About This Trek
The Mardi Himal Trek is one of Nepal's newest officially designated trails and remains blissfully uncrowded compared to its famous neighbors. This stunning ridge route in the Annapurna Conservation Area climbs to a high camp at 4,500m, offering some of the most intimate views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993m) — the sacred peak that has never been officially climbed — along with panoramic vistas of the entire Annapurna South face, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, and the Modi Khola valley far below.
The trail ascends through lush rhododendron and oak forests, past traditional Gurung teahouses, and emerges onto a dramatic open ridge with 270° mountain views. The progression from subtropical forest to high alpine terrain happens remarkably quickly, giving a sense of adventure without the extreme altitude commitment of other circuits.
For those who want an immersive, relatively quick mountain experience without the crowds of Poon Hill or the length of the circuit treks, Mardi Himal is the perfect answer.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pokhara to Kande & Trek to Australian Camp (2,060m)
Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1,770m). Begin trekking through pine and rhododendron forest on a well-marked trail. Australian Camp offers the first sweeping views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Pokhara valley below.
Day 2: Australian Camp to Forest Camp (2,520m)
Continue through beautiful rhododendron forest along the Mardi Himal ridgeline. The trail is less frequented here — a peaceful contrast to busier Nepal treks. Forest Camp is a charming small settlement with mountain views emerging through the trees.
Day 3: Forest Camp to Low Camp (3,050m)
Climb through increasingly dramatic forest. The rhododendron trees become gnarled and moss-covered at higher elevation. Low Camp sits at the treeline with the first full views of the Annapurna Sanctuary and Machhapuchhre towering overhead.
Day 4: Low Camp to High Camp (3,580m)
Ascend above the treeline onto the open Mardi Himal ridge. The views open up dramatically — Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and the deep Modi Khola gorge. High Camp has several teahouses with spectacular sunset and sunrise mountain views.
Day 5: Sunrise Hike to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,500m)
Early start before dawn for the hike to the Mardi Himal upper viewpoint (4,500m). Watch the sunrise paint the Annapurna massif and Machhapuchhre in gold. The views from here are extraordinary — arguably the closest legal approach to the sacred Machhapuchhre peak. Return to High Camp for breakfast, then descend.
Day 5 (Continued): Descend to Siding Village (1,750m)
After returning from the viewpoint, descend steeply through rhododendron forest on an alternative path via Siding — a beautiful traditional Gurung village rarely visited by tourists.
Day 6: Siding to Lumre & Drive to Pokhara
Short morning trek through terraced farmland to Lumre on the Pokhara–Beni highway. Drive back to Pokhara (1 hour) for a celebratory lakeside meal.
Day 7–9 (Optional): Pokhara Extension
Optional extra days in Pokhara for paragliding, sunrise flight over the Himalayas, ultra-light aircraft, boat on Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda, or white-water rafting on the Seti River.
Trek Highlights
What's Included
Best Time to Trek
🍂 Autumn (Sep – Nov)
Ideal season. Clear skies, excellent mountain visibility, crisp air, and comfortable trekking temperatures. October is perfect.
🌸 Spring (Mar – May)
Spectacular rhododendron blooms at every elevation. Clear mornings with good mountain views. Warmer than autumn.
❄️ Winter (Dec – Feb)
Beautiful snow-covered landscapes and quiet trails. The High Camp and viewpoint may have snow, requiring microspikes. Cold but rewarding.
🌧 Monsoon (Jun – Aug)
Leech-covered trails and limited mountain views. The forest is lush and green. Not recommended unless you enjoy solitude at any cost.
Important Notes
Fitness Level: Moderate fitness required. The trail involves significant elevation gain each day, but the total altitude of 4,500m is manageable for most reasonably fit trekkers. Training with day hikes beforehand is helpful.
Newly Developed Trail: Mardi Himal was only officially opened as a designated trekking route in 2012. While teahouse infrastructure has improved significantly, facilities above Low Camp remain basic — particularly for electricity and wifi.
Sacred Mountain: Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) is considered sacred by Hindus and its summit has never been officially conquered. Please respect this — photography is welcome, but culturally sensitive behavior on the approach is appreciated.
Crowd Avoidance: Unlike Poon Hill which can be packed with trekkers, Mardi Himal High Camp typically sees far fewer visitors — go early in the morning for the most solitary experience possible at the viewpoint.