Ghandruk Loop Trek

Also known as Ghandruk Village Trek / 3 Days Ghandruk Trek.

Ghandruk Loop Trek is a beginner 3-day teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 1,940 m. It starts at Nayapul (via Birethanti) and ends at Nayapul (loop via Landruk) or Kimche road head.

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Kaski)
Duration
3 days, 4-5 hours walking per day
Distance
30 km
Maximum altitude
1,940 m
Difficulty
Beginner — Three short days below 2,000 m on well-maintained village trails with teahouses every hour, road access at several points, and only one sustained climb (Kimche/Syauli Bazaar up to Ghandruk). Suitable for children, older trekkers and complete beginners.
Trek type
Teahouse, loop route
Best season
Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-Apr); open year-round
Guide
Not mandatory
Restricted area
No
Budget cost
NPR 13,000–20,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 20,000–32,000
Guided cost
NPR 32,000–50,000
Getting there
Kathmandu → Pokhara (tourist bus, 6-8h) → Nayapul (local bus 2-2.5h / taxi 1.5h, 42 km) → trail. A jeep road now reaches Kimche/Ghandruk, so the walk-in can be shortened or the exit driven.
Altitude sickness
Low — the whole route stays below 2,000 m, well under AMS altitudes.

Weather

Low-altitude village trek doable in every season. Clearest Annapurna South/Machhapuchhre views Oct-Dec; rhododendrons Mar-Apr; monsoon means leeches, mud and hidden peaks; winter days mild, nights cold.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk, 4-5 h, 1,940 m — Birethanti bazaar and ACAP checkpost, Modi Khola valley, Syauli Bazaar, Kimche, stone-step climb into Ghandruk
  2. Day 2: Ghandruk to Landruk, 4-5 h, 1,565 m — Morning Annapurna South/Machhapuchhre panorama, Gurung Museum and old village quarter, descent to Modi Khola suspension bridge (~1,340 m) and climb to Landruk
  3. Day 3: Landruk to Pokhara, 3-4 h, 822 m — Riverside walk down the Modi Khola via Beethani/Syauli Bazaar to Birethanti and Nayapul

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