Ghandruk Trek from Kathmandu – 5 Days with Pokhara Sightseeing

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara (Flight ~25 min or Drive ~6–7 hours)

The journey begins in Kathmandu with an early departure toward Pokhara, either by a short 25-minute mountain flight offering aerial views of the Himalayan range, or by a scenic 6–7 hour drive along the Prithvi Highway, which winds alongside the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers through hill villages and terraced farmland. Travelers who choose the road route pass through towns like Mugling and Dumre, with occasional glimpses of Manaslu and the Annapurna range on clear days. Upon arrival in Pokhara, the pace slows considerably — this lakeside city has a completely different feel from the bustle of Kathmandu, set against the backdrop of Machapuchare (Fishtail) and the Annapurna massif. The afternoon is left free to check into a hotel and unwind, with many travelers spending the evening strolling along Lakeside, Pokhara's main tourist strip beside Phewa Lake, browsing gear shops and cafés, or taking an early boat ride on the lake toward the Tal Barahi Temple as the sun sets behind the mountains. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 2: Drive to Nayapul – Trek to Ghandruk (Trek: ~5–6 hours, ~1,940 m)

After breakfast, a private vehicle takes the group roughly one to one-and-a-half hours from Pokhara to Nayapul, passing through Naudanda and Lumle along a road that offers early views of the Annapurna foothills. At Nayapul, the trek officially begins after completing formalities at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) checkpost in nearby Birethanti — a lively riverside village where the trail crosses the Modi Khola on a suspension bridge and enters the true trekking route. From Birethanti, the trail follows the river valley on a mostly stone-paved path, climbing gradually through the village of Syauli Bazaar and continuing up through forested sections toward Kimche. The final stretch to Ghandruk is the most demanding part of the day — a sustained uphill climb on stone steps through forest and terraced fields — but the reward is significant: Ghandruk (1,940 m) is one of the largest and most well-preserved Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, its stone-roofed houses stacked along a hillside directly facing Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and a startlingly close view of Machapuchare. The evening is spent at a teahouse in the village, and clear skies often reward trekkers with a dramatic sunset over the peaks. Overnight in Ghandruk.

Day 3: Ghandruk Exploration and Sunrise – Trek back to Nayapul – Drive to Pokhara

The day starts before dawn with a short walk to one of Ghandruk's viewpoints to watch sunrise light spread across Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare — considered one of the finest close-range mountain panoramas in the Annapurna region. After breakfast, there's time to explore the village itself: the stone-paved lanes of Ghandruk, a visit to the small Gurung Museum showcasing traditional clothing, weapons, and artifacts of Gurung culture, and often a stop at the village's Buddhist gompa. Ghandruk's history as a recruiting ground for Gurkha soldiers adds an extra layer of cultural depth, visible in the architecture and the stories many teahouse owners are happy to share. By mid-morning, the group begins the descent back down toward Nayapul, retracing the route through Kimche, Syauli Bazaar, and Birethanti — a descent that takes roughly four to five hours and can be harder on the knees than the climb up, so trekking poles are useful here. Once at Nayapul, a private vehicle transfers the group back to Pokhara, arriving in the late afternoon with the rest of the evening free to rest by the lake. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 4: Full-Day Pokhara Exploration

With the trek complete, this day is dedicated entirely to exploring Pokhara's own attractions at a relaxed pace. Many itineraries begin before sunrise with an optional drive up to Sarangkot, a hilltop viewpoint above the city offering one of the most famous sunrise panoramas in Nepal, with the Annapurna range and Machapuchare lit up in the early light. Back in the city, the day typically continues with a boat ride across Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi Temple, a small Hindu shrine set on an island in the middle of the lake, followed by a visit to the World Peace Pagoda, a striking white stupa on a ridge above the southern shore reachable by boat and a short uphill walk, offering sweeping views back over Pokhara and the lake. The afternoon often includes stops at Davis Falls (Patale Chhango), a dramatic waterfall that disappears into an underground channel, and the adjoining Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, a limestone cave with a sacred Shiva shrine near the base of the falls. Depending on interest and time, some travelers also visit the International Mountain Museum, which documents Nepal's mountaineering history and Himalayan geography. The evening winds down back at Lakeside, with dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking Phewa Lake. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 5: Pokhara to Kathmandu (Flight ~25 min or Drive ~6–7 hours)

The final day involves the return journey to Kathmandu, either by a short scenic flight or the same overland route back along the Prithvi Highway. Travelers with an early flight or drive can still catch a final glimpse of the Annapurna range from Pokhara before departure. Arrival back in Kathmandu is typically by afternoon, marking the end of the trip. Those with extra time can use the remainder of the day for last-minute shopping in Thamel or a visit to a UNESCO heritage site such as Swayambhunath or Boudhanath before departure preparations. This brings the Ghandruk tour to a close, having combined an authentic Gurung village trek, close-up Annapurna mountain views, and a full day immersed in Pokhara's lakeside culture and scenery.