Dhampus Village: Altitude, How to Get There and Things to Do
Dhampus is a traditional Gurung village at 1,650m in the Annapurna foothills, about 25km from Pokhara. From the village you can see Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli and Dhaulagiri. Most people reach it with a 30 minute drive from Pokhara to Phedi, then a 2 to 3 hour walk uphill.
Dhampus works as a day hike or overnight trip from Pokhara, or as part of a longer trek. MountainKick’s 12-day Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek finishes here.
- Altitude: 1,650m (5,413 ft)
- Distance from Pokhara: about 25km
- Getting there: 30 minute drive to Phedi, then a 2 to 3 hour walk
- Nearby: Australian Camp (2,060m), about an hour’s walk above the village
- Mountain views: Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri
- People: mainly Gurung
- Permit: ACAP is needed for foreign visitors, since Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Carry your permit and passport.
- Best time: October to April for clear views
- Altitude risk: At 1,650m, Dhampus is well below the heights where altitude sickness is normally a major concern.
Last updated: October 2026
Dhampus is one of the easiest places to get a real Himalayan view without a long trek. It isn’t really a trek destination in the way Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp are. It’s a village and viewpoint stop that works especially well for short trips from Pokhara.
The village sits on a ridge above the Pokhara valley, with old slate-roofed stone houses, small Buddhist shrines and terraced fields dropping away below. On a clear morning, the Annapurna range fills the skyline in front of you.
It’s close enough to Pokhara for a day trip, but staying overnight is when it’s at its best. The sunrise light on Machhapuchhre is the reason most people come.
How High Is Dhampus?
Dhampus sits at about 1,650m (5,413 ft). That’s well below the heights where altitude sickness is normally a major concern, so it suits most people, including families and first time trekkers.
Australian Camp, just above the village, is at 2,060m. It’s a short walk up and has even wider views, including Phewa Lake and the Pokhara valley far below.
How to Get to Dhampus from Pokhara
Drive to Phedi and walk up
This is the most common way. Drive about 30 minutes west from Pokhara on the Pokhara to Baglung road to Phedi. From there, a stone stepped trail climbs through forest and terraced fields to Dhampus. Most people take 2 to 3 hours.
The climb is steady but not technical. Take water, and start early if you want the clearest views when you arrive.
Drive to Kande and walk via Australian Camp
You can also drive a little further to Kande, walk up to Australian Camp, then walk down to Dhampus. This way you get Australian Camp’s views on the way.
By road
A rough road reaches Dhampus village, so it’s possible to drive much of the way by jeep. Road conditions can vary, especially in the monsoon. For most visitors, walking up from Phedi or coming via Australian Camp is the better way to experience the village.
Dhampus vs Australian Camp
Dhampus and Australian Camp are close enough to visit together, but they’re different experiences. Dhampus is the village, with Gurung homes, farmland, teahouses and local life at around 1,650m. Australian Camp sits higher at around 2,060m and is known for its open ridge and mountain views.
If you want village life and an overnight stay, choose Dhampus. If you just want a quick mountain viewpoint, Australian Camp is the better pick. Many visitors simply do both: drive to Kande, walk to Australian Camp, continue to Dhampus and walk down to Phedi.
Things to Do in Dhampus
Watch sunrise over the Annapurnas. The main reason to stay overnight. On clear mornings the light hits Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South first, then spreads across the range.
Walk up to Australian Camp. About an hour above the village, with a wide ridge view of the mountains and the Pokhara valley.
Walk through the village. Stone paths, slate-roofed houses, small shrines and prayer flags. It’s a working Gurung village, not a museum, so be respectful when photographing people and homes.
Stay in a teahouse or homestay. Eating dal bhat with a local family is one of the simplest and best things you can do here.
Look for birds and rhododendrons. The forest around Dhampus has rhododendron, oak and bamboo, and it’s good for birdwatching. Rhododendrons usually bloom in March and April.
Use it as a start or end point. Dhampus connects to Australian Camp, Pothana and Landruk, so it’s a natural stop on longer walks in the Annapurna foothills.
Where to Stay in Dhampus
Dhampus has several teahouses and homestays. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and many have mountain views from the windows. Hot showers are usually available for a small extra charge.
In October and November, it’s worth booking ahead, especially if you want a room with a view.
Permits for Dhampus
Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so foreign visitors need an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000). There’s an ACAP checkpoint at Dhampus. Carry your permit and passport.
For multi-day treks in the area, other rules apply too. See our Nepal trekking permits guide for the details.
Best Time to Visit Dhampus
October and November give the clearest views. December to February is cold in the mornings but often very clear, and the village is quiet. March and April bring rhododendrons, though afternoons can get hazy.
The monsoon (June to August) is wet, with cloud often hiding the mountains and leeches on the trail.
See our month by month guide to the best time to trek in Nepal for more.
Treks That Pass Through Dhampus
Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek (12 days). MountainKick’s slower version of the classic Poon Hill trek. After the Poon Hill sunrise, it walks down through Ghandruk, Landruk, Tolka and Australian Camp, and finishes in Dhampus before the drive back to Pokhara. Daily walking is 3 to 5 hours, and it suits families and first time trekkers.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 4 to 9 trekkers | $558 |
| 2 to 3 trekkers | $684 |
| Solo | $1,052 |
Other Annapurna treks. The Kande, Australian Camp and Pothana area connects with several longer Annapurna routes, including Mardi Himal. If you want a higher altitude trek, see our Mardi Himal trek guide and Annapurna Base Camp trek cost guide.
For other short options near Pokhara, see our guide to short treks in Nepal.
View the Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek →
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Dhampus?
About 1,650m (5,413 ft). Australian Camp, just above the village, is at 2,060m.
How far is Dhampus from Pokhara?
About 25km. Most people drive 30 minutes to Phedi and walk up in 2 to 3 hours.
Can you drive to Dhampus?
A rough road reaches the village, so it’s possible to drive much of the way by jeep. Conditions vary, especially in the monsoon, and most visitors prefer to walk at least one way.
Can you visit Dhampus as a day trip from Pokhara?
Yes. But staying overnight is worth it for the sunrise, which is when the views are clearest.
What can you see from Dhampus?
Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli and Dhaulagiri on clear days, plus the Pokhara valley below.
Do I need a permit to visit Dhampus?
Yes. Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so foreign visitors need an ACAP permit.
Is Dhampus safe for first time trekkers?
Yes. The altitude is fairly low and the usual approaches are short, though the stone steps can still be tiring.
What is the difference between Dhampus and Australian Camp?
Dhampus is a Gurung village at 1,650m. Australian Camp is a ridge viewpoint with teahouses at 2,060m, about an hour above it. Many people visit both.
