Kathmandu to Ghandruk Trek: A Journey to the Old Village
Kathmandu to Ghandruk Trek can be the best trip to explore a Gurung town in the beautiful Annapurna region. Getting to Ghandruk from Kathmandu requires either a drive in a private vehicle or a flight to Pokhara.
We will take a private vehicle the rest of the way to Ghandruk. The Ghandruk Trek, which is also referred to as Ghandrung Trek is a great option for those who are looking for a short trek combined with a great adventure and thrill. The trek is typically completed within three to four days.
Kathmandu to Ghandruk Trek Overview:
The Ghandruk Trek starts from Phedi, which is just an hour's drive from Pokhara. The trail takes you further toward the dense rhododendron forests and paddy fields that further climb up steep stone-slab steps through picturesque villages of the lower Annapurna region. You will witness the beautiful snowy mountains towering over you throughout the trails.
We will pass through multiple bustling heritage villages of Ghandruk, with a relatively prosperous Gurung population. We will be staying in Ghandruk, gaining a wonderful experience in the lap of the mountains. The Gurung village has a friendly vibe offering us an amazing view of Himalayan giants Annapurna, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare (Fishtail).
We can complete the Ghandruk trek just within 4 or 6 days. The 4-day itinerary to the beautiful village will give you plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery and chat with locals. You can enjoy your time exploring the picturesque villages on the way to Ghandruk.
The Trek is among one of the most short, easy, and family-friendly treks in the Annapurna foothills. Most of the treks in Nepal take more than a week but the trek to Ghandruk can be completed within 6 days. Hence, you can take this vacation as one of the perfect choices for those who have a very short time in Nepal and want to take an immense taste of trekking in the Himalayas.
The trek is named after the beautiful Gurung Village which is very famous for its old Gurung culture and hospitality. The village is late-roofed and has multiple paddy fields with stunning views of mountains, landscapes, and green hills. This can be a majestic feel for you.
Outline Itinerary
1st Day: Arrival to Kathmandu(1,300m)
2nd Day: Explore the cultural sites of Kathmandu
3rd Day: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Trek to Pothana (1,860 m/ 6,102 feet)
4th Day: Trek from Pothana to Ghandruk (1,940 m/ 6,365 feet)
5th Day: Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul and Flight back from Pokhara to Kathmandu
6th Day: Departure from Kathmandu
Ghandruk Trip Highlights
- Trekking the beautiful lower Annapurna Region
- Explore the unique Gurung village of Ghandruk, with the beauty of the best short treks in Nepal
- Hike through the dense woods of rhododendron forests to witness diverse flora and fauna in the Annapurna Conservation Area
- Traveling through several Gurung villages of Pothana, Dhampus, Deurali, and Phedi
- Passing through a scenic trail that includes cascading waterfalls, water streams, rice fields, and beautiful terraces
- Sunrise view over the mountains of the Annapurna range seen from Ghandruk
- Explore Old Gurung Museum and to know about the lifestyle, history, and culture of the Gurung people
- A chance to Dress up in Gurung attire and take a picture
- Spectacular views of multiple mountains including Annapurna South (7,219m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), and Hiunchuli (6,441m), etc.
- Nightlife at Pokhara City or a walk around Phewa Lake
How to get to Ghandruk?
Kathmandu to Pokhara
- By Air
A 30-minute flight is the most recommendable way to get to Pokhara from Kathmandu. It will be the quickest, easiest, and most comfortable method of transportation.
There will be several flights. It will be much better if you took the earliest flight to Pokhara. The weather conditions are very unpredictable, so sometimes the flight may be delayed. If you sit on the right-hand side of the plane, you will get the best mountain views.
- By Road
Taking a drive to Pokhara is also one of the convenient ways to reach the city. The overland journey will take about six to nine hours on a normal day. You can also hire a private vehicle and drive to Pokhara which will allow you to stop at the places you prefer and leave at the time you want.
Besides hiring a private vehicle, you can also take a drive in a tourist bus. This can be a better option if you are not short on time. You’ll reach the place exploring the countryside on the river banks of the river.
Sometimes the trip can take longer due to the road and traffic conditions. Tourist buses live early in the morning and you have to pre-book the tickets to book seats for you.
Pokhara to Ghandruk
After reaching Pokhara, the next step is toward Ghandruk. If we take a very early flight to Pokhara and everything goes as per the scheduled plan, we will possibly reach Pothana. So, we will move toward Pothana as soon we arrive at Pokhara. If we take the bus and arrive late, we will rest for the day at Pokhara and move on to the next day.
- By Private Transfer or by Foot
There are multiple options to reach Ghandruk from Pokhara. The options depend on your trekking itinerary. You shouldn’t necessarily take the most direct route as there are multiple routes to reach Ghandruk.
You can reach Ghandruk enjoying the beautiful trails, taking in the beauty of the villages on the trail without any rush. We will take a private vehicle from Pokhara to travel west along Pokhara-Baglung Rajmarg Road.
Most trekkers set off for the Annapurna Region treks from this road. Taking a local bus might not be a comfortable method, so, we will take a private vehicle. We will reach our destination after an hour. Then, we will start our trek and continue along the road toward the beautiful Ghandruk village. You can also choose to trek the complete trail if you are free and have a long time.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu(1,300m)
A warm welcome to the country of the Himalayas. After you arrive at the capital city, Kathmandu, our representative will be waiting for you at the Tribhuwan International Airport. They will also help you with further transport to your hotel where you will get some time to rest and freshen up. After some time, we will meet again for our traditional dinner together. We will also have a short briefing about the trek.
Day 2: Explore the cultural sites of Kathmandu
We have planned a full-day guided tour in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a beautiful city with many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can walk and explore the streets of the city. Taking a visit to places like Pashupatinath, Swaymbhunath, Boudhhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square can be a better option. Besides, we will also take a trip to the local streets of Kathmandu if we have time. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Trek to Pothana (1,860 m/ 6,102 feet)
After taking a very early breakfast, we will take a drive toward the International Airport to catch the flight to Pokhara. We will arrive in Pokhara after about 30 minutes. A jeep will be waiting for you at the airport to drive you to Phedi. Our trek starts from Phedi. Phedi is just an hour's drive from Pokhara. As we start our trek, the trail starts its ascend through the forests of rhododendron, magnolia, oak, sandalwood, and pine until we reach the beautiful settlement of Dhampus.
Dhampus is an authentic village offering an amazing view of the Annapurna range with notable peaks of Lamjung Himal. We continue our trek from Dhampus till we reach a stone-paved path passing through the other forests. We reach Pothana in a couple of hours, clicking pictures and resting multiple times. You’ll find a range of trekkers, teahouses, and eateries on the journey to Pothana.
Day 4: Trek from Pothana to Ghandruk (1,940 m/ 6,365 feet)
We will start our trek from Pothana after taking our breakfast. We will move through a very beautiful trail with magnificent views of mountains walking with us. We will set out towards the Gurung village of Ghandruk. We will initially move on a gradual ascent for almost an hour till we get to Deurali. We will pass through different lush forests mixed with views of Annapurna, Manaslu, and Mardi Himal.
Then the trekking trail begins to change into a steep walk downward till we reach Tolkha, a beautiful ethnic Gurung village. We will go through a more gradual ascent passing through terraces and a few settlements till we reach Landruk. Then, the trail continues to become steeper towards the Modi Khola River. We’ll cross an iron bridge that will thoroughly take us to the beautiful Ghandruk village. We will be staying overnight in the beautiful village exploring the surrounding, clicking a few pictures, and experiencing the unique beauty of Ghandruk.
Day 5: Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul and Flight back from Pokhara to Kathmandu
We will start the day with a very early breakfast. We will be taking some time exploring the surround of Ghandruk. We will then trek towards our destination Phedi. We will retrace our steps back. It will take us only a few hours to reach Phedi. After we reach Phedi, we will take the private transfer to Pokhara. As soon as we move to Pokhara, we will move to the Pokhara Airport, to catch our flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 6: Departure from Kathmandu
Finally, the trek officially ends on this day. You can enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu, taking breakfast, strolling around the streets, or going for shopping some souvenir gifts. If you choose to commence any other trek or activities, you can start the journey. If you are returning, one of our representatives will take you back to the International Airport to catch your flight back.
How much does the Ghandruk Trek costs?
As each trip is customized to fit the requirement of the client, the price will differ as per the choices. The size of the group also affects the cost. Your cost for the trip will be calculated keeping in mind the type of services and accommodation chosen by our clients. On average, the trek from Kathmandu to Ghandruk costs US $300 per person. The trips can be planned as per your needs and preferences.
On the whole, the Kathmandu to Ghandruk trek can be the best experience to explore the unique and beautiful Gurung village, Ghandruk. A trip to Ghandruk, with Nepal Vision Treks, can be once in a lifetime journey to experience the thrill of trekking, sightseeing, and adventure for a beginner or time-crunched traveler.
FAQs
- Which season suits you best to travel to Ghandruk?
The best time of year to trek around the Annapurna region is from mid-September to early May. You are not advised to trek to Ghandruk during the summer (June to July), as rain may prevent hikers from seeing the breathtaking vistas from Poon Hill and the road conditions may degrade.
- What distinguishes the culture of Ghandruk from others?
The culturally rich village, Ghandruk, provides one of the best views of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. It is also home to the Gurung Museum.
- Which peaks are seen from Ghandruk?
Treks to Annapurna Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit frequently start and end in Ghandruk, which lies in the Annapurna mountain range. The settlement serves as the entrance to Poon Hill. The place is a beautiful vantage point from which serves the views of summits of Mts. Annapurna, Machapuchare, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli.
- What is the highest elevation in the Ghandruk trek?
Ghandruk is one of Nepal's most well-known Gurung communities and a trekker's dream that goes to the highest elevation at 1,950m.
- How is the weather in Ghandruk?
During June, which is the hottest month, days have highs of 18°Cand lows of 9°C. January, the coldest month, has daily highs and lows of 6°C and 5°C, respectively. The best weather is from September to November in Ghandruk.
- The weather in Ghandruk, Nepal, is what?
In Ghandruk, June, which is the hottest month, days have highs of 64°F (18°C) and lows of 47°F (9°C). January, the coldest month, has daily highs and lows of 41°F (5°C) and 21°F (6°C), respectively. Based on previous data, the graph below depicts what a typical day in March in Ghandruk looks like.
- How far is the Pokhara from Ghandruk?
The journey from Pokhara to Ghandruk will last between 3:30 and 4 hours. The trails will take you through the verdant forests, tiny streams, and charming towns.
