Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Trip Duration
11 Days Days
Group Sizes
2-16 People People
Transportation
Drive/Walk
Destination
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Max. Altitude
4500
Nature of Trip
Trekking
Best Season
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Activities
- Trekking
- Sightseeing
Difficulty
Moderate
Meals
- Hotel/Teahouse Breakfast
- Teahouse Lunch
- Teahouse Dinner
Start & End Point
Pokhara
Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Hotel
Overview of Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
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The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek follows a recently opened trail on the eastern ridge of the Annapurna massif, rising to 4,500m at Mardi Himal Base Camp with extraordinary close-range views of Mardi Himal (5,587m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and Annapurna South (7,219m). Far less trafficked than the main Annapurna Base Camp trail, the Mardi Himal route passes through dense rhododendron forest, high alpine meadows, and traditional Gurung villages that receive very few outside visitors.
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- Close-range views of Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail), Annapurna I, and Mardi Himal from the high ridge
- One of the Annapurna region’s newest and least-crowded trekking routes
- Walk through dense rhododendron forest — spectacular in March and April bloom
- Traditional Gurung village culture in settlements rarely visited by tourists
- Reachable from Pokhara in under 2 hours — no domestic flight required
- Combine with Annapurna Base Camp for an extended Sanctuary circuit
Itinerary of Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Kande — Trek to Pothana (1,890m)
1-hr drive from Pokhara to Kande trailhead. Gentle climb through rhododendron forest to Pothana ridge with first Annapurna views.
Duration
2-3 hrs trek
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
L/D
Max Altitude
1890mDay 2: Pothana to Forest Camp (2,520m)
Climb through dense oak and rhododendron forest on the Mardi Himal ridge trail. Forest Camp is a quiet clearing with mountain glimpses.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2520mDay 3: Forest Camp to Low Camp (3,050m)
The ridge narrows and views open. Low Camp sits on the edge of the forest with first clear sightings of Machhapuchhre’s distinctive twin peaks.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3050mDay 4: Low Camp to High Camp (3,580m)
Emerge fully above the treeline into open alpine meadows. High Camp offers the first unobstructed panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3580mDay 5: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) and Back
Early morning ascent to the base camp for close-range views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, and the Annapurna massif. Return to High Camp.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4500mDay 6: High Camp to Siding Village (1,750m)
Rapid descent off the ridge through forest to the Gurung village of Siding in the Modi Khola valley.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
1750mDay 7: Siding to Lumre — Drive Pokhara
Short walk through Lumre village to the roadhead. Drive back to Pokhara lakeside.
Duration
2 hrs trek + Drive
Activity
Trekking/Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B/L
Max Altitude
820mDay 8: Pokhara Rest Day
Rest in Pokhara. Phewa Lake boat trip, Sarangkot sunrise, or International Mountain Museum.
Duration
Rest
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
820mDay 9: Fly or Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
25-min flight or 6-hr tourist bus to Kathmandu.
Duration
Flight/Drive
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mDay 10: Rest Day — Kathmandu
Rest and sightseeing in Kathmandu. Boudhanath Stupa or Patan Durbar Square.
Duration
Rest
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mDay 11: Final Departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.
Duration
Departure
Activity
Transfer
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mIncludes/Excludes
What's included?
- 10 nights accommodation (1 hotel Pokhara, 9 teahouse)
- All ground transport (Pokhara–Kande and return)
- All meals on trek
- Licensed English-speaking guide and porter
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- First-aid kit and emergency evacuation plan
What's not included?
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (recommended)
- Personal gear and clothing
- Tips for guide and porter
- Beverages and personal snacks
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek Altitude Chart
Trip Information - Good to Know
Best Time
Mar–May for rhododendron blooms. Oct–Nov for clearest mountain views.
Permits
ACAP (NPR 3,000) + TIMS card (NPR 2,000).
Difficulty
Moderate. 4–7 hrs daily on well-defined trails. No technical climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mardi Himal suitable for beginners?
Yes — with reasonable fitness. The trail is well-marked and the altitude gain is gradual. A guide is recommended as the trail is newer and less signposted than main Annapurna routes.
Can I combine Mardi Himal with Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes — a popular extension continues from Siding to the Modi Khola trail toward Chomrong and ABC. Green Horizon Tours offers a 16-day combined itinerary.
How crowded is Mardi Himal?
Far less crowded than the main Annapurna Base Camp trail or Poon Hill. Most days you’ll have the ridge largely to yourself — one of the key attractions of this newer route.
What is the rhododendron season like?
March and April transform the lower and mid ridges into vivid carpets of red, pink, and white rhododendron. It is one of Nepal’s finest floral trekking experiences.
What is the closest viewpoint to Machhapuchhre?
Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) and the approach ridge above High Camp provide arguably the closest trail views of Machhapuchhre’s western face outside the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Is there mobile phone signal on this trek?
Signal exists intermittently at Pothana and Forest Camp. Above Low Camp, signal is minimal. WiFi is available at some teahouses for a fee.
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