Ghandruk, Nepal: Village Guide & Things to Do
PLANNING TO VISIT GHANDRUK, NEPAL?
I first visited Ghandruk in 2015 when I went on my first ever trek in Nepal (Poon Hill!). Recently, I went on the ABC trek and had the chance to return to Ghandruk. I was excited to see what has changed in the past 10 years, but mostly just to relax and see the views.
Ghandruk is a popular village near Pokhara and is famous for its Gurung culture, beautiful views of the Annapurna range, and for being a major village on the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trekking route.
Ghandruk has become very popular in recent years, and due to that the prices have also increased for food and accommodation. If you are looking for more affordable options in Ghandruk, check out the homestays in Old Ghandruk.
The best things to do in Ghandruk is to relax, enjoy the mountain views, go for a village walk, learn about Gurung culture, and explore its museums – the Ghandruk Cultural Museum, and the Old Gurung Museum.
There are regular jeeps and buses going from Pokhara to Ghandruk, so it is pretty easy to get there. It takes around 2 hours by jeep, which is better, as the buses can take 3-5 hours.
Is Ghandruk Worth Visiting?
Yes, Ghandruk is definitely worth visiting! It has beautiful views of the Annapurna range (if the sky is clear!), a peaceful place to relax, and you can also learn about the Gurung culture.
It is a major village on the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trek. Most people finish the Poon Hill trek in Ghandruk, while those who go on the ABC trek, they start in Ghandruk.
Due to its beautiful views and being on the trekking routes for both Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, Ghandruk has become overly touristy in the last couple of years.
As lots of tourists visit Ghandruk, the prices have gone up for food and accommodation but you can still find affordable deals at homestays in the Old Ghandruk (‘Purano Ghandruk’ in Nepali) part of the village.
Ghandruk Village: Information for Visitors
Best Time to Visit Ghandruk
The best time to visit Ghandruk is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April), however, winter can also be a good time for clear views of the mountains.
Spring season in Nepal used to have clear views, however, in recent years, the clear view of mountains is not guaranteed in the spring due to smog and haze.
Due to it, if you visit Nepal in Spring, you may not have the best views but in general, it is the second best time to visit Nepal.
One of my friends’ visited Ghandruk in December and had much better views of the mountains than I had when I visited in April, so it shows that the Spring views are really unpredictable lately.
Ghandruk Altitude
Ghandruk is at 2,000 metres (6,560 ft) altitude.
You don’t have to worry about altitude sickness at this elevation, as the risk of altitude sickness starts from above 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
Ghandruk Location
Ghandruk is located 57 km from Pokhara and there are regular jeeps and buses that connect the two places.
Ghandruk is in the Annapurna Conservation Area and many people pass by Ghandruk Village on the Poon Hill and ABC trek.
Permits
To enter Ghandruk, foreigners have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22).
On the way to Ghandruk, both the buses and jeeps pass by Nayapul where there is a checkpoint for permits. The jeeps and buses stop here and you have to show your permit.
I went to Ghandruk by a sharing jeep and once we got to Nayapul, we stopped for a few minutes while we all showed our permits and then we continued the drive to Ghandruk.
Some travellers also just take a bus to Nayapul, show the permit and then trek to Ghandruk. However, the walk from Nayapul to Ghandruk follows mostly a jeep road, so it is not very scenic.
You can get the ACAP at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu, the permit office in Pokhara, or online. The online system was introduced in 2024 and you can apply for a permit for trekking routes in the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar regions.
Major Ethnic Group in Ghandruk
The major ethnic group in Ghandruk is the Gurung. There are 125 ethnic groups in Nepal and one of them is the Gurung ethnic group.
The Gurung ethnic group is mostly settled in the hilly region of Nepal in the Gandaki Province, where Ghandruk is also located.
There are a couple of places in Ghandruk where you can rent traditional Gurung outfits and take photos in it. It is mostly popular with Nepali visitors, and I did see quiet a few friend groups dressing up in the traditional Gurung outfits.
What is Ghandruk Famous For?
Ghandruk is famous for its Gurung culture, views of the Annapurna range, and for being on the trekking route of the Poon Hill and the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Ghandruk has beautifully preserved old stone houses that look really pretty with the Annapurna mountains in the background.
You can find stone houses all over Ghandruk, but I found the most beautifully preserved stone houses in the Old Ghandruk (‘Purano Ghandruk’ in Nepali) part of Ghandruk.
Most people finish the Poon Hill trek in Ghandruk, however, it is also popular to just go to Ghandruk for the views and then go from there to Poon Hill.
Apart from the Poon Hill trek, Ghandruk is also a popular starting point for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. From Ghandruk, it usually takes 5-6 days to complete the ABC trek.
While Ghandruk has really beautiful views when the weather is clear, if it is cloudy, you may not see the mountains at all.
Ghandruk has become very popular in recent years, and the prices for accommodation and food increased due to that. Lately, I have heard that Sikles village is becoming the “new Ghandruk”, as it has equally beautiful views but it is not yet overly touristy yet.
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Things to Do in Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a major village connecting the Poon Hill trek with the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and most travellers only pass by the village or spend one night here.
Even if you don’t have time to spend one day in Ghandruk, you can explore the village in 1-2 hours. In 1-2 hours, you can check out the views, visit the museums, and walk around the village.
Relax and Enjoy the Mountain Views
The best thing to do in Ghandruk is to relax and see the mountain views (if the sky is clear).
On a clear day in Ghandruk, you can see Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna.
If you are staying in Ghandruk just after finishing the Poon Hill trek, then it is a great place to relax. In case you are in Ghandruk to start the ABC trek, then it is a good place to start to get into the spirit of trekking.
The last time I visited Ghandruk, the skies were cloudy, so I didn’t get a clear view. After living in Nepal for the past 2 years, I find that lately the best time for clear views is in November and December, however, that’s a very small window of opportunity.
Go for a Village Walk
Ghandruk is a pretty big village, and it is great to just walk around, see the architecture of the houses but still feel like you are in nature.
There is also a tea garden and a small temple (Meshram Baraha Mandir) that are located just outside Ghandruk on the trail that goes to Poon Hill.
The trail to the tea garden is near the Old Ghandruk part of the village, and it is a couple of stairs to go up to the tea garden and then to the Meshram Baraha Mandir temple. It’s a great walk to warm yourself up for all the stairs on the ABC trek.
Visit the Museums & Learn About Gurung Culture
- Ghandruk Cultural Museum entry fee: Rs. 100 foreigners, Rs. 50 Nepali, Rs. 30 Nepali Student with ID. Renting traditional Gurung dress: Rs. 200 Nepali, Rs. 300 foreigners.
- Old Gurung Museum: Rs. 100 foreigners
Ghandruk is a majority Gurung village, and it has 2 museums (Ghandruk Cultural Museum, Old Gurung Museum) where you can learn about Gurung culture and see traditional household items like kitchen utensils, woven baskets, and music instruments.
Trekking Routes That Pass Through Ghandruk
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Ghandruk is a popular starting point for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Years ago, people used to start the ABC trek from Nayapul (some still do these days), however, there are regular jeeps now to Ghandruk, so you can save some time and take a jeep directly to Ghandruk.
The route from Nayapul to Ghandruk mostly follows a jeep road, and since there are so many jeeps going now, I don’t think it is even enjoyable to walk this route.
Another trekker told me that she walked on a village path from Nayapul to Ghandruk, however, it is not a marked trekking trail and it is difficult to navigate it. So ultimately, it is best to either take the jeep straight to Ghandruk or walk following the jeep road.
From Ghandruk, most people complete the ABC trek in 5-6 days. After getting to Ghandruk, you can either stay in Ghandruk for a night or walk to Chhomrong the same day.
You can save time by taking an early jeep from Pokhara to Ghandruk, take a break, and then walk to Chhomrong. I decided to stay in Ghandruk for a night as I was hoping for clear mountain views in the morning.
Poon Hill Trek
Poon Hill is a short 3-day trek starting from Nayapul. The Poon Hill trail goes almost in a loop and many people finish the trek in Ghandruk.
Poon Hill is a popular trek as it is short and you get beautiful mountain views. However, as it is very popular, there are also a lot of trekking groups on the trail, especially in high season in the Spring and Autumn.
From Poon Hill, you can even connect it to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Alternatively, if you are looking for a short trek near Pokhara that is not overly popular yet, check out the Mardi Himal trek that you can complete in 4 days from Pokhara.
Ghandruk Trek
The Ghandruk Trek is a low altitude trek and is more like a hike.
The Ghandruk trekking route goes from Nayapul to Ghandruk, then to Landruk, Australian Camp, Dhampus, and lastly Phedi from where you can take bus/jeep back to Pokhara.
Since there are jeeps and buses going all the way to Ghandruk, the initial part of the trek can now be skipped, go to Ghandruk and start from there.
As the Ghandruk trek is a low altitude trek and doesn’t go too close to the mountains, it does not have as great views like ABC or Poon Hill, but it is a good option if you want to spend a couple of days in nature and relax in Nepali villages.
Accommodation in Ghandruk
When visiting Ghandruk, you can just show up and find accommodation in person, there is no need to pre-book.
Due to an increasing number of international and domestic visitors, the prices for accommodation and food in Ghandruk have gone up. Nevertheless, there are still lots of options for accommodation, including more affordable options.
Hotels in Ghandruk
Some of the best hotels in Ghandruk are located basically on the “top” of the village. Here you can find accommodation by the Mountain Lodges of Nepal and the Snowland Lodge.
The Mountain Lodges of Nepal have a chain of high quality lodges across a few villages on trekking routes in Nepal and they offer the highest quality of accommodation on some of the trekking routes. It is around USD 70 per night including breakfast.
The majority of hotels in Ghandruk are around USD 20-25 per night. Some also do package deals that include some of the meals, like breakfast and dinner.
Homestays in Ghandruk
Homestays are the most affordable options in Ghandruk. There are many homestays in the Old Ghandruk (Purano Ghandruk) part of the village and you can find some better prices here.
I stayed at the Athiti Homestay while in Ghandruk. It is a basic accommodation but still comfortable, and I got a deal with the room, dinner and breakfast for Rs. 1,300 (including wifi, hot shower and hot drinking water).
The Athiti Homestay is not on google maps, but it is right past the Maya Homestay and the Danda Gaun Hotel.
How to Get to Ghandruk
There are buses and jeeps all throughout the day from Pokhara to Ghandruk.
The jeeps go from Hari Chowk in Pokhara and it takes around 2 hours. The jeeps go from 5 am to 6 pm during the day, and they are sharing jeeps, so the jeep leaves as soon as it fills up with passengers.
The jeep costs Rs. 5,000 (USD 36) and this cost is split between all the passengers. So, if 8 people shared the jeep, then the price per person is Rs. 625.
On the other hand, the buses to Ghandruk go from the Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara. The bus ticket costs Rs. 450 (USD 3) and it can take 3-5 hours to get to Ghandruk. So, in most cases, it is recommended to take the jeep as it goes faster than the bus.
FAQs: Ghandruk, Nepal: Travel Guide
What is Ghandruk famous for?
Ghandruk is famous for its Gurung culture, views of the Annapurna range, and for being on the trekking route of the Poon Hill and the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
How far is Ghandruk from Kathmandu?
The distance from Kathmandu to Ghandruk is 255 km.
To get from Kathmandu to Ghandruk, first you have to take a bus or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then take a jeep from Pokhara to Ghandruk.
Generally, you would first go from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and then the next day go from Pokhara to Ghandruk.
How long is the trek from Pokhara to Ghandruk?
People don’t trek from Pokhara to Ghandruk anymore. Maybe many years ago when road networks were less developed, people trekked from Pokhara to Ghandruk.
However, now the roads are better from Pokhara to Ghandruk and there are regular jeeps and buses all day long that connect the two places.
When is the best time to visit Ghandruk?
Generally, the best time to visit Ghandruk is in the Autumn. The second best time is in the Spring, however, in recent years it has been cloudy in the Spring, so the views are not guaranteed.
I found winter is also a great time to visit Ghandruk as you have really nice clear views – although you have to prepare for the cold weather.
What would you enjoy the most in Ghandruk?
Ghandruk is the best if you want to relax in a village with beautiful views of the Annapurna range.
You can also go on a village walk and explore the area, including the Cultural Museum and the Old Gurung Museum.
Do you need a permit to visit Ghandruk village?
Yes, foreigners need to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to visit Ghandruk.
There is a checkpoint for permits in Nayapul that all buses and jeeps pass by on the way to Ghandruk and you have to show your permit here.
Can we go to Ghandruk by car?
Yes, it is possible to go to Ghandruk by car. There is a jeep road from Nayapul to Ghandruk and it is good enough also for cars and motorbikes to go on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ghandruk is a popular village near Pokhara and it is famous for its Gurung culture, beautiful views of the Annapurna range, and for being a major village on the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trekking route.
Ghandruk has become very popular in recent years, and due to that the prices have also increased for food and accommodation. However, you can find homestays in Old Ghandruk that offer more affordable options.
The best things to do in Ghandruk is to relax, enjoy the mountain views, go for a village walk, learn about Gurung culture, and explore its museums – the Ghandruk Cultural Museum, and the Old Gurung Museum.
There are regular jeeps and buses going from Pokhara to Ghandruk, so it is pretty easy to get there. It takes around 2 hours by jeep, which is better, as the buses can take 3-5 hours.
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