Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek

What to Expect on Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek boasts an awesome combination of natural beauty, cultural exposure, and Himalayan landscape, making it one of Nepal's finest short treks. From the very beginning, the trekkers will have a timely trek in the Annapurna region with the perfect combination of the popular sites of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and the off-the-beaten-path peace of the Mardi Himal Trek.

The most memorable moment of the trek is the Poon Hill sunrise (3,210 m). As the first rays of sun hit the snow-crowned ridges of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Nilgiri, the peaks seem to be drenched in golden light—an almost godlike moment. Along the way, you'll hike through a spectacular array of landscapes: thick rhododendron forests, cascading waterfalls, peaceful alpine ridges, and old villages. Spring makes it all even prettier, with the flowers exploding into bloom, but autumn offers clean mountain vistas and ideal trekking weather.

As you enter the Mardi Himal section, expect fewer trekkers, peaceful trails, and more breathtaking mountain views. The trek gradually climbs to High Camp (3,560 m), offering uninterrupted views of the entire Annapurna range, including Mardi Himal, Annapurna I, and the sacred Machhapuchhre. From here, the pre-dawn hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) is both thrilling and spiritual; walking along a narrow ridge as the sun rises over the Himalayas is a memory you’ll carry forever.

The cultural immersion is a big plus. You'll be staying in actual Gurung and Magar villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, Landruk, and Siding, where you'll get good old-fashioned mountain hospitality, taste home-cooked Nepali food like dal bhat, and gain insights into local customs. Most nights you'll be sleeping in snug, family-run teahouses with simple but satisfactory facilities, warm meals, and camaraderie around the campfire.

This is a moderate-level difficulty trek and best suited for new to mid-level trekkers with a good level of physical fitness. Walking for every day is approximately 4 to 6 hours, with decent breaks in between and gradual gain in altitude. Though Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity are available in the lower villages, expect a lack of proper connectivity as you climb higher up, giving you the perfect opportunity to disconnect and connect with nature in the truest sense.

With all bases covered, from ACAP permits and TIMS cards to accommodations and transportation, by Nepal Trekking Rangers, you're free to just relax and take it all in. Whether you're chasing magic dawn from Poon Hill, hiking along great ridgelines to Mardi Himal Base Camp, or soaking up the tranquility of Himalayan villages, this trek is sure to be a well-rounded, genuine, and unforgettably enjoyable adventure in the heart of Nepal.

How to reach Mardi Himal from Poon Hill?

To reach Mardi Himal from Poon Hill, trek from Poon Hill to Tadapani and then to Landruk via Ghandruk. At Landruk, follow the trail of the Mardi Himal Trek and ascend through Forest Camp and Rest Camp to High Camp. Early morning trek from High Camp brings you to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m). Having seen the panorama, you descend through Low Camp to Siding and you drive back to Pokhara. The trek from Poon Hill to Mardi Himal Base Camp takes about 5 to 6 days and puts together finest scenic beauty, peaceful trails, and breathtaking Himalayan views.

Why Combine Poon Hill and Mardi Himal?

The combination of Poon Hill and Mardi Himal treks offers the uncommon blend of the most sought-after and the most peaceful trekking routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is the double temptation of life: Poon Hill, with its legendary sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal, with a peaceful off-path trek, ridge walks, and viewpoint excursions to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m).

Poon Hill offers cultural outlooks, landscapes, and glimpses of Magar and Gurung villages in an easy-going lower route. Mardi Himal offers remoteness and isolation as well as alpine severity. Both together form one of the finest short treks in Nepal, with a captivating mix of landscapes—rhododendron forest and fields under cultivation, and the tops of high ridges with Himalayan vistas.

For all who want a mix of everything from a trek, this mix will give maximum scenic return and well-balanced tests in the range of 10-12 days.

Best Season to Trek

The best season for a trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal is spring, from March to May. Spring is famous for lovely rhododendron flowers that blanket the woodlands with lovely pink and red hues, especially in the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. The weather is extremely gentle and lovely with lovely daytime temperatures being lovely for trekking. Spring's beautiful blue skies offer breathtaking views of the Annapurna Himalayas, some of whose well-known peaks are Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri. Spring is good for nature enthusiasts and photographers who prefer to observe the flower beauty of the landscape and distant mountain views.

Autumn, September to November, is peak season and perhaps the best time of year to trek in Nepal, including for the Mardi Himal Trek. After the previous summer monsoon, the weather is fresh and the air is pure with an open view of the Himalayan range. It is quiet weather, with nice day temperatures and refreshing cool nights. Autumn season trekkers enjoy good trail conditions, and it is time for new trekkers as well as experienced trekkers. The dry, bright weather of the season raises each moment of your hike—dawn on Poon Hill to the breathtaking alpine ridges of Mardi Himal Base Camp.

While monsoon months (June to August) receive rain showers, damp trails, and inadequate visibility, making it unpleasant and not safe to walk, winter (December to February) enjoys clear skies but cold temperatures, snow on the upper peaks, and no convenient teahouse amenities. Winter trekking is only appropriate for professional trekkers, as they are capable of withstanding the harsh climate. Therefore, for most of the travelers, spring and autumn are even the ideal periods to witness the natural and cultural splendor of the Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek.

Trekking Difficulty

Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek is a leisure trek and ideal for beginners having minimal physical fitness levels and experience and experienced trekkers in search of a short Himalayan experience. The trek involves a mix of gentle slopes, rock steps, woodland trails, and steep ascents, especially climbing to Mardi Himal High Camp and Base Camp (4,500m). Even though it does not need any climbing expertise, decent stamina and mental flexibility are a must to appreciate the trek to the center.

Poon Hill, part of the trek is very simple with smooth trails, tea-houses at every rest station, and 4–6 hours of daily trekking. Early morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) is brief but very steep with dramatic all-round views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The more you walk in the Mardi Himal region, the more remote and undeveloped the trails are. The ascent from Forest Camp to High Camp (3,560m) and further to Mardi Himal Base Camp is steep and at a higher elevation, but with acclimatization, which is done slowly and can be endured by most trekkers.

The trek does contain a lot of elevation (up to 4,500m), and therefore, mild altitude sickness symptoms are not out of the question, but there is little possibility of this occurring as the trek is at such a relaxed pace. There's usually no problem with most tourists being just fine on the path with a well-planned itinerary, guide service, and proper hydration. On the whole, the Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek difficulty is moderate—dynamically sufficient to be a genuine Himalayan experience but not so energetic that it cannot be accommodated by newcomers and experienced bandits.

Food and Accommodation on Trek

Accommodation during the Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek will be in community teahouses that provide simple but comfortable rooms in general, twin-sharing with common bathrooms at higher elevations. Villages at lower elevations, such as Ghorepani, Landruk, and Siding, have relatively better facilities, like hot showers and attached bathrooms.

Food is provided at the teahouses and ranges from choices. Dal bhat (lentils, vegetables, and rice), fresh and in abundance, is the healthiest and most available food. Pancakes, soups, noodles, Tibetan bread, momos, and hot drinks like ginger tea and coffee are foods as well. The higher you go on the Mardi Himal trek, the simpler the shelter and food become, but they are fresh and healthy. The food and accommodation in general are simple, hospitable, and warm—just the thing a Himalayan trekking tour will require.

Permits for Trek

You’ll need 2 key permits to trek in the Annapurna region: 

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Annapurna Conservation Area is the protected area, so ACAP is mandatory. It costs you around Rs 3,000 for foreign nationals (about USD 25-30). For a SAARC country, it costs Rs 1,000. 

Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS Card)

A TIMS card is used to monitor the safety of the trekkers and their emergency needs. It costs around NPR 1,000 (approx. USD 8–10) if trekking with a registered agency and NPR 2,000 (approx. USD 16–20) for independent trekkers. 

Both permits are available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or you can ask the Nepal Trekking Rangers for this paperwork.  

Packing List

Pack smart. When you hike in a high-altitude region such as Annapurna, you need to pack smart. The following is the list of gear you need:

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking thermal tops and leggings

• Fleece jacket or light insulated jacket

• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket

• Warm Down Jacket

• Hiking pants

• Thermal leggings or insulated pants for high altitude

• T-shirts (3–4): Lightweight, quick-dry fabric

• Warm hat or beanie

• Sun hat or cap

• Buff or neck gaiter

• Gloves

• Underwear

• Socks

Footwear

• Sturdy hiking boots

• Camp shoes or sandals

• Gaiters

Sleeping Gear

• Four-season sleeping bag (rated to at least -10°C)

• Sleeping bag liner 

• Travel pillow 

Backpacks & Bags

• Main backpack (50–65 L)

• Daypack (20–30 L)

• Rain cover

• Dry bags or Ziploc bags

Trekking Gear

• Trekking poles

• Headlamp

• Reusable water bottles

• Water purification

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen 

• Quick-dry towel

• Notebook & pen

• Personal Hygiene & Toiletries

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, and shampoo

• Wet wipes/baby wipes

• Toilet paper 

• Hand sanitizer

• Nail clippers, razor, and other small personal care items

• A small, quick-dry face towel

First Aid & Medications

• Personal medications (with prescription if needed)

• Altitude sickness tablets (consult with doctor)

• Paracetamol/ibuprofen

• Antidiarrheal and digestive aids

• Blister plasters and band-aids

• Electrolyte packets/rehydration salts

• Insect repellent

Electronics & Extras

• Power bank/solar charger

• Charging cables (type-C, micro-USB, etc.)

• Plug adapter (Nepal uses Type C, D, and M sockets)

• A Camera or a phone with enough storage

• Extra memory cards and batteries

Documents & Money

• Passport + photocopy

• Travel insurance card/policy

• Trekking permits (ACAP & TIMS)

• Cash in NPR (ATMs not available on the trail)

• Small notebook for contacts or journaling

Optional Extras

• Energy bars or snacks

• Lightweight reading book or Kindle

• Playing cards

• Earplugs (for noisy teahouse nights)

• Duct tape/safety pins/repair kit