Mardi Himal Trek Cost: Complete Budget Breakdown, Package Price & Hidden Expenses

For most trekkers, the easiest way to plan the trip is to understand the cost before booking rather than relying only on a package price. This guide breaks down the Mardi Himal Trek cost into its major and often-overlooked expenses, so you can see exactly where your money goes.

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost at a Glance

Trek Style	Approx. Cost Per Person	Best For	Main Inclusions
Budget (independent w/ guide)	US $300 – $450	Budget-conscious solo/duo trekkers	Guide hire, basic teahouses, simple meals, permits
Standard (small agency package)	US $450 – $750	Most trekkers	Guide, permits, teahouse stay, full-board meals, transport
Premium/Private	US $900 – $1,500+	Comfort seekers, private departures	Private guide, upgraded lodges, private vehicle, extra buffer days
Group Trek (4–10 people)	US $330 – $385 per person	Friends, families, small groups	Shared guide/porter costs, permits, transport, full-board package

 

A licensed guide is legally required for all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so “fully unguided independent trekking” is not a legal budget option in 2026 — more on this in the regulations section below.

Note: These ranges reflect a typical 5–9 day Mardi Himal itinerary starting from either Kathmandu or Pokhara, based on current guide/porter day rates, permit fees, and teahouse pricing (details below). A solo private trekker generally pays more per person than someone joining a small group, because guide, porter, and vehicle costs are split among fewer or more people.

 

How Much Does the Mardi Himal Trek Cost?

For a standard trip that starts and ends in Kathmandu — including the Kathmandu–Pokhara road journey, 4–5 days on the trail, permits, a licensed guide, teahouse accommodation, and full-board meals — most trekkers spend somewhere between US $450 and US $750 per person in a small group, or US $370–$450 per person through an agency package that bundles everything at scale. Solo/private trekkers should expect to pay noticeably more per person, since the guide and vehicle costs aren’t shared.

Insider Tip: If you’re starting from Pokhara instead of Kathmandu, you skip the bus fare and Kathmandu hotel nights, which typically shaves US $50–$100 off the total.

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost Breakdown

 

Permit Costs

Permit	Cost (Foreign Nationals)	Cost (SAARC Nationals)	Mandatory?
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)	NPR 3,000 (~US $22–25)	NPR 1,000	Yes
TIMS Card	NPR 2,000 (~US $15–17)	NPR 1,000	Commonly issued; enforcement has varied by season

Both permits together run to roughly NPR 5,000, or about US $35–40, per foreign trekker. Children under 10 are exempt from ACAP.

These permits are issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Nepal Tourism Board, and are checked at trail checkpoints — trekking without them risks fines or being turned back. Since 2023, the Government of Nepal has also required that all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area travel with a licensed guide or through a registered trekking agency, which is separate from (but connected to) the TIMS registration process.

Note: If you book through an agency like Orbit Nepal Adventure, both permits are arranged for you and bundled into the package price — you won’t need to queue at the NTB office yourself.

 

Guide Cost

A licensed trekking guide typically costs US $25–35 per day when hired independently in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Over a 4–5 day trekking stretch, that’s roughly US $100–175 just for guiding — paid once per group, not per person, so this cost drops sharply when trekkers share a guide.

 

Porter Cost

Porters charge US $15–25 per day, and one porter typically carries the gear of two trekkers (up to roughly 20–25kg total). A combined porter-guide, who both navigates and carries a lighter load, runs US $20–30 per day. Over a 4–5 day trek, budget US $75–150 for a porter, again usually shared between two clients.

 

Accommodation Cost

Teahouse rooms along the Mardi Himal trail are simple twin-share rooms with shared bathrooms, generally costing US $3–10 per night. Prices rise slightly at higher elevations like High Camp, where supplies have to be carried in on foot. In practice, many teahouses offer the room for free (or close to it) as long as you eat your meals there — which is the norm on this route.

 

Food Cost

Food is usually the single biggest daily expense on the trail. A full day of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at teahouse prices runs US $20–35 per day, rising with altitude. Dal bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables — often with free refills) is the most affordable and filling option; pizza, pasta, and imported items cost more, especially near High Camp.

 

Transportation Cost

• Kathmandu–Pokhara (tourist bus): NPR 1,200–2,000 (~US $9–15) one-way, 6–8 hours
• Kathmandu–Pokhara (local/express bus): NPR 800–1,000 (~US $6–7), slower with more stops
• Kathmandu–Pokhara (private car/jeep): NPR 12,000–18,000 (~US $90–135) total, not per person
• Kathmandu–Pokhara (domestic flight): NPR 5,000–10,000 (~US $36–73) one-way
• Pokhara–Kande (trek start) and Sidhing/Phedi–Pokhara (trek end): typically arranged by jeep and covered as part of a package; independently this is a short (roughly 45 minute to 2 hour) local drive costing a modest local fare

 

Personal Expenses

Hot showers ($2–5), Wi-Fi ($1–3/day, patchy above High Camp), device charging ($1–3), bottled or boiled water, snacks, and the occasional beer or chocolate bar (NPR 500–800) all add up. Budget US $5–15 per day for these extras on top of your core food and lodging cost.

 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance with high-altitude and emergency evacuation coverage is essential and typically costs US $30–80 for a trip of this length, depending on your provider and coverage level. Mardi Himal’s 4,500m high point means you need a policy that explicitly covers trekking at that altitude, not a generic travel policy.

 

Tips

Tipping guides and porters is customary, though not legally required. A common guideline is US $8–10 per day for guides and US $5–7 per day for porters, or roughly 10% of your total trip cost, given as a lump sum at the end of the trek.

 

Expense	Estimated Cost	Mandatory? / Notes
ACAP	Foreign: NPR 3,000 / SAARC: NPR 1,000	Yes; children under 10 exempt
TIMS Card	Foreign: NPR 2,000 / SAARC: NPR 1,000	Generally required; requirements can vary
Guide	US$25–35/day	Required for foreign trekkers; usually shared per group
Porter	US$15–25/day	Optional; usually shared between 2 trekkers
Accommodation	US$3–10/night	Teahouse, usually twin-share
Food	US$20–35/day	Breakfast, lunch & dinner; prices rise with altitude
Transportation	Varies	Kathmandu–Pokhara + trailhead/end-point transfers
Personal Expenses	US$5–15/day	Showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, etc.
Travel Insurance	US$30–80	Essential; must cover trekking at required altitude and evacuation
Tips	Variable	Customary for guides and porters; not legally required

 

Mardi Himal Trek Package Cost with Orbit Nepal Adventure

Orbit Nepal Adventure runs a 9-day Mardi Himal Trek package (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) that bundles the road journey, trekking days, permits, guide, and porter into a single price.

• Package price: From US $370 per person (see group pricing table below for exact per-person rates by group size)
• Duration: 9 days / 8 nights (Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kande–trek–Sidhing–Pokhara–Kathmandu)
• Group size: From 1 trekker upward
• Starting point: Kande (via Pokhara)
• Ending point: Sidhing, back through Pokhara
• Max altitude: 4,500m (Mardi Himal viewpoint/base camp area)
• Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouses on the trail
• Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek; breakfast only in Kathmandu/Pokhara hotels
• Guide: Professional, licensed trekking guide
• Porter: 1 porter shared between every 2 trekkers
• Transportation: Tourist bus/jeep for all ground transport, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Permits: ACAP and TIMS both included
• Support staff: Guide and porter insurance, salary, meals, and accommodation covered by the company; first-aid kit carried on trek

 

What’s Included

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara
• ACAP and TIMS trekking permits
• All ground transportation (Kathmandu → Pokhara → Kande, Sidhing → Pokhara → Kathmandu)
• Teahouse accommodation during the trek
• All trekking meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Licensed, professional trekking guide
• Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
• Guide and porter insurance, salary, meals, and accommodation
• Filtered drinking water during the trek
• First-aid kit and necessary trekking staff

 

What’s Not Included

• Lunch and dinner while staying in Pokhara
• Travel insurance (compulsory for all trekkers)
• International airfare and airport taxes
• Nepal entry visa fees
• Personal expenses (mineral water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks)
• Personal trekking gear and equipment
• Tips for guide, porter, and driver
• Any cost not explicitly listed under inclusions

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost by Group Size

Guide, porter, and vehicle costs are largely fixed per group rather than per person, so the more trekkers who join, the lower each person’s share of those costs becomes.

Orbit Nepal Adventure’s published group pricing for the Mardi Himal package reflects this directly:

Group Size	Price Per Person
2–4 people	US $385
4–6 people	US $375
7–10 people	US $350
10+ people	US $330

Solo trekkers and private departures are priced separately (the package’s published starting price of US $370 reflects standard availability) — if you’re travelling alone or want a private guide and vehicle, it’s worth confirming the exact solo-traveler rate directly with Orbit Nepal Adventure, since a single-supplement typically applies when there’s no one to split the shared guide and transport costs with.

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost by Duration

Mardi Himal can be trekked in itineraries ranging from a fast 4-day version to a more relaxed 7–9 day trip. Every extra day adds a night of teahouse accommodation, another full day of meals, and an additional guide/porter day — typically US $40–70 per extra day all-in.

• 4-day Mardi Himal Trek: The fastest version, usually starting the trek directly from Kande with no rest day. Lowest total cost, but a demanding pace with big daily altitude gains.
• 5-day Mardi Himal Trek: The most common standard itinerary, balancing pace and cost.
• 6-day Mardi Himal Trek: Adds a buffer day, useful for acclimatization or weather delays, at a modest extra cost.
• 7-day Mardi Himal Trek: Includes more relaxed daily distances and often a night in Pokhara before or after the trek.
• 9-day Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu itinerary (Orbit Nepal Adventure’s package): Builds in a full Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu road journey and hotel nights on both ends, which is why it costs more upfront than a Pokhara-only 4–5 day version but requires no separate arrangements.

Note: Longer itineraries cost more in absolute terms but reduce daily exertion and lower the risk of altitude-related problems, which is often worth the extra US $40–70 per added day.

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost from Kathmandu vs Pokhara

 

Expense	From Kathmandu	From Pokhara
Kathmandu–Pokhara transport	US $9–15 (bus)	—
Kathmandu/Pokhara hotel nights	2 nights KTM + 2 nights Pokhara	2 nights Pokhara only
Trek transportation (Kande/Sidhing legs)	Included in package	Included in package
Trek package (guide, porter, permits, meals, teahouses)	Same core cost	Same core cost
Approximate total (5-day trek)	US $450–750	US $370–650

Note: Starting from Kathmandu is simpler for most international travelers who are flying into Tribhuvan International Airport and want a single seamless booking.

For the Kathmandu–Pokhara leg itself, the tourist bus is the standard choice for most trekkers — comfortable, scenic, and inexpensive at NPR 1,200–2,000. A private jeep (NPR 12,000–18,000, split among passengers) is faster and more flexible but costs several times more per person unless shared by a group. A domestic flight (NPR 5,000–10,000, roughly 25 minutes) is worth the extra cost only if you’re short on time — it doesn’t meaningfully change the trek itself, just how you get to the trailhead region.

 

Budget vs Standard vs Premium Mardi Himal Trek

Budget Trekker

• Shared guide split across a small group, basic teahouse rooms, simple dal bhat meals, minimal extras (no hot showers or Wi-Fi splurges)
• Total for 5 days: approximately US $300–450, largely because guide/porter costs are shared and no upgrades are purchased

Standard Trekker

• Licensed guide, porter, full-board meals with some variety, occasional hot shower and charging, standard twin-share teahouse rooms, small group or Orbit Nepal Adventure’s standard package
• Total for 5–9 days: approximately US $450–750, matching what most agency packages, including Orbit Nepal Adventure’s, are priced around

Premium/Private Trekker

• Private guide (not shared), better-appointed teahouses or lodges where available, private vehicle instead of shared tourist bus, daily hot showers and Wi-Fi without hesitation, more buffer/acclimatization days
• Total for 7–9 days: US $900–1,500+, driven mainly by the private (unshared) guide and vehicle costs plus upgraded comfort

 

Hidden Costs Most Pepole Miss

Hot showers ($2–5 each) — solar-heated at lower camps, gas-heated (pricier) higher up

• Device charging ($1–3 per charge, increasing with altitude)
• Wi-Fi ($1–3/day where available; often patchy or unavailable above High Camp)
• Bottled or boiled drinking water — cheap at lower camps, noticeably pricier near Base Camp
• Snacks and chocolate (NPR 500/~$4 for a bar at altitude)
• Beer or alcohol (NPR 800/~$6 per can, rising with elevation)
• Extra meals or ordering off-menu items beyond your package’s included meals
• Trekking gear rental (down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking poles — typically $1–3/item/day in Pokhara)
• Tips for guide, porter, and driver — often forgotten until the last day
• Porter upgrades — hiring an extra porter if your bags exceed the standard weight limit
• Weather-related extra nights — Mardi Himal’s High Camp to Base Camp section is exposed; poor visibility or storms occasionally force an extra night, adding a full day’s food/lodging cost
• Emergency transportation or helicopter evacuation — this is exactly what travel insurance with high-altitude coverage exists for; without it, an evacuation can cost thousands of dollars

Note: None of these single items breaks a budget on its own, but together over a 5–9 day trek, they can add US $50–150 to your total — worth budgeting for upfront rather than being surprised on the trail.

 

How Much Cash Should You Carry?

There are no ATMs on the Mardi Himal trail itself — the last reliable ATMs are in Pokhara. Carry all the Nepali rupees you’ll need for the entire trek in cash before you leave Pokhara, including a buffer for hot showers, Wi-Fi, snacks, and tips. A reasonable planning figure is US $150–250 in cash per person for a standard 5-day trek covering personal extras and tips, on top of whatever your package already covers. Bring small denomination notes — teahouses at altitude often can’t break large bills — and keep an emergency reserve separate from your daily spending money in case of delays.

 

How to Reduce Your Mardi Himal Trek Cost

• Trek in a small group rather than solo — guide, porter, and vehicle costs are shared, cutting your per-person total significantly
• Book during shoulder or off-peak periods where teahouse and transport prices are slightly more negotiable
• Rent gear in Pokhara or Kathmandu instead of buying a down jacket or sleeping bag you’ll rarely use again
• Use the tourist bus rather than a private vehicle or flight for the Kathmandu–Pokhara leg unless time is genuinely tight
• Carry a reusable water bottle with a filter or purification tablets instead of buying bottled water at every stop
• Plan meals and snacks in advance — sticking to dal bhat and avoiding imported snack items keeps daily food costs down
• Book directly with a registered local trekking agency rather than through a foreign reseller, which typically adds a markup for the same on-ground service

Insider Tip: Avoid the temptation to cut costs by skipping the mandatory guide or insurance — these aren’t areas where shortcuts are legal or safe.

 

Is Mardi Himal Trek Worth the Cost?

Trek	Typical Duration	Approx. Cost	Max Altitude	Difficulty
Mardi Himal Trek	4–9 days	$370–$750	4,500m	Moderate
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek	4–5 days	$300–$500	3,210m	Easy–Moderate
Annapurna Base Camp Trek	7–12 days	$700–$1,200	4,130m	Moderate
Annapurna Circuit Trek	12–18 days	$900–$1,800	5,416m	Moderate–Challenging
Everest Base Camp Trek	12–15 days	$1,200–$2,000+	5,364m	Challenging

 It’s a strong choice for first-time trekkers, those with limited vacation time, or anyone who wants a genuinely quiet trail — Mardi Himal sees far fewer trekkers than its more famous neighbors.

Note: If you’re still deciding how many days to spend on the trail, see our detailed Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, and check our guide on the best time to trek Mardi Himal before booking your dates.

 

Permit and Regulation Accuracy

• ACAP is mandatory for every foreign trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, including on the Mardi Himal route. It costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.
• TIMS is commonly issued alongside ACAP at NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers, though enforcement and requirement details have varied across recent seasons — your guide or agency will confirm what’s currently being checked on your specific route.
• A licensed guide is required for foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, a rule the Government of Nepal introduced in 2023. Fully independent, unguided trekking is not a legal option here regardless of experience level.
• Permits should be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara through the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency, not at trailhead checkpoints, where costs can be significantly higher.

Note: Rules and fees can change between trekking seasons — always confirm current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board (ntb.gov.np), the Department of Immigration, or your trekking agency shortly before departure.

 

Mardi Himal Trek Cost FAQs

Q. How much does the Mardi Himal Trek cost?

➤  Most trekkers spend between US $370 and $750 per person for a full 5–9 day trip, including permits, guide, teahouse accommodation, and meals, depending on group size and package inclusions.

Q. What is the cheapest way to do the Mardi Himal Trek? 

➤ Join a small group departure (4+ people) through a registered agency so guide, porter, and transport costs are shared, and stick to dal bhat and basic teahouse rooms rather than upgraded lodges or extras.

Q. How much does a 5-day Mardi Himal Trek cost? 

➤ A standard 5-day trek typically costs US $450–$750 per person, depending on group size and whether it’s a fully independent hire or an all-inclusive package.

Q. How much does a guide cost for Mardi Himal? 

➤ An independently hired licensed guide costs roughly US $25–35 per day, paid once per group rather than per trekker.

Q. Is a guide mandatory for Mardi Himal Trek? 

➤ Yes. Since 2023, foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, including Mardi Himal, are required to trek with a licensed guide or through a registered trekking agency.

Q. How much are Mardi Himal Trek permits? 

➤ ACAP costs NPR 3,000 and TIMS costs around NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals — roughly US $35–40 combined.

Q. How much cash should I carry for Mardi Himal Trek? 

➤ Carry all the cash you’ll need before leaving Pokhara, since there are no ATMs on the trail. Budget US $150–250 per person in small denominations for personal extras and tips, beyond what your package already covers.

Q. Does the Mardi Himal package include food? 

➤  Orbit Nepal Adventure’s package includes all trekking meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek itself, but not lunch and dinner during your Pokhara stay.

Q. Does the package include accommodation? 

➤ Yes — 2 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Pokhara, and teahouse accommodation throughout the trek are included.

Q. Is travel insurance included? 

➤ No. Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is compulsory but must be arranged separately by the trekker.

Q. Is Mardi Himal Trek cheaper than Annapurna Base Camp? 

➤ Yes, generally. Mardi Himal is shorter, so total permit days, guide days, porter days, and teahouse nights are all fewer, typically making it several hundred dollars cheaper overall.

Q. How much does Mardi Himal Trek cost from Kathmandu? 

➤ Starting from Kathmandu adds the Kathmandu–Pokhara transport (US $9–15 by tourist bus) and 2 Kathmandu hotel nights on top of the core trek cost, bringing most Kathmandu-based itineraries to US $450–750 per person.

Q. Can I do Mardi Himal Trek on a budget? 

➤ Yes — joining a small group, choosing basic teahouses, sticking to local meals, and avoiding extras like private vehicles or daily hot showers can bring the total down to roughly US $300–450.

Q. What is excluded from the Mardi Himal Trek package? 

➤ International flights, Nepal visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, personal trekking gear, tips, and meals during your Pokhara stay are typically excluded from standard packages, including Orbit Nepal Adventure’s.

Q. How much should I tip my guide and porter? 

➤ A common guideline is US $8–10 per day for guides and US $5–7 per day for porters, given as a lump sum at the end of the trek — roughly 10% of your total trip cost.

 

---

 

Planning your Mardi Himal adventure?Contact Orbit Nepal Adventure to arrange your permits, licensed guide, transportation, and for a easier , budget friendly and adventerous trek.

📲 Contact us directly on WhatsApp: Chat with us on WhatsApp

🌐 Visit: orbitnepaladv.com

📧 Email: orbitnepaladv@gmail.com

💬 Whatshapp: 977-9841766021

Our Package : Madri Himal Trek