Stand on any terrace in Landruk and you see Ghandruk spread across the far side of the gorge, near enough to make out individual roofs yet three to four hours away on foot. Between the two villages the Modi Khola cuts down to roughly 1,300 m, carrying meltwater from the Annapurna Sanctuary. Landruk sits on the eastern slope, its houses scattered over terraces of rice, millet and maize, with Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Hiunchuli closing the head of the valley to the north.
The village divides loosely into upper and lower Landruk. Lodges cluster along the main trail, but most households still farm: buffalo stalls, stacked fodder, beehives built into stone walls and mustard fields that turn yellow in winter. It is quieter than Ghandruk, with fewer road visitors, and many trekkers find it a better place to see Gurung farm life at its own pace. Evenings are calm, broken by the sound of the river and the occasional mule bell.
Landruk is a junction more than a destination. Walkers arrive from Kande and Australian Camp on the gentle eastern approach, from Ghandruk across the gorge, or down from Forest Camp at the end of a Mardi Himal trek. Northwards a trail follows the river to New Bridge and Jhinu Danda, joining the main route to Annapurna Base Camp. We use it on family treks, on the luxury lodge circuit and as a quiet first night towards Chhomrong.
What to see and do
- Ghandruk across the gorge
Landruk's terraces look straight across the Modi Khola to Ghandruk's grey and green roofs. At night the lights of the opposite village glitter on the far slope. It is the clearest way to understand how deep these valleys are, and why the trail between them takes half a day.
- Terraced fields through the seasons
Rice terraces around Landruk are green in August, golden at harvest in October and November, and planted with mustard and wheat in winter. Spring brings ploughing with oxen. Walking the field paths with your guide shows a farming calendar that has barely changed in generations.
- The Australian Camp approach
The walk in from Kande climbs gently to Australian Camp (2,060 m) for an early view of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal, then follows ridges through Pothana and Bhichok Deurali before dropping through forest to Tolka and Landruk. It is the softest start to any Annapurna trek.
- Gateway to Mardi Himal
A steep trail climbs from Landruk through dense forest to the Mardi Himal ridge, reaching Forest Camp (2,550 m) in about 5–6 hours. Many Mardi treks use it on the way down, ending with a hot shower and dal bhat in Landruk after days of ridge walking.
- Riverside route to Jhinu Danda
North of Landruk a path follows the east bank of the Modi Khola past Himal Pani to New Bridge and across to Jhinu Danda, about 4–5 hours. It links Landruk to the Annapurna Base Camp trail and the hot springs below Chhomrong.
- Honey and millet kitchens
Some Landruk households keep traditional log or wall hives, and local honey appears on lodge menus with Gurung bread and buckwheat pancakes. Millet is ground for dhido, a thick porridge eaten with lentils and greens. Ask your lodge a day ahead and they may cook it for you.
Experiences in Landruk
How to reach Landruk
Road
Pokhara to Kande is ≈ 25 km · 45 min by car on the Baglung highway; from Kande the walk to Landruk takes 5–6 hours. Dirt roads have pushed into the hills around Landruk in recent years and local jeeps sometimes run closer to the village, but road heads shift with every monsoon. Check current status before you travel.
On foot
From Kande via Australian Camp, Pothana, Bhichok Deurali and Tolka, allow 5–6 h. From Ghandruk, descend to the Modi Khola bridge and climb back up, 3–4 h. From Forest Camp on the Mardi Himal trail it is a 4–5 h descent, and from Jhinu Danda about 4–5 h along the river.
Helicopter
There is no regular helicopter service, but charters from Pokhara can land near Landruk in 10–15 minutes for evacuations or special requests. Flights only operate in clear morning weather. We arrange these on request; check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Landruk's teahouses line the main trail through the village, and those on the upper terraces have the widest views of Ghandruk and Annapurna South. Rooms are simple twins with shared bathrooms, and dining halls double as common rooms. For more comfort, Ker & Downey's La Bee Lodge stands at about 1,640 m above the village and is the Landruk night on our Annapurna luxury lodge trek. In peak weeks of October and April the best-placed teahouses fill by mid-afternoon, so we reserve ahead for groups.
Tips from our trip managers
- Take the Kande to Australian Camp route for your first day, as it gives Annapurna views within an hour of leaving the road.
- Allow a full half day for the crossing to Ghandruk, because the descent to the river and climb back up add up to about 800 m.
- Ask for a room on the north side of your lodge so you wake to Annapurna South through the window.
- Carry leech socks between June and September, as the forest above Landruk is damp and leeches are common.
- Buy local honey only from households your guide knows, since honey sold along trails is sometimes diluted.
