How long is the Mardi Himal Trek?
Are you wondering how far the Mardi Himal Trek is? Well, it mostly depends on your starting point and the pace of walking. In the standard itineraries, you would be doing the trek in 5 to 7 days, starting from Pokhara and reaching Lumre or Siding with walking hours that would be approximately 5 to 7 hours per day. The trek begins on a road from Pokhara leading either to Kande or Phedi then of gentle ascent through stunning rhododendron scrubs, beautiful villages and alpine scenes to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp that is positioned at an altitude of almost 4500 meters.
According to the distance, the Mardi Himal trek covers a distance of 57 to 70 km, coming back and forth for the route and side trails chosen. You are going to walk for about 5 to 7 hours a day. There are short days, there is less uphill climbing and other days that are long with more uphill climbing. The most challenging day is the day when you are going up to Mardi Himal Base Camp and coming back to High Camp. On this day, you will likely be walking for 7-8 hours and you will be ascending to 4500 m. The Pokhara to Mardi Himal Base Camp route is about 31 kilometers, and the trail goes to Australian Camp, Pothana, Deurali Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp en route to the base camp. After your beautiful mountain sights, you then go back by the same path or a different trail to other villages like Lwang or even Siding. Some hikers lengthen their hike by embarking on a side trip to sites like Poon Hill to be witnesses to even more amazing sceneries.
Typical Daily Distance of Mardi Himal Trek Breakdown for 2025 and 2026
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Flight to Pokhara - Drive to Dhampus and Trek to Pothana
Your adventure starts with a 25-minutes flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Short drive to Dhampus (1640m) from where you will start your hiking. This first trek is 3-4 km and leads you up to the villages and dense forests to Pothana (1,930m). You will gain roughly 290 meters during 3-4 hours spent on the actual walking. If we include breaks, the total time is 6-7 hours.
Day 03: Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp
Today you are going to walk 9 km amidst beautiful rhododendron forests from Pothana (1,930m) to Forest Camp (2,530m). The trail goes steeply the higher you get and it gains 600 meters in elevation. People spend 5-6 hours walking today. The Forest Camp is also known as Kokar where small teahouses are and you will sleep.
Day 04: Trek Forest Camp to Low Camp
The hike for today is not longer than 6 km but takes 5 hours because you’re ascending from Forest Camp (2,530m) to Low Camp (2,982m); 452 meters. The trail goes through forests into more open areas with wonderful views of mountains. Low Camp has some teahouses with very basic rooms and food.
Day 05: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp
Today you will be hiking around 5kms and climbing up from the Low Camp (2,982m) to the High Camp (3,567m), climbing an additional 585m higher. The 4-5 hours of walking takes you above the tree line into the alpine meadows. The air will become thinner as you go up, and thus you’ll walk slowly.
Day 06: Trek from High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High Camp
This is the big day! You’ll begin early in the morning to trek 4 km in 5 hours from High Camp (3,567 meters) to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,510 meters), with an ascent of 943 metres in altitude. It takes between 3-4 hours to reach the base camp where you will have spectacular mountain views. The round trip is 5-6 hours of walking time.
Day 07: Trek from High Camp to Siding and Drive to Pokhara
Today is largely downhill, descending from High Camp (3,567m) to Siding village (1,705m), which is a drop of 1,862 meters in 12 km when trekking. It is this long day that includes 6-7 hours of hiking in the varying scenery. From Siding, you will take about a 1.5-2 hour drive back to Pokhara. Total time is about 8-9 hours.
Day 08: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Your trek is complete! Today you will do the long drive back to Kathmandu and driving nearly 200 km. It takes 8-9 hours by tourist bus or 25 minutes to fly in.
How does the Starting Point affect the distance of the Mardi Trek?
The starting point has a direct effect on the distance covered and duration of the trek, thus considerably affecting the trekking experience. There are primarily two starting points, one being Pokhara and the other Kathmandu; both offer quite a different approach to trekking.
Starting a trek from Pokhara provides ease and shorter distance as the distance to the trailhead, either Kande or Phedi, where real trekking starts, is about 13 kilometers. Generally, the itinerary would be a 30-minute jeep or taxi ride from Pokhara to Dhampus or Phedi and a 5-day trek for 40-45 kilometers more or less. Trekkers are taken through gorgeous villages like Dhampus, Pothana, Forest Camp, Badal Danda, High Camp until they reach rhododendron forests and alpine meadows, to Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is 4500 meters. With less distance to hike and a fairly constant amount of hiking each day (4 to 6 hours), this option seems apt for trekkers who have very little time or those looking for a less challenging deal. For those having limited time, or starting the journey, can definitely opt for the 5-day Mardi Himal Trek!
Whereas, the distance and time become a little longer when initiating the Mardi Himal Trek from Kathmandu. Kathmandu is also about 200 kilometers east of Pokhara and the tour usually starts with a 6-8 hours scenic drive or a short domestic flight to Pokhara, followed by a jeep ride to Dhampus. Some itineraries even involve trekking from Kathmandu itself which means an extra few days and another 60-70 kilometres of walking through the low hills and villages before even getting to the main Mardi Himal path. This longer route may last for 9 days or more, and it covers an approximate distance of 90-100 kilometers. While more challenging, this choice provides a more culturally-enriched experience whereby trekkers are made to go through different landscapes and traditional settlements before reaching the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Combined Options And Their Impact On Distance
The Mardi Trek is one of the popular Himalayan trips, rewarding with magnificent views of mountains and being relatively easy. Numerous trekkers prefer to combine it with other legendary Annapurna region treks to prolong their adventure, discover a wide range of landscapes and cover more distances.
Mardi Himal Trek + Annapurna Base Camp Trek: This wonderful 13-day trek is the marriage of two of Nepal's most famed trekking routes through the Annapurna Conservation Area. The total distance, depending on the exact alternate routes, comes to nearly 110-120 kilometres. Starting from Pokhara, and then traversing the Mardi Himal trail and you ascend to the Mardi Himal base camp at 4500 meters, after hiking through dense rhododendron forests, followed by alpine meadows.
Once on the descent from Mardi Himal Base camp, the trek goes towards the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) which takes one through Gurung and Magar settlements like Landruk, Chhomrong, Bamboo, among others, covering roughly 46 kilometers over 25 to 30 hours of trekking. The route crosses various ecosystems and provides an artistic canvas of culture with the final destination at ABC at 4,130 meters, in between more than 15 of the world's tallest Himalayan peaks including Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri. The trek also has a refreshing stopover at the natural hot springs in Jhinu Danda, which is a great break for weary muscles.
The trek is a combined one for trekkers who want to get their blessed fill of Annapurna with difficult climbs, cultural exposure, and scenic mountain views. It has good support in terms of tea houses and lodges, which makes it easy for moderately experienced hikers.
Mardi Himal Trek + Poon Hill: The combination of Mardi Himal Trek and Poon Hill Trek offers a superior trekking experience in the Annapurna Region as it nearly doubles the total length and time required to complete either of the treks on their own. This circuitous combination of trekking usually lasts for 10-13 days with hiking in the range of 85-90 km; the higher end being on certain specific itineraries. After leaving Pokhara, you are then taken to Poon Hill (3,210m), a popular viewpoint known for the magnificent sunrise scenes over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. AAfter concluding Poon Hill, the trek continues to visit traditional villages including Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Landruk among others until to the Mardi Himal path leading to the less crowded Mardi Himal Base Camp.
The Poon Hill section itself is about 40-45 km long and is usually completed within 4-5 days and includes moderate climbs through rhododendron forests and cultural villages, populated by Gurung and Magar people. The inclusion of the Mardi Himal Trek increases the length of the expedition by 40-50 km with tougher altitude comprised of steep climbs to the High Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp. It requires daily walking distances of 10 to 15 kilometers spread over 5 to 7 hours and ascent heights of up to 4,500 meters.
The integration of the two provides trekkers with exposure to the popular, well established Poon Hill Trek route as well as the virgin mountain wilderness of the Mardi Himal, mixing cultural immersion with splendid mountain views. It’s a perfect option for trekkers who have about two weeks at hand to experience the best of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Annapurna Region.
Mardi Himal Trek + Khopra Ridge Trek: The combined Mardi Himal Trek and Khopra Ridge Trek is a fulfilling 12 to 15 days trekking vacation in the Annapurna region of Nepal which dramatically increases the total hiking distance and time. Covering around 100 to 130 kilometers, it provides an array of experiences. From Pokhara, the trek head upward toward Mardi Himal Base Camp and from 4,500 meters down into Modi Khola valley and then up to Khopra Ridge, attaining an elevation of 3,660 meters at Khopra Danda.
The Mardi Himal section of the trek is approximately 45-55 km in 6 to 7 days of mild ascents that range from trekking through forests to alpine areas. From the Mardi Himal Base Camp, the trail goes ahead to Bayeli Kharka of Khopra Ridge Trek via charming villages such as Landruk and Tadapani. The second part is relatively remote and less commercialized, with steeper climbs to Khopra Danda and Khayer Lake, considered some of the finest ridge views in the region.
The Khopra Ridge portion of the trek adds 50 to 60 kilometers and 5 to 7 days to the total and features hikes to the ridge, descents through renowned Gurung and Magar villages to experience both the cultural and natural riches. Joined together, these two treks become a moderately challenging journey though extremely scenic, traversing many different landscapes and heights.
Elevation Gain and Terrain Challenges during the trek to Mardi Himal
The total altitude gain in the Mardi Trek is about 3200 meters from 1300m at Kande or Pitam Deurali to the Mardi Himal base camp which is 4500 meters. The trek can be divided into the key stages that provide for very different challenges.
The first day’s hike from Kande to Pitam Deurali ascends approximately 800 meters in the forests and on gently graded pathways. From Pitam Deurali to Forest Camp, trekkers add 420 meters, then 515 meters to the rocky path to Low Camp (3,035 meters). The terrain gets rockier and slippery, particularly when it rains.
The hard part is the climb between Low Camp and High Camp, which stands at 3580 meters. The ascent here is very steep at about 545 meters, on very narrow and uneven tracks. Then, the climb up to the Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4500 m is a tough trek that ultimately brings on a 920 meters ascent through rocky and sometimes icy terrain.
The terrain changes from the well-trampled forest paths to the rough and rocky path as the trek continues. Getting near High Camp, the track then turns pretty steep and rocky, with narrow ridges and loose rocks here and there. And the climb to the Mardi Himal Base Camp further passes through alpine territory that is, at times, slippery or icy. However, with proper pacing and equipment, the challenges can be reduced so your success is guaranteed!
How Can You Design The Mardi Himal Trekking Distance based on Your Pace?
Customize Itinerary
Personalized itinerary for Mardi Himal Trek allows you to modify distances walked every day according to your convenience. The regular 5-7 day trek can be lengthened to 8-9 days, adding rest days or shortened walking days. Instead, fit trekkers can reduce the travel time to 4-5 days by combining sections. And consider starting points, too as starting from Kande gives you a more gradual climb, but starting from Dhampus shortens the trek but means a steeper initial ascent. Most agencies can adjust their standard packages to include your favorite daily walking distance, with anything between 4-9 km daily, depending on the level of difficulty.
Know Your Pace Level
It is important to know about your walking speed and endurance if you want to prepare for the pleasant Mardi Himal Trekking experience. Think about the experience you had with hill walking and the way you managed altitude in the past. This all means that inexperienced trekkers should plan for less distance covered per day between 5-7 km, as opposed to experienced hikers who might manage 9-12 km a day. If you take 2-3 km per hour as a normal walking pace on a flat surface, you can expect to walk only 1-2 km per hour on the mountain trails, particularly above 3,000m in elevation. Track your fitness before the trip because if you can walk 15 km or so, with moderate elevation gain, you should be ready for moderate days on the trail.
Contact an Experienced Local Trekking Agency
Touring with a local trekking agency is one of the best tips for creating a Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary that will meet your pace. Pro veteran agencies offer expert advice on daily distances, altitude gain, and rest days based on one’s fitness and taste. They can customise the route, book accommodations, and transport you in difficult areas so you dont have to care about logistics. And utilization of local knowledge also enhances the optimization of the trek to suit the weather conditions, and the condition of the trail, which makes your walk smoother and more exciting.
(Contact us at Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition for your perfect adventure with our expert teams and customizable Mardi Himal Trek Package to match your pace.)
Top Notch Guide
Engaging the services of an experienced guide improves your Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek and lets you control your pace. You are escorted by a well-informed guide who takes note of your health, counsels you on acclimatization, altitude sickness and sets daily distances depending on your level of endurance. They provide you with insights on the terrain, culture, and wildlife, adding colour to your trek. A good guide provides safety on a steep or tricky trail and helps find the best routes, while you only need to worry about how beautiful the mountain scenery is.
Tip for Planning Mardi Trek on Distance
- Consider hiking duration based on the elevation gain, and not just kilometers – for every 300m of elevation, add 1 more hour to your hiking, even though the distance may seem short.
- Include at least one flexible buffer day in your itinerary for any delays due to unpredictable weather conditions or acclimatization in case you are traveling to higher altitudes.
- Divide the ascent into smaller parts than the usual itineraries recommend if you lack the high-altitude trekking experience. Think of 6-7 days compared to 4-5 for the same distance.
- Try out your genuine walking speed on hills before your journey. Measure your speed while walking uphill for about 2-3 hours with a backpack to get real-time speed.
- Think about using different routes for ascent and descent to see more variety of scenery for the same distances like if you ascend from Forest Camp, then you descend from Siding which will make a loop instead of backtracking.
- Pre-book teahouses on peak seasons (October-November and March-April) where a lack of accommodations may make you walk longer distances than required each day.
- Trekking poles allow you to hold a more even pace uphill and downhill because they decrease stress on your legs and enable you to trek a distance more evenly during the day.
- Begin your daily hikes at early hours (7-8 am) to allow for more time when hiking at a slower pace or taking photos without having to race towards your destination before dusk.
- Carry the bare minimum of equipment to move at a better pace. Pack your backpack to no more than 10% of your body weight or hire a porter if you have more to bring.
- Prepare for descents, particularly before trekking because the 1,800m drop from High Camp to Siding in a day might have more of an impact on your knees than the ascent.
Is this trek to Mardi Himal right for you?
The Mardi Himal Trek is of an appropriate distance and challenging level for trekkers of many levels. Coming in at 40 to 45 km in 5-7 days, it’s much shorter than a classic trek like Everest Base Camp or the whole Annapurna Circuit. This makes it ideal for those who have little time off or are looking for a little taste of Himalayan trekking without having to spend weeks with their backs on the trail.
The distances covered every day, 5-9 km, do not present great challenges to most reasonably fit people, even if they have not spent much time trekking. This flexibility to add more or fewer days depending on the pace one goes at makes it an accessible experience for almost anyone. If you can walk for 5-6 hours per day, like nature, and have an adventurous spirit, the Mardi Himal Trek Distance is certainly for you! Ready to experience by yourself, check out our Mardi Himal Trek Package, which offers multiple itineraries to fit your demand, and the best part is you can even customize it yourself. Contact us for more details.
