The Short Mardi Himal Trek runs 5 days from Pokhara, Nepal, climbing through rhododendron forest to a ridge line viewpoint at 4,500m with Machhapuchhre, also written as Machapuchare close enough to feel like it is leaning over your tea house roof. This is one of the most direct high-altitude routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal, and it works well as a short, budget-friendly Mardi Himal Trek for anyone who wants real altitude without a long, expensive itinerary. It suits trekkers with limited time who still want a real high-altitude push, not a walk to a viewpoint and back down the same afternoon. Daily walking runs from 3 to 8 hours, and the trail is steady rather than technical. As a short, budget-friendly Mardi Himal Trek option, expect moderate teahouse-trek pricing once group size, season, and porter needs are factored in.
Short Mardi Himal Trek
Trip Overview
Five days total, four on the trail, with no rest or acclimatization day built in. That's what makes this 5-Day Short Mardi Himal Trek different from the standard 9-day itinerary: the same ridge route to 4,500m, compressed into a single push rather than spread across an extra overnight. You hike up, reach the viewpoint, and descend the same day, sleeping at lower altitudes each night rather than staying high. There's no side trip, no alternate loop, and no village-to-village variety once you're past Pitam Deurali. It's one trail, one direction, one turnaround point, which keeps planning simple but leaves less room to adjust pace if day 4 hits harder than expected.
Who the Short Mardi Himal Trek Is For and Who Should Skip It
The Short Mardi Himal Trek suits you if:
- You have 5 to 7 days total and want a genuine high-altitude experience in Nepal without committing to a 10-day-plus circuit
- You want a short, budget-friendly Mardi Himal Trek that still delivers close, direct views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna South massif, without the long walk-in that Annapurna Base Camp requires
- You have a reasonable base level of fitness and have done at least one multi-day hike before
- You want a quieter trail than Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill during peak season
- You are comfortable with basic teahouse accommodation and shared bathrooms at higher elevations
Skip this if:
- You have a heart or lung condition that has not been cleared for altitude by a doctor. Talk to your GP first; this is not something to test on a ridge at 4,500m.
- You want a slower trek with more village stays, local culture, and monastery visits along the way. Consider the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek instead.
- You want a longer, more gradual acclimatization schedule. The standard 9-day Mardi Himal Trek or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek both build in more altitude days.
Short Mardi Himal Trek Highlights in Nepal
- Dense rhododendron and oak forest between Kande and Pitam Deurali, at its best with blooms in March and April
- A ridge trail from Low Camp onward that opens suddenly onto Annapurna South and Hiunchuli after two days of forest cover
- Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993m) visible at close range from High Camp, closer than most Annapurna region treks in Nepal get
- Sunrise from the Mardi Himal View Point at 4,500m, weather permitting, with the north face of Annapurna South catching first light
- The Mardi Himal View Point sits roughly 370m higher than Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), giving a higher vantage point on a shorter itinerary
- A trail that carries far fewer trekkers than Annapurna Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, even in peak season
- A single long summit-and-descent day that gives you the altitude experience without a multi-day approach, which is part of what makes this a short, budget-friendly Mardi Himal Trek
- Exit through Sidhing, a Gurung farming village on terraced slopes that most Mardi itineraries skip entirely
- Return to Pokhara, Nepal by road the same day you come off the mountain, no extra buffer day needed
Short Mardi Himal Trek Route Overview
The Short Mardi Himal Trek starts with a short drive from Pokhara, Nepal to Kande (around 1,770m), on the ridge above Phedi. From Kande, the trail climbs through forest to Pitam Deurali at 2,100m for the first night. Day 2 continues along a ridge trail, gaining altitude steadily through rhododendron and moss-draped oak forest to Low Camp at 3,050m. Day 3 is shorter in distance but higher in altitude, reaching High Camp at 3,550m, where the tree line has already thinned out, and Machhapuchhre dominates the skyline. Day 4 is the trek's centerpiece: an early climb to the Mardi Himal View Point at 4,500m, followed by a descent back down to Badal Danda for the night. Day 5 drops steeply through forest and farmland to Sidhing at 820m, where a shared jeep takes you back to Pokhara.
Why Choose Madcap Adventure for This Short Mardi Himal Trek?
- Every guide is Nepal government licensed and briefed specifically on the Mardi Himal ridge route
- Porters are available at USD 20 per day, covering up to two trekkers, if you want to walk without a full pack
- Locked-in pricing once your deposit is paid, so a late-season price rise does not touch your booking
- A free Nepal SIM card with data on arrival, useful for the one or two spots on this route with a signal
- 24/7 support from our Kathmandu office for the full duration of your trek
- Early bird pricing: up to 15% off for bookings 6 or more months out, up to 10% off for 3 to 6 months out
- 2027 departures can be locked in at 2026 pricing if booked before December 31, 2026, with a 20% deposit
5 Days Short Mardi Himal Trek Cost in 2026/2027
The Short Mardi Himal Trek runs USD 430 to USD 550 per person, one of the more budget-friendly ways to reach 4,500m anywhere in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
Where you land in that range depends on the following:
- Group size. A private trek costs more per person than joining a group, since guide and vehicle costs are split across fewer people. Solo trekkers sit toward the top of the range, larger groups toward the bottom.
- Season. Peak autumn dates (October and November) carry less flexibility on rate than shoulder season, since demand for guides, porters, and rooms runs higher.
- Booking timing. The early bird structure moves your final price directly: up to 15% off for bookings 6 or more months out, up to 10% off for 3 to 6 months out.
- Group discounts. Groups of 4 or more qualify for an additional discount on top of any early bird rate, worth asking about before you book.
- Porter add-on. Adding a porter costs USD 20 per day, covering up to two trekkers, and sits outside the base package price.
- Room type at High Camp. Most teahouses on this route offer twin rooms as standard, but High Camp can run tighter during peak season, occasionally pushing a shared-room rate.
- 2027 lock-in. Booking before December 31, 2026 with a 20% deposit locks 2026 pricing for any 2027 departure, which can sit below the standard range above depending on 2027 rate changes.
Turn Your Short Mardi Himal Trek into a Longer Himalayan Journey
Most trekkers flying into Nepal for a 5-day trek have more time on either side of it than the trek itself uses. These are the extensions we arrange most often for Short Mardi Himal Trek clients, each bookable as an add-on to your main package.
Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari (2 to 3 days): A lowland contrast to the mountains: jeep safari, a canoe ride on the Rapti River, a guided jungle walk, and a cultural program with the local Tharu community. One-horned rhinoceros sightings are common; tiger sightings are rare but possible. Best run directly after your Pokhara return, before heading back to Kathmandu. Drive time from Pokhara to Chitwan runs approximately 5 to 6 hours.
Pokhara Adventure Day (1 day): A rest-day add-on right after you come off the trail, before continuing to Kathmandu. Options include paragliding over Phewa Lake, zip-lining, boating, and a sunrise trip up to Sarangkot for a wider view of the Annapurna range than the trek itself offers. Good for trekkers who want one more high viewpoint without more walking.
Annapurna Base Camp Extension (add 5 to 7 days): For trekkers who want to go higher and further into the Annapurna Sanctuary after finishing Mardi Himal. This isn't a direct trail connection between the two routes; it runs as a separate trek booked immediately after your Mardi Himal exit, typically starting from Pokhara again after a rest day. Worth discussing with us directly if you're considering both in one trip, since combined scheduling affects overall cost and permit logistics.
Kushma Bungee Jump (1 day): For trekkers who want an adrenaline add-on rather than another viewpoint. The jump runs 228m over the Kali Gandaki gorge in Kushma, Parbat district, roughly 2 to 3 hours from Pokhara by road, and is Nepal's highest bungee. A swing option runs from the same platform for anyone who wants the drop without the full free-fall bungee. Works well paired with the Pokhara Adventure Day, since both are reachable from Pokhara in a single day trip.
Kathmandu Cultural Day Tour (1 day): A guided day covering Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, all UNESCO-listed sites within or near the Kathmandu Valley. Runs well on your final day before departure, or on arrival if your flight schedule allows.
Lumbini Day Trip or Overnight (1 to 2 days): Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits south of Pokhara near the Nepal-India border. Usually paired with a Chitwan add-on rather than run as a standalone extension, since the two sit on the same southbound route.
Trishuli River Rafting (1 day): Can be worked into the Kathmandu-Pokhara drive in either direction of the trek, breaking up the road day with a few hours on the water. Grade II to III rapids, suitable for first-time rafters.
Extension pricing and exact durations vary by season and group size. Send us your dates, and we'll build a combined quote alongside your Short Mardi Himal Trek booking.
Short Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
Drive to Kande and Trek to Pitam Deurali
You'll leave Pokhara, Nepal by tourist vehicle, climbing out of the valley toward Kande on a road that winds past terraced fields and small roadside tea stalls. From Kande, the trail starts almost immediately uphill through forest, alternating between stone steps and dirt track. The climb is steady rather than brutal, and most trekkers settle into a rhythm within the first hour. Pitam Deurali sits on a forested ridge, and the lodges here are simple but comfortable, with dal bhat as the reliable dinner option: rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry, with unlimited refills at most tea houses. Get an early night. Tomorrow is the longest walking day of the trek.
Mountain views: Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, in breaks through the tree cover.
Trek from Pitam Deurali to Low Camp
This is the day the forest really earns its reputation. Moss hangs from the branches in long curtains, and the rhododendron cover thickens the higher you climb. The trail follows a ridge with only a handful of short, steep sections, but the cumulative altitude gain adds up over the full day. Lunch is usually taken at a small lodge partway up, and afternoon clouds tend to roll in from the south by early afternoon, so don't expect clear views for most of the walk. Low Camp itself sits right at the point where forest starts to give way to open ridge, and this is often the first place on the trek where Machhapuchhre appears properly, if the cloud cooperates.
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Trek from Low Camp to High Camp
A short day by distance, but the altitude gain and thinning air make it feel longer than the hours suggest. The trail continues along an open ridge with the tree line dropping away behind you. By the time you reach High Camp, you're above most of the forest cover, and Machhapuchhre sits directly ahead, close enough that the ice on its ridges is visible without binoculars on a clear afternoon. Rooms here are basic, and charging a phone usually costs a small fee since power comes from solar panels. Go to bed early. Tomorrow starts before sunrise.
Mountain views: Machhapuchhre's east face, Annapurna III, visible from camp on clear afternoons.
Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and Trek Back to Badal Danda
You'll leave High Camp in the dark, headlamps on, aiming to reach the Mardi Himal View Point before the clouds build. This is the trek's high point, both literally and in terms of what the day demands. The trail above High Camp is an exposed ridge, with snow possible from October through March, and the final push to 4,500m is where the altitude actually starts to slow people down. The view, when the weather holds, takes in Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and a slice of the Annapurna I massif further west. After the viewpoint, you'll descend all the way back down past High Camp and Low Camp to Badal Danda (3250m) for the night, a long day that trades altitude for the comfort of thicker air and a warmer night's sleep.
Mountain views: South face of Annapurna I, directly from Base Camp on a clear morning.
Trek to Sidhing and Drive to Pokhara
The final trekking day drops fast, through forest and then into farm terraces as the trail loses altitude toward Sidhing. This Gurung village rarely sees the crowds that pass through Ghandruk or Landruk on other Annapurna routes, and it's worth a slow look around before the jeep arrives. The shared jeep ride back to Pokhara runs 2 to 3 hours on a mix of paved and rougher village roads. You'll be back in a hotel bed in Pokhara by evening, with a hot shower that will feel like the best part of the whole trip.
Itinerary Flexibility
This itinerary can be adjusted before departure: switch to the standard 9-day version for a gentler pace, or add on a Pokhara adventure day. Tell Madcap Adventure your dates, fitness level, and preferences when you book.
Guide Decisions on Trail
The push to the Mardi Himal View Point (4,500m) can be affected by snow or cloud, and this itinerary reaches and leaves altitude within a single day. Your guide watches for symptoms closely on Day 4. In these situations, your licensed guide can adjust the day's pace or turn back if needed. This is standard trail judgment, not a formality.
Route Map & Altitude Chart
Cost Details
What’s Included
Accommodation
- Teahouse twin-share rooms for all four nights on the trek, at Pitam Deurali, Low Camp, High Camp, and Badal Danda
- 1-night hotel accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast, after the trek
- All accommodation is pre-booked. You never arrive at a lodge without a confirmed bed, even in the busy October and November window.
Meals
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on trekking days
- 2 cups of tea or coffee per day on trail
Guides
- Nepal Government-licensed trekking guide for the full duration of this Short Mardi Himal Trek
- Guide wages, meals, accommodation, and insurance
- Guide first aid training and basic emergency response knowledge
Permits and Documents
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- TIMS card
- Checkpoint formalities handled before departure, including passport copies and photos submitted in advance.
Transport
- Shared or private tourist vehicle from Pokhara to Kande at the start of the trek
- Shared jeep from Sidhing back to Pokhara at the end of the trek
- All ground transfers as per itinerary
Safety and Emergency
- First aid kit carried by your guide throughout the trek
- 24/7 support from Madcap Adventure's office
- Daily health check-ins on trek, standard practice given the single-day push to 4,500m on day 4
Equipment and Extras
- Free Nepal SIM card with pre-loaded data on arrival in Kathmandu
- All local taxes and company service charges
What’s Excluded
Flights and Travel to Nepal
- International flights to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fees (available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Currently USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days.)
- Kathmandu to Pokhara transport, since this Short Mardi Himal Trek begins and ends in Pokhara. See the linked getting-to-the-trailhead article below.
Insurance and Emergency
- Personal travel and medical insurance (mandatory, should include emergency evacuation cover)
- Emergency evacuation costs (covered by your insurance policy, confirm before you travel)
- Any medical treatment costs during or after the trek
Meals and Drinks
- All meals in Pokhara outside of what's listed above
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks throughout the trek
- Extra tea or coffee beyond the included cups
- Bottled water (a reusable bottle with purification tablets or a filter is the more budget-friendly option)
- Personal snacks on trail. Stock up in Pokhara or Kande, since prices for energy bars, nuts, and chocolate rise noticeably once you're above Low Camp
Personal Expenses on Trail
- Hot shower fees at teahouses
- Device charging fees; expect these from Low Camp upward
- Wi-Fi charges where available; signal is patchy from Low Camp and largely absent at High Camp and above
- Laundry costs
- Personal medical kit and prescription medication
- Personal trekking gear (boots, poles, layers, rain jacket, gloves, hat, headlamp)
- Souvenirs and shopping in Pokhara
- Any extra nights in Pokhara due to weather delays, early arrival, or late departure
- Any costs from early trek exit, route changes, or personal decisions to alter the itinerary
Porters: Porter services are not included in this short, budget-friendly Mardi Himal Trek package. A porter covering up to two trekkers can be arranged at USD 20 per day. Let us know when you send your booking inquiry.
Tips (discretionary but directly appreciated)
- Guide: USD 20 to 30 per day recommended
- Porter: USD 10 to 20 per day recommended
Your guide and porter work full days on real terrain, including the day 4 push to 4,500m and back. Tips make a direct difference to their income.
Date & Availability
Group departures need a minimum of 2 trekkers to run as scheduled. Solo trekkers can join as a private departure at an adjusted rate. Maximum group size is 12. A 20% deposit secures your seat and locks in the quoted price, with no increases after booking. Full balance is due before departure. Prefer a different date? Madcap Adventure arranges custom departures year-round.
Add-Ons & Options
Essential Information
Short Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty and Fitness
This Short Mardi Himal Trek is rated beginner to moderate, with day 4 pushing toward strenuous. Daily walking runs from 3 to 8 hours, on a trail that is steep in sections but not technical. No prior high-altitude experience is required, though at least one previous multi-day hike is a reasonable baseline. The single biggest physical demand is day 4: a 7 to 8 hour push from 3,550m to 4,500m and back down to Badal Danda, done in one day rather than split across two. If that single-day altitude swing concerns you, the standard 6-day Mardi Himal itinerary spreads the same route over an extra day and gives more room for a slower pace.
Best Time for the Short Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal
Autumn (late September through early December) and spring (March through May) give the clearest skies and the most stable trail conditions. Winter (December through February) is possible but brings a real risk of snow above High Camp, and the final push to 4,500m can require extra caution or, in heavy snow years, become unsafe. Monsoon (June through August) brings leeches on the lower forest sections and clouds that regularly close in by mid-morning, cutting visibility at the viewpoint.
Short Mardi Himal Trek Permits and Fees in Nepal
| Permit | Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | USD 30 per person | USD 10 per person |
| TIMS Card | USD 20 per person | USD 20 per person |
Accommodation and Food
Teahouses on this route are simple, with twin rooms as standard lower down and tighter, sometimes shared rooms at High Camp during peak season. Bathrooms are shared and generally outside the main room from Low Camp upward. Dal bhat is the most reliable meal at every altitude. Menus get shorter, and prices rise slightly the higher you climb, since everything above Low Camp is carried up on foot or by mule.
Is Solo Trekking Allowed on Mardi Himal, Nepal?
Solo travelers are welcome on the Short Mardi Himal Trek. And the rule is simple once you understand it: since April 2023, Nepal requires every foreign trekker, alone or in a group, to walk with a licensed guide from a registered agency, and this applies fully across the Annapurna Conservation Area, Mardi Himal included. Checkpoints along the route verify ACAP permits and guide credentials, so going without one isn't really an option anymore. What this actually means for you is straightforward: you book as an individual, you get your own guide, and you're never folded into a group tour you didn't choose. Female trekkers can request a female guide through Madcap Adventure, which a lot of solo women find makes the whole trip easier, especially on the long summit day. Our Kathmandu office stays reachable 24/7 while you're on the trail, regardless of group size, so support is never more than a phone call away.
Safety and Altitude
The trek's high point, 4,500m, is reached and left behind within the same day, which means less time for gradual acclimatization than a route that holds you at altitude overnight. Watch for headache, nausea, or unusual fatigue on day 4 and tell your guide immediately if symptoms appear. Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is required, not optional.
How to Prepare for the Short Mardi Himal Trek?
- Medical checkup: get checked before departure if you have any cardiovascular or respiratory history, and talk to your doctor about altitude since day 4 reaches 4,500m
- Fitness preparation: build cardiovascular fitness for 4 to 6 weeks before departure, with hill or incline training to prepare for day 4's 950m ascent
- Cash and ATM: withdraw Nepali rupees in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you leave; there is no ATM past Kande
- Travel insurance: confirm cover for high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation before you travel; not something to sort out on the trail
- Documents and permits: bring your passport, 2 to 4 passport-size photos, and your Nepal visa arranged in advance or on arrival
- Gear essentials: headlamp, warm layers for High Camp and the summit push, trekking poles, rain jacket, and broken-in hiking boots
- Connectivity: pick up your free Madcap Adventure SIM card in Kathmandu, and expect no signal at High Camp or above
Early Bird Offer: Mardi Himal Trek 2026 and 2027
Booking ahead is the single biggest lever on price for this trek. Confirm your Mardi Himal Trek dates with Madcap Adventure for the 2026 or 2027 season early, and you lock in a lower rate, a guaranteed departure, and pricing that doesn't move once your deposit is in, even if standard rates rise before you travel.
Why Book Early?
- Save on trip cost. Bookings made 6 or more months before departure get up to 15% off the standard package price. Bookings made 3 to 6 months out get up to 10% off.
- Locked-in pricing. Once your deposit is paid, your price is fixed. Standard rate increases closer to peak season don't apply to confirmed bookings.
- Guaranteed departure. Send Madcap Adventure your dates and group size, and we'll send a quote within 24 hours. A 20% deposit confirms your spot.
- Better teahouse and lodge options. Booking early gives us more room to secure the better rooms in popular teahouses along the route, particularly useful during the busiest weeks of October, November, and peak spring.
- Group discount. Groups of 4 or more get an additional discount on top of any early bird rate. Contact us for exact group figures.
- Free itinerary customization. Booking early gives us time to adjust your itinerary or add extensions such as Chitwan, Annapurna Base Camp, or a Pokhara adventure day at no extra planning cost.
- 2027 pre-booking. Book any 2027 departure before December 31, 2026, and you lock in 2026 pricing. A 20% deposit confirms your dates.
Offer Details
- Valid for bookings made before December 31, 2026, for any 2027 departure, or as early as possible ahead of your chosen 2026 dates for the standard early bird tiers above
- Discount: up to 15% off (6 or more months out) or up to 10% off (3 to 6 months out)
- Applicable seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) departures, 2026 and 2027
- Groups and solo travelers both welcome
Send Madcap Adventure your dates and group size to get started. We'll confirm availability and quote within 24 hours.
Cancellation and Refund Policy of Madcap Adventure
- Full refund: cancel 60 or more days before departure.
- Partial refund (50%): cancel 30 to 59 days before departure.
- No refund: cancellations less than 30 days before departure or mid-trek exits.
- Substitute trekker: send a replacement with at least 30 days' notice, no rebooking fee, provided they meet health and permit requirements.
- Date change: notify at least 45 days out, no change fee.
- Force majeure: full credit toward a future departure or refund minus costs already committed.
- Deposit credit: if cancelled within 30 days, deposit applies as credit toward any Madcap trek within 12 months.
How to Book Your Trek with Madcap Adventure
- Send your dates and group size. Tell us when you want to trek and how many people are in your group.
- Receive your quote within 24 hours. We'll confirm availability and send you a price based on your dates, group size, and any add-ons you want.
- Confirm with a 20% deposit. Your spot is locked in once the deposit clears, and your price won't change after that, even if standard rates rise before you travel.
Short Mardi Himal Trek FAQs
The Short Mardi Himal trek runs 5 days from Pokhara back to Pokhara, with 4 nights on the trail.
Yes, Mardi Himal is generally quieter than popular routes like Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit, offering a more peaceful trekking experience with equally stunning mountain views.
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