Kaski, Gandaki · Nepal
Mardi Himal
A ridge trek straight at the face of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), quieter than ABC.
Mardi Himal is a moderate trek in Kaski, Gandaki, Nepal, reaching 4,500 m. The best time to go is March and April and October and November. Plan 5 to 6 days on the ground from Pokhara and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Mardi Himal
The one thing not to miss
The upper viewpoint
A ridge walk from High Camp to stand close under Machhapuchhre.
- 2Badal DandaThe stretch above the tree line where the views open.
- 3The forestRhododendron and oak on the lower days; in flower in March and April.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Pokhara to Kande, walk to Forest Camp
By way of Australian Camp and Pitam Deurali.
Day 2
Forest Camp to High Camp
Out above the trees at Badal Danda.
Day 3
The upper viewpoint and back, then down to Low Camp
Start before dawn.
Day 4
Low Camp to Siding and Pokhara
Walk out and drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
ABC-class views in half the days and a fraction of the crowd.
Why not
Basic teahouses at high camp; the viewpoint day is long.
Before you go
- Permits
- ACAP permit. Check current guide rules.
- Guide
- Check current rules.
- Safety
- Exposed ridge; don't go to the upper viewpoint in bad visibility.
- Phone & internet
- Limited above Low Camp.
Altitude
Mardi Himal reaches 4,500 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Nepal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Tourist Police, Pokhara, Pokhara.
All emergency contacts for Nepal →What to pack for Mardi Himal
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 40 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
11 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
- Duffel bag, 60–80 litres What porters carry on teahouse treks; your day pack stays with you.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,500 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
6 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesIndians need a passport or voter ID to enter Nepal; other nationals need a passport and visa.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsACAP permit. Check current guide rules.
- Indian ₹100 notes, or Nepali rupees₹100 notes are the safest Indian currency to carry in Nepal; larger notes are not always accepted. Change money in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trail.
- Passport-size photos for trekking permitsNeeded for park and trekking permits. Carry four.
- Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuationA helicopter rescue from high on a Nepal trek is very expensive, and operators ask for proof of cover before they fly.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereLimited above Low Camp.
- Universal travel adapter Nepal's sockets differ from India's in many lodges.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Nepal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Nepal
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Pokhara.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Pokhara
- Distance
- about 27 km
- Drive time
- about 1 hour
- Pokhara
- Hemja
- Kande
The walk usually starts at Kande or Dhampus and ends at Siding.
Live directions from Pokhara
Buses and shared taxis. Tourist buses and flights link Kathmandu and Pokhara daily. From India, the Sunauli border is the usual way in.
Pickups & drivers
From Pokhara. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Mardi Himal yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Mardi Himal: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Mardi Himal?
The best months for Mardi Himal are March and April and October and November. May and December are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to February.
How difficult is Mardi Himal?
Mardi Himal is rated moderate. The trek is about 40 km in total, starting at 1,700 m and reaching 4,500 m.
How many days do you need for Mardi Himal?
Plan 5 to 6 days on the ground, counted from Pokhara. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Mardi Himal cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹18,000 for 6 days, before the cost of getting to Pokhara.
How do you reach Mardi Himal?
By road: from Pokhara it is about 27 km, about 1 hour (Pokhara → Hemja → Kande). Tourist buses and flights link Kathmandu and Pokhara daily. From India, the Sunauli border is the usual way in. The nearest gateway is Pokhara.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Mardi Himal?
Permits: ACAP permit. Check current guide rules. Guide: Check current rules.
Is Mardi Himal suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is moderately busy in season. Exposed ridge; don't go to the upper viewpoint in bad visibility.
What should you pack for Mardi Himal?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Mardi Himal?
Limited above Low Camp.
Will I get altitude sickness at Mardi Himal?
Mardi Himal reaches 4,500 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Mardi Himal?
Mardi Himal is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,500 m. Also keep in mind: Basic teahouses at high camp; the viewpoint day is long.
Close to Mardi Himal
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Annapurna Base Campabout 10 km
- Ghandruk Loopabout 13 km
- Ghorepani Poon Hillabout 23 km
- Pokharaabout 27 km
More in Pokhara & Annapurna
- Annapurna Base Camp4,130 mcompare
- Annapurna Circuit5,416 mcompare
- Ghandruk Loop1,940 mcompare
- Ghorepani Poon Hill3,210 mcompare
- Nar Phu Valley5,320 mcompare
- Pokhara1,600 mcompare