Mardi Himal Trek 7 Days: Itinerary, Cost, Map & Guide

The route climbs one long ridge and descends part of the way by a different trail. From Kande, you walk up through the forest to Forest Camp, continue along the ridge to High Camp, and make the early-morning push to the Upper Viewpoint. On the way down, you return to Low Camp and Forest Camp, then branch off to Siding instead of walking back to Kande.

Most of the trek is on foot, with short drives at the start and end. On the map below, the solid line is the trekking route, and the dashed line shows the road transfers.

The table below combines the 8-day itinerary with daily walking or travel times and overnight sleeping altitudes. The route runs from Kathmandu to Pokhara, climbs through Forest Camp and High Camp to the Mardi Himal Upper Viewpoint, then descends through Low Camp and Siding before returning to Pokhara and Kathmandu.

The Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m is a daytime hike on Day 5, not an overnight stop. High Camp, at 3,580 m, is the highest place you sleep on this itinerary.

8-Day Route and Daily Sleeping Altitude

This 7-day itinerary goes to the Upper Viewpoint, not Mardi Himal Base Camp. Here is how they compare:

If you want to reach Base Camp, tell us and we'll build a longer itinerary.

Yes, for the Upper Viewpoint. Seven days gives you 4 days on the trail, a night in Pokhara at each end, and a sunrise at 4,200 m. If you want more time to acclimatize, a bit more margin for weather, or the extra distance to Base Camp, a longer itinerary is the better choice. Ask us about a custom plan.

The 7-day Mardi Himal Trek starts at US$450 per person for groups of six or more. Your package includes the services listed under "What's Included," so you can plan your trek with a clear understanding of the costs.

Price by Group Size

Traveling with a larger group reduces the per-person cost by sharing expenses such as guide services and transportation. Whether you're trekking solo, with friends, or in a group, contact us with your preferred dates and group size for availability and booking details.

These are small costs paid in cash along the way. Figures are typical, and prices rise with altitude.

The 7-day Mardi Himal Trek is graded moderate and is suitable for reasonably fit trekkers who can walk uphill for several hours a day. The main challenges are the sustained ascent from Forest Camp to High Camp and the early-morning hike to the Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m.

Day 5 is particularly demanding because it includes the viewpoint ascent followed by a descent to Low Camp.

Previous trekking experience is helpful but not essential. Prepare with regular hill walking, stair climbing, and downhill practice before departure.

Cold temperatures, exposed ridge sections, and the effects of altitude should not be underestimated, and your guide may adjust the plan if weather or health conditions make continuing unsafe.

This itinerary climbs from Forest Camp (2,550 m) to High Camp (3,580 m) in a single day, which is faster than the usual advice of adding no more than about 500 m of sleeping altitude per night above 3,000 m.

Our guides manage this with a slow pace, a rest stop at Low Camp (3,050 m), and morning and evening symptom checks with an oximeter. If you want a gentler profile, ask us about adding a night at Low Camp on the way up.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the colorful season. The forests are full of blooming rhododendrons, the days are warm at lower altitudes, and the mornings are usually clear. By May, clouds build earlier in the day, so the early start for the viewpoint matters more.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn offers the steadiest weather and the clearest views, which makes it the most popular season. October is the busiest month, so book teahouses and transport early.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is cold, and High Camp can be below freezing at night, with snow on the upper trail. The views are crisp, but conditions are harder, so it's only for trekkers who are comfortable in the cold and have the right gear.

Monsoon (June to August)

Heavy rain, leeches in the forest and cloudy skies make this a poor season for Mardi Himal. If you're travelling in monsoon, ask us about alternatives.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is required for trekkers entering the Annapurna region. The permit fee depends on your nationality.

Your ACAP permit is valid for a single entry. We arrange it in advance, and your guide carries it and presents it at checkpoints when required.

Guide Requirement and TIMS Card for Mardi Himal

Every Trip Highland departure includes a licensed, English-speaking guide. Trekking rules in the Annapurna Conservation Area have changed in recent years, and the TIMS card requirement is applied differently from route to route. We confirm the current requirements before your departure and handle all the paperwork.

Nepal Visa

A tourist visa costs US30for15days,US50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days. You can get it on arrival at the airport, or pre-apply online up to 15 days before you travel.

Documents to Carry

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your trip

• Two to four passport-size photos

• Printed copy of your travel insurance policy

• Emergency contact details for Trip Highland and your own family

Travel insurance is not included, and you should buy it before you fly. Your policy must cover trekking up to at least 4,200 m and emergency helicopter evacuation. Check the policy wording for altitude limits, because some standard policies stop at 3,000 m or 4,000 m.

Your guide carries a first-aid kit and an oximeter and monitors symptoms every day. If anyone needs evacuation or urgent medical care, your guide contacts our Pokhara office, and you contact your insurer's emergency line. Keep a printed copy of your policy number and the insurer's 24-hour number with you.

On the trail, you stay in small family-run teahouses. Rooms are simple, with twin beds, foam mattresses and blankets, and the walls are thin. Bathrooms are shared, and rooms aren't heated.

The higher you go, the more basic it gets. Forest Camp has a calm, woodland feel, while High Camp is exposed and cold at night, so bring a warm sleeping bag. Dining rooms are the warm spot, with a stove or heater, and everyone gathers there in the evening. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you stay in hotels with breakfast included.

Menus are shorter here than on the bigger trails, because everything is carried up by porters. Expect dal bhat, noodle soups, fried rice, momos, pasta, eggs, porridge and Tibetan bread. Dal bhat is the best choice for energy, and you can usually get seconds.

Prices go up with altitude, and menus get shorter at High Camp. Tell your guide about any dietary needs on day one so they can pass them on to each teahouse.

Altitude sickness can affect trekkers on the Mardi Himal Trek, particularly as they ascend to High Camp (3,580 m) and the Upper Viewpoint (4,200 m).

The combination of sustained uphill walking, increasing elevation, and an early-morning hike makes it important to recognize symptoms and follow your guide's safety advice. Proper pacing and prompt action when symptoms appear are essential.

Early Signs of Altitude Sickness (AMS)

Early symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) may include a headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, or poor sleep. Tell your guide immediately if you notice these symptoms.

Do not continue ascending while experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness. If symptoms are mild, remain at your current altitude and seek appropriate guidance while monitoring your condition closely.

If symptoms worsen or fail to improve, descend to a lower altitude and seek medical assistance. Never continue toward the Upper Viewpoint simply to complete the itinerary.

Serious Altitude Sickness: When to Descend

Confusion, difficulty walking straight, unusual drowsiness, breathlessness at rest, or a worsening cough can indicate a serious altitude-related emergency.

Do not wait for symptoms to improve at altitude. Stop ascending, descend with assistance, and seek urgent medical attention. Your guide should prioritize your safety over reaching the Upper Viewpoint.

Rules to Follow Above 3,000 m

• Walk slowly and stop whenever you need to

• Drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily

• Skip alcohol and cigarettes

• Don't go higher if you have symptoms

• Tell your guide how you really feel, every day

Pack for warm valleys, cold nights, and a freezing start to the viewpoint day. Layers matter more than any single item. Keep your main bag under 15 kg, since the porter carries it.

Clothing

• 2 moisture-wicking base layers

• 2 quick-dry trekking shirts

• Fleece or light down mid-layer

• Heavy down jacket for High Camp and the early start

• Waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers

• 2 pairs of trekking trousers

Footwear and Accessories

• Waterproof boots with ankle support, well broken in

• Lightweight shoes or sandals for the evenings

• 4 pairs of wool socks and a few liner socks

• Warm hat, sun hat, liner gloves and insulated gloves

• Neck gaiter or buff and UV-protection sunglasses

Gear

• Trekking poles

• Headtorch with spare batteries, which is essential for Day 5

• Sleeping bag rated to about -10°C (bring or rent in Kathmandu)

• Waterproof duffel bag and a 20 to 25 L daypack

Health and Personal Items

• Personal medication and a small first-aid kit

• Blister plasters and leech protection if travelling in a wet season

• Toiletries and hand sanitizer

• Water purification tablets or a filter

• High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm

• Power bank and charging cable

Start about six weeks out. The aim is to be comfortable climbing stairs and hills for hours, since the trail is mostly uphill on the way up.

• Weeks 1-2: Walk briskly 3 to 4 times a week for 45 to 60 minutes, and add squats and lunges twice a week.

• Weeks 3-4: Make the weekend hike 3 to 4 hours with a light pack, and add stair climbing.

• Weeks 5-6: Do one long hike on hilly ground with your daypack, and wear your boots on every walk.

Practise going downhill too, since Day 5 and Day 6 involve long descents.

If you have a few spare days, there are easy ways to add on:

Tell Trip Highland how many extra days you have and what you'd like to see, and we'll adjust the itinerary to fit.

For more than 16 years, Trip Highland has been guiding trekkers through Nepal's mountains. We're a local team based in Pokhara, so we know the trails, the teahouse owners, and how the weather behaves around the Annapurna foothills.

Mardi Himal suits shorter trips, and we plan it that way. The itinerary keeps the days manageable, the guides watch for altitude symptoms from the first climb, and we adjust the plan if conditions aren't right. If your dates are tight or you're trekking for the first time, tell us and we'll help you decide whether this trek is the right fit.

• Local guides: Trained in first aid and altitude safety, with years of experience on this trail

• Flexible plans: We adjust dates, pace and extras to suit you

• Clear answers before you book: What's included, what isn't, and what the trail is really like

• Respect for the places we visit: We work with local teahouses and keep our impact on the mountains small