Mardi Himal is one of the newer additions to Nepal’s trekking map, only opened to trekkers in 2012, and it remains noticeably quieter than the Annapurna region’s more established routes despite matching them for scenery. The trail follows a narrow forested ridge rather than a valley, climbing steadily to a high viewpoint that sits almost directly beneath Machhapuchhre — the sacred, fishtail-shaped peak that dominates views from Pokhara itself.
Because the route stays on the ridge rather than dropping into a village-lined valley, the trekking experience here feels notably more remote than Poon Hill or even Annapurna Base Camp, despite a similarly short overall duration. The final viewpoint above High Camp offers a rare close-up angle on Machhapuchhre’s summit alongside wider Annapurna range views.
At six days and moderate difficulty, Mardi Himal is a good choice for trekkers who’ve already done Poon Hill and want a similarly short trip with a quieter trail and a different mountain to admire.
