ABC – Mardi Himal Trip
Badrul H
Malaysia
Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Cost & Itinerary 2027
From Mardi Himal to Annapurna Base Camp, two different trails in one trek.
Duration14 Days
Max Altitude4500 m
DifficultyModerate
From $999
30+ Years of Experience (Porter to Founder)
Licensed Trekking Company
Est. 2010 · Kathmandu, Nepal
Trek Overview
Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek Overview
The Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 14-day journey that links the Mardi Himal route with the Annapurna Base Camp trail. The trek begins at Deurali and first follows the Mardi Himal section through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. After reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp, the route descends toward Landruk before continuing to Chhomrong and joining the trail to Annapurna Base Camp.
The first section has a steady change in altitude and scenery. The trail begins in forest, passes through smaller settlements, and gradually reaches the open ridge above High Camp. From there, the route heads toward Mardi Himal Base Camp before returning to the lower hills.
After Landruk and Chhomrong, the trail enters the Modi Khola valley. From Bamboo, it continues through Deurali and toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp before reaching the Annapurna Sanctuary. The valley becomes narrower as you move higher, and the trail eventually reaches Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 metres.
What makes this itinerary different is the connection between the two routes. The Mardi Himal section comes first, followed by the longer approach through the Modi Khola valley to Annapurna Base Camp. You do not need to choose between the two treks or return to Pokhara between them.
The route also passes through villages where local teahouses provide places to eat and sleep. Landruk and Chhomrong are among the larger settlements, while smaller stops along the trail are closely tied to farming, trekking, and life in the hills.
The trek is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. The required ACAP permit and TIMS are arranged before the trek begins.
Most days involve several hours of walking, but the exact distance and walking time vary by day. The longer days include the walks toward Mardi Himal Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. There are no technical climbing sections, but the route involves regular uphill and downhill walking throughout the journey.
Highest Point: Mardi Himal Base Camp, 4,500 m
Highest Sleeping Altitude: Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m
Protected Area: Annapurna Conservation Area
Atmospheric Oxygen at 4,500 m: About 58% of sea-level pressure
Major River Valley: Modi Khola Valley
Forest: Rhododendron, oak and bamboo forests along the middle sections of the trail
Trail Type: Ridge trail to Mardi Himal, followed by the Modi Khola route to Annapurna Base Camp
Sunrise Viewpoint: Mardi Himal Viewpoint, 4,200 m
Major Ethnic Communities: Gurung and Magar
Major Mountain Views: Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Gangapurna
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Download Day-by-Day Itinerary
A Personal Note from Saligram:
Yes, combining Mardi Himal with Annapurna Base Camp is worth it if your schedule allows the extra days. I’ve guided both routes separately and together and together is where this trek earns its place. The quiet ridges of Mardi Himal make the arrival into the Annapurna Sanctuary feel bigger by comparison. I highly recommend this combo for anyone who wants both sides of the Annapurna region in one trip.
Saligram Aryal Founder, Mountain World Treks & Expedition
At a Glance
Quick Trip Facts
Total Distance
110 km
Walking Days
10 Days
Accommodation
Hotel/Teahouses
Meals
B+L+D During Trek
Transportation
Private Vehicle/tourist Bus/Flight
Group Size
2–12 People
Guide
Government Licensed Guide
Porter
1 Porter for 2 Guests
Best Season
March–May & Sep–Nov
Fitness Level
Basic Fitness Required
Permit
ACAP Included
Trip Style
Guided Lodge Trek
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
4,130 m
Annapurna Base Camp
WHY THIS TREK
Why Choose the Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The main reason to choose this trek is the route itself. You spend the first part of the journey on the Mardi Himal trail, then return to the lower hills and continue toward Annapurna Base Camp. This gives you two different trekking routes in one trip, with Mardi Himal before the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Start with Mardi Himal
The first part of the trek takes you from Deurali through Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. The trail gradually opens up as you leave the lower forest behind, with Machhapuchhre becoming a constant reference point along the ridge.
Then Continue Toward ABC
After the Mardi Himal section, the route drops back toward Landruk before joining the trail toward Chhomrong and the Annapurna Sanctuary. The second half feels different from the first, with the Modi Khola valley guiding the way toward Annapurna Base Camp.
Two Different Trekking Experiences
Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp do not feel like the same trek. Mardi Himal gives you ridge walking and a more open route, while the ABC section follows the valley deeper into the mountains. Putting them together makes the journey varied without needing two separate trips.
A Route With a Natural Progression
The trek begins in the lower hills, climbs to the Mardi Himal ridge, drops back down to the villages, and then climbs again toward the Annapurna Sanctuary. The route has a clear change in landscape as you move from one section to the next.
CHOOSING YOUR TREKKING COMPANY
How to Choose a Trekking Company & Guide for the Mardi Himal & ABC Trek
Choose a trekking company by checking who will lead your trek, their experience on the route, and what the package includes. The Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek reaches Mardi Himal Base Camp at around 4,450 m and Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, so your guide should know both routes, manage the pace at altitude, and handle changing conditions. Before booking, confirm the accommodation, permits, transport, emergency support, and total cost.
Saligram, founder of Mountain World Treks & Expedition, started as a porter in 1996, became a licensed trekking guide in 2000, and founded the company in 2010. With over 30 years in Nepal’s mountains, he remains involved in planning and guiding. Planning your Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek? Contact Saligram to discuss your dates, route, pace, and arrangements.
1996
Started as a Trekking Porter
2000
Became a Licensed Trekking Guide
2010
Founded Mountain World Treks
Today
Saligram Still Actively Guiding Treks in Nepal
25+
Mardi Himal & ABC Treks Guided by Saligram
700+
Treks Guided by Founder Saligram
5000+
Trekkers Guided by Our Team
30+
Years from Porter to Founder
Government Licensed Guides
All our guides are licensed by the Government of Nepal and have 10+ years of Himalayan trekking experience.
24/7 Local Support from Kathmandu
We provide support before and during your trek, assisting with planning, logistics, and emergencies.
Responsible Porter Practices
We provide fair wages and better working conditions for porters while following responsible trekking practices.
Transparent Trekking Cost
Our prices are clearly explained from the start, including and excluding without hidden charges.
Small Groups Only
We limit groups to 12 trekkers, allowing guides to provide better attention, support, and a more personal trekking experience.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency support and helicopter evacuation assistance when needed during high-altitude treks.
WHO IS THIS TREK FOR?
Is the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek right for you?
Yes, if you can walk for several hours a day and handle regular uphill and downhill sections, you can take on this trek. You do not need climbing experience, but some preparation helps because the route reaches around 4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
It suits first-time trekkers, couples, families, and anyone who is happy with basic teahouse accommodation. For your first trek in Nepal, see our Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek for Beginners Guide.
This trek is good for you if:
- You want to visit both Mardi Himal Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp in one trip.
- You want to start with the Mardi Himal ridge and later enter the Annapurna Sanctuary.
- You like staying in small mountain teahouses and villages along the route.
- You want the route to change from open ridges to forest, river valleys, and the high mountain sanctuary.
- You want to see Machhapuchhre from different parts of the Annapurna region.
This trek is not good for you if:
- You want a short trek with only a few days on the trail.
- You expect hotel-style accommodation at every overnight stop.
- You prefer to stay on one route rather than link the Mardi Himal and ABC trails.
- You do not want several nights in mountain teahouses.
- You are looking for a trek with short, easy walking days throughout.
Sunrise from Mardi Himal Viewpoint:
Start early for sunrise and watch Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range change as the light reaches the peaks.
Walking into the Annapurna Sanctuary:
From Deurali, the trail follows the Modi Khola valley toward the Annapurna Sanctuary, with the mountains getting closer as you walk toward Annapurna Base Camp.
Two base camps, one trek:
Reach both Mardi Himal Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp on the same trek, with the route connecting the two sections through lower villages and forest trails.
Gurung and Magar villages:
Stay in Landruk, Chhomrong, and other hillside villages, where homes, farms, lodges, and everyday village life are part of the trail.
Machhapuchhre from every side:
The view of Machhapuchhre keeps changing along the route. From around Landruk it sits beyond the hills; at Annapurna Base Camp, it rises much closer above the sanctuary.
Rhododendron and bamboo forest trails:
Walk through rhododendron and bamboo forests between Chhomrong and Bamboo, a very different trail from the open ridges of the Mardi Himal section.
Trail Map
Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route Map
Follow the trail from Pokhara to Mardi Himal Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and back through Jhinu Danda, covering approximately 110 km.
Kathmandu
1
1,350 m/4,429 ft
Pokhara
2
850 m/2,788 ft
Deurali
3
2,100 m/6,889 ft
Forest Camp
4
2,550 m/8,366 ft
High Camp
5
3,550 m/11,646 ft
Low Camp
6
3,200 m/10,498 ft
Landruk
7
1,800 m/5,905 ft
Chomrong
8
2,100 m/6,889 ft
Bamboo
9
2,300 m/7,545 ft
Deurali
10
3,200 m/10,498 ft
Annapurna Base Camp
11
4,130 m/13,549 ft
Bamboo
12
2,300 m/7,545 ft
Pokhara
13
850 m/2,788 ft
Kathmandu
14
1,350 m/4,429 ft
Departure
15
1,350 m/4,429 ft
Day-by-Day
Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
This is the exact 15-day itinerary I follow on every Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal combined trek I run. Starting in Kathmandu, we travel to Pokhara, then trek up to Mardi Himal Base Camp before descending through Landruk and Chomrong to join the Annapurna Base Camp trail, reaching ABC before returning via Jhinu Danda to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Trek Cost
How Much Does the Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost?
A 14-day private Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek costs USD 999 per person. The package covers Kathmandu stays, transport to and from the trailhead, teahouse accommodation, meals during the trek, a licensed guide, porter, trekking permits, airport transfers, taxes, and service charges.
Group Joining
$$999 / per person
Trek with like-minded adventurers. Departures every spring and autumn season.
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14/10/2026
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17/11/2026
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09/12/2026
Most Selling
Private Trek
$999/ person
14-day package, your own dates and pace. licensed guide and porter for your group.
- Depart any day of year
- Your group only
- Experienced licensed guide
- All permits & fees
Customize My Trek
Custom / quote
Add helicopter returns, extension treks, Sightseeing or Jungle safari.
- Bespoke itinerary
- Helicopter returns available
- Sightseeing Tours
- Paragliding
- Rafting
Package Details
Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost Includes & Excludes
The Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast
- Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus
- Private or shared transportation between Pokhara and the trek starting and ending points
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card
- Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service, with 1 porter shared between 2 trekkers, maximum combined luggage weight of 25 kg
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- Three meals a day during the trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a cup of tea or coffee
- Fresh seasonal fruit after dinner during the trek
- Comprehensive first-aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by your guide
- Sleeping bag and duffel bag, available on request
- Free luggage storage at our Kathmandu office during the trek
- Company T-shirt, trek completion certificate, and medal
- All government taxes and agency service charges
The Cost Excludes
- International flights to and from Nepal
- Nepal tourist visa fee
- Travel insurance covering trekking up to 4,500 m, including emergency helicopter evacuation
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, bottled or boiled water, laundry, souvenirs, and other purchases
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging at teahouses
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Tips for your guide and porter, optional but always appreciated
- Extra accommodation, meals, or transportation in Kathmandu or Pokhara due to delays, early arrival, late departure, or changes to the itinerary
- Any costs arising from itinerary changes caused by weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, transportation delays, or personal emergencies
- Any other services or expenses not specifically listed under “The Cost Includes”
Important: Travel insurance is not included in the package. Before your trek, you must purchase a policy that covers high-altitude trekking up to at least 4,500 m and emergency helicopter evacuation.
Alternative Itinerary
Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill | 12 Days Plan & Cost
Yes, if you are happy walking several hours a day and want to see the sunrise from Poon Hill, walk through villages and forests, and reach Annapurna Base Camp on the same trek. You do not need climbing experience, but the route includes long stair...
Accommodation
Accommodation During the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek
In the lower parts of the trek, you’ll usually stay in twin-sharing rooms. As you trek higher, twin-sharing rooms become more limited. In peak season, you may have to share a room with 3–5 trekkers if twin rooms are full. Rooms are furnished with beds, mattresses, pillows, and blankets.
Bathrooms are mostly shared, though some lower-elevation teahouses have attached bathrooms. Hot showers are available for an extra fee, and Wi-Fi and charging usually cost extra. For more details on teahouse rooms and meals, see our Annapurna Base Camp Food and Accommodation Guide.
- Shared bathrooms are standard along most of the route
- Beds are fitted with mattresses, pillows, and blankets
- Dining rooms are available at the main teahouses
- Private hotel rooms are provided in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Trek Food & Drinks
Food & Drinks During the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Teahouses along the route serve Nepali and international dishes such as dal bhat, noodles, rice, momos, pasta, soups, and eggs. You’ll find more choices in the lower villages, while the menus become smaller at the higher camps. Tea, coffee, hot lemon, and boiled or filtered water are available along the route. See our Annapurna Base Camp Food & Drinks Guide for more details.
Fitness & Difficulty
How Difficult Is the Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Moderate: There are no technical climbing sections, but the trek has plenty of uphill walking, stone steps, and descents. The Mardi Himal section has steady climbs toward High Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp. After joining the ABC route, the climb from Bamboo to Annapurna Base Camp gets harder as you gain altitude. The long descents can also be tiring on the knees.
What Makes the Trek Challenging?
Elevation: The trail reaches 4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp and 4,130 m at Annapurna Base Camp. Walking becomes harder as you go higher.
- Stone steps: Long stair sections are found around Chhomrong and on parts of the trail to and from Annapurna Base Camp.
- Walking hours: Most days involve several hours of walking, with a few longer days.
- Terrain: The trail changes from forest paths and stone steps to rocky sections, suspension bridges, and open ridges.
- Altitude: The higher sections require a slower pace, especially around Mardi Himal Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp.
- Weather: Mornings and nights can be cold at higher elevations, and rain, wind, or cloud can change conditions on the trail.
For training plans, walking distances, and preparation, see our Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty Guide.
What Fitness Level Is Needed for the Mardi Himal and ABC Trek?
You do not need previous trekking experience, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours and going uphill and downhill. Being able to walk 5–7 hours on hilly terrain is a good starting point. Regular hill walks, stairs, and leg-strength exercises before the trek will make the longer days easier.
You’re Ready for the Mardi Himal and ABC Trek If You
- Train regularly for several weeks before the trek
- Include hills or stairs in your walking routine
- Build up to 4–6-hour walks
- Get used to walking on uneven ground
- Carry a light daypack on longer walks
For a detailed training plan and preparation tips, see our Complete Trek Fitness & Training Guide.
People Also Ask
Explore the Full Guides
The Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek combine the Mardi Himal route with the trail into the Annapurna Sanctuary. You climb to Mardi Himal Base Camp before descending to Landruk and joining the ABC route at Chhomrong. The guides below cover training, insurance, permits, weather, Mardi Himal, Annapurna Base Camp, packing, costs, and trekking with family.
What is altitude sickness on the Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Altitude sickness happens when your body struggles to adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher elevations. It can affect anyone, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, or poor sleep. Climb gradually and give your body time to adjust. If symptoms appear or worsen, tell your guide and stop ascending.
In an emergency: Your guide will help coordinate the appropriate response, including contacting your insurance provider and arranging evacuation when required. If you need medical care in Kathmandu, we can help you reach an appropriate medical facility.
Learn how to recognize, prevent, and respond to altitude sickness in our Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Altitude Sickness Guide.
Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Complete Guide
The trek starts from Pokhara and drives to Kande, then climbs through Deurali, Forest Camp, and Low Camp to High Camp at around 3,550 m. An early hike reaches the Mardi Himal viewpoint at around 4,500 m before descending to Landruk and climbing to Chhomrong. From there, the route enters the Annapurna Sanctuary, passing Bamboo, Deurali, and Machhapuchhre Base Camp before reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m. The return goes through Bamboo and Jhinu Danda, with its hot springs, before driving back to Pokhara. The guide covers the itinerary, best time, difficulty, altitude and acclimatization, food, accommodation, gear, permits, transport, and costs.
Testimonials
Stories From Our Trekkers
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Hizuan H
Malaysia
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Questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Mardi Himal & ABC Trek
Our Registrations & Memberships
Government of Nepal
Registered tourism company
TAAN
Trekking Agencies Association
Nepal Tourism Board
Authorised tour operator
NMA
Nepal Mountaineering Association
TripAdvisor Excellence
Certificate of excellence
45+ Countries
International travelers
Mardi Himal & Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Cost & Itinerary 2027 . 14 Days