Annapurna
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
8–11 days
4,130 m
Moderate
A stone staircase through rhododendron forest into a natural amphitheatre of 7,000 and 8,000-metre peaks. The perfect first Himalayan trek.
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Overview
Cost details
About this journey
Mardi Himal is the trek Nepali guides do on their days off. A single forested ridge climbs out of the Pokhara valley straight toward Machhapuchhre, breaking out of the cloud forest at Low Camp into an alpine crest with the whole Annapurna wall ahead.
Lodges here are small and woodstove-cosy, trails are quiet, and the final dawn push to Mardi Base Camp at 4,500 m delivers a sunrise over Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South that feels absurdly generous for such a short trek.
Trek highlights
- Sunrise at Mardi Base Camp, 4,500 m, beneath the Fishtail
- A dramatic high ridge line walk above two valleys
- Mossy rhododendron cloud forest straight from a fairytale
- Small, friendly lodges far from the crowds
- Big Himalayan reward for a one-week window
Your itinerary
This is our tried-and-tested general plan. After our first chat we fine-tune every day around your dates, group, pace and fitness, and send you a dedicated, real-time itinerary that matches your trip exactly.
Drive to Kande, climb through Australian Camp and Pothana, then walk into deep, mossy forest. Woodstove dinner at Forest Camp.
The trees shrink, the ridge sharpens, and Machhapuchhre suddenly fills the sky. High Camp sits right on the crest.
A pre-dawn ridge walk to Upper Viewpoint and on to Base Camp at 4,500 m, sunrise here is the whole point of the trek. Long descent to a cosy night at Low Camp.
Down the quiet eastern path through bamboo and farmland to lunch in Siding, then jeep back to the lake.
We recommend a spare day for weather at Base Camp or simply a slower ridge. Otherwise: lake day.
Tourist bus or short flight, transfers included.
Airport drop-off, or ask us to extend into the Sanctuary next door.
What's included
Included in your price
- Pokhara transfers and trailhead jeeps (Kathmandu legs arranged as needed)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Airport pickups, drop-offs and all listed transfers
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking guide
- Porter support (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Guide & porter wages, insurance, meals and lodging
- Teahouse accommodation for every trek night
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on trekking days
- First aid kit and pulse-oximeter monitoring
- All government taxes and service charges
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Travel insurance with high-altitude helicopter rescue (mandatory)
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (welcome dinner is on us)
- Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and device charging on the trail
- Personal trekking gear (rental help available)
- Tips for your guide and porter
Good to know.
Ready when you are
Mardi combines beautifully with Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp for a 10–12 day Annapurna sampler. A favourite custom plan we build often.
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Ready to walk the Mardi Himal Trek?
Tell us your dates and we'll send back a clear, all-inclusive plan within a day.