Looking for a Himalayan trek that packs staggering mountain views, rich Gurung culture, and lush forest trails into a short timeframe? The Dhampus Australian Camp Hike is widely considered the best short-duration trekking route in the Annapurna region.
DestinationHIking
Group Size15+
Dhampus Australian Camp Hike Highlights
Here is a quick summary of the key highlights of the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike:
Unmatched Mountain Vistas: Get front-row, panoramic views of iconic peaks including Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri—especially stunning at sunrise and sunset.
Beginner & Family Friendly: Feature moderate, well-paved stone trails and a low maximum altitude (~2,060m), making it an ideal entry-level Himalayan trek.
Authentic Gurung Culture: Experience traditional local hospitality, slate-roofed homes, and terraced farming landscapes in the mountain village of Dhampus.
Scenic Woodlands: Hike through vibrant trails lined with oak, pine, and blooming red rhododendron forests (in spring).
Maximum Impact, Minimal Time: Requires only 1 to 2 days from Pokhara, offering a full Himalayan experience without needing weeks on the trail.
1 days Dhampus Australian Camp Hike Overview
View from Australian Camp to Dhampus
Are you searching for the best day hiking trail near Pokhara or in the surrounding areas? Look no further than the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike. In about 1 hour, you can reach the trail head of the hike from Pokhara. Our travel planners prepared the hiking itinerary after lots of requests from our valued clients who are on Nepal Tour. They asked for short hiking trail full of mountain vistas, unique ethnic culture, rural vibes but in the places near the main city area. Therefore, we present you the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike itinerary.
Hikers can enjoy the best experiences of Gurung community’s culture, traditions, and rituals. Additionally, hikers can also enjoy the magnificent view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges alongside the terraced farmlands during the hike. The journey lasts for about 5 to 6 hours and it is suitable for all age group of people. In fact, if you are planning to take your kids for a light walking trip and wish to show them the rural Nepal, then it is best to choose the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike.
Forests, villages, vantage point, terraced farmlands, and easy difficulty grade make the trail of the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike suitable for beginner trekkers. You can warm up with this hiking journey to do longer treks in the Annapurna region like the Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, etc.
Popular Short Hikes to do in Pokhara Valley
Before we tell you more about the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike, let’s talk in brief about some of the popular short hikes to do in Pokhara Valley. Well, Pokhara Valley is comparatively smaller than the Kathmandu Valley but there are amazing hiking trails around the city. Most popular hike is to the World Peace Pagoda and Pumdikot Shiva Statue from Phewa Lakeside. Hikers have to cross the Phewa Lake and start the trek from another side of the lake. It is about 3 to 4 hours of hike where hikers can enjoy peaceful jungle walk with spectacular view of Mount Machhapuchhre, Phewa Lake, and Pokhara city. Besides the hike, you can also choose to do Sarangkot Hike, Begnas Lake to Rupa Lake Viewpoint Hike, etc.
Cycling vs Hiking in Pokhara
Please note that hiking offers different experiences and cycling offers different vibes. You can’t compare between these two activities that are possible to do in Pokhara. If you are looking for a cycle tour in Pokhara, then the travel planners of the Nepal Trekking Rangers will knit an itinerary which is both safe and scientific. Cycling gives adventure and fun but hiking gives you authentic vibes. We don’t compare between these two amazing activities to do in Nepal. Sort out the things that wish to do and we will make sure that your trip itinerary is prepared according to your preferences. Annapurna Royal Cycling Tour, British Army Selection Doko Run route cycling, etc. are popular among domestic travelers and foreign travelers. Similarly, the Lumle Hike, Australian Camp Hike, Sarangkot Hike, etc. are also popular. So, the choice is always yours to decide whether to cycle or hike in Pokhara Nepal.
Australian Camp: Crossroads to popular treks in Annapurna region
Australian Camp
At an altitude of 2060 m above sea level, the Australian Camp is a small place full of tea houses and green meadows plain open field. One can get mesmerizing scenery of mountains like Annapurna, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre, etc. The panoramic scenery of mountains is the highlight of the Australian Camp (2060 m). There are two routes to reach the Australian Camp. They are either from the Dhampus Phedi or from the Kande Route. Our hiking itinerary of the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike starts from Kande. It is to make sure that beginner hiker with low physical fitness can also complete the hike. If you take the Kande route, then you can gently reach Australian Camp after about 1 hour of gentle uphill hike. From Australian Camp, you casually descend down to Dhampus village via green lush forests eventually ending the trek either in Phedi or in Dhampus Bus Park.
The Australian Camp is in the crossroads to many popular treks in the Annapurna region Nepal. The most popular one is surely the Mardi Himal Trek. Many trekkers take the route of the Australian Camp and Pothana village for the trek. However, some people skip the section and drive directly to Pitam Deurali. Besides Mardi Himal Trek, you can also do the low altitude Annapurna Trek like the Landruk Ghandruk Trek from Australian Camp. Therefore it is also called as the best place from where you can start magnificent trekking in the region. If time permit, you can choose to extend the hike and continue the trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region. Make sure to contact our travel planners if you are thinking of doing the trek instead of the hike.
Dhampus Australian Camp Hike: Gurung Villages to Panoramic Mountain Vista
Sakura Hotel in Dhampus
Warm hospitality of Gurung People will captivate you when you enter the Dhampus Village. Yes, the village is mainly habituated by Gurung community where you can rent the traditional attire during your day hike and enjoy wearing traditional dress and immerse into the local culture. The village also provides mesmerizing view of mountains like Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri. Furthermore, you will also be able to experience terraced farmlands. If you climb the Dhampus View Tower that costs NRs. 50, then you can get amazing scenery of Pokhara City including Phewa Lake.
The biggest thing about the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike is that you get to experience authentic ethnic indigenous community in their own courtyard and also enjoy the view of mountains. There is no intense walking like in trekking activities. Therefore, we highly recommend you to book the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike with us to enjoy the best hilly lifestyle including lofty mountain views in just a day’s hike. In fact, it is just about 5 to 6 hours of hike.
Can I stay overnight either in Dhampus Village or in Australian Camp?
Angel Guest House
Yes, it is possible to stay overnight in Dhampus Village or in Australian Camp. Many of our travelers choose to do this day hike if they have another night to spend in Pokhara. These travelers prefer to stay in a tranquil place away from the bustling and clamor of Lakeside Pokhara. Therefore, there are many tea houses, lodges, resorts, and home stay accommodations in the Dhampus Village. As for the Australian Camp, there are 4 to 5 tea houses which are run by the locals and provide good lodging facilities.
The view of the mountains in the morning from the balcony of your tea house is the highlight of staying overnight in either Australian Camp or in Dhampus Village. In the evening, you can also ask the Mother’s Cultural Group to perform Gurung Cultural program in your home stay house of in your tea house/lodge. Staying overnight has many pluses than just doing the day hike especially in the Dhampus village.
Major Attractions of the Dhampus Australian Camp Hiking Route
View reflection on Pond
About 19 kilometers from the main Pokhara City, the Dhampus Village and Australian Camp give you major experiences which can‘t be imagined as you are just an hour away from bustling Pokhara downtown. Check out the major attractions of the Dhampus Australian Camp Hiking Route:
Tranquil Forests environment near Pokhara City
Suitable for all kinds of hikers from beginners, kids, to office goers
Gurung traditions, culture, rituals, and daily lifestyle
Rural experiences
Mountain vistas including the world’s tallest peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
View of Pokhara City including Phewa Lake
Terraced farmlands
Dhampus View Tower and Gurung Museum
Extended Treks to consider from Dhampus Australian Camp Hiking Trail
Please contact the travel planners of the Nepal Trekking Rangers to extend the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike to trekking adventures. There are many trekking trails which you can complete in less than 5 days. Therefore, you can contact us to knit an itinerary of such trekking activity. We have highlighted three major trekking trails from the Dhampus Australian Camp hiking trail to extend the trip. These three treks are listed as these can be done as an extension of the hike itself. Spend night in Dhampus Village and continue the hike to Sarangkot another famous vantage point of the Pokhara Valley via Nau Danda.
The astonishing trekking adventure to embark from the Australian Camp (2060 m) is the famous Mardi Himal Trek. Allocate another 3 to 4 days to complete this journey to the Mardi Himal Base Camp. You can embark to the cultural trip of two iconic villages of the Annapurna region, Ghandruk and Landruk! These two villages are opposite to one another separated by Modi River. Furthermore, you can also continue to the Annapurna Base Camp from these villages.
Sarangkot Hill via Nau Danda
Mardi Himal Trek via Pothana
Landruk and Ghandruk Village Trek from Australian Camp
Book the Dhampus Australian Camp Hike with us and enjoy day hiking through forests, terraced farmlands, indigenous village, and mountain vista.
Dhampus Australian Camp Hike Itinerary
Morning Start: After breakfast meet at the lobby in the hotel the transfer from Pokhara to Kande around 8:00 AM.
The trek begins at Kande to Australian Camp Hike Start Point, a popular roadside stop along the Pokhara-Baglung highway. The trail initially climbs up through stone staircases, terraced farmlands, and sparse rhododendron patches, offering an energetic morning workout as you leave the highway bustle behind.
Mid-Morning: It takes about 1 to 2 hours all the way ascending to Australian Camp steady uphill hiking.
Leaving Kande, the trail weaves through peaceful subtropical and temperate forests. You will reach Australian Camp View Point Click to open side panel for more information , a stunning open meadow clearing perched on a ridge. Originally used as a camping ground by Australian trekking expeditions in past decades, it offers a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the Annapurna Himalayan range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli right from the meadow.
Mid-Day: Ridge Walk and Panorama at MACHHAPUCHRE Guest house and restaurant Australian camp Click to open side panel for more information : Duration: Spend 1 to 2 hours enjoying lunch and panoramic vistas.
At the camp, hikers can relax at local spots like MACHHAPUCHRE Guest house and restaurant Australian camp Click to open side panel for more information or the neighboring Australian Camp Guest House & Restaurant Click to open side panel for more information . On clear days, the sweeping vantage point provides stunning close-up views of Annapurna South, Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and the iconic pyramid peak of Machhapuchhre.
Afternoon: Nepali flat on the road until end of Dhampus Village then mostly extremely Descent to Phedi about 2 to 2.5 hours hiking.
Instead of returning the same way, the trail descends gently through traditional Gurung settlements in Dhampus village, passing stone houses and terraced fields before ending near the Australian Camp Trail head Click to open side panel for more information or the exit point at Phedi, where private transport awaits to drive you back to Pokhara.
Route Summary & Logistics
Key Parameter
Details
Total Distance
8 – 10 km
Active Hiking Time
4 – 5 hours (6 hours total duration)
Elevation Gain
Starts at 1,770 m (Kande) and reach 2,060 m (Australian Camp) then again descent to 1,130 m (Phedi)
Trail Terrain
Stone steps, forest paths, village dirt tracks, and terraced hillside ridges
Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate (suitable for beginners and families looking for a rewarding Himalayan day trip)
If the provided schedule isn't suitable for you, we are able to create personalized travel arrangements according to your preferences and requirements.
His quite nature, and taking care of things when and where required.
I spent over one month with Yuddha, his wife and team of assistants on treks and religious travel namely i) Annapurna , 5 days ii) Pokhara and Muktinath, 8 days and iii) Everest Base Camp and Three Passes, 19 days. I must say that my wife and I had wonderful time with Yuddha and his family. Yuddha is a true professional and goes out of way to make things happen. During my time there were several weather related events but Yuddha was able to find solutions for each adverse situation and allow us to continue our journey. He is flexible with timeline, providing facilities and help. My wife also stayed with his family while I was on trek. She thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality provided by his wife.
Great Himalaya experience
Hiked the Three Passes trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers and our guide Yuddha. He was a fantastic guide to have on this trek — knowledgeable, professional, and a great match for our group. I’ll be happy to use their services again on our next Himalaya adventure.
Great holiday on the roof of the world
Yuddha the company owner has taken care of everything from domestic flights to car transfers, hotels etc. He has put together a very individual trip that has left nothing to be desired. Also the hike Anapourna Circuit was perfectly organized. I can only recommend this company to anyone who wants to travel to Nepal individually.
A wonderful experience
Excellent trek with a group of friends. Yuddah and his team planned and organized everything brilliantly. Professionalism and good atmosphere throughout the trek with the reward of walking in sublime landscapes.
A Guide Who Truly Spreads Light
Yuddha is the best guide I have ever met. He is sensitive, very experienced, and always cheerful. He answered my questions with openness, honesty, and kindness. He paid close attention to our group’s needs, and I felt completely safe under his guidance. He booked wonderful accommodations for us and handled the meals very professionally as well. I hope I’ll get the chance to hike with him again — I really miss our conversations. 😊
Trek with Nepal Trekking experts if you are going to Nepal!
I just finished the Everest Base Camp trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers and would 100% recommend them to anyone coming to Nepal.Yuddha, the owner, is a true professional. From the beginning when I contacted him, he was super responsive and able to provide advice on which trek was best. Whenever I had follow-up questions, he would always respond the same day. They also operate with the utmost integrity. Originally, I was meant to trek with them in 2020, but this was cancelled because of Covid. Yuddha reminded me that I had paid the deposit five years ago (which at the time I had told him to hold on to) and took that off the price — I had completely forgotten.They gave me a warm welcome at the airport as soon as I arrived, and Yuddha met me at my hotel to make sure I had the correct kit, even providing me with things I didn’t have free of charge.On the trek itself, Yuddha was our guide — so knowledgeable, fun, and spoke great English. Every time I asked him a question about the mountains or region, he had an answer. All the tea houses booked were great and had good food. In the evening, he would play cards with us, and if we ever needed help with anything, he was always on hand.Words can’t describe the views you see on this trek — we were completely surrounded by the mountains. Yuddha also made sure we went at a sensible pace to avoid any risk of altitude sickness and to ensure we could take it all in.Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime, and next time I am back in Nepal, I will be trekking with Nepal Trekking Rangers.Thanks so much, Yuddha!
Highly recommend
I had an amazing experience trekking in the Everest region with Nepal Trekking Rangers. What truly made this journey special was Yuddha. I first met him as a customer during the trek, and by the end of the trip, we had become friends.Yuddha was incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the experience. Even after the tour ended, he continued to check in and offer extra care and help, which really meant a lot. His information, guidance, and genuine concern made the whole trip smooth and memorable.He is a truly nice guy—down to earth, mellow, and easy to be around. You can tell he genuinely cares about his clients and his work. I highly recommend Nepal Trekking Rangers and especially Yuddha to anyone planning a trek in Nepal. I sincerely hope his business continues to grow strong—he deserves it.
Well organised, authentic Nepalese experience
Wow what an amazing experience we had - thanks to Nepal Trekking Rangers. We wanted a trekking holiday to experience authentic Nepal - vistas, people, places and experiences. Yuddha organised our trip of a lifetime - advising on our itinerary, booking accommodation, internal flights, guides, drivers and where to go and what to do. We did a 3 day guided trek around Nagarkot - for most of the trek we didn't see another tourist. We walked through villages, farm land and saw great views of the HImalaya. Our guide was an easy companion, pointing out sights and translating our discussions with the locals. Next we did the trek to Gokyo Lakes. The whole team made this experience amazing. The trek was planned so our acclimatisation went smoothly. Our trek lengths, route, meal stops and over night accommodation were all considered to make the trek a success. The views and experience were five star. Next we went to Pokhara and relaxed. A short guided day trek to Camp Australia provided great views and another fun experience. Finally back to Kathmandu and a walk around the Patan Durbar area. I recommend Nepal Trekking Rangers if you want an amazing, authentic, organised, safe and fun trip.
The best guides in Nepal!
Nepal Trekking Rangers was phenomenal. Yuddha and his team were communicative, organized, and fairly priced. When our flight to Kathmandu was delayed, Yuddha met us at the airport and ensured we made our connection to Lukla without issue.On the Three Passes trek, Yuddha was exceptional — attentive, flexible, and fun (he taught us Nepali card games we played nonstop). Thanks to Nepal Trekking Rangers, this truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
5 friends. 14 days. 2 high passes. 135 + kms. But countless memories.
5 friends. 14 days. 2 high passes. 135+ kms. But countless memories.Nepal Trekking Rangers ensured that our trek to Nar Phu Valley – Kang La Pass – Thorong La Pass was smooth and incident-free. The team was alert, responsive, and attentive all the way. At one point, we made a decision to tweak the itinerary a bit — our guide Yuddha was extremely proactive in providing alternatives to us, as well as in actioning the changes for the rest of the journey. But most importantly, the team got us back safely. Climbing is one thing, but getting back down safe is equally important.Our experience with Nepal Trekking Rangers has been A1.
Incredible Three Passes Trek Experience!
We had an incredible time on our Three Passes trek (and during our whole visit to Nepal) thanks to Nepal Trekking Rangers! I researched trekking guides thoroughly before we started our trip and probably reached out to 15 of them. I decided Nepal Trekking Rangers was the best in terms of reviews, ease of communication, and price. After the trip was complete, I can confidently say I was right to choose them.We had a specific itinerary in mind that needed to fit our schedule, and Yuddha was extremely helpful and accommodating. He answered all our questions promptly during planning and provided extra info, tips, and advice that we wouldn’t have known to ask about. When our international flight to Nepal was delayed by 12 hours, he pulled out all the stops to make sure we still made it to Lukla on time — coming to the airport himself with all the gear we rented, helping us repack into their duffel bags, and storing our suitcases at their office. It was incredibly convenient, and we would have been hugely delayed without his extra effort. He even brought Nepalese rupees to exchange from our USD so we wouldn’t waste time at the airport — and at a better rate!Our guide, Yuddha, was clearly one of the best we saw on the trails. His decades of experience showed. He was kind, attentive, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun. He helped us navigate the chaos of Lukla airport, made sure we got the best possible accommodations within our budget, communicated with tea house staff, showed us local plants, animals, and landmarks, and answered all our “Which mountain is this?” questions with patience and insight. He told us amazing stories, taught us a Nepali card game that became a nightly tradition, and kept us safe and confident through tricky sections like Chukhung Ri, glacier crossings, and the steep descents from the passes.When we decided mid-trip to skip an acclimatization day in Dingboche, Yuddha quickly rebooked all our accommodations to adjust the schedule. That flexibility allowed us to return to Kathmandu a day early and enjoy more time in the city — a perfect ending to the trek.Nepal Trekking Rangers clearly employs some of the best in the business, and Yuddha is incredibly skilled and dedicated to making sure guests have an unforgettable experience. After the trek, we visited his office in Kathmandu to share our experience, and he was a warm and gracious host, eager to hear our feedback — which was all glowing.This was a truly memorable trip, and we’re so glad we chose Nepal Trekking Rangers.
Perfekter Trek zum Everest Basecamp
We have nothing but positive things to say about our trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers! Our group of three friends was looking for something a little different from the EBC trek and didn’t have time to do the full Three Passes loop. Nepal Trekking Rangers gave us lots of options, and we decided to trek directly to Gokyo Lakes, then over Renjo La and back down to Lukla. It was perfect for us.Our guide, Yuddha, was super knowledgeable, and the team supporting us was kind and helpful throughout. The communication before and after the trek was excellent, and when we ran into a small snag during our journey, Yuddha handled it smoothly and professionally.I can’t say enough about how experienced, well-connected, and genuinely kind everyone was. We had an amazing trip, and you’ll be in great hands with Nepal Trekking Rangers.
