Some travellers find themselves in Kathmandu with only five days to spare, perhaps between business meetings, during a stopover or at the end of a longer trip, and wonder whether a Himalayan trek is possible. With careful planning, the answer is yes: you can reach Mardi Himal Base Camp and be back in Kathmandu within five days. The plan relies on flying between Kathmandu and Pokhara and following the fast, three-day Short Mardi Himal Trek. It is demanding and leaves little margin, but for fit trekkers it offers a remarkable mountain experience in a very short time.
This guide explains the five-day plan, the logistics involved and the risks to consider. The trekking section follows our 3-day Short Mardi Himal Trek.
The Five-Day Plan
| Day | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morning flight Kathmandu to Pokhara, briefing, gear check | Pokhara |
| 2 | Drive to Kande, trek to Low Camp | Low Camp |
| 3 | Trek to High Camp | High Camp |
| 4 | Base Camp at sunrise, descend to Siding, drive to Pokhara | Pokhara |
| 5 | Flight to Kathmandu | ā |
Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Take a morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, around 25 minutes in the air, with views of the Himalaya on the right-hand side on clear days. In Pokhara, you have the rest of the day to meet your guide, check your gear, rent a sleeping bag or down jacket if needed, withdraw cash and rest. Spending the first night in Pokhara, rather than starting the trek on arrival, gives you a buffer against flight delays and lets you start the long first trekking day fresh. See Kathmandu to Pokhara by flight.
Days 2 to 4: The Short Trek
The trek follows the 3-day short itinerary. On day two, you drive to Kande and climb through Australian Camp, Pitam Deurali and the forest to Low Camp, a long day of more than 1,200 meters of ascent. On day three, you climb the open ridge to High Camp. On day four, you rise before dawn for the Upper View Point and Base Camp, then descend all the way to Siding and drive back to Pokhara. See the 3-day itinerary.
Day 5: Back to Kathmandu
A morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu. If you have an international connection, allow plenty of time, as domestic flights can be delayed by weather.
Why Consider a Five-Day Trip?
Five days from Kathmandu is not the ideal way to trek Mardi Himal, but it can be the right choice in certain situations. Business travellers with a few free days between meetings, travellers on a stopover in Nepal, people finishing a longer trip in Asia with only a short window left, and Kathmandu residents with a long weekend and a couple of days of leave all use this plan. It lets you experience the Mardi Himal ridge, High Camp and the Base Camp sunrise without committing to a longer holiday. The trade-off is intensity: long days, fast altitude gain and a schedule that depends on domestic flights.
Flights: Timing and Risks
The five-day plan depends on flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara. These are short and frequent, but they are weather-dependent, and delays are common in the monsoon and on hazy or foggy winter mornings. Choose morning flights where possible, as conditions are usually better early in the day. Spending the first night in Pokhara, rather than starting the trek on arrival, means a delayed flight does not immediately cost you a trekking day. On the return, allow as much time as possible before any international connection. If you can, keep your international flight flexible or book it for the following day. See what to do if your flight is delayed.
Altitude on a Fast Plan
The trekking part of this plan gains altitude quickly. You sleep at Low Camp, around 2,970 meters, on the first trekking night, having started the day in Pokhara at around 820 meters, and at High Camp, 3,580 meters, the next night. On the third trekking day, you climb to around 4,500 meters before descending a long way. Kathmandu residents, living at around 1,400 meters, have a slight advantage over visitors from sea level. Everyone should walk slowly, drink plenty, avoid alcohol and turn around at the Upper View Point if they feel unwell. See our altitude sickness guide.
The Long Climb to Low Camp
The first trekking day is one of the biggest of any Mardi Himal itinerary. After the drive to Kande, you climb the stone steps to Australian Camp, walk through forest to Pitam Deurali and continue up the long forest section past Forest Camp and Rest Camp to Low Camp. Expect six to eight hours of walking with over 1,200 meters of ascent. Start early, pace yourself from the first step, eat a proper lunch around Forest Camp and drink regularly. Arriving at Low Camp in time for sunset over Machapuchare makes the effort worthwhile. See Forest Camp to Low Camp.
The Longest Day
The third trekking day is the longest. You leave High Camp around 4 a.m., climb to the Upper View Point for sunrise and continue to Base Camp if conditions and your energy allow. After returning to High Camp for breakfast, you descend the ridge and drop steeply through forest and farmland to Siding, a descent of around 2,700 meters in total, before a two to three-hour jeep ride to Pokhara. Use trekking poles, take regular breaks and do not rush the final sections, where tired legs increase the risk of slips. See coming down from Base Camp.
Preparing in Advance
With no spare time, arrive prepared. Train in the weeks before with long hikes involving plenty of ascent and descent. Break in your boots. Buy insurance covering trekking to 4,500 meters, helicopter evacuation and travel delays. Send your passport details to your agency early so permits are ready. Decide in advance whether you will rent gear in Pokhara, and pack everything else before you fly. See our training plan for the short trek.
What to Pack
Pack light for a short, fast trek: one spare base layer, warm evening layers, a down jacket, a waterproof shell, warm hat and gloves, a sleeping bag or plan to rent one, a headlamp, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, a small first aid kit and snacks. Domestic flights have baggage limits, often around 15 to 20 kilograms, so leave anything unnecessary in Kathmandu. See our packing list for short treks.
Best Season
This plan works best in autumn, from October to November, when flights are generally reliable, trails are dry and mornings clear. Spring is also possible, though haze and afternoon storms increase, and flights can occasionally be affected. In winter, morning fog can delay flights and ice above High Camp adds risk. In the monsoon, flight delays and poor visibility make the plan unreliable. See the best time for the trek.
If a Flight Is Cancelled
If your outbound flight to Pokhara is cancelled, you can often take a later flight the same day or travel by road, though the road journey takes six to eight hours and would compress the trek. If the return flight is cancelled, a private car can get you back to Kathmandu in a day. Discuss contingency plans with your agency before you travel, and consider booking your international departure with some margin.
Should You Hire a Porter?
On such a compressed schedule, a porter is one of the best investments you can make. Carrying only a light daypack on the long climb to Low Camp and the huge descent to Siding saves energy and reduces strain on your knees and back. One porter usually carries for two trekkers, keeping the cost modest, and it supports local families in the hills around Pokhara. See carry your own pack or hire a porter?
Tea Houses on a Fast Trek
You spend one night at Low Camp and one at High Camp, both with several simple lodges. Because you arrive at Low Camp late in the afternoon after a long climb, your guide will usually reserve rooms in advance during busy months. Low Camp's sunset over Machapuchare is spectacular, and High Camp's evening atmosphere, with trekkers gathered around the stove before the summit hike, is a highlight. Both are cold at night for much of the year, so a warm sleeping bag matters. See our tea house guide.
Costs of the Five-Day Plan
The five-day plan includes return flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara, a hotel night in Pokhara, the Short Mardi Himal Trek package with transport to Kande and from Siding, permits, a licensed guide, tea house accommodation and meals, plus optional porter service. Budget separately for snacks, hot drinks, charging and tips on the trail, and meals in Pokhara. Flights add cost compared with road travel but are essential to make the plan work in five days. See our cost guide.
Food and Water on the Fast Plan
Long days demand good fuel. Eat a large breakfast in Pokhara before the drive to Kande, stop for a proper lunch around Forest Camp on the first trekking day, and carry snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and energy bars to eat on the move. Drink three to four liters of water a day, refilling at lodges and treating it rather than buying plastic bottles. On the summit morning, carry hot water in an insulated bottle and snacks, since there are no lodges above High Camp. Dinner of dal bhat, with free refills, is the trekker's best friend on this plan. See hydration on the trek.
Common Mistakes on a Five-Day Trip
The most common mistake is starting the trek the same day you fly to Pokhara, which leaves no buffer for flight delays and makes the first trekking day exhausting. Another is racing the climb to Low Camp and suffering later. Some travellers push to Base Camp despite altitude symptoms because they feel they cannot afford to turn back; the Upper View Point is a perfectly good goal on such a short plan. Finally, booking an international flight too soon after the return from Pokhara can turn a small delay into a crisis. Keep the plan as relaxed as its short length allows.
After the Trek
Back in Pokhara on the evening of the final trekking day, treat yourself to a hot shower and a lakeside dinner before the morning flight to Kathmandu. If your schedule allows, a massage in Lakeside helps tired legs recover.
Residents of Kathmandu
For people living in Kathmandu, the five-day plan fits neatly around a long weekend plus a couple of days of leave. Residents already live at around 1,400 meters, which helps slightly with acclimatization, and they can often arrange flexible travel. Nepali citizens pay lower permit costs than foreigners. See a weekend Mardi Himal trek for Nepal residents.
Making the Most of Short Time
With only five days, every hour counts, but do not let the schedule rob you of the experience. Pause at Australian Camp to take in your first view of the Annapurnas. Linger at Low Camp for sunset. Take time at the Upper View Point to watch the colours spread across the peaks. The memories of these moments will last far longer than the fatigue of the long days.
Who This Plan Suits
The five-day plan suits fit trekkers who are comfortable with long, steep days and ideally have some experience of altitude. It is not suitable for beginners, families with young children or anyone with health conditions that make rapid altitude gain risky. If you are unsure, adding even one day makes a big difference.
Adding One or Two Days
With six days, you can use the 4-day itinerary, which splits the final day. With seven days, the 5-day trek from Pokhara becomes possible, a much gentler and safer option.
Book a Fast Trip
We can arrange the Short Mardi Himal Trek with flights from Kathmandu. If you can add a day or two, the 5-day trek from Pokhara is more comfortable. Contact us with your dates.