Ghandruk (2010m) is small Gurung village lying in North West side of lakeside Pokhara. It is one of the most popular trekking routes of Nepal as Ghandruk is the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp too. Trekking in Ghandruk is one of the easy and short trekking of Nepal. One can reach Ghandruk in a day after short Hiking of 6-7 hours from Nayapool. Ghandruk is one of the most popular trekking routes of Nepal as it is one of the short & easy trekking routes to conquer. If you does not prefer trekking, then vehicle can help you to reach Ghandruk from Nayapool within 1.5 hour and then 1 hour hiking to the village. One can experience other villages like Hyangja, Phedi, Naudanda on the way to Ghandruk. Ghandruk Trekking is one of the most popular and easy trekking Nepal offers to its visitors.
Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.
The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail, which means ‘work’. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.
It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words “travail”, which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers’ Tales (2004), the words “travel” and “travail” both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means “three stakes”, as in to impale).
Experience Ghandruk
The actual hiking begins from Nayapool where there lies steep slope which leads to bridge (Nayapool) over Modi Khola. One can reach bazaar of Birethanti walking along Modi Khola. Ghandruk offers magnificent view of both snow-capped mountains and beautiful landscapes. If you are planning to visit Ghandruk, it is one of the best, easy and short trekking Nepal has to offer to its visitors and it also gives the feeling of what it is like to do the trekking in Nepal. Usually Nepalese can go trekking in Ghandruk without special permit and fees but foreign citizen needs ACAP permit which is issued by Government of Nepal.
After reaching Birethanti’s fringe there comes two paths, one that goes west up the Bhurungdi River to Tikedhunga and then to forested trail to Ghorepani and next one takes you to Ghandruk. One can find well equipped shop in both Ghandruk & Birethanti where one can find groceries from international brand. As this trek is one of the easiest trek and can be completed within 4-6 hours of short hiking with the maximum
Attractions
Ghandruk offers magnificent view of Himalayas and also offers amazing view of landscapes. One can easily get into Ghandruk’s Gurung culture as local Gurung people welcomes the tourist by offering them to wear Gurung ornaments make them take photographs. Ghandruk seems the perfect blend of natural majesty and cultural diversity. Macchapucchre (Fish Tail) mountain can be seen real close from Ghandruk. Local culture, locally made food all serves as attraction to both domestic & international travelers. Ghandruk home stay also makes sure that you can have great time.
Accessibility
Ghandruk is one of the easy and short trekking of Nepal. One can reach Ghandruk by using the vehicle from Nayapool. One hour short hike from vehicle last stop takes you to Ghandruk. Similarly one can do the trekking of 6-7 hours from Nayapool to reach Ghandruk. Both local bus and private vehicle can be used from Pokhara to reach Ghandruk. Ghandruk is accessible from helicopter too.
Accommodation
Ghandruk not only offers food and groceries from international brands but Ghandruk also offers tourist standard accommodation facilities with most of the international services. Availability of international food items such as Pizza, Burger, Sandwiches can be easily available on special request. Different tea house, tourist standard hotel with all modern facilities are available in Ghandruk. About 100’s of hotels and home stay are there in Ghandruk. Initially Ghandruk was famous for home stay for tourist but later on Ghandruk’s tourist increased and Homestay aand other hotel came in operation as tourist standard hotels.
Activities
Gurung village tour, Mountain Sightseeing, Hiking, Trekking is popular in Ghandruk. Similarly, Ghandruk also offers Horse riding facilities to both domestic & international travelers. Ghandruk participates tourist in Gurung culture by showing the tourist the Gurung dance and offering tourist to wear the traditional Gurung dress & ornaments. Similarly, one can have the privilege of playing with the snow in the upper hill of Ghandruk.
