Side by side
| Mardi Himal Trek | Annapurna Base Camp Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 6 | 10 |
| Highest point | 4,500 m | 4,130 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Total distance | 55 km | 110 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to April and October to December |
| Typical cost | $400 to $700 | $650 to $1,200 |
| Starts from | Kande (1,750 m) or Forest Camp via taxi from Pokhara | Nayapul or Jhinu Danda, near Pokhara |
| Permits | 2 | 1 |
Choose the Mardi Himal Trek if
The Mardi Himal trek is a 5 to 7 day moderate trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area that follows a ridge high above the Modi Khola valley to a high camp at 4,500 m with extraordinary close-range views of Machhapuchhre (the Fishtail) and Mardi Himal. Opened to trekkers in 2012, it remains significantly less crowded than the nearby Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill routes.
The High Camp altitude of 4,500 m requires good acclimatisation and cold-weather preparation. The trails are well-marked but steeper than Poon Hill.
Choose the Annapurna Base Camp Trek if
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a 10 day route in central Nepal that climbs through terraced villages and bamboo forest into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m. It starts near Pokhara, needs no flight, and is the best first Himalayan trek for most people.
Long staircase days rather than thin air. The altitude stays low enough that acclimatisation is rarely the limiting factor, but the stone steps above Chhomrong punish unprepared knees.
