The Mardi Himal Trek is a 5 to 9-day ridge walk above the Annapurna Sanctuary, climbing to an Upper View Point at 4,500m directly beneath Machhapuchhre, the sacred fishtail peak. It is the quieter alternative to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, on a high forest-and-ridge trail that only opened to teahouse trekking in 2012.
Mardi Himal is a moderate teahouse trek defined by its ridgeline, where you walk above the clouds with the Annapurna range filling the skyline.
The 5 to 9-day itinerary
Most trekkers walk Mardi Himal in 5 days from Pokhara, climbing through rhododendron forest to High Camp at 3,580m before the dawn push to the viewpoint. A 7 to 9-day version adds the Australian Camp start or links to Annapurna Base Camp for a longer loop.
The Upper View Point at 4,500m
The Upper View Point at 4,500m sits closer to Machhapuchhre (6,993m) than almost any trek in Nepal, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Mardi Himal across the cirque. The final ridge is exposed and best walked early before cloud builds.
Permits, cost, and best time
Mardi Himal needs the ACAP permit and the TIMS card, together about USD 50, covered in our permit guide. The ridge is clearest in spring and autumn, detailed in our best time guide, and the high camps are cold, so check our packing list.
Who it suits
Mardi Himal suits trekkers who want big views and few crowds in under a week, with daily walks of 4 to 6 hours and one steep ridge day. It is harder than Poon Hill but shorter than the full circuit, a strong second trek in Nepal.
