Getting around · Ghandruk
How to Get to Ghandruk
How to reach Ghandruk from Pokhara — jeep or bus to the Kimche road-head, then a short walk up, plus trek routes.
The short answer: get to Ghandruk from Pokhara, driving via Nayapul to the Kimche road-head (about two to three hours by jeep), then walking the short uphill stretch to the village (one to one and a half hours). Trekkers also arrive on foot from Nayapul, Tadapani or Chhomrong. There is no airport or direct road into the village square, so almost every journey ends with a walk.
From Pokhara by jeep or car
The most common option is a shared or private jeep from Pokhara. The drive runs west to Nayapul, then up the Modi Khola valley on an increasingly rough road to Kimche, where the track ends for most vehicles. Private cars are quicker and more comfortable; shared jeeps are cheaper and leave when full. Allow two to three hours of driving, more in the wet when the road can be slow. For general guidance on transport across the country, see getting around Nepal.
From Pokhara by bus
Cheaper still, local buses run from Pokhara toward Nayapul and Kimche, though they are slower and less frequent. Buses are best for budget travellers with time to spare; for groups, families or anyone short on time, a jeep is usually worth the extra cost.
The final climb from Kimche
In dry conditions a bumpy road continues beyond Kimche almost to Ghandruk, but it is unreliable. Most people stop at the Kimche trailhead and walk the stone steps up to the village — about one to one and a half hours uphill, with views opening as you climb. Porters can be hired at the road-head.
Arriving on foot
Many visitors reach Ghandruk as part of a trek: from Nayapul via Birethanti on the Poon Hill circuit, down from Tadapani, or across from Chhomrong on the Annapurna Base Camp route. See how the village fits the wider Annapurna trail network.
Practical tips
- Permits: Arrange your ACAP permit (and TIMS if trekking) in Pokhara first.
- Time it: Travel by day for the views and easier connections; roads thin out after dark.
- Cash: No ATMs in the village — carry enough rupees for the whole trip.
- Weather: Roads are roughest in the monsoon; check the best time to visit Ghandruk.
Next steps
Once your route is set, sort where to stay in Ghandruk, browse the top things to do in Ghandruk, or start with the Ghandruk travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Ghandruk from Pokhara?+
Drive from Pokhara via Nayapul and the Modi Khola valley to the Kimche road-head, around two to three hours by jeep, then walk uphill to the village for one to one and a half hours. Shared jeeps, private cars and local buses all serve the route.
Can you drive all the way to Ghandruk?+
A rough road climbs beyond Kimche almost to the village in dry conditions, but it is bumpy and not always passable. Most travellers stop at Kimche and walk the final stretch, which is more reliable and a pleasant introduction to the trails.
How long does it take to reach Ghandruk?+
From Pokhara, allow roughly three to four and a half hours door to door — two to three hours driving to Kimche plus the uphill walk. Trekkers arriving on foot from Nayapul, Tadapani or Chhomrong take one or more days.
Do you need a permit to visit Ghandruk?+
Ghandruk lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an ACAP permit applies, along with a TIMS card if trekking. Both are easy to arrange at the tourism and ACAP offices in Pokhara before you set out.
