The ridge narrows to a blade of earth above the clouds. To your left, the world drops away into the Modi Khola gorge, a thousand metres of empty air and morning mist. To your right, rhododendron forest clings to the slope in silence. And straight ahead, filling the sky from one edge of your vision to the other, Machhapuchhre rises. The sacred Fishtail mountain, so close from this angle that you can see individual seams of ice on its south face, its twin summit catching the first light of dawn in a blaze of pink and gold. No photograph prepares you for this. At 4,500 metres (14,764ft), Mardi Himal Base Camp is one of the quietest, most visually overwhelming viewpoints in the entire Annapurna region, and you have just walked here in seven days.
The Mardi Himal trek is Nepal's best-kept secret among experienced trekkers. While the Annapurna Base Camp trail draws steady traffic and the Poon Hill route fills with sunrise seekers, the Mardi Himal ridge trail remains quiet and uncrowded. Opened as an official trekking route only in recent years, it follows a steep, forested ridge directly towards the base of Machhapuchhre, passing through Gurung villages and alpine meadows before reaching a high camp on the edge of the Annapurna Sanctuary. You'll sleep in teahouses where the owner knows your name by evening, eat dal bhat and Nepali dishes cooked on wood fires, and watch the Annapurna massif turn crimson at sunset from your lodge doorstep. Seven days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
What Makes This Trek Unforgettable
- Stand at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m / 14,764ft) with Machhapuchhre's (Fishtail) south face rising directly above you, closer than almost any other viewpoint in Nepal
- Trek one of Nepal's quietest Annapurna routes. While nearby trails see hundreds of trekkers daily, the Mardi Himal ridge often has fewer than a dozen walkers on the entire path
- Walk through dense rhododendron and oak forest that erupts in crimson, pink, and white blooms from March to May, creating one of the finest spring displays in the Himalayas
- See Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and the full sweep of the Annapurna range from High Camp, with unobstructed views in every direction
- Camp at High Camp (3,580m), a small cluster of lodges perched on a grassy ridge above the clouds, where sunsets over the mountains are among the most spectacular in Nepal
- Experience genuine Gurung village culture in the lower sections, passing through settlements where traditional stone houses sit among terraced fields and prayer flags flutter between rooftops
- Complete a high-altitude trek in just 7 days, making it ideal for those with limited holiday time who still want to reach above 4,000 metres
- All permits included (ACAP and TIMS), so you don't need to spend a day in Kathmandu queuing at government offices
- Small groups of 2 to 20, always with a Nepal government well-trained guide who knows this trail intimately
- Every booking supports education for 70 children in rural Nepal through the Nagarjun Learning Center
7-Day Overview
Your journey begins and ends in Kathmandu, but the trek itself starts from Pokhara, reached by a scenic drive through the middle hills. From Pokhara, you drive to Kande, a small trailhead on the ridge above Fewa Lake, where the walking begins. The first day climbs through terraced hillsides and forest to Forest Camp, where the canopy thickens and mountain views start to open up. From Forest Camp, the trail ascends steeply along a forested ridge through Low Camp to High Camp (3,580m), a tiny settlement of lodges perched on a grassy shelf with jaw-dropping views of the Annapurna range at sunset and sunrise.
From High Camp, the route pushes above the treeline across exposed alpine terrain to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 metres (14,764ft). This is the culmination of the trek: Machhapuchhre's south face fills the sky, Annapurna South towers to the west, and on clear days the panorama extends from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu. The descent follows a different line through Siding and Lumre, passing through Gurung villages and terraced farmland before returning to Pokhara and then Kathmandu. The circular route means you never retrace your steps on the way down.
Before You Arrive
Please arrive in Kathmandu the day before your trek starts. This gives you time to recover from your flight, meet your guide, and do any last-minute gear shopping in Thamel if needed. We arrange your hotel and airport transfer. Make sure your Nepal visa and trekking insurance are in order before you fly.
Online Briefing
After you book, we schedule a video call to walk you through everything: what to wear, what to pack, what the teahouses are really like, how acclimatisation works on this route, and anything else on your mind. This is also when you share your hotel preferences in Kathmandu and Pokhara so we can match the right accommodation to you.
Transport
All three tiers travel the same route: Kathmandu to Pokhara by road (approximately 6-7 hours), then Pokhara to Kande (about 1 hour) to reach the trailhead. The return follows the same route in reverse, with pick-up from Lumre. Budget trekkers travel by local tourist bus or shared vehicle. Standard trekkers ride in a private tourist vehicle with air conditioning. Luxury trekkers get a premium private vehicle with extra comfort. There are no flights on this itinerary; everything is by road, which keeps costs down and gives you more of Nepal's countryside. For a full breakdown, see our complete cost guide.
Your Trek, Your Way
Every trek we run is arranged privately for your group. You won't be paired with strangers unless you choose to join a public departure. Whether you book as a solo trekker, a couple, or a group of friends, this itinerary belongs to you. Want to add a rest day? Extend to include Poon Hill? Combine with Annapurna Base Camp? We can adjust. Our three tiers (Budget, Standard, and Luxury) give you genuine choice over accommodation, meals, porter support, and transport without affecting the route. Same expert guides. Same safety standards. Three comfort levels. Read more about luxury trekking or explore our budget trekking guide.
Difficulty
We rate this trek Moderate to Challenging (3 out of 5). The maximum altitude is 4,500 metres (14,764ft) at Mardi Himal Base Camp, high enough for altitude sickness to be a genuine concern. The ascent from Forest Camp to High Camp is steep in places, climbing through dense forest on narrow trails. From High Camp to Base Camp, you're walking on exposed alpine terrain above the treeline, where the trail can be icy in early morning. Daily walking ranges from 4 to 7 hours. The route gains altitude quickly on trekking days 2 and 3, so good cardiovascular fitness and proper acclimatisation habits matter. Our guides carry a pulse oximeter and monitor your oxygen levels daily. If you can comfortably walk 5-6 hours a day on hilly terrain, you can do this trek. If you have concerns, read our beginner's guide.
Compare Our Three Packages
| Feature | Budget | Standard | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD $355 | USD $520 | USD $1,050 |
| Meals | Not included (order and pay at teahouses) | 3 meals daily + tea, fruits and 2L water | All meals + all drinks (except alcohol) |
| Room | Shared teahouse room | Private twin with attached bathroom | Private deluxe with bed heater |
| Porter | Not included | 1 porter per 2 trekkers | 1 porter per trekker (carry nothing) |
| Guide | 1 guide per group (assistant at 8+) | 1 guide per 6 trekkers (assistant at 6+) | 1 guide per 2 trekkers |
| Transport | Local vehicle | Private tourist vehicle | Luxury private vehicle |
| SIM & Data | SIM card only | SIM with limited data | SIM with unlimited data (see our SIM card guide) |
| Best for | Backpackers and independent travellers | Comfort trekkers, couples, families | Premium experience seekers |
Himalayas for Every Budget. Same expert guides, same safety, three comfort levels. Every tier includes all permits, a Nepal government well-trained guide, airport transfers, and 24/7 emergency support. The only things that change are the comfort details. Read our full comparison of what trekking actually costs or explore luxury trekking in Nepal. Note: in Pokhara, only breakfast is included at your hotel across all tiers; other meals in Pokhara are at your own expense and choice, giving you the freedom to explore the city's lakeside restaurants. Check our guide on WiFi and charging on the trail so you know what to expect above Forest Camp.
Your Trek, Our Family
The Everest Holiday is not a faceless agency. It's a family.
Hari Lal Simkhada, Shreejan's grandfather, arranged logistics and supported Himalayan expeditions in the 1960s and 1970s. Ganesh Prasad Simkhada, Shreejan's father, has held senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions, helping shape the industry that now brings over 200,000 trekkers to Nepal each year.
Today, Shreejan Simkhada runs The Everest Holiday as CEO and third-generation guide. He personally designs every itinerary, selects every guide, and remains available to trekkers before, during, and after their trip. When you message us on WhatsApp (+977 9810351300), you are talking to the family.
Why Trekkers Trust Us
- 196 TripAdvisor Reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5, TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2024
- 108+ Google Reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5
- TAAN Certified, Member #1586, Government Registration: 147653/072/073
- Secure 10% deposit processed through Himalayan Bank Limited, Nepal's most trusted commercial bank
- Himalayas for Every Budget: three tiers, one standard of care
- Three generations of Himalayan guiding since the 1960s
Solo Trekkers Welcome
Most of our trekkers book alone. Nepal's mandatory guide rule means nobody treks without professional support, and our small groups (2-20 people) mean you'll be walking with a handful of like-minded travellers, not a convoy. By day three, most groups feel like family. You can book a private departure if you prefer to walk with just your guide, or join a public group to share costs and meet people.
The Mardi Himal trek is particularly popular with solo trekkers and couples who want a quieter alternative to the main Annapurna trails. You'll want to read our guide on Nepal travel etiquette before you go, our notes on tipping your guide and porter, and our solo female trekking guide (the advice applies to everyone). If you're considering a honeymoon trek, the Mardi Himal's quiet trails and dramatic views make it one of Nepal's most romantic options.
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging (3 out of 5). Here is what that means in practical terms for the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek.
The maximum altitude is 4,500 metres (14,764ft) at Mardi Himal Base Camp. This is above the threshold where altitude sickness can occur. The route climbs from Kande (1,770m) to High Camp (3,580m) in just two trekking days, so respect the pace your guide sets and stay well hydrated. We recommend consulting your doctor about Diamox before departure.
The terrain varies along the route. The lower sections pass through well-maintained trails and Gurung villages on gentle gradients. From Forest Camp to High Camp, the trail climbs steeply through dense forest on narrow, root-covered paths that can be slippery after rain. Above High Camp, the view opens into exposed alpine grassland and rocky terrain where the trail is less defined and can be icy in early morning. Bring your camera but also trekking poles.
Daily walking hours range from 4 to 7 hours, with the longest day on the push from High Camp to Base Camp and back. You should be comfortable walking uphill for extended periods. No previous trekking experience is required, but reasonable fitness matters. If you're unsure, our beginner's guide covers what fitness level is genuinely needed.
Trek With a Purpose — Changing the World, One Step at a Time
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Shamjhana founded the Nagarjun Learning Center in one of Nepal's most remote communities. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals every school day at the centre's flagship branch in Saldum Village, Dhading District. More than 600 people have received free medical care through annual health camps. 275 women have been reached through support and skills programmes. Seven learning centres now operate across Nepal.
The Nagarjun Learning Center is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal.
When you trek with us, you are not just climbing mountains. You are building futures. A portion of every booking goes directly to the centre, funding teachers, meals, and internet access for children who had none before. Every trek also upholds our commitment to responsible trekking and porter welfare. You can learn more at nepallearningcenter.com.
You Might Also Like
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek — the classic route to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m, through Ghandruk and Chomrong
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek — a shorter alternative with the famous Poon Hill sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges
- Annapurna Circuit Trek — the full circuit around the Annapurna massif, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416m
- Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake — add a detour to Tilicho Lake (4,919m), one of the highest lakes in the world
Interactive Route Map
Explore the complete route on our interactive map. Zoom in to see trail details, camp locations, and key landmarks along the way.
