Question 1

Which short trek is better for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Poon Hill, without question. It stays under 3,300 m, walking days are 4–5 hours on well-maintained stone stairs and village paths, and altitude sickness is practically unheard of at this elevation. Families regularly complete it with children as young as 8. Mardi Himal by contrast reaches 4,500 m at the Upper Viewpoint, involves more elevation gain per day, and the ridge section from High Camp is exposed to rapidly-changing weather. Mardi is absolutely doable for fit beginners, but if this is your first multi-day trek anywhere, Poon Hill is the safer and more enjoyable starting point.

Question 2

Can I see Everest from Poon Hill or Mardi Himal?

Accepted Answer

No. Both treks are firmly in the Annapurna region, which sits about 200 km west of the Everest range, they're in entirely different mountain systems. From Poon Hill you'll see Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, and the distinctive Machapuchare fishtail peak. From Mardi Himal's Upper Viewpoint you see Machapuchare and Annapurna South from extraordinarily close range, with Hiunchuli and Annapurna I further back. If Everest is what you want to see, you need to trek in Khumbu, a completely different trip.

Question 3

Is Mardi Himal a proper trek or just a hike?

Accepted Answer

It's a proper multi-day trek with teahouses at each stop, progressive altitude gain, genuine weather exposure, and a final push day that tops 4,500 m. It's shorter than ABC or the Circuit but should not be treated as a weekend hike. The ridge above High Camp is above the treeline, exposed to wind and sudden snow, and the summit push to Upper Viewpoint involves 3–4 hours of uphill walking in thin air. Bring proper cold-weather layers, a shell jacket, and trekking poles. Treat it as a compact version of a high-altitude trek, not a warm-up hike.

Question 4

Can I combine both treks in one trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's one of our most popular week-long itineraries. The classic combo starts with the Poon Hill loop (4 days), then continues from Ghandruk or Landruk up to Forest Camp on the Mardi route, joining the full Mardi trek for the final three days. Total trip length is 7–8 days, ideal if you have a week in Nepal and want variety without committing to multi-week logistics. The altitude profile also works well: Poon Hill acclimatises you gently before Mardi pushes you higher, reducing AMS risk.

Question 5

Do I need permits for Poon Hill or Mardi Himal?

Accepted Answer

Both require the same two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, NPR 3,000 / about $22) and the TIMS card (NPR 2,000 / about $15). Total roughly $40 per trekker. Your trekking agency handles all permit paperwork in Pokhara before you start, you need to bring two passport photos and your passport. There are no special restricted-area permits needed for either trek, unlike Manaslu or Upper Mustang. Permits are checked at several checkpoints along the routes, so make sure your agency gives you copies to carry.

Question 6

Which trek has better sunrise?

Accepted Answer

Poon Hill is the famous Nepal sunrise, a 360° panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges lighting up in sequence, with the first rays hitting Dhaulagiri before sweeping across the Annapurna massif. You stand on a crowded tower at 3,210 m with perhaps 100 other trekkers watching the same show. Mardi's Upper Viewpoint at 4,500 m gives you sunrise on Machapuchare at arm's length with maybe 20 other people around you, a more intimate experience with a single, massive peak rather than a panorama. Both are worth the 4:30 a.m. alarm. Different magic, different audiences.

Question 7

What are the famous Ulleri stone stairs?

Accepted Answer

If you take the Poon Hill route via Tikhedhunga, you'll climb about 3,280 stone steps between Tikhedhunga and Ulleri, a sustained uphill section that typically takes 1.5–2 hours and gains 550 m. It's the most talked-about section of the Poon Hill trek, and most trekkers rate it as the hardest single stretch. Take your time, hydrate, and use trekking poles. The good news: once you're past Ulleri, the rest of the trek is comparatively gentle. The Mardi route bypasses Ulleri entirely because it starts from Kande on a different trail.

Question 8

Can I combine Mardi Himal and Poon Hill into one trek?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's our most popular short-trek combo. The standard routing starts in Pokhara, loops through Poon Hill via Ghorepani (3 days), continues to Tadapani and Ghandruk, then climbs up to Forest Camp and joins the Mardi ridge trail (3 more days), finishing at Siding or Lumre. Total trip is 7–8 days with maximum altitude 4,500 m at Upper Viewpoint. The two treks complement each other beautifully: Poon Hill eases you into altitude and gives you the panoramic sunrise, then Mardi puts you close enough to touch Machapuchare.

MardivsPoon Hill

Mardi Himal Trek

Poon Hill Trek