Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal trek follows a high ridge east of the Modi Khola from the forests above Pokhara to High Camp at about 3,550 m and a viewpoint near 4,500 m at the foot of Mardi Himal (5,587 m), with Machapuchare (Fishtail) rising immediately beside it. The route opened to trekkers in 2012 and remains quieter than the Sanctuary and Poon Hill routes, with small, simple teahouses at Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp. This five-day plan drives from Pokhara to Kande, climbs through Australian Camp and Pothana to Forest Camp, continues up the ridge to High Camp, spends a long day on the upper ridge and returns to Siding and Pokhara. It suits fit walkers who are comfortable with steep days and cold nights. It suits fit walkers who like ridge trekking and quieter trails, and who can handle steep days and a cold, windy night at High Camp.

What the trek is like

The trail climbs steeply through oak and rhododendron forest to a bare, grassy ridge with views in both directions. Above Low Camp the ridge narrows and you walk on its crest to Badal Danda and High Camp, with mountains on every side. The final climb from High Camp to the viewpoint is long, steep and exposed, and the wind is often strong. Lodges are small and simple, with limited menus, and some have no hot showers. Nights at High Camp are cold.

Highlights

• Rhododendron and oak forest on the lower ridge
• Pothana and Australian Camp viewpoints
• The grassy crest of Mardi ridge between Low Camp and Badal Danda
• Machapuchare (Fishtail) close at hand
• The upper viewpoint near Mardi Himal Base Camp

Permits and rules

You need an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit and a TIMS card where required. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas, and 2026 operator reports say checkpoints enforce it in Annapurna (ACAP), Langtang (the strictest) and most other parks, but not in Khumbu, where the municipality opted out (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region. A guide is helpful on the upper ridge, where the trail is unclear in cloud or snow. Check current fees with the issuing offices.

Best season

October and November are clear and stable, and March to May is also good with rhododendron blooms. Winter is cold and snowy and the upper trail can be dangerous; the monsoon is wet and cloudy.

Altitude and pacing

The itinerary climbs from about 1,800 m at Kande to 3,550 m at High Camp in three days, and the upper day reaches about 4,500 m. That is a fast gain, and some trekkers feel altitude symptoms at High Camp. Drink water, rest if you feel unwell and do not climb to the viewpoint if you have a headache. A spare night at High Camp is a good idea if you have time.

Getting there and away

A taxi from Pokhara to Kande takes about 1 hour. The return is to Siding by trail, from where a jeep takes you to Pokhara in roughly 2 hours. The Mardi Himal route is a short drive from the city, so it is easy to add to a Pokhara stay.

Lodges, food and costs

Lodges are small, with a handful of rooms and limited menus. Prices rise slightly with altitude. Carry snacks, water purification and enough cash for the whole trek, as there are no machines on the ridge.

Packing list

Waterproof boots, warm layers, a down jacket, a hat and gloves, a sleeping bag rated to about -10 C, trekking poles, a headlamp, sun protection and a first-aid kit.

Who this trek suits and how to prepare

Mardi Himal suits fit beginners and experienced trekkers who want a quieter route. The days are steep and sometimes exposed, so prepare with stair climbing, hill walks and some cardio. A good pair of boots and trekking poles help on the ridge. Keep your pack light, because the lodges are small and porters are fewer.

The plan at a glance

Day 1 drives to Kande and walks through Australian Camp and Pothana to Forest Camp (2,500 m). Day 2 climbs to Low Camp (2,970 m). Day 3 climbs to High Camp (3,550 m), and day 4 is the long upper-ridge day to the viewpoint near 4,500 m. Day 5 descends to Siding and drives to Pokhara.

Practical tips from the trail

• Start the upper-ridge day by 3 or 4 am to reach the viewpoint in the early light.
• Carry snacks and water, because there are no shops above High Camp.
• Wear a windproof layer on the ridge, where the wind can be fierce.
• Book lodges in advance in October and April, because capacity is limited.
• If cloud or snow covers the ridge, wait or turn back: the trail is hard to follow in poor visibility.

Responsible trekking

Small lodges have limited waste facilities, so carry out all rubbish. Buy from local lodges, hire local guides and respect the forest and grassland.

Food and lodging

Lodges at Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp serve dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, eggs and soup, and menus get shorter higher up. Rooms are small and cold, and some lodges have only shared toilets, so bring a warm sleeping bag. Hot showers are rare above Low Camp. Prices rise with altitude because supplies are carried up by porters. Booking ahead in October and April avoids sleeping on the dining-room floor.

Photography tips

The best light at the viewpoint is just after sunrise, when Machapuchare and Annapurna South glow and shadows are long. Bring a warm hat and gloves that allow you to handle a camera, and keep batteries in an inner pocket. On the ridge, the wind can shake a camera, so use a fast shutter speed or a stable rest.