Ghandruk Village Trek is one of the most short, easy, and family-friendly treks in the Annapurna foothills. In general, trekking in Nepal takes more than a week, but this trek can be completed within 6 days. So, this trek is the perfect choice for those who have a brief time in Nepal and want to taste the Himalayan trekking experience in a short period.
Well, this trek gets its name after the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk. It is famous for its rich Gurung culture and hospitality. This lovely village with slate-roofed houses beside paddy fields with stunning mountain views and green hills in the background is definitely a grand setting that offers you a majestic feel. Some famous treks of Nepal in the Annapurna region, such as Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp, and Annapurna Circuit, goes through Ghandruk village.
A journey of Ghandruk Village trek begins from Nayapul, 1 hour drive from the main city of Pokhara. The trail goes through dense rhododendron forests, paddy fields, and steep stone staircase to picturesque villages of the lower Annapurna region. The Ghandruk trail is scenic and offers close-up views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli.
The main attraction of the 6-day Ghandruk trek is the bustling, culturally rich Ghandruk village. The Gurung community mainly inhabits it. Over 200 years of ancient, the Old Gurung Museum and new Ghandruk Cultural Museum are worth visiting. In these museums, you can get a glimpse of the village people's daily life story and learn the Gurung culture too.
After having a pleasant stay at Ghandruk village, this scenic trek leads you through other charming towns of Pothana and Dhampus. So, this 6-day itinerary of Ghandruk Village trek will give you plenty of time to stop the enjoy the scenery, interact with the locals, and take time to explore these pristine villages. This short trek is open all year round, and due to being less strenuous, all age groups can enjoy the trek. This beautiful trek has inspired many people as an introductory trek in the Annapurna region.
The trip's price depends on the type of services chosen by our clients and the group size. The cost of each trip we organize is different because we see travelers as individuals having their own particular needs and preferences.
Get ready for an incredible journey tailored to your interests and preferences, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway. Leave the planning to us as we take care of all the details, ensuring your dream trip becomes a reality. You can relax and focus on creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever.
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and Trek Preparation |
Day 2 | Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m/2,624ft), Drive to Nayapul, and Trek to Ghandruk (1,540m/5052ft) - 25 minutes flight, 1 to 2 hours drive, 4 to 5 hours trek |
Day 3 | Trek from Ghandruk to Pothana (2,000m/6,500ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
Day 4 | Trek from Pothana to Phedi and Drive to Pokhara - 3 to 4 hours trek, 30 minutes’ drive |
Day 5 | Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - 6 to 7 hours drive |
Day 6 | Final Departure |
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, where you will meet the representative from Third Rock Adventures. He will help you with the airport formalities and transfer to the respective hotel. You can rest for a while and later wander around your neighborhood. After exploring, you can return to the hotel and prepare for the trek.
Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
You drive to the international airport in the morning to catch the domestic flight to Pokhara. It is one of the quickest and most comfortable ways of traveling to Pokhara. So, it is included in our short 6 days of Ghandruk Trek itinerary. Once you arrive in Pokhara, you'll take a short drive to Nayapul, where you pass through some enchanting villages of Phedi, Naudanda, Kande, and Lumle. You'll undoubtedly catch beautiful glimpses of mountain ranges, flowing rivers, and green hills.
Nayapul is a popular place as most of the treks of the Annapurna region either start or end here. After grabbing your stuff and taking a rest, you'll set out for the large Gurung settlement of Ghandruk. It is also the main attraction of our 6 days of Ghandruk Village Trek.
Entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, you'll cross some exciting villages of Birethanti, Kimchi, Chane, etc., along with beautiful rice terrace fields. En route, you might meet a lot more trekkers around. Most of them are on the way to Annapurna Base Camp or Ghorepani Poon Hill. After a few hours of walking, you'll reach Ghandruk village. Later you can wander in the village's narrow alleys and enjoy the beautiful ancient mountain architecture.
Overnight stay in Ghandruk.
In the early morning, enjoys breakfast with grand mountain views of the Annapurna range and Macchapuchhare and Mardi Himal. Take some time to wander around the village and visit the old and new Gurung museums. These are tiny exhibition houses made of stone slabs where you can learn about the history and local way of Gurung life. After a pleasant stay at lovely Ghandruk village, you leave for Pothana.
Start your hike by crossing an iron bridge, and slow downhill, take it towards the bank of the Modi Khola River. The trek gradually ascends through other lovely ethnic Gurung villages of Landruk and Tolka. En route, stop at the ridge to witness the magical view of the Annapurna ranges. Continue your walk-through lush forests until you arrive at Deurali village. Finally, short ascent will take you to the Pothana. Although the town is small, you'll find a range of teahouses and shops. You can enjoy the magnificent mountain views.
Overnight stay in Pothana.
Last day of the trek, grab some hot breakfast with astonishing mountain views. Leaving behind the small village of Pothana, the trail descends along a stone paved path through a forested area and reaches another charming settlement of Dhampus. This is another authentic Gurung village in the Annapurna region. You can take a brief stop to admire the beauty of the Annapurna range and Lamjung Himal.
Afterward, continue your walk through the forest of rhododendron, magnolia, oak, and pine till Phedi, where a jeep will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. 30 minutes of the scenic drive will take you to Pokhara. You can refresh and enjoy your evening at the lakeside of beautiful Phewa Lake.
Overnight stay in Pokhara.
Early morning you'll have some delicious breakfast enjoying the enchanting view of Machhapuchhre. Later, you'll reach Kathmandu after a 6 to 7 hours drive in the evening. The rest of the evening you can enjoy yourself at leisure. You can do some souvenir shopping or explore the streets of the capital.
Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Finally, you'll say farewell to the Himalayan country of Nepal! A representative from Third Rock Adventures will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It's good to be at least 3 hours before departure. In addition, if you want to extend your vacation and explore more of Nepal, you have many trekking options and tour packages. Just let us know we'll set your itinerary based on your preference, interests, and time duration.