Nepal · Trekking

5-Day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara to Base Camp via Forest Camp

5 Days Round trip from Pokhara Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Marvel at the beautiful Himalayan ranges from Mardi Himal Base Camp
02 Gaze at beautiful and colourful rhododendron and other sub-alpine flowers
03 Look out for Himalayan Thar, musk deer, spotted deer, barking deer, and even snow leopard
04 Trek from lush forest trails into the alpine zone with views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli

Drive from Pokhara to Kade and set out on a 5-day trek through lush green forests, colourful blossoms, and quiet mountain trails toward Mardi Himal Base Camp. Along the way, enjoy great views of the Annapurna range, Pokhara Valley, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre as the landscape changes from dense jungle to alpine grasslands. This trek combines beautiful rhododendron forests, possible wildlife sightings, and rewarding Himalayan panoramas with the authentic adrenaline rush of reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp.

You begin the trek with spectacular views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Annapurna.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Pokhara, Annapurna

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive to Kade and Trek through Deurali to Forest Camp

After your arrival in Pokhara, you will drive to Kade. It is an hour's drive.
From Kade, your actual trek on foot starts. After an hour of trekking on good trails, you reach Australian Camp (2060 m) for great views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara Valley.
From here, you trek to Deurali. From Deurali, you will leave the crowded trails of the Annapurna Sanctuary and head towards Forest Camp. This quieter part of the trail passes through beautiful, lush green jungle. During spring, you can enjoy the beautiful and colourful blossoms in this region, including rhododendron and other sub-alpine flowers.

You will stay overnight at a local tea house in Forest Camp.

Altitude: 2554 m

Duration: 6/8 hours

Day 02

Trek from Forest Camp to High Camp

After a comfortable night at Forest Camp, your trek begins. Once again, you trek through the beautiful forest area. If you are lucky, you may catch glimpses of wildlife in these regions, such as Himalayan Thar, musk deer, spotted deer, barking deer, and snow leopard. As the ascent begins, the landscape starts to change, and moss, lichen, and ferns cover the trees.
After an hour of trekking from Low Camp, the trail rises above the treeline. You will get your first clear sightings of magnificent mountains such as Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
The trail continues along the ridge towards Mardi Himal.
From Badal Danda (Cloud Hill), you leave the treeline and enter the alpine zone. You will be walking mainly on grasslands.
From here, you will reach High Camp. High Camp is a beautiful small pasture land, and you can see the beautiful snow-capped peaks getting a little closer.

Altitude: 3980 m

Duration: 7/9 hours

Day 03

Ridge Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp

You begin the trek with spectacular views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Annapurna. You will continue your trek along the ridge to reach the beautiful Mardi Himal Base Camp.
This can be a challenging day for beginners or novice trekkers. The trail is steep, rocky, and uneven. Yet, with the amazing views all around you, your motivation and determination to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp will run high.
From Mardi Himal Base Camp, see the magnificent and gorgeous Mardi Himal and Mt. Machhapuchhre. You will also see other high mountain peaks such as Annapurna I, II, and Gangapurna.

Altitude: 4350 m

Duration: 7 hours

Day 04

Sunrise Views and Descent to Dhampus

After a wonderful night in the glory of the trek, your return trek begins. You can enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
You can enjoy magnificent mountain scenery with amazing sunrises and sunsets during your stay at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
After this, you will start your descent. From Pothana, the trek gets more comfortable.

You will stay overnight at Dhampus.

Altitude: 1650 m

Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 05

Descend to Phedi and Drive Back to Pokhara

Dhampus viewpoint gives you an awesome view of sunrise over the majestic mountain peaks.
The trek today begins with a steep descent from Dhampus. You will trek down through beautiful forest and countryside, and you can see farmers busy in their daily chores.
After reaching Phedi, you will drive to Pokhara.

Altitude: 1130 m

Duration: 1.5/2 hours of trekking and 1-hour drive

Where this trip takes you

Australian Camp (2060 m), Forest Camp rhododendron forests, Mardi Himal Base Camp, Dhampus viewpoint

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

Pokhara to Kande by private car and Phedi to Pokhara by shared jeep
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
Best available twin-sharing lodge-to-lodge accommodation during the trek
One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly Nepali trekking guide, including food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffle bags (if required)
Trekking map and trip achievement certificate
First aid medical kit
Annapurna Conservation Permit fees
TIMS Fee - Trekkers' Information Management System (please bring 2 passport-size photos for the permit)
Government taxes and office service charges

What's Not Included

Trekking porter (if required, we will provide one) - price will be an extra $18 per day
Meals not specified in the

What to bring

Clothing and equipment

The packing list for clothing and equipment depends on the season when you are doing this Mardi Himal 5-day trek. The basic list should include the following:
Hiking boots (preferably worn in)
Jacket (one windcheater and a nice fleece for the cold nights)
Trekking pants and shorts
Trekking shirt
Trekking sandals (great for relaxing in the tea house)
Sunglasses
Wide-brimmed hat (great for protecting your head and face from the sun)
Socks
Toiletries (hand sanitizer, tissue paper, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, female hygiene products, sunscreen lotion, and soap)
Trekking poles (great for descent and balance)
A good sturdy backpack and a backpack cover

This list includes only the basic necessities. You are free to add or modify the list to suit your needs.

Know before you go

Best time to do the Mardi Himal Trek

The Mardi Himal 5-day trek is one of the best short treks in Nepal.
The Mardi Himal 5-day trek is doable throughout the year. However, the following months offer the best visibility and weather conditions: September to December - cool, dry, and stable weather conditions with amazing visibility; March to June - colourful blossoms of flowers in the lower regions of the trail.

Permits

You will need to have 2 different permits for your 5-day Mardi Himal Trek. These are:

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit): You will be trekking through the beautiful Annapurna Sanctuary. Some parts of this cost go to the conservation of the area.
TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System): This is required for any foreign trekker wishing to trek in Nepal.

There are a few checkpoints along your 5-day Mardi Himal trekking trail. You may have to show your permits at these places.

Physical fitness

The Mardi Himal 5-day trek is an easy to moderate-level trek. You need a certain level of fitness to have a comfortable trekking experience. The final push from High Camp to Mardi Base Camp can be a bit challenging.
For the entire 5 days, the Mardi Himal Trek covers 49 km. You will be walking for about 6/7 hours a day. To make it easier, you can try going for long walks or week-long treks, or hikes to your nearby hills. You can also do cardio exercises like running, jogging, or cycling.
Altitude and mountain sickness are not a problem on the 5-day Mardi Himal Trek. You won't be at a high altitude for very long.
This trek is suitable for people from all walks of life, ages, and fitness levels.

Accommodation and meals

The Mardi Himal Trek is a tea house trek. You will get places to eat, rest, and sleep along the trails. Most of the tea houses provide basic facilities. You will have a plain bed with a mattress, sheet, and blanket.
The basic menu includes simple and healthy local meals. This includes dal, bhat, tarkari (steamed rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables), momos (steamed dumplings), and noodles.
The choice of drinks includes tea, coffee, and hot and cold flavoured drinks.

Extra tips for your 5-day Mardi Himal Trek

Carry enough cash to last you throughout the trek. This is a newly opened trail, and you will hardly find any reliable ATMs or places that accept cards.
Feel free to explore the beautiful and quaint little villages along the trails if time is not a factor. Let someone, such as your guide, know in advance for safety.
This trek is flexible. You can add different routes, trekking destinations, and duration to your trek.
Stick to your own pace. Do not rush.
Always stay hydrated. While enjoying the beautiful energy of your trek, this can slip your mind.

Logistics