Poon Hill or Mardi Himal for a Family Trek? Ages, Steps, Altitude and Cost

Last updated 10 October 2026.

Short answer: For a family with children, I choose Poon Hill. You sleep at 1,960 m, 2,860 m and 2,630 m and reach 3,210 m only for the sunrise, and we built a family version of it for children from about 8. Mardi Himal is a moderate trek with a night at 3,580 m and a base camp day at 4,500 m, so I keep it for older teenagers who walk well. Poon Hill costs USD 695 per person on Standard for 2 to 4 people; Mardi Himal costs USD 770.

Both treks start and end in Pokhara, both are short, and both give you a Himalayan view. They are not equal for children. The one I send most families on is the Poon Hill trek, and I wrote a separate version of it for families. You can see it on our Poon Hill Family Trek with Kids, 4 Days from Pokhara page. A licensed guide leads every day. For a general comparison that is not about children, read my guide to Poon Hill or Mardi Himal.

Poon Hill or Mardi Himal for families at a glance

These are the live prices on our trip pages. A child pays the same as an adult, because permits, hotels, a seat in the vehicle and taxes cost us the same for a child.

Which is better for young children?

Poon Hill, and I mean that firmly. The family version was built for children from about 8 who can walk four to five hours a day. Fitness matters more than the birthday: a fit ten-year-old can do better than her parents, and a twelve-year-old who has never walked far can struggle on day one. We do not take children under 3 on any trek, and for ages 5 to 7 I suggest a day hike instead, such as our Namobuddha and Panauti hike.

The family version changes how the days are run, not where you go. The pace is set by the youngest walker, we stop about every hour, we check everyone's oxygen level twice a day from Ghorepani, and your guide brings games and colouring supplies for younger children. We talk through each day with you the evening before.

Which is better for teenagers?

It depends on the teenager. A fit teenager who enjoys walking can do Mardi Himal, and the views of Machhapuchhre from High Camp are the reward. But the base camp day reaches 4,500 m, and children catch altitude sickness more easily than adults and are worse at describing it. We have no family version of Mardi Himal, so I would want to talk to you first about your teenager's fitness before I recommend it. For a first trek with the family, Poon Hill is the safer choice, and Mardi can come later. If you are unsure, my guide to where you sleep on Mardi Himal shows what the nights are like.

How does altitude affect children?

On Poon Hill, you sleep at Ulleri 1,960 m, Ghorepani 2,860 m and Tadapani 2,630 m. Ghorepani is the first night above 2,500 m, so from there your guide watches for a quiet child, a pale face, stumbling or a lost appetite. If a reading is low or a child shows signs of altitude sickness, we do not go higher, and if the signs get worse we go down. The guide's word on going up or down is final. On Mardi Himal, you sleep at Forest Camp, 2,520 m, then at High Camp, 3,580 m, and walk to 4,500 m on day 3. That is a bigger step for a child, and the reason for my advice above.

What are the steps like?

Most of the Poon Hill trail is stone steps. Day 1 climbs the famous staircase to Ulleri, roughly 3,000 steps, and it takes adults three to four hours. With children we plan for a stop about every hour and a long lunch. The descent to Ghandruk on day 4 is the other hard part, because going down tires small knees more than the climb did. If a child is too tired to walk, we slow down, rest and decide with you, and the vehicle can meet you in Ghandruk. Nobody is pushed to finish a day.

When is the best time to go?

Mardi Himal's best months are March to May and October to November. My month-by-month guide to Poon Hill goes into each season.

What do children need to bring?

• Walking boots that have been broken in, not trainers.
• A base layer, a fleece and a waterproof jacket.
• A hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 sun cream.
• A head torch, ideally one with a red light, for the sunrise walk.
• A small notebook and cards, and a favourite snack from home.
• A light pack, 3 to 4 kg at most. Leave heavy toys and tablets in Pokhara.

Bring plasters, antiseptic wipes, children's paracetamol, rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoea medicine and any prescription medicines. If a child has asthma or a breathing condition, ask your doctor before you book. Bring your passport and a copy of each child's passport. My guide to trekking in Nepal with kids has a longer list.

What does it cost for a family?

That is four people at the 2 to 4 price, children included. The price covers the licensed guide, the Annapurna Conservation Area permit, the TIMS card and the private vehicle. Budget has shared rooms, no porter and no meals. Standard adds one porter for every two trekkers, a private room where the lodge has one and all meals. Luxury gives each trekker a dedicated porter, the best available room, all meals, fruit, nuts and unlimited soft drinks. Hotel nights in Pokhara and Kathmandu are not included.

How do you get there?

Both treks start in Pokhara, about 820 m. On the Poon Hill trek you drive about 90 minutes to Nayapul and walk from there, and after four days a vehicle meets you in Ghandruk and drives you back. Mardi Himal starts with a drive to Kande and ends with a drive from Siding to Pokhara. How you reach Pokhara from Kathmandu is covered in my flight and tourist bus guide.

What are the terms?

Group size is 1 to 20, and every trek is private, so we never add strangers to your party. Buy travel insurance at home that covers children, trekking to 3,500 m for Poon Hill, and helicopter evacuation. For Mardi Himal it should cover trekking to 5,000 m. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice, to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu, in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients. We tell you your guide's name after you book.

Questions people ask

How old do children need to be for Poon Hill? We built the family version for children from about 8 who can walk four to five hours a day. We do not take children under 3 on any trek.

Is Poon Hill safe for children? The sleeping altitude stays below 3,000 m. Your guide checks everyone's oxygen level twice a day from Ghorepani, and the guide's word on going up or down is final.

Can the children skip the sunrise climb? Yes. The 45-minute climb is optional. Tell your guide the evening before and we plan the morning around the children.

Is Mardi Himal suitable for children? We have no family version of it. The High Camp night is at 3,580 m and the base camp day reaches 4,500 m, so I only consider it for fit older teenagers, after we have talked.

How much does a family trek cost? For four people on Standard, the Poon Hill Family Trek is USD 2,780 in total and Mardi Himal is USD 3,080. A child pays the same as an adult.

What if a child is too tired? We slow down, rest and decide with you. The guide has shorter-day options for each day, and the vehicle can meet you in Ghandruk.

What do the children eat? Lodge food is simple: dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, pancakes, porridge and hot chocolate. Meals are included on Standard and Luxury. On Budget you pay for meals at the lodges.

Who carries the bags? On Standard there is one porter for every two trekkers, and on Luxury every trekker has a dedicated porter. On Budget there are no porters, so the adults carry the family's bags.

How do you book?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with the ages of your children, the dates you have in mind and how much walking they do at home. I will tell you honestly which trek I would choose for your family and send the exact quote. If you want to see how the two routes join, read about the Poon Hill Trek, 4 Days, the Mardi Himal Trek, 5 Days and the nine-day combination.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.