Mardi Himal Trek Cost 2026: Permits, Guide and Daily Budget
Short answer: operators quote roughly USD 800–1,500 per person for a typical 7 to 10 day Mardi Himal trek, including guide, porter, lodging, food and transport from Pokhara. The permit costs are the clearest part: NPR 3,000 for the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) plus a TIMS card, listed at NPR 2,000 by the operators we checked. Prices below come from trekking operators, so treat them as indicative 2026 ranges, not quotes.
Mardi Himal trek cost at a glance
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| ACAP permit | NPR 3,000 per foreign trekker |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 independent; NPR 1,000 through an agency (one operator) |
| Licensed guide | About USD 25–35 per day |
| Porter | About USD 18–25 per day |
| Lodge room | About USD 2–9 per night, rising with altitude |
| Meals | About USD 3–10 per meal |
| Pokhara to Kande | Taxi about USD 10–15; local bus NPR 150–300; private jeep NPR 3,000–6,000 |
Permits for Mardi Himal
Mardi Himal is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need the ACAP permit. The Nepal Tourism Board lists it at NPR 3,000 for foreign visitors (NTB park entry fees). Both operators we read list a TIMS card at about NPR 2,000, and one says NPR 1,000 per person if you book through an agency. Confirm the exact TIMS fee and whether it is currently checked with your agency or the permit office. Our guide to trekking permits in Nepal explains the process, and our trekking rules guide covers whether you need a guide.
One of the operator pages gives a combined permit cost of about USD 37–39 in its permit section but USD 45 in its cost table, so use the rupee fees above and check the day’s exchange rate.
Guide and porter costs
One operator lists a government-set minimum of USD 25 per day for a licensed guide and USD 18 per day for a porter, and its own prices at USD 28–35 for a guide and USD 20–25 for a porter. Another operator quotes about USD 35 per day for a guide and USD 20 for a porter. We could not verify the “government minimum” claim against an official source, so treat it as operator-reported. Tips are extra; operators suggest roughly USD 5–15 per day depending on the role.
Lodge and food prices along the trail
| Stop (approx. altitude) | Room per night | Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Kande / Lwang (1,770 m) | USD 2–4 | USD 3–6 |
| Forest Camp (2,520 m) | USD 3–5 | USD 4–7 |
| Low Camp (2,985 m) | USD 4–6 | USD 5–8 |
| High Camp (3,580 m) | USD 7–9 | USD 6–10 |
These come from one operator’s 2026 guide. Another operator quotes higher room rates of NPR 1,000–2,000 per night and meals of NPR 500–1,200, so expect some variation. Prices rise with altitude because supplies are carried up. Carry enough rupees for the whole trek; see our guide to bringing cash to Nepal.
Getting to the trailhead
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: tourist bus about USD 10–20 (NPR 1,200–2,500), or a flight at about USD 100–130.
- Pokhara to the trailhead: taxi to Kande about USD 10–15, a local bus NPR 150–300, or a private jeep NPR 3,000–6,000.
New roads now reach higher on this route, so some trekkers start further up; see new roads in the Annapurna region. For the city itself, read our ultimate guide to Pokhara.
Total budget for a 7 to 10 day trek
| Style | Operator-stated total per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| Group trek (6 to 10 people) | 800–1,000 |
| Standard private trek (2 to 4 people) | 1,200–1,500 |
| Another operator’s standard total | 800–1,200 |
| Luxury with helicopter return | 2,200–2,800 |
Treat these totals carefully. The operator’s luxury total is higher than the sum of its own line items, and its tip totals differ between sections. The second operator’s page was last modified in December 2024 and mixes rupee and dollar figures. These totals are package-style prices, so an independent trek that uses local buses and basic lodges can cost less. They exclude international flights, gear and your visa; see Nepal visa on arrival and travel health insurance.
How Mardi Himal compares with other Annapurna treks
Mardi Himal is usually shorter and quieter than Annapurna Base Camp. Compare the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost and the Poon Hill trek cost, or see our list of best winter treks in Nepal. Use the Nepal trekking budget estimator to build your own total.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Mardi Himal trek cost?
Operators quote about USD 800–1,500 per person for a 7 to 10 day trek with guide, lodging, food and transport.
What permits do I need for Mardi Himal?
The ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and, according to operators, a TIMS card. Confirm TIMS with your agency.
How many days does Mardi Himal take?
One operator lists a standard 7-day itinerary; another sells a 10-day trek. Plan 7 to 10 days.
How high is Mardi Himal?
One operator lists High Camp at 3,580 m and Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m as a day excursion, but its own insurance section gives a different figure for High Camp, so sources are not fully consistent. Check your itinerary’s altitude profile before you go.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: park entry fees
- Excellent Himalaya: Mardi Himal trek cost (operator, May 2026)
- Peregrine Treks: cost for Mardi Himal trek (operator, page last modified December 2024)
Operator prices change and are not official government figures. Verify permits and guide rules with the Nepal Tourism Board or your registered agency before you travel.
