Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek

The Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek is a perfect trekking experience in the Annapurna region as you tread through mossy trails and lush rhododendron forests. On offer are meditative stone steps, epic mountain views, and a look into the indigenous Magar and Gurung people's warm hospitality and rich culture.

The trekking itinerary isn’t too long for travelers short on time, and it isn’t too short to feel like you’ve missed out on something. All in all, this Ghandruk circuit trek brings together the best highlights of the lower Annapurna region.

Each stop on this trek is a highlight in itself, whether you are admiring colorful rhododendron blooms in Ghorepani, witnessing the sunrise at Poon Hill, or relishing beautiful mountain views from Ghandruk.

Unlike other demanding treks in Nepal, the Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek doesn’t pose risks of altitude sickness or cold weather. This makes it a perfect trek for students, couples, families with kids, or last-minute backpackers who want to complement their overall visit to Nepal.

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek Highlights

• Tour the lower heartland of the Annapurna region
• Admire spectacular views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, Mt. Fishtail, and more
• Trek through oak and rhododendron woodland
• Explore beautiful Gurung and Magar community villages throughout the trail
• Relish the dreamy mountain views from Ghandruk, a wonderland in itself
• Majestic mountain and sunrise views from Poon Hill
• Tread through marvelous waterfalls and terraced fields of rice, maize, and millet
• Enjoy seasonal specialties (snow, major festivals, rhododendron blooms, etc.)

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek Route Map

With Sublime Trails, you can start this trek from anywhere in Nepal. The trip starts from Pokhara and the actual trek starts from Nayapul. If you’re in Kathmandu or any other city in Nepal, we can arrange for your travel to Pokhara.

Nayapul is a 2-hour drive from Pokhara. You then embark on a 4-hour hike to Tikhedhunga along numerous suspension bridges. You go to Ghorepani from Tikhedhunga the next day, relishing elegant mountain views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.

Day 3 starts early as you will reach the Poon Hill view tower to watch the golden sunrise that illuminates the elaborate mountain view. You’ll descend to your lodge and prepare for the day’s trek to Tadapani.

Finally, day 4 takes you to the dreamy village of Ghandruk. The return trip begins on day 5 from Ghandruk to Nayapul. From Nayapul, you will take a ride to Pokhara following the previous route and end the Ghorepani Ghandruk trek in Pokhara.

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek Weather and Best Time to Go

Spring season (March, April) is the best time for the Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek. You’ll trek through entire hills embellished with colorful rhododendron blooms. Weather conditions are near-perfect in Nepal during spring, and spectacular mountain views under the blue sky are a sight to behold.

Autumn in Nepal (mid-September to the end of November) is another best time to trek to Ghandruk through Ghorepani. This is a festive season in Nepal - the Gurung and Magar communities leave no stone unturned to mark it.

Nevertheless, it’s not like summer and winter aren’t hospitable to the adventurous soul. If you prepare for the occasional drizzle, you can avoid the crowd by trekking during the summer (July till August) and get a unique perspective most trekkers don’t.

Winter has its own charm too. The trails and the peaks look more majestic with a perfect-white layer of snow. Don’t even get us started about when it snows on the dense vegetation and stone-slabbed roofs of the local houses. All this makes the Ghandruk Trek an ever-green trek, like most treks in the lower Annapurna region.

Ghorepani Ghandruk Circuit Trek Difficulty

The Ghorepani Ghandruk Circuit Trek isn’t very difficult and is a fairly comfortable trek to do in Nepal.

The highest point of the trek is Poon Hill (3210m / 10,532 ft), which is not a critical altitude. Most people can get away without experiencing any altitude-related complications. Additionally, you will descend after touring Poon Hill and sleep at a much lower altitude. This eliminates all concerns for most.

Furthermore, most part of the trekking trail is beautifully installed with stone slabs/steps. There is no danger on the trail in terms of terrain and landscape. With a good pair of hiking shoes, you will tread up and down the beautiful trails with ease.

Nonetheless, look forward to trekking for 5 to 6 hours a day. A certain level of fitness is certainly required to complete the trek and get a good experience out of it. Our considerate trekking guides will help you set the right pace according to your fitness level so you get an immersive experience throughout the trek.

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek Cost

The Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek cost starts from US$350 per person.

This includes food, accommodation, and transport, among other things. The cost of hiring a guide and porter is also included. Also, note that Sublime Trails makes all trekking permit arrangements for you.

The cost per individual keeps going down if you choose to trek with a larger group. This is because the economy of scale helps us maximize the utility of trekking resources at a lower cost.

However, we do not take too large a group just to bring costs down. We firmly stand by our belief that each trip should serve as a unique, tranquil experience for trekkers. This belief gets challenged if the group size is too large.

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek Cost Table