Head to head
Pikey Peak Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek
Pikey Peak Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 4,065 m), while Mardi Himal Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,500 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Pikey: Easy
vs Mardi: Moderate
Max altitude
Pikey: 4,065 m
vs Mardi: 4,500 m
Duration
Pikey: 5 days
vs Mardi: 5 days
Choose
Pikey Peak Trek
if you want…
- Less demanding - Easy vs Moderate
- Lower max altitude (4,065 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Everest region
Choose
Mardi Himal Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (4,500 m) for bigger mountain views
- Explores the Annapurna region
Full comparison
| Pikey Peak Trek | Mardi Himal Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Max altitude | 4,065 m | 4,500 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 50 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,200 m | 3,300 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Nov | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 350-900 |
| Permits | Solu-Khumbu Local Permit | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses and local lodges |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Patchy in upper sections |
| Safety level | Medium | Medium |
Planning aid only. GPX and route pages are not live trail authority. Map packs need download on Wi‑Fi; weather and SMS need connectivity when used.
Pikey Peak Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek: common questions
Which is harder, which goes higher, which costs more, and which one to do first - answered from the route data in the table above.
Which is harder, the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek is the harder of the two: moderate versus easy, topping out at 4,500 m against 4,065 m. Pikey Peak Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 4,065 m), while Mardi Himal Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,500 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500 m, against 4,065 m on Pikey Peak Trek - a difference of about 435 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Both the Pikey Peak Trek and the Mardi Himal Trek run about 5 days on the standard itinerary, before flight buffers or extra rest days.
Which is cheaper, the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Pikey Peak Trek and USD 350-900 for the Mardi Himal Trek, covering permits, lodging, food and local transport. Guides, porters, domestic flights and insurance are extra and usually dominate the difference.
Which should a first-time trekker choose, the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Pikey Peak Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 4,065 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Mardi Himal Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Pikey Peak Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek?
Both routes share the same window: Mar - May, Sep - Nov. Outside it you trade settled weather for monsoon cloud or winter snow on the high sections.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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