Mardi Himal Trek | The Ultimate Guide

Mardi Himal Trek is a beautiful short trek in Nepal that is meant to be enjoyed by people who want to see the beautiful mountains but do not want to experience the crowd of the Annapurna Base Camp trek or the Everest Base Camp trek. This off-the-beaten-path can be found in the core of the Annapurna region and takes you through rhododendron forests, high ridgelines, and traditional villages, and with unforgettable views of Machapuchare (Fishtail), Mardi Himal, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

In case you are seeking a trek that offers natural beauty, cultural experience and panoramic views of the Himalayas in a short span of 5 days, then this guide will take you through all that you need to know to plan your Mardi Himal trip.

Outline Itinerary of the Mardi Himal Trek

Here is the outline itinerary of the beautiful Mardi Himal Trek:

Day 1: Drive to Kande and Trek to Deurali

The journey to Mardi Himal begins with a 1-hour drive to Kande, which is in the Annapurna region. The trip provides scenic scenes of Pokhara Valley and mountains in the surroundings. When you reach Kande, you begin your trek. You will trek in open tracks in terraced fields and green rhododendron forests and gradually gaining altitude to Deurali. On the route, you will have your first glimpses of Annapurna South and Machapuchare (Fishtail) peak. The trekking will take you about 3-4 hours to reach Deurali, a serene place where you will be spending your first night in the mountains.

Day 2: Trek from Deurali to Forest Camp

You will leave Deurali and enter the Annapurna region forests. It is a slow and cool walk, and the path goes through thick rhododendron, oak and maple forest. The relatively steep trail provides a decent chance to experience the silence of the nature and observe the local species of birds. It is a very fresh day with the peaceful environment and greenery. This journey takes about five to six hours of hiking before you get to Forest Camp where you can rest and enjoy the serene environment of this beautiful forest camp.

Day 3: Trek from Forest Camp to High Camp

Today will be a significant change in terrain as you will be climbing the mountain to the alpine region. The route passes through Low Camp at Badal Danda where the forest ends and the ridges open out. It is one of the broadest stretches of the Annapurna Range and other mountains. The trail is also fascinating because the ascent is not too steep but gradual and the scenery keeps on changing as you progress. High Camp is one of the highlights of the trek and it takes approximately five to six hours of hiking. This is where you will be rewarded with the sights of the Himalayas as the sun comes up and goes down.

Day 4: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp and Trek to Badal Danda

It is the most exciting and the hardest day of the trek. You will start early in the morning at High Camp to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trail is steep and narrow along a ridge, and there is a near view of Machapuchare, Annapurna South and the entire Annapurna Massif. The mornings at the Base Camp are awesome when the mountains are snow-clad and are lit with the golden rays of the sun. After spending quite enough time admiring the stunning alpine views and making some memorable photographs, you will head back towards Badal Danda. The downward is not as tough but very scenic and after a complete 7 to 8 hours of trekking, you will have a comfortable night at Badal Danda.

Day 5: Trek to Sidang Village and Drive back to Pokhara

On the last day, you start by having a breathtaking ride to Siding Village through Badal Danda. The trail provides cultural experiences with the people as one walks through beautiful forests and typical Gurung villages. You can enjoy the final scenery of the magnificent Himalayas since the downhill is enjoyable and not strenuous. It will take you approximately four to five hours of hiking to reach Siding Village where a car will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. After your two to three hours road trip to Mardi Himal you will have the memories of the stunning views and life-altering experiences.

Best Season for the Mardi Himal Trek

Season	Months	Highlights	Considerations
Spring	March to May	Blooming rhododendrons, clear skies, pleasant temperatures, ideal photography conditions.	Popular season but you should expect moderate trail traffic.
Autumn	September to November	Stable weather, crisp air, stunning mountain views, best overall trekking conditions.	Very popular but advanced bookings are recommended.
Winter	December to February	Clear skies, fewer trekkers, snow-covered landscapes creating magical scenery.	Very cold at High Camp and Base Camp as well as icy trails.
Monsoon	June to August	Lush green forests, fewer crowds, dramatic skies.	Heavy rainfall, slippery trails, risk of landslides, and  leeches.

Required Documents and Permits for the Mardi Himal Trek

You will need a couple of documents for the trek as such in the table:

Document	Purpose	Notes
Valid Passport	Identification and permit application.	It must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into Nepal
Nepal Visa	Legal entry and stay in Nepal.	You can obtain on arrival or online; not required for Indian nationals
Passport-size Photos	For ACAP and TIMS permit registration.	Bring at least 2 to 4 recent photos
Travel Insurance	Coverage for medical emergencies and helicopter evacuation.	It should cover altitudes up to 4,500m and trekking specific incidents.

The permits are required for a smooth and safe trek and can be arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

• It grants entry into Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
• Cost:
  Nepali Citizens: Free
  SAARC Citizens: USD 20
  Foreign Citizens: USD 30

Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card:

• It helps to officially organize your records for safety and track you throughout the trekking route.
• Cost:
  Nepali Citizens: Free
  SAARC Citizens: USD 10
  Foreign Citizens: USD 20

What to Pack for Mardi Himal Trek?

Here’s a recommended packing list for Mardi Himal:

• Warm layered clothing (thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket)
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Trekking boots with good grip
• Trekking poles
• Gloves, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Sleeping bag suitable for -10°C to -15°C
• Reusable water bottle with purification tablets
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Personal first-aid kit and medications
• Snacks and energy bars
• Camera / phone with extra batteries
• Lightweight backpack (30–40L)

Cost and Budget Breakdown for Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is among the easy treks in Nepal, thus it is a good trek to take when one is short of money or just wants to be comfortable without spending a lot of money. The following is an approximate breakdown of the expenses to give you an idea of how to plan your trip: 

Expense Category	Estimated Cost (USD)	Notes
Permits (ACAP + TIMS)	50 USD	30 USD (ACAP) + 20 USD (TIMS Card).
Accommodation (4 nights)	20 to 60 USD	5 to 15 USD per night, slightly more expensive at higher altitude.
Meals (3 meals/day × 5 days)	60 to100 USD	4 to 8 USD per meal depending on location.
Drinks & Snacks	10 to 25 USD	Tea, coffee, bottled drinks, snacks.
Charging, Wi-Fi, Hot Shower	5 to 15 USD	Charged separately in most teahouses.
Miscellaneous (tips, donations)	5 to 10 USD	Optional but appreciated.

Cultural Etiquette and Local Interaction

Mardi Himal Trek is not only about mountains but also about the local Gurung people and their culture of Nepalese mountains. Respect will make your experience better and contribute to sustainable tourism.

• Do follow the Local Customs and Teahouse Rules.
• Take off the shoes before entering any indoor area or a home.
• Dress decently even in trekking regions.
• Ask people before taking photographs of them, especially the elders or children.

Mobile Network & Internet Availability on the Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal Trek has limited mobile network coverage, but some areas have it. NTC is generally stronger than Ncell especially on the higher grounds like Forest Camp and High Camp and Ncell is stronger in the lower grounds like Kande and Siding. To have a good connection along the way, it is advisable to bring both SIM cards. But there is no mobile signal or weak signal after Badal Danda, so it is advisable not to depend on mobile data around Base Camp.

Most teahouses have Wi-Fi, typically at the extra charge of USD 2-5. It is quite good in the lower sections, but slows down and becomes unreliable at High Camp and above. Electronics can also only be charged, which can be expensive (USD 1-2 per hour), so it is a good idea to bring a power bank. It is strongly advised to download offline maps and notify a person about the possible loss of connection at higher altitudes.

Conclusion: Short and Best Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is one of the best short trekking routes in Nepal, which is ideal if you want to see the fantastic views of the mountains, tranquil forest, and traditional culture without the crowd. This trek presents some of the most stunning views of some of the most famous mountains, such as Machapuchare (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range, so it is a must-do trek for all those nature lovers, adventure seekers and those who are in awe of the Himalayas.

The trek is easy to reach and highly gratifying, making it an ideal trekking experience for solo trekkers and groups alike. You can easily plan your trip to Mardi Himal, with updated pricing, departure dates, and all-inclusive services on the Yeti Hikes website under the Mardi Himal Trek package. You can find more information about the trek in the following page as well!