A short, accessible trek to Ghandruk, one of the largest and most traditional Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, with close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
The Ghandruk Village Trek is a 4-day trip in Pokhara, rated easy to moderate difficulty, reaching a maximum elevation of Ghandruk, 1,940m (6,365 ft). The best time to do this trip is Autumn (Sep - Nov) & Spring (Mar - May). The package includes group sizes of 1-12 people, teahouses on trail, hotel in pokhara accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trail.
| Country | Pokhara |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Max Elevation | Ghandruk, 1,940m (6,365 ft) |
| Duration | 4 |
| Best Time | Autumn (Sep - Nov) & Spring (Mar - May) |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on trail |
| Accommodation | Teahouses on trail, hotel in Pokhara |
| Group Size | 1-12 people |
How long is the Ghandruk Village Trek?
Ghandruk is one of the largest and most traditional Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, its stone-roofed houses stacked in tiers on a hillside directly facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. This 4-day trek from Pokhara offers an accessible, low-altitude introduction to Annapurna region trekking, ideal for travellers with limited time who still want genuine mountain views and cultural depth.
Unlike the longer Annapurna Base Camp or Circuit treks, Ghandruk requires no significant altitude adjustment, making it achievable for trekkers of most fitness levels within a short window.
Few short treks in Nepal combine such close, dramatic mountain views with such rich, living Gurung culture. Ghandruk's Gurung Museum documents the village's long history of Gurkha military service, and the village itself remains a genuine, working community rather than a purely tourist-oriented stop.
This trek suits travellers with limited time who want genuine Annapurna region scenery and culture without significant altitude or distance demands. It is well suited to families and first-time trekkers.
| Trek | Duration | Village Size | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghandruk | 4 days | Large, well-established trail | Moderate |
| Sikles | 5 days | Nepal's largest Gurung village | Quiet |
Ghandruk is more established with better infrastructure, while Sikles, though larger, sees considerably fewer visitors given its more remote position.
View Himalaya's Ghandruk Village Trek starts from USD 349 per person, including permits, guide, accommodation, and trail meals. Contact View Himalaya for current group rates.
Trekkers with more time can combine Ghandruk with the Ghorepani Poon Hill circuit, or extend into the full Annapurna Base Camp trek following much of the same initial route.
One of the best trips we've ever taken. Our guide's English was excellent and he explained the local culture in real depth. A particular highlight for us was a gentle introduction to Annapurna region trekking without high altitude. Thank you to the whole View Himalaya team for making this happen.
Everything about this trip was handled professionally. The guide's local knowledge added so much depth to the trip. A particular highlight for us was close views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South from the village itself. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.
One of the best trips we've ever taken. Our guide went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable. A particular highlight for us was stone-paved trails and terraced farmland throughout the route. Booking through View Himalaya made all the logistics completely stress-free.
Everything about this trip was handled professionally. The support crew were fantastic throughout, always checking in on us. A particular highlight for us was stone-paved trails and terraced farmland throughout the route. Thank you to the whole View Himalaya team for making this happen.
An unforgettable experience from start to finish. The guide's local knowledge added so much depth to the trip. A particular highlight for us was stone-paved trails and terraced farmland throughout the route. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.
