Poon Hill Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek

Poon Hill Trek and Mardi Himal Trek have to be the few of the shortest Trek in Nepal, with poon hill taking 3 days to complete and 4-7 days for the latter. Poon Hill Trek is famous for its panoramic sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, easy trails, and cultural encounters. In contrast, the Mardi Himal Trek is a solitary and quiet adventure through rugged trails that results in close-up views of mountains like Mardi and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain).

Due to these differences, trekkers are often confused and in a dilemma about which path to take. Understanding that, we have prepared this article on Poon Hill Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek. After reading this article, we are confident there won’t be any such dilemmas.

Comparing Poon Hill Trek vs Mardi Himal Trek

Duration

Poon Hill Trek— Compared to many other treks in Nepal, this trek is relatively shorter. It will take 2 to 4 days to complete depending on your pace.

Mardi Himal Trek—The duration required to complete the Mardi Himal Trek depends upon your destination and the route you take. The shorter route would take about 3 days to reach the high camp, while the longer route might take even 4 days. It would take even less if you decide to end your trek at the forest camp. However, if you decide to go further from the High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and viewpoint, it might take 6-7 days. 

Difficulty Level 

Poon Hill Trek— The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the easiest treks to complete. It is beginner-friendly as it is a hill station rather than a mountain. Unlike other treks, the elevation gain is gradual. The food and accommodation throughout the trek is also not a problem. You don’t need any acclimatization for this trek. 

Mardi Himal Trek—Mardi Himal is a moderate-level trek with rough trails and ups and downs. The elevation is also higher than that of the Poon Hill trek. The availability of food and accommodation is also less. Also, trekkers might need acclimatization to reach the base camp.

You can also check the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek difficulty.

Elevation

Poon Hill Trek— Poon Hill lies at an altitude of 3210 m above sea level. With gradual ascending, there is no risk of altitude sickness at all. 

Mardi Himal Trek— The highest point of Mardi Himal Trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp, located at 4,500m above sea level. The high camp is located at 4200m, and the low camp is located at 303m. There is a risk of altitude sickness in this trek. 

Scenery and Views

Poon Hill Trek— Poon Hill is, as its name suggests- a hill station. To reach your destination, you will walk through dense forests and villages, encountering flora and fauna, rivers, and waterfalls. Watching sunrise and sunset from Poon Hill is mesmerizing. You will also see the views of high mountains like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri homunculi from a distance. 

Mardi Himal Trek— Unlike Poon Hill Trek, Mardi Himal Trek offers an up-close view of many mountains like Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri. You will also witness the views of Annapurna I, the highest mountain in the Annapurna range. The trails lead you through villages and green lush forests with rhododendrons, enhancing your connection with nature.

Crowds 

Poon Hill Trek— Poon Hill trek is short, easy, and in a location that is easily accessible. Food and accommodation are also not problems. This is why the trek might be more crowded than Mardi Himal Trek.

Mardi Himal Trek— Mardi Himal Trek is less crowded compared to Poon Hill Trek due to its elevation, toughness, and remoteness. However, it might get crowded in the peak seasons. 

Price 

Poon Hill Trek— The Poon Hill Trek might cost you anywhere between USD 300 to USD 450. It depends upon the food and accommodation you opt for, your permit, transportation, and guides. 

Mardi Himal Trek— Mardi Himal Trek is on the more expensive side than Poon Hill Trek. Just like Poon Hill, you will need permits for this one too. The food and accommodations might be a little expensive. The cost for this trek would come at around USD 300 to USD 600. 

Comparing Poon Hill vs Mardi Himal Trek in Table

Here is a quick table comparing the poon hill and Mardi Himal Trek. 

Which Trek Suits You?

If you ever decide to go for a short trek in the Annapurna region, then you have mardi himal and Ghorepani poon hill as an option. But the question always remains- Which one is exactly for you? Let us see which trek might be better for you. 

Choose Poon Hill Trek if

• You are a beginner.
• You are at risk of acute mountain sickness. 
• You want a budget-friendly trek. 
• You want to understand the culture of local people. 
• You want to witness the panoramic views and sunrises. 

Choose Mardi Himal Trek if

• You want to challenge the trekker inside you. 
• Great views of the Dhaulagiri and other mountains in the Annapurna region of Nepal. 
• You are looking for a quick vacation to a scenic beauty with less crowd. 
• You want to witness the Himalayas up close. 

Poon Hill Trek Itinerary

The itinerary for the trek to Poon Hill or Ghorepani depends upon the path you will take. As you can see on the map, three are three different ways to reach Poon Hill. You can take any one of these and complete your trek. The three routes are: 

• Route 1- Pokhara – Phedi – Dhampus – Australian Base Camp – Landruk – Jhinu – Chhomrong – Tadapani – Deurali Pass – Ghorepani – Poon Hill
• Route 2- Pokhara – Phedi – Nayapul – Syauli Bazar – Ghandruk – Tadapani – Deurali Pass – Ghorepani – Poon Hill
• Route 3- Pokhara – Phedi – Nayapul – Tikhedhunga – Ulleri – Ghorepani – Poonhill

Here is a quick Pool Hill itinerary for you. 

This itinerary is based on the route 3. You can trek to Poon Hill via other routes as well. We advise you to trek through one route and return via another; that way, you can explore more of the Annapurna region. 

Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary

Short Mardi Himal Trek is a trek to the high camp, while long trek refers to the trek to the Base Camp at 4500 m. No matter the trek type, trekkers can take two main routes. As shown in the map, the two Mardi Himal Trek routes are: 

• Route 1- Pokhara – Hyangja- Lwang- Sidhing- Low Camp- Badal Danda – High Camp- View Point – Mardi Himal Base Camp 
• Route 2- Pokhara – Hyangja – Phedi- Kande – Australian Base Camp- Pothana – Deurali – Forest Camp- Low Camp- Badal Danda – High Camp- View Point – Mardi Himal Base Camp 

Here is a quick itinerary for a Mardi Himal Trek up to High Camp; 

This is an example of an itinerary for the Mardi Himal Trek to the High Camp. You can contact us to make a customized plan. 

Exploring the Annapurna Region

Mardi Himal Trek and Poon Hill Trek both lie within the Annapurna Conservation Area of the Annapurna Region. In your trek to Mardi and Poon Hill, you will explore the wide range of biodiversity that is home to some significant plants and animals. Terraced fields, waterfalls, and Culture of various communities like Gurung and Magar. Their warm hospitality will certainly fill your heart with joy. Add that to the views of majestic mountains, and you will have a lifetime experience. If these treks enchant you in any way, you can explore the Annapurna Region further. You can check out the Annapurna Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek. 

Conclusion

Both the Poon Hill Trek and Mardi Trek are incredible journeys. They each have their own appeal. One is easier and brings the sunrise and sunset closer to you, while the other, despite being challenging, brings mountains like Dhaulagiri II and Annapurna I closer to you. One is a journey to cultural exploration, while the other is self-exploration. Trek to Mardi is perfect for those trekkers who want a short but challenging trek. Trek to Poon Hill is for those who want to fill their heart with warmth. Whichever you choose, you will not be dissatisfied.