A dawn walk along a narrow ridge from High Camp to a close view of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare and the Annapurna range.
The fishtail peak rises almost within reach from the ridge and changes colour through the day.
The first two days are a long, shaded climb through mossy forest, with birds and langur monkeys.
Fewer trekkers than the main Annapurna trails, so camps and viewpoints often feel peaceful.
Simple ridge-top lodges give sunset and sunrise views straight from the doorstep.
On clear mornings the whole range turns gold from the lodge at High Camp.
The descent follows the Mardi Khola down to terraced farms and a Gurung village.
Finish in Pokhara beside Phewa Lake, with a chance to visit the World Peace Stupa.
Mardi Himal is a ridge trek in the Annapurna region, a short drive from Pokhara. It leaves the busy main trails and follows a long forested spine up to High Camp and then to the Upper Viewpoint, with the south face of Machhapuchhare standing close above.
Lodges along the ridge are simple, with basic rooms and limited hot water, and facilities become more basic as you climb. The walking is steady rather than hard, but the final section above High Camp is steep and exposed in places, and sleeping at about 3,500 m to 3,900 m asks for sensible acclimatisation.
This plan includes arrival and departure in Kathmandu, plus the journeys to and from Pokhara. Mountain weather can close the upper ridge, and we will tell you honestly if conditions on the day mean turning back early.
| Duration | 9 days including Kathmandu arrival, Pokhara transfers and departure |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, then Pokhara and Kande; trek ends at Siding, with a drive to Pokhara |
| Highest point | Upper Viewpoint, about 4,200 m (Mardi Himal Base Camp is often quoted at about 4,500 m) |
| Distance | Roughly 40 to 55 km on foot, depending on start and end points |
| Walking per day | About 4 to 7 hours; the viewpoint day is the longest |
| Difficulty | Moderate; steady climbs and a narrow upper ridge, no technical climbing |
| Best seasons | March to May and late September to November |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, basic teahouse lodges on the trail |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups, from one traveller upward |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card are usually needed; a licensed guide is usually required. We arrange these. |
We meet you at the airport, take you to your hotel and hold a briefing on the route, gear and permits.
Meals: welcome dinnerGo by road through the river valleys or fly across the hills. Spend the afternoon by the lake and finish packing.
Travel: about 6 to 7 hours by roadA short drive takes you to Kande. Walk up through villages and farmland to the ridge at Deurali, often called Australian Camp, with the first views of the Annapurna range.
Walking: 3 to 5 hoursClimb steadily through thick rhododendron and oak forest along the ridge. The trail is quiet and the views open up near the lodge.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursLeave the forest for open ridge, pass Low Camp and continue to High Camp, where Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South stand across the valley. Go slowly and drink plenty of water.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursStart before dawn and climb the narrow ridge to the viewpoint for sunrise. Return to High Camp for breakfast and a rest. Ridge conditions decide how far we go.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursA long descent past Low Camp and along the Mardi Khola river brings you to Siding, where a jeep takes you back to Pokhara.
Walking: 5 to 6 hours, then about 2 to 3 hours by roadTravel back by road or by a short flight, with a free afternoon.
Travel: about 6 to 7 hours by roadWe transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: breakfastAltitudes and times are approximate; lodge names and exact positions of the camps differ between sources and change from year to year. Snow or cloud can close the upper ridge, and we may adjust the plan for safety.
It is moderate. Days are 4 to 7 hours with steady climbs, and the final ridge is narrow. You do not need climbing skills, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours.
High Camp is about 3,550 m or higher and the viewpoint is about 4,200 m, so altitude sickness is possible. The itinerary climbs gradually. Tell your guide about any headache, nausea or poor sleep.
Not quite. Many itineraries stop at the Upper Viewpoint at about 4,200 m. Mardi Himal Base Camp is further along, often quoted at about 4,500 m, and takes longer and is more exposed.
March to May has rhododendron bloom and warm days, and late September to November has the clearest skies. Winter is cold with snow on the ridge, and the monsoon is wet with leeches.
Basic rooms with blankets, shared toilets and a dining room. Hot water and charging are limited and cost extra, especially higher up. Menus are dal bhat, noodles, soups and eggs.
You usually need an Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card, and a licensed guide is usually required. We arrange all of this.
Signal is patchy and often absent on the upper ridge. Some lodges sell wifi at a high price. Tell family to expect little contact.
Broken-in boots, warm layers, a down jacket, waterproof shell, hat, gloves, sun protection, a headlamp and trekking poles. A warm sleeping bag helps at High Camp.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking to at least 4,500 m and helicopter evacuation. Send us the details before you arrive.
Yes. We run private trips and small groups, and a private trek lets you set your own pace and dates.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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