A short, easy loop from Pokhara to Ghandruk, a stone-built Gurung village facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, then across to Landruk and Australian Camp. Perfect for two or three days.
The route
Ghandruk is the village you see on half the postcards in Pokhara: slate-roofed stone houses stepped down a hillside, terraced fields below and Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre floating above. It is also one of the easiest overnight treks in Nepal, which makes it perfect if you only have two or three spare days.
Families, first-time trekkers, people who want a taste of village life and anyone recovering from a longer trek who still wants mountain views. It is not for people chasing altitude or solitude.
Take a jeep from Pokhara to Kimche (or Nayapul) and walk up to Ghandruk, home to one of the biggest Gurung communities in the region. Spend the afternoon wandering the old lanes and visiting the Gurung Museum.
On day two, drop to the Modi Khola and climb to Landruk, then on to Tolka. Day three takes you through forest to Pothana and Australian Camp, a grassy ridge with a wide view of the Annapurna range, before a short descent to Kande and a taxi back to Lakeside.
Ghandruk is good all year. October to April is clearest. Monsoon brings green terraces and cloud.
Easy. Days are three to five hours. The highest point is Australian Camp at about 2,060 m, so altitude is not an issue. The steps are the only real workout.
You need ACAP (NPR 3,000) and TIMS (NPR 2,000). Food and rooms are cheap and good. The price on this page is a typical starting price for a guided short trek from Pokhara.
Ghandruk is inside ACAP, so the 2023 licensed-guide rule applies in principle. A Gurung guide can bring the village to life in a way that a map can't.
Base yourself in Lakeside. Lazy Lads Backpackers Hostel is our favourite cheap, social hostel for trekkers. More options are on our Pokhara hostels page.
Make it longer by adding Poon Hill, or continue up to Annapurna Base Camp from Chhomrong. If you want a higher ridge next, try Mardi Himal, which starts near Australian Camp.
Day by day
About two hours by jeep, then an hour or two uphill to Ghandruk. Afternoon visiting the Gurung Museum and old village lanes.
Down to the Modi Khola bridge and up to Landruk, with views back to Ghandruk. Continue to Tolka or Pothana.
Through forest to Pothana and Australian Camp, with a wide Annapurna panorama. Down to Kande and taxi back to Lakeside.
Good to know
Two to three days from Pokhara. You can even do Ghandruk as an overnight trip by jeep.
Yes. It is the easiest overnight trek near Pokhara, with no altitude problems. There are lots of stone steps but short days.
Yes, jeeps reach Ghandruk, but walking at least one way is much nicer.
The Gurung Museum, traditional slate-roofed houses, terraced fields and views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre.
Yes, ACAP and TIMS, as Ghandruk is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Very. Short days, comfortable lodges and plenty of village life make it a great family trek.
Yes. The classic loop goes Ulleri – Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Tadapani – Ghandruk in four to five days.
Roughly US$20–35 a day plus permits. Guided two-to-three-day trips usually start around US$150–220.
October to April for mountain views. Monsoon is green and quiet but cloudy.
Lakeside. Lazy Lads Backpackers Hostel is a friendly, budget-friendly base for short treks.
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