Australian Camp & Dhampus Trek: overview
- Duration
- 1–3 days (typically 2)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max altitude
- 2,060 m · Australian Camp
- Start / finish
- Kande (1 h drive from Pokhara) → Dhampus Phedi (40 min drive to Pokhara)
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Sleep in
- A handful of lodges at Australian Camp, from simple teahouse rooms to more comfortable lodges with attached bathrooms; tented camps also operate here in season. Dhampus has lodges and homestays.
- Guide
- Licensed guide required
- Permits
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), TIMS card
Australian Camp (2,060 m) is a grassy ridge-top clearing an hour's walk above the Pokhara–Baglung highway, with a view across the Modi Khola valley to Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. It takes its name from Australian aid workers who camped here in the 1970s, and it is the quickest place from Pokhara to wake up in front of the mountains.
The standard 2-day trek drives to Kande, walks up to Australian Camp for sunset and sunrise, then walks down through the Gurung village of Dhampus (1,650 m) to Dhampus Phedi. Total walking time is about 4–5 hours over two days, and the maximum altitude carries no real risk of altitude sickness. It suits families, older travellers and anyone short on time.
You can also do it as a long day hike, or add a third day via Pothana or Panchase. Mantra Mountain is based in Pokhara and runs this trek.
Highlights
- Sunrise and sunset over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal from Australian Camp (2,060 m)
- Only 1–1.5 hours of walking from the road at Kande to the viewpoint
- Dhampus, a spread-out Gurung village of terraces and stone houses with the Annapurnas behind
- Clear views of Pokhara valley and the Seti river from the descent
- Low altitude and short days, suitable for children and older walkers
- Easy to extend to Pothana, Landruk, Panchase or the start of the Mardi Himal trail
Day-by-day itinerary & route map
The standard 2-day itinerary from Pokhara. Tap any day, a marker on the map or a point on the altitude profile to follow the route. Walking times are for an average trekker at a steady pace, without long stops.
Route line and stops are approximate and drawn for planning — not for navigation. Terrain tiles © OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap contributors.
Show altitudes as a table
| Day | Route | Sleep | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara → Kande → Australian Camp | 2,060 m | — |
| 2 | Australian Camp sunrise → Dhampus → Dhampus Phedi → Pokhara | 820 m | — |
Day 1: Pokhara → Kande → Australian Camp
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,060 m
- Time
- ⏱ 1 h drive + 1–1.5 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 3 km
Drive about an hour west of Pokhara on the Baglung highway to Kande (1,770 m). A stone staircase climbs about 300 m through forest and small fields to the open ridge of Australian Camp, where the mountains appear suddenly across the valley. Spend the afternoon on the grass, walk 30 minutes to Pothana for a different angle, and watch sunset turn Machhapuchhre pink.
Overnight: Lodge, Australian Camp
Local tip: Start from Pokhara after lunch if you like: you can still reach Australian Camp well before sunset. Mornings are clearer than afternoons, so the sunrise is the main event.
Day 2: Australian Camp sunrise → Dhampus → Dhampus Phedi → Pokhara
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 820 m
- Time
- ⏱ 2.5–3 h walk + 40 min drive
- Distance
- ≈ 7 km
Watch sunrise from the lodge garden, then follow the trail east along the ridge and down through forest to Dhampus (1,650 m), where the village terraces frame Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. From Dhampus a long stone staircase drops about 500 m to Dhampus Phedi (1,130 m) on the highway, and a taxi brings you back to Lakeside by late morning or lunch.
Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara
Local tip: The steps from Dhampus to Phedi are steep and uneven; poles help, and it's worth going slowly.
Best time to trek
- Jan: best
- Feb: best
- Mar: best
- Apr: possible
- May: possible
- Jun: not ideal
- Jul: not ideal
- Aug: not ideal
- Sep: possible
- Oct: best
- Nov: best
- Dec: best
Not sure which season suits you? Our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal covers weather, crowds and festivals.
Permits, fees & the guide rule
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | NPR 3,000 (≈ USD 22); SAARC nationals NPR 1,000 | Australian Camp and Dhampus are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Permits are sometimes checked at Pothana; carry them even on a day hike. |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (≈ USD 15) | Issued through a registered trekking agency, which also arranges the licensed guide now required for foreign trekkers. |
Licensed guide required for foreign trekkers
Since 1 April 2023 the Nepal Tourism Board requires foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas, including the Annapurna Conservation Area, to trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. Checkpoint enforcement on the short Pokhara treks has been inconsistent, but plan on a guide (or at least a licensed porter-guide) rather than count on walking alone, and check the current rules before you go.
Fees as of September 2026. Nepal changes permit rules and prices from time to time — confirm before you travel. Full details in our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Getting there
From Pokhara
Kande is about 25 km from Pokhara Lakeside on the Pokhara–Baglung highway, roughly 1 hour by taxi. Local buses towards Baglung also stop at Kande. Dhampus Phedi is on the same road, 40 minutes from Lakeside, if you prefer to start from the Dhampus side. A jeep road also reaches Dhampus village.
From Kathmandu
Travel to Pokhara first by tourist bus (6–8 hours, USD 10–25) or flight (25 minutes, USD 100–130). If you arrive in Pokhara by early afternoon, you can still drive to Kande and reach Australian Camp the same day.
Getting back
Taxis wait at Dhampus Phedi for trekkers coming down, and buses to Pokhara pass regularly. Arrange a pickup with your agency if you are travelling in a group or late in the day.
How much does the Australian Camp trek cost?
Move the sliders to estimate your own trip. Typical teahouse spend on this route is USD 25–40 per person per day for a room and three meals; a licensed guide costs USD 25–35 a day and a porter USD 18–25.
Estimated cost per person
USD 126
+ about USD 4 in tips for your staff
- Teahouse room & 3 meals × 2 daysUSD 50
- PermitsUSD 36
- Transport to & from trailheadUSD 10
- Licensed guide (shared by 2)USD 30
Do-it-yourself estimate for the Australian Camp & Dhampus Trek, from typical 2026 teahouse prices. Excludes flights to Nepal, visa, insurance, gear, drinks, hot showers and charging fees.
- Rooms at Australian Camp range from simple teahouse rooms to more comfortable lodges costing USD 25–60 for a room with attached bathroom and views.
- Permits (ACAP NPR 3,000 + TIMS NPR 2,000) are a large share of the cost of such a short trek.
- A taxi one way from Lakeside to Kande or Phedi costs roughly NPR 2,000–3,000; local buses are much cheaper.
- Many travellers skip a porter here: the walk is short enough to carry a small daypack for one night.
Important things to know
Altitude & fitness
At 2,060 m there is no meaningful risk of altitude sickness. The climb from Kande is about 300 m and the descent to Dhampus Phedi about 900 m over two days. Anyone who can walk up a few flights of stairs repeatedly for an hour can do this trek.
Trail conditions & roads
The trail from Kande is a well-used stone staircase through forest. The descent via Dhampus is also mostly steps, with jeep road crossings. After rain the steps are slippery, and in the dry season the road sections near Dhampus are dusty.
Water & food
Lodges at Australian Camp and Dhampus serve dal bhat, noodles, pancakes and Western dishes. Buy boiled or filtered water from lodges rather than plastic bottles. There are small shops in Kande and Dhampus Phedi for snacks.
Charging, Wi-Fi & mobile network
NTC and Ncell coverage is good at Australian Camp and Dhampus, and most lodges offer free Wi-Fi and charging. The forest below Australian Camp has a few short signal gaps.
Money & ATMs
There are no ATMs on the trek. Bring cash from Pokhara for the lodge, food, taxi and tips; a couple of lodges may accept cards with a surcharge.
Weather & hazards
October–March has the most reliable clear mornings, and December–January nights can drop to around freezing. From April, haze increasingly hides the mountains in the afternoon, and June–September brings rain, cloud and leeches in the forest. The trek is still possible in the monsoon if you accept a small chance of seeing the peaks.
Rescue & insurance
Road access is never more than an hour away, so most problems are solved by walking down to Kande or Dhampus and taking a taxi. Travel insurance covering trekking is still sensible for any walk in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Responsible trekking
Australian Camp is popular with Nepali school groups and weekenders, and litter builds up around the viewpoint. Carry out your rubbish, avoid loud music, and stay on the trail to protect the terraces in Dhampus.
Tips for solo trekkers
- Australian Camp is busy on weekends and holidays with Nepali visitors, so you will not be alone at sunset.
- A licensed guide is officially required inside the Annapurna Conservation Area; on this short route many agencies offer a guide for one or two days at modest cost.
- Start the walk from Kande in daylight: the forest staircase has no lighting and is dark by 6 pm in winter.
- Women travelling solo generally find this a comfortable, low-risk trek; choose a lodge with a lockable room and ask for a female guide if you prefer.
- If the forecast is cloudy, stay flexible and move the night to the next clear evening rather than go for a fixed date.
- It makes an excellent warm-up hike to test boots and legs before a longer trek like Mardi Himal or ABC.
More in our complete guide to solo trekking in Nepal.
What to pack for this trek
- Warm layer, hat and gloves for the sunrise wait (0–5 °C in winter mornings)
- Headlamp for early-morning photography
- Trekking poles for the descent from Dhampus to Phedi
- Small daypack; most people carry everything themselves for one night
- Leech socks in the monsoon
- Camera with a zoom lens for Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South
The basics are the same for every Nepal trek — see our interactive packing checklist.
Route options & variations
One-day hike
Drive to Kande early, walk up to Australian Camp (1–1.5 hours), have lunch with the view, then continue down through Dhampus to Phedi (2.5–3 hours) and drive back. Leave Pokhara by 7 am for the best chance of clear mountains.
3-day version via Pothana and Landruk
From Australian Camp walk to Pothana and on to Landruk for the second night, with views up the Modi Khola to Annapurna South, then descend to the road at New Bridge or take a jeep back. See the Ghandruk guide for the reverse direction.
Combine with Panchase
Walk the Panchase ridge first and finish via Bhadaure, Kande and Australian Camp. See the Panchase guide.
Start of Mardi Himal
The Mardi Himal trail branches off at Bhichok Deurali, 1.5 hours beyond Australian Camp, so this walk can be the first day of a 5–7 day Mardi Himal trek.
Our recommendation
Book the Australian Camp & Dhampus Trek with Mantra Mountain
We are a local operator based in Pokhara — the gateway to most of the treks in this guide. Booking with us means a government-licensed guide, permits and TIMS arranged before you arrive, transport from your Pokhara hotel to the trailhead, and a team on the phone if plans change on the trail. Foreign trekkers must trek this route with a licensed guide anyway, so it pays to choose one you trust.
- Licensed, English-speaking local guides
- Permits & TIMS handled for you
- Solo travellers welcome
- Itineraries adjusted to your pace and dates
Australian Camp FAQ
How long does it take to walk to Australian Camp?
From Kande it takes 1–1.5 hours to walk up to Australian Camp. From Dhampus Phedi via Dhampus it takes 2.5–3.5 hours. The drive from Pokhara to Kande is about an hour.
Can I do Australian Camp as a day hike from Pokhara?
Yes. Drive to Kande, walk up, have lunch, and walk down through Dhampus to Phedi in about 4–5 hours in total. Staying overnight is worth it, though, because the clearest views are usually at sunrise.
Do I need a permit for Australian Camp?
Yes. It is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so foreigners need an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000). Checks are occasional, but you can be fined or turned back without them.
Is Australian Camp good for beginners and kids?
It is probably the easiest overnight trek with a Himalayan view in Nepal. The climb is short, the altitude is low, and lodges are comfortable. Children who can walk up stairs for an hour are fine.
Can I do the Australian Camp trek without a guide?
The 2023 rule requires foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area to have a licensed guide, and it technically applies here. Enforcement on this short route is inconsistent, but you should plan for a guide and check the current situation with the Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara.
How much does the Australian Camp trek cost?
A 2-day trip costs roughly USD 25–40 a day for lodge and meals, NPR 5,000 for permits, and USD 10–40 for transport. With a licensed guide, expect around USD 120–200 per person depending on group size and lodge standard.
What is the best time to visit Australian Camp?
October to March gives the most reliable clear mornings, with December and January especially crisp. April and May are warmer but hazier. In the monsoon (June–September), mountain views are occasional.
What can you see from Australian Camp?
Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna II, Annapurna IV and Lamjung Himal are all visible across the Modi Khola valley. Dhaulagiri is not visible from the camp itself.
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