The Ghandruk Village Trek is an awesome trekking elective for individuals who are in Nepal for a very brief period. It is also suitable for those who want to have a short experience with various fun-based exercises in Nepal.
The trek is normally finished in 3 to 4 days. Moreover, this is the most pleasant and suggested four-day trek which should be possible from Pokhara. Anyone can do this trek from the family and companion units with little kids to individuals who search for a shorter open-air outdoor experience in Nepal.
You will be trekking through Annapurna base mountain hills for the views. As Ghandruk lies on the way to Annapurna Base Camp, it is visited by most tourists of the world. Poon Hill Trek is also a similar trek to Ghandruk and lies on the same track though it is extended with some more days.
Ghandruk: Gurung Village
Tourists who have ever visited Pokhara will always have the urge to travel to the nearest villages of this beautiful city. As known as Gateway to Heaven, this lovely city leads to many places that are rich in natural beauty, cultures, and traditions. Among them, Ghandruk village is one of the most loved places by visitors.
Situated at 2010m above sea level, inhabited by the Gurung community, Ghandruk is a small village that offers majestic views of sunrise and sunset. Sightseeing of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from the village is what adds beauty to this place.
Many people prefer to trek to Ghandruk as they can enjoy all the beauty offered by this place. It professes to be the most visited trekking region in Nepal and is generally known and famous among worldwide guests. After opening the Pokhara-Baglung interstate in the mid-1990s, Ghandruk has seen a progressive increment in local voyagers too.
View from Ghandruk:
The view from Ghandruk is breathtaking. At the east, porches drop significantly into a profound chasm cut by the ice sheet bolstered Modi River. Over the fields, the thickly forested slope takes off high. That little bunch of dabs on the slope over the valley is Landruk.
One course through these slopes is prevalently called a “circle trek”, whereby trekkers on come back from Ghandruk go down the eastern side of the valley through Landruk, Pothana, Deurali, and Dhampus to Phedi at the top end of the Pokhara valley.
Toward the west, the slopes move up and over, through a high woodland, to the acclaimed trekking spots of Ghorepani and Poon Hill. What’s more, looking south, your eyes drop down into the profound valley where the Modi River twists along towards Birethanti and Nayapul.Ghandruk Village.
The most dynamite sight, notwithstanding, is northward up to the panoply of rugged snow crests that gravely look down over this Gurung region. It is practically entrancing, as your eyes sweep left to right and from down to up to the frigid monsters—Machhapuchhre at 6,993m (22,943ft) and her sister crests: Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South, going in the range from 6,441m or 21,132ft (Hiunchuli) to 7,555m or 24,787ft (Annapurna-III).
No words can justify the charm of these mountain views. And everything you can reclaim is those immortal minutes protected in your camera and your psyche. By a long shot, Machhapuchhre is the most captured crest from the vantage of Ghandruk town.
When you take a tour around Ghandruk village, you should surely visit a privately run museum that preserves kitchenware, traditional clothes, iron weaponry, and handmade tools. It will let you get a glimpse of the traditions and old lifecycle of this ethical community. If you are photogenic then there is a golden opportunity to get clicked wearing a traditional Gurung Dress which will be available at a certain price.
Like to read Nepal Trip which includes Ghandruk Village?
Ghandruk as a Gurung Village:
Shankar Bahadur Gurung discovered his rapture for life through his experience with a gathering of outsiders visiting Ghandruk. While numerous locals during the 1970s were frightened to chance upon outsiders, Gurung, regardless of his insufficiency in English, needed to converse with them and help them.
The outsiders needed a spot to remain, yet there was none – no inn, no cabin. Gurung, planning to give them any kind of sanctuary, offered them lodging at his home. With everyone assembled around the Chulo (hearth), and remaining together as a family, the multi-day stay transformed into three.
A little house with one entryway and no windows more likely than not advanced a ton to the visitors, for some different outsiders, upon other townspeople’s proposals, started remaining in Gurung’s home. The adoration he got from the sightseers roused him profoundly and persuaded him to open Ghandruk’s first lodging – Hotel Milan.
Ghandruk Weather:
Ghandruk has very favorable climatic conditions which are neither too hot nor too cold.
The weather does not change with increasing altitude, usually, it remains moderate. As it is at a low altitude it is safe and can be traveled by people of any age with a basic level of fitness.
During winter, the temperature may go below 0 degrees though with smart packing you can easily complete the trek. The highest temperature may reach up to 26 degrees in summer. So, being hydrated is the most common advice you will get during the trek in summer.
No doubt, the best season for Ghandruk Trek is March to May and October to December as these seasons experience less rainfall and the sky is also clearer. Though Trek can be done throughout the year. Before the trek, you can always check the temperature for your easiness. They are easily available on weather websites and local news will also be updated about the weather frequently.
How to get to Ghandruk?
Well, if you are going through a travel agency, everything will be managed by them which also includes transportation. Whereas for independent travelers route will be the same though responsibilities increase as they need to manage themselves. We can easily reach Ghandruk from the following route.
From Kathmandu:
Travelers usually take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes 3 hrs. Busses are easily available in Bus Park. Bus leaves early in the morning which is preferable though it can be available at any time of the day.
You can get tickets from any travel agency available there. The quality of the bus varies according to the agency. However, every bus usually stops for breakfast and lunch on the way.
From Pokhara:
If you are an international tourist or arriving from Kathmandu, I would suggest you visit Pokhara for a day to enjoy the Lakeside before starting the trek to Ghandruk. You can start the trek early morning the next day. From Pokhara, you can get a taxi or bus to reach Nayapul. Through a Taxi or an express bus, you can reach in around 1.5 hrs whereas, on the local bus, it may take up to 3 hrs. The Pokhara to Ghandruk trek will not take you more than 1 day.
From Nayapul:
You will begin your trek which takes most explorers around 6 hours to reach the destination by walking. Along the route, you will pass the TIMS check present and the passage on the Annapurna Conservation Area so ensure you have the two licenses.
The way twists along waterways and mountain ranches and the Kymche Waterfall which is actually in the center of Nayapul and Ghandruk. The way is all around the voyage and safe. You will discover numerous eateries, guesthouses, tea houses, and even bars and shopping on the route to investigate or stop if you wish.
While there is a street from Nayapul to Ghandruk, only vehicles authorized and enlisted from the Ghandruk board of trustees can go via vehicle or motorbike, however, you may attempt to hitch a ride.
Ghandruk Trek Cost:
Your cost on the trip usually depends upon the agency, accommodation, food, and transportation that you decide to choose. Your cost will also differ depending on whether you are a national or international tourist. Surely, you will get the benefit of a low cost if you are a local tourist.
Traveling through a travel agency may cost you around 450 dollars including all the expenses within the trip. The agency cost will also differ according to the facilities provided by them on the trip. Whereas your personal expenses and equipment costs will be excluded.
Transportation Cost:
Transportation costs within Nepal will not be much if you choose to travel by local vehicle. If you have the Ghandruk Trek Map and know the Nepali language/ have a language translator along with you, you can easily reach the destination.
Vehicle fare from Kathmandu to Pokhara will cost around 300 Nepali rupees. From Pokhara to Nayapul, if you take the local bus it will charge around Rs 150, and taking a Taxi will charge will cost you around Rs 2500. You will start hiking from Nayapul to Ghandruk.
Food and Accommodation Cost:
Your food and accommodation are perhaps $25 per day depending on what and how much you eat and drink and the standard of the hotel. Basic hotels are just a couple of dollars but more expensive ones are also available in villages.
The facilities you choose to avoid/accept will also change the cost of the trek. Usually, Ghandruk Hotels serve local foods that will be unique in taste as they are cultivated there. However, international foods will also be available at a high price.
Guide and Porter Cost:
The Everyday cost of the Guide will be $25 including his compensation, sustenance, settlement, and insurance whereas the expense is shared between trekkers. Travel to and structure the trailhead is additional.
The cost of Porter is around $15- $20 for which they will be ready to carry up to 30 kgs. Usually, this is enough for 2 people.
Trekking Permits:
You need to pay NPR 3000(around US$30) for a TIMS card from the Tourist Office in Kathmandu and another twenty dollars for Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. But this will be included in the cost if you are traveling through an agency.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
