Trip Facts
- Destination:Nepal
- Trip Grade:Easy To Moderate
- Max Elevation:2012m
- Total Duration:08 days
- Best Time:February-May & Sept-Dec
- Activities:Trekking, Historical & Cultural Excursion
- Trekking Duration:03 days
- Trip Start from :Kathmandu
- Trip End at :Kathmandu
- Accommodation:Double/Twin shearing in hotel/lodge
- Meals:Full board in Trekking & Breakfast basis in City
- Transportation:Private Vehicle/Tourist Bus/Flight
- Group size :1-8 pax
- Per Day Walking:4-6 hrs
The Ghandruk Trekking is the most lively and charming trekking destination to the deep Ghandruk valley. Ghandruk Trekking is also known as short trekking in Annapurna part of Ghorepani Poon hill Trek which is located in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. Ghandruk village is situated at an altitude of 2012 meters above the sea level and mostly encircles a wide range of Gurung, and remaining other ethnic group of peoples. It offers a superb mix of lush vegetation due to geographical diversity, unbelievable landscapes, terrains, close and spectacular mountain view especially during sunrise and sunset, and unchanged local people and stone built villages. Ghandruk Trekking package provides you the priceless feelings of being so close to nature.
Ghandruk trek starts from Pokhara, the city of lakes that takes 30 min air flight from Kathmandu and drive 1 hour to Nayapul then 30 min walks to Birethantiand after that continues following Bhurungdi river and passing via the forest of rhododendron forest, paddy walks crossing small streams, paddy fields, rugged terrains and mesmerizing traditional villages. The smiling faces of locals welcome you in every steps of this trail which gives you the deep feeling of love in your heart. The whole trail chases you with the Panoramic view of the Mountains and beautiful landscape. Poonhill and Ghandruk villages are the highlights of the trek. Poonhill at the height of 3210m from sea level is famous for sunrise and sunset and close up view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna south, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (fishtail), Gangapurna, Nilgiri and other dramatic peaks. Ghandruk is the village of Gurung, with Tamang, Chettri. Gurung are better known as The Gurkhas, the great warrior. It is the most warm village. In Overall, Ghandruk Circuit trekking offers the wonderful views of Mountains and artistic landscapes, rich ethnic culture and heart touching hospitality. After this trek you can have a good time relaxing in the Pokhara’s beautiful nature and hotspots like Phewa lake, Mahendra Cave, Davis fall etc. concluding your trek.
Ghandruk Trekking is short and easy trek basically designed for the family who wants to create memories with their children as well as for newly married couple honeymoon. Ghandruk trekking is fit for even old people, trekker with limited time and trekker with no past trekking experience. However, anyone with true nature love can do this trek. It is possible to do this trek whole year.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 02: Full day in Kathmandu
- Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (820m) about 07 hrs drive
- Day 04: Drive to Phedi (30min) and trek to Tolka (1810m) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day05: Trek to Ghandruk (1970m) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day06: Trek to Nayapul-Pokhara (4-5 hrs walk and 2 hrs drive)
- Day 07: Drive back to Kathmandu
- Day 08: Fly to destination
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
On arrival you will be picked up at the international airport of Nepal and transfer to the hotel by our airport representative. Check in and rest for well. After refreshment tour guide will take you to the Kathmandu Durbar Square for half day sightseeing. This is one of the famous Sightseeing sport in the Kathmandu which is listed UNESCO world heritage site. Tonight w e will take you to the cultural restaurant for dinner. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Full day in Kathmandu
Today you have full day guided sightseeing tours to the Buddhist and Hindu sights in Kathmandu, probably to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath; combination Hinduism and Buddhism known as monkey temple as there are many holy monkey living in the north-west part of the temple. Pashupatinath a sacred Hindu temple situated on the bank of the Bagmati River. Then drive to Buddhanath stupa one of the biggest and oldest stupa in the world. Later in the afternoon there will be a pre-trip meeting with your trekking guide in hotel. Our office representative will brief you regarding our trek as well as provides you opportunity to ask any question of upcoming trip with guide. And sty over night in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (820m) about 07 hrs drive
Today an early morning your guide will come to pick you up and transfer to the tourist bus station for your day drive to lakeside city of Pikhara through the scenic countryside. On arrival in Pokhara bus station our hotel representative of Pokhara will pick you up and transfer to the hotel. After refreshment in the hotel your guide will take you to the walking tours around the lake. Stay over night at the hotel in Pokhara.
Day 04: Drive to Phedi (30min) and trek to Tolka (1810m) 4-5 hrs walk
Today after breakfast you will drive up to Phedi from where the trek begins. You will be rewarded with great views of the mountains that continue to improve as you ascend along the ridge to Dhampus (1750m at the top), from where you will have magnificent view of Fishtail and Annapurna mountain. Continues trek to Pothana where you will have lunch break. After lunch you will have up and down trek to Small settlement Tolka. Stay overnight at the tea house.
Day05: Trek to Ghandruk (1970m) 4-5 hrs walk
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, you will trek slowly down hill to Landruk from where the trail descends all the way to Modi Khola. After crossing Modi Khola stream on a suspension bridge with a view of wild honey bee hives on the rocky cliff, from here the trail leads all the way up to a Ghandruk village. Ghandruk village is a big Gurung Settlement, kind of modern town of this trek where you can see local museum and Buddhist Monasteries. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Day06: Trek to Nayapul-Pokhara (4-5 hrs walk and 2 hrs drive)
Ghandruk village is one of the best places from where you can have best view of the Annapurna, Hiunchuli and Fishtail very close by. After wonderful short time in the Ghandruk village, trek down all the way to Nayapul via Birethanti. Nayapul is the ending point of the trek, drive back to Pokhara. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Drive back to Kathmandu
After fantastic time in and around Pokhara, today after breakfast you will transfer to the tourist bus station for day scenic countryside drive to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Note: You can fly to Pokhara which takes 35 minute.
Day 08: Fly to destination
After wonderful time in Nepal, today you will timely pick up from hotel and transfer to the airport for your next destination.
Cost Includes
- All airport pick drop by private vehicle
- Welcome dinner in Authentic Restaurant
- 03 night twin/double shearing deluxe accommodation on BB in Kathmandu
- Guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and in Pokhara with private vehicle
- Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist bus(if you want both way flight or private vehicle or tourist bus also available on additional cost)
- 02 night twin/double shearing deluxe accommodation on BB in Pokhara
- Pokhara to Nayapul (Trek starting point) and Phedi (trek ending point) to Pokhara to by private vehicle
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and Trekkers’ Information Management System( TIMS card)
- A highly experience, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly , English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, Transport and insurance.
- 02 guest=01 porter with their Insurance, Salary, Food, accommodation and equipment.
- Best Available twin/double shearing accommodation in the mountain during the trekking
- Three meals a day; breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and tea/coffee during the trekking
- Safe drinking water and first add kid box
- Holiday Tours Nepal’s sleeping bag, down jackets,Ti-shirt, Cap, duffle bags, city and trekking route maps – if necessary.
Cost Excludes
- Your Nepal Visa fees (should bring small accurate fees in USD and 02 passport size photos)
- All the International air fare from and to Kathmandu (no need to pay departure tax for international flight)
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Meals during the traveling time
- Personal travel and health Insurance, Insurance for helicopter evacuation
- In case of extra more night accommodation, lunch and dinner in city due to early arrival and late departure as well as early back/return from mountain/trekking (due to any reason) than the given time period of itinerary
- Your Personal expenses such as ( laundry, baggage charge, phone calls, battery recharge, bar and beverage bill, boiled or bottle water, hot and cold shower, extra porter.. etc)
- The Tips to the trekking crews and drive
- Extra expenses due to flight delays, strikes, weather condition or any event out of our control
- Anything not included in service includes column
Useful Info
Difficulties rating of Ghandruk Circuit Trek
A trekkers have to fit to do this trekking. Maximum altitude of the trek is 2130m. You must take care of your health.
Safe drinking water on Ghandruk Circuit Trek
Basically, we can get mineral water bottles in lower places but as we go higher cannot find it. In that case we suggest you to drink boiled water which may charge small fee, found in tea houses and better to bring chlorine tablets to purify water. Due to no provision of plastic bottles better to use boiled rather than mineral water, helpful for protection of environment.
Recharging Batteries of Electronic Items On the Trek
Hydro electricity or solar power sources are used to charge your electrical items like camera, batteries, iPod, phone etc. Tea houses or lodges may charge small fee per hours for charging facilities. Better to buy adaptors before the trip since plugs are limited. In Nepal 220-240 volt power is used and sockets fit round and flat plugs.
Garbage Disposal
Use a dustbins and do not throw anything into the fire. Carry garbage’s in the way where dustbin facilities are not available and conserve the environment.
Spending Money per Day
It mainly depends upon spending habits, normally you should allocate US$ 9-12 per meal in Kathmandu and Pokhara. On trekking, US$ 10-14 a day is good enough to buy drinks and chocolates.
Travel Insurance for Ghandruk Circuit Trek
You should be sufficiently protected and need to have travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation, lost items, liabilities, injuries and medical treatment. Ensure the insurance covers all the activities in the Himalayas. Trekking Planner can offer the appropriate medical response based on your policy and insurance.
Washing and Toilet facilities for Ghandruk Circuit Trek:
All the guest houses offers hot showers, which can be in bathroom or can be a bucket of hot water. Limit the use of hot water unless the water is solar heated or firewood for the ecological reason.
Toilets are mainly Asian squat style. Basically toilets are outside your room and vary in how clean they are. You should not through toilet paper in the toilet hole rather you should use rubbish bin that is kept inside the toilet.
Tea Houses
On this trekking route local people have built tea houses lodge with food and beverage facilities. A simple room usually has two narrow beds. While staying in the tea houses you will see the charming local people with their good hospitality services.
How Can I Plan and Confirm My Trip?
Trekking planner is the government licensed trekking company in Nepal as we can see a photos of legal documents in about us section. Under following terms and condition, we accept your booking:
We required non-refundable deposit Of 15% down payment in advance is mandatory to book a flight tickets, hotel booking and TIMS as well as permit process. Booking must be done 5 days earlier and amount can be either bank transfer or western Union, money gram as well as through credit cards and the rest amount must be paid upon your arrival to Nepal.
Equipments
- Trekking Bag pack.
- Trekking day bag.( Small handbag)
- Trekking shoes.
- Sports shoes or sandal.
- Trekking stick.
- Sun Hat, cap
- Warm woolen cap.
- Trekking jacket Gore tax/ flees jacket.
- Pullover or warm sweeter.
- Raincoat.
- 4/5 pairs of good qualities shock.
- Hand gloves.
- 2/3 pairs of Trekking trousers
- 3/4 pairs of trekking shirts.
- 3/4 pairs of Underwear
- Eye glass
- Water bottle.
- Sleeping bag.
- Flash or Torch light.
- Camera and batteries.
- Sun cream.
Most Common FAQs
Can you provide me more information about the tea houses on this trek?
According to the location the tea houses vary on their quality and style on this trek. Basically they have communal room downstairs with one or two bed bedroom above them. You have to use share toilet but nowadays in low levels atteched toilet is found and some have hot shower facilities but some will have stand pipes. Tea houses use a type of burning stove in main communal area and other room are unheated. Tea houses donot have money exchange facilities. Trekking Planner recommend you to exchange cash in Kathmandu.
At the lower altitudes there is electricity facilities whereas as we go higher tea houses become more basic. As cooler temperature drain battery life, ensure your batteries last a little longer by putting it inside pocket of your coat or under your pillow.
Do a guides or porter carry oxygen tanks on the trek?
No, As there is enough time to acclimatize while trekking it felt there is no need for them. If someone feels the affects of altitude then there are facilities along the trek at various point and its easy to get.
How many guides and porters will be there in our group?
A group will have a group leader or a guide who will lead you on the trek. Porters will be there to carry your baggage packs and all the camping gear. One porter will carry two trekkers baggages. A number of supporting staff will depend upon your group size.
At one time how many liter of water I have to carry in the trek?
Mostly 3-4 liters is sufficient. You will be able to refill bottels at lunch time. When you are in high altitude you have to drink more water to get rid of altitude diseases.
Is it nessary to carry Trekking poles?
Yes, Trekking Poles make you easy to walk in the rough ways. Trekking poles makes your body and leg to move more safely. So, we suggest you to use it.
Is bottled water available everywhere in the trek?
Mainly tea houses on the way have stores which sells bottled water and other supplies that may be needed for you on the trek. There is no any plastic recyclable facilities in Nepal, we encourage you to bring chlorine tablets and use filter water in the tea houses.
Should I have to bring iodine tablets for purifying the water?
You have to bring iodine tablet with you. Chlorine tablets are widely available. The most effective and commonly used version of chlorine is chlorine dioxide, which is tasteless and odourless. Tablets can be bought cheaply and usually 1 tablet is sufficient to purify 1 litre of water. Neutralising tablets can also be bought to get rid of the smell and taste of chlorine or iodine. This will need to be done for water obtained using hand pumps or streams in the trek.
What are the effects of going so high?
Altitude produces physical changes in the body. Higher you go, more pronounced those changes. If after gaining a lot of elevation in a hurry, you experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, and dehydration, you are probably suffering from altitude sickness. In rare cases this may worsen, so a close watch is kept on all trekkers by the Group Leader who is trained to recognize Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If trekkers shows any signs of AMS they will be evacuated to a lower, safe altitude immediately. To minimize effects of altitude you ascend slowly which allows safe acclimatization.
What if I get ill while on the trek?
It depends on the nature of your illness. If you suddenly feels dizzy or weak, you have to sit or lie down. If you still feel sick, keep a warm and quiet until you can get medical help. You will carried down if no progress we advise travelers to take a personal kit too.
In serious cases, you need helicopter rescue. Our guide will suggest you to use it if its very serious. So, helicopter rescue insurance is necessary for every trekkers before you come to trek in this trek.
Would you recommend to take a Down Jacket?
The weather is changeable in the Himalaya so you can expect to experience four seasons in one day. Make sure you have plenty of warm layers which you can shed or add as required. While even in winter it can be as warm as 19C during the day, the higher the altitude, the colder the temperature and when high up the temperature drops significantly at night to around -10C in October/November, and to around -20C from December to February.
Is alcohol permitted on trek?
Alcohol is consumed in Nepal. You can buy it in tea houses in the trek. Local alcohol is also available. However we suggest you not to drink alcohol at high altitude.
