Mardi Himal Trek Cost: Complete 2026 Budget Guide

The Mardi Himal Trek cost is one of the most straightforward to plan in the Annapurna region — and consistently one of the most affordable for what the trek actually delivers. No Lukla flight, no restricted area permit, no TIMS card. The route starts and ends at road level, removing costs that inflate EBC and Manaslu budgets. Furthermore, seven days from Kathmandu keeps trail expenses manageable. Consequently, this guide covers every cost category so you arrive with an accurate number and no surprises on the ridge.

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What’s Inside This Guide

• Total Cost — Quick Summary
• Package Price Breakdown
• Permit Costs 2026
• Gear — Rent in Pokhara
• Daily Trail Expenses
• Costs Trekkers Forget
• Poon Hill Extension Cost
• Chitwan Extension Cost
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Guides

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Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Quick Summary 2026

Cost Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Notes
Trek package (guide, porter, meals, teahouse)	from USD 389	USD 484	Per person. Group size determines rate.
ACAP permit	~USD 23	~USD 23	Included in Mountain Hike Nepal package.
International flights (return)	USD 650	USD 1,200	Varies by origin.
Nepal visa	USD 50	USD 50	30-day on arrival at TIA.
Pokhara hotel (1 night each way)	USD 15	USD 50	Included in standard package.
Gear rental in Pokhara	USD 40	USD 120	Down jacket, sleeping bag, poles.
Daily trail extras (showers, snacks, charging, tips)	USD 80	USD 150	Over 5 trekking days.
Travel insurance	USD 60	USD 120	Must cover above 4,500m and helicopter rescue.
Total excluding international flights	USD 652	USD 1,007	Per person.
Total including international flights	USD 1,302	USD 2,207	Per person.

What most trekkers actually spend

Most trekkers from Europe and North America spend USD 1,200–1,800 all-inclusive. Furthermore, Southeast Asian trekkers typically come in at USD 900–1,200. Consequently, the Mardi Himal Trek is the most affordable high-altitude ridge experience from Pokhara.

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Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Package Price Breakdown

Mountain Hike Nepal’s package covers your guide, porter, all teahouse accommodation, all meals, the Pokhara hotel, the ACAP permit, and all ground transport. Everything from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is in one price.

2026 Package Rates

Group Size	Price Per Person	Saving vs Solo
Solo trekker	from USD 559	—
2–3 trekkers	from USD 484 ⭐ Most Popular	USD 75 per person
4–6 trekkers	from USD 439	USD 120 per person
8–10 trekkers	from USD 389	USD 170 per person

What the package includes

• All transport — Kathmandu to Pokhara and return (tourist bus or private vehicle)
• Private vehicle — Pokhara to Kande and Siding return
• Hotel in Pokhara (1 night each way, twin-sharing)
• Licensed English-speaking guide with Mardi Himal experience
• One porter per two trekkers (maximum 18 kg)
• All teahouse accommodation on trail (twin-sharing)
• All meals — Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner every trekking day
• ACAP permit
• Guide and porter wages, meals, accommodation, and insurance
• All government taxes and service charges

What the package does not include

• International airfare and Nepal visa
• Travel insurance — must cover above 4,500m and helicopter evacuation
• Personal trekking gear and equipment
• Hot showers and device charging on trail — small fee per use
• Guide and porter tips
• Personal snacks, bottled drinks, and alcohol
• Poon Hill extension and Chitwan addition — priced separately

Furthermore, we build every itinerary around your schedule. Tell us when you inquire if you want Poon Hill added, Chitwan at the end, or a different pacing — we include it in the quote upfront. Plan your custom Mardi Himal Trek here →

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Permit Costs — 2026

Furthermore, one permit covers the full Mardi Himal Trek — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23). This is included in Mountain Hike Nepal’s package. Consequently, no separate permit purchase is needed from you at any point. Furthermore, the Mardi Himal route does not require a TIMS card or any restricted area permit — which saves trekkers the USD 145–205 restricted permit costs that apply to routes like the Manaslu Circuit.

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Gear Costs — Rent in Pokhara

Consequently, the Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500m at Base Camp and spends one night at High Camp at 3,550m. Proper cold-weather gear is non-negotiable for these sections.

Rent in Pokhara Lakeside — 5 trekking days

Item	Daily Rate	5-Day Total
Down jacket (600+ fill)	USD 1–2/day	USD 5–10
Sleeping bag (-10°C rated)	USD 1–2/day	USD 5–10
Trekking poles (pair)	USD 0.50–1/day	USD 2.50–5
Duffel bag (60L for porter)	USD 0.50/day	USD 2.50

Consequently, renting these four items costs approximately USD 15–28 for 5 days. Furthermore, buying the same gear new costs USD 220–440. Consequently, renting is the smarter choice. Buy boots at home — break them in for 8 weeks before departure. Rent everything else in Pokhara.

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Daily Trail Expenses

Furthermore, your package covers all accommodation and meals. Consequently, daily out-of-pocket expenses on the Mardi Himal route are modest — lower than the Khumbu and comparable to most Annapurna routes.

Expense	Cost Per Use	5-Day Estimate
Hot shower	NPR 200–400	USD 7–13
Device charging	NPR 200–400	USD 7–13
Extra snacks and drinks	NPR 400–700/day	USD 15–26
Bottled water (if not filtering)	NPR 100–200/bottle	USD 5–10

Furthermore, there are no ATMs above Pokhara. Withdraw NPR 12,000–15,000 before leaving for trail extras and tips.

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Costs Trekkers Forget to Budget For

Guide and porter tips: The standard rate is USD 5–8 per day for your guide and USD 3–5 per day for your porter. For 5 trekking days, budget USD 25–40 for the guide and USD 15–25 for the porter. Present tips in cash at Siding on the final trekking day.

Nepal visa: This costs USD 50 for 30 days on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Bring one passport-size photo — the counter requires it.

Travel insurance: A policy covering above 4,500m and helicopter evacuation costs USD 60–120 for a 2-week Nepal trip. This is non-optional — helicopter rescue from High Camp costs USD 3,000–5,000 without coverage.

Kathmandu meals and transport: Budget USD 20–40 per day for 1–2 nights before and after the trek. Additionally, the domestic flight Pokhara–Kathmandu costs USD 90–120 one way if you prefer flying over the 6–7 hour bus.

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Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Poon Hill and Chitwan Extensions

The Mardi Himal Trek cost increases modestly when you add the Ghorepani and Poon Hill extension — 2 extra days that most returning clients say were the best decision of the whole trip.

The 9-day circuit starts from Nayapul, climbs through Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,860m), watches the Poon Hill sunrise at 3,210m, and joins the Mardi Himal route at Deurali. Days 3 through 7 are identical to the standard route.

Route	Days	Package (2–3 pax)	Extra out-of-pocket
Standard 7-day	7 days KTM–KTM	from USD 484	—
9-day Poon Hill circuit	9 days KTM–KTM	On request	~USD 20–35 extra trail costs

Consequently, we quote the full 9-day circuit as a single complete package — no confusing daily supplements. Furthermore, April is the finest month for the Poon Hill circuit — the rhododendron forests on the Ghorepani approach are in full bloom. Get the 9-day quote on WhatsApp →

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Chitwan National Park Extension

Chitwan National Park is three hours south of Pokhara — one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, and jungle safaris in the Terai lowlands. Adding 1–2 nights in Sauraha after the trek creates a genuinely complete Nepal experience: mountain ridge then jungle.

The Chitwan extension costs less than a stand-alone tour since Pokhara transport is already part of the return. Consequently, trekkers who add Chitwan consistently say it was the best end-of-trip decision. Tell us your dates and we will include Chitwan in the package quote →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Planning Guides

• Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary — Day-by-day guide for the 7-day route and the 9-day Poon Hill circuit.
• Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty and Packing — What the ridge demands and what to bring to High Camp.
• Best Time for the Mardi Himal Trek — Month-by-month season guide including rhododendron bloom timing.
• Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp — Honest comparison of altitude, duration, cost, and trail character.
• Mardi Himal Trek Package — Full 2026 package with group pricing and booking.

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Budget Honestly. Trek Confidently. Adjust Freely.

The Mardi Himal Trek cost is one of the most straightforward to plan in the Annapurna region. No Lukla flight surprises, no restricted permit fees, and no hidden extras on the trail. Use this guide to build an accurate budget — and if you want Poon Hill added, Chitwan at the end, or simply a different pacing through the ridge — tell us. We plan around what you want, not around a fixed template.

Mountain Hike Nepal has guided the Mardi Himal Trek across dozens of departures since 2018. We are a licensed local operator based in Pokhara — not a booking platform or a middleman. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that runs this trek. Consequently, the information you get is accurate, current, and based on real ridge experience.

View the full Mardi Himal Trek package →

Questions about the route, the packing list, the Poon Hill extension, or whether your fitness level suits this trek? We respond within 12 hours and we give straight answers.

Chat with us on WhatsApp →