Mardi Himal Trek: The Underrated Annapurna Alternative

If you want close-up Annapurna views, a manageable 5-day itinerary, and a trail that won't have you queueing behind 50 other trekkers at sunrise, the Mardi Himal Trek is the most underrated short trek in Nepal. I walked it in November 2024 and I am still trying to work out why it is not more famous — though I am secretly glad it is not.

This is the honest, practical guide I wish I had read before booking: where to start, what to expect, how it compares to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, and why Mardi Himal might actually be the best first trek in Nepal for people who are short on time.

What Is the Mardi Himal Trek?

Mardi Himal is the 5,587 m 'smaller sister' of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993 m) — the iconic twin-peaked mountain that dominates the Pokhara skyline. The trek climbs the ridge directly east of Machhapuchhre, reaching a high point of 4,500 m at Mardi Base Camp (also called High View Point). The reward is one of the most dramatic close-up mountain faces in the Annapurnas: a 2,000 m vertical wall of snow and rock that feels close enough to touch.

The trail was a quiet herders' route until 2012, when basic tea houses started opening along the ridge. It is now a fully serviced 4–5 day trek starting from Kande or Phedi (both 30–45 minutes from Pokhara by taxi). Despite growing popularity, Mardi Himal still sees a fraction of the footfall of ABC or Poon Hill.

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary (5 Days from Pokhara)

Day	From → To	Walk Hrs	Altitude (m)
1	Pokhara → Kande (taxi) → Australian Camp → Pothana	4	1,950
2	Pothana → Forest Camp (Kokar)	5	2,520
3	Forest Camp → High Camp	5	3,580
4	High Camp → Mardi Base Camp (4,500 m) → Low Camp	7	3,050
5	Low Camp → Sidding → Lumre → Pokhara (jeep)	4 + jeep	820

The classic 'ridge walk' on day 3 between Forest Camp and High Camp is one of the most atmospheric sections of any short trek in Nepal — narrow trail, ancient rhododendron forest, and sudden gaps in the trees revealing the entire Annapurna massif to your right.

Mardi Himal Permits and Cost

Item	Cost (USD)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)	$30
TIMS Card	$10 (with guide) / $20 (without)
Tea house full board (per day)	$25–$30
Pokhara–Kande taxi	$10
Sidding–Pokhara jeep	$8–$10 (shared)
Total 5-day trek (mid-range)	$200–$300

Unlike Manaslu or Nar Phu, Mardi Himal does not require a guide — you can trek independently if you have a good offline map (Maps.me, Gaia GPS) and the best trekking apps for Nepal guide will help. But a guide is still recommended for first-time trekkers.

Best Time to Trek Mardi Himal

October to November and March to April are the prime windows. March–April is rhododendron season — the entire ridge between Forest Camp and High Camp turns into a 10 km corridor of red, pink and white flowers, and it is one of the most beautiful single days of trekking in Nepal. October–November has the clearest mountain views.

Avoid monsoon (June–September) — the ridge is steep, the trail is a leech highway, and cloud cover makes the mountain views impossible. December–February is possible but cold, and snow above High Camp can close the route to Base Camp.

How Hard Is Mardi Himal?

Moderate. Walking days are 4–7 hours, the trails are well-maintained, and the maximum altitude (4,500 m at View Point) is high enough to require acclimatization but low enough that most people do not have major altitude issues. The day-4 climb from High Camp to View Point is a tough 600 m ascent, but you descend the same day to Low Camp, so you do not sleep at altitude.

If you are reasonably fit (you can hike 4 hours uphill with a daypack without collapsing), you can do Mardi Himal. It is a much better 'first Himalayan trek' than Annapurna Base Camp — shorter, less crowded, and the altitude gain is gentler. For acclimatization basics, see our how to acclimatize properly on EBC trek guide — the same principles apply.

Tea Houses on Mardi Himal — What to Expect

Tea houses on Mardi Himal are smaller and simpler than on the ABC main trail, but quality has improved massively since 2020. Standouts include:

• Forest Camp (Kokar) — small, basic, but warm dining room and great dal bhat.
• High Camp — 4 guesthouses; Mardi Himal Guest House and Trekker's Lodge both have hot showers (solar, paid), decent Wi-Fi (Ncell), and good blankets. Book ahead in peak season.
• Low Camp — best sunrise view of Machhapuchhre from your bedroom window. The View Point Guest House is the standout.

Charging for phones is usually $2–$3 above Forest Camp. Hot shower is $4–$5 (solar only, so afternoon is best). Wi-Fi (Ncell 4G) is patchy above High Camp but works at Low Camp and Forest Camp.

Mardi Himal vs Poon Hill vs Annapurna Base Camp

Three short Annapurna treks, three different vibes. Here is the honest comparison:

Trek	Days	Max Altitude	Crowds	Views	Best For
Poon Hill	4	3,210 m	High	Panoramic sunrise	First-timers, families, photography
Mardi Himal	5	4,500 m	Medium	Close-up Machhapuchhre face	Quiet ridge walking, forest lovers
Annapurna Base Camp	7	4,130 m	Very High	360° Annapurna amphitheatre	The 'classic' mountain experience

If it is your first trek in Nepal and you have only 5 days, Mardi Himal is my honest pick over Poon Hill — better views, far fewer people, and only one extra day. For a deeper comparison, see our Annapurna Circuit vs Annapurna Base Camp guide.

Packing List for Mardi Himal

• 3-season sleeping bag rated to −10 °C
• Light down jacket
• Waterproof shell — rain possible at any time of year
• Trekking poles — essential for the descent to Sidding
• 1.5 L water bottle + purification tablets
• Headlamp — for the pre-dawn walk to View Point

For full gear guidance, see our ultimate Nepal trekking packing list.

Mardi Himal is the trek I now recommend to every first-time Nepal visitor who has 5–6 days. It is short, beautiful, cheap, uncrowded, and the close-up view of Machhapuchhre at sunrise from View Point is one of those images that will not leave you. Go now — because once the high-end lodges arrive, the magic of this ridge will start to fade.