Day 1
Kande to Forest Camp
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 2,600 m
Drive from Pokhara to Kande (1 hr). Trek through lush rhododendron forests past Australian Camp viewpoint to Forest Camp nestled in dense woodland.
Annapurna
Mardi Himal Trek
A spectacular ridgeline trek offering intimate views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Mardi Himal. The trail follows a narrow ridge with dramatic drop-offs on both sides, culminating at Base Camp (4,500m).
Moderate5 days4,500 mMar - May, Sep - Nov
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m)
- Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) close-up
- Dramatic ridgeline walking
- Annapurna South & Hiunchuli views
A spectacular ridgeline trek offering intimate views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Mardi Himal. The trail follows a narrow ridge with dramatic drop-offs on both sides, culminating at Base Camp (4,500m).
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 5 planned days, 50 km of walking, and 3,300 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m), Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) close-up, Dramatic ridgeline walking, Annapurna South & Hiunchuli views.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Forest Camp to Low Camp
4 hrs / 7 km / sleep 2,970 m
Continue through bamboo and rhododendron forest with first views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South emerging through the canopy.
Day 3
Low Camp to High Camp
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 3,580 m
Ascend above the treeline onto the open Mardi ridge. The landscape transforms to alpine meadows with increasingly spectacular mountain views.
Day 4
High Camp to Low Camp
7 hrs / 15 km / sleep 2,970 m
Early morning ascent to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) along a dramatic, narrow ridgeline. 360° panorama at sunrise includes Annapurna I, South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhre. Descend to Low Camp.
Day 5
Low Camp to Sidhing
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 1,700 m
Descend through forests and traditional villages to Sidhing. Drive back to Pokhara (3 - 4 hours).
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,770 m
Start
3,580 m
Highest sleep
4,500 m
Max altitude
5
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
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GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Altitude
- 4,500 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Mardi Himal Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Mardi Himal Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Mardi Himal Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Mardi Himal Trek runs 5 days and covers 50 km of walking. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Mardi Himal Trek go?
The Mardi Himal Trek tops out at 4,500 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 3,580 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek normally requires: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Mardi Himal Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov is the usual window for the Mardi Himal Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Mardi Himal Trek?
The Mardi Himal Trek is rated moderate, with 3,300 m of total ascent over 50 km. Walking days are roughly 4-7 hours. Above 4,000 m the limiting factor is usually altitude rather than fitness, so pace and rest days matter more than training volume.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Mardi Himal Trek?
Yes. The Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days, and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Is there a GPX file for the Mardi Himal Trek?
Yes - the Mardi Himal Trek GPX and KML tracks are free to download from this page and open in TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Garmin Connect, Organic Maps or Google Earth. The track is a planning reference built from route data, not a surveyed trail: verify junctions on the ground and follow local signage and guides over the line on your screen.
Where does the Mardi Himal Trek start and finish?
The Mardi Himal Trek starts at Kande and finishes at Sidhing, in the Annapurna region.
Read next
Guides for the Mardi Himal Trek
Long-form articles covering acclimatization, permits, packing and navigation for this route.
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Up-to-date 2026 guide to Nepal trekking permits: Sagarmatha, Annapurna (ACAP), Manaslu, Upper Mustang, TIMS cards, office locations, required photos, and exact fees in NPR/USD.
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Honest comparison of five offline Nepal trekking apps - TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Mapy.com, Organic Maps, Maps.me - on maps, GPX, altitude safety, battery, and cost.
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Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
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Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
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