There are three real starting points for the Mardi Himal Trek: Kande, Phedi (Dhampus), and Pitam Deurali. Kande is the most common choice, sitting about 45 minutes to an hour from Pokhara by road. All three connect to the same trail system, so your choice comes down to travel time, trek difficulty on day one, and how many days you have. This guide breaks down exactly how to reach each one, what it costs, and which one fits your trip.
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The 3 Starting Points for the Mardi Himal Trek
Most treks in Nepal have one clear starting village, but Mardi Himal has three. This happens because the trek sits close to Pokhara, and several roads lead into the same hills. Trekking agencies also don’t always agree on which point is “official,” which is why you’ll see different names in different guides. The good news is that all three routes eventually join the main Mardi Himal trail, so there’s no wrong choice — just different trade-offs.
Kande – The Most Popular Starting Point
Kande sits at about 1,770 meters and is roughly 18 km, or 45 minutes to an hour, from Pokhara by road. It’s the busiest and most well-marked starting point, with clear signage and a steady stream of other trekkers on the first stretch of trail.
From Kande, the trail climbs through forest to Australian Camp and Pothana before joining the main route toward Deurali. The first day is a moderate uphill walk, doable for most fitness levels but steep enough that beginners will feel it.
Kande works best for first-time trekkers and anyone doing the full 5-to-7-day itinerary, since it’s the easiest point to arrange transport to and has the most teahouses along the early trail.
Phedi / Dhampus – The Alternate Route via Dhampus Village
Phedi is about 40 minutes from Pokhara, slightly closer than Kande. From here, the trail climbs steeply up to Dhampus village before leveling out toward Pothana and Pitam Deurali, where it meets the same trail Kande trekkers use.
The Dhampus route feels quieter than Kande in the first hour or two, since fewer trekkers start here. It also passes through a proper village, giving a closer look at local Gurung life early in the trek.
This route suits trekkers who’ve already done the Kande route before, or anyone who wants a slightly less crowded start without changing the rest of the itinerary.
Pitam Deurali – The Shortcut for Short Itineraries
Pitam Deurali sits higher up, at around 2,100 meters, and is reached by a longer private drive from Pokhara rather than a short hop. Starting here skips the Kande-to-Deurali walking day entirely, cutting roughly a full day off the standard itinerary.
Because you begin at a higher elevation with less time to adjust, this option works best for experienced trekkers who are already acclimatized or short on time and want to reach Mardi Himal Base Camp in 3 to 4 days instead of 5 to 7.
How to Get from Pokhara to Kande
Local bus: Buses to Kande leave from Pokhara’s local bus stop and cost around NPR 150–200 (about $1.50). The ride takes roughly an hour, but buses can be crowded and don’t run on a fixed schedule.
Shared jeep: Shared jeeps cost around NPR 300–500 per person and can usually be booked through a guesthouse or trekking agency in Pokhara the day before. They’re faster than the local bus and a good middle-ground option.
Private taxi: A private taxi from Pokhara Lakeside to Kande costs around NPR 2,500–3,500 (about $19–27) and takes 45 minutes to an hour. This is the best option if you want to leave early, since taxis can be booked for a specific pickup time.
How to Get from Pokhara to Phedi / Dhampus
Local bus: Buses heading toward Phedi cost about NPR 150–250 and take around 40 minutes. Like the Kande bus, timing isn’t fixed, so build in extra buffer if you have a schedule to keep.
Shared jeep: Shared jeeps to Phedi run for roughly NPR 300–500 per person, similar in price to the Kande route, and are easy to arrange through most guesthouses.
Private taxi: A private taxi costs around NPR 2,000–3,000 and takes about 40 minutes. Since Phedi is slightly closer to Pokhara than Kande, taxi fares here tend to run a little lower.
How to Get from Pokhara to Pitam Deurali
There’s no public bus route directly to Pitam Deurali, so almost all trekkers arrange a private jeep or car, usually through a trekking agency. The drive takes longer than the Kande or Phedi routes since it climbs further into the hills, and typically costs around NPR 4,000–6,000 depending on the vehicle and how far you’re negotiating from.
Most trekkers choose this option specifically to save a day of walking, so it’s worth booking through an agency that can confirm road conditions beforehand, since this route depends more on the state of the mountain road than the other two.
Which Starting Point Should You Choose?
| Starting Point | Drive Time from Pokhara | Day 1 Difficulty | Best For |
| Kande | 45 min – 1 hr | Moderate | First-timers, full itinerary |
| Phedi / Dhampus | ~40 min | Moderate (steeper start) | Repeat trekkers, quieter trail |
| Pitam Deurali | 1.5 – 2 hrs | Skips Day 1 entirely | Experienced trekkers, short itineraries |
If you’re unsure, Kande is the safest default, it’s the most reliable for transport, has the most teahouses nearby, and gives you a full acclimatization day before climbing higher.
What to Arrange in Pokhara Before You Leave
ACAP permit and TIMS card: Since the entire trek falls inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, you’ll need an ACAP permit and a TIMS card before you leave Pokhara. These aren’t available at the trailhead, so get them sorted at the permit office in Pokhara first — trying to arrange them last minute can delay your departure by hours.
Hiring a guide or porter locally: If you haven’t pre-booked one, Pokhara has several trekking agencies where you can hire a guide or porter a day or two before you leave. Doing this in person lets you confirm experience and pricing directly.
Last-minute gear: Pokhara Lakeside has plenty of gear shops for anything you forgot – trekking poles, warm layers, or a rain cover. Prices here are generally lower than buying gear back home, so it’s a fine place to fill small gaps in your kit.
Best Time of Day to Leave Pokhara
Leaving early morning, ideally by 7 or 8 a.m., gives you the smoothest start. Traffic out of Pokhara is lighter earlier in the day, and it gives you more daylight for the uphill walk on day one, which matters most if you’re heading to Kande or Phedi. An early start also means you’ll reach your first teahouse with time to rest before dark, rather than arriving in a rush.
Final Thoughts
Whichever starting point you choose, you’ll end up on the same trail toward Mardi Himal Base Camp. Kande is the easiest and most reliable choice for most trekkers, Phedi offers a quieter alternative, and Pitam Deurali is worth it if you’re short on time and already acclimatized. Once you’ve picked your starting point and sorted your permits in Pokhara, the next step is mapping out your day-by-day itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kande or Phedi the official start of the Mardi Himal Trek?
Neither is officially “the” starting point, both are valid, and both connect to the same main trail. Kande is simply the more commonly used option because it’s easier to arrange transport to and has more teahouses early on.
Can I take a public bus to the starting point, or do I need a taxi?
You can take a public bus to both Kande and Phedi for a few hundred rupees. A taxi costs more but is faster and more reliable for an early departure. Pitam Deurali has no bus route, so a private vehicle is required.
How long does it take to get from Pokhara to the trailhead?
Kande and Phedi are both roughly 40 minutes to an hour away by road. Pitam Deurali takes longer, usually 1.5 to 2 hours, since it sits higher and further into the hills.
Do I need a permit before leaving Pokhara?
Yes. You need an ACAP permit and a TIMS card before starting the trek, and both should be arranged in Pokhara ahead of time, not at the trailhead.
Can I skip Pokhara and start the trek from Kathmandu?
No. All three starting points are reached by road from Pokhara, so you’ll need to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara first, either by tourist bus or a short domestic flight, before heading to the trailhead.