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ANNAPURNA VISTAS: TREKKING TO GHANDRUK

Embark on the Ghandruk Trek,a short and gentle trekking experience in Nepal’s popular Annapurna region, perfectly suited for family holidays with kids and senior adventurers. This trek unveils breathtaking panoramas of the majestic Annapurna Himalayas while offering a profound glimpse into the vibrant Gurung culture and time-honored traditions. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to observe a variety of local flora and fauna along the way. Often celebrated as a homestay or cultural trek, Ghandruk resonates with travelers seeking genuine interactions and can be tailored to meet specific needs and desires.

 

As your plane descends into Kathmandu, prepare for breathtaking views encompassing the valley, the majestic Himalayas, and the intricate tapestry of terraced fields below. After navigating customs, a representative will warmly greet you, ready to ease you through Kathmandu’s initial sensory experience of narrow, winding streets and ensure a smooth check-in at your hotel. Once settled, venture out to explore one of Kathmandu’s captivating cultural gems. In the evening, the vibrant tourist hub of Thamel beckons as an ideal spot for your first meal, offering a diverse array of restaurants serving both familiar Western and authentic local Nepali cuisine.

  • Meals:
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
  • Duration:

Kathmandu exudes a unique charm in the early morning as the city gently stirs to life, yet remains blissfully unchaotic. This tranquil period is ideal for leisurely strolls through its ancient streets or savoring a cup of chai while overlooking a traditional courtyard or a magnificent durbar square. With a wealth of incredible sights scattered throughout the Kathmandu Valley, numerous captivating ways exist to fill your day. As evening approaches, indulge in dinner at one of the city’s exceptional restaurants, or perhaps allow your specialist to arrange a memorable home-cooked meal shared with a local family.

  • Meals: B L
  • Accommodation: hotel in kathmandu
  • Duration:

Following an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your scenic flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, a jeep will be ready to transport you to Phedi, the starting point of your trek towards the charming village of Pothana. The trail gradually ascends through verdant forests teeming with rhododendron, magnolia, oak, sandalwood, and pine trees, eventually leading you to the authentic Gurung settlement of Dhampus. Here, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna ranges, including the striking peaks of Lamjung Himal.

From Dhampus, your trek continues its ascent along a stone-paved path winding through enchanting forests adorned with moss-covered trees – be sure to watch for delicate orchids clinging to the branches. Upon reaching the welcoming village of Pothana, you’ll find a range of convenient trekker amenities, including shops, teahouses, and local eateries. Take this opportunity to unwind and soak in the breathtaking mountain vistas that surround you.

  • Meals: B L D
  • Accommodation: Local Lodge
  • Duration:

Today’s journey takes you towards the larger and culturally rich Gurung village of Ghandruk. Your trek begins with a pleasant, gradual ascent for approximately an hour, leading you to Deurali. This section meanders through lush forests, treating you to splendid panoramic views of the majestic Annapurna ranges, the impressive Manaslu, and the striking Mardi Himal.

Leaving Deurali, you’ll embark on a steeper descent to reach Tolkha, another beautiful ethnic Gurung village nestled in the landscape. The trail to your next destination, Landruk, also an authentic ethnic village, offers a more gentle descent, winding its way through picturesque terraces and scattered settlements.

From Landruk, the trail continues with a steeper downhill trek, eventually leading you to the banks of the Modi Khola river. Crossing an iron bridge marks the start of a challenging uphill climb that culminates in your arrival at Ghandruk, rewarded by spectacular, close-up panoramas of the towering Himalayas. You’ll spend the night in this well-established trekker hub, which offers a variety of lodges, eateries, and shops where you can replenish any necessary supplies. Be sure to carve out some time to visit the Gurung museum, a small yet insightful exhibit housed in a traditional stone-slab home, providing a glimpse into the history and daily life of the local Gurung community.

  • Meals: B L D
  • Accommodation: Local Lodge
  • Duration:

Begin your day in Ghandruk with an early breakfast before setting off on your final trek, winding past charming small villages and through picturesque rice paddies as you make your way to Nayapul. Upon arrival in Nayapul, your private jeep transfer will be waiting to comfortably convey you back to Pokhara, where you’ll board a flight back to Kathmandu.

The remainder of your afternoon and evening in Kathmandu is yours to enjoy at your own pace. This is a perfect opportunity to indulge in some souvenir shopping or further explore the capital’s vibrant streets – perhaps by foot, bicycle, or even a traditional rickshaw – allowing you to discover any hidden gems you might have missed at the start of your adventure. For your final dinner in Nepal, a delightful array of culinary experiences awaits, with options ranging from exquisite French and flavorful Vietnamese to tantalizing Middle Eastern cuisine.

  • Meals: B L D
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
  • Duration:

As your incredible journey in Nepal draws to a close, savor your final moments in Kathmandu. Perhaps enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café, take one last stroll through the city’s captivating streets, or indulge in some final souvenir shopping to remember your experiences. A representative will meet you at your hotel at the appointed time to ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your return flight home. Please ensure you arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled departure.

  • Meals: B
  • Accommodation:
  • Duration:

Essential Info

Visa

Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.

Eating & Drinking

Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).

Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.

Although meat is available in the tea houses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser.

If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.

Drinking Water

Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.

We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.

All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).

SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.

If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the tea houses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.

While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.

Weather

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.

Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.

Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

Equipment Checklist
Body Wear

2.Selection of T- shirts and long sleeved shirt preferably not cotton.
1 Warm shirt possibly fleece for colder areas
1 Fleece jacket or warm wool jumper
1 Windproof and waterproof outer shell garment
1 Down jacket also can be hired in Kathmandu cheaply)
Hands/Head wear
1.Wool or fleece hat, or balaclava
1. Pair of Sunglasses or goggles
1. Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
1 pair of Warm gloves
Foot Wear
1 Walking boots with suitable ankle support and waterproof
1.Trainer or casual shoes for trekking and for traveling
3 / 4 pairs of Warm socks for colder areas
Leg wear
1 Loose, casual trousers for trekking
1 Waterproof trousers and can also buy in Kathmandu cheaply)
Back pack
Personal back pack for trekking 25 litre for personal items
Duffle bag 25/30 litre for personal clothings which is provided in Kathmandu office
Other Equipments
Sleeping bag (comfort rated – 15ºC)
30 Litre Rucksack with cover
Large size Duffel Bag with padlock
Headlamp with spare batteries
Water bottles 1 Litre X 2
Thermos

Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.

Miscellaneous items

1 Pair of trekking pole
1 Toiletry bag with ZIP LOCK
2 Pairs of Towels
Water Purifying Pills
1 Sun lotion
1 Lip balm
1 Dairy book for personal memoranda
2 Pen or pencil
1 Water bottle 1 ltr.
1 Pocket knife (DO NOT carry in your carry-on luggage)

 

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