The short version
Two of Nepal's best short treks compared. Poon Hill or Mardi Himal? This guide weighs the views, crowds, difficulty, and duration to help you choose the right short Annapurna trek for your trip.
- Choose Poon Hill for the easiest, most beginner- and family-friendly short trek with a classic wide sunrise.
- Choose Mardi Himal for fewer crowds and a dramatic high-camp experience under Machhapuchhre, with a bit more altitude.
- Poon Hill is 4–5 days (max 3,210m); Mardi Himal is 5–7 days (max 4,500m).
- Both start near Pokhara and can be combined into one ~7–9 day trek if you have time.
Two great short Annapurna treks
If you want a short trek (under a week) in the Annapurna region, two routes top the list: the famous Ghorepani Poon Hill and the quieter Mardi Himal. Both start near Pokhara and offer superb mountain views, but they suit different trekkers. Here's how to choose.
| Factor | Poon Hill | Mardi Himal |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4–5 days | 5–7 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210m | 4,500m |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate | Moderate |
| Views | Wide panoramic sunrise | Intimate close-up of Fishtail |
| Crowds | Popular and busy | Quieter, off-the-beaten-path |
| Best for | Beginners and families | Those wanting drama and solitude |
The views
Poon Hill: A wide panoramic sunrise from 3,210m — the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges spread across the horizon. A classic, expansive vista.
Mardi Himal: An intimate, dramatic close-up — the high camp and viewpoint (4,500m) sit directly beneath Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna South. More 'in your face' mountain drama.
Crowds
Poon Hill: Popular and well-established — sociable, but busy, especially at the sunrise viewpoint in peak season.
Mardi Himal: Newer and much quieter — a more peaceful, off-the-beaten-path feel while still having teahouses.
Difficulty
Poon Hill: Easy–moderate, max 3,210m. The Ulleri stone staircase is the main challenge; otherwise gentle. Great for beginners and families.
Mardi Himal: Moderate, max 4,500m. A steady forested ridge climb to a higher altitude — slightly more demanding, with bigger altitude.
Mardi Himal's 4,500m high camp is over 1,200m higher than Poon Hill — enough that altitude becomes a real consideration, so don't underestimate it despite the short duration.
Duration
Poon Hill: 4–5 days — the shorter, more flexible option.
Mardi Himal: 5–7 days — a bit longer for the higher ridge.
Scenery & character
Poon Hill is about rhododendron forests, Gurung villages, and that famous wide sunrise — a gentle, classic introduction to Annapurna trekking. Mardi Himal is about a dramatic ridge ascent, forest, and an intimate high-camp experience under Fishtail — quieter and a touch more adventurous.
Can you do both?
Yes — they can be combined into a single ~7–9 day trek (Poon Hill first, then over to the Mardi ridge), giving you the wide sunrise and the dramatic high camp in one trip. A superb option if you have the time.
Can't decide? Combine them — start with Poon Hill's sunrise, then traverse to the Mardi ridge for the high camp under Fishtail, all in one ~7–9 day trip.
The verdict
Choose Poon Hill if you want the easiest, most beginner- and family-friendly short trek with a classic wide sunrise and a sociable trail. Choose Mardi Himal if you want fewer crowds, a more dramatic high-camp experience under Machhapuchhre, and don't mind slightly more altitude and days. Both are among Nepal's finest short treks — you can't go wrong.
Explore more in our Annapurna Base Camp trek guide and best treks in Nepal guide, or contact our team to plan a Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, or combined itinerary.
Which is easier, Poon Hill or Mardi Himal?
Poon Hill — it is easy–moderate and tops out at 3,210m, making it ideal for beginners and families. Mardi Himal climbs to 4,500m and is moderately more demanding.
Can you combine Poon Hill and Mardi Himal?
Yes. The two link into a single ~7–9 day trek, usually Poon Hill first then over to the Mardi ridge, giving you both the wide sunrise and the dramatic high camp.
Written by
Travel Himalaya Nepal
Pokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. Meet the team →
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