5-Day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara: Female Guide

Several days climbing through Annapurna forests to a high base camp, led by a female guide

A 5-day private trek in the Annapurna region starting from Pokhara, where you hike from Kande through lush forests to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 meters, then descend to Siding Village. The trek includes a female English-speaking guide, private lodge rooms each night, trekking poles, sleeping bag rated for minus-25 degrees, one porter per two trekkers, and transport from Pokhara to the trailhead and back. Accommodations and meals in Pokhara and Kathmandu, plus tips for guide and porter, are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali

• Drive from Pokhara to Kande
• Trek from Kande to Deurali
• Overnight stay in Deurali

Day 2: Trek from Deurali to Low Camp

• Trek to Forest Camp for lunch
• Continue trekking to Low Camp
• Overnight stay at lodge

Day 3: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp

• Trek from Low Camp to High Camp
• Enjoy mountain views
• Overnight stay at lodge

Day 4: Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and descend

• Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp or viewpoint
• Return to High Camp
• Descend to Badal Danda
• Overnight stay at lodge

Day 5: Trek to Siding Village and drive to Pokhara

• Trek from Badal Danda to Siding Village
• Drive back to Pokhara

The experience

The trek starts with a drive from Pokhara to Kande, taking about 1 to 1.5 hours. From there the trail climbs through forests where you'll catch views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The first night you sleep in Deurali at 2100 meters. Day two is a 6-hour push from Pothana to Low Camp at 2985 meters, passing through Forest Camp at 2600 meters for lunch. The views open up as you gain altitude.

Day three takes you from Low Camp to High Camp at 3550 meters in about 4 hours, with Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South dominating the skyline. On day four you hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 meters (a 4 to 5 hour round trip from High Camp), then descend to Badal Danda at 3210 meters for the night. The final day is a 5-hour trek down to Siding Village, where a shared jeep takes you back to Pokhara. Your female guide speaks fluent English, holds government registration and first aid training, and travels with you throughout. A porter carries shared gear for every two trekkers, and you get trekking poles, a sleeping bag, and a kitbag for your belongings.

Each night you stay in a private room at a lodge. The trek is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least moderate fitness. You receive a certificate of appreciation from Nepal Wilderness Trekking after completion, along with all necessary permits (TIMS card and ACAP permit) and government taxes included in the price.

What’s included

• Private room accommodation at each lodge.
• trekking poles and a sleeping bag rated for minus-25 degrees.
• one porter per two trekkers to carry shared gear.
• a kitbag for your belongings.
• private car or van transport from Pokhara to Kande and shared jeep from Siding Village back to Pokhara.
• a fluent English-speaking, government-registered, first aid-trained female guide for all five days.
• TIMS card and ACAP permits.
• all government and local taxes.
• a certificate of appreciation upon completion.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 23:45

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 to 65 years) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

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 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Nepal Wilderness Trekking

Is this one for you?Five days means you can reach 4500 meters and spend a night at High Camp before summiting the base camp, then descend the full route back to Pokhara without rushing, but it also means this trek fills most of a week and leaves little time for other activities in the region. If you have only 3 days, you'd skip the base camp. If you have 7 days, you could add a longer descent route through Lwang.

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Top questions

How many hours of trekking happen each day on the Mardi Himal route?

Day one from Kande to Deurali is a moderate hike with no fixed duration stated. Day two runs 6 hours total from Pothana to Low Camp. Day three takes about 4 hours from Low Camp to High Camp. Day four includes a 4 to 5 hour round trip to Mardi Himal Base Camp plus descent to Badal Danda. Day five is a 5-hour trek from Badal Danda to Siding Village, then the jeep ride back to Pokhara.

What altitude does the trek reach, and what equipment do I get for the cold?

Mardi Himal Base Camp sits at 4500 meters, the highest point of the trek. You receive a sleeping bag rated for minus-25 degrees, trekking poles, and a kitbag to carry your gear. High Camp, where you sleep before the base camp hike, is at 3550 meters.

Do I need to arrange my own porter, or is one included?

One porter is included for every two trekkers, so the cost and logistics are handled as part of the trek. The porter carries shared equipment, reducing the load on your shoulders.

What is the female guide's experience level, and does she speak English?

Your guide is government-registered, fluent in English, experienced in the region, and trained in first aid. She leads the trek from start to finish and provides insights into local culture and trekking.

Are meals and lodging in Pokhara included in the trek price?

Accommodations and meals in Pokhara and Kathmandu are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout. All lodge rooms during the 5-day trek itself are included, as is transport from Pokhara to Kande and back from Siding Village.

What permits and paperwork are required, and are they handled for me?

The TIMS card permit and ACAP permit are both included in the trek price, along with all government and local taxes. No additional paperwork is needed on your end.