Mardi Himal Trek  - 10 Days

The Mardi Himal Trek difficulty is graded Moderate, which makes it achievable for trekkers with average fitness and some hiking background rather than requiring prior technical mountaineering or high-altitude climbing experience on exposed terrain, glaciers, or rope-assisted sections of any kind.

Daily walks run 3 to 7 hours over forested ridgelines and stone trails, with the steepest sections falling between Deurali and High Camp.

The best time for the Mardi Himal Trek is spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, when skies stay clear and Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal views are at their sharpest and most reliable for photography.

Himalayan Glacier runs guaranteed departures across both seasons, with blooming rhododendrons in spring and the crispest mountain visibility in autumn.

The Mardi Himal Trek duration with Himalayan Glacier is 10 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including roughly 5 days of actual trekking between the Phedi trailhead and Sidhing Village at the end of the trek, plus travel and rest days.

The itinerary builds in arrival time, a scenic drive to Pokhara, the trekking route through Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp and High Camp, and return travel.

The Mardi Himal Trek is well suited for beginners who have a reasonable level of fitness, since it involves shorter daily walking hours and a lower maximum altitude than most other Annapurna region treks, without any technical climbing or rope work required.

First-time Himalayan trekkers benefit from the gentle acclimatization built into the route and the steady support of an experienced local guide throughout.

The maximum altitude on the Mardi Himal Trek is 3,540m (11,615ft), reached at High Camp and the Mardi Himal Upper Viewpoint just above it, on the trip’s seventh day before the descent toward Sidhing Village begins early the following morning.

This is notably lower than many other Annapurna region treks, which keeps altitude related risk more moderate while still delivering close-up Himalayan mountain views.

Yes, the Mardi Himal Trek requires an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, since the entire route falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area in the Annapurna region of central Nepal, not far from the city of Pokhara.

Himalayan Glacier arranges all required permits as part of the trip package, so trekkers do not need to organize any paperwork separately.

Independent solo trekking without a licensed guide is not permitted anywhere in Nepal, including on the Mardi Himal Trek, under current national trekking regulations that apply across all major trekking regions of the country, including the entire Annapurna Conservation Area region.

Himalayan Glacier includes an experienced local guide and support staff in every package, which also satisfies this national requirement automatically.

Accommodation on the Mardi Himal Trek consists of 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, followed by teahouses on a twin-sharing basis throughout the trekking days on the mountain, with rooms allocated on arrival at each overnight stop along the trail.

Because the route sees far fewer visitors than the Annapurna Base Camp or Everest trails, teahouse facilities on the trail are simple and basic, especially above Forest Camp.

Food on the Mardi Himal Trek includes authentic Nepali dishes such as dal bhat alongside common international options like pasta, noodles, and continental breakfasts served at teahouses along the entire route from Deurali all the way to Sidhing Village at the end.

The package includes 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 8 dinners, plus welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu, with all mountain meals fully covered.

The highlight of the Mardi Himal Trek is the Upper Viewpoint above High Camp, which offers close-up panoramas of Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft), Annapurna I (8,091m/26,545ft), and Annapurna South (7,219m/23,684ft) from a single narrow ridge set well above the forest tree line.

This viewpoint is reached on a dedicated day from High Camp, giving trekkers extended time to enjoy the mountain scenery before descending the same day.

The Mardi Himal Trek is shorter and quieter than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, with a lower maximum altitude of 3,540m (11,615ft) compared to roughly 4,130m (13,549ft) on the Annapurna Base Camp route itself, and far fewer trekkers on the trail.

Mardi Himal suits travelers who want strong Himalayan views on a tighter schedule, while Annapurna Base Camp suits those wanting a longer, more classic circuit through the Sanctuary.