Bidish Ghandruk is a Gurung village situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. The village is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, and the landscape is so breathtaking that it feels like you’re walking in a painting. The Gurung culture and hospitality is also amongst the charms that the beautiful Ghandruk village offers.
Getting there
Getting to Ghandruk is comfortable with road access that takes you directly to the village. Traveling from Pokhara, you have two options – take a bus or reserve a jeep.
With a bus: If you are on a budget, taking a bus is the best option. The bus departs from Baglung bus park everyday at 9 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. The one-way fare is NRs. 300 per person. The trip normally takes around 4-5 hours.
With a jeep: If you’re traveling with family or friends, reserving a jeep can be more convenient. With a jeep, it will take you around 2.5-3 hours to reach the village. The reserve price one-way can be around NRs. 7000 during the off-season. In season, the price can go beyond NRs. 7000 . There is always an option for negotiation. 😉
When we traveled in January 2023, the condition of the road was not totally smooth. It was mostly off-road with few tough turns. It is advisable to go slowly and carefully. I can highly recommend our driver, Motiram Bhandari. You can contact him at 9860593628.
Accommodation
There are several accommodation options available in Ghandruk. You can either stay at a hotel or a homestay.
Homestay: Many authentic homestays are available in Ghandruk that gives you a sense of Gurung culture. Homestays have packages ranging from NRs. 1000 to 2000 per person, which includes bed, dinner, and breakfast.
Hotels: Hotels could be a favorable option if you’re traveling with family and need a more convenient stay. Unlike homestays, hotels provide attached bathrooms. There are many hotels in Ghandruk with rooms ranging from NRs. 1500 to 2500, with different room options. We booked two rooms in a hotel for a total of NRs. 3500 to accommodate 5 people.
Food
Traditional Nepali food like rice, dhido, or roti thali is available in Ghandruk. A thali set costs around NRs. 750 for one person. For breakfast, I would highly recommend visiting the Gurung cottage and trying their famous Gurung roti, eggs and potato curry, which cost us NRs. 300 per person.
Besides this, I’m sure there are other food options available if you visit different local restaurants.
Things to do
Ghandruk is a pretty small village but it has enough things to do that can make you occupied for a whole day. If nothing, just taking a rest and staring at the mountains is enough. 🙂
Take a walk
Walking is my all-time favorite thing to do while traveling. And in Ghandruk, walking the tiny streets, observing different houses and seeing people gather around and share chitchats with a hot sip of tea is really fun. You could also visit some tea shops and join in on the fun. In addition, the stunning mountain ranges provide the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll. While you’re there, you can take a walk from the main entrance of the village to anywhere the road leads you. It’s a small village so don’t worry about getting lost.
Visit the old Gurung museum
The old Gurung museum provides a great opportunity to explore the authentic lives of Gurung people, by observing the objects displayed in the museum. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the local culture and history.
You could also try on the traditional Gurung dress here. The cost for the dress is around NRs. 200 and is a picture perfect memory to bring back from Ghandruk. You never know how beautiful / handsome you could look in a Gurung dress. 😉 The museum’s curator, “hajuraama” is really sweet and interesting so you’ll have a lovely time in this small place.
Enjoy the beautiful sunrise
Not everyday can you wake up and see a majestic mountain in front of your eyes. Do not miss the beautiful sunrise that falls upon the beautiful peaks of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Machhapuchhre.
I advise waking up 30 minutes before the sunrise to see the colors changing in the mountains. It is so beautiful and looks like a painter is doing their magic. Soon when the Sun rays hit the top of the mountains, it gives a beautiful fiery color blend that makes the mountain look red hot amazing.
Have breakfast at Gurung cottage
Finally, make sure to have breakfast at the Gurung cottage. The view of the mountains from this place is unbeatable in the morning. It’s the perfect place to take some amazing photos and enjoy a delicious breakfast. For breakfast, they offer the famous Gurung roti, eggs and potato curry, which costs NRs. 300 per person.
If you have not visited Ghandruk yet, make sure to include this wonderful village in your travel plans. With its stunning mountain ranges and rich culture, Ghandruk is the perfect place to get away and get yourself the perfect mountainous vacation.
