The jewel of the Nepalese Trekking industry is definitely the Annapurna region. Few people may disagree on this statement saying that the Everest region is the pillar of the Nepalese trekking industry. However, this blogger feels that the diverse cultural and natural attractions in the region make it the cornerstone of trekking scene in Nepal. Each and every trekking routes of the region are popular among travelers from across the globe. 2025 is nearing to an end. Therefore, it is time to plan for 2026. Today’s blog is about providing the authentic information, factors affecting better trekking experiences, and minute details on the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026.
As mentioned above, the Annapurna region is the best trekking destination and the Mardi Himal Trek route is at its core. The shorter itinerary, diverse vegetation, spectacular mountain vista, shorter overnight camp distance, and tranquil surrounding make the Mardi the number one choice for Annapurna trekking aspirants. It is indeed a pleasure for me to share the details about the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026 through this blog. However, you can find a similar trek as the Poon Hill Trek instead of Mardi Trek for the beginner travellers.
Astronomical Popularity of Mardi Himal Trek
Despite the Mardi Himal Trek route’s status of newly opened trekking trail, the popularity is astronomically increasing. The trail has become the popular choice among trekkers from across the globe and also among Nepalese trekkers. Major reasons behind the astronomical rise in the popularity of the trekking route are natural – cultural diversity, short trekking courses, and spectacular views. In addition, the trail traverses through thick forests providing trekkers chance to find solitude in the nature.
How to do Mardi Trek Correctly? A message to Nepalese trekking in Mardi
With the increase in the popularity of the trekking course, there are different incidents happening in the trail. People have adopted different styles and courses to do the trek. The unplanned trekking plan is adopted by the Nepalese Trekkers. Therefore, this is the gentle reminder to the Nepalese trekkers to adopt the correct way of the Mardi Himal Trek. Note down that you must trek steadily by staying overnight in the various camps by enjoying the gorgeous nature of the trail. Nepalese trekkers usually walk about 10 to 13 hours a day and quickly ascend to higher elevation places. This is too risky and don’t guarantee proper trekking experiences.
The upcoming Mardi Himal Trek 2026 season must be done properly. Therefore, follow the proper guidelines. Don’t reach the overnight place at night. It is not safe to walk inside the forest trail after 5 pm. Some Nepalese trekkers play loud speaker while they are trekking. In fact, it is the worst way to do the trek disturbing the harmony of the trail.
Don’t Skip ACAP Permit for Mardi Himal Trek: ACAP should set up more check posts
Ironically, some trekking guides and trekking companies are operating the Mardi Himal Trek without obtaining the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. This way of trekking is unsafe and unethical. Please don’t skip ACAP permit for Mardi Himal Trek in 2026. We urge the concerned authorities to set up more check posts to check the permits for the trek. The cost of the ACAP permit for Mardi Trek is NRs. 3000 to foreigners and NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals. All these revenues go towards improvement of the trail and betterment of the lives of the locals. Therefore, it is not wise to skip the ACAP permit. Now, there is one check post in Pothana and Australian Camp each. Finding the loophole, trekkers are driving directly to Pitam Deurali and skipping the permit checking.
Mardi Himal Trek in 2026: Get Early Bird Discounts
Book the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026 now and get early bird discounts. It is better buy the trekking package rather than trekking independently especially in the 4 Days Mardi Himal Trek route. The geographical terrain and the wilderness forests area mean that you must be accompanied by an experienced trekking guide for safe and hassle free trekking journey. For this, you need to find out the right travel company. I have talked in detail about the importance of choosing the right trekking company in the following sub heading. Please note that traveling company determines the outcome of the trekking trip to be best or worst.
Best Travel Company to choose for Annapurna Mardi Trek
At first, you should know the reason that makes a trekking agency the best among the rest. Team of travel planners, prompt response, government license, past reviews, professional pricing pattern, quality services, impeccable hospitality, field knowledge and credentials are the features of the best travel company. If you are in dilemma to choose the best travel company out of many trekking agencies based in Nepal, then I can recommend you the best one. The Nepal High Trek is probably the leading trekking agency which you can trust fully for reasonable pricing, hospitality, professional operation technique, and experienced crew members. Please check out the Mardi Himal Trek package in the website to know more about this.
Itinerary and Cost: Mardi Trek Package
Standard package for the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026 has 9 to 10 days itinerary including arrival and departure from Kathmandu. However, there is an option to do 4 Days Mardi Himal Trek or 5 Days Mardi Himal Trek in 2026 with the price 350 $ to 390 $ respectively. If you are going on the independent trekking in this route, then you may face lots of issues regarding the availability of lodging and meals. Note down clearly that the trail has limited tea houses and eateries. Therefore, it may be hard for individual trekkers without a guide to find proper place to spend overnight. Make smart choice by booking the Ghorepani Poon Hill with Mardi Trek Package instead of trekking without a trekking guide. Moreover, there are many incidents in past where trekkers went missing who traveled alone in the vast jungle terrain of the region.
Best Places in Mardi Himal Trek Route
Trekking in the trail of the Mardi Himal can be the refreshing getaway from all the chaos in your daily life. There are many places and spots where you can forget all the drabness of life and you get fully immerse in the trail. Allow me to briefly describe the best places in the Mardi Himal Trek route.
Australian Camp to Pitam Deurali via Pothana
The classical way to start the Mardi Trek is from Kande – Australian Camp route. It allows trekkers to experience terraced farmlands, more villages, and proper warm up before uphill trek to Mardi High Camp. While walking uphill from Kande, trekkers can experience terraced farmlands of locals and once they reach the Australian Camp, the view of the mountains greets them. Similarly, the gentle Nepalese flat trail from Australian Camp to Pitam Deurali via Pothana offers unique experience away from the bustling of city area. The rural environment that you experience here in the first day of the trek provide gorgeous teaser for things to come later on in the trek.
Low Camp (2600 m): Transit Village on Mardi Route
The transit village on the Mardi Route is the Low Camp. At an altitude of 2600 m, the place is where trekkers usually spend two nights on the way up and down. It is possible to reach Low Camp directly in a comfortable way after experiencing sunrise in Upper View Point (4200 m). Furthermore, Low Camp (2600 m) is also the last place where trekkers spend overnight in this epic short trekking journey in the heart of the Annapurna region. Trekkers have to trek downhill for about 3 to 4 hours to reach the village of Sidding from where trekkers take jeep to reach Pokhara. Therefore, the Low Camp is famously known as the transit village of the Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal.
Badal Danda (3210 m)
The trail opens up to the grassy meadows and open ridge line from the green lush forests in Badal Danda. Most of the trekking experts and trekking guides say that the view that you see from Badal Danda is incomparable. The place is also the lunch stop place before you go to High Camp from Low Camp or Rest Camp. Therefore, it is the majestic place to quench your hunger soaking in the breathtaking scenery of mountains, cascading hills, and valleys. The landscape slowly changes from this place onward and you need to be more cautious trekking to higher elevation from this place.
High Camp (3550 m): Last Overnight Place in Mardi Trek
The last place where you get the facilities to spend overnight in the Mardi Himal Trek journey is High Camp (3550 m). The place also acts as the base camp for the Mardi Himal Base Camp hike or the Upper View Point Hike. There are limited tea houses at the top but it is capable to host more than 150 trekkers at once. The tea houses located at the top of the narrow ridge is where you get to witness magnificent creations of Mother Nature. You will definitely feel enchanted while spending a night in this place.
Upper View Point (4200 m): Sunrise on Machhapuchhre & Annapurna South
The vantage point which is considered as an ideal place to get spectacular glimpse of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Annapurna is the Upper View Point. The majority of trekkers reach until the Upper View Point (4200 m) for sunrise experiences. However, Mardi Himal Base Camp is few meters ahead and you can hike to this spot if you are looking for more adventures. This blogger strongly recommends you to end the trek in Upper View Point if you are trekking back to Low Camp on the same day. It is to make sure that you are not rushing things and tiring yourselves instead of soaking in the attractions of the trail.
Is it hard to trek in Mardi Himal Route?
Plan properly and follow the correct itinerary to do the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026. If you do so, then you can easily complete the journey without any kinds of hiccups. The short walking distance between two overnight camps negate the uphill trek and elevation gain. Therefore, you can class the Mardi Himal Trek route as easy trekking route of the Annapurna region. Build up the physical fitness level to walk at least 6 hours in an average every day for around 3 to 4 days.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Mardi Himal
Reach the base camp of the world’s 10th tallest mountain Mt. Annapurna after doing the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026. You can continue the journey to the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) after joining the trail in Jhinu from Rest Camp via Landruk Village. The package can be bought in about 800 $ to 1100 $ per person for the standard trekking package.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Mardi Himal
Combine the itinerary of the Mardi Himal Trek with another spectacular short trekking trip of the Annapurna Region. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Mardi Himal is definitely the most captivating way to explore two of the famous short trekking routes of the Annapurna region. If you wish, you can also choose to add the famous Mohare Danda Trek, the Short 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Khopra Ridge Trek. Make sure that you contact the travel planners and customize the trek according to your preference.
Best Time to do Annapurna Mardi Himal Trekking in Nepal
Choosing right time to do the Mardi Himal Trek in 2026 determine overall trekking outcome. Interestingly, the journey is possible to do throughout the year but best result is only when you trek in either spring or autumn season. Similarly, winter season is also okay to trek if you love snow on the trekking trail. In fact, the landscape becomes more attractive during winter season. If possible, avoid monsoon season as the trail gets muddy and leeches may dampen the overall trekking experiences.
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