Tourist movement has increased in the picturesque village of Ghandruk, located in wards 10 and 11 of Annapurna Rural Municipality, as the second major tourism season begins.
According to Ghandruk Tourism Management Committee Chairperson Bikram Gurung, the village is currently receiving around 1,000 to 1,200 tourists daily during weekends, while 600 to 700 visitors arrive on other days.
“Following the government’s decision to provide two weekly public holidays, we expect tourism activities to grow further,” Gurung said.
Local tourism entrepreneurs have been promoting Ghandruk with the slogan “tourism in all seasons.” Known as a blend of culture and nature, Ghandruk is one of the key destinations along the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Bhimpraasad Upadhyay, Chief of the Area Conservation Office under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), said that a majority of tourists entering the Annapurna region via Ghandruk are from India. He added that up to 856 foreign tourists have visited the area in a single day during the current season.
Improved road access has also contributed to a rise in domestic tourists. According to Upadhyay, well-developed trekking routes, tourism infrastructure, and natural beauty have made Ghandruk a preferred destination.
Ward Chairperson of Annapurna-10, Gautam Gurung, stressed the need to preserve the village’s cultural identity and originality. He said increasing concrete construction has begun to affect the traditional appearance of the village.
He also informed that the rural municipality is preparing a policy to provide incentives for locals who build houses using traditional designs and materials.
Ghandruk, where tourism was first initiated in the late 1960s by local resident Shankarman Gurung, has now become a major tourist destination attracting visitors from around the world.
The village currently hosts around 80 hotels and 35 homestays, including resorts. Billions of rupees have been invested in the tourism sector, creating employment for hundreds of locals.
Tourists from India, China, Europe, and America regularly visit the area. Located along major trekking routes such as Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani–Poon Hill, Ghandruk also serves as a key rest stop for trekkers.
The village can be reached via a 5–6 hour trek from Nayapul or a two-hour drive from Pokhara.
