What do I see in Ghandruk?
The village lanes and stone houses, the Gurung Museum, the sunset from the flat rock above the village, and Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre across the valley. Your guide explains how a Gurung hillside house and farm work.
How hard is the walk?
About three hours up stone steps on day 1, after a drive and a short jeep ride. It is steady, not technical. Day 2 is short village walks and then the vehicle.
Can I carry on to Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes. Ghandruk is on both routes. See our four-day Poon Hill trek and seven-day Annapurna Base Camp trek, both from Pokhara. Tell us if you want to extend this booking.
Where do we sleep?
In a lodge in the village. Budget is a shared room, Standard a private room where the lodge has one, and Luxury the best room available. Hot water and charging are available at most lodges, but the quality varies.
What permits do I need?
An Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange both and the cost is in your price.
When is the best time to go?
October and November for clear skies and the autumn festivals, and March and April for rhododendrons and warmer days. December to February is cold and clear but very quiet.
Is this private?
Yes. Your guide, and your porters on Standard and Luxury, are for your party only, so the trek itself is private, and we never merge separate private bookings. On Budget and Standard the road transfers are in a shared vehicle; on Luxury the vehicle is private too.
What is the difference between Budget, Standard and Luxury?
The route is the same on all three. Budget gives you a guide, simple lodges with shared rooms, the permits and a local shared vehicle, with no porter and no meals. Standard adds one porter for every two trekkers (a solo guest has no porter and the guide carries up to 10 kg of the bag), a private room where the lodge has one, all meals and a shared tourist vehicle. Luxury gives each trekker a dedicated porter, the best available lodge room, all meals, fruit and nuts, unlimited soft drinks and a private luxury vehicle.
Do children pay less?
No. A child pays the same as an adult, because permits, hotels, a seat in the vehicle and taxes cost us the same for a child. Tell us the age of each child when you book so we can plan the days around them.
Who will be my guide?
A licensed guide leads every day. We tell you your guide's name once your booking is confirmed.
What happens if I need to cancel, or you cannot run the trip?
If we cannot run your trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf, or move you to another date. Plans change? You can reschedule free to any date within one year with at least 72 hours' notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Buy travel insurance at home, before you travel, and check that it covers trekking to 2,000 m, medical care and the dates of your trip. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.
How do I pay?
You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance before the trip. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. Paying the balance by card carries a 3.5% bank charge, and cash in Kathmandu has no fee.
Secure payment by Himalayan Bank.
