Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek

Annapurna base camp and Mardi Himal Trek, both are  greatest trekking destination in world is Annapurna region. It attracts adventure from every aspect of the world through its snow-capped peak and its beautiful landscape. Within Annapurna also there are countless other trails but the most famous is Annapurna region trek and followed by that is Mardi  Himal trek as per the experience of first-time trekker and seasonal trekkers.

Since both trail is in the same region, they seem to be similar, but the trust is both the trails will give you completely different experiences. One journey leads you to Annapurna Sanctuary with classic and tested routes that leads you to giant Himalayan surrounded through Annapurna base camp trek. Whereas through Mardi Himal is comparatively new routes that offers more quieter and intimate adventure leading you to panoramic views of the Annapurna range and a up cole view of the Machapuchare.

Since trekking season 2025 has started and there are various trails in same region for Annapurna region the question is which one should you choose? ABC or Mardi. We will guide you through this blog.

Glaciers vs Ridge-Line Views

Trek in Nepal is famous of its breath-taking scenery and here even though both the trek is same region they both give you completely different experiences.

Annapurna base camp at 4130m will take you to the heart of Annapurna Sanctuary surrounded by giant Himalayas where you can see beautiful snow-covered peaks like Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the sacred Machapuchare (Fishtail). Throughout the route the landscape changes vividly where you will see lavish rhododendron forests to alpine meadows and high-altitude glaciers to rice terraces. The golden glow during sunrise makes it picture perfect for your social media clicks.

One the other hand the new trail which is less commercialized and new with less crowd is the Mardi Himal Trek. Here the route will not take you to heart of the mountains rather it shows you constant panoramic views throughout the trail. Here you will enjoy peaceful forest walks alongside beautiful rhododendron in spring season and wide-open trails where the mountains stretch endlessly with the close-up views of the Machapuchare.

Long Adventure vs Short Getaway

Trek duration is one of the crucial factors between these two treks. If you are looking or a long gateway ABC is perfect  match for you as it takes about 7 to 12 days depending upon your starting point. The classic route starts from Ghandruk or Nayapul where you will go through villages and enjoy the culture, scenery, forests and mountain freestyles  before reaching to the base camp

One the other hand if you have time crunch and want a short gateways Mradi is one of the best short treks of which can be completed in 4 to 8 days. Generally starting point is Kande or Australian Camp that will lead you to forest trails before showing the sunning Himalayan views.

If you are visiting Nepal on a two-week holiday, Annapurna Base Camp is easily manageable. But if you are short on time or want to combine trekking with other activities like jungle safaris or cultural tours, Mardi Himal is a great choice.

Which one is more difficult?

The difficulty of the trek depends upon one’s stamina and how you handle steep climb and altitude. As per experienced trekkers ABC trek is moderate trek as the pace is gradual and the acclimatization is manageable. Most of the trekkers with reasonable fitness experience can complete it easy as it has steady ascents and lots of tone step with highest point is 4130m.

Since Mardi is short trek people often confuse it as a beginner trek but Mardi is also moderate trek as it can be challenging because the trail gains altitude faster over fewer days. The point from low camp to high camp is mainly steep. The highest point the high cap is higher than ABC, which is at 4500m, since it is shorter, the physical demand does not stretch over many days.

If you are a gradual trek fan, ABC is a simpler way to go. On the other hand, if you are a short but steep trek lover, Mardi Himal will push your limits further.

Which one is more cost effective?

Even though there is cost rise in trekking, Nepal remains affordable compared to other Himalayan destinations but there is cost difference between the two treks.

Since both trek are in same region they requires same permits which is Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP) and the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS Card). Which costs about NPR 3000 and NPR 2000 respectively.

The cost difference is due to the duration of the trek. Since ABC trek is longer trek will can be up to 12 to 14 days it will naturally cost more. A full guided trek will cost up to USD 825 which will include all the amenities like permit, food, accommodation, guides and porters.

But in the contrary Mardi Himal Trek will cost up to USD 495 which will include all the amenities like permit, food ,accommodation, guides, and porters. Since it is short duration trek it is also budget friendly.

If you are in strict budget go for Mardi Himal trek  as it is cheaper, but if you good budget go for ABC which will offer you longer and immersive experience.

Culture and Crowd Experience: Vibrant vs Peaceful

Culture is indeed an important aspect just like the beautiful changes in the landscape while trekking and both Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal treks have a lot of different things to show to the visitors. While on the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you are basically moving through Gurung and Magar villages which are still quite similar to what they were in the past and the people there still do agriculture and live their mountain traditions. In other words, the trail is very colorful and you can catch the vibes of the trekkers from all over the world, the tea houses are very lively and also, you can even get a chance to relax in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda. Such a combination of cultural interaction and social atmosphere indeed makes ABC a very captivating travel.

On the other side, Mardi Himal not only lets you see amazing nature but also allows you to form a personal relationship with the locals. The effort is, these villages are less crowded, the Gurung villages are better preserved and are far less known by tourists, thus there is a huge difference between the two treks in terms of authenticity. To be honest, most of the time the trekkers are tired of the hustle of the typical trekking hub and find the peacefulness of the area refreshing as well as the opportunity to talk with locals. Mardi Himal is not as busy as ABC even at the most popular times, thus it is a place for those who want to stay away from the mass and have a deep cultural experience which is not close to the mainstream trails.

Which Trek Should You Choose in 2025 /2026 ?

It is generally a hard thing to choose between Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Mardi Himal Trek. Since duration, mode, and type of the Nepali experience are entirely different for both, it eventually comes down to what you wanted. If it had been a once-in-a-lifetime escape into the middle of the huge and snowy Annapurna Sanctuary, then watching the giant peaks seeming to hold their breath for you, Annapurna Base Camp Trek was probably your option.

On the other hand, Mardi Himal Trek would have just been the one for you if you are only looking for the things like tranquility, solitude, and unspoiled beauty. You would be able to walk along the unblocked ridge-line sights for about four to seven days, directly watching of Machapuchare, and living in Gurung villages that are not too close to the tourist industry. This is a mountain trip for those who still want a fast and true Himalayan wilderness getaway.

No matter what path you take, Adventure Great Himalaya is just by your side to create the perfect trek according to your needs.