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Prayer flags in front of the Dhaulagiri range
Mardi Himal

Low Camp to Badal Danda trek: altitude, time and route

3 min readUpdated 23 Oct 2026By the Base Camp Hikes trek team

The Low Camp to Badal Danda section of the Mardi Himal trek runs from about 2,970 m to about 3,210 m. Typical time is 1.5 to 2 hours, rated moderate. That is a net gain of roughly 240 m.

Quick facts

  • Start: Low Camp, about 2,970 m
  • End: Badal Danda, about 3,210 m
  • Change: a net gain of roughly 240 m
  • Typical time: 1.5 to 2 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate

The route

The trail climbs along the open ridge, with views of Machapuchare and Annapurna South. Badal Danda is a ridge with a few lodges, often cloaked in cloud.

Altitude and health

Part of this section is at or above 3,000 m, so altitude sickness is possible. Walk slowly, drink water, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about headaches, nausea or poor sleep. Descend if symptoms worsen. Altitudes vary by a few tens of metres between maps and guidebooks.

Tips

This is a short stage. Use it to rest and adjust to the altitude.

Common questions

  • What does Badal Danda mean? Cloud ridge.
  • Is it cold here? At night, yes.

Reverse direction

Walking Badal Danda to Low Camp is the same trail in reverse. It is usually quicker because it is mostly downhill, but a long descent is hard on the knees, so poles help.

Nearby legs on this route

Plan it

Back to all route information or see the Mardi Himal trek guides.

Tents pitched at a high camp below glaciated peaks

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