- Length
- 7 days
- Highest point
- 4,500 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Pokhara
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
Quieter than ABC and with closer Machapuchare views, Mardi Himal's 4,500m High Camp rewards fit trekkers seeking Annapurna grandeur without the crowds.
- Nepal's most underrated short trek — extraordinary Himalayan views with a fraction of ABC's crowds
- Mardi Himal High Camp (4,500 m): arguably the closest accessible viewpoint to Machapuchare (6,993 m)
- Dense rhododendron forest that blazes red and pink from March to May
- Ascent via the quiet forested ridge above Pokhara, with sweeping valley views throughout
- Overnight at Upper Camp with unobstructed sunrise on the Annapurna massif
- Genuine Gurung tea-house culture: locally cooked dal bhat, butter tea, mountain hospitality
- Quick access from Pokhara — trailhead reachable in under 2 hours
The climb, day by day
Day 1Pokhara — Kande — Forest Camp2,520 m
Drive from Pokhara (820m) to Kande (1,770m), a small roadside village above the valley. Trek through rhododendron and oak forest on the less-crowded Mardi Himal trail, climbing to the peaceful Forest Camp (2,520m) with first views through the trees of Machhapuchhre.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Forest Camp to Low Camp2,985 m
Continue ascending through beautiful moss-draped forest, emerging into open meadows and shrub land at Low Camp (2,985m). Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail, 6,993m) fills the horizon dramatically ahead.
- Distance
- 7 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Low Camp to High Camp3,580 m
Trek through alpine scrub and open ridgeline to High Camp (3,580m), perched on a narrow spur with expansive views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the towering south face of Machhapuchhre directly ahead.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4High Camp — Upper Viewpoint 4,500m — Mardi base camp - High Camp3,580 m
Pre-dawn hike to the Upper Viewpoint (4,500m) for the most spectacular sunrise on the entire route — Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal itself glowing at first light. Return to High Camp for rest.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5High Camp to low camp4,500 m
Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) at the foot of the peak. The views from here of the Annapurna Sanctuary are extraordinary. Return to Low Camp for the night.
- Distance
- 9 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Low Camp — Kalimati- lwang village homestay820 m
### Day: Low Camp – Kalimati – Lwang Village Overnight: Lwang Village (approximately 1,460 m / 4,790 ft)\ Trek Distance: Approximately 10–12 km / 6.2–7.5 miles\ Walking Time: Approximately 5–6 hours\ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner\ Accommodation: Local homestay or guesthouse After breakfast at Low Camp, descend through beautiful forest trails towards Kalimati. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, green hills, terraced farmland and traditional settlements along the way. Continue trekking towards Lwang Village, a charming Gurung village famous for its traditional culture, warm hospitality and organic tea gardens. On arrival, explore the village, visit the tea gardens and experience local village life. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a local homestay or guesthouse in Lwang Village. Highlight: Scenic forest trails, traditional Gurung culture, tea gardens and authentic village hospitality.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 7lwang village to khoramuk trek tehn drive to Pokhara820 m
### Day: Lwang Village – Khoramukh / Lumre – Pokhara Overnight: Pokhara (820 m / 2,690 ft)\ Trek Distance: Approximately 4–5 km / 2.5–3.1 miles\ Walking Time: Approximately 2 hours\ Drive: Approximately 1 hour to Pokhara\ Meals: Breakfast and Lunch\ Accommodation: Not included After breakfast at Lwang Village, begin a gentle downhill trek towards Khoramukh or Lumre, passing through beautiful village trails, terraced fields and scenic countryside. Upon reaching Khoramukh / Lumre, meet your waiting vehicle and drive back to Pokhara, enjoying the countryside views along the way. Arrive in Pokhara after approximately one hour. Your trek concludes with wonderful memories of the Mardi Himal and Gurung village experience.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- –
The price includes
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Pokhara–Kande/Phedi trailhead transport and return jeep
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The Mardi Himal Trek is Nepal's most underrated short route — a 7-day forested ridge climb from Pokhara to the High Camp (4,500 m), with a closer view of Machapuchare (6,993 m) than any other accessible trail in the Annapurna region. The Mardi trail carries a fraction of ABC's traffic and offers genuine discovery on the upper sections, where the moorland opens to an extraordinary close-up panorama: Machapuchare's twin summits directly north at 9 km, Annapurna South to the west, and the Modi Khola valley 2,000 m below.
The approach ascends through dense rhododendron and oak forest via Forest Camp (2,600 m) and Low Camp (3,550 m) to High Camp (4,500 m) in well-spaced stages. Dawn alpenglow on Machapuchare's ice face from High Camp is one of the great short-trek rewards in Nepal.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May (forest bloom). Start: Pokhara (jeep to Kande included). Max altitude: High Camp 4,500 m.