Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul along the Baglung highway, 1.5 to 2 hours, and have your ACAP permit ready. The trail follows the river through Birethanti and Syauli Bazar, then climbs through terraced fields, forest and small villages, partly on the village road, to Kimche and on up to Ghandruk, a big Gurung village of stone houses. On our map it is 11.9 km with 1,080 m of climbing, which operators give as four to five hours, though one itinerary allows six. Check in to a teahouse, visit the Gurung Cultural Museum and watch the light change on Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre before dinner.
Ghandruk Village 2-Day Trek
A two-day village trek from Nayapul up to the Gurung village of Ghandruk (about 2,000 m) for a night in a teahouse, then down past Purano Ghandruk to Kimche, 16.5 km with 1,090 m of climbing.
- Days2
- Max altitude2,050 m
- Distance16.5 km
- Ascent1,087 m
- DifficultyModerate
- Best monthsMar–May, Sep–Nov
- Permits1
Photo: Bijaya2043 · CC BY-SA 3.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
Written by FindTrekkingPartner teamReviewed by FindTrekkingPartner teamHow we reviewFindTrekkingPartner
Ghandruk Village 2-Day Trek is a 2-day trek in the Pokhara region of Nepal that climbs to 2,050 m. Foreign trekkers can find a partner for it on FindTrekkingPartner by posting a trip with their dates, budget and pace. Matches stay private until both trekkers agree, and the service is free. At mid-range rates a licensed guide costs about USD 19 per person over 2 days when four trekkers share, against USD 75 for one trekker alone. The best seasons are Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Local practice differs (checked 19 October 2026): the Khumbu municipality opted out and issues its own trek card, and day hikes are rarely checked, but follow the rule and hire a guide; confirm with your agency. Last verified: October 19, 2026. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC, Department of Immigration.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
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Overview
Starts from Nayapul2 days · max 2,050 m
Best seasons: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit (NPR 3,000 for foreigners)
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.
Highlights
- Ghandruk, a large Gurung village of stone houses and slate roofs
- Views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre
- The Gurung Cultural Museum
- A night in a village teahouse with sunrise views
- Easy road access at both ends, from Pokhara in 1.5 to 2 hours
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
After breakfast with the sunrise view, walk through Ghandruk to Purano Ghandruk, the old village about a kilometre north, where narrow lanes and stone houses show how the Gurung lived. Then follow the path downhill to Kimche, which takes about 45 minutes by the Ghale Treks account and longer with village stops. On our map the morning is 4.6 km with 390 m of descent. At Kimche a jeep or bus takes you to Pokhara, about two hours. If you have energy, you can walk on to Nayapul instead.
What it costs
Estimated all-in cost per person: lodge and food by altitude, transport, permits, and the guide and porters. The more trekkers share a guide and porters, the less each person pays. As of October 2026.
| Style | 1 trekker | 2 trekkers sharing | 4 trekkers sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $100–$150 | $70–$110 | $50–$90 |
| Mid-range | $140–$210 | $90–$140 | $80–$120 |
| Comfort | $140–$220 | $110–$180 | $100–$160 |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $140–$210; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $80–$120 each (45% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge and food | $10–$30 | $20–$40 | $20–$50 |
| Transport | $0–$10 | $0–$10 | $0–$10 |
| Permits | $20–$30 | $20–$30 | $20–$30 |
| Guide | $20–$50 | $20–$50 | $20–$50 |
| Porters | — | $10–$30 | $30–$60 |
Budget uses public transport and no porter; mid-range shares one porter between two trekkers and a private vehicle; comfort gives each trekker a porter. A guide is included where one is required or the style is mid-range or comfort.
Nightly lodge and food (room and a dal bhat meal)
1 night Below 2,500 m: room $2–$9, dal bhat $4–$7
Permit fees (official sources)
- Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 per entry Source
Not included
A licensed guide is required in practice: the route is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, where the NTB rule (April 2023) is checked at the ACAP checkpoint (2026 operator reports).
Cost sources
- PriceNepal: Nepal Travel Cost Guide 2026 (2026-05-14)
- Third Rock Adventures: Nepal trek budget planner (2026-05-09)
- Himalayan Partner: Guide and porter price in Nepal 2026 (2026-02-10)
- Shikhar Adventure: Annapurna Circuit trek cost (2026-02-03)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit (2026-10-18)
Estimates from operator guides, not quotes. Tips, insurance, gear and Kathmandu hotels are not included; USD at the platform exchange rate.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Operators give four to five hours, one gives five and another six. Our map shows 11.9 km with 1,080 m of climbing, mostly on paths with some village road.
About 2,000 m. Wikipedia gives 2,012 m, an operator page 1,940 m and OpenStreetMap 2,050 m.
Yes. The ACAP permit is NPR 3,000 for foreigners per the NTNC e-permit page. Operators also list a TIMS card, priced at NPR 2,000 in a 2025 guide; confirm the rule when you go.
From Kimche a vehicle takes about two hours to Pokhara, and a 2025 guide gives USD 4 to 5 for Ghandruk to Pokhara by jeep or bus.
Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre. The village also has a Gurung Cultural Museum.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Nayapul → Ghandruk
- Samudayek Swasthiye Ikai · Medical · 1,245 m
- Sandesh Khaja Ghar & Lodge · Stays · 1,040 m
- Annapurna Lodge & Restaurant · Stays · 1,035 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,021 m
- Tap · Practical · 1,010 m
- Gaughar Clinic · Medical · 1,340 m
- Kimche Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,644 m
- Binishka Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,686 m
Show all 25 places
- Milan Medical Hall · Medical · 1,024 m
- Samudayek Swasthiye Ikai · Medical · 1,245 m
- Sandesh Khaja Ghar & Lodge · Stays · 1,040 m
- Shristi Medical Hall · Medical · 1,029 m
- Royal Medical Hall · Medical · 1,029 m
- Annapurna Lodge & Restaurant · Stays · 1,035 m
- Amrti lodge & Restaurant · Stays · 1,029 m
- Maikaney Kuwa · Nature · 1,239 m
- Ganesh Lodge & Restaurant · Stays · 1,017 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,021 m
- Tap · Practical · 1,010 m
- Gaughar Clinic · Medical · 1,340 m
- Dimax Pharmacy · Medical · 1,037 m
- Hotel Mountain Lodge and Restaurant · Stays · 1,042 m
- The Lakshmi Lodge · Stays · 1,030 m
- New River View Lodge and Restaurant · Stays · 1,031 m
- Riverside Lodge and Restaurant · Stays · 1,032 m
- GhaunGhar Clinic · Medical · 1,034 m
- See You Lodge and Restaurant · Stays · 1,118 m
- Anjuli Hotel & Restaurant · Stays · 1,159 m
- Green Valley Lodge and Restaurant · Stays · 1,157 m
- Kliu Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,268 m
- Shining River Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,315 m
- Kimche Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,644 m
- Binishka Guest House and Restaurant · Stays · 1,686 m
2. Ghandruk → Kimche
- Hotel Rodhee & restaurant · Stays · 2,027 m
- Roshan & Roshani Home-Stay · Stays · 2,013 m
- Anjali and Binisha Home Stay · Stays · 2,008 m
- Dhara · Practical · 1,973 m
- Health post · Medical · 1,971 m
- ACAP Safe Drinking Water Station · Practical · 1,980 m
- Gaunghar Clinic · Medical · 1,763 m
- Bikash Guest House · Stays · 1,655 m
Show all 24 places
- Hotel Rodhee & restaurant · Stays · 2,027 m
- Roshan & Roshani Home-Stay · Stays · 2,013 m
- Anjali and Binisha Home Stay · Stays · 2,008 m
- Karan arjun Homestay and Restaurant · Stays · 2,004 m
- Lama Heritage Resort · Stays · 2,007 m
- Bishwa Guest House · Stays · 2,023 m
- Hotel Hungry Eye · Stays · 2,003 m
- Hotel Ashish Aama · Stays · 2,005 m
- Heaven View Guest House · Stays · 2,007 m
- Muna Guest House · Stays · 2,004 m
- Hotel Robin and Restaurant · Stays · 2,010 m
- Meshram Guest House · Stays · 2,003 m
- Dhara · Practical · 1,973 m
- Health post · Medical · 1,971 m
- Milan hotel · Stays · 2,009 m
- Hotel Mountain View and Restaurant · Stays · 1,990 m
- Everest Homestay · Stays · 1,994 m
- Manisha Hotel · Stays · 1,995 m
- Sakura Hotel · Stays · 1,986 m
- ACAP Safe Drinking Water Station · Practical · 1,980 m
- Unique Guest House · Stays · 1,929 m
- Hotel Lali Gurans Restaurant · Stays · 1,921 m
- Gaunghar Clinic · Medical · 1,763 m
- Bikash Guest House · Stays · 1,655 m