If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the grandeur of Annapurna Base Camp with the ridgeline serenity of Mardi Himal — all while cutting down travel time — then the Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek with Buddha Air is your perfect Himalayan adventure. This 12-day trek wraps two iconic trails into one, with flights by Buddha Air smoothing out the journey and giving you more time to soak in Nepal’s beauty.
What Makes This Trek Special
This trek begins with a scenic Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, saving you hours on the road and treating you to aerial views of the lush valleys and snow-capped peaks below. Once in the Annapurna region, you’ll traverse the Mardi Himal trail first — winding through rhododendron forests, peaceful ridgelines, and lodges perched high above the valley. The mood here is quiet, reflective, perfect for sunrise and sunset moments when the light turns the mountains golden.
After Mardi Himal, the path shifts toward the famous Annapurna Base Camp. You cross bamboo and forested terrain, pass through villages like Chhomrong and Bamboo, and eventually reach the Annapurna Sanctuary — a natural amphitheater framed by towering giants like Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchre, and Gangapurna. At ABC, you’re surrounded by peaks on all sides, glaciers close enough to see, and a sense that you’ve reached one of Nepal’s most iconic high camps.
Trekking Details & Itinerary Highlights
Over 12 days, expect a mix of walking, acclimatization, cultural encounters, and breathtaking views. The highest altitudes reach roughly 4,500 meters during Mardi Himal Viewpoint and nearly 4,130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp. Daily trekking times vary between 5 to 7 hours, with easier days built in to help your body adjust.
Stays are in local lodges and teahouses. Food is hearty Nepali fare: dal bhat, soups, Tibetan-style bread, and seasonal produce. Nights in higher camps can be cold — warm layers, a good sleeping bag, and proper trekking shoes are essential.
Best Seasons & What to Expect
The best windows for this trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During those times, skies are generally clear, weather stable, and mountain views sharp. Spring also brings rhododendron blooms and lush greenery; autumn delivers crisp air and vivid sunsets.
The monsoon season (summer) can bring heavy rain, slippery trails, and limited visibility. Winter is possible, but mornings and nights get very cold, and some parts of the trail may be snow-covered or icy.
Why the Buddha Air Flight Adds Value
The flight component is more than convenience — it’s transformative. Taking off from Kathmandu and landing in Pokhara gives you sweeping bird’s-eye views of Himalayan ridgelines, forested valleys, and glacial peaks. It reduces road travel fatigue and accelerates acclimatization.
Plus, being airborne during sunrise or sunset gives you colors and light that are hard to experience on foot. That aerial perspective sets the tone for the trek, elevating everything from your first step to your final ascent.
Cultural & Natural Wonders Along the Route
This trek is not just about the mountains — it’s about people and places. Walking through Gurung and Magar villages, you’ll see traditional stone houses, prayer flags, monasteries, and lush terraced fields. Local hospitality shines in every lodge — in warm smiles, simple yet delicious meals, and shared stories around a fire under a starry sky.
Nature shifts dramatically. You begin in subtropical zones with dense forests and flowering rhododendrons. As the path climbs, vegetation thins, giving way to alpine meadows and snow glades. The air gets crisp, the views wider, sharper, louder in their stillness.
Who Should Do This Trek
This itinerary is ideal if you have moderate fitness, a love for variety, and enough time—about 12 days—for something beyond a weekend hike. It’s perfect for people who want the classic appeal of Annapurna Base Camp but also value less-crowded trails like Mardi Himal.
If you’ve done shorter treks before and are looking for something more immersive but still manageable, this is for you. Also, if you love photography, sunrise views, cultural connections, and natural diversity in one package — you’ll find this trek especially rewarding.
Final Thoughts
The Annapurna Base Camp & Mardi Himal Trek with Buddha Air delivers a rare blend of comfort, culture, and natural spectacle. From the flight over the Himalayas to the ridgelines of Mardi Himal, and the epic amphitheater of ABC, it’s an adventure that covers beauty in many forms.
If you’re planning your next Himalayan journey, this is one that lives in the mind and stays in the heart long after you’ve returned home.
To explore the full itinerary and book your trek, check out Nepal Eco Trekking’s offer here