of the most photographed trail environments in Nepal. In April the light filtering through rhododendron blooms at 2,500–3,000m has a quality that no photograph fully captures.
3. Genuine solitude
The ABC route in October sees 300–400 trekkers per day. The Mardi Himal Trek in the same month sees a fraction of this number. From Forest Camp upward — particularly above Low Camp — you may go hours without seeing another trekker.
The ridge above High Camp at 4,500m gives an extraordinary sense of space and solitude that is increasingly hard to find on Nepal's most popular trekking routes.
4. The Mardi Himal High Camp viewpoint
At 4,500m the High Camp viewpoint is the destination of the Mardi Himal Trek. From here the panorama includes:
Machhapuchhre (6,993m) — extraordinarily close and dramatic
Annapurna South (7,219m)
Hiunchuli (6,441m)
Annapurna I (8,091m) in the distance
The entire Modi Khola Valley below
The view on a clear October or April morning from High Camp is one of the finest mountain panoramas in the Annapurna region — and one of the least photographed.
Mardi Himal Trek Full Itinerary 2026 — 9 Days
Day 1 — Arrive Kathmandu (1,400m)
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to Thamel hotel. Briefing and permit collection.
Day 2 — Fly or Drive to Pokhara (820m)
Fly to Pokhara (25 minutes) or drive (6–7 hours). Afternoon at leisure. Phewa Lake. First views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre from the lakeside.
Day 3 — Pokhara → Kande → Australian Base Camp (2,100m)
Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1,770m) — approximately 45 minutes. Begin trekking 3–4 hours through forests and small Gurung settlements to Australian Base Camp — a viewpoint with first open views of the Annapurna range.
Day 4 — Australian Base Camp → Forest Camp (2,520m)
Trek 4–5 hours through increasingly dense rhododendron and oak forest. Forest Camp is a small cluster of tea houses in a clearing surrounded by forest. In spring the rhododendron blooms at this altitude are at their most concentrated.
Day 5 — Forest Camp → Low Camp (3,050m)
Trek 4–5 hours climbing steadily through the upper forest zone. The trail begins to open as you gain altitude. First clear views of Machhapuchhre appearing above the forest canopy ahead.
Day 6 — Low Camp → High Camp (4,500m)
Trek 4–5 hours on the most dramatic section of the route. The trail leaves the treeline entirely and climbs onto open alpine terrain — the Mardi Himal ridge itself. Machhapuchhre dominates the view to the west. The full Annapurna panorama opens up behind you.
High Camp at 4,500m is a small tea house settlement on the ridge. Sunrise from High Camp — Machhapuchhre turning gold in the first light — is the defining moment of the trek.
Day 7 — High Camp exploration → Low Camp (3,050m)
Morning at High Camp for sunrise and photography. Optional short hike above High Camp toward Mardi Himal Base Camp (5,587m) — suitable for fit acclimatized trekkers. Afternoon descent to Low Camp.
Day 8 — Low Camp → Sidhing village → Pokhara
Descent via a different route through Sidhing village — a traditional settlement rarely visited by trekkers. Drive from Lumre back to Pokhara. Celebration dinner.
Day 9 — Pokhara → Kathmandu → Departure
Fly or drive back to Kathmandu. International departure. Or extend with Chitwan National Park safari.
Trail Conditions — Mardi Himal 2026
The Mardi Himal Trek trail is well-established but less maintained than the main ABC route. Key trail condition notes for 2026:
Lower section (Kande to Forest Camp): Well-marked trail through forest. Some sections can be muddy after rain. Good condition overall.
Mid section (Forest Camp to Low Camp): Good trail. Stone steps in some sections. Manageable for moderate trekkers.
Upper section (Low Camp to High Camp): Exposed ridge trail. Can be icy in early morning at High Camp altitude. Trekking poles essential. Some sections require careful footing.
Above High Camp toward Mardi Himal Base Camp: Rough trail. Only for trekkers with good fitness and altitude experience. Not suitable for beginners.
Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty
Difficulty: Moderate
The Mardi Himal Trek is suitable for reasonably fit trekkers with no prior Nepal trekking experience — though some prior hiking experience is helpful.
What makes it manageable:
Maximum standard altitude 4,500m — lower than EBC and ABC
Well-established trail throughout
Tea houses at every camp
Licensed guide accompanies throughout
No technical sections
What makes it challenging:
Day 6 (Low Camp to High Camp) — significant elevation gain in one day
Exposed ridge above 4,000m — cold and windy
Some sections of upper trail require careful footing
High Camp altitude can cause mild AMS symptoms — adequate hydration essential
Who is it suited for:
First-time Annapurna region trekkers wanting something different from ABC
ABC veterans who want a different perspective on the same mountains
Trekkers who specifically want close Machhapuchhre views
Anyone with limited time — 9 days total is shorter than ABC or Annapurna Circuit
Best Time for Mardi Himal Trek 2026
Spring — March to May ✅
March–April: The finest time for the Mardi Himal Trek. The rhododendron forest between Deurali and Forest Camp is in full bloom. Clear mornings with excellent mountain visibility. Comfortable trekking temperatures at lower altitude.
May: Late blooms at higher altitude. Some afternoon cloud building. Still good but less spectacular than April.
Autumn — October to November ✅
October: Post-monsoon clarity. Crystal clear mountain views from High Camp. Stable weather throughout. Best conditions for the upper ridge section.
November: Excellent visibility. Getting cold at High Camp altitude. High Camp can see frost in November.
Monsoon — June to August ❌
Heavy rain. Trail sections become slippery and muddy. Leeches in the lower forest sections. Not recommended.
Winter — December to February 🟡
High Camp and the upper ridge are cold and can be icy. Suitable for experienced cold-weather trekkers only.
Tea Houses and Accommodation
The Mardi Himal Trek has a developing tea house infrastructure. It is more basic than the ABC or Annapurna Circuit routes but adequate for the journey.
Section | Tea houses | Quality |
Kande | Basic guesthouse | Adequate |
Australian Base Camp | Small tea houses | Basic |
Forest Camp | Small cluster of tea houses | Basic but comfortable |
Low Camp | Tea houses | Basic |
High Camp | Small tea houses | Very basic — cold |
What to expect above Forest Camp: Very basic facilities. Squat toilets. Cold water only. Limited menu — dal bhat, noodle soup, eggs, porridge. Bring warm sleeping bag — rooms are cold above 3,000m.
Mardi Himal Trek Permits 2026
Permit | Cost | Arranged by |
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | $30 | Global Nepal Treks |
TIMS Card | $20 | Global Nepal Treks |
Total | $50 | Included in package |
Since April 2023 a licensed guide is mandatory on all Annapurna Conservation Area routes. See our Nepal trekking without guide 2026 guide for details.
Combining Mardi Himal with Other Treks
The Mardi Himal Trek combines naturally with other Annapurna region treks:
Mardi Himal + Poon Hill (12 days):
Complete the Mardi Himal Trek then continue to Ghorepani and Poon Hill viewpoint. Two completely different Annapurna perspectives in one trip.
Mardi Himal + Annapurna Base Camp (18 days):
Complete Mardi Himal first then descend to Chhomrong and continue into the Annapurna Sanctuary. This combination gives both the ridge experience and the sanctuary experience.
See our Annapurna Base Camp Trek 2026 guide for ABC details.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mardi Himal Trek 2026
Q: Is Mardi Himal Trek harder than Poon Hill?
Harder but more rewarding. Poon Hill reaches 3,210m in 4–5 days from Pokhara. Mardi Himal High Camp reaches 4,500m in 6 days. The extra altitude and time produce significantly better views — particularly of Machhapuchhre.
Q: Is Mardi Himal Trek harder than Annapurna Base Camp?
Similar difficulty. ABC reaches 4,130m — Mardi Himal High Camp reaches 4,500m. ABC has better infrastructure. Mardi Himal has fewer crowds. Duration is similar — 9 days vs 13 days.
Q: Can I see Annapurna Base Camp from Mardi Himal?
No — the Mardi Himal ridge is east of the ABC sanctuary. You see the outer faces of the Annapurna range rather than the inner sanctuary. The perspective is different but equally spectacular.
Q: Is the trail well marked?
Yes on the main trail from Kande to High Camp. Above High Camp toward Mardi Himal Base Camp the trail is less defined and requires a guide.
Q: What wildlife can I see on Mardi Himal Trek?
The lower forest sections have excellent birdlife including Himalayan Monal (Nepal's national bird), various pheasants, and woodland species. Red panda habitat exists in the upper rhododendron forest — sightings are rare but possible.
Q: Can I do the Mardi Himal Trek in 7 days?
Yes — a 7-day itinerary is possible combining some days. However 9 days allows a more relaxed pace with time to appreciate the forest sections and an extra morning at High Camp for sunrise.
Q: How crowded is the Mardi Himal Trek?
Significantly less crowded than ABC or Annapurna Circuit. Even in October peak season the upper sections above Low Camp see very few trekkers. This is one of the primary reasons to choose Mardi Himal.
About the Author
Saroj Ghimire is the Director of Global Nepal Treks — a government-licensed trekking and tour agency in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. Global Nepal Treks's guided trekkers on the Mardi Himal Trek and all major Annapurna routes. Member of NMA, TAAN, and NTB.
📧 info@globalnepaltreks.com · 📞 +977-9744258519 · 🌐 globalnepaltreks.com
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