The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is a short and exciting adventure that lasts 9 days and 8 nights. It’s a new trail, introduced in 2012, but has quickly become popular with trekkers. The trek takes you through the beautiful Annapurna Sanctuary, starting from Pokhara at 820 meters and climbing to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters.
Trek Overview
Your journey starts in the Tourism Capital city of Nepal, Pokhara. From there, you’ll head to Aastam, Kande, and Australian Camp, where the views start to get amazing. As you go higher, you’ll pass through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp—each spot offering stunning scenery and peaceful rest stops. Eventually, you’ll reach Badal Danda and Kalimati before arriving at the breathtaking Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Even though it’s not as famous as the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp treks, Mardi Himal offers incredible views of Mardi Himal (5,587 meters) and other giant peaks like Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Gangapurna Himal.
Highlights of the Trek
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March-May) – Colorful rhododendrons, pleasant weather, and clear views. Autumn (September–November) – Cool, stable weather with amazing mountain views. Winter (December–February) – Possible with warm gear, but it’s cold at higher altitudes. Monsoon (June–August) – Not ideal due to heavy rain and slippery trails.
Difficulty Level
This is a moderate trek, good for people with different fitness levels. You’ll go above 4,000 meters, but the gradual climb helps with acclimatization. Expect to walk 5-7 hours a day.
Final Thoughts
The Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek is great if you want a short, scenic adventure with amazing mountain views. It’s a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and a manageable challenge—an unforgettable Himalayan journey.
Outside the terminal of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, our airport agent will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the Company. Then, you will transfer to the Hotel after you arrive at TIA. If you arrive at TIA on time, you can visit the nearby Hotel area (depending on the arrival time) or you can rest after the long air flight. On this day, our staff or your trip guide will meet and greet you at the Hotel and brief you about the day ahead journey. You will stay overnight.
After enjoying an early breakfast at the hotel, you will start on a journey towards western Nepal along the Prithivi Highway. Within an hour, you will arrive at the Trishuli River, where you will encounter typical Nepali houses, terraces, farmlands, hotels, and Khaja Ghars along the way. During the trip, a riverside restaurant will be the place for your lunch.
As you continue along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway, you will traverse diverse landscapes, observing varied flora, and fauna, and experiencing different aspects of the local culture. At the end of the day, you will spend the night in Pokhara, where you have the option to leisurely explore the surrounding tourist areas.
After having breakfast in the morning, you will leave Pokhara and drive to Kande, which takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The trail from Kande steeply ascends through lush forests, passing small villages via Australian Camp and Pothana, you will reach Pitam Deurali, a small settlement with a Gurung community, situated at an elevation of 2100m. You will enjoy beautiful views, including Dhaulagiri in the far west, Annapurna South with its large glacier shoulder, and Machhapuchhre. In the evening, you will have a chance to enjoy a stunning sunset, and you will spend the night here.
After breakfast, you will trek to Low Camp (3035m) following a peaceful trail through a dense forest with oak, maple, hemlock, and rhododendron. About 6 hours of trekking through the jungle will reach a forest clearing called Kokar or Forest Camp. Here, you will stop for lunch. Having lunch at Forest Camp then you will continue the uphill trek to Low Camp through the forest. As you ascend, you will notice a change in vegetation, with an increasing abundance of rhododendrons, and the trees cloaked in moss, lichen, and tree ferns. There are currently few lodges at Low Camp. This part of the journey might feel like a challenging and long day and you will stay overnight here.
After breakfast, you will hike towards High Camp (3580m). Today’s trek is short which will help your bodies get acclimatized. You will pass through hills and grassy areas, moving from the tree line to alpine vegetation. After crossing Manjhi Danda near Low Camp, you will reach High Camp via Nangge Danda. You will have lunch at High Camp. This small open area has a few lodges and stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain, Annapurna Base Camp valley, Mardi Himal, and Machhapuchhre Mountain. You will acclimate at High Camp, preparing for the ascent to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Spend the night at High Camp.
You will have your breakfast early in the morning and start your trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp at an elevation of 4500m. Today will be a challenging day, walking along narrow, rocky trails, but it will be worth it for the spectacular views of this majestic mountain. Upon reach Mardi Himal Base Camp to enjoy an amazing view of the Himalayas, including Mardi Himal (5587m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar, (Mt. Fang) (7647m), Tent Peak (5695m), Singhachuli (6501m), Machapuchare (6993m), and many other mountains. Afterward, trek back to High Camp, have lunch there, and then trek down to Low Camp for an overnight stay.
After having breakfast early in the morning, you will retrace your trek back down. You will head southeast from the ridge through the dense forest towards Mardi Khola. It will take almost 2-3 hours to reach the siding village. In this village, your trek will end, and you will drive back to Pokhara, where you will have lunch.
Following the Lunch, you have the option to either explore the lakeside area or take some rest, depending on your preference. The night will be spent at the hotel.
Following breakfast, you will prepare for the drive to Kathmandu, with lunch scheduled along the journey. Kathmandu is expected to be reached in the late afternoon. An evening farewell dinner will provide, and accommodations for the night will be provided at the hotel.
You will enjoy your breakfast in the early morning and proceed with your departure from Tribhuvan International Airport according to your planned schedule.
At Rise Expeditions, we handle every detail of your Mardi Himal Base Camp, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable journey. With experienced guides and top-notch gear, you can focus on enjoying the stunning Annapurna region.
Download our detailed trek overview!
The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp is an incredible experience, combining breathtaking scenery with a chance to explore Nepal’s rich culture. It’s a moderately challenging trek, with steep trails and high altitudes, so good physical fitness and some prior trekking experience are important.
The journey takes you above 4,000 meters, where the air gets thinner, and altitude can become a factor. We’ll guide you on how to prepare, from fitness tips to packing the right gear. If needed, we can recommend practice hikes to help you feel more confident on the trail.
With our experienced team supporting you every step of the way, you can focus on enjoying the adventure and making it to the stunning Langtang Valley safely and comfortably.
Proper equipment is essential for a safe and comfortable trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek. At Rise Expeditions, we make sure you’re fully prepared to handle the varying conditions of the regions.
When you book your Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, we’ll provide a detailed gear list to ensure you have everything you need for the journey.
You can also download the full gear list [here] to start getting ready.
To confirm your spot, a 30% deposit is required at the time of booking. An additional 40% must be paid at least one month before you arrive in Nepal, and the remaining balance is due upon your arrival. Payments can be made via cash or credit card, with credit card fees covered by the participant.
Cancellation Policy
Additional Costs for Cancellations
We would recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance for added protection. For more details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or refer to our full booking policy.
