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1 day (day trip) · Pokhara to Pokhara

Himalayan Quick Escape

A full day in the hills from Pokhara. Sunrise at Sarangkot, the ridge road to Naudanda, then the climb to Ghandruk, a Gurung village facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Back in Lakeside for dinner.

Himalayan Quick Escape: riders on the route
Duration
1 day
Day trip
Riding
120 km
approximate
Max altitude
1,940 m
Ghandruk

Best season: October to May; possible all yearStart and end: Pokhara

Overview

This is our shortest mountain ride and a good way to try Nepali hill roads before a longer tour. You ride a mix of tarmac and dirt: city streets to Sarangkot, a narrow ridge road through Kaskikot and Naudanda, the Baglung highway to Nayapul, and a rough climb from Nayapul to Ghandruk. Plan on 6 to 7 hours of riding with stops.

  • Sunrise over Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri from Sarangkot (1,600 m)
  • The ridge road from Sarangkot through Kaskikot to Naudanda, with Phewa Lake below
  • Gurung village of Ghandruk, its stone houses and the Gurung Museum
  • Close views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre at lunch

Itinerary

Your day, stop by stopAltitude at each stop
Tap a stop
822 mStartLakeside1,600 m05:00Sarangkot1,430 m07:00Naudanda1,940 m09:00Ghandruk822 m14:00Pokhara

  1. 05:00

    Lakeside to Sarangkot for sunrise

    • ~12 km
    • 40 min
    • 1,600 m

    Early pick-up at our office in Hallan Chowk. Ride up through the dark to the Sarangkot viewpoint and watch the sun hit Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. Tea at the top.

  2. 07:00

    Sarangkot to Naudanda by the ridge road

    • ~15 km
    • 1 hr
    • 1,430 m

    A narrow, part-dirt road along the ridge through Kaskikot, with Phewa Lake on one side and the Himalaya on the other. Breakfast in Naudanda.

  3. 09:00

    Naudanda to Nayapul and up to Ghandruk

    • ~40 km
    • 2 to 2.5 hrs
    • 1,940 m

    Down the Baglung highway past Lumle to Nayapul, then up the Modi Khola valley on a rough, steep road to Ghandruk. ACAP permit check on the way.

  4. 12:00

    Lunch and walk in Ghandruk

    • Off the bike about 1.5 hrs

    Dal bhat with mountain views, a walk through the old village and the Gurung Museum.

  5. 14:00

    Ghandruk to Pokhara

    • ~55 km
    • 2.5 to 3 hrs
    • 822 m

    Back down to Nayapul and along the Baglung highway to Lakeside. Back at the office around 17:00 to 18:00.

Distances and riding times are approximate. They change with road works, weather and photo stops.

What's included

Included

  • Motorbike of your choice and fuel for the route
  • Riding guide who knows the roads
  • ACAP permit for Ghandruk (we arrange it, bring your passport)
  • Helmet, and riding jacket and gloves on request

Not included

  • Travel and medical insurance (must cover motorbike riding at altitude)
  • Lunch, drinks and snacks unless your quote says otherwise
  • Damage to the bike, fines and personal expenses
  • Extra nights caused by weather, landslides or road closures
  • Tips for the guide and support crew

Your quote confirms exactly what is included. Self-ride without a guide is possible on routes that do not need one.

Permits and good to know

Permits

Ghandruk is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so each rider needs an ACAP permit. We arrange it before the ride with a copy of your passport.

  • The Nayapul to Ghandruk road is steep, loose and rutted. A dual-sport or adventure bike is best.
  • In the monsoon (June to September) the ridge road can be muddy; we may switch to the Lumle route.
  • Bring a warm layer for the dawn ride to Sarangkot, even in spring.

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