Mardi Himal Trek Blog

Mardi for five days from Pokhara is an absolute beginner trek if you’re a novice. However, for seasoned trekkers like myself, it was more of a comfortable walk filled with aesthetically wholesome mountains, a serene route, decent tea houses, and budget-friendly accommodations. This trek is for everyone, whether you’re seasoned or a beginner. You’ll love it. With my firsthand experience, I’m writing this blog on why Mardi Himal Trek is still relevant in 2025!

If you don’t know me, I’m co-founder of NepTrek Adventures, occasional travel photographer, trek leader, and more. Haha!

If you’ve embarked on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, or other treks in Annapurna Sanctuary, and are looking for alternative easy-treks, the five-day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokahra-Mardi-Pokhara can be an option. The serene off-beat trekking route, short distance walk, ample lodges, best mountain scenery, etc., make this trek more popular.

In this blog, you’ll get complete information based on my first-hand experience from the trek, which I did in March 2025. By the end of this blog, you’ll know why the Mardi Himal Trek for five days can be an ideal trek for you in 2025.

But first, here’s a small video clip I made from the trek. Give it a watch before scrolling further.

5 days Mardi Himal Trek- What to expect?

• Never-before close-up sight of Machhapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail), Mt. Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
• Comfortable walk experience through the serene forest till Badal Danda.
• Decent lodges for comfortable overnight accommodation and meals.
• WiFi, Hot Shower, etc.
• Affordable trek budget

Let’s explore key elements that makes this trek relevant in 2025.

Kathmandu to Pokhara: Getting IN

Mardi Himal Trek starts from Pokhara. Hence, every trekker who flies to Kathmandu has to commute to Pokhara. There are two ways to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu, by air and by land.

A road trip to Pokhara from Kathmandu can take 9-10 hours. Plus, the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway is under renovation. Thus, your drive gets bumpy, dusty, and time-consuming.

Thus, for a safe, quick, and hassle-free transfer to Pokhara, I suggest you take the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 25 minutes, offers a scenic view of Langtang, the Manaslu range, and the Annapurna range.

I make the Kathmandu-Pokhara travel arrangements for those who trek with a trekking agency like NepTrek. However, for solo trekkers, visiting first time in Nepal, the commute can be challenging, from buying a bus ticket to everything.

So, if you want me to arrange the transfer to Pokhara from Kathmandu, write to me on WhatsApp at +9779818553880. I’ll help you with the flight and bus tickets at the best rates.

Mardi Himal Trek Cost: Highly Affordable

The 5-day Mardi Himal Trek costs USD 490 to USD 550, depending on group size and personal preferences. This amount for five days is very affordable, considering the inclusion of a trek guide, porter, Pokhara accommodation, and private jeep transfer.

Should you consider doing this trek with us, here’s the detailed cost plan and benefits you’ll get throughout the trek.

Pax	Cost Per Person (USD)	Availability	Want to book?
1-2	550	Available	Inquire Us
3-4	530	Available	Inquire Us
5-6	500	Available	Inquire Us
7 and more	490	Available	Inquire Us

Cost Details

If you decide to trek solo, you’ll spend less than the cost we’ve offered. Why? It’s because you won’t have the benefits we’ve mentioned in the Cost Includes section above.

Best Time for Mardi Himal Trek

The best time to trek Mardi Himal from Pokhara for five days is Spring (late February-May), Autumn (mid-September to November end), and Winter (December to February). Summer months from June to August are not ideal because of overcast, rain, leeches, and warm temperatures.

Let’s exemplify why Spring, Autumn, and Winter are the best times for the Mardi Himal Trek. By the way, I did this trek in early March, and it was amazing. It had the best sunrise weather throughout the trek.

Early Spring-Early Summer

Early Spring is February-end, and June’s first week is early Summer. This timeframe is possibly among the best times to trek Mardi Himal.

Late February brings snowfall. With this, you can experience wholesome snowfall and elegant, fresh snow-crowned Annapurna mountains. However, it can snow until mid-April.

Another wholesome part of trekking to Mardi in Spring is the rhododendron blossom. Late March and the entire April are the time for rhododendron blossom. And the forest past Australian Camp, Forest Camp, and Badal Danda gets vibrant rhododendron blossom.

Around May, you can expect some rain showers. However, the fresh green of Spring makes your walk serene. And early June offers a similar experience.

The daytime temperature in early Spring averages around 3-4˚C at Mardi High Camp. And the nighttime temperature falls below freezing. However, in April and May, the temperature rises with an average daytime temperature of 10-12˚C. The nighttime temperature remains close to freezing point.

The temperature at lower elevations like Kande and Foreset Camp gets warm throughout March. However, the temperature rises to 25-30˚C in May and more in July.

Autumn (September-November)

Possibly, Autumn is the best time of the year due to cheerful weather, crystal clear skies, rain-free days, and all-day stable weather. Moreover, for crystal clear mountain viewing, Autumn is the best time.

October and November are the two best times for the Mardi Himal Trek if you prefer trekking in the Autumn. The cheerful weather and crystal clear viewing pleasure elevate your trek experience. Plus, the temperature remains gentle, perfect for a day walk with a few warm layers.

The sunrise and sunset in October and November are best due to clear weather.

The average daytime temperature in September will be 10-12˚C at Mardi High Camp. The lower elevations remain warm throughout September. The temperature starts decreasing past mid-October. The average daytime temperature at Mardi High Camp in November can be around 8-10 ˚C. Moreover, the nighttime temperature can fall below freezing.

Winter (December-February)

If you can tolerate cold, the Mardi Himal Trek in winter can be an option, but not as good as Spring and Autumn. Regardless of freezing temperatures, the weather remains clear, ideal for all-day mountain views.

My recommendation: The Weather can be clear in winter, but the cold is still there. So, plan this trek in March-May, June, and September-November. The first week of December can still be a good time before the freezing winter begins.

Wholesome Mountain Panorama

The 5-day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara stands out from the rest of Annapurna Sanctuary treks because of the wholesome mountain panorama. Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi, and Machhapuchhre towers right before the viewpoint. Moreover, the viewpoint offers a satisfactory glimpse of Mt. Gangapurna and Annapurna III.

As you start the trek with a drive from Pokhara, the surreal sight of Fishtail, Annapurna II, and III leaves you in awe. And once you embark on the trek, the panoramic mountain sight unfolds.

The Forest Camp and Rest Camp are popular for the wholesome sight of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. However, the entire mountain panorama unfolds as you step into Badal Danda. Past Badal Danda till Mardi View Point, you’ll see the Annapurna mountain all the time. The mountain view is so omnipresent that you’ll get the mountain view even from the bedroom and the toilet.

For the ultimate viewing experience, you must hike to Mardi View Point. If you prefer sunrise, you must start the hike to the viewpoint around 4 am. However, leaving Mardi High Camp at 3 pm would be ideal for sunset lovers.

Solo Trek to Mardi Himal: Is it safe?

I completed this trek solo and enjoyed it thoroughly. Many trekkers plan Mardi Trek solo or in groups without hiring a trek agency or guide.

If you’re planning this trek solo, you must be aware of a few things.

I’m an experienced trekker, guide, and trek leader. Given my background, I have 4 years of extensive high-altitude trek experience all over Nepal. Plus, I am from Nepal and I know the landscape. Hence, for me, trekking solo isn’t challenging.

But for you, coming to Nepal is a new environment. To navigate around things can get challenging at times. Plus, if you have no experience of high-altitude trekking in Nepal before, the Mardi Himal Solo Trek can be demanding.

The second thing I want to mention here is safety along the trek. I would say the trek is safe, but at times, if you’re alone, the second thought comes to your mind. It’s from my personal experience.

The route past Pitam Deurali till Forest Camp is through the thick forest. And if you’re alone in this section, you must be extra cautious. But you can tag along with other trekkers (if you find any) to cross this forest section.

However, if you trek with a guide, you’ll be and feel 100% safe throughout. You’ll feel safe at least when accompanied, guided, and trek with peace of mind. And this matters the most.

Meals and Accommodation

There are plenty of lodges along the route to Mardi. And all the lodges provide quality meals and accommodation.

Despite being a recently popular trek, tea houses in the Mardi Himal Trek route are more plentiful than popular treks in the region like Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

You must accommodate in sharing rooms with at least 3-4 beds. Thus, it’s best to trek here in the group. However, for individual trekkers during the season with more trekkers, accommodating other trekkers can be uncomfortable.

You’ll get hot showers at every place except Mardi High Camp. Wifi is available at every place. The tea houses don’t have attached toilets but provide 2-3 clean, common toilets. Furthermore, you’ll get running water in the sinks to wash your face and undergarments.

Every tea house serves hygienic and nutritious meals to trekkers. Breakfast at the tea houses in low-elevations like Deurali, Forst Camp, and Low Camp includes toast, jam, honey, potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, muesli, cornflakes, and local flour porridge. At higher elevations like Badal Danda and High Camp, the options get limited to Chapati Curry, oatmeal, etc.

To indulge your taste buds, you can order wholesome meals for lunch and dinner. The most preferred one, at least a day, is Nepali Dal Bhat with curry (chicken). The tea houses bring fresh meat each day during the season. Other popular meal choices include fried noodles, soups, sandwiches, pasta, dumplings, spaghetti, etc.

My recommendation: Eat Nepali Dal Bhat (veg preferred) at least once every day, for lunch or dinner. It’s a complete meal for energy replenishment.

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

Five days Mardi Himal Trek is the most relaxed itinerary. I completed this trek in three days.

Note: I’m an experienced trekker and can walk fast. For novice trekkers, it takes at least four days to do the trek.
Here, I’m sharing a five-day Mardi Trek itinerary.

Here’s a five days itinerary for this trek you can plan.

• Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Kande. Trek to Deurali (3 hours)
• Day 2: Trek from Deurali to Low Camp (5 hours)
• Day 3: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp via Badal Danda (4 hours)
• Day 4: Morning hike to Mardi View Point. Trek to Low Camp (6 hours)
• Day 5: Trek from Low Camp to Siddhing. Drive to Pokhara (2 hours)

Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek: An option

The best part of the Mardi Himal Trek is that once you complete the trek, you can trek for six days more, hike to Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and return to Pokhara.

There are multiple entry points to Mardi. Usually, trekkers start from Kande. However, if you want to trek to Annapurna Base Camp after Mardi, I suggest you start the trek from Siddhing. Upon starting from Siddhing, the trek feels more like doing a circuit.

Also, if you’ve completed Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, thinking of embarking on Annapurna Base Camp Trek, combine it with Mardi. You’ll have a serene experience of nature (in Mardi) and wholesome mountains (in Annapurna), including one eight thousand meters high mountain, Annapurna I.

Here’s a brief itinerary you can plan for the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek together.

• Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Siddhing. Trek to Low Camp.
• Day 2: Trek from Low Camp to Mardi High Camp via Badal Danda.
• Day 3: Morning hike to View Point for sunrise. Trek to Low Camp, Forest Camp, and Landruk.
• Day 4: Trek from Landruk to Chhomrong via the New Bridge.
• Day 5: Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan.
• Day 6: Trek from Dovan to Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
• Day 7: Morning hike to Annapurna Base Camp for sunrise. Trek down to Bamboo.
• Day 8: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. Visit the hot spring pool.
• Day 9: Drive from Samrong to Pokhara via Naya Pul.

Mardi: An ideal trek for novice trekkers

Nepal, the home of the world’s highest mountain, is a haven for adventurers. The Annapurna region is widespread among trekkers because of the wholesome mountains, diverse culture, and vantage points.

Among such vantage points is Mardi Himal View Point. To experience the surreal mountain sight, trekkers embark on a 5-day, comfortable walk to this vantage point, an easy trek in Annapurna Sanctuary. It’s naturally serene, visually pleasing, and appealing in all ways.

The five-day Mardi Himal Trek stands out among newbies because it’s among the easy treks in Nepal to embark on and complete on a good note. Short distance walk each day, quality accommodation and meals, very little chance of getting altitude sickness, etc., make this trek quite popular among novice trekkers.

The trekking route in Mardi is off-beat, meaning it’s a newly discovered trekking route. Moreover, the trail passes through a lush green forest of oak, rhododendron, and pine, offering a serene walk.

There aren’t steep ascents along the route, which makes the walk comfortable. And the comfortable walk is a must for novice trekkers. Furthermore, the surreal mountain glimpse from the Mardi View viewpoint leaves trekkers in awe. The surreal mountain panorama gives novice trekkers the taste of what the Annapurna region offers, an aesthetic adventure.

Trek Preparations: What to bring?

Trekking gears and clothes are a significant part of trek and trek preparation. Mind you, the backpacking depends on when you plan to trek. For every season, your packing list should be different.

For example, you don’t need a thick down jacket in May, but a sleeping bag and a good down jacket are essential in freezing October. What makes Mardi Trek special is that you don’t need to carry a heavy backpack in any season. Hence, for most, not hiring a trek porter can be an option.

Here’s a comprehensive list of gear and clothes you should bring for the Mardi Himal Trek.

• Trekking bag (40-50 litres preferred)

• Duffle Bag (if you’re hiring a trek porter)

• Decent trekking boot (running shoes are okay too)

• Slipper (while at the tea house)

• Merino wool socks or regular (3-4 pairs)

• Trekking pole (a pair)

• Trekking pants, shorts, t-shirts, fleece, thermal layers

• Windproof and waterproof jacket (breathable)

• Down Jacket

• Sleeping bag

• Raincoat, Waterproof trekking pants, waterproof trekking boot (if trekking in July, August)

• Sunglass, hat, beanie, sunscreen, moisturizers, lip balms, etc.

Find this blog useful?

I’m pleased if you arrived at this part of the Mardi Himal Trek Blog. Thank you!

I hope that you now have the proper information regarding this trek and why it can be an ideal adventure for you in 2025.

To remind you, I run a trekking agency, NepTrek Adventures. At NepTrek, we organize groups and individual trekking all over Nepal and Mardi. Thus, if you intend to embark on this trek with a guide and agency, let NepTrek be your companion.

You can message me/NepTrek at mailtoneptrek@gmail.com or WhatsApp at +9779818553880.

Travelers Review

The reviews below are from our clients who did wholesome trekking and tours in Nepal with us. All the reviews here reflect how we run the trekking, treat our clients, and organize the trek and tours. Below listed reviews are from TripAdvisor, which is the most accurate and trusted review platform among travelers.

Have a read at what our clients say about us!!