Side by side
| Mardi Himal Trek | Nar Phu Valley Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 6 | 10 |
| Highest point | 4,500 m | 5,320 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Strenuous |
| Total distance | 55 km | 115 km |
| Best months | March to April and October to December | March to May and September to November |
| Typical cost | $400 to $700 | $1,100 to $1,850 |
| Starts from | Kande (1,750 m) or Forest Camp via taxi from Pokhara | Koto (near Chame) |
| 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 Nar Phu Valley Trek if
The Nar Phu Valley trek is a 10 day restricted route north of the Annapurna Circuit reaching 5,320 m at Kang La Pass. It leads into medieval stone hamlets, ancient monasteries, and dramatic trans-Himalayan gorges near the Tibetan border, requiring special permits and a registered guide.
Remote trails chiseled out of vertical canyon cliffs, sustained altitude in Phu village, and an early morning pass crossing over Kang La at 5,320 m.
