Australian Camp and Dhampus Trek
The Australian Camp and Dhampus trek is an easy 3-day short trek from Pokhara with some of the best mountain views you can get for very little effort. A short drive takes you to Kande, and an hour's climb brings you to Australian Camp (2,060 m), a grassy ridge facing Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range. Walk on through forest to Pothana and the Gurung village of Dhampus for sunrise, then descend to Phedi and drive back to Pokhara.
Graded easy, with short walking days, it is ideal for families with children, first-time trekkers, older travellers and anyone with only a few days in Pokhara. ACAP permit, guide, teahouses, meals and transport from Pokhara are included.
Trip highlights
- Australian Camp (2,060 m) view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre
- Sunrise over the Annapurna range
- Gurung village of Dhampus
- Easy, family-friendly short trek
- Starts and finishes in Pokhara
Short itinerary
View detailed itineraryAustralian Camp and Dhampus Trek overview
Quick answer: the Australian Camp and Dhampus trek takes 3 days from Pokhara, reaches 2,060 m at Australian Camp and costs from US$190 per person. It is graded easy, with 2–5 hours of walking a day, and can be done almost all year.
Australian Camp got its name from Australian trekking groups who camped here in the 1970s, drawn by the open meadow and the view. On a clear morning the whole southern face of the Annapurna Himal is lined up in front of you, with Machhapuchhre's twin-tipped summit in the middle and Dhaulagiri far to the west. Today there are comfortable lodges on the ridge, and the trail continues to Dhampus, a Gurung village spread along a sunny hillside above the Pokhara valley.
Australian Camp and Dhampus trek at a glance
| Trip fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days from Pokhara (2 nights on the trek) |
| Maximum altitude | Australian Camp, 2,060 m |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start and finish | Kande and Phedi, about 45 minutes and 30 minutes by road from Pokhara |
| Permit | Annapurna Conservation Area permit |
| Best time | October–April; possible year-round |
| Cost | From US$190 per person |
Why choose this trek?
- Big Himalayan views for very little walking.
- Short and easy, perfect for families and beginners.
- Sunrise over Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.
- Gurung village life in Dhampus.
- Starts and ends in Pokhara, no long drives or flights.
Who is it for?
Almost anyone who can walk for a few hours on stone steps and forest trails. Children from about six years old usually manage it happily, and it is a good test before a longer trek like Poon Hill or Mardi Himal. If you have more time, we can extend it towards Landruk and Ghandruk.
Day-by-day itinerary
What’s included
Included
- Pick-up from your hotel in Pokhara and drop-off after the trek
- Private transport Pokhara – Kande and Phedi – Pokhara
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek (2 nights)
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide trained in first aid
- All government and local taxes
Not included
- Accommodation and meals in Pokhara
- Transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara (can be added)
- Porter (can be added)
- Travel insurance
- Drinks, snacks, hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi on the trek
- Personal expenses
- Tips for your guide
Useful info
Fitness
You need to be able to walk for 2–4 hours a day on forest trails and stone steps. No previous trekking experience is required.
Weather
October to April has the clearest views; mornings and evenings are cool, and frosty in December and January. Spring brings rhododendron flowers but more haze by midday. In the monsoon (June–September) the trail is green and quiet, but views are often hidden and leeches are common.
Permit
Australian Camp and Dhampus are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. The ACAP permit is included.
Luggage
Leave your main luggage at your hotel in Pokhara and carry a small daypack. A porter can be added if you would rather not carry anything.
Travel insurance
Please travel with insurance that covers trekking up to 3,000 m and medical treatment.
Packing list
- Comfortable walking shoes or light boots
- Warm fleece or down jacket for mornings and evenings
- Waterproof jacket
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Small daypack (20–30 litres)
- Head torch for sunrise
- Refillable water bottle
- Camera and power bank
- Leech socks (monsoon)
Add-ons & trip options
Choose add-ons and quantities on the booking form.
More trip options, quoted on request:
- Landruk and Ghandruk extension (2 extra days).
- Porter for families with children.
- Paragliding in Pokhara before or after the trek.
Frequently asked questions
3 days from Pokhara, with 2 nights in teahouses.
Easy. Walking days are 1–4 hours with a maximum altitude of 2,060 m.
From US$190 per person, including transport from Pokhara, permit, guide, lodges and meals on the trek.
Australian trekking groups camped on the meadow in the 1970s, and the name stuck.
Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna II and IV, Lamjung Himal and Dhaulagiri on clear days.
Yes. Children from about six usually enjoy it, and we can add a porter.
Yes, the ACAP permit, which is included.
Yes. Australian Camp can be visited on a day hike or an overnight trip from Pokhara.
October–April for clear views. It is possible year-round.
Comfortable walking shoes are fine in dry weather; light boots are better after rain.
Yes, to Landruk and Ghandruk, or towards Mardi Himal.
At Kande, about 45 minutes' drive from Pokhara.