Spring season open · Mar 15 – Jun 25 places left · Classic 7d · May 03Rhododendron bloom reported at Forest Camp
Trail status: Open
Mardi Himal ridge trek route, Annapurna, Nepal
5.0 from 160+ reviews on TripAdvisor & Google

Mardi Himal Trek

7 days · 2026 fixed departures · from USD 380 USD 450

Walk the quietest ridge in the Annapurna range with NTB-licensed local guides who grew up beneath the mountain. Permits, transport from Pokhara, and teahouse accommodation handled. Small groups, private trips on request.

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Why this trek

Six reasons trekkers book Mardi over ABC.

Trek overview

7 days from Pokharato the Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m.

The Mardi Himal trek is a 7-day teahouse walk on the southern wall of the Annapurna massif. It starts with a short drive from Pokhara to the trailhead at Kande, climbs through the Gurung villages of Pothana and Deurali, and enters the dedicated Mardi Himal forest trail at Forest Camp. From there the ridge rises steadily to Low Camp, Badal Danda, and High Camp, opening to a pre-dawn final push to the Upper Viewpoint at roughly 4,200 metres. Permits (ACAP) and a licensed guide are mandatory and arranged for booked trekkers.

The route sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. It opened to teahouse trekking in 2012 and remains the quietest major trail in the region. We run both 5-day and 7-day versions, with a private group option and a Mardi + Annapurna Base Camp combo for trekkers with ten or more days available.

Free download

Mardi Himal all-season packing checklist

The exact list our guides hand out at the pre-trek briefing in Pokhara. Spring, autumn, and winter variants. PDF, no email required.

Download PDF
Itinerary

7-day plan, day by day.

Our standard 7-day itinerary from Pokhara. A 5-day fast version and a private custom version are available on request. Distances and walking times are honest ranges based on a moderate group pace.

  1. Drive
    1.5 hrs (Pokhara → Kande)
    Trek
    3 – 4 hrs
    Distance
    ~6 km
    Altitude
    Kande 1,770 m → Deurali 2,100 m
    Accommodation
    Teahouse / lodge
    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner

    Morning briefing in Pokhara, then a 90-minute drive on the Baglung Highway to the trailhead at Kande. The first hour of the climb is on stone steps through small farms to Australian Camp and the Gurung village of Pothana, where the ACAP permit is checked. After lunch a forest trail leads to Pitam Deurali, where the dedicated Mardi Himal route begins. Most groups arrive in the late afternoon with time to settle in.

What you get

Everything below the line. Nothing hidden above it.

Included

What's in the price

  • All ground transfers in private vehicles (Pokhara ↔ trailhead, trail-end ↔ Pokhara)
  • Tea house accommodation during the trek (private twin-share rooms)
  • NTB-licensed local guide, fully insured, with food, accommodation, and salary covered
  • 3 meals per day on the trail (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus tea twice daily
  • ACAP entry permit and TIMS card arrangement
  • First-aid kit with oximeter, carried by your guide
  • Welcome and farewell dinner in Pokhara
  • Trek achievement certificate
  • Hot water bottle for cold nights at High Camp
  • All government taxes, VAT, and trekking-permit fees
Not included

What you pay separately

  • International flights and Nepal entry visa fee
  • Pre- and post-trek hotel nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara
  • Porter to carry your duffel bag (USD 25 / day, one porter shared between two trekkers)
  • Personal expenses on the trail: hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging, bottled drinks, snacks
  • Travel insurance with high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation cover
  • Tips for guide and porter (USD 50 – 100 total, customary at trip end)
  • Domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Extra costs from itinerary changes due to weather, illness, or other unforeseen events
Pricing

Group pricing per person. Smaller cost, larger group.

All prices are per person, USD, for the standard 7-day or 5-day Mardi Himal itinerary departing from Pokhara. Full Board includes three meals daily on the trail; Half Board includes breakfast and dinner. Children under 12 receive 30% off. Discounts apply automatically for repeat trekkers.

Group rates per person

Valid through 31 Dec 2026
Group size7d Full7d Half5d Full5d Half
1 trekker (private)USD 600USD 525USD 425USD 360
2 trekkersUSD 500USD 420USD 375USD 310
3 – 5 trekkersUSD 480USD 385USD 325USD 280
6 – 10 trekkersUSD 450USD 350USD 300USD 250
11+ trekkersUSD 400USD 315AskAsk

Optional add-ons

Per service · USD
  • PorterOne porter carries up to 25 kg, shared between two trekkers.
    USD 25 / day
  • Solo / private guideIf your group prefers a private guide instead of joining a fixed departure.
    USD 35 / day
  • Domestic flight (KTM ↔ PKR)Per person, in lieu of tourist bus. 25 minutes vs 6 hours.
    USD 115 / leg
  • Heli return from High CampUp to 5 trekkers. Subject to weather and landing clearance.
    USD 1,200 / heli
2026 fixed departures

Join an upcoming group. Or run your own date.

All trips are guaranteed to depart with two trekkers booked. Group sizes max out at 12. Custom dates and private trips run any day with a 48-hour notice. A USD 100 deposit holds your seat; the balance is paid in cash or by card at our Kathmandu office before departure.

DateLengthPriceStatus
8 Apr 2026 → 14 Apr 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Booking openBook now
21 Apr 2026 → 25 Apr 20265dUSD 375 USD 320save USD 55Filling fastBook now
4 May 2026 → 10 May 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Booking openBook now
18 May 2026 → 24 May 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 702 seats leftBook now
15 Sept 2026 → 21 Sept 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Booking openBook now
6 Oct 2026 → 12 Oct 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Filling fastBook now
20 Oct 2026 → 26 Oct 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Booking openBook now
3 Nov 2026 → 9 Nov 20267dUSD 450 USD 380save USD 70Booking openBook now
Can't find a date that works? WhatsApp us and we'll run a private trip for your dates. Same prices apply.
Permits & paperwork

One mandatory permit. One mandatory guide. We handle both.

For booked trekkers we arrange the ACAP permit, your licensed guide, and any applicable TIMS card before you arrive in Pokhara. Independent trekkers should note the post-2023 mandatory guide rule: solo and unguided trekking is no longer permitted in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Required

ACAP entry permit

USD 23 / NPR 3,000

One-time fee for the Annapurna Conservation Area. Checked at Pothana on Day 1.

Required

NTB-licensed local guide

Included in package

Mandatory for foreign trekkers since April 2023. We assign one of our 12 in-house guides.

Conditional

TIMS card

USD 15 / NPR 2,000

Currently inconsistent on Mardi. We confirm the requirement two weeks before departure.

Bring with you
  • Original passport plus one photocopy
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • Travel insurance certificate (high-altitude trek + heli evacuation, 4,500 m minimum)
  • Emergency contact number, home country and Nepal
Trekker reviews

5.0 average from 160+ verified reviews.

Every review below is verified on TripAdvisor or Google and links back to the original. Names, dates, and trek lengths are taken directly from the source. Nothing is rewritten.

5.0Average rating
160+Total reviews
94%Repeat & referral rate
2Independent platforms
★★★★★
Our recent trip to Nepal and trek to Mardi Himal turned out to be one of the most memorable adventures of my life. Our guide Max was friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive, especially during the steep sections. The views along the route were breathtaking.
Tasnuva ROct 2025 · Couple · 7-day Mardi HimalRead on TripAdvisor ↗
★★★★★
We had an excellent five-day trek on the Mardi Himal trail. It is frequented primarily by Nepali tourists. The views are incredible all along the trail, and many guest houses have spectacular views. Our guide was a joy to be with.
Scott MNov 2023 · Solo · 5-day Mardi HimalRead on TripAdvisor ↗
★★★★★
We were considering trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, but changed to the Mardi Himal based on Raj's advice. This was probably the best advice we got in Nepal. Mountains were fully covered in snow, the lower fields were green, and the rhododendron trees were flourishing.
Wessel AApr 2023 · Couple · 7-day Mardi HimalRead on TripAdvisor ↗
★★★★★
Prakash was our trekking guide for the Mardi Himal trek. Even when we arrived feeling unwell, he showed immediate sympathy and organised a range of Pokhara-based activities for us. We can't recommend him enough — Prakash has completed over 500 trips on this route.
Krista JonesMar 2023 · Solo · 7-day Mardi HimalRead on TripAdvisor ↗
★★★★★
Our Mardi Himal trekking experience was great because of this team. Our guide Gautam was so professional, cordial and hospitable. We enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to our next adventure with them.
Elora Alam2024 · Family · 7-day Mardi HimalRead on Google ↗
★★★★★
Truly exceeded our expectations and made our trip to the Himalayas absolutely memorable. From the moment we inquired until the day we returned, their professionalism and attention to detail were outstanding.
Üvesön Magar2023 · Couple · 5-day Mardi HimalRead on Google ↗
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Trusted by the bodies that regulate trekking in Nepal.

FAQs

Common questions, straight answers.

The questions we get every week from trekkers comparing operators. Updated for the 2026 season, including the post-2023 mandatory guide rule, current ACAP fees, and our cancellation policy. Still unsure? WhatsApp us, we usually reply in under 30 minutes.

5 or 7 days. Our standard package is 7 days from Pokhara, which is comfortable for first-time trekkers. The 5-day version is faster, cheaper, and best for fit walkers with limited time. Both reach the Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m.
Book or ask

Walk it with us. Or just ask a question.

We answer every WhatsApp message within an hour during Kathmandu office hours (Sun–Fri 9 AM – 10 PM NPT). A USD 100 deposit holds your seat on any 2026 departure; the balance is paid in cash or by card at our Kathmandu office before departure. Free cancellation up to 14 days before the trek.

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Written & reviewed byAmrit Nepal — Founder member, in the Himalayas since 2009. Last updated for the 2026 season.