Mardi Himal Trek

Moderate fitness is enough. You should be able to walk 10 to 15 km with a light daypack (6–8 kg) on consecutive days without significant soreness. You do not need prior trekking or high-altitude experience. The hardest day is Day 6 — the descent from High Camp to Siding Village loses 1,830 metres of elevation over 12 km, which is hard on the knees. Train for downhill by doing stair descents or hill walks in the 8 weeks before the trek.

Yes, with the caveat that your fitness baseline matters. The Mardi Himal Trek is moderate — not technical, not extreme — but it goes to 4,500 metres, which is genuinely high altitude. First-time trekkers do this route regularly without problems, provided they follow the acclimatisation schedule, stay hydrated, and listen to the guide. If you have never trekked before, we recommend preparing for 8 weeks beforehand with consistent hill walking or stair training.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is caused by ascending faster than your body can adapt to lower oxygen levels. Symptoms include persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, and poor sleep. The Mardi Himal itinerary is designed so nightly altitude gain stays within 300–400 metres above 3,000 m, which is the recommended safe rate. Our guides carry a pulse oximeter and check oxygen saturation each evening above 3,000 m. If your SpO2 drops below 80 percent or you show two or more AMS symptoms, the guide will organise an immediate descent. The only effective treatment for AMS is descent.

Diamox (acetazolamide) is a prescription medication that helps many people acclimatise faster by stimulating deeper breathing. It works for most people but has side effects including tingling in the hands and feet and more frequent urination. We do not require you to take it, but we recommend consulting your doctor before the trek and getting a prescription to bring along as an option. Diamox is not a substitute for a slow ascent — do not skip the acclimatisation schedule because you are taking it.

October and November are the best months — post-monsoon skies are clear, views from the upper viewpoint are at their sharpest, and trail conditions are stable. High Camp temperatures in October run 5–10°C during the day and -3 to -4°C at night. November is colder (-7°C at night at High Camp) but still dry and very clear. March and April are the best spring months — rhododendrons bloom below 3,000 m and views are generally good in the mornings, with some afternoon haze. Avoid June through September when the monsoon brings daily rain and thick cloud above Forest Camp.

Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (PKH) — a 25-minute flight. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines run multiple daily flights. Fares range from USD 80 to USD 140 one way. Book well in advance for October and November. Alternatively, take the tourist bus from Kathmandu (Thamel departure, 07:00–08:00, 6–7 hours, USD 10–15). We include your Pokhara hotel on Night 1 and Night 6. Flights to and from Kathmandu are not included in our package and should be booked separately.

Two permits are required: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, USD 30 per person) and the TIMS card (USD 20 for individual trekkers, not required when trekking with an agency). Both are included in our package price. We arrange them in Pokhara before the trek. Bring your passport and two passport-size photos on Day 1. Permits are checked at the Kande checkpoint on Day 2 and at several points on the upper trail.

Plan NPR 2,000 to 4,000 (USD 15–30) per day for personal items. This covers hot showers (NPR 200–400 per shower, available at most teahouses), phone and camera charging (NPR 100–300 per session), Wi-Fi (NPR 100–300 per day where available), soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic drinks, chocolate bars, and extra snacks. The trail above Forest Camp has limited facilities, so carry enough cash from Pokhara. There are no ATMs on the route.

Legally, foreign nationals are no longer permitted to trek independently in Nepal as of April 2023 under a new government regulation. You must be accompanied by a licensed guide registered with the Tourism Department. This applies to all trekking areas including the Annapurna Conservation Area. Solo trekkers who previously did this route independently are now required to hire a guide. Our guide-only option (no package) is available for solo trekkers who wish to handle their own permits, accommodation, and food.

Teahouse food is simple, calorie-dense, and reliable. Dal bhat (lentil soup with rice and vegetable curry) is the staple and is served with unlimited refills at most places. It is the best fuel for altitude trekking. Noodles, pasta, porridge, eggs, toast, Tibetan bread, and garlic soup are also standard across all camps. Vegetarian meals are fully available on the entire route. If you have dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten-free, nut allergies), notify us before the trek and the guide will brief each teahouse in advance.

The trail from High Camp to the Upper Viewpoint and Base Camp runs along a narrow ridge with significant exposure on both sides. In dry conditions (October–November, March–May) the trail is safe for any reasonably fit trekker who is comfortable with some height. The path is 60–80 cm wide in the narrowest sections, not technical, and does not require ropes or harnesses. In winter (December–February) the trail can be icy and requires microspikes above 4,000 m. If there has been fresh snowfall, the guide will assess conditions at 05:00 on summit day and may delay the start or modify the route.

Any trekker with a SpO2 reading below 80 percent or showing two or more AMS symptoms (persistent headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination) is descended immediately — regardless of how close they are to the viewpoint. The guide will accompany the affected trekker down while an assistant stays with the rest of the group if size permits. Helicopter evacuation from High Camp reaches Pokhara in approximately 20 minutes. Your travel insurance must include helicopter rescue coverage (this is standard in Nepal-specific travel policies). The guide carries emergency contacts and handles all evacuation coordination.

You need travel insurance that specifically covers trekking to 5,000 metres and includes helicopter evacuation. This is not optional — it is a booking requirement. Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover trekking above 4,000 m without a specific adventure sports or altitude rider. Check your policy before purchasing. Reliable providers with good Nepal coverage include World Nomads, Battleface, and Allianz. The evacuation coverage must be at least USD 5,000 (helicopter evacuation from the Annapurna region typically costs USD 1,500–2,500). Carry a printed copy of your policy and the emergency contact number on the trail.