Mardi Himal Trek

Who the Mardi Himal trek suits

Mardi Himal is a short, steep ridge trek close to Pokhara. You climb through moss-covered forest to Forest Camp and Low Camp, then break out above the trees onto a narrow grassy ridge to High Camp, with Machapuchare (Fishtail) right in front of you. The viewpoint and base camp above High Camp (about 4,500 m) give some of the closest mountain views of any short trek.

It's rated moderate. Days are fairly short, but the trail is steep and the upper ridge is exposed to wind and weather. It suits fit trekkers who want big mountain views in under a week, and people who've done Poon Hill and want something more dramatic.

Do you need a guide or permit?

No guide is required and no TIMS card. You need the ACAP permit, which you can get yourself in Pokhara. See the 2026 rules.

The trail is clear in good weather, but cloud often rolls up the ridge in the afternoon, and above High Camp the path can be hard to follow in mist or snow. Walk with a partner or guide on the upper section, start early and turn back if the weather closes in.

Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner

October–November gives the best, clearest views. March–April brings rhododendrons in the lower forest. December–February is cold and can bring snow up high, but on clear days it's stunning. In the monsoon the upper ridge is usually in cloud.

Mardi has become very popular, so finding a partner in peak season is easy. The lodges higher up are small, though, so it pays to coordinate dates with your partner and arrive at High Camp early.

Doing Mardi Himal with a partner

• Where to meet: Pokhara Lakeside. Share a taxi to Kande or Phedi, the usual starting points.
• What to share: transport, rooms at the small upper lodges, and a guide if you'd like one for the ridge.
• Where you can split up: High Camp is the natural split. A stronger walker can push on to Mardi base camp while the other enjoys the closer viewpoint, then meet back at High Camp. On the way down, you can descend via Siding village instead of the way you came.
• Go up together for the pre-dawn walk to the viewpoint, with head torches and warm layers.