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Mardi Himal

Pokhara to Kande trek: altitude, time and route

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

The Pokhara to Kande section of the Mardi Himal trek runs from about 820 m to about 1,770 m. Typical time is 1 to 1.5 hours by road, rated easy. That is a net gain of roughly 950 m, by road.

Quick facts

  • Start: Pokhara, about 820 m
  • End: Kande, about 1,770 m
  • Change: a net gain of roughly 950 m, by road
  • Typical time: 1 to 1.5 hours by road
  • Difficulty: Easy

The route

A short drive to the trailhead at Kande, on the Pokhara to Baglung highway, followed by a short ride or walk uphill to the start.

Altitude and health

This section stays below about 3,000 m, so altitude sickness is unlikely, though heat, humidity and fatigue still matter. Altitudes vary by a few tens of metres between maps and guidebooks.

Tips

Taxis are easy to find. Keep your TIMS and ACAP permits at hand.

Common questions

  • Is Kande the trailhead? Yes, for the traditional route to Australian Camp.
  • Is the drive hard? No, it is short.

Reverse direction

Walking Kande to Pokhara 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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