Side by side
| Mardi Himal Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 6 | 16 |
| Highest point | 4,500 m | 5,416 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Challenging |
| Total distance | 55 km | 210 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $400 to $700 | $900 to $2,200 |
| Starts from | Kande (1,750 m) or Forest Camp via taxi from Pokhara | Besisahar or Chame (for road-shortened version) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Mardi Himal Trek if
The Mardi Himal trek is a 5 to 7 day moderate trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area that follows a ridge high above the Modi Khola valley to a high camp at 4,500 m with extraordinary close-range views of Machhapuchhre (the Fishtail) and Mardi Himal. Opened to trekkers in 2012, it remains significantly less crowded than the nearby Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill routes.
The High Camp altitude of 4,500 m requires good acclimatisation and cold-weather preparation. The trails are well-marked but steeper than Poon Hill.
Choose the Annapurna Circuit Trek if
The Annapurna Circuit is Nepal's most diverse trek, taking 14 to 21 days to circumnavigate the entire Annapurna massif. It climbs from subtropical river valleys through pine forests and across the highest trekking pass in Nepal, the Thorong La at 5,416 m, before descending into the arid Mustang rain shadow. The circuit is partly motorable, so most trekkers now begin at Chame or Dharapani to preserve the best sections.
The altitude and duration are the main challenges. The walking itself is rarely technical, but Thorong La at 5,416 m is the highest trekking pass in the world that is regularly crossed and demands thorough acclimatisation at Manang.
