The Mardi Himal Trek cost runs USD 643 to USD 995 per person excluding international flights, or USD 398 to USD 599 for the trek package alone — guide, porter, permits, meals, teahouse accommodation, and all ground transport for the standard 7-day Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu route. No Lukla flight, no restricted-area permit — the route starts and ends at road level, which keeps it one of the more affordable high-altitude routes in the Annapurna region. This guide breaks down every cost category so you can budget accurately before you book.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Total Cost — Quick Summary
- Package Price Breakdown
- Permit Costs
- Gear — Rent in Pokhara
- Daily Trail Expenses
- Costs Trekkers Forget
- Poon Hill Extension Cost
- Chitwan Extension Cost
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Guides
Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Quick Summary
| Cost Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek package (guide, porter, meals, teahouse, Pokhara hotel, permits, transport) | from USD 398 | USD 525 | Per person. Group size determines rate. |
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS) | Included in package | Included in package | No separate cost — already inside the package price above. |
| Pokhara hotel (1 night each way) | Included in package | Included in package | No separate cost — already inside the package price above. |
| International flights (return) | USD 650 | USD 1,200 | Varies by origin. |
| Nepal visa | USD 50 | USD 50 | 30-day on arrival at TIA. |
| Kathmandu airport transfer | USD 15 | USD 30 | Not included — arrange your own pickup/drop-off, or ask us to add it. |
| 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 643 | USD 995 | Per person. Package + visa + airport transfer + gear + daily extras + insurance. |
| Total including international flights | USD 1,293 | USD 2,195 | Per person. |
What Most Trekkers Actually Spend
Most trekkers from Europe and North America spend USD 1,150–1,700 all-inclusive. Southeast Asian trekkers typically come in lower, around USD 850–1,150, since regional flights cost less. Either way, the Mardi Himal Trek is one of the more affordable high-altitude ridge experiences from Pokhara.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Package Price Breakdown
Mountain Hike Nepal’s package covers your guide, porter, all teahouse accommodation, all meals, the Pokhara hotel, both ACAP and TIMS permits, and all ground transport. Everything from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is in one price.
Package Rates
| Group Size | Price Per Person | Saving vs Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Solo trekker | USD 599 | — |
| 2–4 trekkers | USD 525 ⭐ Most Popular | USD 74 per person |
| 5–7 trekkers | USD 480 | USD 119 per person |
| 8–12 trekkers | USD 398 | USD 201 per person |
What the Package Includes
- Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu by comfortable tourist bus
- Local sharing vehicle transfers between Pokhara–Kande and Siding–Pokhara
- Hotel in Pokhara (1 night each way, twin-sharing, with breakfast)
- Licensed English-speaking guide with Mardi Himal experience
- One porter per two trekkers (maximum 15 kg)
- All teahouse accommodation on trail (twin-sharing)
- All meals — Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner every trekking day
- ACAP and TIMS permits
- 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
- Kathmandu airport pickup/drop-off transfer
- Travel insurance — must cover above 4,500m and helicopter evacuation
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara (outside included hotel breakfast)
- 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
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 →
Permit Costs
Two permits cover the full Mardi Himal Trek — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) and the TIMS card at NPR 1,000 (approximately USD 8) when issued through a registered agency like ours, roughly USD 31 total per person. Both are included in Mountain Hike Nepal’s package — no separate permit purchase is needed from you at any point. No restricted area permit applies to this route, which saves the USD 145–205 restricted-permit costs that apply to routes like the Manaslu Circuit.
Gear Costs — Rent in Pokhara
The Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500m at Base Camp and spends one night at High Camp at 3,540m. 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 |
Renting these four items costs approximately USD 15–28 for 5 days. Buying the same gear new costs USD 220–440, so renting is the smarter choice here. Buy boots at home — break them in for 8 weeks before departure. Rent everything else in Pokhara.
Daily Trail Expenses
Your package covers all accommodation and meals. 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 |
There are no ATMs above Pokhara. Withdraw NPR 12,000–15,000 before leaving for trail extras and tips.
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.
Kathmandu Airport Transfer
Not included in this package. Budget USD 15–30 for a private pickup, or ask us to arrange it and we’ll add it to your quote.
Travel Insurance and Helicopter Rescue
A policy covering above 4,500m and helicopter evacuation costs USD 60–120 for a 2-week Nepal trip. This is non-optional — Annapurna-region helicopter evacuation to Pokhara runs USD 2,500–4,000 without coverage, per rates published by Nepal Helicopter Service. The exact figure depends on pickup location, weather, and the receiving hospital, and is set by the operator at the time of dispatch — insurance is what actually protects you from paying it.
Kathmandu Meals and Transport
Budget USD 20–40 per day for 1–2 nights before and after the trek. The domestic flight Pokhara–Kathmandu runs about USD 115 one way across all airlines if you prefer flying over the 6–7 hour bus — domestic airfares in Nepal can change without notice, so confirm the exact price when you book, for your specific travel dates.
Mardi Himal Trek Cost — Poon Hill Extension
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 (2–4 pax) | Extra out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 7-day | 7 days KTM–KTM | USD 525 | — |
| 9-day Poon Hill circuit | 9 days Pokhara–Pokhara | On request | ~USD 20–35 extra trail costs |
We quote the full 9-day circuit as a single complete package — no confusing daily supplements. 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 →
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 trip: mountain ridge then jungle.
The Chitwan extension costs less than a stand-alone tour since Pokhara transport is already part of the return. 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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
USD 643 to USD 995 per person excluding international flights, or USD 398 to USD 599 for the trek package alone — guide, porter, permits, meals, teahouse and hotel accommodation, and all ground transport included. With international flights factored in, total budget runs USD 1,293 to USD 2,195. Your exact package rate depends on group size.
Three reasons. There’s no Lukla flight (EBC’s biggest single cost, often USD 300–400 round trip and prone to weather delays). There’s no restricted-area permit. And the package itself is priced lower: Mardi Himal starts from USD 398, against USD 597 for Annapurna Base Camp and USD 1,039 for Everest Base Camp at the same group tier. The trade-off is a shorter, lower-altitude trek — Mardi Himal tops out at 4,500m over 7 days, well below EBC’s 5,364m over 12 days.
No. The trek package price is the same regardless of nationality or departure country — group size is the only thing that changes your per-person rate. The one cost that does vary by origin is your international airfare, which you arrange independently and isn’t part of the package.
The four group tiers are fixed, transparent pricing — there’s no separate negotiation on top of them. But if your dates are flexible, message us before booking: we can sometimes match solo trekkers or small groups to an existing departure so everyone lands in a cheaper tier.
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 package details with group pricing and booking.
Budget Honestly, Trek Confidently
All-in, most trekkers land at USD 643–995 excluding flights, or USD 1,293–2,195 with them — and if you want Poon Hill added, Chitwan at the end, or a different pacing through the ridge, tell us and we’ll build it into one upfront quote rather than a daily supplement. View the full Mardi Himal Trek package → Questions about the route or your budget? Chat with us on WhatsApp →
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