The Poon Hill Mardi Himal trek combines Nepal’s two most popular short treks into one 8–10 day loop from Pokhara. You get the classic Poon Hill sunrise over Dhaulagiri first. Then you cross to the quiet Mardi Himal ridge for close-up views of Machhapuchhre.
It is the best-value trek in the Annapurna region for people with limited time. This guide covers the full route, a realistic itinerary, permits, costs, and whether you should combine the two treks at all.
Golden rays of dawn light shining through the early morning mist and illuminating the iconic snow capped peaks of the Annapurna range from the famous Poon Hill viewpoint under clear blue Himalayan skies, Nepal. ProPhoto RGB profile for maximum color fidelity and gamut.
Quick answers:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8–10 days from Pokhara |
| Max altitude | 4,500 m (Mardi Himal Base Camp) |
| Difficulty | Moderate. Long days, but no technical sections. |
| Best seasons | March–May and October–November |
| Permits | ACAP (NPR 3,000) + TIMS (NPR 2,000) |
| Cost | $450–$900 per person guided |
| Fitness needed | Able to walk 5–7 hours daily on stairs and ridges |
Why Combine Poon Hill and Mardi Himal?
Each trek alone takes 4–5 days. Done separately, you return to Pokhara in between and repeat transport costs. Combined, the route links naturally through Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Forest Camp with no backtracking.
You also get two completely different experiences. Poon Hill gives you the famous panoramic sunrise and busy, comfortable teahouse villages. Mardi Himal gives you a quiet high ridge walk where the mountains feel close enough to touch.
The honest trade-off: this combination is harder than either trek alone. Ten straight days of walking, including the steep Ulleri stairs and the high push to Mardi Base Camp, is tiring. If you have only 5 days or moderate fitness, pick one trek instead. The comparison section below helps you choose.
The Route at a Glance
The trek runs west to east: Nayapul → Ulleri → Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Tadapani → Forest Camp → Low Camp → High Camp → Mardi Himal Base Camp → Siding → Pokhara.
The link between the two treks is the trail from Tadapani to Forest Camp. This section passes through rhododendron forest with almost no other trekkers. In spring, the whole hillside blooms red.
Day-by-Day Itinerary (9 Days)
| Day | Route | Hours | Sleep at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara → Nayapul (drive), trek to Ulleri | 4–5 | 1,960 m |
| 2 | Ulleri → Ghorepani | 4–5 | 2,860 m |
| 3 | Poon Hill sunrise (3,210 m) → Tadapani | 6–7 | 2,630 m |
| 4 | Tadapani → Forest Camp | 5–6 | 2,520 m |
| 5 | Forest Camp → Low Camp | 4–5 | 2,970 m |
| 6 | Low Camp → High Camp | 3–4 | 3,580 m |
| 7 | High Camp → Mardi Base Camp (4,500 m) → High Camp | 6–7 | 3,580 m |
| 8 | High Camp → Siding village | 5–6 | 1,750 m |
| 9 | Siding → Pokhara (drive) | 3 | — |
Add one rest or buffer day at Low Camp or High Camp if you have 10 days. Weather at the base camp viewpoint changes fast, and a spare morning doubles your chance of clear views.
Key detail most itineraries hide: Day 7 is the hardest day of the trek. The trail from High Camp to base camp is a narrow, exposed ridge. It takes 3–4 hours up. Start before 5 AM. Clouds usually swallow the views by 10 AM.
Tibetan prayer flags hanging on top of Poon Hill in Annapurna Conservation Area, Gandaki, north-central Nepal, with the majestic peak of Dhaulagiri in the background.
Poon Hill vs Mardi Himal: Which Is Better?
If you cannot do both, here is the honest comparison.
| Poon Hill | Mardi Himal | |
|---|---|---|
| Days needed | 4–5 | 5 |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 4,500 m |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate | Moderate |
| Crowds | Heavy in season | Light |
| Views | Wide panorama, distant | Close-up, dramatic |
| Teahouses | Excellent, hot showers | Basic above Low Camp |
| Best for | First-time trekkers, families | Fit trekkers wanting quiet trails |
Choose Poon Hill if this is your first trek, you are traveling with children or older parents, or you want comfort. Choose Mardi Himal if you have trekked before and want mountains without crowds. Combine them if you have 9–10 days and solid fitness.
Permits and the Guide Rule
You need two permits, both arranged in Pokhara in one morning:
- ACAP entry permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners
- TIMS card: NPR 2,000
Since 2023, Nepal officially requires a licensed guide for treks in the Annapurna region, including this route. Enforcement at checkpoints varies, but the rule exists. A guide also solves the real navigation problem on this trek: the Tadapani–Forest Camp link has unmarked junctions where solo trekkers regularly take wrong turns.
Verify permit fees and the guide rule close to your travel date. These change.
How Much Does the Trek Cost?
| Item | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| Guided package (9 days, all-inclusive) | $450–$900 |
| Guide only (per day, shared in group) | $25–$35/day |
| Porter (optional) | $20–$25/day |
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS) | ~$38 |
| Food and lodging if paying as you go | $30–$40/day |
| Transport (Pokhara–Nayapul, Siding–Pokhara) | $10–$50 depending on jeep/bus |
Budget travelers trekking with a shared guide spend around $450–$550 total. Mid-range packages with a private guide and porter run $700–$900. Prices above High Camp are the highest on the route: expect $5–$7 for dal bhat and NPR 500+ per night for a room.
Cash only on the entire trail. Withdraw everything in Pokhara.
Best Time for the Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Rhododendron bloom, warm, some haze by May |
| Autumn | October–November | Clearest skies, cold nights up high, peak crowds at Poon Hill |
| Winter | December–February | Possible with gear; High Camp drops below −10°C, snow may block base camp |
| Monsoon | June–September | Leeches, clouds, slippery stairs. Avoid. |
Autumn gives the most reliable views. Spring gives the best forest scenery on the Tadapani–Forest Camp section, which is the highlight link of this combined route.
Altitude and Safety
Maximum altitude is 4,500 m, reached on a day trip from High Camp at 3,580 m. Because you sleep low and climb high, serious altitude sickness is uncommon on this route. Mild symptoms headache, poor sleep at High Camp are normal.
Rules that matter:
- Do not sleep at base camp. There is no lodging there anyway.
- If you have a pounding headache at High Camp, skip the base camp push.
- Carry water purification. Bottled water above Low Camp costs NPR 300+.
- Get travel insurance that covers trekking to 4,500 m. Standard policies often cap at 3,000 m.
What the Teahouses Are Like
From Nayapul to Tadapani, teahouses are among the best in Nepal. Expect private rooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and long menus.
From Forest Camp upward, everything gets simpler. High Camp has a handful of basic lodges with shared rooms in peak season, thin plywood walls, and charging fees of NPR 200–350 per device. Book ahead through your guide in October–November — High Camp genuinely fills up.
Packing Essentials
Keep it under 10 kg. The must-haves: broken-in hiking shoes, a warm layer and down jacket for High Camp mornings, headlamp for the pre-dawn base camp push, water purification, sun protection, and cash for the full trek. Trekking poles help enormously on the Ulleri stairs and the steep descent to Siding.
FAQ
How long is the Poon Hill Mardi Himal trek?
The combined trek takes 8–10 days from Pokhara, covering roughly 70 km. Nine days is the standard itinerary. Add a tenth day as weather buffer for the base camp viewpoint.
How difficult is the Poon Hill Mardi Himal trek?
It is a moderate trek. There are no technical sections, but you walk 5–7 hours daily, climb the 3,200-stone Ulleri staircase, and reach 4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp. Reasonable fitness is enough.
Do I need a guide for the Mardi Himal trek?
Officially yes. Nepal requires a licensed guide for Annapurna region treks, including Mardi Himal and Poon Hill. A guide also prevents wrong turns on the unmarked Tadapani–Forest Camp section.
Which is better, Poon Hill or Mardi Himal?
Poon Hill is better for first-time trekkers and families: shorter, easier, better lodges. Mardi Himal is better for fit trekkers who want quiet trails and closer mountain views. With 9–10 days, combine both.
What is the highest point of the trek?
Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m, reached as a day trip from High Camp. Poon Hill itself is 3,210 m.
How much does the Poon Hill Mardi Himal trek cost?
Expect $450–$900 per person for a guided 9-day trek, including permits, lodging, meals, and transport. Independent-style trekkers with a shared guide can manage around $450–$550.
