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Sunrise views and Gurung village life

Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek

6 spring departures left

Annapurna Region, Nepal

Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m)

Afternoon in Gurung Ghandruk

Stone staircase to Ulleri

Relaxed pace for beginners

The Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek is a gentle, rewarding loop in the Annapurna foothills. It combines the famous sunrise from Poon Hill with time to get to know the culture of the Magar and Gurung villages along the way. Starting and ending in Pokhara, it is ideal for first-time trekkers and anyone looking for great mountain views without going to high altitude.

The trek begins at Nayapul and follows the Bhurungdi Khola to Tikhedhunga, then climbs the famous stone staircase to Ulleri and continues through rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani. Before dawn you hike to Poon Hill at 3,210 m to watch the sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre.

From Ghorepani the route crosses a forested ridge to Tadapani and descends to Ghandruk. This is the main difference from the shorter Poon Hill trek: you arrive by late morning and have the whole afternoon to explore one of the most attractive Gurung villages in Nepal, with its stone houses, cultural museum and close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

With a relaxed pace and a maximum altitude of 3,210 m, this trek suits most people with reasonable fitness. Our team takes care of permits, transport, guide, porters and all meals on the trail.

At a glance

Duration

5 Days
Nights

4 Nights
Difficulty

Easy
Max.Elevation

3,210 m (10,531 ft)
Accomodation

Tea house
Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during the trek
Group Size

1 - 12 Travelers
Best Season

Mar - May, Sep - Nov
Starting Point

Pokhara
Ending Point

Pokhara
Permit

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card
Trip Type

Private or Group

With a relaxed pace and a maximum altitude of 3,210 m, this trek suits most people with reasonable fitness. Our team takes care of permits, transport, guide, porters and all meals on the trail.

Itinerary

A five-day loop from Pokhara via Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, then back through Tadapani and Ghandruk.

Day 01

Pokhara to Nayapul, Trek to Tikhedhunga

Max Altitude 1,540 m
Accommodation Guesthouse (Basic Lodge/Community Lodge)
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, which takes about one and a half hours along the Baglung Highway. From here you walk to Birethanti, where your permits are checked. The trail then follows the Bhurungdi Khola past small villages, farm terraces and waterfalls, with only gentle climbs. Tikhedhunga is a pleasant riverside village and a relaxed first stop that eases you into trekking life. In the evening, meet the teahouse family and enjoy your first dal bhat on the trail.

Day highlights

Riverside walk along the Bhurungdi Khola
Permit check at Birethanti

Day 02

Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani

Max Altitude 2,860 m
Accommodation Guesthouse (Basic Lodge/Community Lodge)
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

Start the day with the famous stone staircase to Ulleri, a steep climb of well over a thousand steps up to this Magar village. After a tea break with views of Annapurna South, the trail becomes gentler and enters forest of oak and rhododendron through Banthanti and Nangethanti. In spring, from March to April, the forest glows with red and pink blossoms. By the afternoon you reach Ghorepani, a ridge-top village with views of Dhaulagiri. Rest and get ready for an early start.

Day highlights

Stone staircase to Ulleri
Rhododendron forest

Day 03

Poon Hill Sunrise, Trek to Tadapani

Max Altitude 3,210 m
Accommodation Guesthouse (Basic Lodge/Community Lodge)
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

Leave before dawn for the steep 45 to 60-minute climb to Poon Hill at 3,210 m. As the sky brightens, the sun lights up a sweep of snow peaks including Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. After breakfast back in Ghorepani, follow the ridge to Deurali pass and descend through quiet forest to Tadapani. From here Machhapuchhre rises directly across the valley, a beautiful sight at sunset. It is a long but rewarding day, so keep your camera ready and take breaks whenever you need them.

Day highlights

Poon Hill sunrise panorama
Forest ridge walk to Tadapani

Day 04

Tadapani to Ghandruk

Max Altitude 2,630 m
Accommodation Guesthouse (Basic Lodge/Community Lodge)
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

A short, easy descent through rhododendron forest brings you to Ghandruk by late morning. This large Gurung village has slate-roofed stone houses, narrow flagstone lanes and terraced fields, all set beneath Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. You have the afternoon free to explore at a relaxed pace. Visit the Gurung museum, try on traditional clothing, or simply enjoy the mountain views from a teahouse terrace. Many Gurung families from this area have served in the Gurkha regiments, and village life is rich in local tradition.

Day highlights

Gurung culture and museum
Afternoon in Ghandruk

Day 05

Ghandruk to Nayapul, Drive to Pokhara

Max Altitude 1,940 m
Meals Breakfast and Lunch Included
Trekking 3-4 hrs

Enjoy a final morning view of the mountains before descending through farm terraces and small hamlets along the Modi Khola to the road at Kimche or Syauli Bazaar. The walk continues to Nayapul, or a jeep can meet you partway depending on road conditions. From Nayapul, drive back to Pokhara and arrive by the early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to relax by Phewa Lake. Thank you for trekking with us. We are happy to help you plan more activities in Pokhara.

Day highlights

Terraced farmland of the Modi Khola
Back to Pokhara

Maps

Where this trip takes you.

Fixed Departures

Set group departures below. Private dates can be arranged on any day that suits you.

Nov 05

Nov 5 - Nov 9, 2026

Group Joining
Guaranteed

From $450 /Person

Book now

Nov 20

Nov 20 - Nov 24, 2026

Group Joining
Guaranteed

From $450 /Person

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Mar 05

Mar 5 - Mar 9, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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Mar 20

Mar 20 - Mar 24, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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Apr 05

Apr 5 - Apr 9, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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Apr 20

Apr 20 - Apr 24, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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May 05

May 5 - May 9, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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May 20

May 20 - May 24, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

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Sep 05

Sep 5 - Sep 9, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

Book now

Sep 20

Sep 20 - Sep 24, 2027

Group Joining
Available

From $450 /Person

Book now

Availability

Join a set group departure, or ask us for a private date that suits you.

Book now

Didn’t find a suitable date? Contact us with your dates and preferences.

Inclusions & exclusions

What the trip price covers, and what to budget for separately.

What’s included

Transfers – hotel pick-up and drop-off in Pokhara
Ground transport – Pokhara to Nayapul and back by private vehicle
Teahouse accommodation – 4 nights on the trail, twin share
Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek (lunch on day 5)
Guide – licensed English-speaking trekking guide
Porter – one porter for every two trekkers
Permits – Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card
Staff costs – wages, meals, lodging and insurance for the guide and porter

Not included

International flights – flights to and from Nepal are not included
Travel insurance – must cover trekking and emergency evacuation
Nepal visa fee – payable on arrival in Kathmandu
Personal expenses – snacks, drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging on the trail
Tips – gratuities for guide and porter are appreciated but optional
Hotels – accommodation in Pokhara before and after the trek
Entry fees – Poon Hill viewpoint and Ghandruk museum tickets

Why people fall for it

Why this trip stands out

It combines the Poon Hill sunrise with a full afternoon in one of Nepal's most beautiful Gurung villages.
Shorter walking days make it ideal for beginners and families.
The maximum altitude of 3,210 m keeps the risk of altitude sickness low.
The loop route means you see new scenery every day.
It is easy to fit into a trip from Pokhara, and our guides live nearby.

Good to know

Practical information to help you prepare for this trip.

Permits

This trek lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so every trekker needs an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals) and a TIMS card. Our team arranges both before you set off; we only need a copy of your passport and a passport photo.

Accommodation and Meals

Teahouses along this route are comfortable by trekking standards, with twin rooms, hot showers and varied menus. Ghandruk also has some lodges with private bathrooms if you want to upgrade.

Currency

Nepal uses the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Pokhara has plenty of ATMs and money changers, but there are few or none on the trail, so carry enough cash for snacks, hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi.

Budget: roughly USD 15–25 per day for extras on the trail.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should cover trekking up to the highest altitude on this route, plus emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment. Please share your policy details with our team before the trek.

Internet and SIM Card

Most teahouses offer Wi-Fi for a small fee, although it gets slower and less reliable higher up. A local Ncell or Nepal Telecom SIM card with data works in much of the region and is cheap to buy in Pokhara or Kathmandu with your passport.

Essential Packing Guide

Pack light: a porter carries up to about 10–12 kg shared between two trekkers, and you carry a daypack.

Clothing: moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece, a warm down jacket and a waterproof shell
Footwear: broken-in waterproof trekking boots and camp sandals
Sleeping: a sleeping bag rated to around -10°C (we can lend one)
Essentials: sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle or purification tablets, headlamp and a small first-aid kit
Village visits: modest clothing for time in the villages

FAQs

Answers to the questions travellers ask us most about this trip.

How is this different from the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?

It takes one extra day. This allows an easier first day to Tikhedhunga and a whole night in Ghandruk, so you have more time for village life and a gentler pace overall.

How difficult is the Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek?

It is an easy to moderate trek. Days 2 and 3 are the longest, at 6–7 hours, and include many stone steps. Anyone with reasonable fitness can manage it.

What can I see in Ghandruk?

You can visit the Gurung museum and the traditional stone houses, and enjoy close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. You can also learn about the region’s long connection with the Gurkha regiments.