4-Day Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek from Pokhara

Reach 4,500 meters and stand before Annapurna without weeks on the trail

A 4-day trek from Pokhara to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters, staying in teahouses and guided by a certified English-speaking local. You hike through Rhododendron forests on day one, climb into high-altitude terrain on days two and three, and summit to the base camp at sunrise to face Annapurna's snow peaks before descending on day four. The route draws fewer trekkers than the crowded Annapurna Circuit, offering quieter trails and direct access to one of Nepal's most rewarding viewpoints.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Pokhara to Forest Camp

• Hike through terraced farmlands
• Pass Australian camp viewpoint
• Spot Himalayan Monal birds
• Overnight stay at guest house

Day 2: Forest Camp to High Camp

• Hike through dense evergreen forests
• Traverse Rhododendron and Oak forests
• Cross narrow ridges
• Reach High Camp
• Overnight stay at guest house

Day 3: Visit Mardi Himal Base Camp

• Early morning start to base camp
• Climb rocky, narrow mountain paths
• Reach Mardi Himal Base Camp
• Enjoy panoramic Annapurna views
• Descend to Badal Danda
• Overnight stay at guest house

Day 4: Badal Danda to Pokhara

• Descend through thick forests to Sidhing
• Hike steep, slippery trail
• Take jeep from Sidhing to Pokhara
• Overnight stay at Lakeside Pokhara

The experience

The trek starts with a six-hour walk from Pokhara through terraced farmlands and Rhododendron forest, passing Australian Camp where views of the Annapurna range open up. The first night is at Forest Camp, 2,080 meters above sea level. Day two climbs into denser forest (evergreen and Oak) with the trail narrowing as altitude increases. You'll feel the shift in air as you approach High Camp at 3,580 meters. The real test comes on day three: a two-hour pre-dawn push to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters over rocky, sometimes slippery ridges. The reward is a sunrise panorama of Annapurna's peaks that most trekkers on longer routes never see from this angle. You descend the same day to Badal Danda.

Day four is the long way down. From Badal Danda, the trail drops steeply through thick forest at the base of Machhapuchhre, taking roughly five hours to reach Sidhing. A shared jeep then carries you back to Pokhara's Lakeside for your final night. Your guide is a certified local who speaks English and carries a first aid kit. The operator handles permits, hotel pickup and all teahouse bookings. Meals are traditional Nepali food cooked in the teahouses. The trek is private (you're not merged into a larger group), but transport to and from the trailhead is shared with other trekkers heading the same direction.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide and first aid kit.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS Card.
• accommodation in teahouses and guest houses for three nights.
• all meals during the trek.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara.
• shared jeep transport to and from the trailhead.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 07:15, the last at 11:15

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (8 to 83 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Nomad Mountain Club - NMC

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you want a private, uncrowded route to high-altitude Himalayan views without committing to a week or more on the trail. The four-day format fits a shorter Nepal itinerary and keeps you moving steadily upward, so you reach 4,500 meters and Annapurna's sunrise without the long acclimatization days of traditional treks.

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Top questions

How many bird species can you spot on the first day's walk through the forest?

The Rhododendron forest and Australian Camp section is home to 488 bird species, including Nepal's national bird, the Himalayan Monal, which is visually striking and commonly sighted along this stretch.

What is the altitude gain each day, and when do you reach the base camp?

Day one reaches 2,080 meters at Forest Camp. Day two climbs to 3,580 meters at High Camp. On day three, you summit Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters, starting the climb in the early hours to catch the sunrise at the top.

Do you sleep in hotels or something else during the trek?

You stay in teahouses and guest houses run by local families in the mountain communities, not in hotels. These offer warm hospitality, traditional meals, and overnight accommodation for all three nights on the trail.

What happens if altitude sickness becomes a problem on the trek?

Your guide carries a first aid kit and is trained to manage altitude-related issues. The itinerary includes acclimatization time at High Camp before the final push to base camp, and you descend the same day, returning to lower altitude by evening.

Is this trek suitable if you have not done high-altitude hiking before?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to complete the trek. The trek involves daily uphill and downhill walking on mountain terrain, and day three's climb to 4,500 meters is steep and rocky, but the four-day format and lower overall distance make it more accessible than longer Himalayan treks.