The sweetest village of the Himalayas

2016,September

Ghandruk village (1,940 m), a culturally inhabited region of Nepalese Gurung community. The village is located in Kaski district, in between Lumle and Dangsing village. It’s one of the most recognized overnight halts during the trekking time in Annapurna region. The village also attracts local travelers

from across the country. The view of Annapurna Mountain ranges including Machhapuchre and Himchuli are spectacular from Ghandruk.

The village is a halt of trekkers at the time of trekking in Annapurna region. People who are going for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Poon Hill trek, Annapurna Circuit trek and lower Mustang trek stay a night at this place.

A short day trek (approx. 6 hours) from Nayapul will take you towards this attractive village. One doesn’t need a hard climbing and down falling and to take long and exhausting walking.

Also, there is no worry about high altitude sickness. Foreigners require a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit before to enter Ghandruk village. Those who are looking for a public vehicle to reach Nayapul from Pokhara (72 KM, approx. 3 hours), you will find a public bus in every next 20 minutes from Prithivi Chok. Trek lovers can enjoy the walk through the bank of rivers and lush green forest with the diversity of birds. 

Ghandruk village of Nepal is gaining popularity as one of the most visited cultural destinations in the Annapurna region. It is one of the pristine and culturally rich villages that offer spectacular Himalayan beauty. Visit this beautiful village in the Annapurna region of Nepal to know about the wonderful village lifestyle, culture and traditions.

Highlights 

1. Modi and Bhurungdi Khola valley with a waterfall view.
2. 3500 stone steps with the world's largest rhododendron forest trail.
3. Poon Hill 3210 m offers Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu & Kali Gandaki Gorge view. 
4. Flora, fauna, Gurung lifestyle, festival, dramatic landscapes.
5. Everyday 5/6 hours exciting hiking through Ghandruk, Landruk, Dhampus village. 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Landruk Trek expresses 5 days moderate uphills and downhills trip (49.6 km/30.82 miles) with an hour driving from Pokhara. The journey Nayapul (1070 m) to Phedi (1080 m) reached 3210 meters height of Poon Hill. Every day's

5/6 hours walking. Picturesque villages, forest, terraced fields, river valleys. TIMS with ACAP permit checked at Birethanti, Ghorepani, Pothana and Dhampus check-post in Annapurna Region (1986). September to December, February to May is the most selected trekking season. 

Ghorepani is a former horse station with Lower (2750 m) and Upper Magar village (2815 m), blue roof's guest house, Poon Hill with Himalayan views in Myagdi district. The village lies 60 km northwest of Pokhara. The destination, Poon Hill (3210 m) reached in an hour's uphill walk from Ghorepani. While excellent weather, Poon Hill presents mesmerizing sunrise with the world's highest mountain view. Poon Hill tower glimpses Mt. Dhaulagiri 8167 m (7th), Mt. Annapurna 8091 m (10th), Mt. Manaslu 8163 (8th) with Annapurna South (7219 m), Fishtail (6993 m), and the deepest Kali Gandaki valley (6967 m deep).

Annual 35000 foreigners in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek explore gorgeous mountain views, rural lifestyle, 3500 stone steps, waterfalls, suspension bridges. All ages, mountain enthusiasts visit dramatic landscapes with various flora, fauna, and Gurkha town, Ghandruk village in Kaski district. Five days Annapurna mini trek reached 20 clusters, dispersed villages of Thakali, Magar, Gurung, 4 bridges, 4 waterfalls, highest point Poon Hill (3210 m), 2 Deurali pass, panoramic mountain views, 2 river valleys and a forest of rhododendron, alder, and pine.

Ghorepani to Ghandruk reached in 8 hours walking to discover the fascinating Gurung village, rich culture, museum, food habit, magnificent views of Annapurna, Hiuchuli, Fishtail, Modi river valley. Four days trekking completed in the Ghandruk village. Furthermore, hiking reached the most popular Landruk and Dhampus village with magnificent Himalayan views.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek extends Annapurna Base Camp,Trishuli Rafting, Chitwan Jungle Safari and Pokhara Sightseeing . Five days Ghorepani hiking to beginners is worth without weather and altitude problem. Meanwhile, the difficult hiking from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri (2 hours), Ghorepani to Poon Hill (45 minutes), hydropower to Tadapani (40 minutes), Kyumi to Landruk (1 hour), Bhaisi Kharka to Deurali (45 minutes) required stamina. Professional guide and porter suggested for a comfortable trip. 

Pokhara's private jeep accessed up to Ulleri and Ghandruk village, which easily organize 3/4 days Ghorepani Ghandruk trek. Trekking routes Nayapul to Dhampus found a lush forest, 16 types of rhododendron (bloom in March-April), Himalayan black bear, pheasant, monkey, barking deer, domestic animals. Annual locals celebrate mountain festivals, Toren Lha in Birethanti (March), Tote Parva (March-April, July-August), Jestha Purnima in Ulleri (May), Kot Maula Puja (October-November).

When to go 

September to December is a high season and February to May remains low season. March-April blooms rhododendron, orchid flower. Winter, December and February held snowfalls with cold nights. Mid-June to mid-September existed monsoon, which offers trekking without a mountain view. In average Autumn (September to November) weather remains 0° to 17° Celsius, Winter (December to February) weather remains -3° to 9° Celsius, Spring ( March to May) weather remains 2° to 20° Celsius and Summer (June to August) weather remains 10° to 22° Celsius. 

Food, Drinks 

Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking route sells fresh, hygienic Dal Bhat, potatoes, chowmein, fried chicken, noodle soup, fried rice, local wine, pizza. Hot and cold drinks are available, tea, coffee, beer, coke, cane juice, and safe drinking water. A trekker spends 3000 to 4000 Nepali Rupees every day for 3 times food, breakfast, lunch and dinner with a cups of tea and coffee. 

Equipment 

Bring a warm jacket, hiking boots, 3 pairs of woolen socks, a T-shirt, camera, binocular, rucksack, flip-flop, trekking poles, sun lotion, sunglasses, and a warm hat. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, TIMS (Pokhara or Kathmandu), medicines, Nepali Rupee and a pet water bottle to refill filtered drinking water.  

How to get 

Ghorepani trekking accessed from Pokhara lies 200 km west of Kathmandu, approached by private car (6 hours), tourist bus (7 hours), and flight (25 minutes). Pokhara to Nayapul (begins the hiking) required taxi (1:20 hours) or local bus (2 hours). Kathmandu to Pokhara tourist bus costs $10 to $25, flight cost $123, car costs $100, Jeep costs $ 150, and van costs $200. Private jeep reached up to Ulleri (3 hours) and Ghandruk (3/4 hours) for a comfortable journey. 

Trekkers Lodge 

Ghorepani Ghandruk trekking route established 2-bed room guest house with a mountain view, food, WI-Fi, common toilet. A few guesthouses offer an attached bathroom for 1000 to 1500 Rupees. Trekker's lodges provide electricity, hot, cold shower, charging facility with an extra cost.

People 

An indigenous Magar, Gurung, Thakali community live between Nayapul to Dhampus with a teahouse business. Tourists can interact with humorous, friendly, helpful, egalitarian people about their village, culture, seasonal festivals, and dress. Some retired Gurkha soldiers also run the guest house. Animal husbandry, organic food, warm hospitality, teamwork, and Gurung cultural show makes sure a lifetime memory. 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Options

2 days trip - Hire a private jeep at 6 am from Pokhara to Ulleri (3:30 hours), walk 5 hours to Ghorepani for overnight stay. The next morning hike 45 minutes to visit Poon Hill, without bag and breakfast to catch sunrise and mountain views. Return to your hotel, take hot breakfast, hike 3 hours to Ulleri. Drive back to Pokhara in 3:30 hours. 

3 days trip - Drive 9 am from Pokhara to Nayapul, which takes 1:15 hours. Walk 3 hours to Haile for overnight rest. Hike 6 hours from Hile to Ghorepani with an uphill path. Hike 45 minutes uphill path to visit Poon Hill without breakfast and bag. Enjoy the world's highest summits with sunrise view. Return to your hotel, take breakfast and hike 3 hours to Ulleri. Take a private jeep from Ulleri to Pokhara, which takes 3:30 hours. 

4 days trip - Hike from Nayapul to Ghorepani in 2 days. Next morning visit Poon Hill with 45 minutes hiking for spectacular mountains with sunrise view. Afterwards, walk 7 hours with spectacular mountain views to Ghandruk village for overnight stay.  Day 4, walk 30 minutes to Ghandruk bus stop. Return to Pokhara in 3/4 hours by local bus. 

5 days trip - Hike from Nayapul to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Landruk, Dhampus, Phedi and take 30 minutes driving by taxi to Pokhara in 5 days. The traditional 5 days trip is the most popular through picturesque Gurung, Magar, Thakali village, enjoying impressive mountain views. Message us at WhatsApp, +977 9860552742, E-address nuture.walks.sv@gmail.com for free information, trip package, professional guide, porter, jeep.