Ghandruk Trek

Day 01 – Drive to Kande and trek up to Australian camp – Kande is 24 kilometers far from Pokhara so trekkers have to drive an approximately 1 hour to get there. After Kande village trekkers head towards to Australian camp pass by small village and a subtropical forest. The ascended trail from Kande to Australian camp may takes an approximately three hours for children or slow walkers. Australian camp offers to see beautiful view of Machhapuchhre, Hiuchuli, Mardi Himal, Annapurna south and including two top ten mountains of the word known as Dhaulagiri 8167 m and Manaslu 8163 meters high.

Day 02 – Trek to Tolka (1600m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walks – Early in the morning, trekkers will have beautiful mountain view from the breakfast table and head towards to Tolka village pass by Pothana, Pritam Deurali and Bheri Kharka village. Begins of the trek, trekkers walk on the flat trail until Pothana village after that the trail ascend gradually through the rhododendron and sandal wood forest until Pritam Deurali village. Pritam Deurali village offers to see stunning view of Annapurna south and Hiuchuli. From Pritam Deurali village, trekkers walk downhill trail for one hour to get Bheri Kharka then another one hour walk on the gravel road brings to Tolka village. Tolka village offers to see superb view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli and neighbor villages of Tolka; which are settled over the vertical land.

Day 03 – Trek to Jhinu Danda (1780m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walks – Jhinu Danda is also known as hot spring because there is a natural hot spring just 20 minutes away from the village. Begins of the morning, trekkers will follow the gravel road to get Landruk village with pleasant view of agricultural terraced field, Modi river valleys and green landscape. From Landruk village the trail leads through the forest on a gentle slope trail to get New bridge village then the trail gently ascend for 45 minutes to get lower Uri village where appear a long and very high suspension bridge over the Kimrong River and when trekkers cross the river using by that bridge immediately comes Jhinu village and enjoy a pleasant night at good guest house.

Day 04 – Trek to Chhomrong village (2170m.a.s.l) – 2 hours walk – Chhomrong village is not so far from Jhinu Danda village so trekkers have enough time to go Hot spring which is located beside the Modi River and takes about 20 minutes to get there. After exploration of hot spring trekkers head towards to Chhomrong village climbing by steep hill that may takes an approximately two and half an hours with kids. Chhomrong village offers to see really close view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli, Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre and charms landscape.

Day 05 – Trek to Kot Danda (1665mm.a.s.l) – 5 hours walks – after fabulous Mountain View, trekkers will head towards Kimrong Khola pass by Gurjung village. Along the day trekkers will enjoy with the view of river valleys, traditional house of Gurung people, agricultural terraced field, waterfalls and local people’s activities who are working in the field and animal cattle. Most of the time trekkers walk on the flat trail and short downhill trail so trek of the day would be one of the pleasant walks of the whole trip. There is only one guesthouse in Kot Danda called little paradise that offers comfortable bedrooms and delicious meals with great hospitality.

Day 06 – Trek to Ghandruk (1940m.a.sl) – 3 hours walks – Trekkers will have breakfast with fascinating view of high Himalayas and green landscape then head towards to Ghandruk that may takes an approximately three hours with children. The trail from Kimrong Danda to Ghandruk is mostly flat, somewhere trekkers walk downhill trail for the short time. Ghandruk is a huge Gurung people and offers to see fabulous view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli and Machhapuchhre. Apart of mountain views the Ghandruk village commands to explore some museum that displays old ornaments, utensils and other interesting things which is used by Gurung people in an ancient time.

Day 07 – Trek to Nayapul and drive back to Sarangkot (1592m.a.s.l) – Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul takes about 5 hours which would be very pleasant walk due to see awesome landscapes, River valleys, cultivated terraced fields and astonishing view of Machhapuchhre, Hiuchuli and Annapurna south. From Nayapul trekkers have to drive about one hour to get Sarangkot which is located above the Pokhara city and offers to see panoramic view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli, Mardi Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, Gurja peak, Machhapuchhre, Gandharba peak, Baraha shikhar, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and beautiful view of sunrise and sunset.

Day 08 – Hike up to Sarangkot viewpoint and trek down to Pokhara (820m.a.s.l) – 3 hours walk – Early in the morning, trekkers have to climb up approximately 15 minutes to get Sarangkot viewpoint that offers to see beautiful sunrise and panoramic view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli, Mardi Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna, Gurja peak, Machhapuchhre, Gandharba peak, Baraha shikhar, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri. After exploration of this beautiful place, trekkers have to walk down approximately three hours to get Pokhara city.

Day 09 – Final departure – After successful trip of Ghanduk trek, trekkers fly back to home with great experience of Nepal and many tales about the Himalayas, colorful people, jungles, culture and traditions that makes you storyteller among your friends and colloquies.

Best season for Ghandruk trek – Actually, Ghandruk trek is can be explore whole year due to low elevation but still middle of the September to End of November is considered as a best time due to see crystal mountain view without any clouds and haze. Middle of the February to end of middle of May is second best time to explore southern belt of Annapurna region because Spring season offers to see many kinds of blooming flowers such as Rhododendrons, Magnolia and orchids and also can be seen clear mountain views and trekkers can pass the trail without any an obstruction.

October to November – In general the first two months of the dry season offer the best weather for trekking and the main trails are heaving with trekkers at this time, for good reason.the air is crystal clear, the mountain scenery is superb and the weather is still comfortably warm.

December to February – These months are also good time for trekking trip to higher region but the cold can be bitter and dangerous at high altitudes. Getting up to the higher region and high passes can be a real endurance test and high passes are often blocked by snow.

March to April – These months are dry weather and dusty; means poorer Himalayan views but the compensations are several; fewer crowds, warm weather and spectacular Rhododendrons, magnolias and Orchids blooms.

June to September – These months are rainy season of Nepal so monsoon rains bring landslides, slippery trails and hordes of leeches. Raging rivers often wash away bridges and stretches of trekking path.

Itinerary plan – The given itinerary plan is flexible so it is possible to customize according to trekker’s desire, health condition and physical fitness because there are many trekking routes, which are possible to combine with Ghandruk village trek.

 Permits required – The Ghandruk village trek is a part of Annapurna conservation area project so for those trekkers who would like to trek into these region then have pay 3000 Nepali rupees for trekking permit and 10$ for the TIMS cards. If trekkers want to trek individually then trekkers have to pay 20$ for the TIMS card.

Food – All tea houses have similar menus which feature local traditional Nepali items such ass local hand made breads, potatoes and Dal Baht which rice served with lentil soup with vegetable curry and typical pickles and selected western dishes like pasta, macaroni, pizza, noodles and burgers. Keep in mind most dishes are vegetarian.

Water – water bottle is available in all tea houses however, be mindful of the environmental impact your purchase/plastic bottle will have. Untreated water is available in all teahouses free of charge. Carry your own water treatment system. Boiled water is available for additional charge.

Accommodation -You will be sleeping in private rooms in teahouses. They usually have two single beds with mattress and blankets are available by request. Bathrooms (squat style) are mostly shared; you will need to carry your own toilet paper. Toilet paper is available for purchase throughout the trek. Cold showers are always available. Hot showers or hot bucket are available in some teahouses for additional charge.

High altitude sickness and prevention of it – Altitude sickness, mildest from being acute mountain sickness is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) with associated shortness of breath or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) with associated confusion. Chronic mountain sickness may occur after long-term exposure to high altitude.

Symptoms of high altitude sickness – Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue and loss of energy, Shortness of breath, insomnia, loss of appetite, skin discoloration (change into the blue, gray or pale), confusion, coughing, coughing of bloody mucus, chest tightness, decreased consciousness, difficult to walk in a straight line and shortness of breath even at rest.

How to skip high altitude sickness? – Ascend slowly, Get good rest, Drink plenty of water, eat appropriately, avoid the alcoholic beverage, do well acclimatization and take advise from your doctor before to get high elevation.

One can get fairly excited about a trip to a previously unknown location. But while traveling you need to make sure that you have all materials that you would require to be ready for every possible situation. And here in Nepal, you will most definitely need to pack a few things for your stay to be as smooth and memorable as possible.

• Sleeping bag (-15C rating)
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)
• Camp shoe
• Down jacket (heavy)
• Wind/waterproof shell
• Waterproof pants
• Fleece jacket
• Wool thermals
• Sun hat
• Beanie
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and chopstick
• Water treatment system
• Medical kit
• Headlamp
• Trekking poles
• Personal toiletries

For a quote, please contact us at: gobinmuhong@hotmail.com

All quotes include:

• Airports picks up and drop off.
• One day sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley.
• Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.
• All required permits and TIMS cards.
• Transportation to/from trek start and end points from Kathmandu/Pokhara.
• Professional English speaking guide with a medical kit and porters (including their meals, drinks, accommodation and insurance).
• Accommodation and meals.
• 13% government tax and 10% service charge.

All quotes do NOT include:

• Client insurance
• Tips for guide and porters
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, extra beverages bill, battery charge, wifi charge, hot shower charge, mineral water, snacks)
• Extra porter