Ghandruk enchanting visitors with mountain views and culture

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, Feb. 21: The Ghandruk Tourism Festival began on Wednesday aiming to increase both domestic and international tourists in the area.

Bustling with lively celebrations, Ghandruk is famous for its Gurung culture and breathtaking natural beauty.

This village boasts 60 hotels and 30 homestays with the capacity to accommodate 2,500 tourists in a single day. Visitors are drawn to the authentic homestays and Gurung cultural experiences, making Ghandruk a popular destination for both domestic and international trekkers as it lies along a trekking route.

Bikram Gurung, chairperson of the Ghandruk Tourism Management Committee, said that a 20 per cent discount is being offered to tourists during the festival.  From Ghandruk, one can trek to Bhainsikharka, Tadapani, Banthanti and Deurali, eventually reaching Ghorepani in Myagdi. Similarly, trekking routes from Ghandruk lead to Tadapani, Isaru, Dobato and Muldai, extending to Khopra Ridge and Hidden Lake in Myagdi. 

Ghandruk is also a starting point for trekkers heading to the Annapurna Base Camp via Chhomrong.

Located within Annapurna Rural Municipality Ward Nos. 10 and 11 of Kaski, Ghandruk is just a two-and-a-half-hours drive from Pokhara. 

Bishnu Bahadur KC, Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, inaugurated the festival, highlighting agriculture, tourism, energy and infrastructure as the pillars of prosperity for the area. He said that the blend of Gurung culture and the captivating Himalayan vistas to the north are key tourist attractions.

KC said that with improved road access to Ghandruk, it is essential to preserve the village's authenticity to continue attracting visitors. He said, “This village, admired by all, seems to be losing its charm in some areas. My request is to blend the new structures with traditional aesthetics.”

Dr. Rabin Kadariya, Chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Pokhara, said that Ghandruk is evolving as a tourist hub due to its connectivity with popular trekking routes, including the ABC and Ghorepani-Poon Hill trails. 

He stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage while developing tourism infrastructure, as visitors come to Ghandruk to experience its unique culture and natural beauty.

Amrit Lama Gurung, coordinator of the Ghandruk Tourism Festival, announced that an open club-level men's volleyball and basketball competition would commence on Thursday. The winners of the volleyball and basketball tournaments will receive Rs. 122,222 and Rs. 77,777, respectively, along with trophies, medals and certificates.

In the veterans' volleyball competition, the winner will receive Rs. 30,000, while the runner-up will get Rs. 20,000. Similarly, the horse race competition will award Rs. 60,000 to the first-place winner, Rs. 40,000 to the second-place and Rs. 20,000 to the third-place winner.