The Short Mardi Himal Trek is a five-day guided trek from Pokhara to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters. The point-to-point route begins at Kande, climbs through Forest Camp and High Camp, and descends through Badal Danda to Siding. Covering approximately 40–45 kilometres, this compact itinerary is best for fit hikers comfortable with steep ascents, exposed ridges and consecutive trekking days.
Mountain Eco Trails offers private departures from USD 499 per person, including permits, meals, teahouse accommodation, a licensed guide and ground transportation.
Mardi Himal is close to Pokhara, but the mountain experience feels far removed from city life. Within a few days, the trail rises from subtropical forest to a narrow alpine ridge below Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Mardi Himal.
The challenge is fitting that elevation into a short schedule without turning the trek into a race. This 5 Day Mardi Himal Trek is designed for seasoned trekkers and fit travellers who want to begin in Pokhara, reach the high viewpoint or Base Camp, and return without adding unnecessary days in Kathmandu.
It is compact, scenic and demanding enough to feel earned—not an “easy trek for everyone.”
Short Mardi Himal Trek at a Glance
| Trek fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days from Pokhara |
| Trekking days | 4 walking days plus return transfer |
| Starting point | Kande, about a one-hour drive from Pokhara |
| Ending point | Siding, followed by a jeep transfer to Pokhara |
| Highest point | Mardi Himal Base Camp, approximately 4,500m |
| Highest overnight stay | High Camp, approximately 3,580m |
| Estimated distance | Approximately 40–45km, depending on lodge and road access |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging on a compact itinerary |
| Daily walking | Approximately 5–8 hours |
| Accommodation | mountain teahouses |
| Meals on trek | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Best seasons | March–May and late September–November |
| Permits | ACAP and TIMS |
| Guide | Licensed trekking guide required under the revised TIMS provision |
| Published price | From USD 499 per person |
| Trek style | Private or small-group guided trek |
| Best for | Fit, time-limited hikers starting from Pokhara |
Check your preferred date: Mountain Eco Trails offers flexible private departures rather than making you wait for a large fixed group.
Short Mardi Himal Trek Highlights
- Begin with a private transfer from Pokhara to Kande.
- Walk from subtropical forest to open alpine terrain in two trekking days.
- Follow the ridge above Badal Danda with Machhapuchhre directly ahead.
- Sleep at High Camp beneath the Annapurna skyline.
- Attempt Mardi Himal Base Camp at approximately 4,500 meters.
- See Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli from close range.
- Descend through a different trail to Siding instead of retracing the entire route.
- Stay in locally operated teahouses within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Complete the principal trail experience without adding Kathmandu travel days.
- Trek privately with a licensed guide and a schedule adapted to your pace.
Short Mardi Himal Trek Route at a Glance
The Short Mardi Himal Trek is a point-to-point route, not a round trip. It begins at Kande, climbs through Forest Camp and High Camp, reaches the Mardi Himal ridge, and descends through Badal Danda to Siding. A road transfer then returns trekkers to Pokhara.
Route sequence:
Pokhara → Kande → Australian Camp → Pitam Deurali → Forest Camp → Low Camp → Badal Danda → High Camp → Upper Viewpoint → Mardi Himal Base Camp → Badal Danda → Siding → Pokhara
The trekking distance is approximately 40–45 kilometres. The final GPS distance varies according to the selected lodge, trail conditions, whether the group reaches the Upper Viewpoint or Base Camp, and where the jeep can collect trekkers near Siding.
Starting and ending points
Kande, at approximately 1,770 meters, is the standard trailhead. It is accessible by road from Pokhara and allows the group to begin walking the same morning.
Siding, at approximately 1,700 meters, is the exit point. Descending through Siding creates a more interesting point-to-point journey and avoids repeating the full ridge trail.
Mardi Himal Base Camp versus Upper Viewpoint
The Upper Viewpoint and Mardi Himal Base Camp are not in the same location.
The Upper Viewpoint is generally placed around 4,200 meters, while Mardi Himal Base Camp is commonly described as approximately 4,500 meters. Snow, strong wind, poor visibility, trail condition and group health may make the Upper Viewpoint the safer turnaround point.
Mountain Eco Trails’ standard itinerary targets Base Camp when conditions allow. The guide makes the final decision based on safety—not on pressure to reach a label on the map.
Check our Mardi Himal Trek Route Map in Detail.
Short Mardi Himal Trek 5-Day Itinerary Facts
Completing the Mardi Himal Trek in 5 days might sound ambitious, but it’s a well-paced itinerary that maximises your experience. Most trekkers either start or end in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside city, gateway to the Annapurnas. Here’s a quick look at how a 5-day Mardi Himal Trek unfolds:
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Elevation profile | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara–Kande–Forest Camp | 12–14km | 1,770m to 2,500m | 5–6 hours |
| 2 | Forest Camp–High Camp | 8–10km | 2,500m to 3,580m | 5–7 hours |
| 3 | High Camp–Base Camp–Badal Danda | 12–14km | 3,580m–4,500m–3,210m | 7–8 hours |
| 4 | Badal Danda–Siding | 7–9km | 3,210m to 1,700m | 5–6 hours |
| 5 | Siding–Pokhara | Short walk if required | 1,700m to approximately 822m | 2–3-hour drive |
Despite being just 5 days, this itinerary touches all the highlights: panoramic mountain views at sunrise, varied terrains each day, and a taste of local mountain culture. It’s important to note that trek itineraries can be flexible. If you’re extremely fit or short on time, the trek can be squeezed into 4 days. Alternatively, if you prefer a slower pace or additional side trips, you could extend it to 6-7 days.
Mountain Eco Trails specialises in crafting the perfect route for your needs, ensuring you get the most out of your 5-day adventure. Now, let’s break down the itinerary day by day to see what each day has in store.
How Difficult Is the Short Mardi Himal Trek?
The Short Mardi Himal Trek is moderate to challenging because it reaches approximately 4,500 meters in a compact schedule. No ropes, crampons or mountaineering skills are normally required, but trekkers face steep forest climbs, an exposed ridge, a summit-day ascent of about 920 meters and a long descent. It is best for fit hikers with previous multi-day walking experience.
The word “short” describes duration, not effort. Four concentrated trekking days make this itinerary more demanding than a relaxed seven- or nine-day program.
Daily ascent and descent
Day 2 includes an approximate 1,080-meter net ascent from Forest Camp to High Camp. Day 3 then climbs about 920 meters toward Base Camp before descending roughly 1,290 meters to Badal Danda.
Day 4 adds another long descent toward Siding. Strong cardiovascular fitness helps, but muscular endurance and stable downhill movement matter just as much.
Altitude considerations
The highest sleeping point is High Camp at approximately 3,580 meters, while the route reaches around 4,500 meters during the Base Camp attempt.
Altitude can affect fit and experienced trekkers. Headache, unusual fatigue, nausea, dizziness or poor coordination must be reported to the guide. The appropriate response may include stopping the ascent or descending; reaching Base Camp never takes priority over health.
This itinerary has limited acclimatisation time. Travellers arriving directly from sea level should spend time in Nepal—and ideally at least a night in Pokhara—before beginning.
Recommended previous experience
You should be able to:
- walk six to eight hours on consecutive days;
- climb 800–1,000 vertical meters without exhausting yourself;
- descend steep trails with control;
- carry a 5–8kg daypack;
- remain comfortable in cold, wind and changing visibility;
- Follow guide decisions when conditions require a turnaround.
A regular hiking routine, hill walking, and stair training in the weeks before departure are more useful than relying solely on gym-based fitness.
Short Mardi Himal Trek 5-Day Cost 2026,2027
The Short Mardi Himal Trek cost for 2026 starts at USD 499 for one private traveller. The price is USD 449 per person for two to three trekkers and USD 420 per person for 4-7 trekkers. The package covers guided trekking, permits, meals, teahouse accommodation and specified Pokhara transfers.
Note: The Short Mardi Himal Trek cost varies depending on the services, itinerary, and group size. Check the Mardi Himal Trek cost breakdown.
As of 2026, a private 5-day Mardi Himal Trek with Mountain Eco Trails costs approximately USD 499 per person. This rate is for a dedicated trek just for you, offering flexibility in schedule and pace. We handle all the logistics so you can trek with ease. If you opt to join a group trek, the cost goes down to roughly USD 399 per person for a small group of more than 8-12 trekkers.
Check Dates or Customise Your Trek and Book Short Mardi Himal Trek Today
Have strong hiking fitness and five open days in Pokhara? This itinerary gives you the essential Mardi Himal ridge experience without padding the schedule with unnecessary arrival and departure days.
Contact Mountain Eco Trails with:
- your preferred starting date;
- group size;
- recent trekking experience;
- current location in Nepal;
- porter requirement;
- dietary needs;
- Preferred private or group format.
WhatsApp: +977 9849790153
Email: [email protected]
Starting price: USD 599 per person
Departure style: Flexible, private and small-group departures
.webp)
