Ghandruk Trek | Map, Cost, Itinerary, Weather You Should Know!

Take a breather with nature at Ghandruk Trek. Mountain views, traditional houses, and culture are equal to those of the Ghandruk Trek. Ghandruk village is a famous Gurung village located at an altitude of 1,940 m (6,364ft) in the Annapurna range. If you are looking for an adventure that will suit your taste of culture, the Ghandruk trek Nepal is the ideal opportunity.

The beautiful views of the Himalayas range, shining golden with the morning light of sun rays, are the highlighting part of the Ghandruk village. This place is a treasure trove of nature. Sometimes, we get burned out working day and night and living a monotonous life. To make your dull life enjoyable and entertaining, a trek to Ghandruk is the best.

Not so far away from the bustling city life but once you enter the village, it’ll take you to a different world filled with nature. It will detach you from urban life and give you the best taste of the village lifestyle. Ideal for family, friends, and couples, this trek is a relaxing adventure. After a week of working and living a rushed life, sometimes a break like this is needed for the body, mind, and soul.

Trek to Ghandruk village is one of the shortest treks in Nepal. It is suitable for people who are looking for a short trip and have a limited holiday. Starting from the Nayapul 1,070 m (3,510ft), this trek is famous for its natural beauty. You will get to see beautiful terraced farmlands, rhododendrons flowers, Nepal’s national flower, traditional stone houses, narrow cobblestone lanes, and Gurung culture. Other highlights of the trek are the gorgeous views of Annapurna South 7,219 m (23,684 ft), Hiunchuli 6,441 m (21,132 ft), and Machhapuchhre 6,993 m (22,943 ft).

In this blog, we will tell you more about Ghandruk Trek in detail. With this information, you can definitely make your visit here. Access Nepal Tours and Trekking provides the best planning to ensure every comfort and safety. Explore and book your next trip to Ghandruk to enjoy the nature and rural life of mountain people.

Ghandruk Trek From Pokhara:

Most travelers who are going on the Ghandruk Trek start their trip from Pokhara. Located in the Annapurna region of Nepal, Ghandruk’s distance from Pokhara is about 32 kilometers. The main reason people travel to Ghandruk is to enjoy nature and experience the local Gurung culture. Trekkers who are going to Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill Trek, this place is a major relaxation stop.

There are various routes and transportation options to reach Ghandruk from Pokhara. One of them is by booking a jeep, public bus, or private vehicle, you will go to Kimche. From Pokhara, you will be taken to Kimche, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. After reaching there, you have to hike for 1 to 2 hours to reach Ghandruk. It will be an easy short hike and beginner-friendly. This route is suitable for people who don’t like to walk for long hours.

Another route is driving to Nayapul from Pokhara. This route is famous which makes it crowded in peak season. From Pokahara to Nayapul is just a 1.5-hour drive away. After reaching Nayapul, you have to trek until reaching to Ghandruk. Trek to Nayapul and Ghandruk is quite long but it’s worth every step you take. The trek will be about 4 to 5 hours. You will get the chance to connect with nature more on a deeper level as the trek passes through beautiful forests, terraced fields, surrounding hills, and mountains.

Though the Pokhara to Ghandruk trek is easy, it has everything to give like other treks. The breathtaking mountain views of Machapuchre, Annapurna ranges, Hiunchuli, and other mountains make the stay in Ghandruk the perfect place to spend your time with your loved ones. Especially in the morning views, when the sunrise splashes over clean white snow, making the surroundings shine in a golden hue.

Ghandruk Circuit Trek

Ghandruk Circuit Trek is one of the short and adventurous packages in Access Nepal Tours and Trekking. If you are just starting to trek, then the Ghandruk trek is the best option for those new to trekking. This adventure is suitable for beginners, families, and couples. After a long time of hectic schedule and living a busy life, this destination is great for recharging yourself.

The Ghandruk loop trek is a relaxing trip that gives you a beautiful taste of the Annapurna region. The Ghandruk Trek goes through the zigzag foothills of the Himalayas. The trekking will be short, easy, and very beautiful. Every scene feels like you are in an aesthetic movie and photography worth places. This beginner-friendly adventure gives you satisfactory results.

The Ghandruk Trek’s final destination will take you to the Ghandruk village. The living museum of traditional Gurung culture is the heart of the trip. This village is located at an altitude of 2,012m, from where you get to see the breathtaking sunset and sunrise views. From the top, you will see the panoramic views of the surrounding hills and mountains.

The terraced fields, cobblestone roads, culture, and warm hospitality of the people make the trip the cherry on top. Moreover, you hike there during the spring season, the rhododendron forests look so beautiful. The route will be adorned with those gorgeous shades of red, pink, and white.

Similarly, the easy accessibility and developed routes make the Ghandruk Circuit trek great for people who want to enjoy a vacation in comfort. This type of trek is ideal for clearing out minds and just relaxing in nature. Therefore, the Ghandruk Circuit Trek is also popular among local people from nearby cities. It can be done in fewer days and is for people who want a break from their daily 9-to-6 office life.

In the Ghandruk trek, trekkers can distract themselves from the traditional lifestyle of people, culture, and nature. As the routes to this trek are easy and travelers can bring children and elderly people also. It will be a great chance to take your elderly and spend time with them by making an enjoyable experience.

The majority of local people here are Gurung and Magar if you are an enthusiast of learning new cultures and traditions, this trip provides great opportunities. Trekkers can enjoy some local cuisine and relax in comfortable lodges or resorts. You will have various options for accommodations from simple lodges, Ghandruk to luxurious resorts. Most of all people are very welcoming which makes the trip even more memorable and fun.

The Ghandruk Circuit Trek starts from the Pokhara. In Access Nepal, you will have customizable options like from where you want to start. The trip starts with a 1-hour drive to Phedi from Pokhara. From there, we will trek Pothana 1990m (6529ft) which takes about 3 to 4 hours of trekking.

After staying for a night at Pothana, for the next few days, the trek leads you through Landruk and Ghandruk. Another, highlighting part of this trek is the hike to Kot Danda. This hilltop is famous for the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

The best season for Ghandruk Trek is in Spring and Autumn.  The weather be comfortable and you will get clear views of the scenery. Without any doubt, every moment of this trip feels like a scene from a beautiful dream that you never want to wake up.

Ghandruk Trek Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Max Altitude: (1400m / 4593ft)

Day 02: Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara

Max Altitude: (827m / 2713ft)  Duration: 7 hours

Day 04: Drive to Phedi and trek to Pothana

Max Altitude: (1990m / 6529ft) Duration:  5-6 hours

Day 05: Trek to Landruk

Max Altitude: (1565m / 5135ft) Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Day 06: Trek to Ghandruk

Max Altitude: (2012m / 6601ft) Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Day 07: Hike to Kot Danda; Drive to Pokhara

Max Altitude: (2342m / 7684ft) Duration: 1.5 hours

Day 08: Drive back to Kathmandu; Evening farewell dinner

Day 09: Depart Kathmandu

Ghandruk Distance

There are many routes to reach Ghandruk. This popular village in the Annapurna region of Nepal can be reached through multiple routes. Therefore, the exact distance to reach Ghandruk can be variable. To make it easy, we have put the distance to reach Ghandrukk village according to the different routes.

From Pokhara to Ghandruk

From Pokhara to reach Ghandruk, first of all, you have to go to Kimche by road. The total distance from Pokhara to Kimche is 52 km. The vehicles only go to Kimche which is the nearest motorable point to Ghandruk.

After reaching Kimche, the travelers have to trek for about 2 to 3 hours to reach Ghandruk, the final destination. The distance between Kimche and Ghandruk is about 4 km. In summary, the total distance between Pokhara to Ghandruk is 56 km.

From Kathmandu to Ghandruk

There is no direct route to reach Ghandruk from Kathmandu. You have to go to Pokhara and then follow the routes from Pokhara to reach Ghandruk. There are two options to go to Pokhara, one is by flight and another is by road. If you are short on time, going via flight is highly recommended. By flight, to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu, it take 30 minutes. By road, it takes about 6 to 8 hours to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu.

The distance between Pokhara and Kathmandu is 200 km. Adding the distance between Pokhara and Ghandruk, which is 56 km, the distance between Kathmandu to Ghandruk is 256 km. The total travel time to reach Ghandruk from Kathmandu is 9 to 11 hours. If you have enough time, then you can choose this route, which is also a great chance to explore the cities of Nepal.

Trek via Nayapul

The route from Nayapul to Ghandruk is one of the popular routes for travelers. This route is mostly taken by the traveler going for Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. There is a high chance of this route getting crowded, if you travel there during a peak season.

The total distance from Nayapul to Ghandruk is 20 km. If you are a trekking lover then this route is highly suggested. You have to walk for about 6 to 7 hours in total to reach Ghandru from Nayapul. Though, walking for long hours will be tiresome but it’s worth it because of the beautiful natural landscapes, villages, surrounding hills, and mountains.

Ghandruk Weather Conditions

One of the most key parts of trekking is choosing the best time to visit. To enjoy the trip to the fullest, you have to do the Ghandruk trek in the best season, However, Access Nepal Tours and Trekking conducts trek throughout the year. The Ghandruk village is located in the hilly region of Nepal which is mostly cold throughout the year. The weather here is also changeable as it falls under the Annapurna region.

Therefore, choosing the best time to do the Ghandruk trek safely with enough fun. Below is the information on Ghandruk weather throughout the year according to the season.

Spring Season:

The Spring season in Nepal starts in March and ends in May. Besides trekking in Ghandruk, this time of the month is one of the best times to go trekking in Nepal. Most of the people do trekking around this time. For photographers, this is an ideal time to take pictures as nature grows to the fullest.

The temperature in Spring season during daytime ranges from 61°C to 22°C (16°F to 72°F) in maximum. Since it is located at a quiet height, the nighttime will be quite cold with chilly wind blowing. The nighttime temperature ranges from 4°C to 10°C (39°F to 50°F). This time of the month, the weather will get stable and the views will be clear. The trails will be filled with rhododendron flowers and the surroundings will also look beautifully green.

Summer/Monsoon Season:

In Nepal, the summer and monsoon season coincides, starting from June to August. Likewise, during summer there will be lots of rain. Though the weather gets warm and pleasant, there will be a high chance of having floods and landslides, due to the heavy rainfall. Hilly areas are prone to this type of risk during monsoon season. The trail will also get muddy and slippery along with leeches. Trekking in this type of condition is quite risky. However, most of the seasoned trekkers choose to trek during this time of the month as the route will be less crowded and to experience the challenges.

The weather conditions of Ghandruk during spring and monsoon season are pleasant and clear. There will still be greenery and colorful flowers blooming throughout the routes. The temperature during the daytime is moderate ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F) and at night it will range from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Though, the weather will be warm but humidity will be high. If it gets rain, the sky will also get cloudy.

Autumn Season

Autumn season is the peak season for trekking in Nepal. Doing a Ghandruk trek during this time is the best. Since the major festival of Nepalese people like Dashain and Tihar falls under this time of the month, the atmosphere will also get festive and pleasant. The clear skies and crisp air surrounding you while trekking make the best time for doing a trek.

In Nepal, autumn starts from September to November. The clear mountain views and the stable weather make the trekking easy and relax yourself in Ghandruk village. Normally, the temperature ranges from 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F) in daytime and 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) during nighttime.

Winter Season

Ghandruk trek takes you to the Annapurna region, which is one of the coldest regions in Nepal. However, the winters in Ghandruk are not extreme in comparison to other places in Annapurna. Though, it will be cold, this time of the season is also suitable for going on a Ghandruk Trek. Since it’s not a peak season the trails will be less crowded. For people who are looking for a peaceful trek, the Ghandruk trek in the winter season is the best.

The winter in Nepal starts from December to February. There will be less chance of snowfall in Ghandruk village because the altitude of this place is relatively low in comparison to other mountainous regions in Nepal. Even if there will be snowfall it will be light and won’t affect that much of your trekking pace. The temperature of the Ghandruk trek during the daytime ranges from 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F) and the nighttime will range from -3°C to -2°C (27°F to 36°F).