5-Day Short Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek from Pokhara

5 Days Round trip from Pokhara Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Reach Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m) in just 5 days from Pokhara
02 Stand on a quiet ridge right below the Fishtail peak, Machhapuchhre (6,993 m)
03 Watch sunrise and sunset over the peaks from Mardi Himal High Camp
04 Start and finish in lakeside Pokhara, with no long travel

Discover the Short Mardi Himal Trek, a quiet 5-day ridge walk in the Annapurna region, starting and ending in Pokhara. Trek from Kande through rhododendron forest to Low Camp and High Camp beneath Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). Watch the views open to Mardi Himal (5,587 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), and Hiunchuli (6,441 m). Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), then descend to Siding for local culture. Gain altitude fast, so pace slowly and hydrate. Licensed guides support safety.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Pokhara, Annapurna

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1,770 m), trek to Pritam Deurali (2,100 m)

Start your trek after breakfast in Pokhara.
Take a scenic drive up to Kande, passing farmland with wide views over the city and the lake.
At Kande, shoulder your daypack and begin walking.
Hike up to Pothana, a pretty hillside village.
Continue through cool rhododendron forest.
Keep climbing, catching peeks of the peaks through the trees.
By late afternoon, reach Pritam Deurali on a forested ridge.
Settle into a teahouse and enjoy a quiet first evening in the hills.

Day 02

Trek from Pritam Deurali to Low Camp (2,970 m).

After breakfast, head uphill toward Low Camp.
The trail climbs steadily along the ridge.
Pass through rhododendron forest and stands of old oak trees.
In places, the path gets steep and your legs work hard.
The views make up for it.
Through the trees, you catch sight of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range.
As you near Low Camp, the forest opens up.
Wide scenery spreads out, with snow peaks behind the green hills.
Reach Low Camp with a real sense of height gained.
Rest well and enjoy the cool mountain air.

Day 03

Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3,580 m).

Climb into true mountain country
After a calm morning at Low Camp, move up toward High Camp
The trail rises above 3,000 m, so you take it slow
The climb is steep at times, through thinning forest
Soon, the trees give way to alpine meadow and light scrub
The ground turns rocky as you gain the ridge
From a high point below the camp, the view bursts open: Annapurna, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre stand close
The path grows narrow and rugged near the top
Reach High Camp, the highest sleeping point of the trek
Enjoy the sunset

Day 04

Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m), descend to High Camp (3,580 m).

Start early for the big day.
Walk the open ridge above High Camp.
Follow a narrow, high trail with steep drops on both sides.
Pass the viewpoint and continue to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m).
Enjoy close-up views, with peaks on three sides and Fishtail seeming within reach.
Reach the highest point of the trek.
Take photos and rest.
Turn back and begin the long descent.
Descend quickly through meadows, forest, and terraced farms.
Return to High Camp from the village of Siding.
Sleep at a lower elevation to help your body recover.

Day 05

Drive from Siding to Pokhara (822 m).

Last day of the trek.
After breakfast at High Camp, board a jeep back to Pokhara.
Rough but scenic drive passing terraced fields, small towns, and green countryside.
After about three hours, arrive in Pokhara.
Trek ends by the lake.
Afternoon free to rest or enjoy activities.
Options in Pokhara include paragliding or a calm boat ride on Phewa Lake.
Celebrate the trek however you like.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Pokhara 2 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private jeep or car from Pokhara to Kande (trek start) and from Siding back to your Pokhara hotel.
All teahouse and lodge accommodation during the trek.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
Safe drinking water using a filter or purification tablets.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card.
A licensed, first-aid trained, English-speaking Spade Himalaya guide (2 guides for groups over 7).
Porter support, one porter per two trekkers (pay, insurance, meals, lodging, equipment).
First-aid kit for basic medical assistance during the trip.
Rescue-operation assistance for serious illness (funded by your travel insurance).

What's Not Included

Airport pickup and departure transfer.
Kathmandu to Pokhara and return transport.
Hotels, lunches, and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
International airfare and airport departure tax.
Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days).
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation).
All drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging on the trail.
Tips for guide, porter, and driver.
Personal trekking gear and any personal expenses.
Anything not listed under Cost Includes.

What to bring

Packing List
Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag (provided by Spade Himalaya for use, returned after the trek)
Sleeping bag liner
Puffy down jacket (provided by Spade Himalaya for use, returned after the trek)
Duffel bag (provided by Spade Himalaya, carried by the porter, returned after the trek)
Daypack, 25 to 35 litres, with a rain cover
Warm hat or beanie that covers the ears
Neck gaiter, buff, or scarf
Sunglasses with UV protection
Headlamp with spare batteries
Sunscreen (SPF 35 to 60) and lip balm
Long-sleeve t-shirts and thermal tops
Fleece jacket or wool pullover
Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
Thermal base-layer trousers
Comfortable trekking trousers
Light trousers for the teahouses
Waterproof, windproof shell trousers
Wool or technical liner gloves
Warm outer gloves for High Camp and the base camp ridge
Waterproof trekking boots (well broken in)
4 to 5 pairs of warm wool socks and sock liners
Light shoes or sandals for the evenings
Quick-drying technical underwear
Sports bras (women)
Thermal underwear set for cold nights
Medical Kit
Your guide carries a kit, medication, and a pulse oximeter, but a personal kit is strongly recommended.
Assorted adhesive and blister bandages
Antiseptic ointment and pain relief
Altitude medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox), only if advised by your doctor
Anti-itch ointment
Water-purification tablets
Passport, 4 passport photos, and a copy of your insurance
Reusable water bottle and a water filter or purifier
Toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, toilet paper, hand wipes
High-energy snacks (bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Waterproof or dry bags for documents and electronics

Know before you go

This trek packs a big mountain finish into just 5 days. It starts and ends in Pokhara, so there is no long travel. You reach a 4,500 m base camp below the Fishtail in a few days of walking. So it is perfect if you are short on time but still want real high views. For a gentler, longer plan, pick the 10-day Mardi Himal Trek instead.
Spring and autumn are the prime seasons. In spring, the forests bloom and the air is mild. In autumn, the skies are the clearest of the year. Winter is cold and quiet, with snow up high, but clear days are common. The summer monsoon brings rain and cloud, so most trekkers avoid it. Bring warm layers in any season, because High Camp gets cold at night.
This is the key thing to plan for. You gain over 3,600 m of height in about three days, which is quick. So altitude sickness is a real risk. Walk slowly, even when you feel strong. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, and skip alcohol up high. Your guide carries an oximeter and checks you daily. If you feel unwell, tell them at once. Going down is the best cure. If the quick climb worries you, the 10-day version is gentler.
This trek is moderate, and it suits fit beginners. You walk 5 to 8 hours a day on ridge trails, with steep parts. The base camp day is the longest and highest. So train before you come. A few weeks of walking, jogging, and stair climbing makes a big difference.
Since April 2023, foreigners must trek the Annapurna region with a licensed guide. You also need the ACAP and a TIMS card. Spade Himalaya is a registered agency, so the guide and permits are handled for you. A ranger checks the permits at points along the trail.
The trail runs on cash, and there are no ATMs. So carry enough Nepalese rupees from Pokhara. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging all cost a small fee. This package starts and ends in Pokhara. So Kathmandu travel, hotels, and airport transfers are not included. Plan those separately if you need them.
You sleep in family-run teahouses along the ridge. Lower down, some have attached bathrooms. Higher up, the rooms are basic and warmed by a stove in the dining hall. The food is fresh and filling, with dal bhat, momo, soup, and eggs. Goods cost more higher up, because everything is carried in. For water, refill and purify rather than buy bottles. This saves money and cuts plastic waste.