Golden hour on the Mardi Himal ridge beneath Machapuchare

Mardi Himal Trek

A high ridge under Machapuchare, off the main trail.

Mardi Himal is the trek for people who want the Annapurna foothills without the crowds. It climbs a single ridge straight up under the south face of Machapuchare, so for most of the walk that wall of rock and ice is right in front of you.

It starts close to Pokhara and needs little logistics, which makes it one of the best short treks in Nepal.

Highlights

Ridgeline camps under Machapuchare
Quieter than the main Annapurna circuits
Forest, rhododendron, and high pasture

A typical 5-day shape

A typical 4-day shape on a quieter ridge. Push to the High Camp viewpoint or turn back at Low Camp, and add or drop a forest night depending on how much walking you want.

Day 1By road + On foot
Pokhara to Forest Camp
A short drive to Kande and the Australian Camp ridge, then a climbing forest trail to the lodges at Forest Camp.
Time
5–6 hours
Distance
11 km
Elevation
2,520 m / +900 m
Stay
Teahouse, Forest Camp
Day 2On foot
Forest Camp to Low Camp
A steady climb out of the trees onto the ridge proper, with the first open views of Machapuchare ahead.
Time
3–4 hours
Distance
6 km
Elevation
2,990 m / +470 m
Stay
Teahouse, Low Camp
Day 3On foot
Low Camp to High Camp
Open ridgeline walking above the treeline, the fishtail wall growing in front of you all day.
Time
3–4 hours
Distance
5 km
Elevation
3,580 m / +590 m
Stay
Teahouse, High Camp
Day 4On foot
Upper Viewpoint, descend to Sidhing
An early push up the narrowing ridge to the 4,200 m viewpoint beneath Mardi Himal, then a long descent off the back of the ridge to Sidhing.
Time
7–8 hours
Distance
13 km
Elevation
4,200 m, then 1,900 m
Stay
Teahouse, Sidhing
Day 5On foot + By road
Return to Pokhara
A short morning walk down to the road head at Lwang, then the drive back to the lake.
Time
2–3 hours
Distance
5 km
Elevation
-700 m to the road
Stay
Back in Pokhara

Ways to do it

The 4-day ridge walk4 days
Up through the forest to High Camp under Machapuchare, the viewpoint at dawn, and back. The standard way.
Short 3 days3 days
A higher drive-in to Kande and a firm pace to Low or High Camp for walkers short on time.
With an extra ridge night5 days
A second night high to catch the weather window, or to walk the ridge at an easier pace.

Getting there

A short drive from Pokhara to Kande, then on foot the whole way, up the ridge and back down the same line, with a guide and optional porter.