Ghandruk spreads across a steep, sunny hillside above the Modi Khola valley, a village of slate-roofed stone houses linked by stone-paved lanes and stepped terraces. Directly across the valley, filling the northern sky, rise Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre. It is one of the largest and most beautiful Gurung villages in Nepal, and it makes a superb short trip from Pokhara or a stop on the way to Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill.
Quick answer: Ghandruk (about 1,940 m) is a large Gurung village in the Annapurna Conservation Area, about 2–3 hours by jeep from Pokhara or a short walk from the road head at Kimche. It is famous for its views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre, its Gurung culture and homestays. It lies on the routes to Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill, and can be visited on a 2–3 day trek. Best time: October–April. You need an ACAP permit.
Ghandruk at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 1,940 m |
| Location | Kaski district, Annapurna Conservation Area |
| People | Mainly Gurung |
| Views | Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna |
| From Pokhara | About 2–3 hours by jeep, or 1–2 days on foot |
| Permit | Annapurna Conservation Area permit |
| Best time | October–April |
The Gurungs of Ghandruk
The Gurung (who call themselves Tamu) are one of the main peoples of the Annapurna foothills, with their own language, a mix of Buddhist and shamanic traditions, and a long history of service in the British and Indian Army Gurkha regiments. Many Ghandruk families have a grandfather or father who served as a Gurkha, and army pensions helped build the village's prosperity.
Gurung culture is lively in Ghandruk. Visit the small Gurung Museum, where traditional tools, clothes, baskets and household objects are displayed in an old house, and you can try on traditional dress. In the evenings, some homestays and cultural groups perform Gurung songs and dances. If you're here around 30 December, you might see celebrations for Tamu Lhosar, the Gurung New Year.
Things to do in Ghandruk
- Watch sunrise over Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre from your lodge terrace or the viewpoints above the village.
- Wander the old village, with its stone lanes, slate roofs and terraced fields.
- Visit the Gurung Museum and try on traditional dress.
- Visit the ACAP office to learn about the Annapurna Conservation Area, one of the first community-managed conservation areas in the world.
- Stay in a homestay and eat Gurung food with a local family.
- Hike to Komrong Danda or Tadapani for wider views, or down to the Modi Khola and across to Landruk.
How to get to Ghandruk
By road
A road now reaches the edge of Ghandruk. From Pokhara, a jeep takes about 2–3 hours via Nayapul and the Modi Khola valley, depending on the road. Shared jeeps run from Nayapul and Pokhara, or you can hire a private jeep. Many visitors drive to Kimche and walk the last hour or so up stone steps to the village.
On foot
For a proper trek, walk from Nayapul or Syauli Bazaar along the old trail, or approach from Landruk across the valley, from Ghorepani and Tadapani on the Poon Hill circuit, or from Australian Camp and Dhampus. Our Ghandruk trek is a 3-day loop from Pokhara.
Ghandruk on longer treks
- Poon Hill trek: many itineraries loop through Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani and Ghandruk. See our Poon Hill guide.
- Annapurna Base Camp: some routes to ABC pass through Ghandruk on the way to Chhomrong. See our Poon Hill and ABC trek.
- Australian Camp: extend the Australian Camp trek via Landruk to Ghandruk.
Where to stay and eat
Ghandruk has a wide choice of lodges and guesthouses, from simple rooms to comfortable lodges with attached bathrooms and big terraces facing the mountains, plus community homestays where you stay with Gurung families. Food includes dal bhat, Gurung dishes such as dhido (a thick millet or buckwheat porridge) and local greens, along with the usual teahouse menu. Try local apple products and, if offered, home-made millet raksi.
Best time to visit
| Season | Conditions |
|---|---|
| October–November | Clear skies, excellent views, busy trails |
| December–February | Very clear and cold; frosty mornings, quiet |
| March–April | Warm, rhododendrons in bloom nearby, some haze |
| May | Hot lower down, hazier views |
| June–September | Monsoon: green but cloudy, leeches, slippery trails |
Permits
Ghandruk lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP permit, checked at the entry points. Fees support conservation and community projects in the area. We arrange permits for all our treks. See our permits guide.
Responsible travel tips
- Ask before photographing people, especially older villagers.
- Dress modestly in the village.
- Use refillable water bottles and take plastic waste back to Pokhara.
- Stay in a homestay or locally owned lodge to support the community.
- Walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls.
More in our responsible trekking guide.
Is Ghandruk worth visiting?
Absolutely. Ghandruk combines some of the best mountain views in Nepal with a living Gurung village, good lodges and easy access from Pokhara. It is perfect for families, first-time trekkers and anyone with only two or three days. Contact us to plan your visit.