What is the best time of year to do the Mardi Himal Trek?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are both reliable trekking windows on Mardi Himal. October and November deliver the driest skies and the clearest mountain views. March and April add the rhododendron bloom across the lower ridge from 1,800m to 2,800m, which many trekkers rate as the defining visual experience of the route. June to September (monsoon season) is not recommended: rainfall is heavy, leeches are active on forest trails, and visibility at High Camp is frequently zero.

How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?

The trek is rated moderate. The hardest single day is Forest Camp to High Camp, which gains about 1,060m of elevation over 5 to 6 hours of continuous uphill on open ridge. A person who can comfortably walk 5 to 7 hours in hilly terrain with a light daypack will manage this trek without significant difficulty. Prior high-altitude experience is not required. Six to eight weeks of aerobic training before departure makes the High Camp section considerably more manageable. The Siding descent on day seven is steep and long on the knees; trekking poles reduce the strain meaningfully.

Do I need a permit for the Mardi Himal Trek?

Yes. Two permits are required. The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit costs NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22) for foreign nationals. The TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card costs NPR 2,000 (approximately USD 15) per person. Both are included in your Swotah package and are processed in Kathmandu before the trek starts. You carry the originals on trail and present them at check-posts at Kande and points along the ridge.

What is the maximum altitude on the Mardi Himal Trek?

The trek reaches 4,500m at Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is the highest point on the itinerary. High Camp, where most trekkers sleep the night before the summit day, sits at 3,580m. Both altitudes are above the threshold where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes a realistic risk for any trekker, regardless of fitness level. The guide monitors all group members for AMS symptoms throughout the trek.

Is WiFi available on the trail?

WiFi is available at most tea houses from Australian Camp through to Low Camp. At High Camp some tea houses offer WiFi via NTC mobile signal, but connectivity is intermittent. Mobile data on NTC or Ncell SIM cards works reliably up to Low Camp. At High Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp, reliable internet access should not be expected. A power bank with at least 20,000mAh capacity lasts 2 to 3 days between reliable charging points.

Can I do the Mardi Himal Trek without a guide?

The trail is marked and technically navigable without a guide in good visibility. However, the Nepal Tourism Board recommends hiring a registered guide, and Swotah includes one as a standard part of every package. A guide provides route navigation in poor weather, local knowledge of conditions at each camp, first-response training for altitude sickness, and room reservations at tea houses during peak season. The guide's decision to call a descent in the event of AMS is final.

What kind of accommodation is available on the trail?

All accommodation on the trail is in tea houses: family-run mountain guesthouses with a small dining room and guest rooms. Rooms have two single beds, thin mattresses, and a basic blanket. Bathrooms are shared at most camps. Australian Camp and Forest Camp have the most comfortable facilities including hot showers and device charging. High Camp tea houses are the most basic; bring a sleeping bag rated to -10°C as the blankets provided are insufficient at 3,580m.

How does Mardi Himal compare to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Both treks access the same region and reach similar maximum altitudes: Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500m versus Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m. The key differences: Mardi runs along an open ridgeline for most of its upper section, while ABC follows the Modi Khola gorge valley with enclosed views. Mardi receives a fraction of ABC's annual trekker numbers. The Mardi itinerary is 3 to 4 days shorter. ABC offers Jhinu hot springs and the option to add the Ghorepani-Poon Hill circuit. Mardi is better suited to trekkers who prioritise open panoramic terrain and fewer crowds.

What should I do if I feel altitude sickness on the trek?

Stop ascending immediately. Rest at your current elevation and drink 3 to 4 litres of water through the day. Take ibuprofen for headache. If symptoms do not improve after 12 hours of rest, descend at least 500m before stopping again. Do not re-ascend until all symptoms have cleared completely. The guide carries supplemental oxygen and coordinates helicopter evacuation in serious cases. Acute mountain sickness that progresses to high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) is a medical emergency requiring immediate descent.

How much spending money do I need on the trek?

NPR 10,000 to 15,000 (approximately USD 75 to 115) in personal cash covers incidental spending over 7 trekking days. This covers hot showers (NPR 200–300 per shower), WiFi sessions (NPR 200–400 per session), extra snacks, drinks beyond included meals, and a small contingency. Guide and porter tips are separate and customary: NPR 1,000 to 1,500 per trekker per day for the guide, NPR 800 to 1,200 per trekker per day for the porter. There are no ATMs on the trail; all cash must be withdrawn in Pokhara before departure.

Mardi Himal Trek 2026 – Itinerary, Map, Cost

About the Mardi Himal Trek

The 11-day Mardi Himal Trek takes you through the quieter side of Nepal’s Annapurna region, following a scenic ridge trail inside the Annapurna Conservation Area up to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 metres. Starting from Kande, just a short drive from Pokhara, the trail passes through traditional villages, oak and rhododendron forests, and peaceful tea house stops like Australian Camp, Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp before opening onto stunning alpine ridges with close-up views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. Unlike the busier Annapurna Base Camp route, Mardi Himal sees far fewer trekkers, making the trail feel calm and less crowded. Spring brings colourful rhododendron blooms across the hillsides, while autumn offers clear skies and the best mountain views. The trek is considered moderate and is a great choice for beginners with a good fitness level who want a shorter Himalayan trek with rewarding scenery throughout the journey.

Everything you need to know

In-depth guides on accommodation, food, permits, insurance and special considerations — tap any topic to expand.

Tea houses from Kande to High Camp

All accommodation on the Mardi Himal Trek is in family-run tea houses at Australian Camp, Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. Rooms are twin-bed with thin mattresses and a blanket. Shared bathrooms are standard at all camps. Australian Camp and Forest Camp have the most comfortable facilities, including hot showers (NPR 200–300 per shower) and device charging points. High Camp tea houses have solar power only; charging is limited and not guaranteed.

Sleeping bag requirement

A sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C is essential for High Camp nights at 3,580m. Temperatures drop to -10°C to -15°C in autumn and to -5°C to -10°C in spring. Tea house blankets are thin and insufficient alone at this altitude. Carrying your own sleeping bag guarantees the temperature rating.

Booking during peak season

October and early November see the highest tea house occupancy on the Mardi trail. Swotah pre-books accommodation at all camps before departure. Trekkers who arrive without a reservation during peak season frequently find High Camp fully occupied.

Mardi Himal Trek

About the Mardi Himal Trek

Highlights

Open Ridge Mountain Views

Rhododendron Forests in Spring

Less Crowded Trekking Route

Sunrise from High Camp

Close View of Mardi Himal Peak

Traditional Gurung Villages

Everything you need to know

Accommodation on the trailTea houses at all camps; sleeping bag rated to -10°C essential for High Camp

Tea houses from Kande to High Camp

Sleeping bag requirement

Booking during peak season

Food and drinking waterDal Bhat, noodles, eggs and soup at all camps; drink only boiled or filtered water

What the menus offer

Drinking water safety

Eating at altitude

Permits and entry documentsACAP permit and TIMS card required; Swotah arranges both before you leave Kathmandu

ACAP and TIMS permits

What Swotah arranges

Insurance requirementsMedical evacuation cover above 4,500m is a booking requirement, not a recommendation

Minimum coverage required

Check your altitude limit

Trip cancellation and delay

Altitude, fitness and acclimatizationMaximum altitude 4,500m; moderate classification suits fit beginners with hill walking experience

Altitude profile and AMS risk

Fitness preparation

Acclimatization strategy and Diamox

Money, connectivity and getting thereCarry NPR cash from Pokhara; NTC or Ncell data works reliably up to Low Camp

Cash and ATMs

Mobile and internet access

Getting to the trailhead

What to expect each day on the trailTrekking days on Mardi Himal start between 7am and 8am after a hot breakfast. Th…

Acclimatization and altitude managementThe Mardi Himal Trek gains altitude quickly by Himalayan standards. On the summi…

Guide and porter tippingTips are the primary income supplement for guides and porters in Nepal's trekkin…

Photography and cultural respectThe open ridge from Low Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp offers excellent photograp…

Born in Nepal

Guaranteed Departures

Certified Guides

Small Groups

Gear Included

Flexible Payment

24/7 Support

Hall of Fame

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Khopra Ridge Community Trek

Get a free personalised travel brief for the Mardi Himal Trek.