A quieter alternative to the Annapurna Circuit, the 8–9 day Mardi Himal Trek climbs through rhododendron forest, remote Gurung villages, and ridgelines that deliver sweeping views of Annapurna and Machapuchare. This guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of the jeep in Phedi and the valley exhales—terraced fields fall away, rhododendron flares, and a faint white edge of Himalayan ice promises altitude. The trail begins on stone steps that climb through small Gurung villages; as the hours pass, forest tightens and the air thins until a high ridge opens and the Annapurna range asserts itself across the sky.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–9 days
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and prior multi-day hiking experience recommended; able to walk 4–7 hours on uneven trails.
Wildlife
History
The trail traverses Gurung and Magar hill country historically tied to trans-Himalayan trade and subsistence agriculture; tea-house trekking developed here as an offshoot of Annapurna tourism.
Conservation
Mardi sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area—stick to marked trails, minimize waste, and use refillable bottles to reduce plastic pollution.
Reserve your spot on the Mardi Himal Trek today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize gradually
Plan shorter hiking days above 2,500 m and spend an extra night if you feel short of breath; altitude is the main hazard on this route.
Carry a water treatment
Tea houses provide boiled water but bring a filter or tablets to refill reusable bottles at camps to avoid plastic waste.
Use trekking poles
Poles reduce strain on steep stair-descents and help with balance on narrow ridgelines.
Pack warm, lightweight insulation
Temperatures drop sharply at high camp—bring a warm midlayer and insulated hat for early-morning viewpoint climbs.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction on stone steps, muddy forest tracks and rocky high-camp sections.
Insulating down jacket
Warmth for cold nights at 3,500–4,200 m and exposed morning climbs.
fall
Lightweight rain shell
Protects against monsoon showers and wind at higher elevations.
summer
Trekking poles
Reduces knee impact on long descents and improves balance on narrow sections.