Itineraries
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary: 3, 4, 5 & 7 Day Routes Compared
Mardi Himal is flexible. The same ridge can be walked in a hard 3 days or a relaxed 7, and the right choice depends on your fitness, your time, and how much you care about a clear sunrise at the top.
Below is our recommended 5-day itinerary in detail, followed by how the 3, 4, and 7-day versions differ.
Key takeaways
- The 5-day itinerary has the gentlest ascent and the best odds of clear viewpoint weather.
- The 3-day version is for fit hikers who accept long days and less weather margin.
- The 7-day version adds Australian Camp and Lwang village for a slower, more cultural loop.
- Every version tops out at the Upper Viewpoint (around 4,200m), with an optional base camp at 4,500m.
The recommended 5-day Mardi Himal itinerary
This is the version we run most often. It keeps each day's climb within a comfortable range and reaches High Camp with enough in the tank for an early viewpoint push.
| Day | Route | Distance | Max altitude | Walking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara to Pritam Deurali | 6 km | 2,100 m | 3 hr + drive |
| 2 | Pritam Deurali to Low Camp | 9 km | 2,600 m | 5 to 6 hr |
| 3 | Low Camp to High Camp | 6 km | 3,550 m | 4 hr |
| 4 | High Camp to Viewpoint, descend to Sidding | 16 km | 4,500 m | 8 to 9 hr |
| 5 | Sidding to Pokhara | drive | — | 2 hr drive |
5-day Mardi Himal trek at a glance.
3-day Mardi Himal trek (express)
The express route drives high to Kande or Forest Camp, sleeps at High Camp, catches sunrise, and descends fast. It works for fit hikers who are short on time, but the long days leave little room to wait out bad weather, and the quick altitude gain suits people who already acclimatise well.
4-day Mardi Himal trek (classic short)
The 4-day version trims one teahouse night from the 5-day plan, usually by driving in higher on day one and combining the lower forest stages. It is popular with returning trekkers who know they handle back-to-back climbing days comfortably.
7-day Mardi Himal trek (relaxed)
The relaxed loop starts with Australian Camp and Pothana, adds an easier acclimatisation profile, and finishes through Lwang village with its tea gardens and homestays. Choose this if you want the mountains and the culture, and if a slower pace appeals more than ticking the trek off quickly.
Which Mardi Himal itinerary should you choose?
- Limited days and good fitness: the 3-day express.
- Short trip but you want a buffer day: the 4-day classic.
- Best all-round experience and weather odds: the 5-day recommended route.
- Time to spare and a love of villages: the 7-day relaxed loop.
