Annapurna Regionघान्द्रुक
A large Gurung village of stone houses and terraces facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, on the trails to Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill.
Ghandruk is one of the main villages of the Annapurna region and a stop on several of its best-known treks. It sits on a broad slope above the Modi Khola at about 2,000 m, around 30-35 km north-west of Pokhara in Annapurna Rural Municipality. From the village, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre fill the skyline to the north, and Gangapurna appears behind them on clear days.
The village is a tight cluster of slate-roofed stone houses joined by flagstone lanes and steps, with terraced fields falling away below. Trekkers pass through on the Ghorepani-Poon Hill loop, which links Ghandruk with Ghorepani via Tadapani, and on the approach to Annapurna Base Camp, which continues from here towards Chhomrong. A jeep road now reaches the village from the Nayapul side, so Ghandruk also works as a short trip of two or three days from Pokhara for people who do not want a long trek.
With a population of more than 5,000 across its scattered settlements, Ghandruk is much larger than most trail villages, and it has a wide choice of lodges, a small museum and a strong sense of local identity.
Ghandruk is a Gurung village, and many households have a history of service in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. The Gurung Cultural Museum displays household tools, clothing and ritual objects, and village events feature Gurung songs and dances. Religious life blends Buddhist, Hindu and older shamanic traditions; the Meshram Baraha temple is the village's principal shrine.
Ghandruk played an important part in the history of conservation in Nepal. When the Annapurna Conservation Area Project was launched in 1986, the Ghandruk area was its first pilot site, testing an approach in which local committees manage forests, tourism and fees. Before 2015 Ghandruk was its own village development committee; it is now part of Annapurna Rural Municipality.
Morning mountain views
Watch sunrise over Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre from the upper village or lodge terraces.
Gurung Cultural Museum
Small village museum showing traditional dress, tools and household items; a modest entry charge may apply.
Walk to Landruk or Kimrong
Descend to the Modi Khola and climb to Landruk opposite, or head towards Kimrong and Chhomrong on the Base Camp route.
Poon Hill loop
Walk Ghandruk to Tadapani and Ghorepani, or the reverse, as part of a 4-5 day circuit from Pokhara.
Forecast for 2,012 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
Ghandruk has many trekking lodges and some community homestays, ranging from basic rooms to more comfortable lodges with private bathrooms.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Drive from Pokhara towards Nayapul on the Pokhara-Baglung road, then continue by jeep up to Ghandruk, or walk up from Nayapul or Kimche.
Nearest hub: Pokhara
Permit required
Ghandruk is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is required and is checked at Birethanti and other checkpoints.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Annapurna Conservation Area Project, NTNC.
On the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, Mardi Himal and Ghandruk combinations.
A teahouse trek from the road heads north of Pokhara through Gurung villages and the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, to Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 m.
Drive 1.5-2 hours to Nayapul, then take a jeep for about 2-3 hours to Ghandruk, or walk up in 5-7 hours via Birethanti and Kimche.
Yes, Ghandruk is in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP permit; check the current TIMS and guide rules.
October-November and March-April give the best views and weather; the monsoon brings cloud, leeches and road disruption.
Yes, the jeep road makes a 2-3 day trip from Pokhara possible, with an overnight in the village.
Town or village · 3,519 m
A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.
Trek stop · 4,130 m
Lodges at about 4,130 m in the glacial basin of the Annapurna Sanctuary, below the south face of Annapurna I.
Mountain pass · 5,416 m
The 5,416 m pass between Manang and Muktinath, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit.
Trek stop · 2,060 m
A grassy clearing at about 2,060 m above Kande with a wide view of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre, an easy walk from the road.
Trek stop · 2,310 m
A group of lodges in the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge, the first overnight stop above Chhomrong on the way to Annapurna Base Camp.
Trek stop · 2,170 m
The last permanent Gurung village before the Annapurna Sanctuary, built on a steep staircase facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Trek stop · 3,200 m
The last lodges in the Modi Khola gorge before Machhapuchhre Base Camp, at about 3,200 m.
Trek stop · 1,650 m
A Gurung hill village above Phedi with views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, close to Pokhara.
Town or village · 822 m
A lakeside city about 200 km west of Kathmandu, with the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre rising close to the north.
