How to Get from Kathmandu to Landruk

The Gurung village of Landruk is a popular stop on many treks in the Annapurna Himalaya, including the Ghandruk Trek. To get there from Kathmandu you first need to reach Pokhara by flying or taking a private vehicle/bus, and then taking a private vehicle and trekking the rest of the way. It's not possible to make the whole trip in one day, so plan on at least two for the journey between Kathmandu and Landruk. 

First Leg: Kathmandu to Pokhara

By Air

Duration: 30 minutes

The quickest, easiest, and most comfortable way of getting between Kathmandu and Pokhara is to fly. Flights leave from the Tribhuvan Airport domestic terminal several times a day. The last flight leaves around mid-afternoon.

Flights only take around 30 minutes, although they are frequently delayed because of the weather. Try to get on the earliest flight of the day because if there are delays, re-bookings are done in the order of the original flight. If you're booked onto an afternoon flight and all morning flights are delayed, you may not end up flying until the next day. 

In Pokhara, the small Pokhara Airport is just a couple of miles from Lakeside. It's easy to get a taxi into town or arrange for a hotel pickup.

By Road

Duration: 6-9 hours

Hiring a private driver is the most comfortable and convenient way of making the overland journey, and foreigners are not allowed to hire cars for self-driving in Nepal. Hiring a car and driver means you can stop when and where you like, plus you can leave at any time of day (tourist buses tend to leave early in the morning). 

Taking the bus is the scenic option, and OK if you're on a tight budget and aren't in a hurry to get to your destination. The Prithvi Highway connects Kathmandu and Pokhara, and although it can be a slow road to travel, it is scenic, running almost parallel to the Trisuli River for the first half of the journey, with the Annapurna Himalaya coming closer into view as you get nearer to Pokhara. However, because of road and traffic conditions, it can be a slow and tiring journey. When there are no road delays, an overland journey can take as few as six hours, but it often takes as many as nine.

Tourist buses are cheaper and reasonably comfortable: they're more expensive than local buses, but much safer. Most tourist buses leave from near Thamel around 7 am, and arrive at Pokhara's tourist bus park, not far from Lakeside. Pre-book tickets during busy times, or if you're traveling in a large group. The more luxurious Greenline Bus is the most comfortable—tickets include a buffet lunch, and comfort stops are of a higher caliber.

Local buses are cheap but generally uncomfortable and not very safe--overcrowding and speeding are to be expected, and they break down with monotonous regularity. They're only really an option if you're on a very tight budget, or need the flexibility of leaving Kathmandu later in the day. 

Second Leg: Pokhara to Landruk

If you're flying from Kathmandu and Pokhara early in the morning and everything runs on time, it would be possible to get from Kathmandu to Pothana on day one, and then continue to Ghandruk on day two. But unless you're in a real hurry, it's worth spending at least one night in Pokhara, where there's plenty to see and do, and nice places to stay.

By Private Transfer & On Foot

Duration: Two days

From Pokhara, take a private vehicle west along the Pokhara-Baglung Rajmarg Road, a route that many trekkers travel along to begin their treks in the Annapurna Himalaya. It's also possible to take a local bus, but these are not very comfortable (or safe) and take much longer than a private vehicle. Continue along this road for about an hour until you reach the turn-off to Dhampus,  where you leave the road behind.

Continue by foot, hiking through Dhampus and the Australian Camp until you reach the small village of Pothana, which should take around four hours. The trail passes through some forests and past cultivated land, and is uphill in parts. Stay overnight in Pothana.

On day two, continue trekking towards Landruk, which should take about three hours. You'll pass through the villages of Deurali, Tolkha, Chandrakot, and Bheri Kharka. The trail follows a ridge to Deurali, ascends and descends, passes through forest, and is steep in parts. Some trekking itineraries (such as this 6-day Ghandruk trek) continue through Landruk without spending the night, while others (such as this one) rest here for a night.