The Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is 7 days from Kathmandu — one drive day to Pokhara, five days on the trail, and one drive back. The route climbs from Kande through Pothana and Deurali, up the Mardi Himal ridge through Low Camp and High Camp, to Base Camp at 4,500m — then descends all the way to Siding village on the same long day. Furthermore, the 9-day circuit adds the Ghorepani and Poon Hill sunrise before joining at Deurali. Consequently, this guide covers both itineraries so you know what each day demands.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Both Options at a Glance
- Standard 7-Day Itinerary from Kathmandu
- 9-Day Poon Hill Circuit — Extra Days
- Chitwan Extension After the Trek
- How to Customise
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary — Both Options at a Glance
| Day | Standard 7-Day Route | 9-Day Poon Hill Circuit | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive Kathmandu → Pokhara | Drive Kathmandu → Pokhara | 820m |
| Day 2 | Drive → Kande → Trek to Deurali via Pothana | Drive → Nayapul → Trek to Ulleri → Ghorepani | 2,100m / 2,860m |
| Day 3 | Deurali → Low Camp | Poon Hill Sunrise (3,210m) → Tadapani | 2,990m / 2,640m |
| Day 4 | Low Camp → High Camp | Tadapani → Deurali (joins standard route) | 3,550m / 2,100m |
| Day 5 | High Camp → Base Camp (4,500m) → Siding | Deurali → Low Camp | 1,750m / 2,990m |
| Day 6 | Drive Siding → Pokhara → Kathmandu | Low Camp → High Camp | End / 3,550m |
| Day 7 | — | High Camp → Base Camp (4,500m) → Siding | 1,750m |
| Day 8 | — | Drive Siding → Pokhara → Kathmandu | End |
Which itinerary should you choose?
The standard 7-day route is the right choice for trekkers with a firm one-week window who want the ridge experience without any detours. Furthermore, it delivers every key stage of the trek — Pothana, Low Camp, High Camp, and Base Camp — within a clean Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu schedule. The 9-day circuit is the right choice for trekkers who can extend by 2 days and want both the Poon Hill sunrise and the Mardi Himal ridge in one trip. Consequently, the 9-day version is what we most often recommend when dates allow — and what returning clients consistently say they would have chosen first time.
Not sure which version fits your schedule? Tell us your dates and we will plan the right version →
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary — Standard 7 Days
Day 01 — Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m)
Drive: 6–7 hours | Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Hotel, Pokhara
The Mardi Himal Trek itinerary begins with the drive west from Kathmandu on the Prithvi Highway — six to seven hours following the Trishuli River through gorges, river bends, and hill towns before the valley opens and Pokhara appears. Consequently, arrive by early afternoon, check in, and walk the Lakeside strip before dinner. Furthermore, on a clear evening, Machapuchare is visible from the lake. In five days you will be standing directly beneath it. Rest tonight — the trail starts tomorrow.
Day 02 — Drive to Kande — Trek to Deurali via Pothana (2,100m)
Altitude: 2,100m | Drive: 45 min | Trek: 4–5 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Deurali
Furthermore, a short drive northwest on the Baglung Highway drops you at Kande. The trail begins immediately — terraced fields first, then rhododendron forest, then the ridge settlement of Pothana where Annapurna South and Machapuchare appear properly for the first time. Furthermore, this is where the scale registers — mountains that looked manageable from Pokhara suddenly reveal their true height. Consequently, the trail continues upward through thinning forest to Deurali — a quiet cluster of teahouses on a cool ridge. Day 2 is a controlled entry into the mountain. Long enough to feel the climb, short enough to arrive with energy in reserve. Check gear with your guide tonight.
Day 03 — Deurali to Low Camp (2,990m)
Altitude: 2,990m | Trek: 6–7 hrs | Ascent: +890m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Low Camp
Consequently, the forest thickens above Deurali before it begins to change. Rhododendron and oak thin gradually as altitude builds. Furthermore, the trail here is quieter than the main Annapurna routes — fewer groups, narrower path, more stillness between steps. Low Camp sits on a broad open ridge where the views arrive without warning. One moment forest — the next, open sky and the full Annapurna wall appear. Machapuchare and Annapurna South fill the horizon. Consequently, on a clear evening the light runs across the entire range before it disappears. Eat a full dinner — the treeline ends tomorrow.
Day 04 — Low Camp to High Camp (3,550m)
Altitude: 3,550m | Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +560m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, High Camp
Furthermore, above Low Camp the forest ends and the Mardi Himal ridge takes over entirely. The trail narrows and the drops on both sides become real. Furthermore, Machapuchare grows in the sky with every hour of climbing — not a distant silhouette anymore but a mountain directly overhead. High Camp sits at 3,550m in an extraordinary position beneath the mountain walls. Consequently, the views from the ridge here are among the finest on any short Nepal trek. The air is cold — go to bed early. The alarm goes off before dawn tomorrow.
Day 05 — High Camp → Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) → Siding (1,750m)
High point: 4,500m | Overnight: 1,750m | Trek: 7–8 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Siding
This is the day.
Consequently, the alarm goes at 5am. The trail climbs from High Camp along the narrow Mardi Himal ridge toward Base Camp at 4,500m. Furthermore, the terrain is fully alpine — open, rocky, exposed. Machapuchare rises immediately to the left. The Modi Khola valley drops thousands of metres on the right. On the narrowest sections, both are simultaneously visible.
Furthermore, Mardi Himal Base Camp sits directly beneath the summit walls. The mountains are not in the distance — they are directly above. Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare. In the early morning light before cloud builds, this is one of the most immediate mountain positions on any accessible Nepal trek.
Consequently, the descent takes a different route south — forest, open hillside, traditional Gurung villages — finishing at Siding at 1,750m where the road begins. Trekking poles are non-negotiable on the descent. Tip your guide and porter at Siding tonight. They earned it on that ridge.
Day 06 — Drive Siding to Pokhara — Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
Drive Siding → Pokhara: 3–4 hrs | Drive Pokhara → Kathmandu: 6–7 hrs or 25 min flight | Meals: Breakfast
Consequently, the vehicle leaves Siding in the morning for Pokhara. Three hours of rough track, then the valley, then the city. Furthermore, from Pokhara you continue east to Kathmandu — either by tourist bus (6–7 hours) or the 25-minute domestic flight. Consequently, the domestic flight is worth the upgrade on a clear morning when the Himalayan range is visible from the window. The Mardi Himal Trek itinerary ends on arrival in Kathmandu.
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary — 9-Day Poon Hill Circuit
The 9-day version of the Mardi Himal Trek itinerary adds the Ghorepani and Poon Hill approach before joining the standard route at Deurali. It starts from Nayapul rather than Kande and adds two days through the rhododendron ridge country northwest of Pokhara.
Day 02 (9-day) — Drive to Nayapul — Trek to Ghorepani via Ulleri (2,860m)
From Nayapul the trail climbs steeply through Ulleri — the famous stone steps that immediately distinguish this approach from the gentler Kande route. Furthermore, above Ulleri the gradient eases and rhododendron forest closes in. Consequently, Ghorepani arrives at 2,860m on a ridge above the valley. Tomorrow starts before dawn.
Day 03 (9-day) — Poon Hill Sunrise (3,210m) — Trek to Tadapani (2,640m)
The alarm goes off at 4:30am. The 45-minute trail to Poon Hill at 3,210m delivers Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna South, and Machapuchare across the full northern horizon as the sun rises. Furthermore, in April the rhododendron forest on both sides of the approach trail is in full bloom — one of the genuinely beautiful mountain mornings in Nepal. Consequently, after breakfast the trail crosses east through forest to Tadapani, with views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare continuing throughout the day.
Day 04 (9-day) — Tadapani to Deurali (2,100m)
The trail then descends through mixed forest to Deurali — joining the standard 7-day itinerary at this point. Furthermore, Days 5 through 8 of the 9-day circuit follow Days 3 through 6 of the standard route exactly from Deurali onward. Consequently, trekkers who take the Poon Hill circuit arrive at Deurali already well-warmed up for what the ridge above Low Camp delivers.
Adding Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is three hours south of Pokhara and one of Asia’s finest wildlife reserves — one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, and jungle safaris in the Terai lowlands. After the Mardi Himal ridge, the flat jungle and warm air feel like a completely different country. Furthermore, adding 1–2 nights in Sauraha creates a complete Nepal experience: Himalayan ridge and jungle in one trip. Consequently, this is the most popular extension our clients add when they realise the Mardi Himal Trek ends in Pokhara rather than Kathmandu.
Tell us your dates and we will build the Chitwan extension in →
How to Customise the Mardi Himal Itinerary
- Add the Poon Hill sunrise — the 9-day circuit starts from Nayapul and adds 2 days. Best in April for the rhododendron bloom.
- Add Chitwan at the end — 3 hours south of Pokhara. 1–2 nights in Sauraha with rhino safaris and river crossings.
- Extra night at High Camp — ideal for photographers who want the evening light and the dawn view before the summit day.
- Combine with Annapurna Base Camp — the Mardi Himal route shares Deurali with the ABC approach. Both together work for trekkers with 14–16 days.
Consequently, none of these cost extra to discuss. Send us a WhatsApp message with your dates →
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Mardi Himal Trek is 7 days from Kathmandu — Day 1 is the drive to Pokhara, Days 2–5 are the trekking stages from Kande to Siding, and Day 6 covers the return drive to Pokhara and onward to Kathmandu. Furthermore, the 9-day Poon Hill circuit starts from Nayapul, adds the Ghorepani and Poon Hill sunrise, and joins the standard route at Deurali on Day 4 before finishing at Siding on Day 7. Consequently, the right duration depends entirely on your available dates and whether you want the Poon Hill addition.
Consequently, Day 5 is the longest and most demanding — it climbs from High Camp (3,550m) to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) and then descends the full way to Siding at 1,750m. Furthermore, this single day covers a total altitude change of nearly 2,750m and takes 7–8 hours. Consequently, trekking poles are non-negotiable on this day and the descent load on the knees is significant — preparation is what makes this day rewarding rather than punishing.
Yes — and it works well because the trek ends in Pokhara, which is three hours from Sauraha on the Chitwan border. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal includes the Chitwan transfer and accommodation in the package on request. Consequently, adding 1–2 nights in Sauraha creates a complete Nepal trip — Himalayan ridge followed by jungle safaris — without adding complicated logistics.
Related Planning Guides
- Mardi Himal Trek Cost Guide — Full budget breakdown for the 7-day route and 9-day Poon Hill circuit.
- Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty and Packing — Section-by-section difficulty and complete High Camp gear list.
- Best Time for the Mardi Himal Trek — Which month delivers the best version of this itinerary.
- Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp — How this route compares to ABC on altitude, duration, and cost.
- Mardi Himal Trek Package — Full 2026 package with group pricing and booking.
Your Trek. Your Pace. Your Version of the Ridge.
The Mardi Himal Trek itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed template. Seven days or nine. Standard ridge or Poon Hill circuit. Chitwan at the end or straight back to Kathmandu. We plan around what you actually want from this trek — tell us your dates, your group, and your priorities, and we will send the itinerary that makes sense for you.
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. Furthermore, 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.
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