Mardi Himal Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek: A Complete Comparison

Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek share some of the same parts of the Annapurna region. Both of these treks start from Pokhara and keep Machhapuchhre in view for days. It's easy to assume they're two versions of the same trek, but they're not. 

In fact, Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek takes you higher than Annapurna Base Camp itself. Once you're on the trail, the differences are quite visible and evident.

Mardi Himal Trek reaches 4,500 metres in fewer days on a narrow, forested ridge, while Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes comparatively more days to reach 4,130 metres inside a full amphitheatre of peaks above 6,000 metres. These two treks are not separated by altitude but by trail length, crowds and the kind of mountain experience.

So the real question behind Mardi Himal Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek isn't which one climbs higher. It's whether you want a short walk to a viewpoint or a longer journey through Gurung and Magar villages that ends with Jhinu's hot springs.

Our blog compares both treks side by side using TrekNomads' own itineraries, permits, and services. By the time you finish reading, you'll know exactly which of the two fits your 2026 travel plans.

Two Trails Into the Same Mountains

Here's a closer look at what each trek is actually like on the ground, from the first step out of Pokhara to the final viewpoint:

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is the younger of the two treks. It only opened to regular teahouse trekking after 2010, which is part of why it still feels a little under-the-radar. 

Instead of following a river valley, it climbs a single ridge, so the whole trek has a quiet, one-track feel. Most of the walking happens under forest cover, and the open views only show up right at the end.

You'll start from Kande and spend the first day or two under rhododendron and oak trees, moving through Pitham Deurali (2,100m) and then Low Camp (2,520m). Somewhere around Badal Danda (2,970m), a spot locals call "Cloud Hill," the forest starts to be less visible. 

Then, at High Camp (3,540m), everything changes as the trees disappear, the ridge opens up, and Machhapuchhre is present in front of you. From High Camp, it's a steady trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m), before you turn around, walk back to Low Camp, and drop down through Siding Village (1,750m) to Pokhara.

A few things that make your effort to this trek worth it:

• Final walk to High Camp at sunrise to see the spectacular views of Annapurna peaks. 
• Machhapuchhre closer and more front-on than you'll get on most other Annapurna treks
• A genuinely quieter trail with fewer teahouses, fewer trekkers, and more mountain to yourself

Highest point: 4,500m at Mardi Himal Base Camp.

Want the full day-by-day plan? TrekNomads' Mardi Himal Trek page has it laid out.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the trek most people picture when they think of Nepal. It's walked by thousands of trekkers every year. The name "base camp" undersells it a bit; what you're really walking toward is a natural amphitheatre of peaks over 6,000m, all wrapped around you at once. 

Instead of Mardi Himal's single ridge, this trail follows the Modi Khola valley, passing through one named village after another before it finally opens up. Day one in Ulleri doesn't ease you in, as you'll climb past 3,000 steps on the way to Ghorepani (2,850m). 

By day three, you're usually up before dawn for the walk to Poon Hill (3,210m). Here, you’ll get to watch sunrise turn Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range gold, before walking through Tadapani (2,630m) and Chhomrong (2,170m). 

Past Chhomrong, the forest will start to disappear, and you’ll walk into rockier ground through the Modi Khola gorge. By the time you reach Deurali (3,230m) and Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m), the trees are gone completely. 

Your final walk into Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) is the payoff, with breathtaking views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Here, you can see all the trekkers exploring the sanctuary and taking photos. Some of them even shed happy tears while experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The way back down ends at Jhinu Danda's hot springs feels like exactly the right reward after a week on your feet.

What makes ABC trek memorable for trekkers:

• Sunrise from Poon Hill, with Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range lit up in golden light
• Standing inside a 360-degree ring of peaks above 6,000m at base camp itself
• A soak in the hot springs at Jhinu Danda before the trip back to Pokhara

Highest point: 4,130m at Annapurna Base Camp.

For the complete itinerary, see TrekNomads' Annapurna Base Camp Trek page.

Mardi Himal Trek vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Duration, Altitude, Difficulty and More

Here's how the two TrekNomads Premium Annapurna region packages compare:

Difficulty Compared: Which Trek Pushes You Harder?

Both treks are graded Moderate by TrekNomads, but "moderate" plays out differently on each route:

1. Daily walking hours: In the ABC trek, you’ll walk for 5 to 7 hours each day, and in the Mardi Himal Trek you’ll walk 3 to 7 hours, with the longest day being the round trip to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to Badal Danda.

2. Altitude gain speed: Mardi Himal reaches 4,500m by Day 6 of a 9-day trip, so you gain height faster compared to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

3. Trail surface: ABC has more stone staircases, especially between Chhomrong and Bamboo. This can be harder on the knees on the way down than Mardi Himal's forest trail.

4. Exposure near the top: The final walk to Mardi Himal Base Camp is narrower and more exposed to wind than Annapurna Base Camp.

Both TrekNomads packages ask trekkers to meet a basic fitness benchmark before departure: 

• 5km run in 35 minutes
• Cycling 10km in 40 minutes
• Swimming 1km in 40 minutes
• Or climbing 50 floors in 30 minutes. 

If you're not sure where you stand, TrekNomads' Mountain Fit Assessment Program is a free way to check your fitness level and get a personalised training plan before any of these treks.

Permits, Guides and What's Actually Included

Nepal's trekking rules changed in April 2023, and they apply to both routes covered here. ACAP is compulsory for both Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp, since both treks are in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

A licensed guide is now mandatory for independent trekkers on almost all popular Nepal routes, including these two. Solo, guideless trekking is no longer permitted on either trail.

TrekNomads includes one government-licensed guide, one assistant guide, and one porter per two trekkers in both packages. Both packages include a 3-litre oxygen cylinder with mask and regulator carried for emergencies (additional charge only if actually used).

The main difference is duration, not service level. ABC's guide and porter work with you for more days as compared to the Mardi Himal trek, which is part of why the package price differs.

Crowds and Trail Atmosphere

Annapurna Base Camp is one of Nepal's most-walked trails, and it shows in peak season. Teahouses in Chhomrong and Deurali fill up fast in October and November, and you'll share the trail with large groups, especially near Poon Hill at sunrise.

Mardi Himal sees far fewer trekkers by comparison, since the trail only opened to regular teahouse trekking after 2010. Villages like Low Camp and High Camp have smaller lodges, which means quieter mornings and less queuing for breakfast, but also fewer food options than you'll find on the ABC side.

Which One Fits Your Days, Fitness and Travel Style?

Choose Mardi Himal Trek if:

• You have 9 days or fewer to spend in Nepal, including travel
• You want fewer crowds and a more solitary trail experience
• You're happy with simpler teahouses in exchange for a shorter trip

Choose Annapurna Base Camp Trek if:

• You have 13 days to commit to the full trip
• You want the classic "walked-into-a-mountain-bowl" payoff at the end
• You'd rather have more village stops, better food variety, and a Poon Hill sunrise along the way

Can You Trek Both Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Together?

Yes, the two routes connect near Landruk and Jhinu Danda, so a trekker with more time can walk Mardi Himal first, trek toward Landruk, and pick up the ABC trail from Chhomrong onward. A realistic combined itinerary runs 12 to 14 days depending on pace and rest days.

Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek is suitable for strong trekkers who've already done a base-camp trek before. If this interests you, get in touch with TrekNomads to build a custom combined itinerary around your dates.

Why Trek Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp with TrekNomads?

Choosing between these two treks is only half the decision. Who you trek with changes the experience just as much as which trail you pick.

At TrekNomads, we've been running treks across the Himalayas since 2016, and we've walked more than 20,000 trekkers through routes like these two. 

We've also received the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award for 2024, 2025, and 2026. This recognition showcases how we build every one of our premium trekking packages.

Here's what actually comes with a TrekNomads booking on either trek:

• Both packages include a government-licensed, English-speaking guide, an assistant guide, and one porter for every two trekkers, carrying up to 10 to 12kg each.
• All trail nights on Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp are upgraded to a premium standard, with attached bathrooms wherever the village allows it.
• A free fitness check before you commit to either trek: the Mountain Fit Assessment Program gives you an honest read on your current fitness at no cost.
• With our book now, pay later option, a 20% deposit secures your departure date, with the remaining balance due 30 days before you fly out.

We're affiliated with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), and we're listed on the Ministry of Tourism's NIDHI portal alongside a Startup India recognition. 

Whichever trek you choose, there’s the same team and the same standards behind your trip.

Conclusion

Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are both in the same Annapurna Conservation Area, cost roughly the same, and have 4,000m+ mountain views. The real difference lies in how much time you have and whether you want company on the trail. 

Mardi Himal rewards trekkers with a quieter, steeper ridge walk to a dramatic viewpoint, while Annapurna Base Camp rewards trekkers with a few extra days with richer culture, better infrastructure, and the classic walk into the Sanctuary itself.

Whichever route you choose, TrekNomads builds both as fully guided Premium packages with 4-star city stays, an assistant guide, and a shared porter already built in, so the planning work is done before you land in Kathmandu. Check the Mardi Himal Trek page or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek page for live departure dates, or read more about TrekNomads' approach to Himalayan trekking on our About Us page and blog.

FAQs

Is altitude sickness a bigger risk on Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp?

Both of these treks' highest elevations are above 4,000 metres, so altitude sickness is possible in either of them. However, Mardi Himal Trek reaches its high point of 4,500m over fewer days, which means less time to acclimatise compared to ABC's steadier climb to 4,130m.

What temperatures should I expect on these two treks?

Mardi Himal and ABC trek list an average temperature range of 20°C down to -10°C, depending on altitude and season. Nights at High Camp on Mardi Himal or near Annapurna Base Camp itself will sit closer to the colder end of that range. 

What's the best season to trek Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most preferred and suitable seasons for both treks, with clearer skies and more stable weather. Autumn tends to be the busier season on Annapurna Base Camp specifically due to a higher number of trekkers trekking on this trek. 

What is the maximum luggage weight allowed on Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp treks? 

TrekNomads includes one porter for every two trekkers, and each porter can carry up to 10 to 12 kg per person on both treks. 

Anything above that limit needs to fit in your own daypack, which should hold items you want during the day like a jacket, water bottle, and camera. This weight limit applies equally to Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp since both use the same porter arrangement.

How early should I book my Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp trek with TrekNomads? 

TrekNomads recommends booking a few months in advance for both treks so that flights, hotels and trekking staff can be organised without a last-minute rush. 

A 20% deposit secures your spot on either package, with the remaining balance due 30 days before departure. Booking early matters more for Annapurna Base Camp during October and November, since it's the more popular of the two routes and teahouse space fills up faster.

Will I get mobile network and charging points on both treks? 

Annapurna Base Camp has better network coverage overall, with NCELL signal reaching most villages up to Chhomrong. 

Mardi Himal's coverage is weaker once you pass Low Camp, since the trail has fewer settlements and less infrastructure. Charging points exist at teahouses on both routes but usually come with a small per-device fee, so carrying a power bank is worth it either way.