Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill

5.00/5 from 4 reviews

From witnessing Picturesque Sunrise to walking through the Majestic Himalayas: Poon Hill via Mardi Himal Trek is just for you. Leave your footprints at the base of Mardi Himal and make memories with the Nepal Hiking Team.

At a Glance
  • DestinationNepal
  • Duration12 days
  • Trip DifficultyEasy to Moderate
  • ActivitiesTrekking
  • AccommodationHotel/Guesthouse
  • MealsB.L.D
  • Group SizeMin. 1 Pax
  • BEST TIMEMarch-May and Sept-Dec.

Regarding Driving to/from Kathmamdu

Lately, there has been extensive road construction (KATHMANDU TO POKHARA )on Prithvi Highway, causing traffic congestion and air pollution. The journey that used to take around 6-7 hours now takes roughly 8-9 hours. We appreciate your patience.

Trip Overview

The 12-day trek to Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill lies in the middle of the Himalayan, in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trek offers a flexible trail for beginners without being too risky or time-consuming. It is famous not only among international visitors but also for the local Nepalese people.

Starting the Mardi Himal trek in Ghandruk after finishing the Poonhill Trek (3200m) offers a majestic view of Annapurna Mountain and a splendid sunrise and sunset. The best part of the journey is that even though it is one of the famous treks, it also takes you to remote areas. It gives you a taste of traditional cultures, biodiversity, and ethnic groups. The Upper viewpoint is breathtaking as you see Mount Machhapuchhre right before you.

Don't miss out! Book your Mardi Himal Trek through Poon Hill with us for an unforgettable adventure. Our skilled guides will ensure you enjoy exploring beautiful hills and snowy mountains.

Before we start, let's check out the trip overview.

Best Features

  • This trail is one of the popular ones. It allows you to enjoy the hike at your own pace and is suitable for beginners.
  • Experience the scenic drive to Pokhara, known as the “city of lakes,” and marvel at Nepal's countryside.
  • Discover Pokhara's crowding streets and take in the beauty of Phewa Lake.
  • Walk through a dense forest of oaks and rhododendrons and connect yourself to nature.
  • Witness the beauty of the Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest Conservation Area home to diverse flora and fauna.
  • Enjoy Charming sunrise and sunset views over the Mountains from Poon Hill (one of the vantage points of Nepal).
  • Interact with local groups, learning about their lifestyle, culture, and traditions.
  • Witness a captivating sunrise amidst the Himalayas from the upper viewpoint (4200m).
  • Relish the breathtaking vistas of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal.
  • Taste delicious Nepali Cuisines (Dal Bhat, Momo, Thukpa, and others) while on the trek.

Routes Of The Mardi Himal Trek

Your excitement cracked in the air after you landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative of NHT will greet you and drive you to a hotel in Kathmandu, where you will have a brief meeting about your trip ahead.

The following day, you will drive smoothly to Pokhara by Tourist bus. You can enjoy the roaring mountains and hills and eat at local places. Arriving at Pokhara excites you as you see the mountains of the Annapurna Range in the distance. 

From Pokhara, you will take a drive to Birethanti through Nayapul, marking the official start of your Mardi Himal via Poon Hill trek. The crisp mountain air will refresh you when you start your journey to Ulleri.

Next comes the trek to Ghorepani. Ghore means “Horses,” and “Pani” means Water in Nepali. The hike to Poon Hill the following day will be one of the best highlights of this trip. Observing the view of sunrise/ sunset over the Mountains will leave you completely spellbound and out of words.

You will descend to Tadapani after the sunrise view and ascend to Landruk with a change of pace along with a charming village for another night. As you slowly ascent through dense forest to Forest Camp (Kokar), the views of Mountain peaks will become increasingly prominent. As you continue on the Mardi Himal ridge, you can see the beautiful rhododendron bushes and Danphe (Nepal's national bird, also called Monal).

We’ll continue on the Mardi Himal ridge and see the beautiful rhododendron bushes. We might also see the colorful Danphe along the trail.

Further, hiking up to the viewpoint, a sense of accomplishment will wash you over. After that, you’ll descend to Badal Danda. Trekking through the siding villages, you’ll finally drive to Pokhara. You’ll end your trip with a drive back to Kathmandu.

When Are the Best Times For The Trek?

Since spring and autumn mark the ideal time for trekking, you can book the Mardi Himal Trek anytime between March-May (spring) and September-October (fall). The weather during these months is perfect for hiking. With the clear skies, you’ll get glimpses of the snowcapped mountains as you walk further and further. The beautiful bloom of the rhododendron forest in spring and the cool breezy air in fall will add bliss to your hike.

You can still embark on this journey in winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August). However, be aware of the slippery trails and unpredictable weather.

There may be a chance of mountains hiding behind the heavy clouds making the hike unworthy.

How Difficult is The Mardi Himal Trek?

This question may come to your mind after getting this far into the trip overview. Well, let’s talk about it in this section.

The Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill is graded as an easy to moderate trekking journey depending on your physical fitness. The plus point of this journey is that you do not need prior experience to do the adventure. The package is also carefully prepared with plenty of acclimatization time. Hence, you’ll get enough time to adjust your body to the changing altitudes. Further, although the trails are well maintained, you still need to be physically fit and healthy to embark on this journey.

Alternative Adventures

What are the alternative adventures compared with the Mardi Himal Trek? Read the following paragraphs to find out.

The Mardi Himal Trek is the first package you can look into. The 9-day trek skips the journey to Poon Hill and takes you to the base camp of the Mardi Himal. This trek takes you through charming villages, lush forests, and alpine landscapes, all while offering stunning views of the Himalayan mountains.

If you are short on time but still want to experience the beauty of the Mardi Himal region, the 8-Day Mardi Himal Trekking is a great alternative. The itinerary skips the visit to Poon Hill and stay at Pokhara. The journey takes you directly to the base Camp of the Mardi Himal.

No matter which trekking package you opt for, we guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience. Join us and embark on a journey to discover the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.

Detail Itinerary

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Cost Includes

  • Airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle
  • Two nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu, normally at Woodapple Hotel and Spa or Similar.
  • Two nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
  • Surface transfer to and from Pokhara by tourist bus then by private car to and from Nayapul.
  • Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
  • An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide), porter to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, meals etc.
  • Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion).
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP and TIMS, please bring 3 passport size photographs)
  • All government and local taxes

Cost Excludes

  • Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
  • Travel insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa Fees: You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (A multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying the US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying the US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
  • All kind of cold drinks including water, coke, Fanta, juice etc.
  • WI-Fi internet during the trek
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for airport representative, tour guide, trekking staff, driver etc.

Cost and Date

Start Dates refer to your arrival date in Nepal. End Dates correspond to your return date from Nepal.

The Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option. If the 12 days Mardi Himal Trek via Poon Hill departure dates don’t fit your schedule, we can include alternative dates that better suit your needs.

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    Travellers‘ reviews

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