Gurung Cottage Ghandruk: A Traditional Stay at the Heart of a Gurung Village

TL;DR

• Gurung Cottage is a traditionally built stone lodge in Ghandruk-3, Kaski District, Nepal.

• It was founded by Kisam Gurung in 1996 and is named after his proud Gurung heritage.

• The property grows its own organic vegetables and serves freshly ground local coffee.

• Guests enjoy unblocked views of Annapurna South, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli from the garden.

• It is ranked #2 of 7 lodges in Ghandruk on TripAdvisor with a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

• Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit.

Introduction

You are tired. Your legs are sore. You have been walking for hours through mountain trails. And then you turn a corner in Ghandruk and see it: a stone cottage surrounded by flowers, with Annapurna South and Machapuchare sitting right in front of you, completely unblocked.

That is the moment most guests fall in love with Gurung Cottage.

What started as one man's decision to stay in his village rather than leave it has grown into one of the most loved lodges in the Annapurna region. Owner Kisam Gurung built this place from the ground up in 1996, and nearly three decades later, travelers from all over the world keep coming back.

Here is what you will find in this blog:

• The story behind Gurung Cottage and what makes it different from other lodges in Ghandruk

• What to expect from the rooms, food, and views

• How to get there, what permits you need, and the best time to visit

• Answers to common questions travelers ask before booking

Gurung Cottage in Ghandruk

Gurung Cottage is a traditional stone-built lodge and restaurant in Ghandruk-3, a village in the Kaski District of Nepal's Annapurna region. It sits at an altitude of around 2,012 meters (6,601 feet), about 32 km northwest of Pokhara.

The lodge was founded in 1996 by Kisam Gurung. At a time when most young men from Ghandruk were leaving to join the army or work abroad, Kisam made a different choice. He invested Rs. 29 lakh into building a small guesthouse in the heart of his village and named it Gurung Cottage after his ethnic heritage and the land he calls home.

The building is constructed using traditional stone and local materials throughout. A flower-filled garden faces the mountains with nothing in the way, giving guests one of the most open and direct views of the Annapurna range in all of Ghandruk.

Why Gurung Cottage Stands Out

There are several places to stay in Ghandruk, but guests who have tried a few of them consistently put Gurung Cottage at the top. Here is what sets it apart.

The Mountain View Is Completely Unblocked

Unlike many lodges in Ghandruk where the mountain view is partially blocked by other buildings or terrain, Gurung Cottage sits in a spot where the full Annapurna range is visible from the garden with nothing in the way. Guests say this is what makes mornings here so hard to forget.

• You can see Annapurna South (7,219m), Machapuchare or Fishtail (6,993m), and Hiunchuli (6,411m) clearly from the garden and terrace.

• The outdoor dining terrace faces the mountains directly, so you get the view during every single meal.

• Many returning guests say the view from Gurung Cottage was the main reason they came back a second or third time.

Kisam Gurung Makes the Stay Personal

Kisam Gurung is not just a lodge owner. He is a storyteller, a trail advisor, and the reason so many guests describe their stay as feeling like a visit to a friend's home. His name appears in almost every positive review the lodge has ever received.

• He has kept rooms available for guests who called mid-journey with no advance booking, a rare act of flexibility that has made many travelers loyal to the cottage.

• He personally helps guests plan and book the next stops along the Annapurna Base Camp trail, which saves a lot of stress for trekkers figuring things out as they go.

• His humor, openness, and genuine interest in his guests set the tone for the entire stay.

Everything on the Plate Comes From the Garden

Gurung Cottage has its own organic vegetable garden on the property and uses what it grows directly in the kitchen. This is something you notice in the taste of the food, not just on a menu description.

• The freshly ground organic coffee is the most talked-about item on the menu and is described by many trekkers as the best they had anywhere on the Annapurna trail.

• Gurung Bread is a house specialty that guests say is unlike anything else on the mountain route and is worth staying here just to try.

• Meals are made with seasonal, homegrown produce, and the kitchen serves everything from traditional Nepali thali to simple trekking meals depending on what you need.

Rooms with Attached Bathrooms and Solar Hot Water

Gurung Cottage offers clean, spacious rooms that feel noticeably more comfortable than the average tea house on the trekking route. The attached bathrooms and solar-heated hot water are two features that guests repeatedly highlight.

• Rooms come with attached bathrooms, which makes a real difference when it is cold and you do not want to walk down a hallway in the middle of the night.

• Solar-heated hot water is available throughout the property, and guests recommend showering in the afternoon when the heater has had the most sunlight.

• Garden-facing rooms give you a direct view of the Annapurna peaks from your window, and are the most requested by guests who have stayed before.

About Ghandruk Village

Ghandruk is the village that gives Gurung Cottage its character. It is one of the most well-known Gurung settlements in Nepal and has a culture and history that goes much deeper than most visitors expect when they first arrive.

Quick Facts About Ghandruk

What You Can See From the Village

Ghandruk is positioned at just the right elevation to give you a wide, close-up look at the Annapurna range. On a clear day, you can see all of these peaks without going anywhere:

• Annapurna South at 7,219 meters

• Machapuchare (Fishtail) at 6,993 meters

• Gangapurna at 7,455 meters

• Hiunchuli at 6,411 meters

The Gurung People and the Village's History

Ghandruk has been home to the Gurung community for over 200 years, and the village still carries that history in its architecture, traditions, and daily life. Spending time here is one of the best ways to understand what Gurung culture actually looks and feels like.

• The Gurung people are believed to have migrated to this region from Mongolian areas via Tibet, and their culture reflects that long journey across generations.

• Ghandruk was once a stop on ancient trade routes between Nepal and Tibet, and its hilltop position still makes it feel like a place that has seen a lot of history pass through.

• Many men from the village have served in British and Indian Gurkha regiments, a tradition the community carries with deep pride.

• The Gurung Cultural Museum, stone-paved paths, and traditional houses scattered across the hillside make the village worth exploring for at least half a day on foot.

Things to Do Around Gurung Cottage

Staying at Gurung Cottage puts you right in the middle of some of the best trekking and cultural experiences in the Annapurna region. Here are the top things to do during your time in Ghandruk.

Eat Breakfast Outside and Watch the Mountains

One of the simplest and most memorable things you can do at Gurung Cottage costs nothing and requires no planning. The outdoor terrace faces the Annapurna range directly, and having a slow breakfast there in the morning light is the kind of experience people write home about.

Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

Ghandruk is one of the main entry and exit points for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and Kisam Dai can help you plan your route from here. The trail passes through rhododendron forests and traditional mountain villages before climbing to base camp at 4,130 meters. It is a multi-day journey that is manageable for fit first-time trekkers.

Walk to Poon Hill

Poon Hill at 3,210 meters is one of the most visited sunrise viewpoints in Nepal, and Ghandruk lies on the classic loop trail that passes through it. The climb to the top takes about two hours from the main trail, and the panoramic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from the summit is worth every step.

Visit the Gurung Cultural Museum

The Gurung Cultural Museum is a short walk from the cottage and gives a well-organized introduction to Gurung history, traditional clothing, farming practices, and ceremonial objects. It is one of the best ways to understand the people and culture of the village you are staying in.

Explore the Village on Foot

Ghandruk's stone-paved paths, terraced fields, and traditional stone houses make it a great village to wander through without any fixed plan. You can try local food at small family-run tea shops, watch daily village life unfold, and soak in the mountain views from different spots around the hillside.

How to Get to Gurung Cottage in Ghandruk

Reaching your homestay in Ghandruk is not difficult once you know the route. Here are the main options from Pokhara and Kathmandu.

From Pokhara by Jeep

Take a shared jeep from Hari Chowk in Pokhara toward Ghandruk via the Pokhara-Baglung Highway. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, including some rough off-road sections near the end. Once you reach the parking area at the top of the road, walk uphill through the village for 25 to 45 minutes to reach Gurung Cottage. Bring comfortable walking shoes even if you are not planning a full trek.

From Pokhara by Trekking

You can also reach Ghandruk on foot from Naya Pul or Birethanti, both of which are accessible by vehicle from Pokhara. The walk from Birethanti to Ghandruk takes roughly 2 to 3 hours and is a popular option for trekkers who want to start their journey on foot from the very beginning.

From Kathmandu

Fly or take a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then follow the directions above. A flight takes about 25 to 30 minutes. A tourist bus from Kathmandu takes around 6 to 7 hours depending on road conditions.

Permits You Need to Visit Ghandruk

Ghandruk sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so every visitor needs at least one permit before entering. Here is what to prepare:

• ACAP Permit: The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit costs NPR 3,000 (about USD 25) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Children under 10 years old do not need one.

• TIMS Card: TIMS cards are no longer required for trekking in the Annapurna region. Entry checkpoints now verify ACAP permits only.

• Village Entry Fee: A small fee of around NPR 100 to 300 per person may be collected at the entrance to Ghandruk village.

You can get your ACAP permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or through a registered trekking agency. Bring your passport, two passport-sized photos, and the permit fee in Nepali rupees.

Best Time to Visit Gurung Cottage and Ghandruk

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to visit Ghandruk. Both offer stable weather, clear skies, and the sharpest views of the Annapurna peaks.

Spring (March to May): The hillsides around Ghandruk fill with rhododendron flowers in red, pink, and white during this season. The days are warm and comfortable for walking, and the skies are mostly clear in the mornings.

Autumn (September to November): The air is exceptionally clear after the monsoon rains, and this is when mountain views are at their best across the entire Annapurna region. It is also the most popular season for trekking, so expect more company on the trails.

Winter (December to February): Cold temperatures and occasional snow make this a quieter time to visit. The trails are less crowded and the snow-dusted peaks have a certain beauty, but you will need serious warm layers.

Monsoon (June to August): Rain and cloud cover reduce visibility and make trails slippery. However, the landscape turns very green and the village is peaceful and uncrowded, which some travelers prefer.

Practical Information at a Glance

Final Thoughts

Gurung Cottage is the kind of place that stays with you. Not because of luxury, but because of something harder to find: a host who genuinely cares, a kitchen that uses what it grows, and a view that greets you every morning with the full weight of the Himalayas right there in front of you.

Kisam Gurung chose to build something in his village instead of leaving it, and that decision turned into a lodge that travelers from across the world return to again and again. If you are heading to the Annapurna region, Gurung Cottage deserves a place in your itinerary.

Book your stay through Nepal Homestays and get ready for mornings you will not forget.

FAQ: Gurung Cottage Ghandruk

Is Gurung Cottage good for first-time visitors to Nepal? 

Yes. Ghandruk is one of the most accessible mountain villages in the country, and the team at Gurung Cottage is known for looking after guests with no trekking experience just as well as seasoned hikers.

Do I need to book in advance? 

Booking ahead is recommended, especially during the spring and autumn trekking seasons when Ghandruk gets busy. You can call the lodge at +977 9856025222 or email gurungcottage@yahoo.com to confirm availability.

Is hot water available at Gurung Cottage? 

Yes. The lodge uses a solar-powered hot water system. Guests recommend showering in the afternoon when the solar heater has had a full day of sunlight for the best results.

What food should I try at Gurung Cottage? 

The freshly ground organic coffee and Gurung Bread are the two things guests mention most. Both are made in-house and are genuinely different from what you find at other lodges along the trekking route.

Can I experience Gurung culture during my stay? 

Yes. Guests can try on traditional Gurung attire at the property. The Gurung Cultural Museum is also a short walk away and offers a great introduction to the history, dress, and traditions of the local community.

Can I use Gurung Cottage as a base for the Annapurna Base Camp trek? 

Absolutely. Ghandruk is one of the main stops on the Annapurna Base Camp route. Kisam Gurung can help you plan your itinerary and book lodges further up the trail, which is a huge help for trekkers planning as they go.