What it costs, line by line.
Trekkers from outside Nepal need an ACAP entry permit and, since April 2023, a licensed guide is mandatory inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Below is the actual line-item cost for a Mardi Himal trek in 2026, with the all-inclusive package range at the bottom for comparison. Prices are in Nepali Rupees (NPR) and US Dollars (USD) at recent exchange rates.
Cost breakdown
Per person, 2026 rates- ACAP entry permitNPR 3,000 (~USD 23)Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Mandatory. Issued in Pokhara or Kathmandu.
- TIMS cardNPR 2,000 (~USD 17)Trekkers Information Management System. Required as of 2023 for solo and group trekkers.
- Licensed guideUSD 25 – 35 / dayMandatory in ACA since April 2023. Includes guide's food and lodging on trail.
- Porter (optional)USD 18 – 25 / dayCarries up to 18 kg between two trekkers. Lodging and food included in the rate.
- Teahouse, food + bedUSD 25 – 35 / dayTwin-share room with shared bathroom plus three meals. Higher above Low Camp.
- Pokhara → Kande transferUSD 35 – 60 (private jeep)Public bus is USD 4 each way; private jeep is faster and standard for groups.
- Sidhing → Pokhara returnUSD 80 – 120 (private jeep)Roughly 2 hours. Shared jeep options exist when running with another group.
- Group package, all-inclusiveUSD 380 – 5995 to 7 day departures from Pokhara. Lower for larger groups.
- Private package, all-inclusiveUSD 600 – 1,200Private guide, custom itinerary, scheduled to your dates.
The Nepal Tourism Board banned independent guideless trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area effective 1 April 2023. Trekkers must hire a licensed guide (NTB-issued license) for every trek, including Mardi Himal. The rule is enforced at the ACAP checkpoint at Pothana on Day 1.
ACAP and TIMS are issued at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg) or Pokhara (Damside). Bring two passport photos, your passport, and the visa entry stamp. For booked trekkers we arrange both before you arrive.
Hot showers (NPR 200 – 300), device charging (USD 1 – 2 per night above Forest Camp), bottled water (NPR 200 – 300), beer (NPR 600 – 900), guide and porter tips (USD 80 – 150 total). Plan for an extra USD 8 – 12 per day on top of the package rate.
What to bring, tested on trail.
The list we send to confirmed bookings, drawn from five seasons of walking this trail every week. Items marked rentable are available in Pokhara (Lakeside) for around USD 1.50 to 2 per day, no need to fly with them. Total pack weight target: 8 to 10 kg with porter, 12 to 14 kg without.
Clothing layers
- Base layer top + bottom (merino or synthetic)Mid-weight, long sleeve. Two pairs.~600 g total
- Trekking trousersTwo pairs, lightweight, quick-dry. One should convert to shorts.~700 g
- T-shirts (merino or synthetic)Three. No cotton.~600 g
- Mid layer fleece200-weight fleece or light insulated.~450 g
- Down jacketRentable650+ fill. -5 °C comfort minimum, -10 °C for winter.~600 g
- Waterproof shell jacketRentableHardshell, taped seams. Pit zips a plus.~400 g
- Waterproof shell pantsRentableOptional in autumn, recommended in spring and winter.~300 g
Footwear
- Trekking bootsMid-cut, ankle support, Vibram or similar sole. Broken in over 30+ km.~1.2 kg
- Camp shoes / sandalsCrocs or trail runners. For evenings at teahouse.~400 g
- Trekking socksFour pairs merino. Two thin liner socks optional.~300 g
- Gaiters (winter only)RentableAbove-knee. For snow above Low Camp.~250 g
Sleep & shelter
- Sleeping bagRentable-5 °C autumn, -10 °C in winter. Synthetic or down.~1.4 kg
- Sleeping bag linerSilk or cotton. Adds 5 °C warmth, keeps bag clean.~150 g
Pack & poles
- Daypack 30 – 40 LHip belt, hydration sleeve. With porter, only this is carried.~1.2 kg
- Duffel bag 70 – 90 LCarried by porter. Two trekkers share one duffel.~1 kg
- Trekking polesRentableTwo, telescopic or Z-fold. Foam grips. Required for descent.~500 g
Electronics & light
- Headlamp200+ lumens. Spare batteries.~150 g
- Power bank 10,000 – 20,000 mAhCharging at teahouse is USD 1 – 2 per device per night above Forest Camp.~250 g
- Universal adapterType C or D for Nepal sockets.~50 g
Sun & first aid
- SunglassesCategory 4 (90% UV) for ridge above Low Camp.~30 g
- Sunscreen SPF 50+Body and lip balm. UV is fierce above 3,000 m.~150 g
- First aid kitPlasters, blister kit, ibuprofen, electrolytes, throat lozenges, anti-diarrhoeal.~200 g
- Water purificationSteriPen or chlorine tabs. Bottled water above Low Camp is USD 2 – 3.~100 g
Documents
- Passport + 2 copiesPlus 2 passport photos for ACAP.
- Travel insurance cardWith heli evacuation cover to 4,500 m.
- Cash NPR 15,000 – 25,000Tea, snacks, charging, hot showers, beer above Low Camp.
Teahouses every overnight stop.
The Mardi Himal trek is a teahouse trek. There is no need for tents. Family-run lodges are spaced at every overnight stop from Pitam Deurali to Sidhing. Rooms are simple but warm; kitchens are communal and serve a fixed menu. We pre-book the popular Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp lodges for our groups in October and April.
Overnight stops
Standard 7-day routePitam Deurali
2,100 m- Rooms
- Twin / triple
- Bathroom
- Shared, hot water on demand
- Price (room)
- NPR 1,200 / room
- WiFi
- Yes, basic
Two teahouses. Forest Camp Lodge has the best dining hall.
Forest Camp (Kokar)
2,520 m- Rooms
- Twin / triple
- Bathroom
- Shared, hot bucket shower NPR 200
- Price (room)
- NPR 1,500 / room
- WiFi
- Patchy (NPR 200 / day)
Five teahouses. Trekkers Inn is the newest and has the best kitchen.
Low Camp
2,985 m- Rooms
- Twin / triple
- Bathroom
- Shared, hot bucket shower NPR 300
- Price (room)
- NPR 2,000 / room
- WiFi
- Patchy
Six teahouses. All face the Annapurna massif. Books out in October.
High Camp
3,580 m- Rooms
- Twin only, plywood walls
- Bathroom
- Outdoor pit, no hot water
- Price (room)
- NPR 2,500 / room
- WiFi
- None
Three teahouses. Cold at night even in autumn. Hot water bottle provided on our trips.
Sidhing
1,860 m- Rooms
- Twin / private
- Bathroom
- Shared, hot bucket shower
- Price (room)
- NPR 1,200 / room
- WiFi
- Yes
Three homestays. Family-run, traditional Gurung kitchen.
Lwang
1,460 m- Rooms
- Twin / private
- Bathroom
- Shared, hot water on demand
- Price (room)
- NPR 1,000 / room
- WiFi
- Yes
Tea estate village. Quieter than Sidhing. Two homestays.
What to watch for, what to do.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is real on Mardi Himal but rarely severe at the standard 7-day pacing, which keeps daily ascent under 700 metres above Forest Camp. The Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m is high but not extreme. Most cases on this route are mild headaches at Low Camp and High Camp. Severe AMS is uncommon, but you must recognise it.
Climb slow.
Above 3,000 m, walk at a pace where you can hold a full conversation. If you are out of breath, you are going too fast.
Drink water.
3 to 4 litres per day. Dehydration mimics altitude sickness; treating one prevents the other.
Descend if you doubt.
The cure for serious AMS is altitude. Going down even 300 m can resolve symptoms in hours.
Symptoms & response
From mild to severe- HeadacheMildDrink water, take ibuprofen, rest. Note onset time.
- Loss of appetite, mild nauseaMildEat carbs slowly, drink electrolytes. Continue at slowed pace.
- Difficulty sleeping, mild dizzinessMildCommon above 3,000 m. Hot drink, no alcohol, rest.
- Persistent headache (>4 hrs after ibuprofen)ModerateStop ascent. Rest at current altitude. Consider acetazolamide if previously prescribed.
- Vomiting, severe weaknessModerateDescend to last altitude where you felt well. Do not push higher.
- Confusion, ataxia (loss of coordination)SevereSuspect HACE. Immediate descent. Helicopter evacuation if descent not possible.
- Wet, gurgling cough at rest, breathlessness lying downSevereSuspect HAPE. Immediate descent. Helicopter evacuation. Do not delay.
Helps acclimatisation by speeding up acid-base balance in the blood. Standard prophylactic dose is 125 mg twice daily, started one day before crossing 3,000 m and continued for 48 hours after reaching the highest sleeping altitude. Side effects include tingling fingers and frequent urination. Speak to your doctor before the trip; do not start it without medical advice.
From High Camp at 3,580 m, a Pokhara-based helicopter can land within 45 minutes in clear weather. Cost is USD 4,000 to 8,000, fully refundable through valid travel insurance. We carry a satellite phone and have direct relationships with Simrik Air, Air Dynasty, and Manang Air.
Asthma, hypertension, prior pulmonary embolism, severe anaemia, and known altitude-sensitive conditions require a doctor's clearance before booking. Tell us at booking; we will adjust the pace and add an extra rest day as needed.
Cover that actually pays.
Travel insurance is mandatory for our bookings. Your policy must cover trekking to at least 4,500 metres and helicopter evacuation from remote terrain. Many standard travel insurance policies cap altitude at 3,000 m, which is below Mardi Himal's overnight stops. Read the policy schedule before you buy. If you do not have cover, we cannot accept the booking.
- Trekking to 4,500 m (Upper Viewpoint and Mardi Himal Base Camp)
- Helicopter evacuation, ideally to USD 10,000 minimum
- Medical treatment in Nepal hospitals (Kathmandu CIWEC, Pokhara CIWEC)
- Trip cancellation and curtailment
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Altitude caps lower than 4,500 m
- "Mountaineering" exclusions that catch trekkers above 4,000 m
- Pre-existing condition exclusions, especially cardiovascular
- Excess (deductible) higher than the cost of common claims
- Heli evacuation that requires "life-threatening" for cover; AMS rescue can be denied
Providers we see most often
Reader-tested, not affiliateWorld Nomads (Explorer plan)
Most countriesTrekking to 6,000 m included. Heli evacuation covered. Common pick for mid-budget travellers.
IMG Patriot Adventure
USA, most countriesSpecifically covers high-altitude trekking. Mid-tier pricing. Strong claims process.
Global Rescue (membership)
WorldwideField rescue and evacuation only. Pair with regular travel insurance for medical claims.
True Traveller (Adventure Pack)
UK, EUTrekking to 4,500 m on the standard plan; higher with the Adventure Pack.
InsureandGo Adventure
UK, AUHigh-altitude trekking covered. Read the small print on heli evacuation cap.
