Mardi Himal Trek – 5 days

Mardi Himal Trek Overview

The 5 days Mardi Himal Trek is one of the shorter alpine routes in the Annapurna region, and one of the few where the trail moves from forest to open alpine terrain within a single day of walking.

This 5-day package with Trek Trove Nepal starts and ends in Pokhara, costs US$355 per person, and follows the standard Kande approach route through Forest Camp and Low Camp to High Camp, with a final push to the Mardi Himal View Point before descending.

Unlike Annapurna Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, this trek does not require multiple acclimatization days or a long approach march. The trade-off is a shorter overall route, which means less time at altitude and a firmer daily walking pace than longer treks in the same region.

Quick Facts Table

Detail	Information
Trek Name	Mardi Himal Trek
Duration	5 Days / 4 Nights
Price	US$355 per person
Starting/Ending Point	Pokhara (via Kande)
Highest Point	Mardi Himal View Point, approx. 4,200 m
Region	Annapurna Conservation Area
Trek Type	Tea-house trek, no camping required
Difficulty	Moderate to challenging – steep sections, altitude gain
Average Walking Hours	5–7 hours per day
Group Size	Private or small group (customizable)
Best Season	March–May and September–November
Permits Required	ACAP permit, TIMS card

Mardi Himal Trek Overview

The route begins with a drive from Pokhara to Kande, the standard trailhead for this trek, followed by an initial climb past Australian Camp and Pothana toward Forest Camp. From there, the trail moves steadily upward through rhododendron and oak forest to Low Camp, then above the treeline to High Camp at approximately 3,580 meters.

The final stage of the trek is the walk from High Camp up to the Mardi Himal View Point, an open ridge position with close views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) and Mardi Himal itself.

Because of the altitude and terrain above High Camp, this 5-day itinerary reaches the View Point rather than continuing further to Mardi Himal Base Camp, which typically requires additional time and altitude adjustment beyond what a 5-day schedule allows.

Why Choose the 5 Day Mardi Himal Trek

• Reaches alpine terrain in under three days — the shift from forest to open ridge happens faster on this route than on most other Annapurna region treks.
• Close-range views of Machhapuchhre — the trail’s angle to the mountain puts Fishtail’s south face notably closer than on the Annapurna Base Camp route.
• Fixed 5-day schedule from Pokhara, with no domestic flights required and a straightforward road transfer to and from the trailhead.
• Tea-house accommodation throughout — no camping gear needed, though standards above Low Camp are simpler than lower down.
• Less cost covers the core logistics — permits, guide, accommodation, and meals on the trek, reducing what travelers need to arrange independently.

5 Day Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Pokhara to Kande, Trek to Forest Camp

Private vehicle transfer from Pokhara to Kande (approximately 1–1.5 hours by road). From Kande, the trail climbs past Australian Camp and Pothana before continuing into forest toward Forest Camp. Overnight at Forest Camp.

Day 2: Forest Camp to Low Camp

A shorter but steadily uphill day through denser rhododendron and oak forest, gaining altitude toward Low Camp. Overnight at Low Camp, with the treeline visible ahead for the following day.

Day 3: Low Camp to High Camp

The trail moves above the treeline on this stage, transitioning from forest to rhododendron scrub and then open ridge terrain. High Camp (3,580 m) sits on an exposed ridge position with wider views than the lower camps. Overnight at High Camp.

Day 4: High Camp to Mardi Himal View Point, Descend to Siding or Low Camp

An early departure from High Camp for the walk up to the Mardi Himal View Point (approx. 4,200 m), followed by a return to High Camp and a descent to a lower overnight point, depending on group pace and weather conditions on the day.

Day 5: Descend to Pokhara

Continue the descent to the trailhead access point, followed by a private vehicle transfer back to Pokhara.

Route Overview

Day	Route	Approx. Walking Time
1	Kande → Australian Camp → Pothana → Forest Camp	5–6 hours
2	Forest Camp → Low Camp	4–5 hours
3	Low Camp → High Camp	5–6 hours
4	High Camp → View Point → High Camp → descend	6–7 hours
5	Descend to trailhead → drive to Pokhara	4–5 hours walking + drive

Daily Walking Distance & Hours Table

Day	Walking Hours	Terrain
1	5–6 hrs	Forest trail, moderate ascent
2	4–5 hrs	Dense forest, steady climb
3	5–6 hrs	Treeline transition to open ridge
4	6–7 hrs	Exposed ridge to viewpoint, then descent
5	4–5 hrs	Forest descent to trailhead

Altitude Profile Table

Location	Altitude
Pokhara	820 m
Kande	1,770 m
Forest Camp	2,550 m
Low Camp	2,970 m
High Camp	3,580 m
Mardi Himal View Point	approx. 4,200 m

Mardi Himal Base Camp / High Camp Experience

High Camp is the last tea-house stop before the View Point and sits on an open ridge with limited shelter from wind, unlike the forested lower camps. The final walk from High Camp to the View Point covers roughly 600 meters of elevation gain on exposed terrain, and is typically attempted early in the day before cloud cover builds, which is common on this route by mid-to-late morning.

Trek Trove Nepal’s 5-day itinerary reaches the View Point rather than the higher Base Camp area, which sits further along the ridge and generally requires an additional day to reach and return from safely.

Mountain Views

From the Mardi Himal View Point, the primary view is of Machhapuchhre’s south face at close range, along with Mardi Himal itself. Annapurna South and Hiunchuli are visible from various points along the upper trail, conditions permitting. As with any high-altitude viewpoint in this region, cloud cover can obscure views, particularly later in the day or during the monsoon and early autumn transition period.

Trek Difficulty

This trek is rated moderate to challenging. The forested lower sections (Days 1–2) are a steady but manageable climb. Days 3 and 4 are more demanding, with sustained altitude gain above the treeline, exposed ridge walking, and a long summit-and-descend day on Day 4. Trekkers should expect multiple consecutive days of several hours’ uphill walking, with no flat or easy sections once above Low Camp

Fitness Requirements

No technical climbing skills are needed, but a reasonable level of cardiovascular fitness makes a meaningful difference on Days 3 and 4. Trekkers who do some hill-walking or stair training in the weeks before departure typically manage the altitude gain and ridge sections more comfortably. This is not a trek to start undertrained, given the pace required to complete it in 5 days.

Altitude & Acclimatization

At a maximum altitude of approximately 4,200 meters, altitude is a genuine consideration on this trek, unlike shorter routes such as Ghorepani Poon Hill. The itinerary does not include a dedicated acclimatization day, so the ascent from Low Camp (2,970 m) to High Camp (3,580 m) and then to the View Point (approx. 4,200 m) happens over two consecutive days.

Trekkers should stay well hydrated, walk at a steady pace rather than rushing the uphill sections, and tell the guide immediately if symptoms such as headache, nausea, or unusual fatigue appear. Anyone with health conditions that may be affected by altitude should consult a doctor before booking.

Best Time to do 5 Day Mardi Himal Trek

October to November offers the clearest post-monsoon skies and the most reliable mountain visibility. March to April brings rhododendron blooms on the lower forested sections along with generally good conditions. December to February is workable but cold, with a real possibility of snow at High Camp and above. 

June to September (monsoon) brings frequent rain, slippery trail conditions on the forested sections, and significantly reduced visibility at the upper camps and viewpoint.

Season Comparison Table

Season	Months	Trail Conditions	Mountain Visibility
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Clear, dry, busiest season	Excellent
Winter	Dec–Feb	Cold, possible snow at High Camp/View Point	Good, but cold
Spring	Mar–May	Mild, rhododendron bloom on lower trail	Good, some afternoon cloud
Monsoon	Jun–Aug	Wet, slippery on forest sections	Poor, frequent cloud

Weather Overview

Temperatures drop noticeably above Low Camp, and High Camp is regularly cold overnight even outside winter, given its exposed ridge position. The walk to the View Point is typically done early to avoid the cloud buildup that tends to develop by mid-morning on this route. Winter nights at High Camp can fall well below freezing, and snow is possible at the higher camps between December and February.

Transportation

• Private vehicle transfer between Pokhara and Kande on Day 1 and again on Day 5, once the group descends to a road-accessible point.
• All movement on the trek itself is on foot — there is no vehicle access above Kande on this route.
• No domestic flights are required for this itinerary.

Accommodation

Location	Nights	Accommodation Type
Forest Camp	1	Tea-house lodge
Low Camp	1	Tea-house lodge
High Camp	1	Tea-house lodge
Descent overnight point	1	Tea-house lodge

Lodges at Forest Camp and Low Camp are generally comfortable, with private twin rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Accommodation at High Camp is simpler, reflecting its remote, high-altitude location — rooms are basic, unheated, and shared bathroom facilities are standard. Hot showers become less reliably available the higher the trek goes.

Meals & Drinking Water

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the trek. Menus at lower lodges (Forest Camp, Low Camp) are more varied, typically including dal bhat, noodle dishes, soups, and basic breakfast items. Menu options narrow at High Camp, where supply logistics are more limited. Bottled and boiled water are available for purchase at each lodge; a personal water bottle with a filter or purification tablets is a practical way to reduce reliance on bottled water at altitude.

Permits & Entry Requirements

This trek requires an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, both checked at points along the route. Trek Trove Nepal arranges both permits as part of the package, using passport details provided at the time of booking.

Packing Checklist Table

Category	Items
Clothing	Layered clothing, insulated jacket, waterproof shell
Footwear	Broken-in hiking boots, warm trekking socks
Health	Personal medication, blister plasters, sunscreen
Accessories	Trekking poles, headlamp, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses
Documents	Passport copies, permit photos, travel insurance details
Extras	Reusable water bottle, small daypack, power bank

Cost Breakdown of 5 Day Mardi Himal Trek

The US$355 per-person price is based on standard group travel and covers the core trekking logistics — permits, accommodation, meals on the trail, guide services, and Pokhara–Kande transfers.

Final pricing can vary slightly with group size, and Trek Trove Nepal confirms an exact figure once travel dates and group size are known.

Item	Covered in US$355
Accommodation (4 nights, tea-house)	Yes
Meals during the trek	Yes
ACAP permit and TIMS card	Yes
Guide	Yes
Pokhara–Kande–Pokhara transfers	Yes
Porter	Not included (optional add-on)
Travel insurance	Not included

Optional Services

• Porter service for trekkers who prefer not to carry a full pack
• Extra night in Pokhara before or after the trek
• Private vehicle upgrade for the Pokhara–Kande transfer
• Extension to combine Mardi Himal with a shorter Pokhara valley itinerary

Responsible Trekking

Trek Trove Nepal asks trekkers to stay on marked trails, particularly above the treeline where the route crosses open, undefined terrain in places, and to be mindful of resource use at High Camp, where water and fuel supply are more limited than at the lower lodges.

Practical Travel Tips

• Book this trek with a few days of flexibility around your main travel dates, since Day 4 weather at the View Point can affect timing.
• Trekking poles are genuinely useful on the descent from High Camp, which is steep in sections.
• Carry small cash in Nepali rupees, as lodges above Low Camp do not reliably accept cards.
• Pack for temperatures colder than Pokhara at every stage above Forest Camp, including during the day.
• Start early on Day 4 to reach the View Point before cloud cover typically builds later in the morning.

Ready to Book the 5 days Mardi Himal Trek?

If you’re considering the Mardi Himal Trek, Trek Trove Nepal can arrange the full 5-day package for US$355 per person — permits, tea-house accommodation, guide, and Pokhara–Kande transfers included.

Contact Trek Trove Nepal now, to check current availability and confirm departure dates.