Mardi Himal Trek
A dramatic ridgeline trek directly toward the sacred, unclimbed Machhapuchhre — one of the Annapurna region's most exciting newer routes.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
October-November, March-May
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
6 days
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and TIMS card (NPR 2,000) required
Difficulty
Moderate
Annapurna route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
The Mardi Himal trek follows a narrow ridge that juts directly toward the south face of Machhapuchhre (6,993m), offering increasingly dramatic close-up views of this sacred, unclimbed peak. Unlike many treks, the route takes trekkers along an exposed ridgeline above the cloud layer, creating an ethereal walking experience.
The route climbs from the Australian Camp area through rhododendron and bamboo forests to emerge above the treeline at Low Camp (~3,580m). From here, the trail follows a grassy, exposed ridge to High Camp (~3,900m) and then to the viewpoint near Mardi Himal Base Camp at approximately 4,500m, where Machhapuchhre towers directly ahead.
Popular since around 2012, Mardi Himal maintains a quieter feel than the Poon Hill or ABC treks. Teahouse facilities exist but are more basic. Weather can change rapidly at the higher camps, and the final stretch can be snow-covered in spring.
Field log · Day by day
The route, walked
- Stages
- 6
- Day01
Kande→Forest Camp
moderateOvernightForest Camp- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Start near Kande/Australian Camp and climb through forest toward the Mardi Himal ridge.
- Day02
Forest Camp→Low Camp
moderateOvernightLow Camp- Walking
- 3.0–4.0h
Continue through rhododendron and bamboo forest toward increasingly open views of Machhapuchhre.
- Day03
Low Camp→High Camp
hardOvernightHigh Camp- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
Climb above the treeline onto the exposed Mardi Himal ridge.
- Day04
High Camp→Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint
cruxOvernightHigh Camp- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Early out-and-back to the upper viewpoint near Mardi Himal Base Camp, then return to High Camp.
- Day05
- Day06
Siding→Lumre
lightOvernightLumre- Walking
- 3.0–4.0h
Short final descent to the roadhead for the return transfer to Pokhara.
- End
passes_through
views
Planning this trek? Local operators publishing trips here can arrange it.
Elsewhere in this region
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