Mardi Himal or Poon Hill: Which is the Best Short Trek in the Annapurna Region?

Nepal's Annapurna region has some of the finest and most accessible hiking trails in the Himalayas. The Mardi Himal Trek and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are two of the most visited trekking trails in the Annapurna region.

Both the Mardi Himal Trek and the Poon Hill Trek are great introductions to the amazing mountains, rich culture, and diverse scenery. Especially if you have limited time or less trekking experience, then these two options could be the best options for you.

Both treks are very rewarding, yet they are quite different in terms of views, level of difficulty, cultural experience, and the number of people. However, you don't have anything to worry about. Mission Himalaya Treks offers the best organised, safest, and most comfortable treks to both of these destinations.

Trekking Duration and Altitude

Mardi Himal is not just longer in distance but also significantly higher in altitude than Poon Hill.

The Mardi Himal trek typically takes about 4 to 7 days to complete successfully. This trek is classified as a high-altitude trek, with the Mardi Himal Base Camp located at an elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level, the highest point on the trek.

The hike technically starts at Kande, Phedi, or Dhampus and then takes an uphill route, following thin paths through the jungle that later open up into the breathtaking terrain of the mountain ranges.

While Poon Hill is shorter and lower compared to other treks, it requires 4 to 6 days of trekking. The highest is 3,120 meters at the Poon Hill Viewpoint. It starts from Nayapul or Hile, with easy routes and a relatively gentle slope.

Views of Nature and Mountains

Both treks offer improved and panoramic sights of the majestic Annapurna range of mountains, allowing trekkers to experience its raw beauty.

Mardi Himal offers better and more spectacular views of high mountains like Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. While at High Camp and Base Camp, the mountains look bigger and more majestic, and you feel much nearer to the Himalayas.

Poon Hill, however, offers a far wider and broader panorama that is simply stunning. Trekkers making it to Poon Hill viewpoint are rewarded with a broad and spectacular sunrise vista of some of the most gorgeous peaks, such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre.

The rolling hills, combined with the distant, majestic mountains, form an immensely photogenic and iconic moment, especially during the magical hours of sunrise.

Trek Difficulty Level

In comparison, the Mardi Himal Trek is harder. The trek includes steeper climbs, rugged terrain, and a rapid altitude gain. Trekkers usually go from forested trails to rock ridges in a space of days. While not technical, it demands better physical condition and acclimatization to the altitude.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is much easier and more suited for beginners. The paths are easy to follow, the incline is not that steep, and you only trek shorter distances each day. Families with kids, older trekkers, or beginner trekkers usually find Poon Hill easier to handle.

Cultural Experience

While Poon Hill offers you a more cultural experience, it passes through the traditional Gurung and Magar settlements like Ghorepani and Ghandruk, where the local culture can be experienced, ancient monasteries and local food can be savored.

Teahouses are usually family-run, and this allows tourists to become more intimate with the local way of life.

In comparison, Mardi Himal is less cultural since it goes through more of the wilderness with fewer villages and fewer human settlements. It is more of a nature and wilderness-oriented.

Crowd Levels and Solitude

If you like peace and quiet, Mardi Himal trekking is less busy and quieter. As it is a new route with fewer trekkers, it receives fewer visitors even in peak season.

Poon Hill is a highly popular short trekking route in Nepal. The trail and the teahouses become extremely busy in spring and autumn. Some enjoy an active environment, but some might find it too much it is too much.

Accommodation and Amenities

Trekking up to Poon Hill Viewpoint offers more comfortable and improved accommodation. Teahouses are well-developed there, offering improved food, private rooms, and generally hot showers. Since it is a highly popular trail, the infrastructure is more reliable and tourist-friendly.

Whereas Mardi Himal has more basic facilities. There are fewer lodges that are simpler, with less food availability and services. The accommodation is more basic, and there is minimal or no heating.

Getting Around and Accessibility

Both treks begin with a few hours of travel from Pokhara. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek usually starts from Nayapul. However, it can also be reached using public transportation. Similarly, the Mardi Himal trailhead (Kande or Phedi) is less busy but still reached by road.

Furthermore, Mardi Himal is less touristy, and as a result, you may have to book in advance in order to arrange for a guide or porter. For Poon Hill, these services are easily available.

Conclusion: Which Trek is Best?

The trek that would be most suitable for you would, of course, depend upon a variety of factors, including what it is that you are looking for exactly and how much trekking you have done in the past.

If what you are searching for is a less touristy trek, a more challenging trekking experience, and great mountain scenery, but not necessarily the convenience of the lodges or the challenge of a hard trek, then Mardi Himal would be the most suitable for you.

If you want a trek that is not only shorter in terms of time but also easier physically yet still culturally rewarding and fascinating, with more facilities and amenities, and featuring simply spectacular sunrise views, then Poon Hill is the perfect option for you.