Our standard Mardi Himal itineraries work well for most trekkers, but not everyone fits a standard mould. You might be a photographer who wants two nights at High Camp, a family who needs short walking days, a fit hiker who wants to add Annapurna Base Camp, or a traveller with fixed flight dates that do not line up with a set departure. The good news is that the Mardi Himal Trek is unusually flexible. Lodges are spaced at close intervals along the ridge, there are several possible start and exit points, and the trek connects easily to other routes in the Annapurna region.
This guide explains how to design a custom Mardi Himal itinerary: the building blocks you can adjust, the decisions to make and how a private trek works. Our standard trips, such as the 9-day Mardi Himal Trek and the 5-day trek from Pokhara, are a good starting point for customisation.
The Building Blocks
Every Mardi Himal itinerary is built from the same pieces: how you arrive in Nepal and reach Pokhara, where you start walking, where you sleep each night on the way up, when you do the Base Camp hike, where you sleep on the way down, where you exit, and what you do before and after. Changing any of these pieces changes the character of the trip. A custom itinerary simply arranges them to suit you.
Choosing Your Start Point
Most treks start at Kande, about an hour from Pokhara, with a steep staircase to Australian Camp. An alternative start at Phedi climbs through Dhampus before joining the route at Australian Camp, adding a village experience. Some trekkers start by walking from Siding and doing the route in reverse. Those combining Mardi Himal with Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp may join the route from Landruk. See Phedi vs Kande and trekking in reverse.
Choosing Your Overnight Stops
Lodges exist at Australian Camp, Pothana, Pitam Deurali, Forest Camp, Rest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda and High Camp, so you can make each day as long or short as you like. Fast itineraries skip several stops; slow ones stay at most of them. Key choices include whether to sleep at Forest Camp to split the long forest climb, whether to stop at Low Camp or Badal Danda before High Camp, and where to sleep after the Base Camp hike. See where to sleep on the ridge and the slow itinerary.
Choosing Your Exit
The usual exit is Siding, a Gurung village at the end of a rough road. Alternatives include Lwang, known for its tea gardens, returning the way you came to Kande or Dhampus, or crossing to Landruk for the Jhinu Danda hot springs or Annapurna Base Camp. See the Lwang exit.
Adding Rest and Buffer Days
A spare day at High Camp gives you a second chance at the Base Camp sunrise; a spare day at Low Camp or Forest Camp improves acclimatization; a spare day in Pokhara protects your flight home. Most custom itineraries include at least one. See adding a rest day.
Combining with Other Treks and Activities
Custom itineraries often combine Mardi Himal with Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp or Khopra Danda, or add Chitwan, Lumbini, Bandipur, paragliding or a Kathmandu heritage tour. See Mardi Himal and Poon Hill and Mardi Himal and ABC.
Choosing Your Pace
Pace is the most important decision in any custom itinerary. A fast pace, with long days and few overnight stops, suits fit, experienced trekkers with limited time. A moderate pace, like our 5-day trek from Pokhara, suits most people. A slow pace, with short days and nights at most stops, suits older trekkers, families, photographers and anyone who wants time to enjoy the trail. Remember that altitude affects everyone, so even fit trekkers benefit from not rushing the climb to High Camp. Be honest about your fitness and experience when planning; a pace that is too ambitious can spoil the trek.
Private or Group?
Custom itineraries are usually arranged as private treks, with a guide, and porter if needed, just for you and your companions. A private trek gives you full control over dates, pace, stops and daily plans, and your guide can adapt to your interests and energy. The cost per person is higher than joining a group, especially for solo travellers, but for many people the flexibility is worth it. If budget is a priority, you may be able to join an existing group departure and still add extra days before or after. See fixed departures vs private trips.
Accommodation Choices
On the trail, all lodges are simple tea houses, so customisation is mostly about which stops you choose and whether rooms are reserved in advance. Off the trail, you can choose your hotel standard in Kathmandu and Pokhara, from simple guesthouses to comfortable boutique hotels and lakeside resorts. Some custom itineraries include a night in a village homestay, in Bandipur or in a heritage hotel in Bhaktapur or Patan. See where to stay in Pokhara.
Transport Choices
You can choose between tourist bus, private car or domestic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and between local bus, taxi or private jeep to and from the trailheads. A direct international flight into Pokhara can remove the Kathmandu leg entirely if a suitable route is available. Each option trades cost against time and comfort. See our transportation guide.
Special Interests
A custom itinerary can be built around your interests. Photographers might want two nights at High Camp and a night at Badal Danda for sunrise and sunset in different places. Birdwatchers might linger in the forest around Forest Camp and Low Camp in spring. Culture enthusiasts might add a village homestay in Siding or a visit to Ghandruk. Yoga and wellness travellers might pair the trek with a retreat in Pokhara. Tell your agency what matters to you, and the itinerary can reflect it. See the photography itinerary and yoga and mindfulness on the trek.
Families, Seniors and Special Needs
Custom itineraries are especially valuable for families with children, older trekkers and people with health considerations. Shorter stages, rest days, a slower pace, additional porters and carefully chosen lodges make the trek accessible to more people. Share any health conditions, dietary needs or mobility concerns when planning, so the guide and agency can prepare. See the family trek itinerary and Mardi Himal with limited mobility.
Customising by Season
The best itinerary also depends on when you go. In autumn, you can follow a standard pace with confidence, but book lodges early. In winter, add a buffer day for snow and ice, and carry microspikes. In spring, allow time in the rhododendron forest and plan early starts to beat afternoon cloud. In the monsoon, build in extra days for weather and road delays. See the best time for the trek.
Three Example Custom Itineraries
The photographer's trek (7 days from Pokhara): Kande to Pitam Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp, second night at High Camp for two sunrise attempts, Badal Danda, then Siding. Plenty of dawns and dusks in the best locations.
The family trek (8 days from Pokhara): Australian Camp, Pitam Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda, High Camp with a sunrise walk to the Upper View Point, Low Camp, then Siding. Short days and lots of rest.
The combined adventure (13 days from Pokhara): Mardi Himal to High Camp and Base Camp, descend to Landruk, continue to Chhomrong and Annapurna Base Camp, then exit via Jhinu Danda hot springs. Two very different base camps in one trip.
Budgeting a Custom Trek
The cost of a custom trek depends on the number of days, group size, hotel standards, transport choices and whether you hire porters. Private treks cost more per person for small groups, but costs fall as group size grows. Extra days on the trail add guide and porter wages and accommodation. Flights, better hotels and activities such as paragliding or safaris add further costs. A clear brief helps your agency give an accurate quote. See our cost guide.
Side Trips Along the Way
A custom itinerary can include short side trips that standard itineraries skip. From High Camp, some trekkers spend extra time exploring the ridge beyond the Upper View Point in good weather. From the lower route, you can visit Dhampus, a village known for its views, or detour through Pothana's forest. On the descent, you might spend an extra night in Siding to experience village life, or walk out via Lwang and visit its tea gardens. Combining the trek with Landruk allows a detour to the Jhinu Danda hot springs. Your guide can suggest side trips suited to the season and your energy. See short side trips worth taking.
Working with Your Guide on the Trail
Even the best-planned custom itinerary needs flexibility once you are walking. Weather, trail conditions, lodge availability and how you feel all influence the day-to-day plan. A good guide will discuss options with you each evening: whether to continue to the next stop or stay put, whether the next morning looks clear enough for Base Camp, and whether to take a detour or rest. Treat your itinerary as a framework rather than a fixed schedule, and trust your guide's local knowledge. The most successful custom treks are those where trekkers and guides work together.
Common Mistakes When Designing a Custom Trek
The most common mistake is being too ambitious: planning long days to fit in extra side trips or combinations, then struggling with fatigue or altitude. Another is ignoring the season, such as planning a fast itinerary in winter without buffer days. Some trekkers plan tight connections between the trek and their international flight, leaving no margin for road or weather delays. Others forget to consider acclimatization, adding high side trips too early. A good agency will point out these issues, so listen to their advice even if it means adjusting your dream plan.
Why Customise at All?
Standard itineraries exist because they work well for most people, and many trekkers are perfectly happy with them. Customisation matters when your situation differs from the average: when your flight dates do not match a set departure, when you travel with children or older family members, when you have specific interests such as photography or birdwatching, when you want to combine treks, or when you simply prefer a slower or faster pace. A custom itinerary lets the trek fit your life, rather than the other way around. It can also make the difference between a trek that feels rushed and one that feels just right.
Custom Treks for Groups
Custom itineraries also suit groups of friends, colleagues, school groups and charity treks. A group can choose dates that suit everyone, set a pace that matches the slowest member, and add team activities such as a cultural evening or a village visit. Larger groups need lodges booked well in advance, especially at High Camp, and may need more than one guide. See planning Mardi Himal with a group of friends.
When to Start Planning
For a custom trek in the busy autumn season, start planning two to three months ahead, so your agency can reserve lodges at High Camp and Low Camp, book flights and arrange guides. For spring, six to eight weeks is usually enough; for winter and the monsoon, a few weeks may be sufficient. If your itinerary includes domestic flights, Chitwan lodges or popular hotels, earlier booking gives more choice. Starting early also leaves time to train properly and gather gear. See when to book the Mardi Himal Trek.
What to Tell Your Agency
To design the right itinerary, share your travel dates and flight details, group size and ages, fitness level and trekking experience, any previous altitude experience, special interests, preferred pace, accommodation preferences, budget range, and any health, dietary or mobility needs. The more information you provide, the better the itinerary will fit you.
Plan Your Custom Trek
Tell us your dates, group size, experience, interests and budget, and we will design a Mardi Himal itinerary around you, with a licensed guide, permits, transport and accommodation. Contact us to start planning, or begin with the 9-day Mardi Himal Trek as a template.