Ghandruk Village 2-Day Trek

The Ghandruk village trek is a two-day, one-night walk from Nayapul, 1.5 to 2 hours by road from Pokhara, up to the large Gurung village of Ghandruk at about 2,000 m, with a morning walk down past old Ghandruk to Kimche and a vehicle back to Pokhara. On our map day one is 11.9 km with 1,080 m of climbing and takes four to six hours, and day two is 4.6 km, mostly downhill, in two to three hours. Operators give four to five hours for the climb, five hours in one itinerary and six in another. The Annapurna Conservation Area permit is needed, NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Operators also list a TIMS card. Ghandruk looks directly at Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, and a teahouse there is simple and comfortable, and a vehicle waits at both ends of the trek.

The plan follows a Ghale Treks itinerary and a Pokhara operator's two-day trip, with Wikipedia and a 2025 cost guide for heights and fares. They agree on Nayapul as the start, a night in Ghandruk and a downhill morning to Kimche in about 45 minutes. Heights differ: sources give 1,940 to 2,050 m, Wikipedia gives 2,012 m, and we say about 2,000 m.

What the trek is like

The trail leaves Nayapul along the river through Birethanti and Syauli Bazar, then climbs through terraced fields, forest and small villages, partly on the village road, to Kimche and up to Ghandruk. Stone houses with slate roofs line the village, which has a Gurung Cultural Museum. According to Wikipedia, the views take in Annapurna South at 7,219 m, Machapuchare at 6,993 m, Gangapurna and Hiunchuli. The next morning the path goes down through old Ghandruk to Kimche.

Permits and rules

The ACAP entry permit is NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, per the NTNC e-permit page; permits issued at check posts cost double. Operators also list a TIMS card, which one 2025 guide prices at NPR 2,000, so confirm the current rule before you go. Carry both at the checkpoints.

Best season

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), according to the Ghale Treks page. Winter nights are cold and the monsoon brings cloud.

Getting there and away

Drive Pokhara to Nayapul in 1.5 to 2 hours. A 2025 cost guide gives a local bus at USD 2 to 5 and a shared jeep at USD 8 to 10 per person, and USD 4 to 5 from Ghandruk back to Pokhara by jeep or bus. From Kimche a vehicle takes about two hours to Pokhara.

Difficulty and fitness

The trek is moderate: day one climbs 1,080 m in about 12 km, partly on stone steps, and day two is mostly downhill. Carry a small pack, water and a rain jacket, and book a teahouse in advance in peak months.

Budget notes

The main costs are the ACAP permit, the bus or jeep at each end, a room and meals in Ghandruk. The costs section shows the transport fares from the 2025 guide.

Guide rule

This route lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so the Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 guide rule applies: 2026 operator reports say the ACAP checkpoint checks for a licensed guide (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region.