Ask on WhatsApp
Start & finish
Pokhara
Lakeside Pokhara is your start and finish point, one hour from the trailhead.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: pack a light daypack for the night and leave the rest at your hotel.
Source ↗
Trek from Pokhara
Australian Camp & Dhampus Hike
An easy overnight hike from Pokhara to a meadow ridge facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, returning through the Gurung village of Dhampus.
2 daysEasy2,060 m
FromUS$ 100per person · based on 2 travellers
- No payment online, we confirm first
- Written quote with everything included
Trailhead
Kande
The trail leaves the Baglung highway at Kande and climbs through forest towards the ridge.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: start slowly, the first steps are the steepest part of the day.
Source ↗Night 1 · Sleep here
Australian Camp
An open meadow at about 2,060 m with a close view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: stay outside for sunset, then set an alarm for sunrise, it is worth it.
Source ↗Forest ridge
Pothana
A small settlement on the ridge where the trails to Dhampus and Pitam Deurali meet.
Village walk
Dhampus
A village of stone houses and terraced fields, facing the Annapurna range.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: ask before photographing people, and enjoy a tea stop with a view.
Source ↗Road end
Dhampus Phedi
The foot of the Dhampus trail on the road, where your vehicle meets you.
Overview
Why choose the Australian Camp & Dhampus Hike?
- Sunrise on Annapurna SouthA wide, open view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre from the ridge.
- Gentle, short walkingAbout 2 hours up on day one and 3–4 hours down on day two.
- Dhampus villageGurung and Brahmin homes, terraced fields and friendly tea stops.
- A night above PokharaA simple lodge on the ridge, with the peaks in front of your room.
Australian Camp is a grassy ridge at about 2,060 metres, one hour’s drive and a short climb from Pokhara. From its lodges you look straight across to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and the Lamjung range, one of the closest big-mountain views you can reach in a single day.
Read moreShow less
This two-day hike suits families, first-time trekkers and anyone with a short window in Pokhara. The walking is gentle: a forest path up from Kande on the first day, then a relaxed descent through Pothana and the stone-and-slate village of Dhampus on the second.
Sunset and sunrise are the highlights. Stay the night at the camp, watch the light change on the peaks, and walk down past terraced fields and village homes before your vehicle takes you back to Pokhara in time for lunch.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1Pokhara to Australian Camp
Late-morning pickup in Pokhara and a one-hour drive along the Baglung highway to the trailhead at Kande. A steady climb through forest brings you to the open meadow of Australian Camp. Settle into your lodge, watch the sunset on Machhapuchhre and enjoy dinner with the mountains in view.
- StayLodge, Australian Camp
- MealsLunch · Dinner
Day 2Sunrise, Dhampus and back to Pokhara
Wake for sunrise over the Annapurna range. After breakfast, walk along the forested ridge to Pothana and down to Dhampus, a village of stone houses and terraced fields. Continue to Dhampus Phedi on the road, where your vehicle waits for the short drive back to Pokhara.
- StayYour hotel in Pokhara
- MealsBreakfast · Lunch
Good to know
Details before you book
What’s included8
- Private vehicle Pokhara → Kande and Dhampus Phedi → Pokhara
- Licensed, English-speaking local guide (food, lodging, insurance and salary)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and all paperwork
- 1 night in a clean lodge at Australian Camp (twin-sharing room)
- Lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast and lunch on day 2, with tea or coffee
- Complimentary drinking water
- First-aid kit carried by your guide
- Government taxes and service charge
Not included7
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking at this altitude and rescue)
- Hotel and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek
- Porter (optional add-on: one porter carries up to 20 kg for 2 trekkers)
- Hot showers, device charging and Wi-Fi in teahouses (paid locally)
- Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and porter (appreciated, not compulsory)
- Extra costs from weather, landslides or leaving the trek early
What to bring17
Clothing
Footwear
Gear
Personal
Before you go6
Best time
October–May for the clearest views; spring adds rhododendron colour. In the monsoon (June–September) clouds often hide the peaks.
Difficulty
Easy. Short climbs on forest paths and stone steps; suitable for children and first-time hikers with normal fitness.
Permits
Australian Camp and Dhampus are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. We arrange the ACAP permit; foreign trekkers walk with a licensed guide.
Accommodation
Simple lodges with twin rooms and shared or attached bathrooms. Blankets are provided; evenings are cool.
Altitude
The highest point is about 2,060 m, altitude sickness is not a concern on this hike.
Phone & internet
Good mobile signal on the ridge and in Dhampus; many lodges offer Wi-Fi.
Questions travellers ask5
Is this hike suitable for children?
Yes. It is one of the easiest overnight hikes near Pokhara. Children who enjoy walking usually manage well; your guide sets a relaxed pace.
Can we do it in one day?
Yes, as a day hike without the overnight stay, but you miss sunset and sunrise, the best light on the mountains. Ask us for a day-hike quote.
Will we see the mountains?
On clear days, yes. October to May gives the best chance. Mornings are usually clearer than afternoons.
Can we extend the hike?
Yes. Continue to Pitam Deurali and Landruk, or join the Mardi Himal trail. Tell us on WhatsApp and we will send a revised quote.
How do I book and pay?
Send an enquiry. We confirm availability and send a written quote on WhatsApp, including the advance needed to secure your dates and the payment terms.
Ready for Australian Camp & Dhampus Hike?
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply on WhatsApp with availability and a clear written quote.