Set in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Kaski District, a short journey from Pokhara, Ghandruk is one of Nepal’s most picturesque Gurung villages. Its stone-paved lanes, slate-roofed houses and terraced hillsides look out over a grand Himalayan panorama, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) glowing at sunrise. The village is the heartland of Gurung culture, known for its warm hospitality, folk songs and dances, traditional dress and proud Gurkha heritage, which visitors can explore further at the Gurung Museum. Long admired as a gateway to the famous Ghorepani Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp routes, Ghandruk lets travelers enjoy the mountains without a long trek, through gentle village walks, home-style Nepali meals and quiet evenings in the hills. It is a place where Nepal’s natural beauty and living culture meet.