The Short Mardi Himal Trek is a hidden gem in the Annapurna region, ideal for trekkers seeking a less crowded, scenic journey in a shorter time frame. This 5 to 6-day trek offers stunning panoramic views of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli, all without the heavy footfall of more commercial routes. The trail weaves through lush rhododendron forests, charming Gurung villages, and gradually ascends to High Camp (3,580m) before reaching the Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,200m). Along the way, trekkers enjoy warm hospitality in teahouses and witness the shifting landscapes—from subtropical woods to alpine ridgelines. This trek is perfect for those short on time but rich in wanderlust, offering a quick yet soul-stirring Himalayan experience. Best done in spring and autumn, it’s accessible, rewarding, and remarkably scenic—making it one of Nepal’s finest short treks.
Autumn (September to November) is one of the best times to embark on the Short Mardi Himal Trek, offering crystal-clear skies, dry trails, and breathtaking views of Machapuchare, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. The monsoon rains have cleansed the landscape, revealing a vibrant palette of lush greenery and golden forests under crisp blue skies.
Weather:
Autumn brings stable and pleasant weather. Skies are usually clear with minimal cloud cover, allowing for spectacular mountain panoramas throughout the trek.
Temperature:
Lower elevations (e.g., Kande to Forest Camp): Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 20°C, while nights can dip to 5°C to 10°C.
Higher elevations (e.g., High Camp to Mardi Viewpoint ~4,500m): Daytime temperatures stay between 5°C to 10°C, and nights can fall to -3°C to 2°C.
Pack warm layers, especially for early mornings and evenings. Autumn’s cool, dry air and golden sun make this season ideal for a comfortable, scenic, and soul-stirring Himalayan adventure.
Stunning Close-Up View of Machapuchare (Fishtail Peak)
– The trek offers mesmerizing, up-close views of the sacred Machapuchare, a majestic, unclimbed Himalayan peak.
Panoramic Himalayan Range Vistas
– Witness breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, and the entire Annapurna range.
Less Crowded and Serene Trail
– A peaceful alternative to other busy treks like Annapurna Base Camp, ideal for solitude seekers and nature lovers.
Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m)
– The final viewpoint rewards trekkers with surreal sunrise and sunset scenes over towering snow-capped giants.
Lush Rhododendron Forests
– Walk through enchanting forests ablaze with rhododendron blooms (especially in spring), mosses, and ferns.
Cultural Encounters in Gurung Villages
– Experience the warm hospitality and daily life of traditional Gurung communities in villages like Sidhing and Landruk.
Easy Access from Pokhara
– The trek starts just a short drive from Pokhara, making it ideal for travelers with limited time.
Charming Eco-Lodges and Teahouses
– Cozy accommodations offering local food and hot drinks with spectacular views.
Rich Flora and Fauna
– Encounter Himalayan wildlife and diverse vegetation along the trail.
The best time to do the Short Mardi Himal Trek is during the Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) seasons. These periods offer clear skies, stable weather, and breathtaking mountain views, making them ideal for a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
Weather: Clear and crisp skies with excellent visibility.
Temperature: Ranges from 5°C to 15°C during the day and can drop to 0°C or below at night at higher altitudes.
Highlights: Vibrant festivals in local villages, golden-hued forests, and majestic sunrises over Annapurna and Machapuchare.
Temperature: Ranges from 8°C to 18°C in the day and 0°C to 5°C at night.
Highlights: Colorful forests, blooming wildflowers, and ideal conditions for photography.
Both seasons promise stunning views and a pleasant trekking environment. While winter is possible for experienced trekkers, monsoon (June–August) is less favorable due to slippery trails and cloud-covered peaks.
Spring (March to May) is one of the most beautiful and ideal seasons to embark on the Short Mardi Himal Trek. During this time, the entire Annapurna region bursts into life with blossoming rhododendrons, magnolias, and wildflowers painting the forest trails in vibrant hues.
The weather is generally stable, with clear skies and panoramic views of Annapurna, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli.
Minimal rainfall and longer daylight hours make trekking pleasant and photogenic.
At lower elevations (Pokhara to Forest Camp): Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 22°C, while nights can drop to 8°C to 12°C.
At higher elevations (High Camp to Viewpoint): Daytime temperatures are 8°C to 14°C, and nighttime can drop to 0°C to 5°C.
Spring offers lush green landscapes, mild temperatures, and crystal-clear mountain vistas, making it one of the most favored times for this short yet rewarding Himalayan adventure.
The Summer and Monsoon season in Nepal, spanning June to August, brings heavy rainfall, high humidity, and cloud-covered skies—making the Short Mardi Himal Trek more challenging but incredibly lush and dramatic.
This season sees frequent rain showers, especially in the afternoons and evenings. The trails can be slippery and muddy, and leech activity increases in the lower forests.
Despite the rain, mornings can offer clear mountain views before the clouds roll in.
Lower elevations (Pokhara to Forest Camp): Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, with nights around 15°C to 18°C.
Higher elevations (High Camp to Viewpoint): Daytime stays around 10°C to 16°C, with nighttime dipping to 5°C to 8°C.
This season rewards adventurers with fewer crowds, lush greenery, and a mystical atmosphere. But good rain gear, leech precautions, and flexible planning are essential for a successful trek.
Winter Season in short mardi Himal Trek: Weather and Temperature
The winter season in Nepal, from December to February, transforms the Short Mardi Himal Trek into a snow-dusted wonderland, offering crystal-clear skies, breathtaking Himalayan views, and peaceful trails.
Lower altitudes (Pokhara to Forest Camp): Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 18°C, dropping to 2°C to 6°C at night.
The journey begins with a scenic drive from Pokhara to Kande or Dhampus (depending on your chosen route), followed by a gradual uphill trek through lush rhododendron and oak forests. The trail is serene and less crowded, offering a peaceful immersion into nature. After 4–5 hours of walking, you reach Forest Camp at 2,550 meters—a quiet resting point nestled within dense woodland, ideal for an overnight stay.
The trail from Forest Camp to Low Camp feels like ascending into a secret dream, where the forest slowly unveils its wild heart. As you step away from the shaded sanctuary of Forest Camp, the world seems to exhale, the trees parting just enough to let the sky flirt with your gaze. The air grows thinner, cooler, and with each breath, you feel more entangled in the silent, ancient romance of the mountains.
The dense rhododendron forest continues, but now it thins in places, allowing glimpses of the distant, snow-clad peaks—Machhapuchhre, sharp and elegant, rising like a lover just out of reach. The mossy trunks of trees glow in the soft light, their roots tangling beneath your feet, pulling you closer to the earth as if they, too, are part of this love story.
As the altitude increases, the terrain becomes more rugged, the pathway narrowing into a gentle climb that challenges your body but lifts your spirit. And then, Low Camp appears like an oasis in the wilderness, perched on the edge of the world, where the sky feels just a little closer, and the mountains stand tall and proud, wrapped in the soft embrace of mist.
The view opens like a secret shared, and you feel as though you are not merely a traveler, but part of the mountain’s timeless romance, standing at the edge of something both majestic and deeply intimate.
From Low Camp to High Camp, the trail is a lover’s ascent into the heavens. As you leave behind the comfort of Low Camp, the world begins to open—vast, wild, and untouched. The trees, once dense and sheltering, now give way to alpine meadows where the horizon stretches endlessly. The wind, cool and crisp, brushes your skin like a fleeting caress, and each breath draws in the scent of distant snow.
The path steepens, but with every step, Machhapuchhre looms closer, its sharp, white peak piercing the sky like an unspoken promise. The landscape feels raw and untamed, the earth beneath your feet jagged yet inviting, as if urging you onward to a place where only the mountains know the secrets of the world. Silence reigns here, broken only by the sound of your own heartbeat, echoing the rhythm of the climb.
As you near High Camp, the alpine world feels sacred—an untouched temple of sky and stone. The clouds drift low, dancing around the peaks, and the sun filters through, casting a golden glow on the rugged landscape. High Camp itself is perched like a hidden kingdom in the clouds, a place where time slows, and the mountains stand like guardians of an ancient love story.
Here, at 3,580 meters, you feel suspended between earth and sky, a part of the mountain’s eternal dance. The majesty of the peaks surrounds you, and in their quiet grandeur, you find a beauty that stirs the deepest corners of your soul.
From High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp, the world transforms into a symphony of snow and sky. As dawn breaks, you begin the ascent, each step a slow, deliberate journey toward the heavens. The air is thin, crisp, like the first breath after a long dream. The peaks of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre rise above you, gleaming in the early light, their snowy faces bathed in gold. It feels as though you are walking into the arms of the gods, every rock and ridge etched with their ancient stories.
The trail grows steeper, the landscape more barren, but the purity of it is intoxicating. As you near the summit, the silence is profound—a quiet so deep it feels alive. And then, as you crest the final ridge, Mardi Himal Base Camp reveals itself, perched on the edge of the world. The peaks tower above, majestic and eternal, their beauty almost unbearable. The wind whispers across the snow, carrying with it the essence of the mountains’ timeless grandeur.
Descending back to Low Camp feels like returning from a sacred journey. The trail softens as you descend, and the alpine meadows and forests welcome you back with open arms. The peaks, now behind you, linger in your heart, their presence a soft echo in the mist. Low Camp, nestled in its quiet beauty, feels like a reunion with the earth—solid, warm, and tender after your dance with the sky.
The descent from Low Camp to Siding Village is like a gentle return to the embrace of the earth after a dance with the clouds. The trail, soft underfoot, winds through the quiet, green corridors of the forest, where the air grows warmer and sweeter with every step. It feels as if the mountains, once towering and untouchable, are now watching over you with a tender farewell, their peaks hidden behind a veil of mist and memory.
The rhododendrons whisper in the breeze, their petals fluttering down like confessions of love, and the forest opens in places to reveal glimpses of the valley below. As you descend, the distant hum of life begins to stir again—birds calling, the faint rustle of leaves, the trickling sound of hidden streams. Siding Village appears like a hidden treasure nestled among the hills, a place where time seems to have slowed, allowing nature to breathe in peace. The village, with its stone houses and terraced fields, welcomes you like an old friend, its simplicity grounding after days spent in the lofty heights of the Himalayas.
The journey back to Pokhara is a gentle unraveling of the trek's magic. The road curves lazily along the hillsides, and as you near the vibrant lakeside town, the scent of the lake mingles with the air. Pokhara’s serene waters shimmer under the sun, a quiet, reflective mirror of all you’ve experienced. It feels like the perfect end to a love affair with the mountains—peaceful, tender, and unforgettable.
The best times to trek Mardi Himal Base Camp are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer clear skies, moderate temperatures, and spectacular mountain views
The trek is considered moderately challenging. It involves several days of continuous walking on varied terrain, including steep ascents and descents. A reasonable level of fitness and some prior trekking experience are recommended.
You will need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. Both can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The highest point of the trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters (14,764 feet).
Accommodation along the trek consists mainly of teahouses and lodges, which offer basic facilities such as a bed, meals, and shared bathrooms. It is advisable to bring a sleeping bag for additional warmth and comfort.
Yes absolutely need to hiring a guide is recommended, especially for those unfamiliar with the area. A guide can enhance your experience by providing local knowledge, ensuring safety, and assisting with navigation and logistics.
Essential items include trekking boots, layered clothing, a warm jacket, rain gear, a hat, gloves, a good quality backpack, a sleeping bag, a water purification system, and personal medications. Trekking poles and a headlamp are also useful.
Altitude sickness is a potential risk when trekking above 2,500 meters. It’s important to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and ascend gradually. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness and descend if you experience severe symptoms.
The trek typically starts from Kande, which is a short drive from Pokhara. Pokhara is accessible by a 6-8 hour bus ride or a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu.
Teahouses offer a variety of meals, including traditional Nepali dishes like dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), as well as international options such as pasta, noodles, and pancakes. It's advisable to carry some snacks for extra energy.
Mobile network coverage is available in some parts of the trek, but it can be unreliable. Some teahouses offer Wi-Fi for a small fee, though the connection may be slow.
The cost varies depending on whether you trek independently or with a guide. On average, budget around $35-$50 per day for accommodation and food. Additional costs include permits, guide/porter fees, and transportation.
Yes, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, and evacuation.
Nepal , Annapurna Region
Nepal , Annapurna Region
Nepal , Annapurna Region
Nepal , Annapurna Region
Nepal , Annapurna Region
