Mardi Himal

A newer ridge trek, opened in 2012, east of Annapurna Base Camp, climbing through forest to open ridges and a viewpoint at about 4,500 m below Machapuchare.

5–7 walking days · highest point Mardi Himal Base Camp 4,500 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov · Start and end: Kande → Siding · Protected area: Annapurna Conservation Area

Getting there

Drive from Pokhara to the trailhead at Kande or Dhampus; the walk ends near Siding, with a drive back to Pokhara.

The route

1. Forest Camp
2. Low Camp
3. High Camp — 3,550 m
4. Mardi Himal Base Camp — 4,500 m

Know before you go

Lodges stop at about 3,550 m, so the base camp viewpoint is a long day there and back. The open ridge is exposed to wind and cloud.

A licensed guide is required on this trek (Nepal Tourism Board rule since 31 March 2023).

Most of these treks go above 3,000 m. The US CDC advises: once above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 500 m higher each night, add an extra day for every 1,000 m you gain, never go higher with symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), and go down if they get worse.

Permits you need

• Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit: NPR 3,000
• TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System): NPR 2,000

Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.

Sources disagree

• High Camp: about 3,550 m (highest lodges) (Wikipedia); 3,580 m (trekking agencies)

Sources

• Wikipedia — Mardi Himal
• Cicerone — Trekking Annapurna: everything you need to know
• Nepal Tourism Board — Annapurna Conservation Area (seasons)
• National Trust for Nature Conservation — ePermit
• Nepal Tourism Board — TIMS Card
• US CDC Yellow Book — High-altitude travel and altitude illness

Trekking and sightseeing in Nepal

General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.