Visit Ghandruk: A Hidden Gem in Nepal (2024)
Located in the Annapurna Conservatory, Ghandruk is genuinely one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. Often regarded as a paradise for trekkers, more than 45,000 trekkers visit this village in a year. As this region is situated at an altitude of not more than 6400 feet, it is not that difficult to reach. Moreover, the pleasant weather of Ghandruk allows tourists to visit there throughout the year. This village was the first project that the Annapurna Conservatory developed. Since 1986, this site has been the center of attention for tourists throughout the globe.
One of the main reasons behind the popularity of this site is its terrain. Due to its easy pathway, almost anyone can trek there. As Ghandruk is located in Nepal’s Kaski district, famous mountain ranges including Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, and Lamjung Himal can be seen quite easily from there. Most people visit there to get the unhindered and spectacular views of the Annapurna ranges. Apart from the scenic views, Ghandruk allows tourists to get a lot of knowledge regarding Nepal’s Gurung culture and tradition. The entire town is exceptionally well-maintained.
As every corner of Ghandruk is so picturesque, most tourists tend to take many photographs while staying there. Right now, more than 5500 people are living in this rural Nepal settlement. They help to maintain eco-tourism in the area. You will be in awe of the stone-roofed houses of this village. Right now, eight hydro projects are supplying electricity in this village. From Ghandruk, you will get to take part in many treks in the Annapurna Conservatory region. Places like Hiunchuli, Poon Hill, Annapurna I, and others can be done quite easily from Ghandruk. You can also take part in the Annapurna base camp trek from Ghandruk. In this blog, we will talk about every piece of information regarding this obscure village in Nepal. So, keep on reading this travel guide to get a clear idea about this site.
What are the Best Trekking Trails to Visit from Ghandruk?
Ghandruk is the starting point of some of the most beautiful trekking trails in Nepal. Some of the most popular ones are provided below:
Ghandruk to Chhomrong
From Ghandruk, you can start an immensely beautiful hike to Chhomrong. For that, you will have to along the beautiful river Modi Khola for a short time. This trail from Ghandruk to Modi Khola is the shortest one in the ABC trail. You will also get to visit the longest as well as the highest suspension bridge in this region. The steep ascent of the bridge will surely make you tired, but the calming ambiance of its surroundings will make you feel rejuvenated. As the entire trip from Ghandruk to Chhomrong takes around five hours, many people have their meals in Jhinu Danda. As the altitude of Chhomrong is around 7120 feet, you will feel a shift of altitude after reaching there.
Beginner trekkers can easily complete this trail. It is a great way to get acquainted with the Annapurna circuit.
Ghandruk to Nayapul
The trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul is quite easy to complete. You will need five to six hours at most to complete this hike. Nayapul is located at a much lower altitude than Ghandruk, and that is why people find it quite easy to complete. Throughout this trek, you will get to see the glorious spectacles of the Annapurna ranges. You will genuinely be in awe of the surrounding’s beauty. Soon after starting your walk from Ghandruk, you will come across Landruk. The rice terraces of this site are genuinely an intriguing thing to spot in such wilderness. After reaching Nayapul, do not forget to spend some time with the local villagers. The entire trip is 8.5 km long. If you want, you can spend a night in the homestays in Nayapul.
What are the Must-See Places Near Ghandruk?
The sites located near Ghandruk are genuinely some of the most beautiful places on earth. We are including some of the most-visited places near Ghandruk in the following.
Poon Hill
Located at an altitude of 10,500 feet, Poon Hill is one of Nepal’s most-visited and beautiful places. Usually, Poon Hill is visited by Ghorepani, but if you want, you can easily go there from Ghandruk as well. In this entire trail, you will get to see the majestic scenic views of the Himalayas. You can easily get to spot the Annapurna, Macchapucchare, and other mountain ranges on this trail. Like Ghandruk, this site is also part of the Annapurna Conservatory Circuit. The best part about Poon Hill is that you will get to see the breathtakingly beautiful panoramic view of some major mountain peaks from there. These peaks include Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and others. Do not forget to take a lot of photographs after getting to Poon Hill.
Annapurna Sanctuary
Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the most sought-after sites in Nepal. The unparalleled beauty of this region makes people come back to it over and over again. The trek towards Annapurna Sanctuary starts from Ghandruk. Many more spectacular sites lie in this sanctuary, including Deurali, Chomrung, and others. When you cross Sinuwa, you will start understanding the extent of the forest cover in the sanctuary. In some instances, you will have visibility issues due to the denseness of the forest. If you are lucky, you might get face to face with wild animals. While visiting Annapurna Sanctuary, do not forget to bring your binoculars to see endangered species of beautiful birds. After all, this forest is home to more than 474 species of birds.
Chhomrong
Chhomrong is another site from Ghandruk that you must try to visit. This site is quite special as it is the last village on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. There are some lodges located on this site that make it quite popular among tourists. The houses of the locals in Chhomorong will help you get some ideas regarding the people’s daily lives in the region. Like other stops on the ABC trail, Chhomrong also offers splendid views to tourists. From there, you will get to have majestic views of the Machapuchare and Annapurna peaks. Moreover, the village itself is quite beautiful. Surrounded by the Annapurna forest’s lush greenery and the vibrant Rhododendrons, you will have a nice time spending a day in Chhomrong.
Best Ways to Reach Ghandruk
There are two ways to reach Ghandruk. Usually, people go there by vehicle or on foot. We are providing all the details regarding both the ways in the following part of the blog.
By Vehicle
Route 1: To reach Ghandruk, you will have first to reach Pokhara. Now you can reach Pokhara in two ways. Either you can choose flying, or you can choose to ride a vehicle. From the Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu, you will easily get flights to Pokhara. The entire journey would take you not more than half an hour. But if you choose to get to Pokhara by road, you will need more than five and a half hours to get there from Kathmandu. You will find both public and private transportation that will help you make the journey.
From Pokhara, you can reach Ghandruk in two ways. The first way allows you to get there in two days, while the second way will take you only one day to get there. Many trekkers prefer to choose the second way to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Ghandruk trail genuinely.
In case you want to reach Ghandruk quicker, you will have to rent a private vehicle from Pokhara. This car will take you to Dhampus via the Pokhara-Baglung Rajmarg road. Many people go to Dhampus by public buses as well. The bus would be far more uncomfortable than a car. From Dhampus, you will have to start your trekking expedition to reach Ghandruk. After four hours of trekking, you will reach Pothana. From Pothana, you will have to trek for another entire day to reach Ghandruk. On the way, you will get to witness some of the most beautiful villages in the world, including Landruk, Deurali, and Tolkha. You will have to stay overnight in Pothana.
Route 2: The second way to reach Ghandruk is through Nayapul. From Pokhara, you will reach Nayapul within one hour by car. You will easily get rented cars from Pokhara to reach Nayapul. From Nayapul, you will reach Ghandruk within 6 hours of trekking. Most people complete this hike on the day of reaching Nayapul only.
Both the trekking trails are exceptionally beautiful. By partaking in these hikes, you will learn a lot about the lives of the local people of the surrounding region of Ghandruk.
What is the Perfect Time to Reach Ghandruk?
The trail to Ghandruk is quite easy for trekking. Even if you are not an accomplished trekker, you will get to do it without much trouble. That is why many tourists partake in trekking to this site throughout the year. The weather of this village is extremely agreeable throughout the year.
If you get there between January to May, you will get a great climate in Ghandruk. The average temperature of the region stays around 17 degrees Celsius during these months. Many tourists prefer to visit there during this time. But be warned, most of the hotels in the region will be flocked by tourists due to the optimum climate.
The time between June and July is also quite popular in Ghandruk. Even though the area’s skyline might get opaque due to mist and occasional rainfall, tourists still visit there due to the fantastic climate. The temperature of Ghandruk varies from 17 to 33 degrees Celsius during these months. But it would be better for you to visit this village during these months if you are planning to get the panoramic views of the Annapurna.
You will also have a phenomenal time in Ghandruk between September and December. The climate of this village during these months is quite cold but perfect for trekking. Moreover, the clear skyline helps tourists in getting unhindered views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The worst month to visit this village is in August. As the temperature soars up to 30 degrees Celsius throughout the day, it becomes quite troublesome for tourists to enjoy Ghandruk during August.
What are the Best Places to Stay in Ghandruk?
There are not plenty of hotels and resorts located in Ghandruk, but the ones present there are extremely comfortable and quite popular among tourists. We are providing details about some of the places to stay in Ghandruk.
Gurung Cottage
Among all the properties in Ghandruk, the Gurung Cottage is quite popular among trekkers and tourists. Not only does this lodge allows tourists to get magnificent views of the Annapurna, but also it allows them to have a comfortable stay. The cottage has well-maintained and tidy rooms. You will find the garden in front of the property to be extremely appealing. One of the best things about the lodge is its food. People praise the organic food provided by the owners of this lodge a lot.
Address: Ghandruk 33700, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 985-6025222.
Price of a room per night: Call the hotel to ask for the price.
K&D Himalaya Lodge
The Himalaya Lodge is the most luxurious hotel located in Ghandruk. The property allows guests to stay in luxury and enjoy the vastness of nature at the same time. You will be fascinated by the mesmerizing view of the Annapurna ranges from this site. The best part about this hotel is its positioning. From any corner of the hotel, you will get to enjoy the splendid mountain views. Another great part about K&D Himalaya Lodge is its food. The property offers delicious meals to guests from time to time. Tourists love the taste of the dishes served by the hotel.
Address: Baglung Rajmarg, Ghandruk 33700, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 1-4435686.
Price of a room per night: Call the hotel authority.
Panorama View Point Lodge
The Panorama View Point Lodge is a beautiful property located in Ghandruk. Unlike the other lodges, this hotel is located far from the crowded area of Ghandruk. The rooms of the property are extremely clean and comfortable. Moreover, the food served by the hotel owner is spectacular. You might not have a luxurious stay in Panorama View Point Lodge, but you will certainly have a cozy and warm stay. The location of the lodge allows you to get a crystal-clear view of the Annapurna South peak.
Address: Ghandruk-4, Agarju (Majh Gaon), Ghandruk, Kaski, Gandaki 33700, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 984-6398625.
Price of a room per night: Call the hotel authority.
Spending a few days in Ghandruk genuinely feels like a dream. The surrounding lush green forests, the snow-capped peaks, and the local people’s warmth make this site much more than an ordinary Nepal village. Even though this site stops at the ABC trail, remember to explore it fully to enjoy it genuinely. We have tried including every possible detail regarding the Ghandruk trip. So, start packing for your trip to Ghandruk right after bookmarking this webpage.
